The Call of the Wrens
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"Laced with triumph and tragedy, bravery and redemption..." — New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel
"An original and compelling tale of sisterhood and strength." — New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff "An absolute treat for historical fiction lovers." — New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis "A beautifully written gem of a historical novel." — USA Today bestselling author Jillian Cantor Introducing the little-known story of the daring women who rode through war-torn Europe, carrying secrets on their shoulders . . .
An orphan who spent her youth without a true home, Marion Hoxton found in the Great War something other than destruction. She found a chance to belong. As a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service—the Wrens—Marion gained sisters. She found purpose in her work as a motorcycle dispatch rider, assigned to train and deliver carrier pigeons to the front line. And, despite the constant threat of danger, she and her childhood friend Eddie began to dream of a future together. Until the battle that changed everything. Now, twenty years later, another war has broken out across Europe, calling Marion to return to the fight. Meanwhile, others, like twenty-year-old society girl Evelyn Fairchild, hear the call for the first time. For Evelyn, it’s a way to prove herself after a childhood fraught with surgeries and limitations from a disability. And with the re-formation of the Wrens as World War II rages, it’s the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world at seventy miles per hour. Told in alternating narratives that converge in a single life-changing moment, The Call of the Wrens is a vivid, emotional saga of love, secrets, resilience—and the knowledge that the future will always belong to the brave souls who fight for it. (Add to Goodreads) | ||
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Available in Paperback, eBook, Audiobook, and Large Print
Available in Paperback, eBook, Audiobook, and Large Print
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Order an Autographed Book: Newtown Bookshop | Commonplace Reader
Order an Autographed Book: Newtown Bookshop | Commonplace Reader
Praise for The Call of the Wrens
“The lives of two women in two different world wars collide in unexpected ways in this powerful exploration of the British Women’s Royal Naval Service, commonly known as the Wrens, a daring group of real-life women who were instrumental in both World War I and World War II. Laced with triumph and tragedy, bravery and redemption, this tale of finding oneself in modern history’s darkest hours will break your heart and put it back together again, all in one delightful read.” — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"A tale filled with strong emotion, hope, and determination, it is highly thought-provoking and entertaining. It is clearly evident Ms. Walsh has spent indeterminable hours researching and putting together a well-written and memorable story about past events to make them truly authentic as well as informative." — New York Journal of Books
“From its intriguing cover to the author’s note at the end, this book will captivate readers…The characters (including a brave pigeon) are sympathetic and believable, the plot has plenty of surprises, and the history of these heroic women is fascinating. I read this book on the beach and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, but it would be also be an ideal read in a cozy chair with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace.” — Historical Novel Society
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh shines light on courageous women whose feats during two world wars remain relatively unknown…I’d recommend this book to history buffs and fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. Walsh really captures the intensity of war, transporting the reader back in time and driving home the anxiety and uncertainty of the era, but also the fortitude and sacrifice of the men and women who dared to join the fight.” — Nashville Book Review
"Walsh (Becoming Bonnie) offers an enticing story of two Englishwomen serving their country during both world wars. Walsh expertly contrasts the lives of orphaned Marion with privileged Evelyn to expose their common desire to show their value outside societal labels. Historical fiction fans will be riveted.” — Publishers Weekly
"In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh chronicles two volunteers in the Women’s Royal Navy Service during the First and Second World Wars. Spanning decades in a story that is both epic and intimate, The Call of the Wrens is an original and compelling tale of sisterhood and strength." — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
"What a lovely surprise. The heroines in Walsh’s latest can be found racing around war-torn Europe on motorbikes, relaying secret messages and undertaking daring missions as part of the real-life women’s branch of the U.K. navy. There’s also giddy romance, family secrets, and shocking twists, making it an absolute treat for historical fiction lovers." — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
“Call of the Wrens by Jenni L. Walsh is a beautifully written gem of a historical novel, shedding light on a little-known group of women, the Wrens, during both world wars. Walsh skillfully entwines the stories of Evelyn and Marion, as they journey to find their voices and ultimately, their calling. I was completely captivated by this richly drawn portrait of strength, survival, and love.” -- Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of Beautiful Little Fools
"With a winning blend of adventure and romance, Walsh highlights the bravery and intrepid spirit of women destined to forge a path beyond the restrictive expectations of their era and circumstance. A winning treatise on courage and sisterhood The Call of the Wrens will have fans of Kate Quinn and Erika Robuck rejoicing with each compulsively readable page." -- Rachel McMillan, bestselling historical romance author of The Mozart Code
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh has woven a wonderful tale inspired by the real-life women’s branch of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. This dual-timeline novel features two courageous heroines, Marion and Evelyn, roaring around Europe on motorbikes during both world wars. Thrilling missions, family secrets, romance—it’s all here. We need more books like this that show the remarkable contributions made by adventurous women during the darkest of times.” — Elise Hooper, author of Angels of the Pacific
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh lends her remarkable voice to the little-known, intrepid women of the Women's Royal Navy Service, women who revved up their motorcycles and risked their necks to heed Britain's call to win the world wars. Packed full of action and with a heart-wrenching twist, Marion and Evelyn's story reads like a battle cry for anyone who's had to fight against other people's expectations and find her own place, and her chosen family, in this world.” — Caroline Woods, author of The Lunar Housewife
