Nineteen Steps
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4.6 • 18 Ratings
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
Love blooms in the darkest days…
Discover this heart-wrenching, life-affirming tale of first romance in the face of the tragic events of an often forgotten piece of WW2 history.
'Will make you swoon, laugh, and even cry' Daily Mirror
'A dazzling debut' Woman's Own
'A spellbinding read' Fiona Davis
★★★
London, 1942.
Despite the raging war, spirited 18-year-old Nellie Morris lives a quiet life in the tight-knit East End community of Bethnal Green. Her family and friends all tease that she will marry air raid warden Billy, the boy next door who’s always been sweet on her.
The arrival of Ray, a handsome American airman stationed nearby, causes Nellie to question everything she thought she knew about her future.
Nellie’s new-found happiness is short-lived when a tragic accident occurs during an air raid. Even the closest family can’t escape the devastation of war, and as the secrets and truth about that fateful night become clear, they threaten to tear Nellie – and those dearest to her – apart.
’There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown’s Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembered…You might open Nineteen Steps for the celebrity name, but stick with it for the history of an under-recognized event of World War II.’ New York Times
Readers love Nineteen Steps:
'I couldn't put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Truly inspiring, powerful' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Prepare for waterworks' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I devoured it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A wonderful story' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Millie Bobby Brown is an actress and producer best known for playing Eleven in the Netflix hit series Stranger Things.
On the big screen, Brown has starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and its sequel Godzilla vs. Kong. She also starred in and produced the popular Netflix mystery film franchise Enola Holmes and its 2022 sequel Enola Holmes 2.
In 2019, Brown launched her own vegan and cruelty free makeup and skincare line, florence by mills. The brand received the “Launch of the Year” honour at Women’s Wear Daily’s Beauty Inc Awards.
In November 2018, UNICEF named Brown the organization’s newest Goodwill Ambassador. Earlier that year, Brown was also named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Stranger Things star Brown sets her emotionally layered debut in 1942 East London, where 18-year-old protagonist Nellie works as an assistant to the mayor of Bethnal Green and struggles to keep her tight-knit family and friends safe during nighttime bombing raids by the Nazis. Through her municipal work, Nellie possesses secret knowledge that the 19 steps at the entrance of a nearby Underground station (one that serves as an air raid shelter) would pose a series of safety hazards if met with a large crowd (lack of handrails, proper lighting, cement reinforcement, and more). When a panic at the station prompts a devastating accident, the catastrophe proves intensely personal for Nellie. The memorable cast comprises Nellie's parents and siblings, her best friends (one of whom holds romantic feelings for her), and a dashing love interest—an American pilot named Ray. Brown's narrative, which is based on real events, effectively balances the danger and deprivations of war in a city under siege with the joys of family, friends, and romance. This highly charged historical romance offers intimate insight into WWII London and the challenges of overcoming loss.
Customer Reviews
Beautifully written.
A tale that rings true for so many families.