Heartbreak in the Valleys

Oh I loved this book. Really family saga. Have read several books similar war romance family life all rallying together

booklover BEV

the story of Anwen Rhys and Idris Hughes both hoping to get married next year. this book is set in Barry Island Wales and the year is 1914. War is declared and Idris enlist but fails on medical grounds and is sent home. Anwen is missing him so much and hopes he gets his old job back down the mine. but then her heart is broken as Idris give her the news she just didnt expect to hear. this is such a warm hearted book, taking us through all the characters lives ,with lots of heart breaking momentsi loved every bit of this book will Anwen and Idris find happiness to the end? i would ask all readers to read this book and see for yourself. i loved it it was wonderful.

This story is set in a place and time I knew little about, a Welsh mining community during the early days of the Great War. Anwen is a young woman who has a lot to deal with - an abusive father, an invalid mother, poverty, the loss of two brothers and the illness of her younger sister, as well as the sadness of her childhood sweetheart calling off their engagement. Yet she carries on, finding work, keeping house, and getting involved in a new allotment project to provide fresh food for local people, while trying to protect those she loves. There really is a lot of heartbreak in the valleys, culminating in a terrible accident that changes many lives. The village and surrounding landscape come across as very real, and I especially liked Elizabeth from the big house who has no airs and graces, and the rumblings of the growing suffragette movement which the reader knows will finally make such a difference to women's lives and independence. My only criticism is the huge cast of minor characters, all given names, making it hard to keep track of who they all are. I will look out for the second book in the series, promised for later in the year

This is a story set in the first world war in a small Welsh mining village. I could easily picture the surrounding valley and life in the village from the authors vivid descriptions.

The affects of the war can be felt throughout the story with loved ones not returning or in the case of Anwen, returning but having changed. I couldn’t be annoyed with Idris though as I loved his character as much as I did Anwen’s. They are both trying to do their best to provide and bring money in to support their families.

Being a saga, Anwen’s family and life in general, make for some emotional reading. A mother who is bed ridden and an abusive father. She has had to take on many roles like many did in those days but it hits home how things have changed and children back then had to grow up fast. I thought the author portrayed those times wonderfully and has definitely done her research.

Heartbreak in the Valleys was an all engrossing story that swept me along with it. It is a wonderful historical saga that brought to life the mining community as well as village life. With a hint of romance, this is a story that focuses more on family life and the relationships within. It had me go through an array of emotions and I would love for there to be more of Anwen and Idris in the future.

This is a book that draws you into the story of Anwen and Idris who are hoping to marry next year,then war is declared and idris goes to enlist but fails on medical grounds which hits him hard.I can highly recommend this book 5*

I loved this book. It is a story about relationships set against the background of a small Welsh mining village during World War One.
Idris volunteers to join the army but is sent home again because of a medical condition he didn’t know he had. On his return, he breaks up with his childhood sweetheart, Anwen, convinced he has no future to offer her. Heartbreak in the Valleys is the story of those who stayed behind during the war. It offers an insight into the lives of ordinary people. Anwen has an ailing mother, a sickly younger sister, an abusive father and Idris, the love of her life, who she believes no longer loves her. In her attempts to forget about Idris, she struggles with her home life, finds work in the manager's house, a friend in his daughter, and an admirer in his son.
It is a real saga, a retelling of the struggle of the people left at home during the great war. The characters were well rounded, with one or two exceptions but the story of Idris and Anwen made up for that.
It was a great light read and I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys family saga or historical fiction.
#HeartbreakintheValleys
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A lovely debut saga!
Such an enjoyable story that I really enjoyed.
Great story line and wonderful period details.

It has to be said, this is a really emotional book. Set in time of WW1 . Anwen is a hardworking lass who has her ill mother and sister to look after. It doesn’t help that she has a drunken, violent father. Her fiancée Iris is away at war and when he return is no longer the man she fell in love with .
Then there is an explosion at the pits that will change her life forever.
I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all stars. Hope there’s another.

Heartbreak in the Valleys by Francesca Calpadi is a book worthy of a 5 star rating by me.


I love reading historical romance books. I was so excited to get a copy of this book.


