Pocketful of dreams - Jean Fullerton

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.

As the young couple race to protect the East End as they know it, can their dreams survive the darkening backdrop of war-time...?

My thoughts:

A war time saga, I have read quite a few taking place in the East End. But this one showed another side than those. Those were more about family while this one dealt with things like British Nazis and what they got up to.

Mattie has dreams, but then the war begins. She does her duty and she meets a good guy too..ok fine, not a good good. She thinks so but from the start we get his POV here and there since he is a Nazi sympathizer and wants to bring them to England. To be honest, he was a bit too evil.

Then there is this hottie priest too *whistles* But I am not going to go all thorn birds on you all.

One thing did have me worried in the beginning and I was sure Mattie was anti-semitic, I seriously thought so and was quite horrified until she lit a few Sabbath fires and I realised she was not. I just wish that first situation was handled better. It showed a Jewish store owner in such a bad light. A caricature. But no need to worry, she was obviously not. It did not help when she fell for the Nazi either, not that she knew but you know.

Conclusion:
There is romance. Drama and even a bit of suspense as things turn dangerous for everyone involved. But I must say, not a lot of war in this one. We hear sirens, but not a lot of war going on. No bombs either. I guess this really is a homefront kind of book.

Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: August 3rd by Corvus
Historical fiction
For review