Until the War is Over (Derwent Chronicles #2) by Rosemary Goodacre
Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1, General fiction
Read: 24th September 2020
Published: 6th May 2020
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
In a world destroyed by war, can hope survive?
Summer 1918: Young couple Amy and Edmond Derwent, after their experiences on the front line of battle – Edmond as an officer and Amy as a VAD in France - have now settled back in England and are starting to build a life as a family, with the arrival of baby Beth bringing them much-needed joy. But while she may have married into the wealthy Derwent family, now living with her in-laws in their grand home, Amy’s modest upbringing means that she is never truly accepted by Edmond’s family.
The Great War rages on, and while the men are off fighting, those left at home steel themselves for tragic news, praying that their loved ones return safely.
Edmond, still struggling with the effects of the injury he sustained at Ypres, feels the guilt of remaining at home while his friends are sent into battle. But life at Larchbury is not without its own problems – as food becomes scarce, and the Spanish Influenza causes deaths throughout England, tragedy strikes closer to home and it seems no one is safe from heartbreak.
Can Amy and Edmond keep their love strong, even in a world crumbling all around them?
A captivating family saga set in WW1 about the power of love amongst the heartbreak of war – if you like Rosie Goodwin, Katie Flynn and Val Wood, you’ll be swept away by this engrossing, emotional novel.
MY REVIEW:
Having enjoyed the first book in this exciting new series "Until We Meet Again", I jumped straight into UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER without even taking a breath or taking time to review book one first! I was just excited to continue Amy and Edmond's story with their baby daughter Beth...although I was hoping she would make her appearance on New Years Eve and share my birthday but that was not to be. And it was like I didn't miss a step! This book simply picks up directly where the first one ends, so it feels as if I have read one big book, having devoured them back to back in two days. The difficulty with that is how to separate both books when reviewing...since I have reviewed them both together.
I will mention that although this is part of a series, UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER can be read as a standalone as there is enough background given to the overall story. But to fully appreciate the characters and their story, I think it is best to read the first book before this one. In that book we are introduced to Amy and Edmond, their romance, their difficulties and their time in France. This book continues their story...
Larchbury Sussex, 1918: Having hidden her pregnancy from her superiors until she could tell Edmond, Amy has returned to Larchbury, with Edmond following a short while later after being critically injured in battle, before giving birth to a baby girl in the early hours of New Years Day. Now settling back to life at The Beeches with Edmond's family, the couple try to adjust to their first taste of married life after being separated for the first two years of their marriage. But it's not all smooth sailing as each have seen and experienced things the rest of their family could never imagine.
Beatrice continues to remain an ornament, whimpering about the absence of social events, while Mrs Derwent still finds their lack of servants inadequate...not to mention distressing. However, Beatrice has drawn the eye of Edmond's friend Charles Shenwood and they soon announce their engagement at the Christmas dance. Whilst Charles returns to the Front, Beatrice begins to plan her lavish wedding all the while remaining oblivious to her intended's experiences on the battlefield. But when Charles is critically injured and is brought back to Larchbury after some months in hospital in France, how will Beatrice react to her fiance's new limitations?
Amy's dear friend Florence is still in the barrage of grief over her fiance Bertie's death at the Somme firmly believing she will never love again. So when she catches the eye of Amy's cousin James, a medical orderly in France, she dismisses him somewhat harshly believing him to have shirked his responsibilities by choosing not to fight. She refuses his kindness to the point of rudeness that even Amy is angered by it. Will Florence ever move on from Bertie and find happiness again? Will that be with James?
Now that baby Beth has arrived, Amy has decided that she wants to raise her herself without the aid of a nanny. However, with her ankle never having been set right after breaking it during an uninvited assault in Ypres the year before, she realises that once Beth starts toddling she may have to rethink Mr Westholme's offer to reset it correctly. Edmond is also finding life a challenge with his reduced lung capacity, but is adamant about returning to Cambridge in the autumn to continue his studies. The couple plan to rent a house near the university and be a family the three of them together. But plans go awry when the Spanish flu hits and Amy's medical expertise is needed once again.
As with the first book, UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER is a wonderfully gentle paced read that is easily devoured in a day...or a night, in my case. Rosemary Goodacre has a way of drawing readers into the story as if we were there living alongside the characters and experiencing the journey firsthand. The only thing I was disappointed about was reaching the end so quickly! And I cannot wait to join Amy and Edmond once again in the next book "Until We Can Forgive", due for publication 28th October 2020.
I especially love the line spoken by Edmond's uncle to his cousin Vicky: "Really Victoria! You mustn't damage your chances of marriage by aspiring to appear intellectual." It really made me laugh!
What more can I say about this book without spoiling it? You need to experience it for yourself. If you love historical fiction, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER...or the entire series!
I look forward to rejoining Amy and Edmond in "Until We Can Forgive" soon.
I would like to thank #RosemaryGoodacre, #NetGalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #UntilTheWarIsOver in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Rosemary Goodacre is thrilled to have a three book deal with Hera Books. Her World War I romance 'Until We Meet Again' was published 31st October 2019 with the second book 'Until the War is Over' was published 6th May 2020. The third book in the series 'Until We Can Forgive' will be released 28th October 2020. Her heroine, Amy, faces many challenges as she works as a nurse and struggles to spend time with Edmond, her sweetheart.
Previously Rosemary has had a novella published, entitled 'A Fortnight is not Enough', and a science fiction story in the anthology 'Telescoping Time'.
Rosemary has always loved languages and travel, mainly in Europe. In her spare time she enjoys country walking, bridge and classical music. She lives in Kent, England.
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