The themes of war,poverty, love,struggle,community support,crime etc were properly explored in this novel.


One thing I always do whenever I read Historical novels is that,I always thank God for the present time. The people in this novel struggled through war. Their feedings were rationed. They had to work hard to bring in some money for their families while hoping for the best. The deadly disease called “Consumption” ravaging the village Anwen lives in and taking away sick people. How sad those times were. I am thankful for this present age.


This is a page turner. Anwen despite her young age is portrayed as a girl who is mature in handling issues.


The book cover is beautiful too.


I got emotional at some scenes. I got teary too. This is a good book that commands your attention and emotions. It is full of action and suspense.


I love Elizabeth Meredith. Despite her high class upbringing, she still had humility towards the other classes. I love the Meredith’s family including Tom. No matter how terribly spoiled he was,he was one of the characters I was looking forward to while reading the book.


Madog,Anwen’s father is such a bully. I felt sorry for his household and people around him. I won’t blame Enid, his wife for acting the way she did in this book.


I enjoyed this book so much. I am thankful for the hopeful ending. War is terrible but you need to make life bearable for yourself.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hera Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely mine.

I was initially drawn to this book because I come from a coal mining family, albeit in Derbyshire, rather than Wales. At the end of the book, Francesca Capaldi talks about her inspiration coming from her own family. I also wish I had listened more to my grandpa and his brothers, who all went down the pit at the age of 14. I remember seeing the scars on my grandpa's back from rockfalls. I've also visited the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield a couple of times with my own teenagers, and appreciate how difficult it must have been to work underground - for more information visit www.ncm.org.uk

The novel explains that the war didn't finish by the first Christmas in 1914 as widely hoped and more young men volunteered from the village. However one young man, Idris, is sent home due to being medically unfit and breaks off his long time engagement with Anwen. The novel follows the lives of Anwen and Idris as they deal with lives made even more difficult by the loss of loved ones to consumption, food shortages, profiteering, domestic violence and social changes. The work at the mines has become slightly better paid - coal is needed for the war effort, but the living conditions aren't improving.

I enjoyed the novel which brought the village to life - the choir, the allotment, the hardships and the community spirit. The explosion at the colliery is dealt with sensitively, you feel the emotion of the characters.

I'm pleased to see that Francesca Capaldi is looking to set another book in the area

This book is about Anwen, who lives with her ill mother and younger sister Sarah and a very mean/abusive drunken father(I HATE HIM SO MUCH). This book is based in the 1915's in the village of Dorcalon. Her Fiance Idris is sent to war and comes back has a changed man. Life is about to change for Anwen in so many ways.

This book was really good. I love Anwen's character, she is so strong. I love that the book had a happy ending because this book has a lot of sadness and darkness. Very emotional. Something I didn't like is how in some parts of the book the scenes aren't separated. Your reading then poof there was a change of scene. Then you are all mixed up. But other than that I enjoyed this book. I love all the details, really makes you feel like your there. Very realistic.

I recommend this book to someone that's looking for a book of the genre Historical romance-mystery-war-

I would like to say thank you to Francesca Capaldi and Hera Books and Netgalley for giving the change to read this book in advance. #HeartbreakintheValleys #NetGalley

A beautifully written Welsh debut novel from a wonderful new voice in sagas, Francesca Capaldi’s Hearbreak in the Valleys is a poignant and atmospheric tale of love, sacrifice and community fans of Rosie Goodwin and Mary Wood are going to fall in love with.

In 1915, the world is at war and the repercussions of this terrible conflict are felt all around the world. With Idris, the man she loves with all of her heart doing his duty for king and country, housemaid Anwen’s thoughts are forever occupied with thoughts of her sweetheart whom she hopes will not end up a casualty of war and will return to her before long. Life for Anwen is not easy. Not only does she have a job involving lots of hard work and back-breaking labour, but she also has to care for her ill mother and much-loved younger sister and try her utmost to shield them from her father’s drunken rampages and violent temper. When things get tough, as they frequently do, Anwen comforts herself with the knowledge that she will soon be reunited with her sweetheart. Yet Idris’ return is not quite the sweet and tender homecoming which Anwen had imagined.

