Cover Image: Heartache at Blackberry Farm

Heartache at Blackberry Farm

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Member Reviews

This is book two in a series. The author has created some heartwarming characters. The writing style is very easy to get into. The author describes things well so you feel that you are there with a characters.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend to others.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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Rosie Clarke is a favourite historical fiction author of mine. I have reviewed other series of hers and this is a new series for me. As always, her style is immersive and she's knowledgable about time periods in history. Family dynamics and community are themes and the farm was a great setting. I'd like to review more books in the series.

Thanks to Rosie Clarke, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

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Put the kettle on, find a comfortable chair and get ready to lose yourself in the latest enjoyable saga by Rosie Clarke: Heartache at Blackberry Farm.

Cambridge, 1941 and the war continues to rage on in Europe leaving a trail of devastation, terror and mayhem in its wake. The Talbot family at Blackberry Farm are not immune to the worry and misery that has consumed and overwhelmed so many people all over the world. With Tom and his brother John missing in action, the family are beside themselves with worry, but that it is not the only thing they have to concern themselves with…

Faith finds herself in trouble and needs a shoulder to cry on rather than judgement and scorn. Turning to Lizzie for help, the two of them find comfort and hope that will see them through this most challenging and frightening period. However, their anguish is far from over as when tragedy strikes at Blackberry Farm, every single member of the Talbot family will find that their life has changed forever.

Will Pam’s prayers be answered? Will her two boys ever return home? And can the family overcome the obstacles standing in their way and be hopeful for the future?

Rosie Clarke’s sagas are always top-notch and with Heartache at Blackberry Farm, she has once again penned a dramatic, involving and captivating tale about a family having to stick together during a time when everything was so bleak, uncertain and terrifying.

As always with a Rosie Clarke saga, Heartache at Blackberry Farm has got plenty of warmth, humour and pathos and characters that come to life the moment they set foot on the page.

Written straight from the heart, Rosie Clarke’s Heartache at Blackberry Farm is another winner for this talented saga writer.

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This novel continues the recent trend of novels related to World War II. In this highly readable and engaging story, a family living at Blackberry Farm deals with family members in the forefront of danger as they serve in the military and nursing. The folks on the home front also face rationing and other changes due to the war. The characters are realistic, displaying courage and fortitude in the face of their trials. The chapters alternate among different character viewpoints.

Readers who enjoy family sagas set in the time of World War II will find this to be an interesting addition to the repertoire. I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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Warm, romantic and different, in the very best way. This author has woven more than a hint of magic through the pages. I absolutely adored it!

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I haven't read the first book and I don't read sagas so this was a bit of a departure for me. I haven't managed to read the whole book. From what I have read I would say that you probably can read it as a standalone novel but would get more out of it if you have read the first book. Clearly a lot happened in 'War clouds' that is significant to the second book. There are obviously some complicated relationships and nefarious activities that would make for an interesting story. I am not sure if I am persuaded to delve into into saga but the book has some glowing reviews so I think it would be a good one for fans of the genre.

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Rosie Clarke has written another beautiful yet hard on the heart and mind story. You almost feel like you are there. Loving and caring for the relationships and characters. The sense of war and love and how sacred life is, comes to life in these pages. Of course, there are those whom you get annoyed with and resent.
It's amazing how the day-to-day drama is realised within the pages, alongside the horror of war, Men and women made promises they fought hard to keep. Rosie's care and effort is very much apparent.
It's a page turning read with a typically British tearoom vibe. Or maybe that's just me.

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This is the Second in the series however Heartache at blackberry farm is easy to read as a standalone.
Its story has warmth and love and easily skips along at a gentle pace.
It was nice to catch up with the characters and felt like I'd never been away as the story continued on beautifully, such a clever writer.
There are moments in the book to keep the reader interested both happy and not so but this makes the book all the more interesting.
Set in the 1940's war is running riot over England, men are being sent to war, and women are working the land and munitions factories.
Great story, really enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. xx

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This is the tale of the Talbot family at Blackberry farm and first there son Tom goes missing in action then his brother John is missing presumed dead. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone as I have and Rosie writes so well that it is quite easy to pick up on the characters and scenes. I didn't feel like I had missed anything at all.

This is my favourite type of book from the first sentence I felt immersed in another world and found myself really feeling for the characters and I felt there joy and there heartache right with them. Rosie has a unique way with words that I adore. This is a particular saga which I think will stay with me for a long time and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

There was a bit in this which I was awestruck with a shock that I didn't see coming but I won't say anymore on that as it would be a spoiler.
If you enjoy sagas and historical fiction then you will thoroughly enjoy this , I certainly did.

