The Hopes And Triumphs of The Amir Sisters - Nadiya Hussain

Synopsis:

Mae has watched as her three older sisters have gone through the process of finding their place in the world and faced the challenges of parenthood head on. Now ready to spread her wings beyond her close-knit family, Mae is ready to take the world by storm.

But a series of events will shake the strong self-belief Mae has always had in herself and will leave her questioning where it is she really fits in.

The Amir sisters will need to draw on all the love they have for each other, if they are going to navigate the challenges life has to throw at them and help Mae along the path to self-discovery.

My Review:

Thank you to HQ Stories and Jessica Lee for the opportunity to read and review this charming read. I must admit I didn’t realise this was part of a series at first and generally I always try to read books in order but my enjoyment or understanding of this book was hindered by this. There was enough backstory included throughout that added context where needed.

I really felt for Mae for most of the time, even if she verged on being a little selfish at times. Clearly surrounded by people who have a lot going on, the family is busy and chaotic, but they love each other and are all just trying to find their way through their lives the best they can.

Being 19 and unsure of where you fit in can be hard and this book delicately shows how it might not always go right, but you must push through, fight the battles and make the choices you need to in order to find your own way.

This is a lovely read, nothing too intense or that will leave you with many questions. I enjoyed how we gently navigated themes of family, love, sexuality and cultural traditions. It is well written with characters that are likeable and entertaining.

I’ll definitely recommend this book for fans of the author and those looking for a warm, funny read.

About the Author:

Nadiya Hussain is a British baker, columnist, author and television presenter. The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters is her debut novel.

Hussain was born to a British Bangladeshi family in Luton, where she grew up. She developed her interest in cooking while at school and largely self-educated herself in cooking by reading recipe books and watching instructional videos on YouTube. She married and moved to Leeds, where she began studying for an Open University degree. In 2015 she appeared on the BBC's The Great British Bake Off and won the contest. She was subsequently invited to produce a cake for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and to present her own BBC documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya.

Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and Essentials magazine, has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House, Hodder Children's Books, and Harlequin. She is also a regular reporter for The One Show and a guest panellist on Loose Women. Hussain was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2016. Hussain was on BBC News' 100 Women list in 2016. Nadiya Hussain is a British baker, columnist, author and television presenter. The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters is her debut novel.

Hussain was born to a British Bangladeshi family in Luton, where she grew up. She developed her interest in cooking while at school and largely self-educated herself in cooking by reading recipe books and watching instructional videos on YouTube. She married and moved to Leeds, where she began studying for an Open University degree. In 2015 she appeared on the BBC's The Great British Bake Off and won the contest. She was subsequently invited to produce a cake for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and to present her own BBC documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya.

Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and Essentials magazine, has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House, Hodder Children's Books, and Harlequin. She is also a regular reporter for The One Show and a guest panellist on Loose Women. Hussain was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2016. Hussain was on BBC News' 100 Women list in 2016.

Nadiya Hussain rose to fame after winning the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off. She was one of the most memorable contestants ever due to her captivating smile and inspirational winner’s speech. Since winning, Nadiya has presented the BBC documentaries The Chronicles of Nadiya, Nadiya’s British Food Adventure, Nadiya’s Family Favourites. She has also co-presented The Big Family Cooking Showdown and Junior Bake Off and is a regular guest on The One Show.

Her cookery books and cookery/story books for children have reached bestseller status and include Nadiya’s Family Favourites, Nadiya’s British Food Adventure, Nadiya’s Kitchen and the Nadiya’s Bake Me a Story trilogy. Nadiya has also written two novels – The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters and The Fall and Rise of the Amir Sisters. Her first picture book, My Monster and Me, is publishing in October 2019, as is Finding My Voice, an emotive look at the different roles Nadiya plays in her life and how they have shaped her.

Nadiya makes regular appearances at cookery events throughout the UK and abroad, including the BBC Good Food Show and many more, and has featured in the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women list. She also features regularly in the media with columns in The Times and previously BBC Good Food Magazine and Essentials.

Nadiya lives with her husband Abdal and their three children in Milton Keynes.

BLOGTOUR - Victory for the East End Angels - Rosie Hendry

Victory for the East End Angels

The war is almost over - and it's up to the East End Angels to keep the home fires burning!

Frankie's fiance, a doctor, is away looking after the troops in Europe - will he return safely home?

Winnie has a happy secret - but can she carry on at Station 75 when she's going to have a baby?

Bella is intrigued by her new friend, a Polish airman.

As the war ends and victory is in sight, what next for the girls of Station 75?

