Eve is devastated by the death of her husband Harry, killed in action in WWII, left as widow with children to bring up she had to bring the family nursery back to life, hard work that she does with the help of her handsomeneighbour....... but how will this work out will they become more than friends and is it destined to last?

A great novel with some very interesting characters, told in two time frames which worked really well, a book that stayed with me after I had finished it

An interesting story about two families torn apart by war. As the war ends Eve has lost her husband, Harry and Luca’s wife has died. There the romance starts and both families become one as Eve and Luca marry. Their happiness is disrupted when a homeless man, with severe psychiatric problems including amnesia turns out to be Harry.

A most enjoyable read which I won’t spoil be telling more.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a preview copy.

A very enjoyable read! It's been a while since i have read a novel that I couldn't put down until finished. So many twists and turns and although i rarely write what a story is about for fearing of spoiling for others, i do highly recommend. It is the first time that i have read a book by this author and shall be wanting to read more.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.

Reviews have been placed on Goodreads and Amazon.

Eve's life is full of surprises, some good, some not so good. First, her husband is unexpectedly called to serve in the armed forces of WWII, but as VE-Day approaches, she receives a telegram stating that he is missing, presumed dead.

Next, she receives unexpected help with her small farm from the man whose land adjoins hers. Signor Fancelli [Luca] proves to be immensely supportive, and soon Eve finds herself in a romantic attachment. Marriage follows, and the two families are blended into one.

Just at the time that their farm produce business is flourishing, another knock at the door brings shocking information.

This is a well-written page turner that will keep you guessing until the very last pages.

I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Books Go Social. pub date 01/20/18

Usually I just don’t enjoy books that flip back and forth between two points in time. This, however, worked well for this story. It was a pleasure to read a book that had characters with imperfections and whose lives were not completely perfect in every way. Poor Eve had more hardships than most people can begin to imagine. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Susan Wuthrich brings us an excellent historical novel spanning early 1939 when Harry Pritchard was called up for active duty through autumn of 1975 when Faith brings home good news to mother Eve. In the small English village of Widgley Brook everybody knows everybody's business. Sometimes this is a catastrophe. Occasionally it is a blessing. But always it is inevitable. And it is gossip that gets this family back into shape. Not the shape they started with, of course, but nevertheless into admirable shape.

This is a story that bleeds hope. Even when the darkest times are upon our protagonists, there is always a glimmer of hope. And though the story does not fall into the way of the average historical, it is a special ending to a very special tale. The protagonists are very human, the details of English village life, food shortages and famines, travel through European nations following the cease-fire are portrayed accurately, and heart shines though it all. Wuthrich is an author I will want to add to my must read list.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Susan Wuthrich, and Amazon Digital in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.