Idris is not the innocent boy she had fallen head over heels in love with. The war has changed him and made him dour and distant. The war has transformed him into a harder man seemingly devoid of all compassion and when Idris breaks off their engagement, Anwen’s heart is smashed into a million tiny pieces. The boy she loved is lost to her forever and the happy future she had banked on in shreds. But worse is to come for Anwen when a tragedy continues to further destroy her world leaving her alone, vulnerable and devastated.

Anwen thinks that life cannot get much worse for her, but when an explosion at the pit devastates the entire community, she finds herself putting aside all her differences with Idris for the good of Dorcalon. Anwen has known her fair share of anguish and despair, but will she be condemned to a life of unhappiness? Or will things finally turn around for her?

A poignant historical saga written with sensitivity and heart, Heartbreak in the Valleys is an emotional, compelling and captivating read that is sure to bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded of readers. A sweeping and spellbinding tale with a strong and resilient heroine at its heart, Francesca Capaldi’s Heartbreak in the Valleys is a tale of anguish, redemption and healing saga fans will enjoy losing themselves into.

Bear with me a mo... (sorry, but yup, I’m going off on a slight tangent as usual.)

I was having a conversation with one of my besties recently who, like me, is an avid reader. We were discussing whether or not we felt like we were participants or observers in the books we read. We both agreed we much prefer to be participants of the story (however awkward at times, lol *winks*), but sometimes it’s down to the writing whether that happens or not.

Well, I can definitely say I was a full-on participant in the epic highs and lows (I much prefer lows and highs – more optimistic) that was Heartbreak in the Valleys. Emotional roller coaster for one, please! Ugh, my poor heart. And don’t even get me started on my blood pressure and over-active tear ducts *sniffs*.

My historical romance fiction addiction has been well documented in recent months, but romantic historical WWI saga fiction is still a relatively new genre that I’ve been dipping my toe into lately. But, boy, does it take its toll. (Is that just a Laura thing? In fact, don’t answer that *shakes head*.)

So many times, I wanted to forge ahead and come to Anwen’s rescue, but each and every time she proved she was made of sterner stuff. This is the hand she was dealt and here she will make her stand.

I can’t even get my head around living during this era. Yet, it was just over a hundred years ago. I can’t help but draw parallels between some of the fights/causes then and now. It really gave me pause for thought.

The author’s research was evident throughout HBITV taking this story to a deeper level for me. History fascinates me and all the information shared by the author in the book just added to my love of the story. Why have I never thought about miners during the wars?? Also, I can’t believe this is Francesca Capaldi’s debut novel!!

*sigh*

Nothing beats that connection between you, the reader, and a character, does it?

I read this book over a day because I couldn’t put it down. Engrossed, captivated, riveted – however you want to put it, that was me.

Right, enough of my verbal diarrhoea (sorry!), I’m off for a well-deserved cuppa and a biccie to help reinstate my emotional equilibrium.

