Set in Sheffield in 1939 when war is declared, The Steel Girls by Michelle Rawlins is about three brave women who step up and do their bit for their country.
Published by Harper Collins the book shares about housewife Nancy who never dreamed that she’d end up in Vickers steelworks factory but when husband Bert is called up to serve, she needs to put food on the table for her two young children.
Betty’s sweetheart William has joined the RAF Reserves so she can’t sit around and do nothing – even if it means giving up her ambitions to study law at night school.
Young Patty is relishing the excitement the war brings. But this shop-girl is going to have to grow up quickly, especially now she’s undertaking such back-breaking and dangerous work in the factory.
The Steel Girls start off as strangers but quickly forge an unbreakable bond of friendship as these feisty factory sisters vow to keep the foundry fires burning during wartime. Keep on reading to find out what I thought of this eBook.
What did I think of the eBook?
I love reading historical novels inspired by the war and Steel Girls is exactly just that, sharing about the lives of the women who lived in Sheffield, who wanted to do their part to help win the war just as men did!
Set in 1939, the story follows the lives of three young women from different backgrounds, who eventually meet up at the steel factory and form a strong friendship bond. I found that I could easily connect to the characters as Nancy is a housewife who has no choice but to start working in the steel factory so she can earn some money to support her children while her husband Bert is called to war.
Betty, is the charming girl next door type, who decides to leave her office job and her dream of studying law as she is compelled to join the Steele factory which helps build the Spitfires. She has done this to support her boyfriend William who has at the time joined the RAF.
Pattie, on the other hand, is the type of girl who loves to head out dancing on a Saturday night and she makes sure her lipstick matches her shoes and her dress. She also decides to join the factory to do her bit for the war effort.
These women decide to work in the factory at a time when it was not common for women to do men’s work. The book also showcases how these ladies are subjected to hardship of managing their family, the uncertainty of the future and their work as they face prejudices and unwanted attention from the men who work in the factory.
I found the story to be very comforting and inspiring as I found out more about these women and their sacrifices. The author, Rawlins, is such a gifted writer that she is able to bring these characters to life and make them seem believable. I felt their pain as well as their worries of not knowing if their loved ones would return from the war as I read each chapter. A book worth adding to your reading list if you do love war inspired novels.
Where can you buy the book and how much does it cost?
The Steel Girls is available from Amazon, the Kindle copy retails for £3.99 while the paperback retails for £6.55, but always check as prices may fluctuate.
About the Book
Author : Michelle Rawlins
ASIN : B08GBXZS64
Publisher : HQ Digital
Format : eBook
Number of pages : 368 pages
About the Author
Michelle Rawlins is an award-winning freelance journalist with over 20 years’ experience working in print and digital media. After learning her trade, Michelle began her freelance career writing for national newspapers and women’s magazines, concentrating on real-life stories – living by the mantra: ‘it’s always the most ordinary people who have the most extraordinary stories’.
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*We were sent a copy of the eBook in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
13 comments
I love anything war related. In fact I am watching a second world war film right now. I have read a few land girl type books so I will have to check this out x
How wonderful! So glad you do as this would be the perfect book for you
I am adding this to my reading list. It sounds like a good book and I am happy it is in an ebook format. Thanks for the review.
Thank you Eileen, hope you do enjoy the read
I’ve actually read this one and really enjoyed it . Been loving your recommendations recently lovely 🙂
Aww how lovely! Thanks for sharing that
I usually enjoy reading historical fiction, this sounds like a book I would enjoy too.
Glad to hear that!
Glad to hear that Jenny
This book sounds great, really up my street. It is so good to read more about what went on for generations before us. Thanks for introducing me to Michelle Rawlins. Mich x
I agree, it such an insightful book and I enjoyed reading about the women and what they did during the war
Normally this would be my typical kind of read. But over the last few months, I have really been drawn to historical fiction books and this is one that sounds quite good.
How lovely to hear that, so glad to hear this is your sort of book