📖 Book Review ~ The Return by Anita Frank

  

HQ
11 November 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Jack Ellison’s war is over, but the battle for his family has just begun.

When Jack left for the war, he made a parting pledge to his pregnant bride, Gwen, that he would never return. It was, after all, best for everyone that he didn’t.

Now, as celebrations erupt for Victory in Europe, Gwen is terrified that Jack will renege on his promise, threatening the life she has built for herself and their son on the family farm.

But war has changed Jack, and he is coming home, determined to claim a place in Gwen’s life – and her heart.

As events of the past come back to haunt them, Jack and Gwen find themselves facing their greatest battle – and it is a fight neither of them can afford to lose.

In this sweeping historical story with huge heart, Anita Frank weaves a glorious tale of love and loss, secrets and promises.

📖 My Thoughts..

Jack Ellison has a secret he is determined to keep hidden as he doesn't want to jeopardise his chances of employment at the Berkshire farm run by father and daughter, Jim and Gwen. Jack takes to farming really well and both Jim and Gwen come to rely on Jack's kind nature. However, from the outset we realise that Gwen is, herself, harbouring a secret and with the prospect of war looming, an agreement is made between Jack and Gwen which will have far reaching consequences.

The sheer backbreaking hardship of keeping the farm running with little or no help comes across as does Gwen's need to do what is best for herself. And whilst I felt an immediate rapport with Jack's character, he is difficult not to like, I struggled to like Gwen very much but understood the reasons why she comes across as heartless in places. I enjoyed how the story moved around in time, so that we get Jack's perspective in 1939,  alongside that of Gwen in 1945 when the war is coming to an end.

The Return is a nicely written historical saga which has, at its heart, an emotional story of heartbreaking secrets and lost promises.

About the Author

A farmer’s daughter from Shropshire, Anita Frank studied English and American History at the University of East Anglia before moving to London to work in media analysis and communications. She currently lives in Berkshire with her husband and three children.

Twitter @Ajes74 #TheReturn

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