AN ISLAND FAR FROM HOME is the fifth novel in the Amhurst Island series by KATE HEWITT, but it can easily stand alone. It is a beautifully written and poignant love story that takes place in England during WW11.
Rosie Lyman, shy and afraid of doing new things, is talked into joining the CWACs by her adventurous and outgoing cousin and best friend, Violet Lyman. As her cousin says of her, “You’ve always been scared to do anything new or strange”, and, “You don’t want to try unless you’re sure to succeed.” However, from meeting the dashing Lieutenant Thomas Crewe, to being chosen to learn morse code and listen to signals on short wave, she grows in confidence and is no longer the rather prudish young lady who “didn’t know how to flirt!”
The author certainly depicts the characters’ emotions and the conditions in Britan during the war, and how broken some people become under the stress.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read. I highly recommend An Island Far from Home to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Unlike her cousin Violet, Rosie has always been wary of doing something different or new.

So when Violet signs up to join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, she talks Rosie into doing the same.

So Rosie tries to mix with other people more, get to know the other ladies in the group. They go dancing together, where she meets Thomas Crewe.

Soon she gets a posting seeing her commitment to the job and Rosie finds she’s enjoying the work.

The war increases and she’s now thinking of Thomas, and wishing that he’s safe, as well ad wondering if and when she will see him again.

I highly recommend this book.

Rosie's Wartime Story

Rosie was upset with her father because he had shot down her ideas of joining his law firm after she finished school. She has always wanted to do something to help the war effort ever since war was declared and Canada had started sending soldiers to help. When her cousin Violet and their friend Beth decided to join the Canadian Woman's Army Corps or the CWAC Rosie said she wasn't interested, but they talked her into it and she found herself joining up.

Rosie ended up doing many different jobs and being sent to different places. It was in London that she attended a dance...reluctantly...with her cousin Violet and some of the other's from the barracks where she was stationed. There she met Thomas an American airman with the 101st air corps. They dated when they both had leave and fell in love. They spend as much time together as they can.

Than the invasion happens and all the men are sent to France. Tragedy strikes both other there and in England where Rosie is stationed. She soon learns heartbreak and how to live after making a way for herself forward after the war.

It is a heartbreaking story of a wartime romance and the tragedy that ends it. This book was so good it made me cry so if you are reading it have some tissue's ready. I would definitely recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading yet another book in the Amherst Island series. I wondered at the ending what would happen to Rosie after the war and if she would ever make it back home to Canada. Perhaps there will be another book there is certainly enough to write about.

Thanks to Kate Hewitt for writing yet another great book, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

This story started out slowly, but the emotion was building up quickly. A story of love, laughter, joy, and great pain….this seemed to describe wartime for women in a very realistic way. Enjoyed it, but how do you say that for a story full of so much pain? Definitely one to read!

3.5 stars

In this installment of the Amherst Island series, Rosie and her cousin Violet are all grown up and both have volunteered to leave Canada and join the CWAC's, (Canadian Women's Air Corps) supporting the war effort overseas. Rosie is still a shy young woman, while Violet is outgoing and personable. The differences in their personalities is evident in their relationships with other CWAC's and the men they eventually meet during their service.

This is an emotional book, joining Rosie on her journey through various CWAC assignments, meeting Thomas, and the rest of their few and far apart days together. Life is difficult for those serving during the war, and of course for the citizens impacted. I suspect that the ending leaves the door open for a sequel, following Rosie on her journey to the Lake District.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed An Island Far From Home. I was drawn into Rosie's story as she struggled to fit in after being talked into joining the CWACs. She had a brilliant mind, but had difficulty around others, always being overshadowed by her cousin, Violet. That didn't stop Violet from talking her into signing up.

With Violet comes lots of drama. She is definitely an outgoing, party girl allowing the reader to see WW2 through many different people's eyes. Violet did everything in her power to get a reluctant Rosie to join in and to succeed as a CWAC. The story increased my curiosity about the training, the region and attitudes at the times.

I found myself searching so many things to discover more about things said in the story. This is the reason I read so many historical fiction stories. The more intriguing the story, the happier I am. The story took me through so many situations, transporting me to so many different locations that I saddened when I came to the end.

The romance between Rosie and Thomas added enjoyment to the story. Rosie was finally coming out of her shell. They were grabbing what they could whenever they could. They give the reader a glimpse into how difficult it was to find love during the war. When Rosie was recruited for secret project, the drama and suspense became intense. The author's ability to bring them and their courtship to life added so much.

My heart ached for Rosie at the end of the story. Her story became one that was prevalent during the war. It is a story that my aunt, a WAAC, went through herself. To see it through someone else's story gave me so much more understanding. The war changed so many lives. Stories like this remind us of the atrocities, the tragedy and lives that were changed forever. My respect for those involved grows with every WW2 historical fiction book I read. I hope others will pick up the book, An Island Far From Home, and gain a glimpse into the past.

This series just keeps giving.
Rosie is one who holds back from stepping into the unknown. Her cousin and best friend Violet helps to take her out her comfort zone by encouraging her to join the Canadian womens army corps. This encourages Rosie to try to socialise more by getting to know the women in her group. Then they go dancing where she meets a handsome lieutenant, Thomas Crewe
Rosie earns herself a special posting for her dedication to the job.

As the war intensifies Rosie worries about Thomas’s safety and when she will see him again, if ever!

Recommended read.

An easy 5 stars and another great book from Katie. In fact it was also sad to finish this book as it is the last one in the series. You need to read the other girls first in order to understand the family saga. The daughter of Ellen, Rosie, has grown and as WW2 breaks out she joins the Canadian Womens Army Corp and wants to make a difference just like her Mum. Follow Rosie and the other CEAC across Canada and then across the waters to England. Thanks to Katie and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Rosie and Violet...historical fiction at its best. Curl up in a comfy chair, grab a warm throw, a cup of steaming herbal tea, and be transported, for an afternoon, back in time. Rose and Violet are charming characters. I liked this book. I like this author, and I enjoy reading books written by this talented and gifted author. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the wonderful author and the publisher. I really liked this book. Don't miss it. Enjoy it...

I was just starting the Amhurst Island series in order so was delighted when this title came out and I was able to read it.

The series as a whole has been excellent and at times I have struggled to put some of the books in the series down. They have been well written and covered many different world history events such as the sinking of the Titanic, WW1 and the Wall Street Crash.

I sadly didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the others. Once Rosie started sleeping with Thomas I could see where the book was going! I've read so many books with this storyline that they get a bit repetitive. I think the author could have taken Rosie's story on a different line with regards to her work and it would have been more enjoyable and kept the reader more engaged.

I assume with Rosie agreeing to go to Windemere that there will be another book in the series which I will read as I have enjoyed all the books previous to this one.

This has an interesting cast of characters that carry the story along a nice pace and create depth to the story. Great plot and I found myself filling an afternoon reading this short book in one sitting as I found it so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest , unbiased review. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had not realised that this novel was so short (260 pages)! I was however really immersed into it, and was rather surprised to reach the conclusion. A WWII story with a lot of romance, but nicely written, and pretty realistic as well. I found interesting to read about the Canadian women also doing their bits to end the war, by enlisting and as it is the case here and being sent overseas. I enjoyed reading about London being described by a non-English person. It gave an objective touch to the story as well. The characters were relatable and I did get attached to some of them. A good story.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.