What I've been reading in July #WOYBS?

Strong women characters combined with historical fiction dominated my reading this month as well as exploring a genre I’m not familiar with.

My book of the month

The Island Girls by Rachel Smeasley – 5 stars

My selected Book of the Month took some time for me to visit, but it was well worth the wait. I had downloaded this book quite some time ago, but for some reason kept selecting other books to read. Last weekend I finally started reading The Island Girls and once I began I couldn’t put it down.

Rachel Sweasey’s The Island Girls transports readers through two intertwined timelines, exploring the resilience, courage, and enduring bond between women.

Peggy and Rebekah—two women separated by time, yet connected through place, purpose, and quiet strength. Peggy’s story unfolds during World War II, a time when women were often expected to stay silent and small. Yet Peggy defies these expectations. She becomes involved in work that is both vital and dangerous.. Standing up not just for her country, but for her own sense of self-worth and justice, Peggy is a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked roles women played in wartime, and how ordinary lives were shaped by extraordinary circumstances. It is also a story of sacrifice and love lost.

It’s 1998 and Rebekah is grappling with a personal loss and a search for belonging. Escaping from her home in Brisbane to take up the role as a Wildlife Ranger on the same remote island where Peggy once lived and served, Rebekah finds herself slowly starting to live again. The discovery of an unopened letter uncovers secrets of the past. As she pieces together Peggy’s life, Rebekah begins to heal her own wounds, gaining strength and clarity through the legacy of a woman she never met.

Sweasey smoothly weaves these timelines together, revealing how the past can echo through generations. Her writing is rich in atmosphere—the island itself feels like a silent witness to both heartbreak and hope. But it’s the emotional journey of these women that truly carries the novel. Sisterhood, sacrifice, and standing up for what matters are the themes.

Rachel Sweasey is a historical fiction novelist. She lives in Australia, but bases her fiction in Poole, Dorset, where she grew up and which provides the inspiration for her WW2 stories.

I soon became lost in the story of Peggy and her adventures but was also sad for the personal sacrifices she made. A touching and evocative novel, The Island Girls honors the strength of women past and present. Through Peggy and Rebekah, Rachel Sweasey shows us that the courage to stand up, speak out, and carry on can echo long after the event.

If you love historical fiction with strong female leads, The Island Girls is a compelling and quietly powerful read. It celebrates the forgotten heroines of WWII while reminding us that acts of bravery—large and small—are never truly lost.

Other books I highly recommend and rated at least 4 stars

The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress by Sue Williams

My friend and co-host Debbie Harris from Deb’s World, recommended this book to me because it is partially set on Norfolk Island, a remote island off the coast of Australia, which I shall be visiting in October.

I enjoy reading books about the First Fleeters but especially stories of the women who came to this unknown land and the courage, strength and influence they developed. In this case two women from vastly different backgrounds.

Anne Innett, a widow from the Civil War, left with two children finds herself sentenced to the new colony in NSW. She is forced to leave her two children behind with the possibility of never seeing them again.

Anna Josepha comes to Australia as the wife of the soon to be Governor, Phillip Gidley King. King had been sent to Australia a few years before to set up a colony on Norfolk Island as an extension of the NSW colony. An ambitious and idealistic man torn between duty and desire.

This story is about love, betrayal, an unlikely alliance and the resilience of women.

I enjoyed the vivid writing of Sue Williams, having read Elizabeth & Elizabeth. I felt I was there with both Anne and Anna Josepha coping with a new, harsh world of a fledgling, volatile colony struggling to define itself. Sue Williams combines historical facts with a plot that highlights darker aspects of colonial life — inequality, exploitation, and the suppression of Indigenous voices — but always filters it through the intimate lens of personal relationships.

If you enjoy historical fiction you will enjoy The Governor, His Wife & His Mistress.

Other books I’ve read this month which I enjoyed

The Secret Hours by Mick Herron – If you enjoy Slow Horses this book has some of the characters although is a stand alone read. It’s about the world of espionage and the power of the First Desk position in MI5 – another formidable and powerful woman.

The Fireground by Dervla McTiernan – I discovered this book scrolling through social media and took up the offer of a free download. Set in Western Australia around Perth and Margaret River, I enjoyed the story despite the mixed reviews. Flynn was only a teenager when lost her parents in an accident and took on the responsibility of her younger sister, Kaiya. When Kaiya does not return from a camping weekend and is thought to have perished in the bush fires, Flynn with the help of another wayward soul, Noah, fight to find answers. A mystery, thriller which I rated 4 stars.

O’Mara’s – The Guesthouse on the Green #1 by Michelle Vernal – another free download! It was my lucky month. Who can resist a book set in Ireland and the Irish sense of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters in this series and will definitely be reading more of Michelle Vernal’s work. I found myself laughing out loud which is unusal for me and it is basically a feel good book. It’s a 4 star from me.

The Inspector Graham Mysteries Books 1 -8 Box set by Alison Golden – I downloaded this series a few months ago and when I feel like an easy read with a touch of mystery I reach for one of these books. Inspector David Graham leaves London’s Met after personal tragedy looking for a less stressful lifestyle. Within the first day on the island he has a murder to solve! I love the characters and learning about life on Jersey. If you are after a cozy crime or mystery set on an English Isle then check out this series. I rate the books 4 stars.

Simply Stunning Classic Book Club – Our next podcast episode is LIVE!

We had a wonderful response to our first episode of The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club Podcast which featured our discussion of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham. If you missed it you can listen HERE.

The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club Podcast
New Episode – The CodeD of the Woosters – P.G. Wodehouse

The Code of the Woosters by P.D. Wodehouse was the selection for our Classic Book Club. I had never heard of P.G. Wodehouse so hadn’t read any of his books and the title didn’t give me any clues. Was it a mystery? Was it about espionage? I was not prepared for the style of writing and the satirical nature of the book. Satire is not one of my favourite styles and I struggled at first, thinking it was all just absurd.

However, not to be deterred I listened to the Audio which really didn’t help. I then discovered a television series from back in the early 90s. Hugh Laurie as the bumbling Wooster and Stephen Fry as his long-suffering Jeeves were perfectly cast and I finally understood the book. It was witty, clever and delightful. I started reading the book again, diving down rabbit holes to learn more about Wodehouse and did a complete 360.

You can listen to my review and also what my fellow Classic Book Club members thought in our latest podcast episode which you can find HERE. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Join us – virtually, that is. Our next book for August is my selection, –The Awakening by Karen Chopin . I’m looking forward to discussing it with the Book Club members. We’ll be recording our Zoom sessions and publishing it as a podcast on Substack. We’d love for you to join us… you can subscribe here.

On the third Friday of each month, I join my friends Deb from Deb’s World, Donna from Retirement Reflections and Joanne Tracey - Author to host the ‘What’s On Your Bookshelf?’’ link up sharing reviews on what we have read. Pop over and see my co-host book reviews and perhaps link up as well HERE

Over to you…..

What has been on your reading list?