Jean Saunders (1) (1932–)

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Review Of
The Bannister Girls by Jean Saunders

This book had a bit of Downton Abbey feel to it, three privileged sisters, the start of World War I, one sister a bit of a rebel for human rights, one sister a hopeless romantic and one who tries to do everything just the way that it is expected of her. I love this time period and the setting seemed very nice. The story was one of romance and heartbreak and while I found this to be very well written it dragged a bit for me in most places. Angela, the romantic was my favorite of the sisters, her story line was a bit scandalous for the times which I found exciting and Jacques her love interest seemed quite swoon worthy. As for the other characters in the book, I had a hard time connecting with them. I still enjoyed the overall story line and find this era and setting fascinating.

This review was originally posted on My Fiction Obsession… (more)

Romantic tale of three sisters, set during the Great War. Angel, Ellen and Louise Bannister have grown up in a privileged, middle-class family and their futures seem set for them, but the lives of all three are changed by wartime experiences. Naturally, all three find true love in the end.

Angel is a bit of a challenge to begin with, more spoiled than spirited, and it's slightly irritating that her one-night stand with an airman becomes a fairytale match with Prince Charming (or Vicomte de Ville, in this case), but it's the tried and tested formula of romances. However, she does mature after learning about life the hard way, as do her sisters, and I would have liked to read more about Louise and her Scottish soldier.

What really carries this light story is the depth of detail and atmosphere about the war, on the frontline and at home. The Bannisters are well-to-do and live in country houses, but their genteel existence doesn't insulate them against the grief and anxiety felt by every other family in England at the time - Angel joins the VAD and leaves for France to be near her French aviator fiance, Ellen goes to work in a munitions factory before joining her sister across the Channel, and Louise faces the ultimate sacrifice before finding love with a wounded soldier. Once the story picked up, and the girls get involved with the war effort, I found myself totally engrossed in this tale of unassuming bravery and changing times. The clash of old-fashioned roles and polite etiquette against the urgency and equality of post-war society allows for modern-thinking heroines looking for traditional romance in a convincing scenario. Jean Saunders writes about Blighty and English debs well.… (more)