The Staffymum's Book Nook: Francesca Capaldi

Showing posts with label Francesca Capaldi. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 June 2025

REVIEW: Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel (The Beach Hotel #5) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 15th June 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 5th June 2025

**Due to falling sick I was unable to read and review this book in time for my date of the tour - 9th June.**

DESCRIPTION:

A new arrival at the Beach Hotel spells trouble

Chambermaid Fanny is thanking her lucky stars she has had a second chance at life. As an unmarried mother, it could have been very different and she is happy.

But when new maid, Susie, arrives at the Beach Hotel, it isn't long before sparks fly. Susie begins to meddle in Fanny's friendships and even in her budding romance with Walter, an American working at the aerodrome.

Meanwhile, a flu epidemic starts to spread and as more people fall ill, the hotel is forced to close.

Matters come to a head when Susie plots to reveal secrets about Fanny that could spell her ruin.

Can the hotel and the hardworking women who run it survive?

An uplifting, emotional WW1 saga perfect for fans of Ginny Bell and Jean Fullerton

MY THOUGHTS:

She has a second chance...now she she might lose everything...

Are we on Book 5 already? This has to be one of my favourite series and the setting is just superb - on the West Sussex coast of Littlehampton in the stunning Beach Hotel on the waterfront promenade. Throughout this series, we have seen the comings and goings as war was declared and the men shipped off to the Front with the women remaining to keep the home fires burning. And in this case, the Beach Hotel running. Each story is a standalone but to get the bigger picture of all involved, I do recommend reading the whole series.

1918: War has been raging in Europe for four years now and at last it looks as though the end is in sight. For Fanny (Francine) Bullen, head chambermaid at the Beach Hotel, it couldn't come quick enough. But that in itself brings its own drawbacks for young Fanny.

We first met Fanny as a young girl of 18 having left the workhouse in which she called home for eleven years and gaining employment as a maid (I can't remember which position she held back then). She was a rough diamond as life in the workhouse had been tough and you had to be tough to survive. But at the Beach Hotel, she had found she'd been given a second chance and after seven years she looked upon them all as a family. This was none so more true than when two years ago she found herself in the very difficult position of being pregnant, unmarried and abandoned by the baby's father. She had tried to hide her pregnancy for as long as she could, though even she wasn't aware of it for six months, but her family at the hotel were warm and welcoming of both her circumstances and the new baby she gave birth to alone in a storage cupboard.

Now two years later, the old Fanny is but a shadow of who she'd once been and now she has been given this second chance to start again. No one need know who little Elsie's father was. As far as anyone else was concerned, she'd lost him in the war. After all, so many lives had indeed been lost - why not him?

And then along the waterfront one day Fanny met Walter, an American who'd been tasked with helping to build the new aerodrome in nearby Rustington. Before long, the pair were arranging their afternoons off to coincide with the other so as to spend them together. But just as things begin to look on the up for young Fanny, her new-found happiness looks to be ruined with an unknown enemy in her midst.

Susie Shorn knew Fanny from the workhouse but she swore her to secrecy in menacing undertone. The last thing Susie wanted as people sticking their noses into her business. Of course, that didn't stop her from sticking her nose into theirs - that was quite a different matter altogether. Upon gaining the position of chambermaid, she was loathed to discover that she was to be working under Fanny whom she saw was no better than she was what with her past coming from the workhouse. Susie couldn't see what made Fanny any better than her - or why she deserved any better than she did. She listened at keyholes, in doorways and on the stairs, hoping to pick up any interesting tidbits that could be used to her advantage. And anything she could do to bring the snooty Fanny back down to size, pretending to be something she's not. She drove wedges between friends and set her sights on something better for herself - and all the while, she enjoyed every minute of havoc and heartbreak she created whilst pretending to be a friend. But then she made an error of judgement that she thought would mean a big payday for her to clear out and start somewhere new where no one knew her, but she wasn't as clever as she thought.

Meanwhile, it looks as though the war was indeed nearing its end and for Fanny that meant heartbreak as Walter would surely return home to America and she feared she would never see him again. And with the Spanish Flu striking so many down, how will they all survive? And will Fanny get her happy ever after?

