A Sister’s War is the third book in The Victory Sisters trilogy and starts in 1943. I hadn’t realised that this was part of a trilogy when I read the book and don’t believe it took away any of my enjoyment of the story. However, I now want to go back and read the first two.
Ronnie, or Veronique as her French mother prefers her to be called, is the youngest of three sisters. Her older sisters, Raine and Suzy have already left home to do their bit for the war effort and Ronnie is determined to do hers by joining the Land Army. Unfortunately for Ronnie, she’s still too young to be accepted not yet being seventeen. Not wishing to give up and remain living with her strict mother at home, she decides to try for a position working in a team on a narrowboat for the Grand Union Canal Company instead. She asks her sister Suzy to help with her application and to persuade her mother to give her permission to go. Ronnie is delighted when she’s accepted and begins living with the other trainees on the cramped boats, learning how to work the vessels carrying vital supplies between London and Birmingham.
Her delight at being accepted soon diminishes when she discovers that the work is much harder, dirtier, and the hours longer than she had anticipated. As Ronnie dedicates herself to her training she becomes close to several of the other trainees and meets new friends, but can’t help being terrified of angering her trainer, Deadly Dora and being sent back home.
It was fascinating to follow Ronnie’s experiences as she struggled to learn her duties and fit in with the other older women from different backgrounds to her own. It was easy to imagine how a young girl of sixteen, desperate to carry out a much-needed role during World War Two might find it a struggle. I’ve never read a book by Molly Green before and thoroughly enjoyed this one. I especially enjoyed Deadly Dora’s character but you will have to read the book to find out about her. A Sister’s War is an emotional, fascinating read and is out now. My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.