The Girl from the Corner Shop: A gripping World War 2 saga, perfect for fans of Dilly Court

Alrene Hughes

Jul 2019 · Head of Zeus Ltd

About this eBook

A heartbroken young widow joins the police force during World War Two in Manchester. Perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe and Dilly Court.

WW2 Manchester. Newlyweds Helen and Jim Harrison have big plans – to leave the family shop where Helen works and set up home together. But when Jim is tragically killed in an air raid, Helen is heartbroken, her life in ruins.

Battling grief and despair, Helen resolves to escape her domineering mother and rebuild her shattered world. Wartime Manchester is a dangerous place, beseiged by crime and poverty. So when Helen joins the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps, working with evacuees, the destitute and the vulnerable, she finds a renewed sense of purpose. She's come a long way from her place behind the counter in the corner shop.

But there's still something missing in her heart. Is Helen able to accept love and happiness and find the courage to change her life?

Ratings and reviews

The Girl from the Corner Shop is an endearing historical novel. I thought it was well-written with a good flow and relatable characters. Helen Harrison is a caring woman who loved her husband with all her heart and his death affects her deeply. Helen was raised by her mother with a caustic tongue. She has worked in their shop since she was fourteen and has never received a decent wage. Grief emboldens Helen allowing her to move out and begin a new job. I enjoyed watching Helen spread her wings. It gives her a chance to discover her inner strength and potential. There may be obstacles thrown in her path and she still has dark days, but Helen finds a way to move forward. I thought The Girl from the Corner Shop was an emotional story that grabbed my attention and held it. I could feel Helen’s grief and understood her struggles. I enjoyed the various crimes that Helen got to investigate and how they were integrated into the story. I felt they suited the time period and added complexity. The Girl from the Corner Shop is a dramatic and touching novel with a lovely ending. I look forward to reading more of Arlene Hughes charming stories in the future.

This is my second book by Alrene Hughes, and it's a great read! Helen, newly wed, is looking forward to moving from her under her mother's thumb to her first marital home. However, Jim's sudden death changes everything. In her grief, Helen finally finds the courage to stand up to her domineering mother and stand on her own two feet. Helen finds temporary work but as time goes on, she wants more satisfaction from her job and decides to join the Women's Auxiliary Police Force where she can help others. What does the future hold for the young widow? This is a well-written tale of life in Manchester during WWII. The hard life endured, especially by women and children, is all between the pages and the pioneering spirit shines through. With a great variety of characters and some skilful writing, it's a very easy read and packed with detail. Several interweaving stories all twist together beautifully to make a very endearing read with, along with grief and sadness, a bit of mystery and a bit of romance. By the final page, all the loose ends are neatly tied off - my much preferred ending! An excellent wartime saga and well worth reading. For me, this is a five star novel.

About the author

Alrene Hughes grew up in Belfast and has lived in Manchester for most of her adult life. She worked for British Telecom and the BBC before training as an English teacher. After teaching for twenty years, she retired and now writes full-time.