There was so much going on in this book - from the war to the Spanish Flu to Fanny's romance with Walter to the unscrupulous Susie. But I enjoyed every minute of it and it was refreshing to hear Fanny's story at last. She's always been in the background as a troubled young girl from the workhouse. She has certainly grown over the course of the books into a lovely young woman. I was happy the book ended the way it did and not up in the air as it could well have. At least we got closure for those involved. And it was a wonderful story.

So we've had Edie, Lili, Helen, Hetty and now Fanny (I much prefer the name Francine) - I think it's Gertie's turn next and I would be interested to see what lay in store for her. And if she continues with the women's football now that the war is over. Already looking forward to the next one.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #StormySkiesAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Francesca has enjoyed writing since she was a child. Born in Worthing, Sussex, and brought up in Littlehampton, she was largely influenced by a Welsh mother who was brilliant at improvised story telling.

A history graduate and qualified teacher, she decided to turn her writing hobby into something more in 2006, when she joined a writing class.

Writing as both Francesca Capaldi and Francesca Burgess, she has had numerous short stories published in magazines in the UK and abroad, as well as in anthologies. Four pocket novels have been published by DC Thomson, one of which, Danger for Daisy, is available as an ebook.

Her Welsh World War 1 sagas were inspired by the discovery of her great grandfather's war record. They are published by Hera Books

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Monday, 9 June 2025

SPOTLIGHT: Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel (The Beach Hotel #5) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 5th June 2025

**Due to falling sick I have been unable to read and review this book in time for my date of the tour. I will review it as soon as I have finished reading just as soon as I recover from my bout of flu.**

DESCRIPTION:

A new arrival at the Beach Hotel spells trouble

Chambermaid Fanny is thanking her lucky stars she has had a second chance at life. As an unmarried mother, it could have been very different and she is happy.

Meanwhile, a flu epidemic starts to spread and as more people fall ill, the hotel is forced to close.

Matters come to a head when Susie plots to reveal secrets about Fanny that could spell her ruin.

Can the hotel and the hardworking women who run it survive?

An uplifting, emotional WW1 saga perfect for fans of Ginny Bell and Jean Fullerton

MEET THE AUTHOR:

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Saturday, 17 February 2024

REVIEW: Dark Days at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

Dark Days at the Beach Hotel (Beach Hotel #3) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 17th February 2024

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 15th February 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Can she save the hotel... and her reputation?

Helen Bygrove is managing the hotel, now that her husband has been conscripted. Against all expectations, Helen and her team are doing marvellously, despite the shortages brought by war. Even the exacting Lady Blackmore agrees. But then the calm is shattered when poison pen letters are sent to prominent townsfolk and Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation. Is someone trying to ruin Helen, and the Beach Hotel? And can she rely on the handsome but taciturn Inspector Toshack to help her? When her husband, Douglas, is invalided out of the war he is determined to take back control of the hotel and things go from bad to worse.

How can she ever escape his bullying? Is she a fool to hope that she may have a second chance at love?

A captivating, emotional and uplifting saga set in World War One - fans of Elaine Everest and Ginny Bell will love this!

MY THOUGHTS:

Can she save her hotel...and her reputation...?

It's 1916 and war has been raging across the channel in Europe for two years. For Helen Bygrove, she has had a war of her own to battle. Six years ago, five years married and idealistic, Helen and her husband Douglas purchased the Beach Hotel with Helen's inheritance from her mother...wisely invested on the advice of her own mother. However, Douglas had one stipulation - that his name be solely on the deeds as the owner and manager and Helen, in her naivete, agreed. Although women were now allowed to own property Douglas was a little old fashioned like that...or so she thought.

Fast forward six years and the years have not been plain sailing. Douglas has single-handedly undermined everything Helen suggested in their joint venture of running the hotel, isolated her and the children and bullied her at every opportunity. Where was the man she had fallen in love with?

In the first two books we met the bullish Douglas Bygrove and laughed him off as incompetent and useless, always racing off to "important meetings" or the golf club whilst Helen stayed behind to manage the hotel in his absence. Any positive feedback on the hotel, Douglas preened and took credit whilst any bad decisions or publicity he thrust the blame firmly in his wife's direction. we rarely saw much of him and when we did he was issuing orders whilst preening to those he considered to be important.

