Jeannie's War by Carol MacLean
Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance
War changed her country, but it couldn’t change her spirit
Glasgow, 1939
Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts, even if she is unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur’s comfortable, middle-class background. But as WW2 takes its toll on the world, her wedding must wait…
As she sets off to work at a munitions factory she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeannie is grateful to be settled with Arthur, even if he is set in his ways.
Until she meets charming Canadian soldier,Bill, and realizes she has found a spark she was always missing. But how can Jeannie tell Arthur? And is she strong enough to fight her own battle, with the country already at war…?
An emotional and romantic family saga set in WW2 Scotland and the start of a captivating new series. Fans of Call the Midwife and Katie Flynn won’t be able to put this down.
Review
Set in Glasgow at the beginning of WW2, I found I couldn’t put it down. It is a quick read, but one that is beautifully written. Here we find Jeannie and her family as they face the hardships of war. What everyone thought was going to be a short war dragged on for years. When the prime minister announces war, Jeannie’s sister teases that Arthur, the guy Jeannie has been on two dates with, will certainly propse before heading off to join the war. Aruthr does that, but not so much proposes as tells Jeannie they are getting married. Shy Jeannie agrees as long as they have a long engagement so they can properly get to know one another.
While she is uncertain of Arthur, she adores his mother, Helen. Once engaged, it doesn’t take Arthur long to show his true colors. While Helen makes the excuse, he takes after his late father. Arthur is very old-fashioned in that he feels women are beneath men. He doesn’t like that Jeannie wants to work at the new munitions factory. Of course, that is just the tip of the iceberg. He’s unemotional, not affectionate, doesn’t like dancing, the cinema, or a whole list of things. He treats his mother like she is an invalid when she is far from it.
While Jeannie should have called off the engagement, she doesn’t want to shame her family or not honor the promise she made. So she sticks it out. One night at a dance, she meets Bill, who is from Canada and is everything that Arthur is not. As Jeannie’s feelings for Bill grow, she finds that the shy and reserved girl she once was has been replaced by someone much stronger.
This was so beautifully written, and I must say I enjoyed all of the characters. Even Arthur, who I hated for how he was, is written in a way that you can’t imagine any other way. He is very much a product of his times. Women were still trying to find their own independence in much of their lives while also trying to be wives and mothers. The war brought new dimensions to their lives, and they were the backbone of the effort.
Thanks for the review, I love Historical Fic!
Sounds like an interesting book – I love quick reads that you can’t seem to put down!
This sounds very interesting, the cover looks nice
I so love to read books set in this time period and this one sounds like my kind of read. I love the cover too.
Jeannie’s War sounds like a fascinating read, thanks for sharing your review and have a beautiful day!
interesting time period
Sounds like a beautiful story. Thanks for the review.
A lovely cover and an intriguing synopses, this sounds like a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing your review of this book, this one is going on my TBR pile
It sounds wonderful, and I love historical fiction
sounds wonderful!
WW2 love stories are my favorites to read. I love all I have read so far and I am excited to read this.
This book looks like a wonderful read. Pretty cover.
I love the sound of this book. It is always interesting to read books in this era.
I’ve been reading a lot of WW2 books this past month, and I read them all with a little more meaning now since the terrible events in Ukraine started. This book is on my “to read” this, and I’m really excited for it.
I don’t think I would like this book
Reading this book set during a war might have more meaning now given the current situation in the world.
I enjoy books set in this time period. Looks like a book I want to read. Thanks for the review.
I like the setting,very interesting.
This sounds like a very interesting read! Thank you for sharing and for your review!
Sounds like a well written WWII love story. I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for sharing your review of this book.
I am especially fond of WW2 settings