As well as being a book geek, I am also a history nerd with a particular interest in stories set around the time of the First World War. So you can hopefully appreciate why 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' screamed 'you need to read me as soon as possible' at me. I couldn't wait to start reading and so I dived straight in. Oh my word, 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' was an amazing and emotional read and then some. I loved it but more about that in a bit.
I immediately liked the character of Anwen and it didn't take me long to feel as though she had become a friend of mine. She doesn't have it easy as her mother is an invalid, her sister hasn't always had the best of health and her father, well the least said about him the better. He is a drunkard, who thinks nothing of dishing out violence to his wife and daughters on a fairly frequent basis. Had it been possible, I would have leapt inside the pages of the book to give him a dose of his own medicine. Anwen is only young herself but to an extent she has had her youth taken away from her, as she has to work down the pit screening coal and not only that but she has to do the housework too. At the start of the story Anwen is engaged to Idris but something happens which leads to heartbreak. Anwen is a lovely lass. She is loyal, kind, sensitive, compassionate, determined, tenacious, hard working and she is the sort of lass that you would want right by your side in times of trouble. I couldn't help but hope that everything would work out for her in the end and that she would get the happy ever after ending that she so deserves. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my giddy aunt, 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' was a truly amazing read, which appealed to me in so many different ways. As I previously mention, I love fiction set round about the time of the First World War, but I also love fiction that includes a world that fascinates me- the world of coal mining and coal mining villages in the 20th Century (I know I have some strange hobbies). I had better explain- whilst researching my family tree I discovered that I come from a long line of Durham miners, at least 6 generations thereof. There are no deep coal mines anymore so reading fiction such as 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' helps me to visualise the pit villages in their hey day and gives me a better appreciation of the lives that my ancestors led.
To say that reading 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' became a serious addiction would be like me saying that I like cake - in other words it would be the understatement of the decade. I was gripped by the story from the moment I started to read and I just couldn't put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I think part of the reason for my addiction was that I had taken to Anwen so well that I felt protective of her and I had to know how things turned out for her. I was so gripped by the story that I lost all track of time and I didn't realise just how quickly I had been reading until I looked up and checked. I was staggered to realise that I had read over 50% of the book in one go. I seemed to race to the end of the story and I was most disappointed to reach the end of the story because it meant that I had to bid farewell to Anwen.
'Heartbreak In The Valleys' is absolutely brilliantly written. Francesca has one of those writing styles that is easy to take to and easy to get along with. The author drew me into the story from the first word on the first page and she kept my attention throughout the story. The author certainly knows how to create characters that you will take into your heart and you will want the best for them. I found 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' to be a gripping read, which had me on the edge of my seat more often than not. I find that the sign of a good book is when I find myself becoming emotionally involved with the characters- which is exactly how I felt regarding Anwen, Anwen's father and Idris. I wanted to given Anwen a hug, slap her father around the face with a wet flip flop and shake Idris by the shoulders to give him a wake up call. I found that every emotion that the different characters went through, I went through. I felt as though I was part of the story all the way through and that is all thanks to Francesca's very vivid and very realistic storytelling.
In short, 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' is an a brilliant and amazing read. I have to say that 'Heartbreak In The Valleys' will definitely be in the running to be 'my favourite book of the year'. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Francesca's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Set during the beginning of WWI in a small Welsh mining town, Anwen is dumped by her oldest friend and fiance, Idris, after he returns home with a medical discharge and told he is unfit for battle.

Anwen Rhys is devastated by her fiance canceling their engagement and on top of that she is looking for another job, her mother is an invalid and in her bed all day, and Anwen’s father, a miner, is getting even more drunk and abusive toward her and her younger sister, Sara. Add to that, the ramp-up of the war and the scarcity of food and essentials, especially for the working class. What is a girl to do when she is pretty much the adult running the home after working as a screener in the mine all day? After yet another shattering event in her life, she eventually finds a job as a housemaid for a middle-class family and finds a true friend in Elizabeth Meredith, her boss’s daughter, Suffragette supporter, and organizer of the community garden coop.

There certainly is a lot of heartbreak in this emotional story of a close-knit community trying to make a living during the part of WWI. The story is centered around Anwen and Idris who still love each other, but he thinks he’s not good enough for her due to his medical condition. There is also an interesting mystery of food going missing and profiteering. I also really enjoyed the brilliant idea of a food coop creating gardens by helping a local farmer who needs workers and in-kind, he provides the seeds for the garden. The vegetables are then sold to the local grocer who will provide goods to the community.

As you can see there is a lot going on in this somber and compelling historical read which contains serious subject matter such as abuse and bullying. If you enjoy historical fiction set during WWI with strong female protagonists, give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Capaldi for the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Francesca Capaldi has written such a compelling read with Heartbreak in the Valleys that had me gripped with emotion on many levels. This author is definitely one to watch in the historical fiction/saga world. I could sense the atmosphere and the authenticity of the location and era and it all felt very real.
I'm a miner's daughter myself and was bought up within a mining community, I also love stories set around the two world wars so when I heard about Heartbreak in the Valleys I knew I had to read it.
Heartbreak in the Valleys is a story set around a young couple making plans for the future. Idris Hughes and Anwen Rhys have lived in the Welsh mining village all their lives. However, when war breaks many local men signed up including Anwen's sweetheart Idris. But when Idris returns unexpectedly he's a different man and the dreams that he held for the future look very distorted and unreachable in his eyes. Coping with life after returning from training for Idris is proving very difficult both physically and mentally and he suffers greatly. Anwen is heartbroken and is so confused with Idris' new persona however, she tries to make a new life for herself and also bringing the community together to help out with the war effort.
Life is hard in the small mining village and children are expected to help with the household bills. Many children can be seen working at the pits undertaking various roles. The mines in the early 1900's were such a dangerous place to work in, no health and safety regulations back then.
When tragedy strikes the community is pulled together once more and you can feel the tension in the moments and hours after an event that will change the life of so many in the village of Dorcalon.
Heartbreak in the Valleys is such wonderful, heartfelt story telling that is raw and gritty but it has a wonderful sense of community spirit. I truly didn't want this story to end and I look forward to more from Francesca Capaldi.