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I would recommend reading the first installement in the Blackberry Farm series, War Clouds over Blackberry Farm, to gain an understanding of the setting and characters used, eventhough each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone...

Heartache at Blackberry Farm is a detailed medium paced story that hooks the reader from the start.

Clarke has created an interesting and insightful plot by using vivid imagery and research. The brief mention of the events and evacuation of Dunkirk, the biltz, the restrictions and shortages gives the reader a saw glimpse of the hardship of what people faced on a daily basis. Due to the fact that the story focuses mainly on Blackberry Farm the reader can to see how the main characters were still able fresh produce, but still had to abide by the law...in regards to the rations of meat, fat and sugar. With luxurious items becoming harder to get people had to find alternative options, like the black market, but this came with harsh concequenses when they were caught.... The writing style of Heartache at Blackberry Farm is ok. There is a good mixture of description and dialogue, yet I found some parts to be a little repetitive, and tended to drift away from the point been made...

The character development of Heartache at Blackberry Farm is good. The character are interesting and relatable, with their own personalities. It was good to be able to reconnect with previous characters, and see how their journeys had changed since the last time they were seen. The reader also introduced to some new faces... I felt that it was a little difficult to keep up with the different viewpoints. I also would have liked to see more of Tom and John's viewpoint...

Faith Goodjohn has lead a sheltered life until she decided to train as a nurse a few months ago, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. As a probationary nurse she ended up worst jobs. Faith interacts with people from different backgrounds and has grown up alot... She has been courting John Talbot for nearly a year. Since John join the RAF a few months prior she has missed him. The letters he sends help her to feel better. Life as a nurse is hard, yet Faith enjoys the work she does...

Lizzie Gilbert is married to Tom, but hasn't heard from him for many months, since Dunkirk. Lizzie is the owner of a hairdressing salon neighbouring town few miles from Blackberry Farm. I empathised with her alot when she found out that Tom was MIA and hoped with all my heart that he returned to her...

I would recommend reading Heartache at Blackberry Farm to people who enjoy reading historical fiction, women's fiction and sagas based around WW2, as it is emotive character driven story of family, friendship, grief and survival...Be prepared for tears and heartache as things take a shocking turn...

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This is the second book in the BlackBerry Farm series and it was an absolutely wonderful read. I read the first book right before I started this one as I always like to read book series in order, however this second book reads perfectly well as a stand alone. The author gives us lots of information in this second book so it’s very easy to follow and understand all the characters. Rosie Clarke is to me such a wonderful writer and as I was reading this book I actually felt I was right there in the midst of everything and everyone. You know how when you start a book and after the first page you feel ‘settled’ into the story , well that is exactly how I felt about this wonderful read. A book I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction sagas 5⭐️

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I always love this genre of book and this is a perfect example of why, when it's written so well. Wonderfully real and warm characters, their interactions and relationships are so vivid and natural, they could be real people. I just got drawn in from the start, it's like travelling back in time. An absolute joy to read and I will definitely be reading the first book very soon!

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I loved this 2nd book in this series, it was great to be back in the farm with all the same characters. You can just settle in quite nicely when you know whose is in this book. I look forward to reading more in this series in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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This is actually the second book in a series, but I came into this without having read the first and found I was able to follow everything well enough, so its definitely fine to be read standalone.

The writing style is very easy and nice to get into quickly. It made the book an enjoyable one for me and I think the time period has been very well described so the reader feels like they are right there in that time with these characters.

This is the first novel I've read by this author but I liked it and will consider reading more.

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Heartache at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is another episode in the lives of the folks at Blackberry Farm. Lizzie and Tom are married. Lizzie has opened her own hair salon and the house Arthur is having built for them is nearly finished. Tom is off fighting, no one knows where. They rarely hear from him until the missing-in-action-presumed-dead telegram arrives. Ralph, the man who had raped Lizzie, has escaped from London after murdering some gangland toughs. He has enlisted and is now working as a bartender in the officer’s club on base. Of course, he is up to no good. His niece, Faith, is training as a nurse and has fallen completely in love with John, Tom’s younger brother. They plan to wait to consummate their love until their wedding night, but as often happens, they jumped the gun, causing a certain amount of strife. Pam, the boys’ mother, remains at home with her daughters, stalwart, always available. Would this war ever end?

