Interesting read that takes place in WWII London, but isn't focused on the war. Instead it's focused on a young woman, Alice, who finds herself a young single mother. Alice's mother, with some challenges of her own, gives the baby away to 'baby farmers'.

Loved that this was an aspect of history that I didn't know much about and also loved the backdrop of book publishing. How I would have loved to visit 'Book Row' during it's prime!

Historical Fiction at its best. Don’t pass up this well written story. This rapid page turner was unputdownable. I was completely captivated from the first page to the last.

It kept my attention but wasn't spectacular enough for me to recommend to others. I don't know who this would be a good fit for.

A historical novel that unveils the dark truth behind baby farming during wartimes and the strength of a mother's love.

I felt that this book was well written and had so much historical information to make it such a good read. However, I do wish there was some more to the beginning and end of the novel. I felt that it started abruptly. Then as Alice is searching, things wrapped up rather suddenly.

I am eager to read more from this author.

Historical Novels Review 97 (August 2021):
British book publishers during World War II had to contend, not only with the normal uncertainties of the trade, but with paper rationing, personnel shortages, and a war-weary readership uninterested in “literary” offerings. The war presented opportunities for women to enter the profession, however, and Alice Cotton is enjoying a rewarding and fast-rising career as a young editor for Partridge Press when she becomes pregnant after a disastrous affair with her boss’s son.

Beecham movingly renders Alice’s horror when she discovers that her newborn daughter has been taken by her religious-fanatic mother and sold to “baby farmers.” This practice, which modern readers might think is a quaint artifact of Victorian operettas, was actually a raging social problem during World War II, as social services deteriorated for lack of personnel and funding, and desperate childless and bereaved couples sought to rebuild their families.

Alice’s frantic search for her daughter is paralleled by a second point of view character, Theo Bloom, a young editor at Partridge’s New York office, who travels from New York to London to help rescue the financially fragile London arm of the business. His friendship with Alice develops naturally and sweetly, and helps give the reader a sense of who she is when she’s not traumatized by the loss of her child.

Parallel characters always run the risk of creating an unbelievable plot, as their intersections often rely on coincidences and too-tidy decisions. This novel does fall prey to such convenient plot turns, but the characters are likeable enough and the charms of daily life in 1943 London, seen through the kindhearted Theo’s eyes, make up for any weaknesses in realism. The unusual subject of baby-farming makes this well-told story stand out from the current glut of World War II novels.

When we Meet Again by Caroline Beecham was not really my cup of tea. I actually didn’t finish it. I am grateful for the chance to read it, but I prefer a different type of story.

Alice suddenly becomes pregnant, has the baby and then the baby is given to a "baby farm"... What are the chances of Alice finding her baby? Depressing to read, emotional and a struggle to get through. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so hard for me to read. It was a good book but the topic was hard, so I struggled a little. It is definitely a different World War 2 book, and worth the read.

Alice Cotton has found herself pregnant. This is 1943 in London and needless to say, single women who are pregnant are often seen in a bad light. Alice's mom is one who can't forgive her daughter for the shame she has brought on the house. So she does what she thinks is the best thing... She takes Alice's baby, Eadie, to a couple that she found by answering an add in the paper. Baby farming is what it is called and it was horrible to read about it. Much of this book is focused on Alice and her search for her child.

The other part of this book is focused on the publishing industry and the paper shortages that are destroying the industry. I learned something new with this book. I knew there were shortages, but all you ever hear about is sugar, gas, oil, and food. You never hear about the paper shortages.

I enjoyed the authors writing style, though I did think the book moved a little slow in spots. 3.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin/Putnam and Caroline Beecham for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Just when I'd thought I'd read all angles of historical WWII fiction comes a story that surprised me. I was unaware of the baby farms that conducted the business of buying and selling babies in the years that followed WWI and beyond. Caroline Beecham's story centers on a woman who works in the publishing world and is also pregnant (and unmarried). When her child disappears shortly after her birth Alice is bereft and then determined to find her baby. That is the path of the novel but woven throughout is the importance of books during wartime especially. I enjoyed learning about both topics and can recommend this to fans of the genre. Many thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for allowing me to read When We Meet Again in exchange for my review.

When We Meet Again by Caroline Beecham transports readers back to 1943 in London where Alice Cotton is on the hunt for her missing child. When not working on a special project at Partridge Press, Alice is busy trying to find those who can help her locate her daughter. Theo Bloom is ordered to London by his boss and his fiancée’s father to help the flagging Partridge Press. Alice’s project intrigues him any so does the woman who came up with the idea. Alice has been betrayed by one man and does not wish to trust another. Theo can tell something is bothering Alice. Can he find a way to help her as well as save Partridge Press? When We Meet Again contains good writing, but I find the pacing to be on the slow side. The writing is descriptive which is good and bad. It allows a reader to visualize exactly what the author is describing, but it also slows down the pacing of the story. I wished the author could have found a balance. The character of Alice Cotton is well-developed and realistic. I could understand her being frantic at the loss of her daughter. I did feel she was a tad overly dramatic at times. I thought Theo was another developed character. I liked getting to know him. Ursula, Alice’s co-worker and mentor, is a good woman who tells it like it is. Penny, Alice’s friend, is a good soul. I did not feel we really got to know her well. I thought the author captured World War II in London with the bombings, the feelings, and the shortages. I enjoyed learning more about publishing in London and the paper shortages. I was shocked to learn about baby farming. I cannot imagine learning that your child has been turned over to one of these duplicitous people. When We Meet Again has some interesting parts, but I found the story to be depressing and dull. It needed action, joy, and humor to provide balance. For those who enjoy melodramatic tales, then you should check out When We Meet Again. When We Meet Again is a poignant historical story with a gone girl, baby farm bullies, paper paucities, firm friends, Machiavellian men, and one worried woman.