Heartbreak In The Valleys is a historical fiction saga set in a small Welsh mining village during World War One. Idris and Anwen are sweethearts. Idris has gone off to war and Anwen waits at home. Her home consisting of caring for her ill mother and shielding her siblings from their abusive father knowing that her man will return when his job is finished. Idris returns,but not as the man Anwen recognises. He is harder, bitter and not the boy who went to war. Idris breaks of their engagement and Anwen is heartboken. She thinks life could not be any worse than it already is she is already alone and vulnerable what else could go wrong?
An explosion at the mining pit causes devastation in the village and she realises there is much more sadness in life than she anticipates and with this brings the realisation she needs to mend bridges with Idris in order to help the broken community that is the village.
Well, a sweeping historical saga portraying the hard times of the First World War, how emotional could it be? It literally tore me apart to read the homelife of Anwen and her siblings, although this was fairly common back then, children grew up fast compares to the easy times we have now. The poverty evident in the village and Anwens home was heartbreaking when I think my grandmother grew up in these very same times, she just swopped the mine for the cotton mill, same poverty and similar conditions. The research shines through this story down to the smallest detail.
A beautiful, heart-wrenching tale of family life with a frisson of romance that will have you engrossed until you have done! Thanks to Books On The Bright Side , Hera Books and Netgalley for the copy of the book to take part in the blog tour.

This was an emotional book to read. It kept me interested because there was a good storyline , interesting characters and plenty of drama. I would recommend that you read this book if you want to learn about the hardships of life in the Welsh Valleys and the First World War. It was nice that there was a happy ending.

November 1915. For young housemaid, Anwen Rhys, life is hard in the Welsh mining village of Dorcalon, deep in the Rhymney Valley. She cares for her ill mother and beloved younger sister Sara, all while shielding them from her father’s drunken, violent temper. Anwen comforts herself with her love for childhood sweetheart, Idris Hughes, away fighting in the Great War.Yet when Idris returns, he is a changed man; no longer the innocent boy she loved, he is harder, more distant, quickly breaking off their engagement. And when tragedy once again strikes her family, Anwen’s heart is completely broken.But when an explosion at the pit brings unimaginable heartache to Dorcalon, Anwen and Idris put their feelings aside to unite their mining community.In the midst of despair, can Anwen find hope again? And will she ever find the happiness she deserves?The Rhymney Valley is one of the South Wales valleys, with the Rhymney River forming the border between the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire.The valley encompasses the villages of Abertysswg, Fochriw, Pontlottyn, Tir-Phil, New Tredegar, Aberbargoed, Rhymney, Ystrad Mynach and Llanbradach, and the towns of Bargoed and Caerphilly.The Defence of the Realm Act was passed in the UK on 8 August 1914, and was added to as WWI progressed. It gave the government wide-ranging powers, such as the power to requisition buildings or land needed for the war effort, or to make regulations creating criminal offences.The Derby Scheme was introduced in 1915 by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby.The scheme would demonstrate whether British manpower goals could be met with volunteerism or conscription.The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915 restricted increases in occupied housing during WWI.After decades of bitter labour disputes with private coal barons, WWI brought government control of the mines, and with it substantially improved wages and safety conditions.Nevertheless,1/5 miners volunteered to "do their bit", so many in fact that the government soon barred them from enlisting in order to safeguard badly-needed coal supplies.