Enjoyable and thoughtful

I have enjoyed all the books in this series. Perhaps you could start with this one, but to get the back stories of the characters, probably best to start with the first in the series. Set during the early days of WW2, this story addresses wartime issues as well as general society issues, wrapped in an interesting plot with engaging characters. Nice book to read by the pool or on the porch.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

This is the third instalment in the wonderful Harbour House series. It was so nice to be back with the characters from the previous books and also to be introduced to some new ones. I loved reading about the Roby family and how they are developing through the series. The war is still raging on and everyone is trying their best to help each other through these dark and dangerous times. Reading about the growing friendship between the Roby’s housekeeper Annie Thomas and Richard Stoneleigh was very interesting and it showed how social class can be a factor in friendships. The author Fenella J Millar has a wonderful way of bringing a story to life and at times I felt I was also living at Harbour House with the family . Every time I finished a chapter I just wanted to immediately go straight to the next chapter I was so invested in the story . Yes times are tough but everyone pulls together to try and make the best from these troubled times. I was delighted to see that the fourth book in the series will be out in October and I can’t wait to read it.

The third installment of Fenella J. Miller's Harbour House series centres around Richard and Annie.

Annie has settled in with Nancy and is enjoying life, assisting with sewing projects and sharing household chores. Meanwhile, Richard is residing at Harbour House, where he works as Mr. Roby’s assistant for the Admiralty. He is called upon to utilise his navigational expertise during the evacuation of troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. Initially, Annie finds Richard unappealing, perceiving him as too upper class. However, as she gets to know him better, she begins to see beyond that initial impression and develops feelings for him. The more time they spend together, the stronger her attraction grows. Will they be able to overcome their differences?

Well, Fenella has done it once more! I was completely enthralled throughout. As always, her characters are incredibly relatable, and her storytelling is exceptional. I’m truly enjoying the journey of growing up with Emily during WWII, experiencing the challenges faced by an eleven-year-old at that time, with responsibilities that she probably wouldn't have today. I love the various pets in each of the family homes especially Ginger and his escapades, they make me laugh out loud!! I recommend you get your copy ASAP!

All Change at Harbour House by Fenella J Miller is another engrossing chapter in the saga of Harbour House. Nancy has married Dan and she is running her aunt’s shop. Emily missed her and went to visit often as she did the farm. She was busy at home, too, though with her brothers and her baby sister. Her mother was gone often working on things for the war so Emily took over. They had a new maid, Annie Thomas, who was not Nancy but did quite well. There was a growing attraction between her and Mr. Stoneleigh who worked with Mr. Roby building ships. They spoke to Mrs. Roby and she was fine with it as long as there were no shenanigans under her roof. As always the boys were up to mischief so there was plenty to do. Annie and Richard (Mr. Stoneleigh) were of different classes and Annie was afraid that spelled doom for their romance. Her check from the council finally came and as she didn’t love bing a maid she spoke to Nancy about moving there and helping in the shop and with the sewing, so that is what they did. As with all romances, there were ups and downs. But everyone agreed they loved Nancy’s dog.

Richard got called upon to assist with the evacuation from Dunkirk so that provided everyone with a few days of worry until he showed back up again. He was now thinking of joining the navy and helping more with the war. His relationship with Annie had progressed and they were talking of marriage, until he went to see his parents. They didn’t discourage him as much as make him angry with them. Nancy was pregnant and she had morning sickness. Emily discovered that being in charge for a full day was not much fun and life continued all around Harbour House. Great characters; ones the reader grows to know and care about. The plot is thing, it is more of a slice-of-life story, but not lacking for intensity and ups and downs. I love this story, showing me how others lived during the time of WWII.

I was invited to read All Change at Harbour House by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #FenellaJMiller #AllChangeAtHarbourHouse

I did not realise that this was the third in a series, but it worked for me as a standalone. There is clearly another book on the way, seeing as how things are at the end of this book.
It is an interesting saga of a family in Essex at the start of World War Two. The interactions between the family members themselves, and their staff, both past and present, and also the lodger are what this book is all about. Interesting times. It’s well written and engaging.

Wartime story revolving around Harbour House initially but there's a great sense of community and the family at Harbour House have great relationships with many of their neighbours.

Emily seems to be an old soul. I like her strong-willed nature and how she takes charge to take care of people around her- mainly the younger children. You can see her growing up to be a teacher or nanny. The other children seem to respond to her well and she's trusted by the adults. Im not sure if she's old before her time as she does seem to take on the parenting role however, she doesn't seem to regret the role she takes on for those around her. Perhaps it's her calling.

Annie is another interesting character and seems very reserved after having a difficult marriage only for her to then lose her husband. She could have given up completely but she doesn't and it's to her benefit.

