The Daily Mail - Full Review
‘Drawn from the home front diaries of thesecond world war, is Kate Lord Brown’s rip-roaringThe Beauty Chorus... the research is played light and as a result the booksoars as if it had a pair of Merlin engines strapped to its covers.’
The Spectator
'A captivating story of adventure, romance, loss and heroism.'
You Magazine (Mail on Sunday) Reading Group Book of the Week - Full review
'A wonderful, escapist, nostalgic read'.
Red Magazine, May 2011 ****
'The novel is a page turner with real historical insight'
Aviation for Women (Women in Aviation International, December 2011)
‘This atmospheric debut novel tells the little-known story of the’ATA girls.’
Voyager Magazine – best new reads
Terry Holloway - Royal Aeronautical Society Magazine
‘This charming, sweeping debut novel tells the tale of beautiful Evie Chase, young widowed mother Stella Grainger, and teenager Megan Jones.’
Candis Magazine
‘An involving novel based on the true story of the Second World War ATA’
Choice Magazine
‘A stunning novel that captures the dangerous and exciting life of these real women.’
Hampshire Life Book of the Month
'Filled with grit, determination, bravery, espionage and the infamous British "stiff upper lip", this book gives you an insight into what life was like during WWII. The way that people pulled together and sometimes did things that we, today, would cringe at thought of, makes you realise just how disjointed society has become.
I have to say, I got to the end of the book and was devastated - I wanted more chapters to see if the plans that were made with the characters and the way I hoped things would work out came to fruition. If there is ever a sequel to this book, I'll happily queue overnight on a cold pavement to get my copy! Quite possibly the best book I have had the pleasure to read in a long time.'
I give it 5 glasses.
- The Army Rumour Service, Rear Party Full Review
'This book is beautifully crafted in every way. The characters keep your attention at all times and the twists and turns in the story had me laughing one minute and crying the next. It's a haunting book and the author obviously knows this era very well. I can't recommend The Beauty Chorus highly enough and loved every second of it.' Full Review
Novelicious 10/10
'I loved this book. I've got sympathy with those people who feel that the subject of the Second World War has been exhausted, but Kate Lord Brown has taken a little-known part of the war effort and brought it to life. The research has obviously been meticulous but she's wisely avoided the temptation to shoe-horn in every bit of information and told the story from the position of someone who knows a lot more than she needs to tell to flesh out her story. Her characters are the people who stay with you long after you've closed the book. You can imagine them growing, developing as you've seen them mature through the book. This was Kate's debut novel and I really do hope that we'll be hearing a lot more from her.'
The Bookbag 4.5*/5* Full review
'While reading The Beauty Chorus, the author’s research for this book feels deep, genuine, and sympathetic. Although it is a work of fiction, it is easy to understand that there really were people whose lives were like that of the characters. I cannot help but think that The Beauty Chorus could well become adapted into a film, and has the potential to be fascinating in that format as well.
Thinking back to the high hopes that I had for this book, it is not exactly what I expected (though now that I have read it I cannot remember exactly what it was that I did expect). What I do know is that I am not disapointed, and my interest in learning more about the ATA and the role of women in the Second World War has deepened. Kate Lord Brown has written an exciting book that is insightful, evocative, and absorbing, and The Beauty Chorus is now a prominent and proud addition to my beloved bookcase.'
Georgina Donlea for Bookgeeks Full review
'Evie and her friends find romance, confront loss and make lifelong friendships.'
Woman's Own Book of the Week ***
'This gloriously readable novel by first time author Kate Lord Brown draws on the true story of the ATA girls, the brave women who flew everything from Lancasters to Spitfires in the second world war. The Beauty Chorus is a heartwarming and compelling story, intelligently researched and written: an ideal book to curl up with over the Easter break. If you're a fan of Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles, or Penny Vincenzi's 'Spoils of Time' trilogy, you'll definitely enjoy this.'
Mrs Trefusis Takes A Taxi - full review
'Your heart will be adrenaline-pumping alongside the characters, hoping beyond hope that they make it safely home.'
Reading for the Joy of It
