It feels ages since I wrote a book review, but today I am excited to bring you my thoughts on The Gunner Girl by Clare Harvey. I’ll be honest, I still adore reading, but trying to fit in a chapter here and there with an active toddler can be quite a challenge at times. The chaos that comes with parenting often leaves little room for long reading sessions, which means it takes so much longer to get through a book these days.

Consequently, I find myself craving stories that truly grip my attention and transport me to another world, making every moment spent reading worthwhile. Did The Gunner Girl manage to capture my focus and engage me like I hoped it would? Let’s dive into the pages of this novel and find out if it lives up to my expectations…

The Blurb

It’s time for three women to do their bit for king and country…

Bea has grown up part of a large, boisterous East End family. But she hasn’t heard from her sweetheart in months and her mother is controlling her life. She needs to take charge of her future.

Edie inhabits a world of wealth and privilege, but knows only too well that money can’t buy happiness. She wants to be like Winston Churchill’s daughter, Mary, and to make a difference.

Joan can’t remember anything of her past or her family, and her home has been bombed in the Blitz. Desperate, she needs a refuge.

Meet the Gunner girls and discover one remarkable wartime friendship of shared hopes, lost loves and terrible danger…

A Brief Summary

This book presents a story that unfolds in two distinct parts. The first half is slow to develop, almost painfully so, while the second half picks up speed and intensity. At the centre of the narrative are a series of secrets, with Joan’s secret being revealed early on, though others only come to light later.

The plot takes sudden, unexpected turns, with moments of family joy swiftly giving way to tragedy, and light-hearted outings turning into reminders of the harshness of war. Trigger warning, this book does feature subjects of rape and illegal medicine interventions.

The Author

Clare Harvey is the author of this novel, and though this is my first experience with her writing, I found it to be a mixed bag. Her storytelling style is modern and direct, but there were moments where it felt out of place, especially considering the historical context she’s aiming for.

Themes & Topics

The central theme revolves around secrets, relationships, and the impact of war. The book explores personal struggles, particularly the dynamics of family relationships and the role of women during wartime. The shift from personal, intimate moments to dramatic events adds an unexpected edge to the narrative.

Character Analysis  

Unfortunately, I didn’t quite connect with the characters. They didn’t seem to gel well together, and their interactions often felt forced. Bea, however, stood out as the most relatable character. The portrayal of her mother’s postnatal depression added depth to their strained relationship, making that subplot one of the more engaging parts of the book.

Writing Style

Clare Harvey’s writing feels modern, perhaps too much so for a book set in a wartime context. There are phrases and attitudes expressed by the characters that seem anachronistic, which made me question whether enough historical research was done. This pulled me out of the story at times, as the dialogue didn’t always fit the era.

Pacing & Structure

The pacing of the book was uneven. The first half was especially slow, to the point where I nearly gave up on it. Thankfully, the second half picks up the pace and provides the energy that the beginning lacked. The transitions between quieter moments and dramatic shifts were jarring, but they did add a level of suspense.

Personal Opinion 

By the end of the book, while I wouldn’t say I particularly enjoyed it, I did find it to be an “okay” read. It didn’t quite live up to its potential. The promise of a wartime story, given the title, seemed to fall short. Instead, it felt more like a generic fiction novel focused on the personal lives of the characters rather than the war itself.

In the blurb, it’s mentioned “one remarkable wartime friendship” but I just didn’t get that vibe at all. It felt like something was missing within the friendship group. Like there was a barrier that just couldn’t be broken.

The ending felt really strange as well. It just came about all of a sudden as if they type count was up and the writer ran out of space. For a so called great friendship group, again the ending missed the mark in my opinion.

Target Audience

This book might appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for a deep wartime narrative. The themes of family and personal relationships may resonate with a wide audience.

Recommendation  

I would recommend this book to readers who are open to a more modern take on historical fiction, though I would suggest lowering expectations when it comes to the wartime elements. It’s more about the personal struggles of the characters than the historical context.

Overall Rating

While it wasn’t a complete disappointment, the book didn’t hit the mark in the way I hoped, and its pacing and character dynamics were not fully engaging. As many of you probably know, I love a historical novel set during the second world war, but unfortunately this lacked the war element despite the title.