Listen free for 30 days
-
The Boat Girls
- Narrated by: Ruth Sillers
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Categories: Romance, Contemporary
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Girls of Victory Street: An Absolutely Heartbreaking World War 2 Family Saga
- The Bryant Sisters, Book 1
- By: Pam Howes
- Narrated by: Susie Riddell
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool, 1939. Bella Rogers thought her life was just starting; she can’t wait to get married to her childhood sweetheart, Bobby. But when war is declared and Bobby is called up, his letters stop, leaving Bella heartbroken and alone. Then her family is torn apart by tragedy when her angelic 5-year-old sister dies from a terrible illness. They can barely afford a funeral, but the church is packed with the entire community, devastated for their loss. Grieving for her sister and lost love, Bella finds a job at the Bryant and May factory, making matches.
-
-
Brings back some memory’s of my younger days
- By RITA on 17-10-20
-
The Dover Cafe at War
- By: Ginny Bell
- Narrated by: Bea Holland
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the heart of Dover's Market Square lies the Castle's Café. A bustling, homely place run by the formidable Nellie Castle and her six children. Since the scandalous birth of her beloved son 10 years before, Marianne, Nellie's eldest daughter, has preferred to stay in the kitchen, hidden away from the town gossips. Overcome with shame, Marianne has never revealed the name of Donny's father - not even to her own mother. But with World War II just around the corner, Marianne's past catches up with her. And suddenly the lives of the Castle family become a lot more complicated.
-
-
Perfect
- By Lou on 24-08-20
-
The Shop Girls of Harpers
- Welcome to Oxford Street's Newest Emporium!
- By: Rosie Clarke
- Narrated by: Juliette Burton
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Sally, Beth, Margaret and Rachel meet at a job interview for the wonderful new store in Oxford Street, they have no idea they will become lifelong friends. When all four girls are lucky enough to be selected as sales staff their exciting new adventure begins. Join them as they overcome heartbreak and grief, find love and happiness and remain united in their friendship, whatever life throws at them.
-
-
Don't waste your money they are all a total drone.
- By Jacky on 21-07-20
-
Our Yanks
- By: Margaret Mayhew
- Narrated by: Kim Hicks
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
STILL REMEMBER THE YANKS, ALMOST MORE THAN I DO THE WAR’ A Suffolk woman.It was August 1943 – and the inhabitants of King’s Thorpe had lived with the idea of invasion for some time – but by the Germans, not the Americans. The village had never seen anything like them before – certainly they were different with their wealth, their glamour, and their louche but romantic uniforms
-
-
Good book made great by superb narration!
- By MaisiMai on 05-12-17
-
A Reunion at Mulberry Lane
- By: Rosie Clarke
- Narrated by: Polly Edsell
- Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1949. Peggy and Able Ronoscki's seaside cafe in Devon is thriving, and their twins, Fay and Freddie, are growing up fast. To pursue her daughter’s destiny, Fay must train in London and Peggy is faced with a dilemma of moving the family back to London once more. Meanwhile, Peggy’s elder daughter, Janet, has her own troubles. She fears her husband is having an affair and is desperately unhappy. Peggy is torn two ways and can only hope that a reunion with her friends at Christmas can help resolve her problems.
-
-
not keen
- By Sharron on 09-11-20
-
Rag-and-Bone Christmas
- By: Dilly Court
- Narrated by: Annie Aldington
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paradise Row, London. December 1865. Snow is falling fast, and Sally Suggs is working tirelessly to bring in enough money to keep bread on the table. Her father, a skilled rag-and-bone man, has fallen ill, and now Sally has taken up his trade. But this is a man’s world and competition is fierce, and Sally’s rival, Finn Kelly, always seems to be one step ahead.
-
-
Hooked straight away
- By Emma kate daly on 07-01-21
-
The Girls of Victory Street: An Absolutely Heartbreaking World War 2 Family Saga
- The Bryant Sisters, Book 1
- By: Pam Howes
- Narrated by: Susie Riddell
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool, 1939. Bella Rogers thought her life was just starting; she can’t wait to get married to her childhood sweetheart, Bobby. But when war is declared and Bobby is called up, his letters stop, leaving Bella heartbroken and alone. Then her family is torn apart by tragedy when her angelic 5-year-old sister dies from a terrible illness. They can barely afford a funeral, but the church is packed with the entire community, devastated for their loss. Grieving for her sister and lost love, Bella finds a job at the Bryant and May factory, making matches.
-
-
Brings back some memory’s of my younger days
- By RITA on 17-10-20
-
The Dover Cafe at War
- By: Ginny Bell
- Narrated by: Bea Holland
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the heart of Dover's Market Square lies the Castle's Café. A bustling, homely place run by the formidable Nellie Castle and her six children. Since the scandalous birth of her beloved son 10 years before, Marianne, Nellie's eldest daughter, has preferred to stay in the kitchen, hidden away from the town gossips. Overcome with shame, Marianne has never revealed the name of Donny's father - not even to her own mother. But with World War II just around the corner, Marianne's past catches up with her. And suddenly the lives of the Castle family become a lot more complicated.