There's an element of suspense in this as you don't know if and when the characters are going to be negatively impacted by the ongoing war especially when Richard goes to sea. It feels tense but also hopeful and the dynamics between the characters shows support, faith and companionship that doesn't seem to be as evident in today's society.

I felt this book began quite slowly but around 25% the story started to take shape. Having read a few of the earlier books in this series I already knew most of the characters. The author introduces a few new people into the storyline. I enjoyed this book but, personally, I don't feel this is the best in the Harbour House series.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the third installment in the Harbour House series. It takes place at the Harbour House with the Roby family. The drama focuses on housemaid Annie Thomas and Richard Stoneleigh, who live at the Robys' and who rent a room from them, as well as the Roby family, especially their daughter Emily.

This was another enjoyable installment in the series, and I'm assuming there will be another. It mostly focuses on Annie and Richard as they get to know each other. They deal with the difficulties of romance between different classes, as they navigate their attraction to each other, as well as how to best support the war efforts. It also focuses on the Roby family, especially Emily, as she navigates her adolescence, family life, as well as growing up during WWII.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, @rachelsrandomresources, and the author for this arc.

This book continues the story of the Roby family and their lives during the Second World War. Some of the story is told through the point of view of the eldest daughter, Emily, who is 12 years old. She seems to be growing up quickly and taking on more responsibilities. There is also the love lives of the lodger and their servants. This book really illustrates how precarious life was at this time. There is the uncertainty of whether they would see loved ones again and sights no one would wish to see. This is a lovely family story of how people managed their lives at a very difficult time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful story of the the lives in and around Harbour House. It was such a powerful read and I found it difficult to put down such was my need to find out what happened to everyone. It was gripping and so beautifully written. The characters were great and the families and friends were all so helpful, friendly and supportive. Excellent read.

It was good to catch up with all the characters from Harbour House again. There’s lots going on in this book for Emily and her family. First her Grandmother Mrs Roby moves in with them and Annie moves to Colchester to live with Nancy. Emily enjoys her new more grown up tasks but when a plane crashes nearby she realises maybe she shouldn’t be in such a hurry to grow up. This is a great series and another great read from Fenella.

Fiesta time reading a Fenella J Miller book. What a treat. I'm just sorry it ended but will be looking for the next instalment. A fabulous read.

It's 1940 in Wivenhoe, near Colchester in Essex and Emily Roby was going to meet up with her old housemaid Nancy after school, with her foster brother Sammy. They were going for tea at Nancy's new house in Colchester. Things were not quite the same now Nancy had left Harbour House, her replacement was Annie Thomas, who was older than Nancy and a widow. Emily couldn't wait to leave the school at the end of the day, but today as almost everyday she had tasks to complete and being a board monitor this week it meant cleaning thoroughly the large chalky blackboards. One reason she loved visiting Nancy was to see her dog, Nancy had rescued it a short while ago, and he was called Boyd, he was a large dog and really quite hairy, but extremely lovable. But while these everyday tasks were happening, overseas on the coast of France, many soldiers were being rescued by brave men in small boats and fishing craft and many local people had relatives who were being rescued or doing the rescuing. One of these was Richard Stoneleigh who had a room in Harbour House, he worked for the admiralty. After spending a treacherous few days going back and forth to rescue stranded men, he had returned home to convalesce with his mum for a short time then returned to Wivenhoe, where he was given a hero's celebratory tea.
He enjoyed the tea, but enjoyed seeing Annie more, but she realises that nothing can happen between them, she is of working class, been married before and is shortly off to join the women's forces. Will they be able to overcome these things?

Set on the East coast of Essex near Wivenhoe and Colchester, an area I know relatively well from living in a nearby town a while ago.

Family, romance and friendship all have very prominent features in this book which certainly kept my attention throughout and I really enjoyed reading it. A great WW2 family saga story from an immensely popular author, I can't wait to read more from this author. A very good five-star read from me.

#Boldwoodbooks
#netgalley
#FennellaJMiller
#allchangeatharbourhouse

Fenella Miller writes several historical series, cozy novels with lively characters in a ‘slice of life’ format. This is the third in her Harbour House saga. Judging by the abrupt ending and all the story pieces left in the air, it won’t be the last.

The story is still very much about the Roby family, who, in the first book, faced a difficult adaptation in their move from London to the little town of Wivenhoe. The reason was Jonathan Roby’s appointment by the Admiralty to run its Colne River shipyard, and also his desire to remove his young family from imminent Nazi bombardment. Despite his wife Elizabeth’s initial dismay, she seems to be settling into the life of a small industrial town, and is much occupied with home front efforts. The new baby Grace is much loved, and her big sister Emily is now 12 and caught up in the excitement and dread of female adolescence. Nine year old George is a typical impulsive boy, and he gets into several scrapes with his foster brother Sammy, a London evacuee who has become a real family member. Jonathan remains a warmhearted, involved father despite his own busy-ness, especially as the war heats up after the Dunkirk disaster.

