Press release Finding Hope on the Canals: The Waterway Girls Charts Courage and Friendship in Wartime Britain September 22, 2025

Heartbreak, resilience and the search for new beginnings from Milly Adams.

London, September 2025 – dp books is delighted to announce the signing of acclaimed author Milly Adams and the upcoming release of The Waterway Girls, the first compelling instalment in her series of the same name – now available for pre-order.

In October 1943, nineteen-year-old Polly Holmes leaves war-torn West London behind to join a narrowboat-crew on Britain's canals. Amid pouring rain and a challenging new life aboard the Marigold, Polly encounters strong-willed Verity and seasoned skipper Bet. Soon, they become a tight-knit team bound together by grit, courage and camaraderie.

With her sweetheart away in the RAF and her brother lost to the war, Polly must navigate grief, hardship and the unknown. Yet, as she journeys from London to Birmingham, she discovers that the waterways are more than a path of duty. They are a route to friendship, resilience and hope in the darkest days.

Milly Adams, pseudonym of bestselling author Margaret Graham, has published 25 novels across the UK, Europe and USA. Margaret's work spans television documentaries, short stories, plays and charitable projects supporting wounded veterans. She also co-founded the Yeovil Literary Prize. Her storytelling is celebrated for its authenticity, empathy and ability to bring historical worlds vividly to life.

The Waterway Girls is now available to pre-order on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, with official release set for October 9th. Happy reading!