Perfect!

This really did give me such Victoria Purman and Alli Sinclair!

I look forward to reading more books by Cheryl Adnams in the future.

A delicious and tantalising story about lovers during the time of war. The characters are realistic and the plot is so beautifully designed.

Elizabeth and Maggie are sisters travelling with their parents for their father's work during WW2. Maggie is the carefree younger sibling and Elizabeth is often left to look after Maggie and ensure she keeps out of trouble. Maggie is quite taken with Cody who is off to way and Elizabeth has promised to wait for Fred. But what happens when things don't quite work out and we can't always control who we love or what happens to them?
A good read.

At first, I thought that I would not enjoy reading this book. However, I needed to be corrected. I engaged with the story and followed the characters until the end. I love Cheryl Adnma's portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other. We'll Meet Again is well-written and researched by Cheryl Adnams. I like Cheryl Adnams's description of the settings of We'll Meet Again, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of We'll Meet Again will learn about living in Darwin during Second World War. Also, the readers of We'll Meet Again will learn about some of the issues for families when their loved ones go missing. I recommend this book

Set mostly in WWII Australia, We’ll Meet Again provides a fascinating insight into the war through the eyes of two sisters and the brothers they each fall in love with. Daughters of a prominent politician, Elizabeth and Maggie could not be more different. Elizabeth is the sensible one, determined to do her bit for the war effort by joining the WRANS, something her parents strongly oppose. I liked her immediaely as she is a strong character with a sense of responsibility, work ethic and loyalty to those she cares about. Maggie, on the other hand, is flighty, wanting to have fun and not really thinking about the consequences. I wasn’t her biggest fan when I first met her, but Maggie grows on you and despite her irresponsible start in this story, she works hard in her chosen career and grows more caring for others around her.
Americans Tom and Cody Baker are similar to Elizabeth and Maggie: Tom is hardworking and responsible while Cody is a surfer with a “she’ll be right” attitude. These two are dramatically changed people after the bombing of the US fleet in Hawaii, with Tom developing amnesia as a result of the attack on his ship and Cody developing a passionate hatred for the Japanese and joing up to revenge his brother’s apparent death.
The story itself shone a light on the war effort in Darwin both before and after the bombing, and the contrast to life in Sydney at the same time. While there was a hint of covenience to the way these two couples met and fell in love, the story itself was intriguing and made for a very entertaining read.

This is a beautifully told story, filled with lots of different emotions as we meet the Cardwell sisters Elizabeth and Maggie, two totally different girls in so many ways, the story starts in Hawaii during WW2 their father has taken the family on a trip while he is there for diplomatic reasons, come back in time and see how their story ends.

Elizabeth is quiet and kind of serious and Maggie is wild and knows what she wants with her life, on Waikiki Beach they meet the handsome Baker brothers, Tom and Cody, Maggie falls for Cody and soon Elizabeth and Tom are chaperoning Maggie and Cody as they tour through Hawaii, Tom and Elizabeth start up a very easy going friendship, but the trip comes to an end and the girls sail home Maggie is heartbroken. When they arrive home the news comes through that the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbour, the girls are worried about the brothers, especially since Tom is stationed on the Oklahoma.

Back home Elizabeth is pushing to join the WRANS much against her parent’s wishes but she if finally allowed to go to Darwin to help a naval officer, here Elizabeth comes alive as her world changes, the Japanese are getting closer and danger looms she makes friends and everything changes for her, it becomes very dangerous.

Maggie decides it is time to make her own decisions and takes off to Sydney to make a life for herself and aim at doing the one wish she has always had, she works hard meets lots of different people and is soon heading towards her dream, although it was not always easy.

As the war makes things more dangerous their lives are changing and fate will take a hand in their future, at different ends of Australia they run into the Baker brothers again and there is another story to unwind. Will these sisters finally met up again as well, will they be safe and move towards the future?

I loved this book, it really is a beautiful story of family and emotions that takes place in 1941 and joins true facts about the bombing of Pearl Harbour and Darwin and brings them together in a story that is filled with strong characters that are easy to like, it pulled me in and I felt the pain that they went through. The ending is beautiful and it is a story that I would highly recommend.

My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

Maggie and Elizabeth Cardwell were like chalk and cheese - Maggie, the younger of the two, was brimming with flirtatious confidence, while Elizabeth was calm, quiet - the good sister. In Hawaii with their parents - Mr Cardwell was a Canberran politician and high up in the military ranks - it wasn't long before Maggie met Cody Baker on the beach. Tom Baker, Cody's brother, and Elizabeth formed an easy friendship while Elizabeth kept an eye on Maggie. After the Cardwell family had boarded a ship back to Australia, Japanese planes attacked, bombing Pearl Harbor, causing immense loss of life. America was immediately in the war.

