Hopeful Hearts for the Wrens: A Moving and Uplifting WWII Wartime Saga

Vicki Beeby

Apr 2023 · The Wrens Book 3 · Bolinda · Narrated by Bethan Rose Young

About this audiobook

During war, nothing is ever at it seems ... Sally Hartley is a hopeless romantic. Her father died when she was a baby, but she has lived on stories from her mother of what a wonderful man he was. Now, all she wants is a love like theirs. And she thinks she’s found it in Adam, the brother of a friend from home. When Adam is posted to Orkney, it’s like Sally’s dreams have all come true. After Italy changes sides in the war, the Italian POWs are granted more freedom on the islands, meaning Sally can spend more time with her friend, Aldo, and the two grow ever closer. But when a family secret is revealed, Sally's trust might be forever broken. Sally, Iris and Mary must continue their duties, even as life changes drastically around them, including an attack on one of their fellow Wrens from an unknown assailant. Now the friends face danger not just from the enemy, but also someone much closer to home.

About the author

Vicki Beeby writes historical fiction about the friendships and loves of service women brought together by the Second World War. Her first job was as a civil engineer on a sewage treatment project, so things could only improve from there. Since then, she has worked as a maths teacher and education consultant before turning freelance to give herself more time to write. In her free time, when she can drag herself away from reading, she enjoys walking and travelling to far-off places by train. She lives in Shropshire in a house that doesn’t contain nearly enough bookshelves.

Bethan trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she was highly commended in the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award competition. Her television credits include Henry VIII, Knightfall and Holby City. Theatre work includes productions with Theatr Clwyd, Wales Millennium Centre, Iris Theatre and Frantic Assembly. Bethan is an experienced voice artist, having performed in audio dramas for BBC Radio 4 and Big Finish, dubbed television for Netflix and voiced game characters for Sega. In addition to this, she has worked on numerous commercials, ADR sessions and educational recordings. Bethan is also a professional folk singer.