Florida Girls is a wild ride of the home front of World War II mixed with young women, the Mafia and racism. While at first, I was completely sold on a World War II historical fiction taking place on the American home front, I was underwhelmed by the end of the novel. As someone who loves books that are plot driven with unique and redeeming characters, Florida Girls, for me, fell flat.

Characters:
There were so many characters in this novel it became difficult to keep track. Between the Mafia members, the supporting characters and the actual Florida girls, the amount of characters made it hard to remember who was who and keeping track became difficult. Because of the amount of characters in the book, it was difficult to make any of them redeemable or memorable. I would not want my daughter (if I had one) to necessarily grow up to be any of the women in this book. I wouldn't want my sons to grow up any of the men in this book. Most of the characters were not good people.

Plot:
So much of this plot was unbelievable. I understand the work is fiction, however, with many of the events that happened in the main character's life, it made it hard to believe anything was true or could have been true. There was so much happening in the book but it still did not read the plot was truly driving the book. It was hard to even tell where the climax of the book was because there were so many events happening and moving the story along.

All in all, while this was not my favorite book, I would definitely look up this author again and try to read more of her work. The historical research was well done as well as the information about the various locations. The connection of the Mafia was a nice touch to show a different side of the World War II home front that many people would not expect.

*I received a free copy of this book from The Niche Reader. Sarah Ravellen9 1 follower

A great start to the series. Set in the 1940s, The Florida Girls follows 18-year-old Thelma Miles who, after the death of her mother, falls into a troupe of singing and dancing swimsuit models on a war bond tour across America. The girls find themselves rubbing shoulders with organised crime.
Told from differing points of view, we see the inner lives, struggles and motives of various characters, for instance Kathleen Young, the troupe organiser, married to Doc Young the disabled snake oil salesman. Thelma, the young girl with an old head on her shoulders negotiating her way through complex relationships and plots. The Giancarlo family, part of the local mafia. I d these different perspectives told in separately headed chapters. Kirchner moves the story along swiftly, dropping in field reports from US intelligence, ramping up the tension as their focus moves from one character to another.
The book offers a wealth of period detail, most notably in the costumes and clothes of the characters – “Kathleen Young raced for Sun City’s front door as much as her pencil skirt allowed speed.” What came across to me was the warmth the girls had for each other despite coming from differing social and racial backgrounds. Thrown together in the troupe, they face success and tragedy together.
The close of the story offers an intriguing ending which sets up the next stage of the Queen Pin Chronicles.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
20th-century wwii Vivian503 24

What was supposed to be a quick stop changed Thelma's life forever. Thelma was on her way to Miami from the north, when he bus ride made a stop in St. Petersburg for a quick stop, she goes the Sun City Emporium - World's Most Unusual Drugstore, and for being a good samaritan misses her bus and ends up staying on this city, auditioning for the Florida Girls, getting a spot in it and traveling the country on a tour singing and dancing in support of the troops oversees during WWII.
This sounds innocent enough and a little bit a fairy tale, right? Well things are not what it seem, we find Thelma in the middle of an FBI investigation into possible places for the germans to land a submarine in the city, Cuban smugglers and the local mafia whose boss is more to her than what she could have ever thought off.
With a good amount of historical research and good writing his book grab me almost sine the beginning. Can't wait to read the following one in the series. asgardbelle1 review

I was intrigued by this book as I love historical fiction and the time setting and the mafia connections in this book sounded something I’d enjoy. I loved that throughout the book, we get a lot of real history woven in and I did feel I was learning lots about the time period in America while reading. I also d the strong female characters we meet, especially Thelma and Peggy and I loved how they develop their own group to rival the mafia men and make their own way in the world. It was good watching them grow and develop from the beginning of the book. I also loved the ending and can’t wait to read the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader. Teresa Thomas1 review1 follower

Florida Girls by L.L. Kirchner is fun! It takes us to a time and place in WWII history in Florida and embellishes that time with meticulous research and loads of detail. The unusual scenario pulled me in. I usually read before bedtime and found the book difficult to put down. Florida Girls has strong women characters who are doing interesting things, from taking on the mob to supporting the war effort in tantalizing ways. It’s a substantial read and frankly, I loved it. Diana Mack535 7

Thelma lands in Florida at The SunCity Emporium during WWII. She becomes A Florida Girl, singing and dancing her way around the country in support of the boys overseas.
Whew. A whole lot of Cuban criminals and intrigue. Finding out who can use who and who is doing what. A lot of non graphic violence
Strong and smart females combined with the setting made for a fun read. An interesting look at that time period.
Received a copy via The Niche Reader2 s Yolanda497 45

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book
This was a good historical fiction book about early Floridia history and the not nice people who helped to shape such as gangsters , corrupt politicians etc . Overall good book Ellie Hawley270 3

This was an okay book. It just got to the point where it wasn't my style and I was no longer interested in the plot. Rick226

Looking for a fun summer read?
Florida Girls mixes Tampa Bay history and The Mob in a fast read that will keep you turning the pages to find out what’s next. Michele Dawson Haber23 1 follower

I was immersed from the start! L.L. had written a story that will have you clamoring for more! Najla86 15

The novels brings together a lot people and stories, through rich world building and historical accuracy that immerses the reader in a time and place that sticks with you after the last page. Kimberly Diaz59 1 follower

This fun and fast-paced historical fiction novel set in the Tampa Bay area features sassy,saucy, quick-thinking glamour girls, sleazy criminals, and high society phonies interacting and embroiled in all sorts of high jinks with witty dialogue and surprising plot twists. 2 s Nicole Fincher54 3

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