The sisters, back in their home in Canberra, had no way of knowing if the Baker brothers had survived the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, but as Elizabeth sailed for Darwin to work for the military, Maggie headed off on her own, unbeknown to her sister and parents. Elizabeth was soon deeply involved in her work, making friends easily, while Maggie struggled at first, before finding her feet and working toward her dream. The war would soon infiltrate the girls' lives with safety being paramount...

We'll Meet Again is my first read by Aussie author Cheryl Adnams and I quite enjoyed it. The devastation of the attacks on Pearl Harbor is well known and documented; the fictional tale brings the human side of war to the fore. The author's note at the end of the book was interesting - there are parts I wasn't aware of before the read. Set in 1941, We'll Meet Again is one I recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I was captivated and taken back to a time in Australia during WW2 from the first page of We’ll Meet Again. I found it so hard to put it down as I was drawn into the lives of Elizabeth and Maggie as they enchanted my reading of them growing from being naïve and young to brave, mature young women both going after their dreams in both love and careers. I found it absolutely fascinating to read about the Darwin bombings, not many novels use it as a setting and the facts were hidden from the public to keep morale high. I also found interesting, the tension that grew as the Americans invaded Australia with their money and swag. I highly recommend reading We’ll Meet Again.
I would like to thank Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.



#WellMeetAgain #NetGalley.

A wonderful story of family from Australia who travel to Hawaii for their dads work. This is the story of the two daughters, Elizabeth and Maggie. It follows their story of meeting the Baker brothers, Tom and Cody and their eventual return to Australia at the time of the Pearl Harbour.

This is a story of love, loss, war and life. Of thinking you will never see someone again but hoping the world will get better and love and friendships will be reunited. It is a great read and one that ill tug at your heart-strings.

It is a book the had been researched well where the authors notes are as interesting as the story itself. The characters are well balanced and interesting and the flow of the book works well (and it is a perfect length).

A great read and one I would highly recommend.

'We'll Meet Again' is an exceptionally written WW2 story set first in Hawaii and then the remainder in Canberra, Darwin and Sydney. We get a clear picture of what was happening in Australia in 1941 and 1942 and how the government formed an alliance with the Americans. Both countries were concerned over Japan’s activity but Australia, of course, was in a vulnerable position so having a strong ally was of utmost importance.

Mr Cardwell (a former Australian Navy Officer) is sent to Hawaii as an Australian government representative to meet with the American Navy. His two daughters Elizabeth and Maggie accompany him on this diplomatic mission. While there, the two girls have a bit of fun and enjoy Waikiki beach where they meet American brothers Tom and Cody Baker. A friendship and romance develop but how long will it last with the war on? The younger sister is attracted to the younger surfer brother and the older sister develops a friendly bond with the senior brother who is an electrician aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma. The four of them don’t spend much time together before the girls must return to Australia with their father. Maggie rebels at the order to go home but later realises it may have saved her life. For not long after they leave, Pearl Harbour is under attack. What happens to the two men they left behind? It is a question that lingers long in these women’s minds after their departure.

The two sisters are quite different. Younger rebel Maggie has a talent for singing and a desire to act. This leads her down an interesting path where she meets some shady characters. But through her trials, she grows up and becomes quite a strong woman and learns to handle herself well. I quite enjoyed watching her throughout the novel as she has quite a vivacious personality! And the description of her voice plus the reactions it caused in listeners, helped me imagine what she would have sounded like. Older Elizabeth has been the more serious protecting sister who has her heart set on joining the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service. Her path to achieving this takes her to Darwin as a secretary for the Australian Navy but it is here in this location where she meets a previous acquaintance and experiences the hazards of war.

It is quite a fast paced and exhilarating ride for two Australian sisters and two American brothers who meet but then are separated. Some pretty horrific events occur on and off the battlefield. The descriptions of the bombings were so vividly written that I felt as if I was there, too. And with the more social scenes in Sydney, I was effortlessly transported to the possible hangouts and happenings of the time. There is a wonderful flow and style to this author’s writing which includes some clever wit. Splashes of Australian humour colour this already bright palette. The characters are realistic with their quirks and positive attributes. And the personal developments of these four men and women are quite refreshing and well executed.

