The Good Time Girls at War

The Good Time Girls Trilogy #1

by Fiona Ford

World War Two casts a dark shadow over the Hammersmith Palais de Danse, but the show must go on...

April 1940. Violet Millington, is ready to rediscover the joy of living. As she waltzes into the palais, to begin her new life of boosting morale in war swept London, she must leave her family's sorrow behind her. But soon Violet discovers she's not the only one with something they're running from.

Violet quickly befriends gutsy American Nancy, the diamond of the dance hall, flame-haired Renee with her enviable foxtrot, and Temperance, who must overcome her bullies to achieve her dreams.

In the face of the Blitz, news of a Palais dance competition keeps the foursome's spirits up. But as the contest draws near, a devastating chain of events is set in motion with life-changing consequences.

As the Good Time Girls face the music, can the ties of friendship, love and loyalty ensure they survive?

Perfect for fans of Rosie Clarke, Vicki Beeby and Rosie Goodwin.

397 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2022

About the author

She is writer from the West Country. She has worked as a journalist for 15 years.
She also wrote under the pseudonyms of Fiona Harrison, Abby Williams, and Ruby Reynolds.

Reviews

[Carol Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho Hum.. hence the 2 star rating. Nothing out of the ordinary really, I kept waiting for the main story to start, then it ended!
Nothing to make me want to read the next book in the series.
Shame because I enjoyed the Liberty girls books immensely.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good Time Girls at War by Fiona Ford takes us back to 1940 in London to the Hammersmith Palais de Danse. We get to meet Renee, Nancy, Violet, Maisie, and Temperance who work at the esteemed Palais. The Good Time Girls as they are called are a diverse group with each woman having a different job at the Palais. They all work together to entertain the people who visit the beautiful dance hall. There is drama, romance, action, a touch of suspense, and a wee mystery or two in The Good Time Girls at War. There is quite a bit going on in this historical novel. Each character has their own backstory and storyline. We also get to meet family members and other workers at the Palais. I like the diverse cast of characters in this story. We get to see how the attitudes of people and the war affect each one of them. I like all the strong female characters in the book. We get to see how the friendships at the Palais help each one of them and bind the group together as a family. Of course, there are a few bad eggs (what family does not have a black sheep or two). I thought the author captured the time period and the location. It was interesting learning about the Palais. I would have loved to have seen in its heyday. I did find the pacing to be a little slow because there were so many characters and storylines. The Good Time Girls at War is a good book, but a little fine tuning would have made it a great tale. I liked seeing the employees at the Palais come together as friends and a makeshift family. It was great the way they were there for each other. The ladies had each other’s backs. I thought The Good Time Girls at War was an emotional story with grief, fear, joy, kindness, anger, frustration, and love. The Good Times Girls at War is a charming historical novel with shocking secrets, dazzling dancers, bombs bursting, a bungling buffoon, a churlish MC, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and forever friends.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Time Girls at War by Fiona Ford is a great WWII-era historical fiction saga that is the first in a new series.

What a great start to what I expect will be an enjoyable and entertaining series. This book takes place in London during the year of 1940. Here we are introduced to a collection of young women that are from different paths in life, yet brought together during times of uncertainty and war. Violet, Nancy, Renee, and Temperance are great characters and forge friendships that will hopefully take them through what are sure to be difficult times and also life’s ups and downs.

There is action, drama, history, romance, and a bit of suspense and mystery as well.

I always love books that focus on the structure of strong female characters and their respective connections and relationships. This definitely fits the bill and I am looking forward to the next book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Embla Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/14/22.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have waited for the new Fiona Ford book to appear as she writes such moving stories.The Good Time Girls at War is a brilliant book that is set around the people that work at the Palais where dancing is top of the menu.When the men leave to fight the women are left to hold on to the home front and keep businesses going and Nancy is determined to keep her husbands beloved Palais going while having to face obstacles and difficult people.With her friends and staff she holds her head up and does the job her husband left her to do.This is a book that I have really loved to read i have some favourites and of course some I would rather slap but fans of Fiona Ford will love this and I look forward to the next book 5*

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get into this story. The Good Time Girls at War did not come together for me as a well written story. The characters in this story were great. It's just that they never seemed to come together. There were too many story lines that didn't mesh well.
Overall, the characters were well done, it jsut wasn't a book for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This story certainly brings out the feeling of friendship at the beginning of the Second World War in London.

