New Recruits at Goodwill House: A heartbreaking, gripping historical saga from Fenella J Miller

An excellent second novel in this terrific series! Following on from the first novel, Lady Joanna Harcourt is expecting her second influx of WAAF’s to board at Goodwill House as the female accommodation on the base isn’t yet ready for occupation. Millie and Diane are both drivers and they settle in quickly both at work and off duty. It doesn’t take long for Millie to meet Flying Officer Ted Thorrington and they hit if off right away, but with Hitler gaining ground in Europe, the pilots are flying more hours with more danger. Everyone has to pull together, but Millie is more worried than most. I’m very fond of wartime sagas, and have been a huge fan of Fenella J Miller’s since I read my first novel of hers. From the very beginning, it was obvious this was going to be a cracking series. Always well-researched, with interesting facts among the storyline I was delighted to return to Goodwill House and find out how life was treating the original characters as well as meet all the newbies. The author does an excellent job of showing how things were changing for the women in Britain and just how fleeting life could be. Beautifully written, as always, and with a super cover, I can’t wait to read the next in series! This is a fabulous novel, and one I’m very happy to recommend and give all five stars.

Thank you Fenella J. Miller for teaching me things that American history books never mentioned. Thank you for not glossing over the past. Thank you for bringing understanding to the struggles of those that stood up for freedom. The author has a talent for telling history through the characters of Goodwill House that made me want to know more. Joanna Harcourt, owner of Goodwill House, has had WAAFs living in her home while they waited for their hut to be constructed. The author uses this situation to bring in different personalities, jobs, backgrounds and how the characters dealt with everything. I learned of the struggles of rationing, the creativity used to survive, the crossing social economic classes. The WAAFs interact with servicemen and pilots bringing friendship, romance and loss to the story. I enjoyed following Millie's story. She comes to Goodwill House as a driver for the Motor Pool. She is someone that others look up to and respect. The openness within the group gives great insight into WW2 England near an airbase. She falls for a pilot that brings sweet, swoony moments to the story. I confess I became very invested in the characters. I enjoyed reading of their successes. I was thrilled to gain more understanding into what my family went through. I can't wait for the next book so I can experience more of the lives of those during WW2.

New Recruits at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller is the second book in the Goodwill House series. I recommend reading the series in order as it will allow you to get the full picture and get to know the characters. I thought New Recruits at Goodwill House was well-written with developed, realistic characters. I enjoyed getting to know Millie, Di, and Ted plus catching up with the people who live at Goodwill House. We go back to May 1940 when Millie and Di, two WAAFs, arrive at Goodwill House to work as drivers at the nearby RAF Manston (in northeast Kent). We follow Millie and Di as they get used to their new duties, meet their fellow recruits, and get to know some dashing pilots. We get o catch up with Joanna Harcourt, Elizabeth (the Dowager Lady Harcourt), Liza, and Joe plus the puppy, Lazzy. Joanna is really coming into her own now that her husband, David is off fighting the war. Now that he is no longer there to issue his edicts, Joanna is taking charge and doing a wonderful job. Of course, Joanna is unprepared for the arrival of David’s mother, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a difficult woman who arrived from France with her lady’s maid, Baxter. Liza and Joe are two children that Joanna took in from London. They are sweet twins who soon become part of Joanna’s new family. I enjoyed seeing the characters develop as the story progressed. There is some violence in the story as well as minimal foul language. The violence fit into the story (it is still awful) and went with the time period (and attitudes of some men). I found New Recruits at Goodwill House to be an engaging story. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one. We are left with some unanswered questions at the end of the story when someone new enters the scene. I cannot wait to find out what happens next at Goodwill House. New Recruits at Goodwill House is a spiffing tale with a demanding mother-in-law, random air raids, dame drivers, pretty boy pilots, circumscribed bicycles, potatoes in the pasture, money misfortunes, and a relentless war.