Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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:
Seeline · 30/10/2025 19:07

R F Delderfield - Diana

DrEmilyCrabtree · 30/10/2025 19:07

Helen Forrester's autobiography series (Twopence to Cross the Mersey to Lime Street at 2)
Mary Jane Staples' Adams' Family books (set from beginning of WW1 through to late 1950s)
Joan Jonker's Nellie and Molly stories

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/10/2025 19:01

Coming Home by Rosamund Pilcher is epic and incudes WW2 as well as the press war years.

Jellifer · 30/10/2025 18:54

Ellie Dean’s Cliffehaven series has I think 21 books so would keep you busy for a bit!

CheeseWisely · 30/10/2025 18:15

Look at Maureen Lee. I’ve really enjoyed her sagas all set around Liverpool, lots of them during war time. She’s written loads, some of them connected and others stand alone.

Also, say what you want about Nadine Dorries as a politician but I really enjoyed her Four Streets saga.

Baboutheocelot · 30/10/2025 18:11

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

Sorry I haven’t read any other Ken Follett books. The first two in the trilogy are really gripping, I found the last one less so.

RampantIvy · 30/10/2025 17:45

Baboutheocelot · 30/10/2025 17:00

The Century trilogy by Ken Follett

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

Baboutheocelot · 30/10/2025 17:00

The Century trilogy by Ken Follett

Dappy777 · 30/10/2025 16:59

Ford Maddox Ford: Parade’s End

Evelyn Waugh: The Sword of Honour

Oh, and A Dance to the Music of Time involves the war

The Michael Maloney audiobook of Evelyn Waugh is one of my all time favourites.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 30/10/2025 11:10

Josephine Winspear - Maisie Dobbs series. More detective than family but does have a strong family undertow. From just after WWI to WWII. Around 20+ books.

Original poster
booklover125212 · 30/10/2025 11:07

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

OP posts:
Original poster
booklover125212 · 30/10/2025 11:06

@RampantIvy I loved the Cazalets (so sad when I finished the last one). Although the DC series isn't quite the same - it is more condensed in time and intense.

OP posts:
Iwanttoliveinagardencentre · 30/10/2025 08:57

Cynthia Harrod Eagles Goodbye Piccadilly series

Catrin Collier Hearts of Gold Series

RampantIvy · 30/10/2025 08:52

The Cazalets by Elizabeth Jane Howard.