Welcome to my stop on Rachel’s Random Resources Book Tour for Stormy Times for The Dockyard Girls by Tracy Baines – a gritty story of love, forgiveness and redemption perfect for readers of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Pam Howes.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2025 by Boldwood Books
About the Book:
Sometimes it’s not about saving others – it’s about saving yourself…
Great Grimsby, Peace Day July 1919
The Great War is over, and few families have been left untouched. Those who remain face a tough and uncertain future.
Letty Hardy has managed to keep her family afloat by running a café and chandlers on Grimsby Docks. She’s grateful for the safe return of her husband Alec from minesweeping duties, when many women were not so fortunate.
War has left deep scars buried beneath the surface and one explosive secret is set to blow the family apart.
Trawler owner, Richard Evans worked hard to leave a legacy. Something to hand down through the generations. With his sons lost to war, Ruth, his only daughter stands to inherit the Excel Trawler Company, so it’s important that she marries well. But is her current suitor the right husband for Ruth?
Can the folk of Great Grimsby rebuild their lives and find the peace they so desperately seek?
My Review:
Oh this was a lovely historical saga that is part of a series (this is entry three), but I can attest that it reads just fine as a standalone. Although of course I’ve added the other two to my towering TBR pile. This is a carefully researched story as it vividly captures what life is like in the aftermath of the Great War. I found that fascinating. And the stories of the characters are both uplifting and hard read – much like the ebbs and flows of life. I felt emotional while reading and found myself pausing to sit with the story. And it was the wonderfully strong female characters that kept me reading, admiring their bravery and unwillingness to give up. I alternated between the print and audio editions and both are excellent. Looking forward to looking up more of Tracy Baines’ work!
About the Author:
Tracy Baines is the bestselling saga writer of The Seaside Girls series. She was born and brought up in Cleethorpes and spent her early years in the theatre world which inspired her writing.
Author Links:
Facebook: @TracyBainesAuthor
Twitter: @tracyfbaines
Instagram: @TracyBainesAuthor
Bookbub profile: @tracyfbaines
TOUR PARTICIPANTS: Stop by the rest of the tour!
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