When Melissa goes for a romantic break with her boyfriend Liam to Dorset things definitely don't turn out the way she plans! With Liam off surfing all the time she comes across the forgotten village of Tyneham and having seen a picture of Veronica, the lady of the manor, becomes intrigued by her story. Back in 1943 the village was requisitioned by the army just when Veronica was planning to escape, with the help of her maid Anna, from her cruel and abusive husband Bertie......... but what happened to her? Melissa is determined to find out and joins forces with local historian Guy..... but will she get too involved?

A very enjoyable book, I always like dual timeline stories and this one works well. The characters are likeable, with the exception of Bertie, and the difficult subject of abuse, normally swept under the carpet in those days, is well handled... plenty to keep you turning the pages

The Forgotten Village is a fascinating dual time mystery. Set in 1943 and 2018 the story follows Lady Veronica and Sir Albert in 1943 as they are forced to leave their manor house and village of Tyneham as the army has requisitioned their village. All villagers are told to relocate until after the war. The 2018 storyline follows Melissa In Dorset on vacation, and Guy a historian, whose Grandmother was maid to Lady Veronica as they attend the reopening of the village as a historical site. Melissa sees a picture of Lady Veronica and feels there is something off about her. With Guy’s help she attempts to find out what happened to Lady Veronica.. I am not a huge fan of World War II novels, but this one was interesting with the requisitioning of the village and the mystery of what happened to Lady Veronica and Sir Albert. The book touched on themes of abuse and adultery but also showed the resilience of the human spirit. Highly recommended for lovers of dual time mysteries.

I'm a big fan of dual timeline stories and I'm always thrilled to come across them - whether it be historical fiction or mystery thrillers. An unforgettable and emotional read, THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE had me gripped from the beginning as the stories both in the past and present unfolded piece by piece and had me on the edge of my seat with every page and every chapter. Right up to the very end.

1943: With Britain at war, people are affected in many ways. And the village of Tyneham in Dorset was no different. The British Army have requisitioned their little village for training purposes and everyone must give up their homes - some of which have been farmed by generations. with the promise that once the war is over the resident can return. But with war comes great sacrifice and even those up at "the great house" - Tyneham House - are to leave their home too. But on the night before they are all to leave, tragedy strikes and lives are changed forever.

It wasn't long before I was drawn into the story of Veronica, Anna, Bertie and Freddie at Tyneham House. As much as I was drawn to them, some aspects of the story were hard to read and I found myself feeling such great sorrow and sadness for those involved. Abuse in the past decades is something that was not talked about, not acknowledged and definitely not seen as a crime - but rather a private matter between a husband and wife. I have read many books with an element of abuse but this one just tore my heart out. As Veronica planned her escape from her abusive husband with her maid Anna's help I found myself feeling such sadness and helplessness for them both whilst for Bertie I felt nothing but hatred. He was vile. But the whole desperation and helplessness of their story just made it all the more heartbreaking.

2018: Melissa is on holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam in the hope for a romantic break together. But all Liam seems to be interested in is spending his days surfing, leaving Melissa to her own devices. However, the break turns out not to be a romantic one but something more permanent.

Tyneham village, now reopened to the public, was never given back to its residents - just forgotten. But now people can go visit and one day Melissa decides on a whim to explore the forgotten village. It is here that she sees a photograph of a woman that haunts her. The expression on her face - the fear - is forged into her memory and she finds she cannot let it rest. She MUST find out who the woman is, why she looks so afraid and what happened to her.

It is on her exploration of Tyneham that Melissa meets Guy Cameron, a famous TV historian, and together they discover their interest in the village. She tells him about the photograph of the woman who they learn to be Lady Veronica Standish and the man tightly clutching her hand is her husband Sir Albert from Tyneham House. When Guy reveals that his grandmother once lived in the village as a young girl and worked up at the great house as a maid, an idea forms in Melissa's head. Can his grandmother Anna reveal any clues as to what happened to Lady Veronica? But eliciting that information from Anna proves harder than expected. What is she hiding?

THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE is a beautifully written highly captivating dual timeline story that is so easy to be swept up in. It tells the story of a time when Britain was in the grips of WW2 and rather than be bogged down in historical facts, they featured only as a backdrop to a beautiful yet sad story set during that time. The present day story was a little predictable (when it came to their budding romance) but that did not detract from Melissa and Guy's search for the truth. I found myself wanting to immerse myself further into Lady Veronica's story to see where it lead. The switch between the past and the present was done eloquently and at just the right time as the secrets were unveiled.

This captivating and emotional story is a simple plot and very easy to read. Whilst I found Melissa and Guy's relationship a little predictable, I don't think the rest of the story was despite having my own suspicions as to what really happened confirmed at the conclusion. And whilst love was obviously lurking in the air I didn't pick it up to read a romance but more the mystery from the past. The Epilogue was such a beautiful heartwarming touch bringing a closure to the story.

Nevertheless, I was not disappointed - except at Melissa's constant berating of herself when it was so obvious otherwise - as I love being swept away in the historical past with a mystery to solve. I look forward to more from this author in the future.

I would like to thank #LornaCook, #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for this ARC of #TheForgottenVillage in exchange for an honest review.

The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook is a time slip novel set both in the present day (2017) and during World War 2. Regular readers will know that I absolutely flipping love a historical book and I go crazy for a dual timeline so I was very excited to read The Forgotten Village.

I loved the premise and setting of this novel; Tyneham, a village in Dorset which was requisitioned by the army during the war and the inhabitants forced to leave, expecting to return once the war was over. But, it remained owned by the army and has gradually fallen into disrepair until now, when it has been re-opened as a visitor attraction. It is here that we meet Melissa, a young woman on holiday with Liam, her boyfriend. She has taken herself off for the day as Liam seems more interested in surfing than he does with spending time with her. Whilst there she meets Guy, a TV historian and together they begin to uncover the secrets buried at Tyneham.

Tyneham is a living, breathing place in The Forgotten Village and I was swept away by the descriptions of the village during the war and that of Tyneham House, the home of Lady Veronica Standish and her husband, MP Sir Albert Standish. I could imagine this house high on the Dorset cliffs towering over a small cove and was transported back in time to a beautiful and sumptuous house. I was almost bereft when reading the descriptions of a dilapidated and dangerous Tyneham House in the modern day and was intrigued about what had happened in the intervening years.

It is at Tyneham House where most of the action takes place and there are passages which make for difficult and upsetting reading. When we meet Lady Veronica she is planning to leave her husband and Lorna Cook shines a light on issues that were not freely discussed in the 1940s and writes it both sensitively and beautifully. The contrast between Veronica and Melissa is stark; Veronica appears to have everything but she doesn’t have the freedom that Melissa has and I enjoyed this quiet examination of the role of women and how it has changed over the years.

In the present day the burgeoning friendship between Guy and Melissa is very sweet and heartwarming. I really enjoyed the slow build between them as they investigated what had happened in the past and unpicked the threads of history. Melissa and Guy are both wonderfully written characters whose present is being affected by their past. I loved their fragility and how sensitive and kind they both are, especially when faced with difficult choices.

This is a lovely novel which at its heart is an exploration of love, cruelty, family and loyalty. I really enjoyed it and thought that the mystery was clever and well executed. It is an absorbing read that transported me elsewhere, and what more do you want from a book than that?

This is a quick enjoyable read. I had heard about the forgotten villages but I had not heard of Tyneham. I really like historical fiction and this book has been put together really well. The two periods in history are beautifully woven together.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The village of Tyneham, Dorset, which the British Military requisitioned in 1943, is the central location to this novel. The story jumps to 2017 when a young couple, Guy and Melissa set out to solve the mystery as to what happened to the owners, of the manor house at Tyneham, Sir Albert and Lady Veronica, when they find it impossible to trace any death certificates or in fact, any evidence of their existence after leaving Tyneham. Guy's elderly grandmother,Anna, was Lady Veronica's maid and seems to be keeping a seventy year old secret.
I enjoyed the book and it flowed nicely although i feel that it would appeal more to readers who want a romance novel, as the story concentrated more on the relationship between Guy and Melissa, rather than the events at Tyneham and the mystery at hand.
I just reviewed The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Really enjoyable book. I like reading historical fiction, and with a bit of romance thrown in, what’s not to like. Cleverly woven plot, a little wordy at time though, but easy reading and with a nicely turned out twist at the end. Will recommend.
Thank you for procinding me with the opportunity to read and review #NetGalley and #HarperCollins

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion.