Clarke writes these multi-book sagas about the war, but focusing on the home front. They are totally character driven and provide a personalized glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people, like you and me. Pam is everyone’s mother. She is a farm wife and a good one. She loves her family fiercely as well as the extra people who become part of the family as life progresses. Her husband, Arthur, is quiet, but always supportive. Lizzie loves Tom fiercely and never gives up hope that he will will return, alive and well. Faith is young, and she is struggling to find her place in the world. She loves John but she waffles in how to handle their relationship. This is before women worked after they were married, mostly, and she really wants to be a nurse. If you love being submerged in people’s lives, this is the book (series) (author) for you. I love it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Heartache at Blackberry Farm by Boldwood, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Boldwood #RosieClarke #HeartacheAtBlackberryFarm

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I enjoyed revisiting the farm and all the characters, another great book. Lots going on as the war still rages, this is a great story of love, heartache, happiness and joy, sadness and grief . Brilliantly written as always by this Author. Looking forward to more in this series.

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I have read lots of Rosie Clarke's novels and they never fail to amaze me - Heartache at Blackberry Farm was no exception! This is the second book in the Blackberry Farm series; Tom and John are away fighting for their country, Faith (married to Tom) is living with Arthur and Pam and their daughter, Susan, as well as a couple of Land Girls. Artie, their other son, is helping them on the farm. Rosie always delivers a fabulous story which also tells us a little history. Brilliant read.

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I hadn't read any of Rosie Clarke's books when I was offered a Boldwood tour spot, however I am so glad I decided to read this. (It is a continuation of a series but I managed to pick up the narrative without reading the previous novel).

It was so beautifully written, I am not a regular historical fiction reader but I was obsessed with this. The book was so immersive, it felt like you were in the era as you read it. The characters are so well rounded, this makes it so easy to feel the emotions they feel throughout the book. I love this so much I wanted the next installment the minute I finished, I need to know what happened after the end of this.
#HeartacheatBlackberryFarm #NetGalley

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★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

It's been so long since I read the first book in this series I had to go back to my review of it to refresh my memory. But then Rosie Clarke is such a prolific writer with her Harpers and Mulberry Lane series not to mention her standalones and now the Blackberry Farm series! It didn't take me long to catch up with everyone there and it was like coming home. Except I didn't have to get the dirt from the farm under my fingernails and over my clothes to do so.

It's 1940 and war has been raging for a year as we rejoin Pam and Arthur Talbolt at Blackberry Farm with both their grown and younger children. Tom and Lizzie have married, their youngest John is courting young nurse Faith whilst he is training in the RAF while son Artie remains on the farm helping his father with the aid of a couple of Land Girls. Their sisters Susan and Angela are preparing for uni and studying at school respectively. Also in their clan is Land Girl Jeanie Salmons, whom Lizzie met in London in the first book and Jeanie's baby niece Tina whose mother died in a gas explosion at their flat whilst her father Terry was recuperating in hospital from war wounds.

But Pam loves nothing more than a full house and cooking for everyone, ensuring their well fed and looked after. And she loves having little Tina in the house. Arthur has been building a house on the edge of the farm for Tom and Lizzie to live in and it is nearly complete. Lizzie has been buying what furnishings she can whilst Tom has been away fighting and can't wait until she and Tom can have their own home. But then Tom goes missing while on a mission but both Lizzie and Pam believe he is still alive.

Young nurse Faith has been stepping out with John Talbolt and while the two of them agreed to wait until the war was over to marry, they soon discover that anything can happen in conflict and that time is precious. John feels Faith has put nursing ahead of him when she moves away to a military hospital making their time spent together few and far between. But when John is declared missing over Germany, Faith finds herself in trouble and turns to Lizzie for support.

Meanwhile, Tom and Lizzie's nemesis Ralph Harris returns with revenge in mind but how does he plan on playing that out? As an added complexity to the story, Ralph is also Faith's uncle and does not mince words when letting Faith know his feelings towards her intended, nor Lizzie and Tom. But she has no idea why he dislikes the Talbolts so much as they have always been good to her, particularly when she finds herself in trouble and turns to them for support.

There is so much more to this story than I have touched on that will envelop you. War touches the lives of everyone changing some people's outlook and even the moral code of the day. People grab happiness where they can for they only have now, in that moment, as tomorrow isn't guaranteed. People live, fall in love, give birth and die. Tragedy comes in all forms.

I loved revisiting these heartwarming characters once again and I hope we don't have to wait as long to see them again. I can almost smell the home cooking in Pam's cooking and taste her succulent meals made with meagre rations and what they grew on the farm. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them once again and found myself completely invested within all their lives.

Blackberry Farm and the Talbolts welcomes us all with open arms, including the reader and I loved my time there with them. I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book and this series so far but if you enjoy Rosie's other series and pretty much this type of wartime fiction, then you will love HEARTACHE AT BLACKBERRY FARM as well as the series.

A thoroughly enjoyable and easy read I highly recommend.

I would like to thank #RosieClarke, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #HeartacheAtBlackberryFarm in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

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