AFTER WAR OVER
The International bestselling author of Somewhere in France returns with her sweeping second novel—a tale of class, love, and freedom—in which a young woman must find her place in a world forever changed.
After four years as a military nurse, Charlotte Brown is ready to leave behind the devastation of the Great War. The daughter of a vicar, she has always been determined to dedicate her life to helping others. Moving to busy Liverpool, she throws herself into her work with those most in need, only tearing herself away for the lively dinners she enjoys with the women at her boarding house.
Just as Charlotte begins to settle into her new circumstances, two messages arrive that will change her life. One, from a radical young newspaper editor, offers her a chance to speak out for those who cannot. The other pulls her back to her past, and to a man she has tried, and failed, to forget.
Edward Neville-Ashford, her former employer and the brother of Charlotte’s dearest friend, is now the new Earl of Cumberland—and a shadow of the man he once was. Yet under his battle wounds and haunted eyes Charlotte sees glimpses of the charming boy who long ago claimed her foolish heart. She wants to help him, but dare she risk her future for a man who can never be hers?
As Britain seethes with unrest and post-war euphoria flattens into bitter disappointment, Charlotte must confront long-held insecurities to find her true voice . . . and the courage to decide if the life she has created is the one she truly wants.
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Community Reviews
I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book in the first place as post-WWI isn’t really my preferred time period to read in, but the historical time was rather intriguing. However, the story itself truly was not my cup of tea. A lot of this had to do with the style in which it was written and about what it was written.
Nothing There
It likely appeals to many other readers, but I just constantly felt myself wanting more from the story. A lot of it felt really dull, very average. A good 95% of the story felt like it was lacking tension and seemed to focus a little too much on the day-to-day dealings of the main character. Honestly, it made it feel as though there really wasn’t a plot or any stakes. That isn’t really my thing, unfortunately.
Pacing
This is so not a fast read. The pacing in the story was relatively consistent, which may have something to do with why it wasn’t my cup of tea, but to add to that, many of the chapters seemed to offer little – if anything – to the story. As such, it felt like there was lot of filler content. It just dragged on the pace, slowing it down all the more.
That Ending
To be honest, I’m not really sure I liked the ending. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ecstatic that Charlotte ended up with Edward, but… it felt so anti-climactic. There didn’t feel like there was ever any potential of her NOT ending up with Edward and then it was just: BAM! Wedding. HEA. Done.
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