-
-
Perfect
- By Lou on 24-08-20
-
The Shop Girls of Harpers
- Welcome to Oxford Street's Newest Emporium!
- By: Rosie Clarke
- Narrated by: Juliette Burton
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Sally, Beth, Margaret and Rachel meet at a job interview for the wonderful new store in Oxford Street, they have no idea they will become lifelong friends. When all four girls are lucky enough to be selected as sales staff their exciting new adventure begins. Join them as they overcome heartbreak and grief, find love and happiness and remain united in their friendship, whatever life throws at them.
-
-
Don't waste your money they are all a total drone.
- By Jacky on 21-07-20
-
Our Yanks
- By: Margaret Mayhew
- Narrated by: Kim Hicks
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
STILL REMEMBER THE YANKS, ALMOST MORE THAN I DO THE WAR’ A Suffolk woman.It was August 1943 – and the inhabitants of King’s Thorpe had lived with the idea of invasion for some time – but by the Germans, not the Americans. The village had never seen anything like them before – certainly they were different with their wealth, their glamour, and their louche but romantic uniforms
-
-
Good book made great by superb narration!
- By MaisiMai on 05-12-17
-
A Reunion at Mulberry Lane
- By: Rosie Clarke
- Narrated by: Polly Edsell
- Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1949. Peggy and Able Ronoscki's seaside cafe in Devon is thriving, and their twins, Fay and Freddie, are growing up fast. To pursue her daughter’s destiny, Fay must train in London and Peggy is faced with a dilemma of moving the family back to London once more. Meanwhile, Peggy’s elder daughter, Janet, has her own troubles. She fears her husband is having an affair and is desperately unhappy. Peggy is torn two ways and can only hope that a reunion with her friends at Christmas can help resolve her problems.
-
-
not keen
- By Sharron on 09-11-20
-
Rag-and-Bone Christmas
- By: Dilly Court
- Narrated by: Annie Aldington
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paradise Row, London. December 1865. Snow is falling fast, and Sally Suggs is working tirelessly to bring in enough money to keep bread on the table. Her father, a skilled rag-and-bone man, has fallen ill, and now Sally has taken up his trade. But this is a man’s world and competition is fierce, and Sally’s rival, Finn Kelly, always seems to be one step ahead.
-
-
Hooked straight away
- By Emma kate daly on 07-01-21
-
The Railway Girls
- By: Maisie Thomas
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In February, 1922, at the western-most entrance to Victoria Station in Manchester, a massive plaque was unveiled. Beneath a vast tiled map showing the lines of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway network, a series of seven bronze panels recorded the names of the men of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War - a total of 1,460 names. In March, 1940, a group of women of varying ages and backgrounds stands in front of the memorial, ready to do its bit in this new World War....
-
-
Very enjoyable story to listen to
- By Ann mathieson on 01-08-20
-
The Lost Children
- By: Shirley Dickson
- Narrated by: Rosie Jones
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1943: Home is no longer safe for eight-year-old twins Molly and Jacob. Night after night, wailing bombs and screeching planes skim the rooftops overhead. They cradle each other, shivering in terror, not knowing if they'll live to see dawn. Their mother, Martha, has no choice but to evacuate them to the safety of the countryside. At the train station, Martha bites back tears as she says good-bye to her precious children. Knowing she might never see them again, she gives Jacob a letter, pressing the envelope into his hands and telling him to only read it if they are in danger.
-
-
Narrated
- By bookworm on 10-11-20
-
Pocketful of Dreams
- The Brogans of the East End, Book 1
- By: Jean Fullerton
- Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's 1939, and the Brogan family of London's East End are ready to show Hitler what for. But things don't seem so rosy when rationing, evacuation and air raids start to put this larger-than-life family to the test. When a mysterious young man arrives at the Brogans' local parish church, he provides just the dazzling distraction they need - and, for eldest daughter Mattie, the promise of more than she'd ever wished for. But as the pair fall deeper in love, they are drawn into secret dangers, rife on the very London streets they call home.
-
-
Lovely read
- By S on 29-05-20
-
The Shipyard Girls
- Shipyard Girls, Book 1
- By: Nancy Revell
- Narrated by: Janine Birkett
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sunderland, 1940, and the women go to the shipyards to do their bit for the war effort. Polly never dreamed she would be able to work in the shipyards like the men in her family but times are tough and her new job ends up giving her more than she ever expected when she meets enigmatic dock diver Tommy Watts. During the day, head welder Rosie teaches her fledgling flock of trainees their new trade, but at night she hides a secret life. And mother hen Gloria signs up to escape her brutal husband, but finds she cannot run....
-
-
not written well
- By Julie Ann Jones on 11-06-17
-
I'll Be Seeing You
- By: Margaret Mayhew
- Narrated by: Kim Hicks
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Juliet Porter’s mother dies, she leaves Juliet some old letters and a photograph which shatter all her previously-held beliefs. They show that her real father was an American bomber pilot in the second world war, some 40 years before, and that he had met her mother while serving in England. Armed only with this photo, Juliet sets out to trace her real father, and eventually finds the airfield where he served.
-
-
A god listen easy to follow
- By Ann mathieson on 20-11-18
-
Girls in Tin Hats
- By: Annie Murray
- Narrated by: Annie Aldington
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two very different girls from this tight-knit community join up as ARP Wardens to do their bit for the home front. Violet Simms lives with her controlling, widowed mother who runs the local pawn shop. At just 20-years-old, Violet longs for friendship, love and escape. It seems her dreams might come true until tragedy strikes on one of the very worst nights of the Birmingham Blitz. Grace Templeton is the eldest in her family of 10 children. Spirited Grace is determined never to become burdened by child bearing and drudgery like her mother.
-
-
Great saga.....realistic and well researched
- By wen-di on 30-07-20
-
The Mother and Baby Home
- By: Sheila Newberry
- Narrated by: Debra Michaels
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sunny grew in the mother and baby home on Grove Lane, London. The daughter of a wartime nurse and a Polish pilot, she was abandoned by her mother shortly after her birth and taken in by Nan, the warm and gentle proprietor of the home. Never having known her parents, Sunny has always felt like she doesn't quite fit in, but now, at 16 years old, she is ready to find her place in the world. Heading out to start her first job, she finally feels she has some idea of who she wants to be. As 1950s post-war London is changing at a rapid pace, so is Sunny.
-
Christmas with the Teashop Girls
- By: Elaine Everest
- Narrated by: Annie Aldington
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is late 1940, and the war feels closer to home than ever for Rose Neville and her staff at the Lyon’s Teashop in Margate. The worry of rationing hangs overhead as the Nippies do their best to provide a happy smile and a hot cup of tea for their customers. When a heavy bombing raid targets the Kent coastline, Lyon’s is badly hit, throwing the future of the cafe into jeopardy. The light in Rose’s life is her dashing fiancé, Capt. Ben Hargreaves, and planning their Christmas Eve wedding.
-
-
A beautiful story
- By Jane Bryder on 01-01-21
-
The District Nurses of Victory Walk
- The District Nurses, Book 1
- By: Annie Groves
- Narrated by: Alex Tregear
- Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alice Lake has arrived in London from Liverpool to start her training as a District Nurse, but her journey has been far from easy. Her parents think that she should settle down and get married, but she has already had her heart broken once and isn’t about to make the same mistake again. Alice and her best friend, Edith, are based in the East End, but before they’ve even got their smart new uniforms on, war breaks out, and Hitler’s bombs are raining down on London.
-
-
Beautifully written and read.
- By Emilia Hicks on 03-08-20
-
The Ops Room Girls
- The Women's Auxiliary Air Force, Book 1
- By: Vicki Beeby
- Narrated by: Eleanor Yates
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 1939, and working-class Evie Bishop has received a scholarship to study mathematics at Oxford when tragedy turns her life upside down. Evie must seek a new future for herself and, inspired to contribute to the war effort, joins the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as an Ops Room plotter. Posted to a fighter station on the Sussex Coast, Evie befriends two other WAAFs. But the German bombers seem to know more than they should about the base’s operations, and soon Evie, May and Jess are caught up in a world more dangerous than they ever imagined.
-
-
Good read
- By The mad dog lady on 26-01-21
-
Girls on the Home Front
- Factory Girls, Book 1
- By: Annie Clarke
- Narrated by: Patricia Gallimore
- Length: 15 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
August 1941: As war sweeps across Britain and millions of men enlist, women must fight the battle on the home front. Fran always thought she would marry her childhood sweetheart and live in Massingham, the beloved pit village she has always called home. But the opening of a munitions factory in the north-east of England presents a new opportunity. Against her father's wishes and with best friends Sarah and Beth by her side, Fran signs up to join the ranks of women at the factory. It's dangerous work, but the friends discover that their lives are only just beginning.
-
-
Top read.
- By Kina on 23-12-20
-
The Girl from the Workhouse
- By: Lynn Johnson
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Staffordshire, 1911. Money is in short supply for Ginnie Jones’ family, and she is sent to Haddon Workhouse. When she meets Clara and Sam, she hopes that she has made friends for life...until tragedy strikes. Three years later, Ginnie finds work as a mouldrunner at the Potteries, but never stops thinking about her friends. When Sam and Ginnie are reunited, their bond is as strong as ever, until Sam is sent to fight in the war. Can Ginnie find the joy that she’s never had?
Summary
It is 1943, and three very different girls are longing to do their bit for the war effort. Frances - her life of seeming privilege has been a lonely one. Brave and strong, stifled by her traditional upbringing, she falls for a most unsuitable man Prudence - timid and conventional, her horizons have never strayed beyond her job as a bank clerk in Croydon until the war brings her new experiences Rosalind - a beautiful, flame-haired actress who catches the eye of Frances's stuffy elder brother, the heir to an ancestral mansion.
The three become friends when they join the band of women working the canal boats, delivering goods and doing a man's job while the men are away fighting. A tough, unglamorous task - but one which brings them all unexpected rewards.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Boat Girls
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicola
- 13-08-19
loved every single minute!!
I loved every single minute, the narrator is fantastic! Highly recommend, sad it had finished.