A gorgeously uplifting saga for fans of Ellie Dean and Donna Douglas

My review:

What a charming tale of spirited, strong and determined women doing their best through the trying circumstances of the end of the war.

I read this book having not read any of the previous ones in the series and it does work well as a standalone but I do believe you’d possibly have more of an emotional connection to the characters if you had ‘lived through’ their past. I was truly swept into their world, but I believe if you are a fan of any series you are bound to be closer to the characters.

Bella, Winnie, Rose and Frankie are the East End Angels and they are all part of Station 75, working as ambulance drivers and attendants. They have been through a lot during the war but as the end approaches so do the introduction of the devastating V1 and V2 rockets – causing more destruction and carnage. These are some strong women – testament to what people really did do for the war effort, it really does serve as a reminder to appreciate those that risked everything for us today.

This book gives us highs and lows – love, heartbreak, death, marriage and fresh hope in times of darkness. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions for all involved. We see how, even with the end of the war, lives couldn’t automatically go back to how they were before and for many it was a bittersweet time. I think it was great we saw each of the characters approach the way ending differently; how they had been a solid team, always there for each other and being the ones they relied on and at the end  they all seemed to part (whilst remaining the greatest of friends).

I think the writing is wonderful, very descriptive and emotive – the way the devastation was fully described yet without being too much or not in keeping with the style of the book. The pace was quick, with short chapters and it progressed nicely.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will  be interested in catching up on what I missed from earlier in the series. Thank you to Rosie Hendry and Rachels Randoms Reviews. 

Purchase Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victory-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07N6DVRD4

US  - https://www.amazon.com/Victory-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07N6DVRD4

About the Author: 

Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband, two children, chickens and a snake. She's worked in a variety of jobs from fruit picking, waitressing, teaching and as a research scientist but has always loving reading and writing. Starting off writing short stories for women's magazines, her stories have gradually become longer as her children have grown bigger.

Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she's especially intrigued by how women’s lives changed during the war years. She loves researching further, searching out gems of real-life events which inspire her writing.

When she's not working, Rosie enjoys walking along the beach, reading and is grateful for the fact that her husband is a much better cook than her.

Website: www.rosiehendry.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RosieHendrybooks/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/hendry_rosie

The Survivors - Kate Furnivall

Available here

Goodreads Blurb:

'Directly I saw him, I knew he had to die.’ Germany, 1945. Klara Janowska and her daughter Alicja have walked for weeks to get to Graufeld Displaced Persons camp. In the cramped, dirty, dangerous conditions they, along with 3,200 others, are the lucky ones. They have survived and will do anything to find a way back home.

But when Klara recognises a man in the camp from her past, a deadly game of cat and mouse begins. He knows exactly what she did during the war to save her daughter. She knows his real identity. What will be the price of silence? And will either make it out of the camp alive?

My Review:

This is the first time I've read a book by Kate Furnivall and what a wonderful experience it has been. Kate has written a beautiful, fiercely captivating tale of unwavering love and the bond between mother and child as well as the steely determination to do whatever is needed to survive.  A story of the survivors of war, it is spellbinding and I found it difficult to put down.

I always know a book has had a long lasting effect on me, as I think about it for days afterwards and replay different parts in my mind.  I like to think of it as a 'book hangover' and that's what I feel here. I am fairly ashamed to say I didn't know too much about the DPs Camps but this book has vividly painted a picture, Kate's writing draws you in and makes you feel like you are really there, watching all that takes place.

I felt each characters spirit, they were well written to evoke various emotions - love, despair, fear and even hate. Klara - the lionness protecting her cub. A mother willing to do anything in order to find, protect and free her child, wanting to make the life ahead better -she may have to do and experience truly awful things, but she is such a fantastic character. I loved her attitude, her approach  and intelligence in any situation and I was completely on her side from the moment I started reading. I think the flashbacks to Klara's emphasised what she was capable of, what she was willing to endure and served as a reminder of how far she had come.
 

If I thought Klara was feisty then her daughter, Alicja, is something else! What a testament to Klara; the lengths her daughter would go so to protect her Mum too. True fighting spirit from both women, who feel the need to right a wrong, seek revenge and get what they deserve. 

The delicate relationship between Klara and Davide, a symbol of the fragility of all survivors - their friendship and blossoming romance throughout was a beautiful addition to the story.

An emotional journey of love and survival, showing humanity at it's worst but also at its most special. 

First but definitely not the last book by Kate Furnivall, I highly recommend for all historical fiction fans but if you're looking for something different - this is worth the step out of your comfort zone. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