The characters were easy to relate too with the story flowing along nicely, but unfortunately I did feel story was let down at the end with loose ends left for the next in the series.

[H.M Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t get on with this to begin with as I felt it introduced too many characters too quickly. Fortunately I pressed and and really started to enjoy the story and want to know more about the characters.
Unfortunately, just as this happened the book finished! I honestly thought it was a glitch as it cut off so suddenly. So frustrating!

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

What a super start to the series of books. I read them 3 2 1 but I was able to visualise the good works behind closed doors. I’m very thankful for all the characters who played their parts well. There were. Laments of pure delight then great sadness. Very well written I indeed. Thank you 😊

[Susan mcdanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I liked all of the characters. I recognized the problems they had and their own unique ways of solving the issues. I liked the background around London. It was a great read.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

3.5 stars rounded up. Interesting premise and intriguing characters. It started a bit slow, but it gained speed in the second half. I'll probably read the next one in the series. Happy reading!

[Mrs Maureen Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

I really enjoyed this story took me back to my dancing days. I hope there will be another one in the series.

[Mrs P E Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting book

When I started reading this book I wasn’t sure if it was my type of book but l soon changed my mind it was great l didn’t want to put it down

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

History

I've really enjoyed reading this fabulous stories. The author takes us back and I love this time. A must read.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book. I was transported to the wonderful world of the Palais where dancing was a pastime to avoid worrying about the war.

[Christine Leake · Rating 5 out of 5]

tales from the ballroom

A lovely easy read more secrets to be revealed look forward to the next book to see where this leads

[Leanne Farnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, until the ending… did I miss something? Where was the ending?

[Marea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish the book, gave up after chapter 3. Ig just didn’t grab me at all and had a hard time with the way it was going.

[Chloe Bardou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet rom com exploring the life of women working in the dance industry during the start of WW2. Literally devoured in a few sittings

[susie gillingham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where's the ending

Book ended at chapter 27....kids arrived then nothing... Now the next book makes no sense. Things appeared to have happened that I know nothing about... That are continually referred to in the 2nd book. People died and I don't know how. Either the ending is missing or the author just got bored of writing it..... Which I hope is not the case

[Louise (Bookmarks and Stages blog) Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you get a book where you want to do extra digging, for example, for some reason, I saw the blurb and was intrigued to know whether Hammersmith Palais de Danse existed. It turns out it did, but my point is more that some books have that je-ne-sais-quoi quality that just piques the interest and this is one of those. Turns out it had a rich and varied history and this is what is depicted in the book. Fiona Ford is known for doing research and it turns out she doesn’t just do that well, she also manages to turn it into great fiction.

The book not only charts the varied times and challenges of the music hall, but also the highs and lows of her characters as they face uncertain times with war becoming stronger with the blitz now underway. There’s often something poetic in a way when both characters and something inanimate, in this case the Hammersmith Palais de Danse are facing challenges. Ford has captured this very well and in a way that is compelling and that makes you care.

The characters are strong and get on with the job at hand of trying to keep the Hammersmith Palais de Danse going when the men go off to war. There are, however blossoming friendships through the various turbulent times that war brings, both on the world and personally. It’s a moving book to really get stuck into.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in this new series from this amazing author and what a great start it is.
1940 in the smoked filled streets of London everyone with anxiety on their faces Britain is at war with Germany.
Violet Millington and her young sister Maisie have got new jobs at the Hammersmith Palais De Danse the most glamourous dance hall in England, gran Queenie is all for it but Mum Betty says your morals are as loose as your knickers you are both good time girls, that is going to lead to trouble, standing by their morals both sisters are excited to be giving new jobs and make some forever friends at the Palais as we read this remarkable story, that the characters bring to life the whole book as we read about mixed race back in the start of the war, there's just no holding them back.
I loved all the ups and downs, and it truly is an amazing start to the new series, that is full of wholesome goodness you get drawn into the story, that is all about family and true friendship and I just eagerly await book two. LOVED IT.