I have read many WW2 novels with some set in Australia. Cheryl’s characters are vibrant and so intriguing you feel as though you have slipped into their skins and are experiencing their war trauma, location changes and unexpected love. I did not take long to read this novel as I did not want to stop once I started. So, a big chunk of my day had me glued to the pages while I followed the plots, passions and surprises of Maggie, Elizabeth, Cody and Tom’s lives.

This is a great story with a fresh take on the Pearl Harbour and Darwin bombings with reminders of what was happening in Canberra and Sydney. It becomes real as we see and experience these traumas through these characters’ lives. The devastation and loss at these bombing events are gut wrenching and soul shattering but Cheryl gives us a clear and true picture from what I have read in historical accounts. The research for this would have been extensive as the details, including the current culture and social norms, seem authentic and reasonable to the times.

The author portrays realistically the relations between Australians and Americans, too, which was initially cordial. But as the war progressed and the foreign aiders settled in, ill feelings arose. American soldiers were paid better, dressed better and enjoyed wining and dining Australian women (who became charmed by them). Australians (particularly males) were upset by this activity and it set off a number of fights. Most likely in their minds they felt the Americans were stealing the Australian women and they could not compete. Some parents would have felt they were only here to use their daughters for their own pleasure and then break their hearts by moving on. Many times, this was true but, of course, not always. Real relationships developed just as Cheryl shows us in this story.

I certainly enjoyed this novel that covers an interesting time in Australia’s history. It portrays also the dynamics between family members, their differences, the dreams a person can have and achieve even against the odds, and how people can change over time or through events thrust upon them. The second World War certainly did that to many as seen in We’ll Meet Again. This is an outstanding novel that I happily recommend and give 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it deserves it.

Many thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a review copy.

Elizabeth and Maggie Cardwell are excited when they travel to Hawaii with their parents and it’s very different to Canberra, Australia. Mr. Cardwell was an officer in the Australian Navy for thirty years, and he’s meeting with the American Navy on behalf of the Australian government. Both countries are concerned about the Japanese activity, Australia especially is in a vulnerable position as most of it's army are fighting in Europe and Africa. Hawaii is beautiful, blue skies and a tropical paradise, Elizabeth and Maggie meet the Baker brothers on Waikiki beach. Cody teaches Maggie to surf, Elizabeth and Tom tag along as chaperones and try to stop the young couple from getting into too much mischief.

The Cardwells board a ship home to Australia, they have no idea that Pearl Harbor is only days away from being attacked by the Japanese, and they find out while still at sea. When they arrive home, Elizabeth wants to join the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, her mother has a hissy fit, and her dad comes up with a compromise. While Maggie waits patiently to hear from Cody, she dreams about being a star in Hollywood and a famous singer.

Elizabeth is a secretary in Darwin, she works for the Australian Navy and the port is a busy one. US supply ships take ammunition, food and soldiers to the East Indies and New Guinea. Maggie disappears, her family have no idea where she is, Maggie's trying to find a job singing and she discovers the seedy side of men and Kings Cross.

During the chaos of Pearl Harbor, Cody is out surfing and Tom is an electrician aboard the USS Oklahoma. The brothers are separated, one believes the other has died, the Baker brothers and Cardwell sisters forge their own paths and during a war anything is possible!

I received a copy of We’ll Meet Again by Cheryl Adnams from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. I learnt so much from reading this enlightening narrative, about Pearl Harbor and the Japanese attack on Darwin ten weeks later. The characters are interesting, their wartime experiences really help you understand what it was like at the time, including the tension and differences between the allied troops and the American forces and the attempts made by both sides to make things more amicable.

The Australian public wasn’t told the truth about what happened in Darwin, please read the authors notes at the end, Ms. Adnams shares some of the statistics and a comparison between the two Japanese aerial attacks and I was shocked. A remarkable historical fiction story about family differences, siblings, friendship, music, camaraderie, drinking beer in Darwin and wharfies, trauma, shell shock, loss, falling in love and five big stars from me.

We’ll Meet Again is a stellar read that I did not want to conclude. From the start the characters weaved their magic. The character exploits and challenges were impacting as Elizabeth and Maggie each were fighting their own demons and faced many challenges of the period. The Baker men equally so. The hardcore action scenes and character adventures depicted from one chapter to the next were affecting and intense in their portrayal and the chosen descriptive elements served to only draw readers further into the story’s vortex.

Ms Adnams creates an emotion charged story set against the backdrop of WWII with twists and turns aplenty. We’ll Meet Again is a story full of likeable characters and one that would be awesome if adapted as a television mini series - A stellar story full stop.
Review copy received from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley