Set in two separate time frames 1920 and 1942, we have WWII fully upon the whole world and everyone buckling under its weight.



1920 and Lily finds herself a guest of Dr. Cuthbertson in an isolated manor. How the events of 1920 will again come up in 1942 is a bit uncanny. Lily gets pregnant and has a child. Fast forward Ivy is a nurse working in the local clinic. She has to go up to Dr. Cuthbertson's house once in a while to attend to an invalid son, who is supposedly injured whilst fighting. Ivy's mother never a person in good spirits goes berserk when she hears that Ivy is going up to the manor and has met the Mrs. Cuthbertson though the Doctor is always absent and not to be disturbed.
Ivy does realise at the very onset that things are not quite right at the big house but she becomes fond of the young man and does not want to jeopardize her position in the clinic either. She is also intimidated by Mrs Cuthbertson who is rude and condescending.

The story unravels slowly and typifies the standards of the age, where a lot of stuff going on in homes was all veiled up and a curtain pulled across the whole thing to maintain an aura of respectability as that was what of prime importance.

A very interesting part of the story was the form of family planning advice offered by the clinic - privately to the poorer section of the community who had no one else to turn to. It did show women supporting women, despite the morals of the day. No mean feat this.

Thank you Jennifer Wells and Netgalley for a copy of this title.
Exactly what you expect from Jennifer Wells. Great story, amazing characters and a couple of twists to keep you guessing..

I really enjoyed how these two stories braided together. There was one story set in WWI and another set in WWII.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Jennifer Wells is a masterful writer of historical fiction. This is a great story to curl up with on a cold day or rainy day. I could not put this book down because I was so engrossed in this novel. Fabulous book in a fabulous author.

This novel begins with Ivy, a young, inexperienced nurse in 1942 wartime who encounters the mysterious Mrs Cuthbertson of Elmridge House. Ivy is warned to stay away, which immediately draws her into whatever past and present history the house and its inhabitants hold.
The reader is then taken back to the 1920’s and into the lives of dancers Lily and Grace where the story of the Cuthbertson’s and Elmridge House unfolds.
The secrets begin almost at once and even during the first chapters I kept turning pages to find out who these characters were and why this place, which was written about in shadows and half-truths had such a strange hold on them.
Ms Wells is a master of characterisation with the emotions and issues beautifully drawn. Nothing is as it seems and every scene is imbued with a hint of menace. I couldn’t help but sympathise with Ivy who tries to make sense of the past, hers and the Cuthbertsons', although it’s not until the end does she manage to put all the clues together and the real truth is revealed. A truth which shifts her perspective of everything that she has been told.
I was left hoping she manages to come to terms with those who have been keeping the truth from her. That she will be able to leave them behind and forge a better life for herself. A really engaging story for a cold winter’s night which will stay with you long after the last page.

What a great book. Totally different of others from this genre, throughly enjoyed every minute.. what an ending! Fabulous.

This is the first book I’ve read from Jennifer Wells. I am a big historical fiction fan and was thrilled to receive this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story goes back and forth between 1943, Ivy’s story and 1920 Lily’s story. Its hard to explain too much without spoiling the book, but I found it to be at times confusing. That being said I enjoyed the book very much......the end was a complete surprise.....I will look forward to Jennifer Wells next book!

A wonderful read full of well drawn characters that drew me right in to the story.Perfrct book to cuddle up with as it gets colder out..Lok foward to more books by this author.

Although a bit wordy at times, the author creates good connection between her reader and her characters so that they can feel the emotions and struggle with throughout the book. I recommend this book.