Description

Whip-smart and utterly transportive, this is historical fiction of the highest order – an unforgettable coming-of-age story, a tender romance, and a portrait of a nation on the brink of change

‘A charming and uplifting tale – I LOVED every minute!’ FAITH HOGAN
‘A ripping tale of friendship, survival and true love’ CELIA IMRIE
‘Witty, amusing and touchingly emotive ‘ ROSIE GOODWIN
‘A page-turning original story’ KATIE FFORDE
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Summer, 1919: Constance Haverhill is forced to relinquish her beloved job – and cottage – at the estate she helped to run during the war.

Instead, she’s sent as an old lady’s companion to Hazelbourne-on-Sea, where she meets Poppy, a trouser-wearing local who runs a ladies’ motorcycle (and, hopefully soon, flying) club, and Harris, her recalcitrant but handsome brother – a pilot wounded in battle – who warms in Constance’s presence, among the other colourful inhabitants of this sunny pocket of high society.

But things are increasingly complicated. As the country prepares to celebrate peace, the women of the club are forced to confront the fact that the freedoms gained during the war are being revoked.

In a timeless comedy of manners, with sharp humour, biting wit and a warm heart, Simonson captures the mood of a generation facing the seismic changes brought on by war.

Readers LOVE The Hazelbourne Ladies
‘An absolute must for lovers of historical fiction’ *****
‘What a delight! … captured the essence of the era’ *****
‘This book was brilliant! Totally recommend it’ *****
‘I loved the characters … and found out more than I expected *****

Publisher Review

A charming and uplifting tale – I LOVED every minute of it! — Faith Hogan A page-turning, original story about a group of independent woman who refused to go back to back into their allocated positions after the First World War — Katie Fforde The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club captures the ambitions, frustrations and inevitable tragedies of women and men emerging from the Great War. Written with great humour and compassion, it is an absolute delight — Pip Williams, bestselling author of The Dictionary of Lost Words Witty, amusing and touchingly emotive — Rosie Goodwin The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is an absolute joy of a book. Warm, and romantic, it also has so much to say about the lives of women in the years following WWI. This is historical fiction of the highest order-pleasurable and smart — Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful A whirlwind of joy from beginning to end, The Hazelbourne Ladies showcases Simonson’s best skills: great drama, lively historical detail, and delightful characters who have you hooked from the start … Her Austen-esque wit lifts every sentence … Charming, delightful, and gripping, it’s hard to not love those Hazelbourne ladies from beginning to end — Jennifer Ryan With cinematic verve and a keen eye for detail, Helen Simonson captures a vibrant group of unconventional women who defy social norms in their determination to forge their own futures. Beautifully written and brimming with charm, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is both a fizzy escape and a moving portrait of a nation on the cusp of change — Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train I was utterly transported and gripped by Simonson’s perfectly rendered story of insiders and outsiders, rebels and underdogs. Whether racing on two wheels, soaring through the skies, or nursing the deepest of wounds, I was rooting for these resilient characters from the start — Carol Rifka Brunt, bestselling author of Tell the Wolves I’m Home I am so in love with the way Helen Simonson writes, how she tells a story. This book is utterly captivating from the first page, as it champions the indomitable spirit of women who refuse to be confined by the limitations of their era. With a perfect blend of historical charm, courage, and camaraderie, this novel takes readers on a riveting journey through a world where the skies are the limit for those brave enough to soar — Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy A charming and uplifting work of historical fiction * Take A Break, Book of the Month * If you enjoy coming-of-age stories, a touch of romance, and a dash of historical intrigue, this book is a quick and heart-warming read * What’s On * In this beautifully crafted examination of post-war cultural upheaval, Helen Simonson has given us everything we could look for in a novel of the human heart * Historical Novel Society *