Picking up the pieces after war…

Synopsis

They survived the Great War, but will life ever be the same?

Spring 1919: WW1 is over and a fragile peace has descended over the country. Now living in Cambridge with husband Edmond, Amy Derwent is settling into her new life as wife and mother to little Beth. But the shadow of the Great War looms large, particularly as the injuries Edmond sustained at Ypres still take their toll on him today.

Edmond’s cousin, Vicky, has now grown into a fine young woman, eager to help her country. Throwing off her privileged background to train as a nurse, she spends her days tending to the many soldiers still suffering the after-effects of their time on the battlefield.

Meeting Maxim Duclos, a young Frenchman who has arrived in Larchbury, fills her heart with joy – but when it is discovered that Maxim may be hiding the truth about his past, Vicky is faced with an impossible choice. Follow her heart’s desire and risk her family’s disapproval or keep her family – but deny herself the chance of true love?

The war may be over, but Edmond, Amy and Vicky must all face a new battle, finding their own peace in a country wounded by loss.

My review

Now that WW 1 is over, people are starting to get their lives back on track.
For Amy Derwent it means that she can start enjoying her new life as a wife and mother. This little family is now living in Cambridge, but the demons of the War are still looming around the corner, especially to Edmond, as the injuries he sustained are still taking their toll on him.

Edmond’s cousin Vicky is using her skills as a nurse to tend the soldiers who are still suffering after their time on the battlefield.
When she meets Maxim Duclos, a Frenchman, she starts to feel what love is. But Maxim is carrying secrets of his past, Vicky has to make a difficult decision.

With the war just over, what can be forgiven? And will finding your own peace possible when the scars of the war run so deep?

I found this a beautiful but also realistic story to read.
It shows how people are struggling getting their lives back on track after one of the hardest periods. There is no sugar-coating, making is sound like war is over, it’s all happiness and love now.
No, this book tells us that the end of the war is discovering that life as we once knew, is a far away dream.

Amy and Edmond are a wonderful couple to read about. They had their share of problems yet they are making the best of their lives together.
Their love is something so palpable and sweet. And even if Edmond is still having a hard time, they stick together and are there for each other, no matter what.

I found Vicky and Maxim’s story bittersweet. I was happy when these two persons found love with each other. Yet it’s rather quickly obvious that Maxim is having a secret. I had my suspicions, and I was sorry when I found out I was right.

But the author instead of making it about someone running away for his terrible past, she changed it in something admirable.

This was not only a story about life after war, but also about forgiveness and seeing there is more one side of a story.
There are people like Amy, Edmond, Vicky and even more, ready to forgive past mistakes and just think about their future. And I think it’s a strong message. Lingering in the past and keep holding a grudge is not the best of ideas. It keeps you in the past and you cannot move forward.

It’s not a quick read, you need to take your time to let all the emotions get in. And even if it’s a part of a series, it can be perfectly read as a standalone, just like I did. But of course, having a background would be nice, so I know for sure that I will read the previous parts too!