Where to Start with Daisy Styles
If you are new to the historical fiction of Daisy Styles (the pen name of prolific children's writer and dramatist Di Redmond), the best place to begin is with her signature series, The Bomb Girls. Starting with the first book, The Bomb Girls (2016), is highly recommended. This series establishes her trademark style: rich camaraderie, resilient female leads, and a vivid portrayal of the British home front during World War II.
For readers who prefer a focus on medical drama and community resilience, starting with The Wartime Midwives (2019) is an equally satisfying entry point. Either way, Styles's books are best read in publication order within their respective series, as the characters grow, form relationships, and live through the progressing years of the war.
The Bomb Girls Series
This is the series that defined Daisy Styles's career in historical fiction. Heavily inspired by the real-life wartime stories of the author's own mother, who worked in a munitions factory, these books follow a close-knit group of women navigating love, loss, and danger in a Lancashire factory. The bonds they form under the constant threat of air raids and working with cordite make for an unforgettable, page-turning experience.
We recommend reading the books in their order of publication to follow the continuous journeys of Kitty, Alice, Gladys, and their friends:
- The Bomb Girls (2016) – Introduces the main cast as they arrive at the factory and adjust to the demands of wartime work.
- The Bomb Girls’ Secrets (2017) – Dives deeper into personal secrets, family dramas, swing music, and adoption.
- Christmas with the Bomb Girls (2017) – A festive installment focusing on holding onto hope and joy during a wartime winter.
- The Bomb Girl Brides (2018) – Follows the characters as they face major life milestones and weddings against the backdrop of the conflict.
The Wartime Midwives Series
Set in a grand country house turned refuge for expectant mothers during the Blitz, this series highlights the struggles and triumphs of the midwives and mothers-to-be. It is a heartwarming saga full of medical drama, class dynamics, and the quiet heroism of everyday women. Read them in this order:
- The Wartime Midwives (2019) – The opening novel that establishes the sanctuary at Lake District's Mary Wyke House.
- Home Fires and Spitfires (2020) – The community faces new challenges as the air raids intensify and relationships are tested.
- Keep Smiling Through (2021) – Follows the midwives as they navigate personal heartbreaks and professional duties in the middle of the war.
- A Mother's Love (2022) – Explores the deep bonds of motherhood and friendship under fire.
- Christmas With The Wartime Midwives (2022) – A heartwarming holiday special highlighting hope, family, and festive spirit during dark times.
Standalone Novels and Other Sagas
In addition to her main series, Daisy Styles has written several standalone wartime novels and started new collections that focus on different sectors of the home front:
- The Code Girls (2016) – A standalone novel focusing on the brilliant and brave women codebreakers working under intense secrecy at Bletchley Park.
- Christmas with the Engine Girls (2023) – A standalone holiday novel centering on the women who worked to keep Britain's railways running during the war.
- The Factory Girls (2026) – A newer saga focusing on the lives and challenges of women working in heavy industrial manufacturing during the war.
- A Wartime Winter for the Factory Girls (Expected late 2026) – The festive continuation of the Factory Girls saga.
What to Know Before You Start
Daisy Styles is the pen name of Di Redmond, a highly accomplished freelance scriptwriter who has written over 100 children's television scripts for iconic shows like Postman Pat and Angelina Ballerina. When she turned her hand to historical fiction, she drew deep inspiration from her mother, Emily Redmond, who worked in a Lancashire munitions factory during the war. This personal connection shines through in the warm, authentic details of factory life, from the hair turbans to the smell of cordite and the solace found in a hot cup of tea.
Her writing style is accessible, engaging, and deeply character-driven. While the backdrop is the danger of World War II, the tone remains hopeful, highlighting the power of community, friendship, and female solidarity. Most books within a series have minor recurring threads, so while they can technically be read as standalones, you will get the most enjoyment by reading each series in order.