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Battersea Tavern #3
New Kitty Neale 2
1944, London.
Like the rest of London, locals at the Battersea Tavern are being terrorized night and day by the dreaded German Doodlebugs. Winnie Berry, landlady and surrogate mum to so many, has more on her plate than ever before. There's something her daughter Jan just won't tell her. Local bobby and old friend Tommy is happy to lend a listening ear but does he want to be something more to Win too?
Rachel Duff is living above the pub with her daughter Martha, Win's beloved granddaughter. It's hard to know what the future holds as a single mum, especially when she was treated so badly by Martha's dad. Rachel is determined never to let her guard down to another man again. But then she meets the ever so charming Alberto King...
Maureen Fanning can't remember the last time her husband Brancher tried to charm her. His words these days are full of accusations and insults. She's worn down by how he treats her but where else can she go? She's no family left and she worries that her friends at the Tavern will get sick of her. When Brancher asks her to keep a secret, a dangerous one, it might ruin all their lives...
Like the rest of London, locals at the Battersea Tavern are being terrorized night and day by the dreaded German Doodlebugs. Winnie Berry, landlady and surrogate mum to so many, has more on her plate than ever before. There's something her daughter Jan just won't tell her. Local bobby and old friend Tommy is happy to lend a listening ear but does he want to be something more to Win too?
Rachel Duff is living above the pub with her daughter Martha, Win's beloved granddaughter. It's hard to know what the future holds as a single mum, especially when she was treated so badly by Martha's dad. Rachel is determined never to let her guard down to another man again. But then she meets the ever so charming Alberto King...
Maureen Fanning can't remember the last time her husband Brancher tried to charm her. His words these days are full of accusations and insults. She's worn down by how he treats her but where else can she go? She's no family left and she worries that her friends at the Tavern will get sick of her. When Brancher asks her to keep a secret, a dangerous one, it might ruin all their lives...
416 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2023
114 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 23, 2026
Eh...was easy and mindless reading but not in a pleasurable way. Characters felt underdeveloped and the dialogue was not interesting. It felt like I was overhearing someone's conversation at a pub. This was the first book I've read of this author's (apparently there's a large series) and will likely be the last.
December 28, 2023
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 404
Publisher - Orion books
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Can she choose between her husband and her family? London, 1944. With bombs raining over London, keeping the Battersea Tavern open is no easy feat for owner Winnie Berry - but the community need the warmth and familiarity of the pub more than ever. After marriage, Maureen Fanning had moved out to Wandsworth with her bad-tempered husband Brancher. But when he loses both his job and their lodgings, the only people who will take them in are her kindly grandparents, Len and Renee. Getting a cleaning job at the Battersea Tavern is the least she can do to pay them back. It would all be fine... if it weren't for Brancher. Winnie is determined to take timid Maureen under her wing. But when tragedy strikes, it will be up to Maureen to find the strength she didn't know she possessed...Praise for A WIFE'S COURAGE'A fantastic emotional book to the end' 'What a lovely read once again from Kitty Neale.'
My Review
This is listed on FantasticFiction as a standalone however there are characters in this from previous books so I think I will need to go back and buy the others. To be fair I do have a few of hers on my tbrm and read a few anyway. Set in 1940s, world war two is under way and bombs are dropping quite often without warning. Winnie and her pub are still there, offering support where needed within their small community. Maureen I don't remember from the books I have read but she is married to Brancher, ugh he is an utter scumbag. We know early on he is a bully to Maureen, eroding her self confidence and even sense of self but you have no idea just how bad he is.
In this one we see some familiar faces, some new ones and how the community is coping with their own issues/families/dramas and the ever present threat of death from the bombs. It has been a while since I sank a book in a day and Neale takes you to a place where you can just log out of reality and lose yourself in the community that is Battersea.
The book has friendship, love, loss, abuse (emotional/violent/threats of violence), death, racism, attitudes and values of the times. Maureen's character really got under my skin, I think when you have lived with or loved someone who has been in a coercive relationship and seen just how badly they can be made to be and worthless to feel, it is enraging.
This is the latest release from Neale and I look forward to her next, I have many from her back catalogue I haven't read so will be getting them. This was a bargain buy and I got another copy for the BDWB's for my workies as I knew it would be a good one, 4.5/5 for me.
Pages - 404
Publisher - Orion books
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Can she choose between her husband and her family? London, 1944. With bombs raining over London, keeping the Battersea Tavern open is no easy feat for owner Winnie Berry - but the community need the warmth and familiarity of the pub more than ever. After marriage, Maureen Fanning had moved out to Wandsworth with her bad-tempered husband Brancher. But when he loses both his job and their lodgings, the only people who will take them in are her kindly grandparents, Len and Renee. Getting a cleaning job at the Battersea Tavern is the least she can do to pay them back. It would all be fine... if it weren't for Brancher. Winnie is determined to take timid Maureen under her wing. But when tragedy strikes, it will be up to Maureen to find the strength she didn't know she possessed...Praise for A WIFE'S COURAGE'A fantastic emotional book to the end' 'What a lovely read once again from Kitty Neale.'