In this book, however, we see a little more into Douglas' behaviour and it soon proves to be no laughing matter. Although I admit to inwardly chuckling when the tribunal laughed him out of court when he tried to be exempt from service due to his important position as hotel proprietor and manager. Thus he was conscripted much to his annoyance and obvious frustration. However, in his absence Beach Hotel could be run smoothly under the deft hands of Helen Bygrove and her hugely competent staff...regardless of whatever notion Douglas tried to portray.

But it seems someone else isn't happy with Helen's smooth running of the establishment either as libelous letters begin to pop up around Littlehampton, slandering many person with unfounded allegations whilst some may have bordered the truth. At any rate, the missives were insulting and seemed to originate from the Beach Hotel. Helen couldn't believe that any of her staff would do anything so underhand. But the new Detective Inspector, who appeared abrasive as first impressions go, requested handwriting samples from all the staff for the process of elimination. And then Miss Isabella Harvey, who has often shown an inappropriate interest in Douglas, arrives at the hotel with accusations directed at Helen as the writer of the abusive letters.

Soon, trade at the hotel begins to dwindle as news about Helen's possible involvement spreads and bookings are cancelled, leaving Miss Harvey crowing triumphantly.

And then Helen gets even more bad news. Douglas has been injured in France and will be returning home where he will surely stake his claim once again...undoing all of Helen's hard work. But can she save the hotel and her reputation before it's too late?

It was wonderful to be back in the company at the Beach Hotel once again with all the wonderful friendly staff and regulars who we've come to regard as a kind of family. I admit to Douglas frustrating me on more than one occasion in previous books but in his one he takes the biscuit! I cannot tell you more of my thoughts without giving anything away. But rest assured you will be entertained from start to finish and even come to like the new Inspector Sam Tobrash (I think I spelt his name correctly).

Whilst it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone as each story surrounds one of the characters on its own. First was Edie's then Lili's and this time it was Helen. And I was thrilled to discover that Helen would have her story told because there was most definitely one lurking there dying to be told.

I have enjoyed all three books but this one did have a different feel to it. Helen not only has to face running the hotel in her incompetent husband's absence (in the knowledge that he will one day come back to stake his claim once again) but she has not one two hugely upsetting and dramatic turns of events that threaten her happiness and her livelihood. I would have liked to see a little more before it ended but it ended on a promise which was a nice touch.

Another fantastic read and addition to this delightful series. I look forward to meeting up with everyone again in the next book.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DarkDaysAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Friday, 21 July 2023

REVIEW: All Change at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

All Change at the Beach Hotel (Beach Hotel #2) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 18th July 2023

Published: 20th July 2023

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Can she choose between her duty and her heart?

While World War One changes the country beyond measure, with food becoming scarce and Britain’s young men being called up to foreign battlefields, it is harder than ever to keep the grand Beach Hotel in Littlehampton running smoothly.

Waitress Lili Probert, a young woman who escaped her demanding family in Wales in search of a new life in Sussex, has seen her hard work rewarded at the Beach Hotel, but hides heartbreak behind her sunny personality. Her sweetheart, Norman, is missing in action and has been presumed dead, but she cannot give up hope that he may be found.

But when she meets injured soldier Rhodri, a fellow Welshman now living near Littlehampton, she fights hard to ignore her growing attraction for him, torn between her feelings for him and her loyalty to the man she thought she’d spend her life with.

But her emotions run ever higher when she suddenly receives a call from home; her mother is gravely ill and Lili is needed for her care. Returning to Wales, Lili must make a difficult choice. Follow her dreams and make her own life, or return to the place she tried so hard to escape?

Torn between her duty and her heart, Lili faces her own battle far from the conflicts in Europe…

MY THOUGHTS:

Can she choose between her duty and her heart...?

Sagas set during this era are some of my favourite kind. Maybe perhaps because it marked such a change in times between the old Victorian era and a new Georgian one, not to mention a whole new century in which women were now coming out from behind their menfolk and being recognised for their own abilities. A time when women were allowed to own property, hold positions of respect and even the prospect of their voices giving them the vote. World War One was a time of great change. Many were still coming to terms with the change in monarchs from the old Queen to King Edward followed just a decade later with King George V. With this change, came more change. Gone were the frills and bustles of the old times. Skirts were being worn a tad shorter. Hats were not quite so cumbersome and far more quaint. With the war, times were difficult and cuts had to made everywhere.

