Jennifer Ryan (Chilbury Ladies Choir) books

British historical fiction author specializing in World War II-era England, known for heartwarming stories of resilience, community, and women finding strength during wartime.

Anthologies

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Confessions of a Secret Admirer 2014 Buy

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir 2017 Buy
The Spies of Shilling Lane 2019 Buy
The Kitchen Front 2021 Buy
The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle 2022 Buy
The Underground Library 2024 Buy
The Queen’s Coronation 2026 Buy

Jennifer Ryan writes about ordinary British women navigating extraordinary circumstances during World War II. Her novels explore how communities pulled together during the Blitz, rationing, and years of uncertainty. The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir, her debut novel, set the template: villagers forming a choir after the men leave for war, finding solidarity and purpose through music. Each subsequent book follows different groups of women, whether spies on Shilling Lane, contestants in a wartime cooking competition, or seamstresses creating wedding dresses from parachute silk.

Ryan’s fiction emphasizes warmth and resilience without minimizing the period’s hardships. Her characters face loss, danger, and difficult moral choices, but the books focus on how people support each other through crisis. The novels feature detailed research into home front life, from the mechanics of rationing to the work of female codebreakers and resistance networks.

With six standalone novels published between 2017 and 2026, Ryan has built a body of work that appeals to readers who want historically grounded stories about women’s contributions during the war. Her books balance serious historical content with hopeful narratives about community, friendship, and finding joy in dark times.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Jennifer Ryan (Chilbury Ladies Choir) written?

Jennifer Ryan (Chilbury Ladies Choir) has written 7 books across 2 series.

What was Jennifer Ryan (Chilbury Ladies Choir)'s first book?

Jennifer Ryan (Chilbury Ladies Choir)’s first book is Confessions of a Secret Admirer, published in 2014.

What time period do Jennifer Ryan's novels cover?

Jennifer Ryan’s novels are all set during World War II and the early post-war years in England, focusing on the 1940s. Her most recent novel, The Queen’s Coronation (2026), extends into the 1950s to cover Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation.

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