I’ve just finished The Windmill Girls by Kay Brellend, and I have quite a few thoughts.
This was actually my first time reading anything by Kay Brellend, so I went in not really knowing what to expect. I do love historical fiction — especially wartime stories set in Britain — so on paper, this felt right up my street.
But if I’m being completely honest? It was a bit of a slow start for me.
Before I get into my thoughts properly, here’s the blurb so you can get a feel for the story yourself.
The Windmill Girls – Blurb
A compelling wartime drama from the author of The Street, perfect for fans of Pam Weaver and Kitty Neale.
The Windmill Theatre was one of the most famous clubs of the 20th century. Its heyday was during WWII when it famously ‘never closed’ and it became famous for its ‘tasteful’ nude performances.
Dawn is a pretty and feisty blonde. Losing her job as a chambermaid, she goes to work as a dancer at The Windmill Theatre. Despite refusing to appear on stage naked, Dawn is taken on and soon gets a glimpse of London’s dark and seductive underbelly. She meets Olive, Renee and Rosie, women all with their own secrets to bear. Each of them will be have to draw on their courage to survive, not just Hitler and his bombs, but by the life they have chosen and the men that they cannot escape…
First Impressions – I Struggled
I really wanted to love this from the start. I enjoy settling into a good wartime saga — especially one centred around strong female characters — but the first third of the book felt hard work.
For me, the biggest issue was character depth. I just didn’t feel fully immersed in who these women were. I love rich description in historical fiction — the clothes, the setting, the expressions, the little details that transport you back in time. That grounding is what makes me feel invested.
Here, I felt slightly detached. I understood what was happening, but I didn’t feel it.
And when you don’t feel emotionally connected to the characters, it’s harder to care deeply about their struggles.
If you’re searching for a review of The Windmill Girls by Kay Brellend because you’re wondering whether it grips you straight away — for me, it didn’t. It took time.
The Middle – Very Nearly a DNF
The second third of the book continued at quite a slow pace.
In fact, I’ll admit it — I nearly didn’t finish it. A couple of times.
There wasn’t that pull that makes you desperate to pick it up again. I wasn’t rushing through chores to squeeze in another chapter. It felt like the story was gently ticking along rather than building towards something bigger.
And in a novel set during wartime Britain, there’s so much natural opportunity for tension and drama. I kept waiting for something to really shift.
At this point, I wasn’t excited to read it — and that’s always telling.
The Final Third – Finally, the Drama Arrives
Then something changed.
The final third of The Windmill Girls completely shifted the pace. Secrets started unravelling. Emotions ran higher. The stakes felt real.
And suddenly? I was hooked.
I actually stayed up until gone midnight because I just needed to know how it would end. That switch from nearly giving up to losing sleep over it says everything.
The drama that unfolded in the last part of the book is where it really shines. It was tense, emotional and genuinely gripping.
My only slight frustration is that it felt rushed. All of that intensity came quite late and happened quite quickly. I couldn’t help but think how powerful it would have been if some of those hints, tensions and dramatic threads had been introduced earlier on.
If that build-up had been spread more evenly through the story, the flow would have felt much stronger.
Historical Accuracy – Something to Keep in Mind
Because this is a historical fiction novel set during wartime Britain, accuracy does matter.
I did notice a couple of moments that didn’t feel quite historically correct. I won’t go into specifics (no spoilers here), but there were small details that made me pause.
It didn’t ruin the book for me, but it did pull me out of the story briefly. With historical fiction, especially British wartime sagas, readers often expect a solid sense of research behind the scenes. A little more depth in that area would have made it feel more authentic.
That said, I still enjoyed where the story ended up — particularly emotionally.
My Overall Thoughts on The Windmill Girls
So, would I recommend The Windmill Girls?
I think it depends what you’re looking for.
If you enjoy slow-burn historical fiction with a dramatic final act, you may really appreciate it. The ending genuinely delivered for me.
If you prefer a gripping, fast-paced wartime novel that pulls you in from the first chapter, you might find the early sections frustrating.
For me, it was a mixed experience. I struggled at the beginning, nearly gave up in the middle, and then ended up completely absorbed by the end.
And honestly? Sometimes that journey makes a book memorable in its own way.
My Rating
I’d give The Windmill Girls by Kay Brellend 3 out of 5 stars.
The final third was strong and compelling, but the pacing throughout the rest of the book didn’t quite hold me.
If you love wartime fiction set in Britain and are looking for your next read, this could still be worth trying — especially if you don’t mind a slower build.
And if you’ve read The Windmill Girls, I’d genuinely love to know what you thought. Did you find it slow too? Or did you connect with it straight away?
Other posts you might enjoy:
The Gunner Girl: A Mixed Review of Clare Harvey’s Historical Fiction
The Kelly Diane Report 