Izzie and Linda are sisters whose mother left them when they were preteens. Their father has a temper and often treats Izzie badly, expecting her to give her wages over to him and has no expectations of Linda. He refuses to talk about their mother or where she went. I liked Izzie's character but didn't really like the other characters in this book and it was difficult to read some parts due to the bad treatment towards one another. It was a hard one for me to get through and has a lot of hard topics touched on in it. If someone has been a victim of abuse this might be a hard read for them.

This is a sweet, post-war story but I found a large proportion of the characters to be incredibly annoying, and this lessened my enjoyment of the novel.

Izzie definitely does not have it easy and when her mother suddenly leaves the family home, Izzie becomes a slave to her sister and father. It’s almost like a case of Cinderella! Her younger sister, Linda, is a spoiled brat throughout the story and I failed to sympathise with her – even when events start to go against her favour. I was frustrated that Linda manages to escape punishment for so long and wanted to see Izzie stand up for herself even more.

Similarly, Izzie’s father is a sneaky man who takes advantage of his eldest daughter. Weaver reinforces the patriarchal society of the times and I felt sorry for how suffocating the family home was for Izzie. She is forced to hand over much of her wages for housekeeping and there is no equality between the treatment of the two daughters.

Izzie eventually makes contact with her mother and I was curious to see what the truth was behind her mother’s absence. This introduces a sub-plot to the story and I liked how Weaver gradually connects this with the main narrative. Indeed, the final quarter of the story was incredibly pacy and I became increasingly curious about how the novel would conclude.

The historical setting was clearly researched in detail and I have found this about the previous novels I have read by this author. By the sea in an area I know very well, I enjoyed reading about this post-war era and how society was rapidly changing after the war, whilst still remaining trapped in some very stifling ideologies. For example, the restrictions that Izzie faces because she is a woman is a reminder of how post-war Britain had moved backwards after the soldiers had returned home.

I liked this book but disliked most of Izzie’s family. I did not get a true sense of justice and whilst the final scenes for Linda were pretty horrific, I don’t feel like any lessons were clearly learned. Izzie is a strong character and determined to succeed, but I wished she had stood up for herself against her overbearing father and lazy sister.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Second World War has recently ended and people are trying to return to some sort of normality in Worthing, West Sussex. Izzy and Linda’s father has returned from the war but is without a job, suffering from anger issues and often in the pub, returning home drunk, late at night. After one such night, and following an argument with her husband, Izzy’s mother leaves and doesn’t return.

Over the next two years, the girls are brought up by their grandparents, until one day their father comes to take them home. Izzy is desperate to find out why her mother left, whilst trying to maintain a job and support her sister and father.

As was normal in post-war Britain, it is the women who look after the house and, in the absence of a mother, this fell to Izzy. We travel along with her as she grows up, with a world of responsibility on her shoulders. Her family has fallen apart and she will do all she can to find out why and put right as much as she can.

At Home by the Sea has a diverse range of characters, some fun, some loveable and some are just downright evil. Pam Weaver’s descriptive style brings post-war Worthing to life, and I realised just how hard it would have been in the 1940s and 50s, as everyone rebuilt their lives.

I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction and every time I read a book, I learn something new. This was a lovely read and transported me to different times and into different lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of At Home by the Sea by Pam Weaver.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

This book was amazing really enjoyed it I could not put it down.

Izzie ends up looking after the house of her Dad after her Mum walked out, she does wonder what happened that night she did. She looks after her little sister Linda. Izzie ends up working in a cafe for Giacomo who is a real gentlemen who treats his staff well.

The book was very well written and I really liked all the bits of the book.

Would certainly read more of this author.

I love historical books and this saga about a young girl who is raised by her Dad with her sister after her Mum walks out on them was gripping from start to finish. In this story, we see Izzie rise up from being a scared young girl to finding her feet and going with her gut instinct. The relationship between her estranged mother is sensitively portrayed and as ever with these books, there is a delightful romance with a charming Italian. However, the female is not rescued by the male and stands on her own two feet making a better life for herself and her sister.

Great book, lovely story, with a good feel. really liked the characters, very enjoyable read. Would definitely recommend this book

Thank you to NetGalley, Pam Weaver and the publisher for the chance to read this book in return for a review of my own personal opinions.

It took me a while to get round to this book but I have read it eventually.

I often read books of this genre about the life and times of groups of people and their interactions so this book brought up no great surprises. This was set in the Post War early 1950s on the South coast of England. It was an era that came a few years before me so I had no experience of the times. I found reading about the clothes that the 'Teddy' boys wore and how they obtained them and the evolution of cosy cafes into Bistros and Coffee bars interesting.

The side story of the way women were treated and the expectations they had careerwise, the way women and girls were exploited and how they were treated by the Judiciary after sexual assault was as I understood it had been. Sad though true.

I found the book slow to get going but knew that I would be sat waiting around while my daughter had an appointment so wanted something that didn't need a lot of concentration but would keep my attention.
In the end I wanted to finish the book and find out what happened.

If historical saga type novels are something you enjoy then give this book/author a try

Thanks again to all involved in my chance to read this book

At Home by the Sea is a WWII fictional story with Izzie as a main character. Most books written during this time, is all about the action but this was more focused on "normal" life. Being the oldest, Izzie is saddled with the chore of looking after her younger sister Linda and the house after their mother leaves. Later in the story we do learn why her mother left and other family drama which caused this. Izzie does her best to keep their family together all while learning how to stand up for herself especially after she meets an Italian chef who owns a local coffee shop. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

I highly recommend reading this book for yourself.

