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| Boldwood 3 May 2025 Thanks to the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of the book And the invitation to the blog tour. |
1914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend's family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.
1997: Following her father’s sudden death, Barbara finds herself living with her mother in a house that is, literally, falling down around them. As she tries to put their new home in order, she discovers a photograph of her grandfather as a young man with his friend – two soldiers at the start of the First World War. Setting aside her grief, Barbara becomes determined to uncover their story, hoping it will bring her closer to the family she feels slipping away.
But when her search for answers opens up truths she isn’t prepared for, Barbara will come to realise, some secrets may be best left alone.
📖My Review..
A group of close friends spend the long summer of 1914 enjoying their last chance of freedom before the onset of WWI. This bittersweet time is especially poignant for Grace Villiers as she meets the charismatic Algernon Lake, a young poet, who will have such an effect on her life going forward.
In 1997, Barbara is facing a crossroads in her life, her father has recently died and she lives with her elderly mother in a house which requires much renovation. When Barbara discovers a photograph of two young WWI soldiers, and a trunk containing letters and other artefacts, she is determined to discover more about the past and her family’s connection to the two young men.
This is a lovely dual time story which flips back and forth so seamlessly that I found I enjoyed spending time with Grace, and her friends back in 1914, whilst at the same time uncovering hidden family secrets with Barbara in 1997. The story flows really well with neither time period outshining the other although I found the inevitable change brought about by Grace’s wartime experiences to be particularly poignant. I found the story quite moving, love and loss feature strongly in both time frames, and there is a quiet sense of ghosts from the past sharing their secrets which have been hidden away for so long. I loved how the story evolved, sharing its secrets so eloquently, I felt as if I were a quiet bystander watching as tragedy unfolded.
All the characters be they in 1914 or 1997 struck a chord with me and I felt a quiet satisfaction when the story came to an end, all the beautiful threads had been woven together in an emotional story which lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.
About the Author
Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.
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