Until We Can Forgive

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Pub Date 28 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 27 Oct 2020

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Description

They survived the Great War, but will life ever be the same?

Spring 1919: WW1 is over and a fragile peace has descended over the country. Now living in Cambridge with husband Edmond, Amy Derwent is settling into her new life as wife and mother to little Beth. But the shadow of the Great War looms large, particularly as the injuries Edmond sustained at Ypres still take their toll on him today.

Edmond’s cousin, Vicky, has now grown into a fine young woman, eager to help her country. Throwing off her privileged background to train as a nurse, she spends her days tending to the many soldiers still suffering the after-effects of their time on the battlefield.

Meeting Maxim Duclos, a young Frenchman who has arrived in Larchbury, fills her heart with joy - but when it is discovered that Maxim may be hiding the truth about his past, Vicky is faced with an impossible choice. Follow her heart’s desire and risk her family’s disapproval or keep her family – but deny herself the chance of true love?

The war may be over, but Edmond, Amy and Vicky must all face a new battle, finding their own peace in a country wounded by loss.

They survived the Great War, but will life ever be the same?

Spring 1919: WW1 is over and a fragile peace has descended over the country. Now living in Cambridge with husband Edmond, Amy Derwent is...


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ISBN 9781912973347
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Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

Until We Can Forgive is the third book in a historical fiction series set around the First World War.  The book follows the years after the Great War, and it shows the characters wanting to move on after the everlasting impact the war had on their lives. There is that question of being able to forgive, a theme that runs strongly throughout the novel, and with the memories of the previous four years still raw in their minds, for most, it appears this is impossible.  
    
The war brought about change, and this was evident in the story as it showed the characters trying to adjust. I experienced a wave of emotions when reading the book, and all I wanted was for everything to work out for the characters who deserved it. As is life, not everyone can forgive.
    
Although I have not read the previous two novels, I still felt I could connect with the characters and knew them well from the beginning. I was introduced to quite a few characters in the earlier chapters and sensed there was more to them, that if I had read the previous two books, I would have known. However, I remained engaged with the story; I had my suspicions about one character, another I did not like, and others that I cared about what happened to them. I felt a deep connection between the characters that had fought together or worked together during the war. 
    
There were discussions about a few incidents that had taken place in the previous books, that had me curious; this did not distract from the storyline, the book stood well on its own. I remained involved and wanting to know more about the earlier years that I now intend to read the previous two novels.
    
The book is well-researched, the author knows her history, and I felt a real sense of the era.
    
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys World War One fiction, and I look forward to reading the earlier two novels, and more from this author.

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I am excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Rosemary Goodacre's final installment in the Derwent Chronicles Trilogy UNTIL WE CAN FORGIVE.

After reading the first two books in quick succession I was excited to discover the final part of the trilogy UNTIL WE CAN FORGIVE so soon after and couldn't wait to find out how things played out for the young Derwent couple. Rosemary loved my reviews for the first two but sadly she passed away just two weeks ago and did not live to see her last book published. I was deeply saddened to hear of Rosemary's passing as her books are just so easy to read and immerse yourself into the era. She will be missed by many in the literary community as well as her fans.

1919: Picking up from where the previous book "Until the War is Over" left off, the story begins with Amy and Edmond finally able to settle into their new home in Cambridge with baby Beth whilst Edmond studies at the university nearby. After being wounded during the war, Edmond has taken a long time recovering and even then he still tires easily, what with having part of his lung removed as a result of his injuries. As Amy was a VAD nurse during the war, her abilities have always been needed at one time or another caring, more recently nursing Edmond's mother during the Spanish flu. But now that her mother-in-law has recovered, Amy is finally able to join Edmond in Cambridge having been separated for many months after first her surgery to repair her broken ankle and then caring for Ma.

Amy's friend Florence has now married her cousin James and Lavinia and Charles are also about to enjoy a lavish wedding at her home in Alderbank. Edmond's sister Beatrice is still seeing her American beau, Caleb, much to her mother's chagrin as he is but a Warrant Officer and not someone of a higher rank and class which is far more desired for a lady such as Beatrice was raised to be. Edmond's cousin Vicky,who had been a frequent visitor to The Beeches over the years, as the daughter of Ma's brother, is now a young woman and pursuing a career as a nurse...training in nearby Wealden.

Although the war has been over for a year, James was still with the army as a medical orderly and awaiting his discharge papers, whilst Caleb was sent to the Rhineland to oversee the occupation and the peace treaty with Germany. Despite the end of hostilities, tensions are still rife regarding Germans and the horrors they inflicted on Britain and her Allies. Whilst some thought it was time to put the tensions behind them, to forgive and move on, many refused to entertain such notions.

When young Maxim Dulcos arrives with Edmond's older brother Peter from Europe as his guest, Vicky notices the young Frenchman immediately. The two begin a tentative courtship stealing moments between their respective jobs. As a chef, Maxim desires to live and work in England so the local vicar finds him lodgings with Miss Miller who lives next door to Amy's parents and work in the local inn as a chef.

But when there are whispers about Maxim's true identity going around in Larchbury village, questions arise as to what he may be hiding. And Vicky then finds herself faced with an impossible choice - to follow her heart or risk her family disapproval?

Following on from the previous book, UNTIL WE CAN FORGIVE takes place between 1919 and 1921 as the country moves into a new decade with new ideas and a far different world than before. Rosemary has done a wonderful job of continuing the story of Amy and Edmond and their respective families as if I had come straight from the previous book without taking a breath. Whilst the struggles and worries are real, there is a real sense of moving on without complaint.

As with both the previous two books "Until We Meet Again" and "Until the War is Over" , UNTIL WE CAN FORGIVE is a fitting ending to the trilogy bringing closure to each of the stories as well as giving hope and promise for the future. It was refreshing to see Beatrice, particularly, morph into a much more likeable character than the spoilt ornament she was at the beginning. Her character was the most surprising and refreshing to see her grow from the world for which she was brought up in to the one she now inhabits. Seeing the attitudes of people change over the course of the trilogy has been exhilarating as we see how friendships and relationships overcome their differences.

Although UNTIL WE CAN FORGIVE is the third and final installment of this wonderful trilogy, it can easily be read as a standalone as previous important incidents that had taken place in the previous two books are referred to in enough detail so as to not confuse the reader. However, I do recommend reading them all from the beginning as it is such a wonderful journey back in time and a delightful and engaging read.

My only regret is that there will be no more, since Rosemary's passing just two weeks ago. But while the world has lost an engaging storyteller, at least her stories will live on in her memory.

Perfect for fans of wartime fiction, particularly World War One.

I would like to thank #RosemaryGoodacre, #NetGalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #UntilWeCanForgive in exchange for an honest review.

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I enjoyed reading this book because I like books about the war and what happens afterwards. It was well written, the characters were interesting and there was a good storyline. I do recommend that you read this book if you like war adventures.

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