Such was the case at the Beach Hotel, much to the irritation of its pompous manager Douglas Bygrove. War was simply getting in the way of him doing his job...of which no one knew exactly what that was...but he saw it as his duty to welcome prominent figures of council or parliament or even just the richest, most important people of Littlehampton. He made it is his business to know who was who and welcome them into his hotel. His hotel? Purchased with his wife's inheritance which surely made it her hotel in which he appointed himself manager and treated her no more than a skivvy. He is pompous and odious and an irritating little man.

But this story is not about him, although he features enough throughout you'd think it was about him (he's that vain too). No, this story is about Lili, who left her village in the Welsh mining valleys in search of something more than being stuck in Dorcolan for the rest of her days, scrubbing floors and marrying a nice Welsh boy who probably spent half his days down the mines. Lili didn't want that for herself. And so she took herself to Littlehampton after gaining a job as a chambermaid at the Beach Hotel. But as the war came, so too did change. Their men enlisted and if they didn't they were soon conscripted leaving only the womenfolk behind. And despite this and their staff shortages, the staff at the Beach Hotel kept things running smoothly like a well-oiled machine under the careful managerial eye of Helen Bygrove, the manageress. Although if Douglas Bygrove had anything to say about it, and he did quite a lot of that, it was to his credit that they had managed to keep things alfoat at all.

That aside, Helen organised several charity events to raise money for the war effort by way of hospitals and the like. One of which was for the Belgrave Hospital for wounded soldiers. At this event Lili was asked to perform a few songs and she captured the attention of one soldier with her lilting songbird voice. Corporal Rhodri Morgan who had been injured with a bullet to the leg leaving him with a permanent limp. Rhodri was also Welsh and Lili could hardly believe that she travelled so far from home only to meet another Welshman. However, Lili had been courting another before he left for the Front. And Lili is nothing if not loyal. She would not betray Norman by stepping out with another man.

And then she receives word that Norman is missing in action which usually means one thing - that he's been killed and his body has yet to be located. Devastated at this news and conflicted with her her growing attraction for Rhodri, Lili is torn between her feelings for him and her loyalty to Norman. But nothing can stop them from being friends, can it?

But that all falls by the wayside when she receives a letter from her eldest sister Carys informing her that their mother is gravely ill and she is needed at home. Granted immediate leave from Helen, Lili makes her way back home fearing what she may find upon her return and how ill her mother truly is. She realises that she must make the difficult choice between following her heart and her dreams to make her own life or to fulfil her duty as a daughter and return to a place she had tried so hard to escape. Lili is nothing if not faithful and loyal, sometimes to her detriment. Should she make this sacrifice for duty or for love?

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment at the Beach Hotel, far more than the first one. There are some irritating characters once again, some get their comeuppance, some may still be waiting. There is a little about the Front but it features only as a backdrop. The mainstay is life at the hotel. My favourite part would have to be the conscription debacle of one such man of the age of forty. Oh my that was hilarious. I can't wait to see how that pans out in future installments.

As always, I love this type of story. It is a nice gentle easy read, a perfect escape from the harried busyness of today. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Beach Hotel and will be sure to check in again next year when I look forward to my visit to Littlehampton once again.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AllChangeAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Thursday, 4 May 2023

REVIEW: A New Start at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi

A New Start at the Beach Hotel (Beach Hotel #1) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 3rd May 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 23rd February 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Can Edie find the courage to choose her own future?

June 1914. Edie Moore is a Governess for Lord and Lady Moreland, living in comfort at the grand Downland House in Sussex. But, wanting more from life, she flees in secret to Littlehampton, the place where she spent many idyllic childhood holidays.

Desperate for work, Edie begins working as a chambermaid at the prestigious Beach Hotel, even if the menial tasks are a far cry from her previous job.

While the days are long and gruelling, Edie works hard and soon is in favour with Helen Bygrove, the manager’s wife, who sees that Edie is destined for bigger things – which leads to tension with some of the other chambermaids.

But as she navigates her new life and finds friendship with fellow maid Lili Probert, she also grows closer to charming, cheerful porter, Charlie Cobbett, and finally finds the happiness she has been searching for.