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. The magic of music and the dance halls and the strength of friendhip comes alive in this book as a soothing balm against a backdrop of war, suffering, loss and anxiety. Fiona Ford immediately immerses us into the WWW11 era of 1940s London and the Hammersmith Palais de Danse. We meet a group of young women: Violet; Renee; Temperance and Nancy and watch their blossoming friendships amidst the Troubles of the times and personal difficulties. They support each other through the highs and turbulence in this historical saga that brings is back in time to the action, drama and romance of the war era. It is beautifully and sensitively written, and woven with mystery and suspense. The book isnthe first in what promises to be a wonderful series. A female centred book, depicting the forging of women holding together the home front as the country is at war. The women work hard, and find respite and relief in moments of dancing and music. A remarkable and moving story. #thegoodtimegirlsatwar #fionaford #netgalley

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Good Time Girls At War is a historical fiction novel by author Fiona Ford. The Good Time Girls At War is installment #1 of the WWII Saga.

The Good Time Girls At War begins with the death of Roy Millington, Violet Millington’s twin brother. Renee Hammond was on stage, really for most of her life. And now, she was on the most exciting adventure of all, The Palais. Meanwhile, George Millington went to war after the passing of his son.

The Good Time Girls At War has cursing and other areas of disinterest. I had a hard time getting into this installment and do not plan to read the rest of the series. I give The Good Time Girls At War 2*/5*.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good first installment in a new series by Fiona Ford, The Good Time Girls At War introduces us to the staff of the Palais in Hammersmith. The dance hall is determined to continue to entertain and serve the public through the Nazi threat, and this book introduces us to the owners, dancers and other staff who help keep the dance hall running.

I really enjoyed the introduction to Nancy, Temperance, Violet, Maisie and their friends and family. The story evoked a multitude of emotions - grief, anger, fear, happiness - and was an enjoyable read. It provides a very solid foundation for the series to run and run, and I'll definitely be looking out for the next book to see what happens to them all!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical fiction read with all of the bits to make you laugh, cry and cheer. It doesn't just follow the 4 main characters, it also has quite a few secondary ones with interesting lives and stories as well. It touches on war, loss, family dynamics as well as racism all with a background of the everyday lives of those living through a war. The author is new to me and with the ending which made it seem like there will be more to follow, I'll certainly be chasing them up to read more.
Thank you to Fiona Ford and Netgalley who have given me a chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't many books that have me reaching for the tissues, but the Good Time Girls at War had me sobbing so hard I had to stop reading at one point!!

Believable, The characters were likeable, even the rogues of Bill, Larry and George had me tutting and both angry and amused in equal measure.

I loved how the story both combined the love and loss experienced throughout the war with the difficulties of racial discrimination and mixed race relationships. It will have you reflecting on your own views today, and how social history has both moved on in some respects but sadly has stood still in others.

I highly recommend this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of a new series by Fiona Ford. It’s based at the Hammersmith Palais during World War Two. It has a good mix of characters to enjoy following the ups and downs of their journeys through this difficult time. Make sure to have your tissues handy as you quickly become drawn into the characters lives. I loved it and didn’t want to put it down. I look forward to more from the Good Time Girls when the next book comes out in October 22. A five star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Fiona Ford and I like her historical saga. She does an excellent job in developing interesting plots that feature strong female characters.
As in other series the historical background is fleshed out and there a strong friendship amongst sthe women.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent start to a new series good characters and premise looking forward to the 2nd book can recommend.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read by Fiona Ford and I LOVED it!!
Brilliant start to a new series
Roll on book 2