Until We Meet Again (Derwent Chronicles #1) by Rosemary Goodacre
Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1
Read: 23rd September 2020
Published: 31st October 2019
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
The Great War drove them apart – but love kept them together
Summer 1914: Shy young woman, Amy Fletcher, lives a quiet life in Sussex. An office worker, she lives at home, along with her parents and spirited younger brother, Bertie. But her life is transformed when she meets handsome young man, Edmond Derwent, son of one of the wealthiest families in the small town of Larchbury, and student at Cambridge University.
The couple are falling deeply in love when war breaks out and, eager to do his duty for England, Edmond signs up as an officer. The couple plan to be wed, eager to start a new life together - but their happiness is short-lived when Edmond is sent to Flanders to lead his men into battle. Amy trains as a VAD nurse and is soon sent to France, where she sees the true horror of war inflicted on the brave young men sent to fight.
Separated by war, Edmond and Amy share their feelings through emotional letters sent from the front line. But when Edmond is critically wounded at Ypres, their love faces the biggest test of all – can their love stay strong while the world around them is crumbling?
A romantic, emotional saga set in WW1 – readers of Rosie Goodwin, Katie Flynn and Val Wood will be captivated by this story of love.
MY REVIEW:
A debut historical romance novel, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN by Rosemary Goodacre is a wonderful lighthearted read that will have you turning the pages and yearning for more. Beginning just before the outbreak of the First World War, its simple enough premise promises an emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings.
Larchbury Sussex, 1914: Nineteen year old Amy Fletcher is a strong and capable young woman. The daughter of a school teacher, she works in an accountant's office as a typist and is a member of the Suffragette movement, campaigning for a woman's right to vote. When we meet Amy, she is lead by her older friend Lavinia as they break into the town's cricket pavilion and paint slogans "Votes for Women" throughout, a spontaneous and foolish act that will come back to haunt her. But she is resolute in her beliefs and stands behind them strongly.
Edmond Derwent is the second son of Larchbury's wealthiest family, studying science at Cambridge. He and his brother Peter were tutored by Amy's father as children so he is no stranger to her family. When their paths cross over a bathing box in Hove one afternoon, the couple are instantly drawn to one another and it isn't long before they start "walking out" together, despite his family's reservations. Edmond's mother and sister Beatrice are especially displeased, pointing out that Amy does not move in the same social circles as they. However, the couple are not deterred and soon become engaged.
When war breaks out, Edmond joins up as an officer and is sent to the Front. Although the two write constantly, Amy finds herself worrying for him before deciding to train as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse. However, planning a wedding around a war is no easy feat but the Derwents organise a feast at their home, The Beeches, and Amy's mother makes her wedding dress. They set the date in June and Edmond is granted leave, though it is shortened and they bring the nuptials forward by a couple of days. But Amy and Edmond's day is thwarted by the arrival of the local police constable...and Amy is arrested for criminal damage to the cricket pavilion the year before. She refuses to give up the names of the other women and is sentenced to a week's jail...in her wedding dress...and Edmond returns to the Front.
Edmond's mother and sister are mortified by what took place and refuse to forgive Amy for disgracing and embarrassing the Derwent's good name. His father is more sympathetic, assuring Amy that he will bring them round in time. Despite their troubles and his family's reservations, the couple endeavour to marry the next time Edmond has leave gaining a special licence to do so at short notice. In the meantime, Amy continues her training as a VAD nurse and before long finds herself stationed in France near the Front line treating the injured. Her work is hard and the conditions harsh but Amy finds it rewarding and the fact that she is doing something for the war effort. As an added bonus, she finds that Edmond is able to gain short leave for them to spend a little time together.
Meanwhile back in Blighty, Edmond's sister Beatrice is growing tired of the lack of men for social functions such as dances while their mother is distressed over the servants leaving their employ to either join up or acquire new positions that have been vacated by the men who have gone off to fight. Beatrice, it seems, has been brought up to be merely an ornament and loathes to imagine herself gaining intellect or even working for a living.
But life for Amy and Edmond is wrought with troubles but nothing the couple cannot overcome. They are both resolute in their feelings for one another and their place in this world. Despite this, they are still confronted with heartbreak and difficulties inflicted by the war as well as society.
There really isn't a lot more I can say without spoiling the story. However, there are many emotional scenes which bring the story to life making each of the characters real and relatable, despite the era. Most of the characters are likable with the odd few that are not. Even Edmond's mother and sister display some endearing qualities at times, though there is one character who is particularly loathsome.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN is a wonderful lighthearted read that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The simplicity of the story made it easy to read and devour in one night. I picked up this book to read simply because I had the second one in my Netgalley list and decided to start the story from the beginning. And I am glad I did for I loved every minute of it. It is such an easy read I can see myself re-reading it again.
If you love historical fiction then you will love UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN and I thoroughly recommend it!
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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Thank you, Stina, for your brilliant review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the books. They will soon be available in paperback, along with the third book in the series, Until we can Forgive.
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