Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Random House UK
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0099560461
When 16-year-old Sally is evacuated to the English south coast, she is terrified by what lies ahead of her. All she knows are the sights and sounds of London's East End—but Sally swallows her tears as they leave the familiar landmarks behind, knowing that she has to be a Grown-Up Girl and play mother to her six-year-old brother Ernie. Playing mother is nothing new for Sally—their real mother Florrie, a good-time girl, hasn't even come to the station to wave them off and Ernie, crippled at an early age by polio, is used to depending on his older sister.
When they arrive in Cliffehaven, they're taken to live at Beach View boarding house, where they're welcomed by the open-hearted Reilly family headed up by warm, loving Peggy, and life begins to improve. Sally gets a job in a uniforms factory to help pay her way—and to pay for Ernie's expensive medicines—but then Florrie arrives in Cliffehaven, bringing disaster with her. And Sally is forced to work out where her true loyalties lie...
My Thoughts:
I was first introduced to Ellie Dean's Beach View Boarding House Series this past summer when I was presented with an advance reader's copy of Book #9, Sealed With A Loving Kiss, and I was immediately captivated by the endearing cast of characters as well as Dean's emotionally compelling writing style. Although it read well as a stand alone novel, I immediately knew I had to go back a begin with the first book in this series and I was not disappointed in the least! This first installment is set against the early days of World War II and the children of London are being evacuated to the countryside. As a mother, I can't even begin to imagine what this must have been like, however, for Sally and Ernie, their mother doesn't seem to be particularly bothered at all and fails to even see her children off. At sixteen years old, Sally has had to grow up quickly and has become her brother's primary care provider while their father serves his country. Fortunately, Peggy Reilly has enough love in heart and a room to spare, and quickly embraces these young Londoners. Filled with love, hope, and the endearing bonds of friendship amid the onset of war, "There'll Be Blue Skies" is a compelling story that has left me anxious to continue on to the next book in this series! Keep the box of tissue close at hand; this one is sure to tug at your heart! FIVE stars.
These titles are also available as Audiobooks from Audible.com. I listened to a couple of samples and I'm quite tempted to try a couple of these in audio format as well. (I'm quite smitten with the accents of the British narrators which only brings these novels to life even more!)
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