Bobby's War

The RNA winning WWII saga

Shirley Mann

• Publisher: Zaffre
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN:
  9781838772239
• Subtopic: Women in History

Winner of the RNA romantic saga award 2021

An inspiring and uplifting tale of women on the home front, for fans of Molly Green and Vicki Beeby.

'A gripping series. I've loved every one' Rosie Goodwin

It's 1942 and Bobby Hollis has joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in a team known as the 'glamour girls' - amazing women who pilot aircraft all around the country.

Bobby always wanted to escape life on the family farm and the ATA seemed like the perfect opportunity for her. But there's always something standing in her way. Like a demanding father, who wants to marry her off to a rich man. And the family secrets that threaten to engulf everything.

As Bobby navigates her way through life, and love, she has to learn that controlling a huge, four-engined bomber might just be easier than controlling her own life . . .


'What a brilliant read! Shirley Mann has given such a well-researched and comprehensive picture of the lives of the courageous women of the ATA, and Bobby is a wonderful heroine. Brave, clever and opinionated, I absolutely loved spending time with her.' Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Cafe at War


'Shirley Mann has given us in Bobby Hollis an inspiration. Plucky and resourceful as she delivers her WW2 aircraft, Bobby is exactly the sort of person you'd want at your side in real life today. This is a perfect read when all you want to do is curl up to enjoy a lovely novel. Brava!' Kitty Danton, author of The Evacuee Christmas

'Rich in period detail, nostalgia, intrigue, romance and the realities of life in a perilous and unpredictable corner of the home front, Bobby's War is a saga full of history, heart and our proud national heritage.' Lancashire Evening Post


Don't miss Shirley Mann's other books in the collection on inspiring war-time women - Lily's War, Hannah's War, Bridget's War and Maggie's War. Available now. And pre-order Faith's War, coming 2026.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -


Readers love Bobby's War:


'I loved this book. A fabulous read.' Netgalley reviewer

'If you love family sagas based in the war, this is the book for you.' Netgalley reviewer

'An emotional journey throughout.' Netgalley reviewer


Praise for Lily's War:

'[The story] read so true to me and I really didn't want to put it down . . . It may be fiction but those things could, and did, happen.' Vera Morgan, wartime WAAF

'An impeccably researched and uplifting story of love, loss and courage: a heartwarming read that will captivate all those who love a good war story.' Clare Harvey, author of The Gunner Girl

'A wonderful, inspiring story. I can't wait to read more from Shirley Mann.' Sheila Newberry

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Dedication
• Prologue
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Chapter 27
• Chapter 28
• Chapter 29
• Chapter 30
• Chapter 31
• Chapter 32
• Chapter 33
• Chapter 34
• Chapter 35
• Chapter 36
• Chapter 37
• Chapter 38
• Chapter 39
• Chapter 40
• Chapter 41
• Chapter 42
• Chapter 43
• Chapter 44
• Chapter 45
• Chapter 46
• Chapter 47
• Chapter 48
• Chapter 49
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Welcome to the world of Shirley Mann!
• Letter from Author
• Mrs Hill’s Scone Recipe
• Don’t miss Shirley Mann’s inspiring debut novel . . .
• And watch out for Shirley’s next book . . .
• Memory Lane Club
• Wartime Tales from Memory Lane
• Here are other Memory Lane titles you may enjoy . . .
• Copyright