This book was a fantastic book. It was a dual-timeline story, set in the present and 1943 in the village of Tyneham and surrounding areas. When Melissa’s get away with her boyfriend goes astray she finds her self with lots of time and decides just on chance to check out the reopening of the town of Tyneham that had been requisitioned during wartime and was just now being reopened. It wasn’t her usual thing to do she’s not really overly interested in history but something about this called to her. From the moment she walked into the town her life was never going to be the same again. She sees a picture at the main house and it something about it just won’t let her go. She was unprepared for her day trip and ends up passing out due to dehydration, she wakes up into the face of a semi famous historiian and TV performer. During this book the two of them keep searching for answers and it turns out that his grandmother may hold some of the answers that Melissa wants to know, she wants to know what happened to Victoria and Albert and why does she look scared in that photo that is at the main house.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the dual timelines, the characters are very engaging and heartwarming and honest, the scenery was beautiful and the story heart wrenching and wonderful all at the same time. This will definitely not be the last book that I read by this author I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a great weekend read.

Wow, this dual timeline story literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me in. I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat with ever chapter, right to the very end. Thoroughly enjoyable.

It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Veronica, Anna, Albert & Freddie back in 1943 and that of Guy and Melissa in present day 2017, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1943 to present day 2017 which was done so seamlessly.

It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.

I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable.  I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish. 

This is the author's debut novel which I'm completely shocked and in awe of, as it's just so very well told and brilliantly written. Given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking forward to her second book. Just hope I don't have to wait to long.

A dual time line story set in 1943 and 2017 that's more about relationships than WWII. Melissa finds herself in Dorset, having had a bad turn, and is fascinated with the story of Lady Veronica and the village of Tyneham. Tyneham was requisitioned (for want of a better word) during the war but once the war ended, things did not go back into place. Things weren't all rosy during the war, on many fronts. Many of the issues women face in 2017 were these before even if no one acknowledged them. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. The dual time line is a popular device these days and fans of the genre will find this one a rewarding read.

I really liked this book!! Set in the early days of WWII it tells the story of a small coastal village that the British military has requisitioned as a training area for artillery training .A little over 200 villagers are forced to leave their homes behind. Never to return. Alternating between 1943 and present day Lorna Cook gives us the story of 2 couples...Lady Veronica and Sir Albert and Melissa and Guy. While on holiday in Dorset Melissa and Guy visit the just reopened Tyneham. Melissa happens across a photograph of Lady Veronica and she becomes obsessed with what happened to her after the village was taken over. Part mystery and part romance this book hit all the right chords for me. I'm happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WWII stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I really enjoyed this debut book by Lorna Cook. I loved the WWII backdrop for this historical romance. The dual timeline was flawless. I am really looking forward to future releases from this author. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read this.

Set against the backdrop of WWII, a fascinating story of family, love, and relationships strained by the war. Such a great read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this author can't wait for her next work this book was utterly brilliant
Great strong characters excellent plot time line worked seamlessly a fabulous work of intrigue that keeps you captivated till the very last page worth more stars than I can give I can highly recommend this book.

I absolutely loved this debut from Lorna Cook - full of history, intrigue, romance and even a dash of humour. I liked that the story focused on real people and their relationships rather than WW2 and the war effort itself which seems almost ubiquitous in this genre right now!

With characters that I could relate too and a wonderful twist in the final pages, this is a perfect debut from a talented new author.

