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London Belles

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London Belles

By: Annie Groves
Narrated by: Anna Baatz
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About this listen

London Belles 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.

United by chance, bound together in times of need

When tragedy strikes, Olive is forced to seek lodgers. Three girls come knocking at her door, each in need of a roof over their heads.

Sally has left Liverpool to work as a nurse in London and when she arrives she is a shell of her former self. Where once stood a vivacious, sociable girl, now stands one plagued by homesickness and a betrayal that is devastatingly fresh in her mind.

Dulcie is living the high life in the West End, a world away from her home in Stepney. Working at Selfridges gives her access to the most fashionable clothes and makeup, but at home she is the black sheep of the family; always second to her sister. So she decides it's time to make a bid for freedom.

Agnes grew up in an orphanage, having been left on the steps as a new-born baby. But with war looming, and the orphanage relocating to the country, she must now seek out a job and lodgings. But with change comes exciting new opportunities, worlds away from the life she's known…

As the women prepare for war, all of their futures hang in the balance. Soon their lives will change irrevocably and the home that binds the London Belles is no longer the sanctuary they once sought.

©2010 Annie Groves (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Fiction Genre Fiction Medical Psychological Urban England Heartfelt War

Critic reviews

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

All stars
Most relevant
I loved the story narrator just wasn't right for this book. great narrator but Annie Aldington fits this book better.

nearly perfect

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A lovely story, somewhat spoilt by the rushed narration, shame it would have had 5 stars but for that.

Gripping story

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As ever with this author, the story is great however the reader unfortunately got quite a bit wrong.

Great story, spoiled by reader

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I loved this book, especially being a Londoner born & bred. Dulce was truly horrible at first. I am so glad she changed. I cant wait to listen to the next book. Such a great story, brilliantly written & read with the adorable London old accent.

What a wonderful book.

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What disappointed you about London Belles?

The narrator spoke much too fast and too much contrast between loud and soft, spoiled the story, I can't follow the story even though I've read all the books in this series with enjoyment.

Would you be willing to try another one of Anna Baatz’s performances?

No, sorry, I will avoid this narrator in future. She's really difficult to listen to, very harsh on the eardrums.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from London Belles?

I wouldn't have bought the book if it had been abridged. I only buy audible books that I've read.

Sorry did not enjoy the narration at all

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