Description

Book Synopsis
While WW2 rages, Elsie must battle for her family

Elsie Weir is trying hard to keep her family together. Living in Kiltie Street tenement in Glasgow with her mother and little sister, Jessie, isn’t easy – not least because her mother spends most days in a drunken stupor.

But life gets harder still when their mother dies suddenly, leaving Jessie and Elsie broken-hearted. When Elsie’s meagre wages won’t stretch to supporting them, they’re thrown out of their home. The future looks bleak, until their mother’s estranged family deigns to take them in.

But their relief is short-lived as it becomes clear the Mearns family have taken in the orphan sisters only for appearances, treating them cruelly behind closed doors.

When Elsie discovers the devastating secret her mother kept from them, it seems that they may have a lifeline – until that dream too, is cruelly dashed.

Now, more than ever, the sisters only have each other. But can Elsie and Jessie find some hope in a life full of heartbreak?

A heartwarming and compelling family saga that fans of Rosie Hendry and Annie Murray will love.

Readers are loving Elsie's Wartime Wish:

Brilliant book – family saga at its best. I love the characters; you feel you are part of the story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Fantastic characters, great setting, I was hooked and devoured this book in one sitting…was sad to finish it and keep thinking about the characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘If you love wartime sagas this is definitely for you.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Heartwarming saga featuring friendships and heartache and happiness. Great characters and a good read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Great wartime story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Praise for Carol MacLean:

A lovely, lovely story set in WW2. It gripped me from page one… I’d highly recommend it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

WOW. Loved this book. If you love family saga based in the war, you will love this.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘A great WWII-era historical fiction saga… I truly enjoyed this one… Through this story of love, loss, uncertainty, and finding one’s place in life we also get a glimpse of history as well… Beautifully written.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Elsie's Wartime Wish: A captivating WW2 family

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    £8.54

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    RRP £8.99 – you save £0.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 16 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Carol MacLean

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Elsie's Wartime Wish: A captivating WW2 family by Carol MacLean

      Publisher: Canelo
      Publication Date: 26/01/2023
      ISBN13: 9781804360392, 978-1804360392
      ISBN10: 1804360392
      Also in:
      Romance

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      While WW2 rages, Elsie must battle for her family

      Elsie Weir is trying hard to keep her family together. Living in Kiltie Street tenement in Glasgow with her mother and little sister, Jessie, isn’t easy – not least because her mother spends most days in a drunken stupor.

      But life gets harder still when their mother dies suddenly, leaving Jessie and Elsie broken-hearted. When Elsie’s meagre wages won’t stretch to supporting them, they’re thrown out of their home. The future looks bleak, until their mother’s estranged family deigns to take them in.

      But their relief is short-lived as it becomes clear the Mearns family have taken in the orphan sisters only for appearances, treating them cruelly behind closed doors.

      When Elsie discovers the devastating secret her mother kept from them, it seems that they may have a lifeline – until that dream too, is cruelly dashed.

      Now, more than ever, the sisters only have each other. But can Elsie and Jessie find some hope in a life full of heartbreak?

      A heartwarming and compelling family saga that fans of Rosie Hendry and Annie Murray will love.

      Readers are loving Elsie's Wartime Wish:

      Brilliant book – family saga at its best. I love the characters; you feel you are part of the story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      ‘Fantastic characters, great setting, I was hooked and devoured this book in one sitting…was sad to finish it and keep thinking about the characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      ‘If you love wartime sagas this is definitely for you.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      Heartwarming saga featuring friendships and heartache and happiness. Great characters and a good read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      ‘Great wartime story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      Praise for Carol MacLean:

      A lovely, lovely story set in WW2. It gripped me from page one… I’d highly recommend it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      WOW. Loved this book. If you love family saga based in the war, you will love this.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

      ‘A great WWII-era historical fiction saga… I truly enjoyed this one… Through this story of love, loss, uncertainty, and finding one’s place in life we also get a glimpse of history as well… Beautifully written.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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