The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson transports readers to the vibrant yet turbulent summer of 1919, where Constance Haverhill finds herself at a crossroads. With the men having returned from the front, Constance, who diligently ran an estate during the Great War, is now deemed redundant and sent away to serve as a lady’s companion to an ailing family friend. This shift leads her to the lively seaside town of Hazelbourne-on-Sea, where she is introduced to an eclectic mix of characters who will change her life forever.

At the heart of this vibrant community is Poppy Wirrall, the unconventional daughter of a baronet. Poppy defies societal norms, donning trousers, operating a taxi and delivery service employing local women, and running an exhilarating ladies’ motorcycle club, with dreams of expanding to flying lessons. Constance is drawn into Poppy’s dynamic world, contrasted starkly with the brooding presence of Harris, Poppy’s war-wounded brother, whose guarded demeanour begins to soften around Constance.

As England embarks on a journey towards peace, Constance and the other women of Hazelbourne face an internal battle; the gender freedoms they enjoyed during the war are being stripped away. These women must navigate the complexities of their evolving roles in society, fighting to maintain the independence they have tasted.

Helen Simonson masterfully blends sharp humour, biting wit, and warm-hearted storytelling in a timeless comedy of manners. The narrative vividly captures the post-war tumult and the seismic shifts challenging a generation. With keen insight, Simonson explores the joy, heartbreak, and resilience of women thrust into the limelight by necessity and then relegated to the shadows.

"I loved this book! The glorious characters and evocative setting, as well as the portrayal of the era, are all beautifully balanced with a plot that had me so invested I didn't want it to end." - Amanda Hampson, bestselling author of The Tea Ladies

"...an absolute joy of a book. Warm and romantic, it also has so much to say about the lives of women in the years following World War I. This is historical fiction of the highest order-pleasurable and smart." - Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

"A thoughtful and witty tale... Readers are in for a treat." - Publishers Weekly

"Simonson brilliantly captures the pains of a generation of young people at a crossroads in an England ravaged by war and a flu epidemic, especially of the women who kept the home front going only to be tossed aside when the men came home...heartwarming and heartbreaking, and readers will be entranced." - STARRED Review, Booklist

Praise for The Summer Before the War:

"In picturesque Simonson style we wallow in love, hope and humour. Gentle, astute and observant." - Australian Women's Weekly

"Simonson describes the era vividly in language matched to the times. Her compelling characters and their snappy dialogue illustrate a heart-wrenching tale [that] strikes a good balance between pathos and playfulness." - Good Reading

"Read this book at your peril. By the time the camomile tea has chilled, two chapters in, you are hooked." - Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum