A Christmas Baby at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #7) by Fenella J Miller
Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2, Wartime fiction
Read: 2nd September 2023
Published: 31st August 2023
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
July 1941
As the war grinds on, Lady Joanna Harcourt knows that her time at Goodwill House is drawing to close. A new chapter awaits, one that she never expected to happen to her – she is going to be a wife and mother again!
Excited with their new arrival and with her beloved Flying Officer John Sergeant back in her life, Joanna hopes that even though war clouds gather, love will prevail, and the future will look brighter than ever for the Harcourt family.
John has just one last mission to complete, before they can be together. But even though John is an experienced and competent pilot, the threat of the enemy is still close. Will this be one risk too far?
Or will their be another goodbye for the Harcourts before they close the doors of Goodwill House for ever?
Don't miss the emotional finale in the Goodwill House series!
MY THOUGHTS:
A new arrival...and a fond farewell...
We have come to the end of an era with the final installment of the Goodwill House series. Each of the characters have become like friends as we got to know them, love them and now we will miss being around them. I have been a part of Goodwill House since the beginning and I feel like a fixture as much as any of the characters. But with the end comes joys and sorrows in equal measure and it is difficult not to shed a few tears.
This final book focuses predominantly on Joanna, the former Lady Harcourt, and her new husband Flying Officer John Sergeant. The opening chapter sees them rushing to their nuptials on the news that Joanna is in the family way. With just half an hour to spare, the couple exchange vows, share a kiss and are pronounced husband and wife before John is whisked away on a mission and Joanna returns to the Savoy with her family. But she is to receive and early morning surprise as the honeymoon begins...albeit for one day.
Upon return to Goodwill House, Joanna continues presiding over the plans for their new home The Manse, where they will be moving to in the New Year. Goodwill House has seen many comings and goings and has been the heart of each and every story. But this time, it takes a backseat as the WAAF girls have long since gone and the land girls are soon to follow. After which, the house will return to Joanna and Lady Harcourt in which silence will reign. As much as Joanna has enjoyed housing the serving girls over the past couple of years, the time has come when she must move on. With a baby on the way and a new husband, her focus has shifted and her priorities have changed.
It was sad to say goodbye to those who have become like friends, particularly one such character who sparky wit will be missed. And while it is a delightful addition and end to the series, it wasn't the best of them but still hugely enjoyable. And emotional read at times, the ending was left a little ambiguous. Maybe leaving it open to revisit with a further chapter? Who knows?
Overall, an enjoyable read and an emotional end to a delightful series.
I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AChristmasBabyAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.
Social Media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.
Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.
Social Media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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