I was given an ARC copy but the views are all my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. This was a lovely book where a mother gets a chance at redemption after abandoning her children. I had a hard time getting into it to start but I did enjoy it!

This novel details the lives of the members of the Baxter family during the 1940s and into the 1950s. The main focus is on Izzie, who takes on many roles for the family while trying to find her lost mom, working, taking courses, and dealing with her dad and sister. While some reviewers found it heartwarming, I thought this book was depressing and many of the characters made the same bad choices over and over. Things get wrapped up in the end though.

Readers who like family stories may enjoy this novel. I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I should start the review stating that this is the first Pam Weaver I am reading. And also, this is the first time I am reading a book which is set in England in the time around World War 2 happened. I usually don't read such type of stories. And I only opted to read this book because reading the summary, I didn't get an idea that the book was going to be this way.

I must say for all these reasons how why I might not have liked the book, I still found it a very fascinating and interesting read. The story is primarily about Izzie and her finding her own in life after her mother walks out on her family, leaving her to care for her sister in many ways. This story primarily focuses on the various characters that come into her life and their influences on her. It also explores the different facets of people from her perspective. Though the story ends conveniently on a very positive note with all ends tied, it didn't feel contrived; it was all very organic.

I particularly loved the way author Pam Weaver has narrated the story - it flows in a brisk pace but still gives an in-depth picture of every character. The motivations of almost all the characters are also fleshed out in a very relatable manner. It took me some time to get into her style of writing but once I did, I just flew through her lines. There is a depth to her characters and they are all not black and white. All in all, it's a good read for people who like to read a good book set in this time period which is a decent read.

Overhearing a fight between their parents, Izzy and Linda, just 13 and 10 respectively, are scared and worried: more so when their mother disappeared into the cold night with little but a nightdress and coat. When she was discovered near death in a shed down the street, the girls thought she’d soon be home: but that was not to be. Now living with their rather harsh tempered father who’d been gone some 6 years during the war, the girls are grief stricken and confused. After a couple of years with their grandparents providing security and safety, the girls are returned to their father’s care: Izzy is now old enough to earn her keep, and Linda will continue school.

Frustrated with the unequal treatment and taking on the role of mother and provider, Izzy makes plans to leave – to do something away from her father, while questions about her mother mount, and her sister Linda becomes increasingly difficult to manage. Spoilt and left to her own devices by her father, Linda is heading down a bad road, while Izzy, doing the right thing is right to feel misused and overworked. Fortunately for her, she’s been able to find work that both strengthens her confidence and provides her with options. Unfortunately, being a companion for the elderly woman was a time-limited job, and when the woman died, Izzy’s struggles just began. Although not without the upsides, she had found her mother, learned more of why she left, and discovered that her father was imprisoned for black market trading that led to the death of a young boy and the illnesses of many.

There is so much happening, including the disparity of treatment of women and girls during the time, the importance of “reputation’ for a girl, the struggles with a young sister with a need to have everything now and an eye for unsuitable boys, and the kindness of a café owner who, despite the age difference finds Isobelle (as he calls her) a singularly unique creature and one that he’s falling in love with. Plenty of drama, the struggles of post-war Britain, the ambitions of a young girl determined to move beyond the circumstances she’s living in and a family secret and history all revealed, the story is gripping and engaging well worth the read if for no other reason to see the changes from a mere 50 years earlier in attitude and custom.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aWS /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I didn't think the title represented the book as there wasn't much to identify that the storyline was by the sea. I had trouble (sorry) liking some of the characters and felt that there was too much going on so there was quite a few storylines to keep up with. The main storyline of Izzie finding her mother and making a go of her own life was good, I just didn't like the people around her.

I am a big fan of Pam Weaver"s books. And this book was not an exception. For me this book is about love, growing up, healing and second chance. I like that It is a book about an era which isnt written too much about, the 50s.
I do like the Main character izzie, Even though she started out as a some what weak person. There are a lot of characters in this book, and you get to know them very well through a beautifil written book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

What a lovely book, and so atmospheric of the time! The action centres around an Italian ice cream parlour, which is a great setting to start with (ha ha)! Izzie and Giacometti are very believable characters, and Pam Weaver’s stories never get so long that you are fed up in the end of what happens to them!
I have now read all her books, and can totally recommend any of them.

A heartwarming story about second chances.
A broken family…..can they find peace in their life?
A story about how Liz…..will she be able to get over her mothers unexpected abandonment of her sister and her when they were young?
Lots of secrets going on within the story.
Lots of historical information about World War II.
The pace of the book seemed a bit slow but I did enjoy reading it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another great book from Pam Weaver. A Heart gripping book with great characters draws on historical events and then adds some. So follow Izzie as she tries to accept her parents separation and become Mother to her younger sister. The book reflects the hard life that most families led and the connection to criminals that a few had. So if you like post war fiction and interesting family life then you’ll enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Pam Weaver, her publisher and NetGalley.

A heartbreaking, gripping and well written historical fiction. I liked the plot and the historical background.
The characters are well developed even if it took me some time to warm up to Izzie.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

At Home by the Sea is a very well written historical novel. A great plot with good character dynamics. I recommend this book.