My Review
This is listed on FantasticFiction as a standalone however there are characters in this from previous books so I think I will need to go back and buy the others. To be fair I do have a few of hers on my tbrm and read a few anyway. Set in 1940s, world war two is under way and bombs are dropping quite often without warning. Winnie and her pub are still there, offering support where needed within their small community. Maureen I don't remember from the books I have read but she is married to Brancher, ugh he is an utter scumbag. We know early on he is a bully to Maureen, eroding her self confidence and even sense of self but you have no idea just how bad he is.
In this one we see some familiar faces, some new ones and how the community is coping with their own issues/families/dramas and the ever present threat of death from the bombs. It has been a while since I sank a book in a day and Neale takes you to a place where you can just log out of reality and lose yourself in the community that is Battersea.
The book has friendship, love, loss, abuse (emotional/violent/threats of violence), death, racism, attitudes and values of the times. Maureen's character really got under my skin, I think when you have lived with or loved someone who has been in a coercive relationship and seen just how badly they can be made to be and worthless to feel, it is enraging.
This is the latest release from Neale and I look forward to her next, I have many from her back catalogue I haven't read so will be getting them. This was a bargain buy and I got another copy for the BDWB's for my workies as I knew it would be a good one, 4.5/5 for me.
Read
August 8, 2023WW2 saga The Battersea Tavern series the final book three.
Can she choose between her husband and family?
London 1944 Maureen Fanning and her bad tempered husband Brancher pushing their belongings in a perambulator from Wandworth to Battersea, with no job and no home that's all her husbands fault, they are heading to Maureen's grandparents to ask to stay for a while, thank goodness there's no children yet and as soon as they arrive he goes straight to the Tavern while she faces her family. Brancher got out of fighting in the war through his hearing, he could never hold down a job with his temper. And he's soon got Maureen working a job in Winnie Berry's pub cleaning and serving behind the bar. His wicked ways will soon get the better of him in the long run.
Rachel, Winnie's granddaughter takes a shine to Alberto King the colour of his skin doesn't bother her a single mum to her daughter Martha she was glad to have a bit of excitement in her life.
Winnie Berry is her own boss and doesn't take any nonsense in her pub a well respected woman liked by everyone, then sorrow is about to hit not only Winnie but a lot more of the character's for the war is still on going bringing more tragedy and sorrow.
This book was so heart breaking in a lot of chapters, that broke my heart I literally sobbed. The feeling it brings you to feel involved like they are all your friends.
sadly the last in this three book series but I shall look forward to more adventures from Kitty Neale her book just keep coming in heaps and bounds with so many feel good emotions as you can't put them down.
Superb emotional and new beginnings and leaving a contented Booklover Happy.
Can she choose between her husband and family?
London 1944 Maureen Fanning and her bad tempered husband Brancher pushing their belongings in a perambulator from Wandworth to Battersea, with no job and no home that's all her husbands fault, they are heading to Maureen's grandparents to ask to stay for a while, thank goodness there's no children yet and as soon as they arrive he goes straight to the Tavern while she faces her family. Brancher got out of fighting in the war through his hearing, he could never hold down a job with his temper. And he's soon got Maureen working a job in Winnie Berry's pub cleaning and serving behind the bar. His wicked ways will soon get the better of him in the long run.
Rachel, Winnie's granddaughter takes a shine to Alberto King the colour of his skin doesn't bother her a single mum to her daughter Martha she was glad to have a bit of excitement in her life.
Winnie Berry is her own boss and doesn't take any nonsense in her pub a well respected woman liked by everyone, then sorrow is about to hit not only Winnie but a lot more of the character's for the war is still on going bringing more tragedy and sorrow.
This book was so heart breaking in a lot of chapters, that broke my heart I literally sobbed. The feeling it brings you to feel involved like they are all your friends.
sadly the last in this three book series but I shall look forward to more adventures from Kitty Neale her book just keep coming in heaps and bounds with so many feel good emotions as you can't put them down.
Superb emotional and new beginnings and leaving a contented Booklover Happy.