The title suggests what will happen: things are changing rapidly at Harbour House, fuelled in large part by the war and its way of disrupting and also accelerating relationships. Although the Robys are very much in the story, especially Emily, the true focus is on the past life and future prospects of Annie Thomas. Her young husband’s recent death let her out of an unhappy marriage and its living arrangements with a spiteful mother-in-law. A former seamstress, she took the job of cleaning house for the Robys mostly because of the attic bedroom they offered. She wants to be on her own; once the compensation money for her late husband’s accident arrives, she will enlist in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Indomitable and outspoken, nothing will get in her way.

Except that the Robys have been obliged to let a room to Richard Stoneleigh, one of the new shipyard employees—a ‘toff,’ in Annie’s eyes, a well-educated, high born, somewhat patronizing young man. Despite the vast gap between them in terms of class and current station, at a time when even a world war hadn’t done much to equalize people, a spark ignites. Of course things have to change at Harbour House, and much of the change happens through this young couple.

Thoroughly researched and well written as always, readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the ordinary lives of people in extraordinary times.

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

This book follows on about the Roby family who are living at Harbour House, and war is still ongoing.

Richard, is lodging with them and he works for Mr Roby. Annie, was widowed when she lost her husband fairly young, she now works for the family. Although the family like Richard, she doesn’t as she thinks that he acts as though he’s better than her.

When it’s announced that an evacuation is happening to bring the boys home at Dunkirk, as Richard can operate a boat since he was young, he’s asked to help,

Having helped bring the boys home, when he returns, he’s treated as a hero, but he doesn’t like that as he thinks that he just did his job.

Then Annie becomes friends with him and the friendship grows. Annie is aware that she’s not had the same upbringing as him and that she won’t be accepted by his family’, even though Richard informs her that it’s not going to be an issue.

Will Annie and Richard’s relationship work out or will what Annie thinks become true?

I highly recommend this book.

As the war continues new love blossoms and the author weaves a variety of emotions from the reader interspersed with facts from the era. I was over joyed that we get most of the story from young Emily's perspective as I like and admire Emily who is still a young child who is sadly grown up before her time. I loved the dogs who had me smiling from ear to ear. There are also a few sad and unfortunate events that bring the story alive with the sincerity. I found it hard to stop reading as I was thrilling in every single word and I can't wait for the next book!

Another great story about the Roby family at Harbour House.There is a new lodger Richard who works for Mr Robly.Annie who is a young widow and works for the family doesn’t seem to like him as she thinks he is rather a snob and he seems to think he is better than her.When the evacuation of Dunkirk happens Richard is called to help as he can man a boat as he used to when he was a boy. Richard comes home a hero when all is done but he doesn’t think so himself.Annie then starts to become friends with him and they start a friendship but Annie knows his family will not accept her as she his not his class. Will things work out for them? Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

WOW. This is one of those rare books that I had to read in one sitting! I couldn't put it down until I knew how it ended.

All Change at Harbour House is part of a series. The author provides sufficient background information about events that occurred in previous books, so you won't feel like you've missed anything. It isn't repetitive, but it allows for a better understanding of the characters in this part of their lives, as told in this book.

There is heartbreak to come, a budding romance, maybe a baby or two, and beautiful relationships forming during a time when life was very difficult.

I like that Emily, the young daughter of the main family, has a large part to play in this story. Through her, we learn how the war affected young children who needed to grow up before their time.

I also particularly liked the part Richard Stoneleigh plays in the evacuation of the soldiers stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk. I didn't even realise how long that evacuation took until I read this book.

I loved everything about this book. It ticks all the boxes for me. Lighthearted at times, but heartbreaking at others. It was perfectly balanced, and by the time I finished the book, I was left smiling!

I wish this whole series could be made into a film or TV series - it would be fabulous to watch!

Another great addition to the Harbour House series.

This one revolved around Annie - a widow from a loveless marriage and Richard Stoneleigh an Admiralty lodger at Harbour house. Romance was inevitable if not somewhat predictable.

Sammy became a legal part of the family after a skirmish with his wayward brother and Emily and George are growing up - along with baby Grace. Their parents had a much smaller role within this book but we did meet Mrs Roby senior - though I felt her departure rather rushed.

Emily is growing up and at 12 wants to be treated as an adult but is still really a child. An annoying one sometimes - I wanted to tell her what a lucky girl she was and to appreciate life better.

Once again Fenella Miller has researched her book well - the Dunkirk scenes especially. The book is also well written.
Having said that I felt the end was really abrupt - I turned the page expecting a little more and it had finished. But finished on a setup that promises further instalments. Can’t wait!

All change at harbour house, the 2nd book in the series. Another great read with the usual style that Fenella knows so well. ⭐️