According to Goodreads, this book was previously published under a different title. But that didn't stop me from reading it anyway. It was good, but I feel like there could have been more. There was no real talk about Theo and his relationship with his fiancee or how he ended it, and I felt like the relationship between the main characters was rushed. The whole story just felt rushed and not fleshed out enough.

Pros :: Interesting niche for WWII stories regarding baby farming. Many of the predominant characters were well rounded and seem like they could have been true to life. Enjoyed reading about Ursula and her “friend” and the subterfuge they had to go through to be on the fringes of society. Also excellent job with Alice and being a single (read unwed) mum — so sad women and children had to go through that stigma. Interesting topic on the publishing business and especially the Armed Services Editions — how important and necessary books are!!

Cons :: A couple of scenes had me confused and found some of the story line a bit repetitive. Wish the side character of Virginia was more filled out.

Cover art :: 3 out 5. 1/2 of the models face is hiding.

As someone who appreciates history, I commend Caroline Beecham for doing her research for this book. It is a fascinating account of the British publishing industry during the Second World War, along with interesting information about the London (or Regent's Park) Zoo during the war. It is also an account of something I knew very little about-the so-called "baby farmers" that operated during and between both world wars in the UK. This title ticked all the boxes for me-well written, excellent character development, accurate historical information and just a very compelling story. I look forward to recommending it to our library patrons!

When We Meet Again features a strong, brave, and bright heroine, an editor at a publishing house that is facing hard times because of the war. At a time when books provided comfort and escape, publishing houses faced paper shortages and the loss of printing presses due to the bombings in London.
This book also tells another important story: the protagonist Alice is unmarried and pregnant, and shortly after the birth, her child is taken from her, much to her heartbreaking distress. She is determined to get her child back, and in her quest she uncovers something very dark and dangerous.
When We Meet Again is a very compelling, heartfelt book, featuring a wide array of characters that took me on an unexpected journey of determination, spurred by the love of a mother for her child. The love of books, the efforts that people went to to get books in the hands of readers through very difficult circumstances, added an intriguing layer that all book lovers will appreciate.

4.5 Stars

When We Meet Again is an intriguing historical fiction read by Carlone Beecham.

From the start, I found myself feeling everything with Alice. Damn, the poor girl. My heart hurt for her immediately.

Her life goes from tragedy to yet worse tragedies. It's all a tough read. The fact that it's based on true events makes it even more powerful.

The writing is great, with everything representative of the time period. The author fully pulls the reader into the era. I also enjoy the secondary characters and the way the author brings them in and out of the story.

When We Meet Again is a great historical story. Everything about this Caroline Beecham tale is intriguing and easy to follow.

WWII England, wartime publishing, human trafficking, and an enticing romance combine to make WHEN WE MEET AGAIN a unique twist on hist fic set in this era.

Caroline Beecham’s beautifully written narrative and carefully developed characters kept me pinned to the pages. I cared about what happened to editor Alice, her American love interest Theo, and the quest to find her daughter — sold by her mother to “baby farmers.” Heartbreaking, hopeful, and highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 20 Jul 2021
#WhenWeMeetAgain #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

When We Meet Again by Caroline Beecham is not your typical WWII historical fiction. It is instead a look into the publishing world and the dark world of human trafficking, a tale of a mother’s love, and a sweeping romance. Each of the characters from When We Meet Again is incredibly fleshed out and the setting of WWII London was strikingly different and more realistic than anything I have read in other WWII fiction. Furthermore, this book is perfect for bibliophiles! I loved the deeper look into wartime publishing.

I wouldn't call this anything revolutionary in terms of WWII historical fiction. In fact it really has very little to do with WWII and a lot to do with baby farmers. A devastating business that cropped up in Britain. In fact, if you liked Before We Were Yours, this book is the perfect fit for you.

Pluses about this book — it is well-written with tight pacing that made it a quick read. You learn a bit about the publishing industry and the birth of paperback books.

It is a haunting story of one woman's search for a stolen daughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read a complimentary of this book.
This is a story of giving up everything to search for your baby. I did like the story but found it a little slow at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advance of this title in exchange for my honest review. I was a bit torn in my review of this book. I'll admit that I just didn't care that much about the main characters. The plot was intriguing, and the baby farm aspect was a horrifying part of history I knew nothing about. So, for those aspects, it was enjoyable. I also enjoyed the backdrop of the part books and publishing could take in time of trouble, war and shaping a nation.