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Original poster

War time family sagas - plus audiobook recommendations

39 replies

booklover125212 · 30/10/2025 08:50

Hi everyone
Completely by chance I came across Ginny Bell's Dover Cafe book series and have been absolutely hooked. There is another one coming out next year, but having rattled through all the ones in the series so far, I am looking for recommendations for similar wartime sagas that span several books.

Also - does anyone have any recommendations for where I can enjoy free audiobooks. I have Libby with my local library, but they are light on the wartime family sagas (they seem to prefer ebooks).

Thank you!

P.S It goes without saying I would really recommend the Dover Cafe series!

OP posts:
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Ilovemyshed · 02/11/2025 16:06

James Farner
Ellie Dean
Cynthia Harrod Eagles
Lilian Harry
Donna Douglas
Elizabeth Darrell

FatalCattraction · 02/11/2025 16:03

If you have a subscription Spotify do audiobooks but there is a limit on how much you can listen to. 🤔

FatalCattraction · 02/11/2025 15:57

RF Delderfield The Avenue and The Avenue goes to War. Not so much one family but neighbours and families living in the same street.

HonoriaBulstrode · 02/11/2025 15:51

The Balkan Trilogy- Olivia Manning
And the Levant trilogy which follows on…

And the excellent bbc adaptation starring Ken B & Emma T when they were known but not yet superstars.

JollyHostess101 · 02/11/2025 15:49

BBC Homefront is on bbc sounds I thoroughly
enjoyed it not an audiobook as such but lots to keep you going!!

BratPitt · 02/11/2025 15:40

Penny Vincenzi Spoils of Time trilogy covers both the First and Second World Wars, it is excellent.
Annie Groves Article Row series, not as good but still entertaining.

TragicMuse · 02/11/2025 15:39

Anarkandanaardvark · 31/10/2025 06:02

The Balkan Trilogy- Olivia Manning

And the Levant trilogy which follows on…

HonoriaBulstrode · 02/11/2025 15:29

A standalone not a series: In Spite of All Terror by Hester Burton. The central character, Liz, is a grammar school girl from the East End who is evacuated to Oxfordshire on the outbreak of war and is billeted on a middle class family.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 02/11/2025 14:16

I’ve always loved RF Delderfield, especially The Avenue Goes to War and Dreaming Suburb.

HonoriaBulstrode · 02/11/2025 13:17

I've just been doing a re-read, since Delderfield came up on another thread. Struggling to finish Horseman, but still enjoyed TSTAMD.

socialdilemmawhattodo · 02/11/2025 13:11

HonoriaBulstrode · 02/11/2025 13:03

R F Delderfield - Diana

His A Horseman Riding By trilogy covers both WWs. Though I much prefer To Serve Them All My Days, which goes from the last months of WW1 to the start of WW2.

That's my favourite book of all time. Sadly not so keen on anything else he wrote. I dont think they've aged well.

AlmostDidIt · 02/11/2025 13:09

I love Forbidden Places by Penny Vincenzi.

isitmyturn · 02/11/2025 13:08

NancyJoan · 02/11/2025 13:05

Not a book, but a radio series, and it’s set in WW1. But anyway, Home Front, on BBC Sounds. There are HOURS AND HOURS of it.

I've seen the TV series it was brilliant. So sad there wasn't another season. Is this the same?

isitmyturn · 02/11/2025 13:07

RampantIvy · 30/10/2025 17:45

I have those on Kindle, but haven't got round to reading them yet. I loved the Kingsbridge trilogy. Are they as good?

Show quote history

Better imo. The Century trilogy by Ken Follett is one of my favourite reads ever. I think I've read all of his books except the new one.

Not so much a family saga but the Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a brilliant war time read.

NancyJoan · 02/11/2025 13:05

Not a book, but a radio series, and it’s set in WW1. But anyway, Home Front, on BBC Sounds. There are HOURS AND HOURS of it.

HonoriaBulstrode · 02/11/2025 13:03

R F Delderfield - Diana

His A Horseman Riding By trilogy covers both WWs. Though I much prefer To Serve Them All My Days, which goes from the last months of WW1 to the start of WW2.

tobee · 31/10/2025 12:25

Pat Barker Life Class trilogy. First two are WW1 and the third is WW2

OwlDoll · 31/10/2025 10:01

I'll Bring You Buttercups by Elizabeth Elgin is set during the first world war but the other books in the series are set during the second world war.
She also has a stand alone book, One Summer at Deer's Leap which is one of my favourite books.

Original poster
booklover125212 · 31/10/2025 06:36

Eggbert12345 · 30/10/2025 19:10

The Woolworths Girls series by Elaine Everest is similar, very heartwarming easy reading.

That sounds perfect!

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 31/10/2025 06:07

Try BorrowBox @booklover125212, it’s a similar app to Libby.

Anarkandanaardvark · 31/10/2025 06:02

The Balkan Trilogy- Olivia Manning

Iwanttoliveinagardencentre · 30/10/2025 20:27

booklover125212 · 30/10/2025 11:07

@Iwanttoliveinagardencentre - thank you! Is the Picadilly one a series or a stand alone book?

Six books:
Goodbye Piccadilly
Keep the home fires burning
The land of my dreams
The long, long trail
Till the boys come home
Pack up your troubles

BasilandTom · 30/10/2025 19:25

Jambusters by Julie Summers. It was a stand alone book, but after ITV made a TV series based around it, there were more books added to the series which carries on the stories of the women.

Hurumphh · 30/10/2025 19:17

The Camomile Lawn

Eggbert12345 · 30/10/2025 19:10

The Woolworths Girls series by Elaine Everest is similar, very heartwarming easy reading.