The London Girls

By: Soraya M. Lane

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of The Last Correspondent comes a remarkable story of three young women who defy the bombs to do their bit for Britain. Will they survive the dark streets of London to see the Allies win the war?

London, 1941. The Blitz. When a Royal Navy memo arrives at head office, requesting female recruits to sign up as motorcycle dispatch riders, delivering highly classified orders across the country, three women jump at the chance to sign up for the most dangerous jobs in London.

Olivia grew up riding motorcycles with her brothers, and with them fighting abroad she feels it is her duty to join up. The thrill of adventure draws Ava, but with more enthusiasm than skill, will she learn to navigate the treacherous London streets safely? Having lost her family during one of the first air attacks, Florence knows how important it is to have help arrive on the scene—fast—and so she steps up, outmanoeuvring the men behind the wheel of an ambulance. When Olivia, Ava and Florence meet for the first time they know they have found something all of them need—family.

As bombs fall, decimating the city they love, these three brave women build a sisterhood amid the rubble, facing down anyone—even their own families—who objects to their service. And while romances bloom and fade, their connection grows ever stronger. But none of them dare consider the terrifying reality that one night Florence’s ambulance may be rescuing someone she loves…

©2022 Soraya M. Lane (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Olivia, Ava, and Florence will steal your heart in this story about friendship, courage, and love. With stunning imagery, historical detail, and a clever plot, The London Girls is a book not to be missed. I couldn’t put it down!”—Andie Newton, USA Today bestselling author of The Girls from the Beach

“The London Girls is one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go until long after you’ve turned the last page. On the surface, it’s a story about friendship, but as the pages turn, it becomes so much more. It’s a story about doing things no one believed you were capable of, about finding the courage to ignore the naysayers and make sacrifices for causes bigger than yourself. I promise, you’ll love Ava, Olivia, and Florence, three women who, under the most trying circumstance, find out what they’re made of.”—Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings

Strong Women

I am a sucker for a well written WWII story that teaches me about something I didn't know before. This book did just that. I didn't really know about the dispatch riders. I'd never really thought about the ambulance drivers. And who would do the work with the men fighting.

The three main characters, Ava, Florence, and Olivia were all very well developed. I loved how each of them had their own story but how they were tied together. I loved the bond that these characters shared. I liked that this wasn't just a happy ending but I loved how it all came together.

Women in the war...

Thus was a story of three women. one became a ambulance driver and two became motorcycle dispatchers. The events were gripping but the narrator lacked all subtlety and beat the listener over the head with over-acting and excessive emotion in her delivery. The book can be cathartic for trauma survivors as every character got to outwardly emote their trauma history. I have listened to Soraya M Lanes's books before, narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. In this recording, the narrator needs a director who can modulate the tone and give the story less of a flash flood quality.

Slow start

Great story once you get past the first few chapters. I’m not sure if I was distracted, but this book had a very slow start. Once I got into it, I couldn’t stop listening. It is very good, just have patience in the beginning.

A story with lots of twists and turns 

I love the authentic British accent of the narrator. Character development is great.  I can’t wait to read more from this author. 

So Cool

Love these stories about WWII women who break thru gender barriers and find their own power. Good story, couldn’t put it down.

Completely captivating

I was drawn in from the very beginning. Themes of love, war, grief, courage, friendship, women, etc… couldn’t wait to make excuses to keep listening.

Really good for WW II history lovers

I really like these books featuring woman in WW II. I could not wait for the next installment.

Beautiful and heart-rending

A new twist in the stories retold of our war heroines. What a delight!
The narrator did an excellent job!!!

Amazing story

This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me proud to be a woman. A wonderful story.

A time of terror

Growing up I heard about the bombings in in London, but through this story I felt like I was there & just how terrible it was. This was a story of how three women came together to fight for their lives and their country & form a bond that nothing could separate!