The Grafton Girls - Tapa dura

Praise for Annie Groves:

‘An engrossing story.’ My Weekly

‘A stirring and heartrending family saga...Against a backdrop of change when the suffragette movement was coming to the fore, the choices and dreams of a generation of women combine to create this passionate story.’ Liverpool Daily Post

‘Heartwrenching and uplifting in equal measure – a tragic indictment of what can happen when you swap passion for duty. Roll on the sequel!’ Take a Break

‘Written from the heart’ My Weekly

The new Liverpool-based World War Two saga from the author of Goodnight Sweetheart and Some Sunny Day is a tale of four very different young women thrown together by war. Finding freedom and independence – as well as love, passion and heartbreak – for the very first time, a unique bond is formed as the hostilities take their toll on Britain.

When Diane Wilson leaves Cambridge for Liverpool, destined for Derby House and war work as a teleprint operator, she is intent on mending her broken heart. But will hundreds of miles ease the pain of her betrayal?

Meanwhile, mean-spirited Myra Stone awaits her new roommate in the Wavertree terrace she is billeted to. From the moment she first lays eyes on Myra, Diane senses she's bad news. But does Myra's bitterness and caustic wit belie a secret heartache?

Ruthie starts work at the munitions factory, enduring terrible conditions in order to put food on the table for herself and her widowed mother. It's tough, relentless work. But Ruthie is befriended by lively and vivacious Jess Hunt who injects colour and fun into the drab surroundings. Until, one day, a troublemaker deliberately provokes a feud between them...

All four women are brought together at The Grafton, the local dance hall favoured by American GIs as well as the local girls. In this heady, uncertain time, infatuation and passion blossom. But has each girl found true love – or true heartache?