November 9, 2023
Couldn’t wait to get my hands on this next book of the series
I went one better and had it on audio
Was not disappointed loved every minute of this series
Brilliant catching up with them all and see how things were going
Like being part of the family ,looking forward to the next one 😍
Definitely 5*
My favourite line and please don’t quote me on this. But near enough
Has to be ,
Had enough of the snoring and passing wind in the bedroom thanks 🤣
This made me laugh out loud …classic
I went one better and had it on audio
Was not disappointed loved every minute of this series
Brilliant catching up with them all and see how things were going
Like being part of the family ,looking forward to the next one 😍
Definitely 5*
My favourite line and please don’t quote me on this. But near enough
Has to be ,
Had enough of the snoring and passing wind in the bedroom thanks 🤣
This made me laugh out loud …classic
August 5, 2023
not as good as the rest
Didn’t enjoy this book like I’ve had all,the others the storyline wasn’t as good and holding your breath,all the books I’ve read by Kitty neale
have been exciting,bits of scandal which we all like,riveting I always had to finish,another chapter before I went to sleep,with the other books,but not this one I was disappointed to say the least.
Didn’t enjoy this book like I’ve had all,the others the storyline wasn’t as good and holding your breath,all the books I’ve read by Kitty neale
have been exciting,bits of scandal which we all like,riveting I always had to finish,another chapter before I went to sleep,with the other books,but not this one I was disappointed to say the least.
October 6, 2023
Another great book in the Battersea Tavern series. Winnie Berry, landlady of the Battersea Tavern, is the one who holds everything together living and working during WWII. Through good times and bad she is there for everyone and keeping moral high while living in the middle of a war. Hoping there will be more books in this series.
August 10, 2023
Omg Kitty Neale has done it again written another book I just couldn't put down, definitely worth more than 5stars.
Sad to say farewell to Winnie Berry and her customers, friends and family. I'm hoping we will get a sequel to it one day. Another of my favourite books this year
Sad to say farewell to Winnie Berry and her customers, friends and family. I'm hoping we will get a sequel to it one day. Another of my favourite books this year
August 21, 2023
What a brilliant finish to this trio of books featuring all the people from the Battersea Tavern, their loves and lives, troubles and happiness, sadness and joy. Yes, all covered in these books. It's so sad that there is not another book. A great unputdownable 5 star 🌟 read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
A really good read and lovely story.
I enjoyed reading about how people were affected by the war. It was a lovely book to read with a lovely ending. Another book could follow about the people’s lives.
I enjoyed reading about how people were affected by the war. It was a lovely book to read with a lovely ending. Another book could follow about the people’s lives.
August 9, 2023
Loved it
I've kitty neale books I especially loved catching up with Winnie and everyone else from the Battersea Tavern I definitely recommend this fabulous book.
I've kitty neale books I especially loved catching up with Winnie and everyone else from the Battersea Tavern I definitely recommend this fabulous book.
August 21, 2023
Another good book from Kitty Neale one of my favourite authors and looking forward to her next book.
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August 28, 2023Lovely read .
Wish they would make more novel's like this .
Such a lovely read rolled into one .
This novel deserves 5 stars and I would recommend it to the kitty neal can club .
Wish they would make more novel's like this .
Such a lovely read rolled into one .
This novel deserves 5 stars and I would recommend it to the kitty neal can club .
September 17, 2023
Excellent.
I have read all of Kitty Neales books , and now I have to wait for the next one!!! I would definitely recommend.
I have read all of Kitty Neales books , and now I have to wait for the next one!!! I would definitely recommend.
September 21, 2023
A very good read. Look forward to starting another book by this author.
September 27, 2023
great book
Loved this series of books. The stories of each of the strong women is inspiring. Would love another is this series to cover end of war and going in to the sixties
Loved this series of books. The stories of each of the strong women is inspiring. Would love another is this series to cover end of war and going in to the sixties
November 3, 2023
I'm loving this series more and more, each book gets better. I really hope there's at least one more (or maybe two or three!)
March 15, 2025
A wife’s courage
Another good book of kitty Neale’s this a book that I couldn’t put down,l couldn’t wait until I had read it all
Another good book of kitty Neale’s this a book that I couldn’t put down,l couldn’t wait until I had read it all
November 24, 2025
A injoyable read for the cold days and night
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February 6, 2026Love this series can't wait to read the next one
July 1, 2025
Great book, enjoyed devouring it, but I came across a lot of typos. Now I'm reading book 4, and whilst I'm enjoying the story, there are still a lot of typos in it too!
October 3, 2023
Kitty Neale does it once again with another five star read. I enjoyed this series.
August 22, 2023
An excellent story.
Another enjoyable read from Kitty Neale. This one is about life during the war in London and the good and bad times they shared. Kitty is a brilliant author and I love her books.
Another enjoyable read from Kitty Neale. This one is about life during the war in London and the good and bad times they shared. Kitty is a brilliant author and I love her books.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews