The book follows Thomas Chayne through childhood, adolescent love affairs and university where he forms what will be a life-long friendship with fellow student, Richard, although that friendship will be tested at times.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, as well as taking part in skirmishes between the forces of the King and Parliament, Thomas gets into all sorts of scrapes often involving narrow escapes from death. All are described in meticulous detail which, on occasions, I felt did affect the pace of the book.

Similarly, the reader witnesses Thomas’s mental turmoil as he continually questions his own motives, ponders options and wrestles with decisions to the point, it has to be said, of self-absorption. (In this regard, he is similar to Abel Morgan in the author’s previous book.) “Life’s journey is so often a matter of small decisions.”

As the war progresses and loyalties are tested, Thomas finds himself facing a moral dilemma. His solution will bring a moment of recognition for those who have read The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan. For readers who haven’t, never fear, because the final chapter of The Honourable Life of Thomas Chayne very neatly connects the two books.

A good historical fiction, full of emotions and engrossing.
I liked the well researched historical background, the fleshed out cast of characters and how well the author describes the emotions and the historical setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A good mix fiction and fact with good character development of interesting characters. I was mostly engaged, and enjoyed the drama plot points. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

While this is definitely set in "interesting times" with truly human characters rather than merely cardboard ones, I never found myself engaged. It just sort of skimmed along and didn't grab me or my interest.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy.

This wasn’t the first in the series but was readable none the less. This was set in the civil war, bringing to life the struggle endured during a civil war, when brother fought brother and father, son. It was for a me a quick light read, but enjoyable.

I read The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan by Cynthia Jefferies in June and quite enjoyed it as an easy read so when I saw this one come up with an opportunity to review I thought I'd give it a try.

This one is set in England during the time of Charles I and the war between the royalists and the parliamentarians under Oliver Cromwell.

Thomas Chayne is the eldest son of Sir Thomas Chayne who is a respected member of the King's party.
Thomas yearns to be a scholar but neither his dislikeable father or war make it easy.

I don't want to say too much as I don't like giving the story away but there is heartbreak, loss and an incredible friendship in this book. The characters develop very well and I loved Thomas and Richard, his best friend. I found Thomas' mother to be a valuable character to the story regardless of how much I dislike her husband.

I enjoyed this more than the previous book as it was pretty fast paced and uncovered what it must have been like to family on opposite sides of the war.

This is ideal as an easy to read book and I finished it within a couple of days.

I love historical fiction and there is certainly a wealth of authors from which to choose. This is the first I have read by this writer and although a sweeping family saga set against the Civil War with Cromwell's Model Army against Charles I somehow the narrative is slightly dis jointed.
I liked the main character Thomas and soon engaged with the problems with his father who never seems proud of him even though he does much to try and seek his father's affection. Thomas has a wonderful mother,who links through the plot even when tragedy(which often occurs) seeks to keep them apart. There is also a wonderful friend Richard, who Thomas meets at University who shares in many adventures - although left 'shipwrecked'by choice on a Scottish island did stretch incredulity a bit.
So why my unease? There is a need to explore the development of the Civil War through many of the battles, particularly that in Cirencester of which the author has done much research and with which I was not familiar. However the characters are often moved around the country and placed where the action is just to describe the various skirmishes and probably less might have meant more in describing the scenes rather than spreading wide and with little substance.
I was engaged to the end and sad about some of the consequences for Thomas in life and love. The author explores issues of slavery with the move to Bristol and links to the Caribbean but again its hinted it and perhaps overall the story would have been better told as a sequel or even trilogy like many historical novels of this type to add suspense and spend more time building up the scenes and characters outside the main protagonist.
Not a bad read overall if rushed and squashed in plot. There was more to offer for Thomas Chayne but the ending unfortunately left this with a full stop and not a pause for the next instalment.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

Thomas Chayne has never managed to impress his overbearing father, and when a small act of rebellion has lasting consequences he soon faces an impossible choice between honouring his family and his loyalty to the crown.

Good read. I enjoy fictional stories that are deeply woven with historical fact. I look forward to reading more from this author.

4☆