1911, Amherst Island, Canada: When a chance encounter takes Ellen Copley away from the beautiful island, she has called home since she was orphaned as a child-she believes it is the new start she has been waiting for.
She settles into an exciting, creative new life in Glasgow, feeling like she's finally finding her independence. And even though she left a part of her heart back on the island, she's flattered by the attentions of her handsome, charming benefactor, Henry McAvoy.
But tragedy strikes their fledgling relationship, and soon after war looms over Europe. Emboldened by all she has loved and lost, Ellen leaves Scotland to become a nurse on the front line. And, as she finds herself having to choose between love and duty, desire and bravery, her courage is tested as never before.
The war rages on-and familiar faces appear on the front line, including her childhood sweetheart Jed Lyman and his brother Lucas. Coming face-to-face with her past, Ellen will learn what she is made of. But can she finally decide where her heart truly belongs?
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'What do you think of this one, Ellen?' CHAPTER 1, AMHERST ISLAND, ONTARIO, 1911
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(@bookouture, 16 December 2020, 298 pages, ebook, #ARC from the publisher via # NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed, #BlogTour 16 December)
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I had high hopes for this book after loving The Orphan's Island so much. Thankfully, this was everything I expected and just as good as the first book. I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy. I've fallen hard for Ellen and her world. This picks up soon after the end of the first book with Ellen leaving her beloved island to study at Glasgow School of Art. A good chunk of the book is set around Glasgow and many of the streets and areas featured have the same name and are still there so everything was familiar (I live in Glasgow). Ellen comes across like a real person, unsure of her place at the art school among people who have had actually training. She feels like a fraud but gradually settles in. The second half of the book is much darker and focuses on WW1 and the changes, both good and bad this brings for everyone. I loved every word of this.
