The Girl from The Savoy: A Dazzling Jazz Age Historical Romance – Chambermaid's Journey in Post-WWI London

I've read Gaynor's A Memory of Violets and loved it, so I picked up her next set in early 20th century London. WWI has claimed the lives of the men that Dolly and Loretta loved. Both women come from very different backgrounds, but they share a passion for theater and performance. By chance, their paths cross and together they help one another to heal old wounds. It's really brilliant the way these two women are so much alike and yet one is piss poor and the other with all the privilege she never wanted. Dolly and Loretta are more alike than not and I suppose that is the author's point really. That no matter how much privilege in your life, you are still ultimately at the mercy of war and chance. This was heartbreaking for me to read, a young woman with cancer. My daughter moved in with me and brought this book with her. We read this together at a time when my daughter was struggling through chemotherapy and radiation herself. The gift Loretta gives Dolly towards the end of the book is satisfying and beautiful. As with Gaynor's previous novel--stock up on your tissues.

I enjoyed the insights (historical fiction, I think you could call it) about World War I and how it affected those fighting the war, but mostly how it affected those left behind. It highlighted the class differences in England, the dearth of eligible men, and the difficulties of rising (or not) out of one's birth-assigned social stature. Some of the numerous characters and plot lines got a bit convoluted, but I did feel that I came to know the characters' personalities as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The story made for an engaging, productive book-club discussion.

For the record, I only review those books that I've enjoyed and that I could honestly recommend other readers to spend their time and money on them. Girl From The Savoy is one that I can recommend, although maybe not to men... It's the story of a young woman and her childhood sweetheart. They are separated by World War I. She works as a maid in a wealthy household, a "situation" requires her to leave, and when she returns home, she gets a job as a maid at The Savoy Hotel in London. Eventually, she becomes a "muse" for a composer and his connections lead to a job in the musical theatre. I'm going to stop with that cryptic description because I don't want to give any more away. Read Ms. Gaynor's book and judge for yourself!

I like the story, which is good because I am in absolute despair over this new trend of books being written in first-person present tense. Each chapter has to be titled as to who is narrating. Forgive me for being old and/or old-fashioned, but I want someone to tell me a story, not narrate the character's current life. Even people who write in journals write them in past tense. That said, it is a good story of England between the wars, with a touch of Pygmalion. I personally think it could've been a richer, fuller story written in 3rd person omniscient, eliminating the need to head each chapter as to whose viewpoint it is, but that is just opinion. If you have a liking for the 20s and seeing a girl get her dreams fulfilled, give this book a go.

I simply could not put this down. It was so good, so beautifully written and enchanting. I give it a 4.75 stars. Hazel is one of my absolute favorite HF writers and I highly recommend her books.

I adored this quick read that instantly drew me into this pre and post WWI era in England and into the lives of the very well drawn out characters. The writing is so well done it is magical and poetic. I can see in my minds eye the scenery, the streets, the clothes, the theaters, the productions and the hotel rooms as they are described by the author in full color and detail. The journey that the main characters go through made me want to continue to keep reading so I could know what was going to happen with these characters because I really cared for them. I loved the theater tie in and the hotel maids relationships in the back story of the goings on in a large hotel at this time. And the Pygmalion-like take on teaching a hotel maid to be a "Lady" and a "Star" of the west end theater was precious!

Very well written novel by Hazel Gaynor! I have read Girl in the Blue Dress and A Memory of Violets by the same author and all were just as interesting! WW1, Dolly like everyone has loved and lost in the war but she must go on as her beloved Teddy would have wanted. Knocking Perry down was a chance encounter and their paths will cross again. Dolly is determined and has a great desire to get into show business but not at all costs. Working at The beautiful and ritzy Savoy as a maid is rewarding, exhausting and puts her in contact with very glamorous. Dolly makes friends easily and has a great big heart! One day her dream is to enter The Savoy through the front door instead of the back door. I looked forward to reading this novel each night and didn't want to put down.

I enjoy all of Hazel Gaynor’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. A beautiful story of a woman with big dreams and a love that didn’t die. Set in post WW1 London.

The Savoy name in the title intrigued me to read this book because I had worked at the Savoy for seven years and wanted to see whether the author had realistically captured the spirit of this grand dame of hotels and its connection with high society London of the 1920’s. The Savoy was the first hotel to have electricity, elevators, even its own artesian wells and was built to house guests attending the light operas of Gilbert and Sullivan at the theatre nearby. Right up to this present day, it has always attracted to within its doors the world's literati and glitterati of society. It can be slightly intimidating place and there is a sense of order that cannot be challenged. The other hotel that is mentioned is Claridge’s, which has attracted a no less moneyed class. The Savoy and Claridge’s that I knew in the 60’s and 70’s were hotels of understated excellence. At the same time, the staff at these hotels had a pride in their jobs that helped keep standards high. Gaynor has done her research well, enlisted the help of the publicity departments of both hotels and weaved this into an interesting story about a woman in service as a maid at the Savoy who has aspirations of achieving fame and fortune in the acting world. This is all set against a backdrop of during and post-First World War with all that the devastation of conflict brought to the equation including post-traumatic stress disorder. She examines the rigidity of the English class system and throws into the story an added dimension of an unwed mother We have the ingredients of a fine tale. How will it all resolve? The author has divided the book into chapters entitled with the name of the personality who is chronicling their thoughts and feelings. This seems to work well so that one can see beyond the opulence of the setting into the heart of each character. Gaynor keeps the suspense going right to the end.

Another winner from Hazel Gaynor. I would highly recommend this novel, which I found hard to put down! Very enjoyable characters

I quite enjoyed this book, well written, good characters its not predictable, I honestly like her writing, I have read all her books and enjoyed them all

IT6 WAS A GIFT