However, what none of her new friends know is that Edie is hiding a secret from her past, one that would change the way they view her, forever. When the truth comes out, will Edie be able to keep her new life and remain in the place she loves so much?

A captivating, romantic and moving World War 1 saga that fans of Elaine Roberts and Pam Howes won’t be able to put down.

MY THOUGHTS:

I've always been drawn to books around the Great War era and I enjoyed a couple of other books by this author in her previous series that I was interested to check this one. The fact it is set in a beachside town also drew me in.

Sussex 1914: When Edie Moore stepped out of Downland House in the early hours one June morning, she vowed that this would be the start of a new life for her. As she trudged to the station with her carpetbag, there were times she questioned the logic of her choice whilst at the same time knowing that there was no going back from this. Not that she wanted to. The threats that had been made were enough to spring her into action. And so now she leaves this life behind and steps out of the station into Littlehampton as Edie Moore.

She secures lodgings with Mrs Hadley but finding a job proves to be more difficult. Her reference speaking of her work as a governess puts her in good stead but does little to find work, as a governess sits somewhere between the classes - not quite middle class but not quite working class either. She ventures into the Beach Hotel who are looking for a book keeper and secures herself an interview for the following day. However, she proves to be unsuccessful as having no previous book-keeping experience.

But the manageress of the hotel does come looking for her in the days following in need of a chambermaid. The work is long and hard but Edie isn't afraid of that. It's those who think she has come in looking down her nose at them. Despite the challenges she faces, she makes some friends there in Charlie and Lili and soon finds something at the Beach Hotel she never had before. A sense of belonging and family.

But then a face from her past recognises her and Edie fears her secret will be discovered. Even the threat of war may not overshadow the secrets that are about to come out...

This was a delightfully easy read that I enjoyed despite its slow start, as I did wonder the direction it was taking in the beginning but being the first book in a new series I can only surmise that the author was laying the groundwork for the backstory that readers will inevitably discover in due course.

There are some wonderful characters and some rather unsavoury ones as well. I love the setting of the Beach Hotel and adore Helen Bygrove. Her husband, who is supposed to be the manager, does nothing but belittle his wife dreadfully or is busy playing golf or tennis rather than actually running the hotel. His wife manages to do that quite well without him. There are some humourous moments, particularly between the Bygroves.

A NEW START AT THE BEACH HOTEL is an enchanting read and I look forward to see what's next for the characters.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #ANewStartAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Francesca currently lives on the North Downs in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Social media links:

Saturday, 22 January 2022

REVIEW: Hope in the Valleys by Francesca Capaldi

Hope in the Valleys (Wartime in the Valleys #3) by Francesca Capaldi

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 15th January 2022

Published: 20th January 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Will Elizabeth choose love over duty?

It’s August 1917 and WW1 continues to take a toll. The villagers of Dorcalon, a mining village in the Rhymney Valley, try to keep hope alive; but every day brings fresh tragedy as more of their sons and fathers are killed on foreign battlefields.

Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of mine manager Herbert, enjoys a privileged position in the village, but she longs to break free of society’s expectations.

Falling in love with miner, Gwilym Owen, brings more joy to her life than she’s ever known… until she’s forced to choose between her love and her disapproving family. Seeking an escape, Elizabeth signs up as a VAD nurse and is swiftly sent to help the troops in France, even as her heart breaks at leaving Gwilym behind.

Separated by society and the Great War, can Elizabeth and Gwilym find their way back together again? Or will their love become another casualty of war?

MY REVIEW:

As soon as I read the dedication page to Rosemary Goodacre, author of the Derwent Chronicles who sadly passed away just days before her last book was published in October 2020, I knew this was going to be a good book. I loved the Derwent Chornicles and despite having never come across Francesca Capaldi before, I devoured HOPE IN THE VALLEYS within a day. I did not, however, realise it was part of a series and the more I read the more I felt like I had missed out on quite a bit that had gone on beforehand...but don't worry, the author does a brilliant job of keeping readers informed as to what has previously occurred so we don't feel as though we really missed out after all. Having said that, since I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I certainly intend on going back and reading the first two at some stage.