"Walsh follows two English women, Marion and Evelyn, showing how they became involved with the Women’s Royal Naval Service, more commonly known as the Wrens... [Marion's] history gradually unfolds over the course of the book, taking several twists and turns until her connection with Evelyn is finally revealed... This well-written, straightforward book will be of interest to readers curious about the types of work available to English women who wanted to aid in war efforts during both world wars." — Booklist
"[A} fascinating look at the lives of these brave women who served to “free a man for the front.” These women volunteered for dangerous missions bringing messages to the front lines to fight for freedom and their country. I am very thankful that I came across this book to learn more about these unsung heroes. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in historical fiction and especially if you enjoy reading about strong female characters." — San Francisco Book Review
"Impeccably researched, full of life’s wisdom, and a tribute to intrepid women who risked their lives in the face of war." — The Toronto Star
"A tale filled with strong emotion, hope, and determination, it is highly thought-provoking and entertaining. It is clearly evident Ms. Walsh has spent indeterminable hours researching and putting together a well-written and memorable story about past events to make them truly authentic as well as informative." — New York Journal of Books
“From its intriguing cover to the author’s note at the end, this book will captivate readers…The characters (including a brave pigeon) are sympathetic and believable, the plot has plenty of surprises, and the history of these heroic women is fascinating. I read this book on the beach and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, but it would be also be an ideal read in a cozy chair with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace.” — Historical Novel Society
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh shines light on courageous women whose feats during two world wars remain relatively unknown…I’d recommend this book to history buffs and fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. Walsh really captures the intensity of war, transporting the reader back in time and driving home the anxiety and uncertainty of the era, but also the fortitude and sacrifice of the men and women who dared to join the fight.” — Nashville Book Review
"Walsh (Becoming Bonnie) offers an enticing story of two Englishwomen serving their country during both world wars. Walsh expertly contrasts the lives of orphaned Marion with privileged Evelyn to expose their common desire to show their value outside societal labels. Historical fiction fans will be riveted.” — Publishers Weekly
"In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh chronicles two volunteers in the Women’s Royal Navy Service during the First and Second World Wars. Spanning decades in a story that is both epic and intimate, The Call of the Wrens is an original and compelling tale of sisterhood and strength." — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
"What a lovely surprise. The heroines in Walsh’s latest can be found racing around war-torn Europe on motorbikes, relaying secret messages and undertaking daring missions as part of the real-life women’s branch of the U.K. navy. There’s also giddy romance, family secrets, and shocking twists, making it an absolute treat for historical fiction lovers." — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
“Call of the Wrens by Jenni L. Walsh is a beautifully written gem of a historical novel, shedding light on a little-known group of women, the Wrens, during both world wars. Walsh skillfully entwines the stories of Evelyn and Marion, as they journey to find their voices and ultimately, their calling. I was completely captivated by this richly drawn portrait of strength, survival, and love.” -- Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of Beautiful Little Fools
"With a winning blend of adventure and romance, Walsh highlights the bravery and intrepid spirit of women destined to forge a path beyond the restrictive expectations of their era and circumstance. A winning treatise on courage and sisterhood The Call of the Wrens will have fans of Kate Quinn and Erika Robuck rejoicing with each compulsively readable page." -- Rachel McMillan, bestselling historical romance author of The Mozart Code
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh has woven a wonderful tale inspired by the real-life women’s branch of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. This dual-timeline novel features two courageous heroines, Marion and Evelyn, roaring around Europe on motorbikes during both world wars. Thrilling missions, family secrets, romance—it’s all here. We need more books like this that show the remarkable contributions made by adventurous women during the darkest of times.” — Elise Hooper, author of Angels of the Pacific
“In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh lends her remarkable voice to the little-known, intrepid women of the Women's Royal Navy Service, women who revved up their motorcycles and risked their necks to heed Britain's call to win the world wars. Packed full of action and with a heart-wrenching twist, Marion and Evelyn's story reads like a battle cry for anyone who's had to fight against other people's expectations and find her own place, and her chosen family, in this world.” — Caroline Woods, author of The Lunar Housewife
"Walsh follows two English women, Marion and Evelyn, showing how they became involved with the Women’s Royal Naval Service, more commonly known as the Wrens... [Marion's] history gradually unfolds over the course of the book, taking several twists and turns until her connection with Evelyn is finally revealed... This well-written, straightforward book will be of interest to readers curious about the types of work available to English women who wanted to aid in war efforts during both world wars." — Booklist
"[A} fascinating look at the lives of these brave women who served to “free a man for the front.” These women volunteered for dangerous missions bringing messages to the front lines to fight for freedom and their country. I am very thankful that I came across this book to learn more about these unsung heroes. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in historical fiction and especially if you enjoy reading about strong female characters." — San Francisco Book Review
"Impeccably researched, full of life’s wisdom, and a tribute to intrepid women who risked their lives in the face of war." — The Toronto Star
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