This review will be published on my blog on publication day April 4 th

Tyneham,a village that was evacuated in 1943 after being requisitioned by the army. All the residents had to move to other areas in the hope of returning after the war was over.
I found this a sad part of the book. Over 200 people uprooting their lives and neighbours being separated. They did it for the war effort not knowing that the army didn't even want their homes only the land round about for training. They also didn't know that they would never return.

In 2017 Melissa is on holiday in Dorset when it all goes wrong and she has to find ways of occupying herself. She sees a notice that says that nearby Tyneham village is to be opened to the public for the first time. With nothing else to do Melissa decides to visit it. She meets Guy who is a TV celebrity and historian, his grandmother Anna was one of the residents evacuated from the village. Together they become interested in the history of the place and when Melissa sees a photo of Lady Veronica and her husband she is disturbed to notice how unhappy and frightened Veronica looks and is determined to find out why.

Both timelines held really good stories for me. I liked the interaction between Melissa and Guy and the fact that she didn't know he was a celebrity so wasn't in awe of him. The story in 1943 and of Anna and Veronica had me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails.

I would have liked to have have known more about what happened to the other residents of the village,where were they moved to? What kind of lives did they have? But maybe this is a subject for another book in the future.
A book that held my interest and I enjoyed both timelines.

I am a big fan of dual timeline stories, and always happy to come across such novels.

During 2018 storyline we meet newly single and jobless Melissa who came to Dorset on a romantic summer vacation. The romantic part of the vacation didn't turn out to be as great as she had expected, especially after an awful breakup. However, coming upon a village that was requisitioned during WWII got Melissa's attention. But not the village itself, mostly one specific couple from old photographs.

In 1943 part of the novel we are being introduced to two more main characters: Anna and Veronica. As requisition approaches, both women are looking forward to leaving Tyneham. When Anna is looking forward to joining the forces to help the English army, Veronica is planning an escape from her abusive and estranged husband.

Two different stories, two different timelines, the only thing that connects them is abandoned village in Dorset, England.

I must say, I was a bit disappointed, as I expected to learn more of the history of the village that was forgotten after the war, however, the main focus of the novel was on a family that used to own the village. I am the kind of reader that always finishes the book, even if I find it not quite interesting. Nevertheless, the last pages contain an interesting twist in the story that made the book worth reading.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced free copy of the novel.

1943
Britain is at war and people are affected in many ways.

No more so than Tyneham in Dorset who have given one sacrifice more than most – giving up their village. The village is going to be handed over to the Army for training and once the war is over the residents will be able to return.

On the night before they are all due to leave, a tragedy strikes and three people suddenly have their lives changed forever, but what became of them and did they return to Tyneham.

2017
Melissa is on holiday in Dorset on what was supposed to be a romantic break – but it seems the break is not going to be a romantic one but a more permanent feature. On a whim she goes out to explore and finds herself at Tyneham.

Tyneham village has reopened to the public. People can go and see the village that was never given back to its residents, it was simply forgotten. But some of the residents are still alive and remember what happened almost 75 years previous. One of those residents is Anna whose grandson is Guy a famous TV historian and personality.

When he bumps into Melissa the spark of interest about the village is forged between them. And when a photograph speaks of something much more, Melissa with nothing but a broken heart to nurse decides to find out the truth but what does it have to do with Anna?

This debut dual time novel covers a fascinating aspect of war – the villages requisitioned. The past narrative is more concerned with the characters of the time, based around the events happening but it still gave a feel of what it was like then.

The present day story was a lovely section and the connection to the past was not the most obvious although the events of the present were predictable. The book left me wanting more, not only did I want to know more about people who were moved away from their homes, but I wanted to see how Guy and Melissa working together to research other interesting past stories.

If you have never considered a dual time narrative then I think this would be a great book to start with – it is not an epic novel but one you can easily take on holiday and happily relive another time.

I will be interested to see what the author chooses next.

Easy and enjoyable, I was able to get through this book on one rainy Sunday here in Florida. I have never read this author before, but will look for her in the future. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good historical romance which I enjoyed reading. The book was easy to read. I liked finding out about the village and it's history. There was suspense, intrigue and romance included.