It's August 1917 and the Great War continues to rage across Europe claiming many British men despite the belief that it would be over by Christmas the first year...that being 1914. Three years later and it shows no signs of letting up as the small Welsh mining village or Dorcalon in the Rhymney Valley reels from the losses of their sons and fathers in the trenches. Although mining is a dangerous occupation, it is a reserved one and therefore keeping many sons and fathers of villagers from being conscripted into the Army. But mining is not without its dangers with a mine explosion and collapse some 18 months ago which claimed a couple of lives.

Elizabeth is the daughter of the mine manager Herbert Meredith, a fair man who believes in his workers even if the coal company doesn't. He believes that they too should be receiving the same wages as other coal mines as well as the bank holiday others enjoy. Unfortunately the decision is not his to make. Given his position, Elizabeth is able to enjoy a privileged lifestyle and status of the middle class...and yet it is not something of any importance to her. She longs to be free of the social expectations her mother has placed on her and at twenty-seven is expected to settle for whatever suitable husband her mother Margaret can find her. But Elizabeth will not be bullied into a marriage to a man of social standing that she doesn't love. But her mother is quick to claim what has love got to do with it?

Gwilyn Owen is a miner, working class and most unsuitable marriage material for Elizabeth in her mother's eyes. He is a quiet man but a proud one and though he knows nothing can come of his romance with Elizabeth, he loves her just the same...and she him. But as soon as her mother gets wind of the dalliance she is affronted both by the deception and Elizabeth's unsuitable choice. She forbids her to have anything more to do with him or she will see he is dismissed from his position in the mines and encourages her to find a more suitable match. Such as one of Lady Fitzgerald's sons Sidney, a Captain, or Horace, a Lieutenant - the fact that they are officers speaks volumes as to their social standing and suitability. But Elizabeth couldn't think of anything worse. So in an act of rebellion she packs her bags and flees to join the VAD (Voluntary Aid Dispatch) nurse and is sent to France to work in a casualty clearing hospital near the Front, leaving both her family and her love behind.

Not only divided by society, Elizabeth and Gwilym are now separated by war and a continent. In a letter she left for Gwilym, Elizabeth explained their unsuitability and that she was a fool to allow it to continue, leaving Gwilym brokenhearted. In an attempt to dismiss all thoughts of Elizabeth from his mind, he sets to work on the allotment he and Elizabeth had set as a cooperative initiative for villagers to grow their own produce in the wake of rationing and shortages.

Meanwhile, Gwen Austin had been working in a munitions factory some miles away but due to the nature of the job, became ill and was hospitalised with a toxic poisoning as a result of her job. She was advised complete rest for the coming months and not to return to her former employment. So when Margaret Meredith is told her maid is leaving to get married, she knows she must find a replacement quick and soon discovers Gwen is looking for work. The pair come to an understanding and Gwen begins her new job at MacKenzie House which is a far cry from that of the munitions factory.

Life takes a turn for both Elizabeth and Gwen as they fight to overcome social stigmas for their place in life and love. And as the end of the war seems to be drawing closer, another fight is on their hands...one that could prove far more dangerous than war.

HOPE IN THE VALLEYS is a wonderful story of love, loss, friends and family as the world changes in the wake of the Great War and the carnage that it leaves behind. It's a story of social divide between the classes as those that dare to cross it bring a sense of change. It's a story of war and of hope.

I quickly felt at home with the pages as I drew similarities to Rosemary Goodacres "The Derwent Chronicles", also centred around a village with social divides and WW1. I enjoyed my journey to the Welsh mining town even if some of the Welsh phrases and language were a little lost on me (even google didn't help with some of them) but it didn't detract my enjoyment of the story.

HOPE IN THE VALLEYS is a delightfully easy read in which the characters who had featured in the first two books are feature here, though the focus in this installment is mostly on Elizabeth and Gwen. Some of the characters you really love to hate - such as Elizabeth's mother Margaret who is so completely overbearing, for one, amongst others - while others are completely endearing.

I have no hesitation in recommending HOPE IN THE VALLEYS to fans of historical fiction sagas such as Rosemary Goodacre, Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #HopeInTheValleys in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Francesca has enjoyed writing since she was a child, largely influenced by a Welsh mother who was good at improvised story telling. A history graduate and qualified teacher, she decided to turn her writing hobby into a career in 2006. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Each month she writes a competition post for the Romantic Novelists' Association blog.