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I'll Be Seeing You
WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVED TURNED OUT TO BE A LIE?
1992 : When Juliet Porter's mother dies, she leaves her some old letters and a photograph which shatter everything Juliet thought she knew about her upbringing. Discovering her real father was an American bomber pilot who met her mother while serving in England during the Second World War, she sets out to trace him...
1944 : Daisy , Juliet's mother, is in the WAAF and plans to marry the American bomber pilot she has fallen deeply in love with once his tour is over. But one day he is shot down over France and posted missing, presumed dead.
Pregnant and grieving, she marries Vernon - a long term admirer - only to discover at the end of the war that her pilot has survived...
1992 : When Juliet Porter's mother dies, she leaves her some old letters and a photograph which shatter everything Juliet thought she knew about her upbringing. Discovering her real father was an American bomber pilot who met her mother while serving in England during the Second World War, she sets out to trace him...
1944 : Daisy , Juliet's mother, is in the WAAF and plans to marry the American bomber pilot she has fallen deeply in love with once his tour is over. But one day he is shot down over France and posted missing, presumed dead.
Pregnant and grieving, she marries Vernon - a long term admirer - only to discover at the end of the war that her pilot has survived...
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
670 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Mayhew
31 books118 followersMargaret Mayhew was born in London and her earliest childhood memories were of the London Blitz. She began writing in her mid-thirties and had her first novel published in 1976. She is married to American aviation author, Philip Kaplan, and lives in Gloucestershire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 12, 2021
When Juliet Porter's mother dies, she leaves Juliet some old letters and a photograph which shatter all her previously-held beliefs. They show that her real father was an American bomber pilot in the second world war, some forty years before, and that he had met her mother while serving in England. Armed only with his photo, Juliet sets out to trace her real father, and eventually finds the airfield where he served.
This is a descriptively written story and you can almost feel the emotion coming from the pages. All Juliet had to find her biological father was his photo, but he had been reported missing, presumed dead during WWII. Juliet starts searching for information on her dad. The author touches on some delicate issues.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RamdomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #MargaretMayhew for my ARC of #IllBeSeeingYou in exchange for an honest review.
This is a descriptively written story and you can almost feel the emotion coming from the pages. All Juliet had to find her biological father was his photo, but he had been reported missing, presumed dead during WWII. Juliet starts searching for information on her dad. The author touches on some delicate issues.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RamdomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #MargaretMayhew for my ARC of #IllBeSeeingYou in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2020
This was a fast read for me. Bit it reminded med too much of other books in this genre. I liked the hunt in the book.
September 22, 2007
This is about a woman who finds out when her mother died that her natural father was an American flyer pilot during WWII. The father was shot down over France, leaving the WAAF mother pregnant. Fearful of her future, she married the boy next door who pretended Juliet was his own child. Naturally, the father survived, and returned to find his sweetheart had "forgotten" him very quickly. Unlike most books, however, he returned nobly to America and Juliet's mother made the best of things with her husband, leaving only a note and photo to clue Juliet in, after she is gone.
July 22, 2020
Juliet finds out by a letter from her mother when she dies that she was the daughter of an American Airman and not who she thought through her life her father was. This story is her journey to find out the truth following that initial upset and denial period.
The book is separated into three parts, the initial explorations, the story of the love affair between her father and her mother, and her continuing journey to find her father.
I find Margaret Mayhew’s books so engaging and you just don’t want to put them down, I read this one in a day! She tells this story so well and you can just feel the anguish from Juliet coming off the page. She is torn and doesn’t know what she should do initially and is adamant she just wants to know about her father but doesn’t even know what the airbase was called let alone her father’s name.
This story is mixed with some sadness about events and how they turned out along with hope and frustration. At times it does play with your emotions but I loved most of the characters and how they interacted with Juliet. A great romance story that readers of this genre will love and I can’t wait to read another book by Margaret Mayhew - love her wartime stories and if you like this one I totally recommend The Boat Girls.
I gave this book 4 1/2 stars overall, and would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review.
The book is separated into three parts, the initial explorations, the story of the love affair between her father and her mother, and her continuing journey to find her father.
I find Margaret Mayhew’s books so engaging and you just don’t want to put them down, I read this one in a day! She tells this story so well and you can just feel the anguish from Juliet coming off the page. She is torn and doesn’t know what she should do initially and is adamant she just wants to know about her father but doesn’t even know what the airbase was called let alone her father’s name.
This story is mixed with some sadness about events and how they turned out along with hope and frustration. At times it does play with your emotions but I loved most of the characters and how they interacted with Juliet. A great romance story that readers of this genre will love and I can’t wait to read another book by Margaret Mayhew - love her wartime stories and if you like this one I totally recommend The Boat Girls.
I gave this book 4 1/2 stars overall, and would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review.
July 19, 2020
There was baby boom after WWII and some of those children never knew their father because he was a foreign soldier gone back home after the war.
This is a story about a daughter and her search for her father while learning more about her mother's past while dealing with her loss and the story of the mother and her love story.
It is a wonderful book.
This is a story about a daughter and her search for her father while learning more about her mother's past while dealing with her loss and the story of the mother and her love story.
It is a wonderful book.
September 10, 2011
Sweet as sugar candy -- I didn't want to put it down. This has to be the best of light but smart World War II English romance novels.
August 18, 2020
I must be on a [ dead mother > surprise father > geographic journey to discovery ] kick. And it’s kind of delightful. (This is a good one, even if improbably perfect in the end.)
July 23, 2020
I’ll Be Seeing You by Margaret Mayhew
You are an adult with an adult daughter and your mother dies and leaves you a letter that changes your life! You just find out that the man you called Father all your life and you loved him dearly was not your dad! Apparently, your mom had a fling with a soldier and she thought he died and so she married her good friend who was had always been in love with her! But, the sad thing the soldier wasn’t dead and he never was told that he had a daughter! Juliet was shocked that her mother decided that since she was already married to her friend that it would just complicate things if he knew about the baby because he was from America and they lived in Britain! How sad to find out that you have a father somewhere that doesn’t know you exist! Would you go looking for him and enter their life at this point? What if they had a family and that family didn’t want them you coming in and messing up there life by bringing up a time that maybe he would choose not to remember! War is not a memory that people like to remember especially if they were shot down and lost most of their crew like her father did! Plus supposedly Juliets mother & father were truly in love and he couldn’t have been too happy that she married months after his plane went down. Even though he wasn’t aware of why she really married so fast so he had to have been hurt by that betrayal. Would he want to be found by a daughter kept hidden from him?
This book brings up a lot of emotional questions of what complications arise from war romances or even just one night stands! The author touches on some delicate issues, but she handles them with a great finesse!
The book also touches on divorce and long distance relationships and communication and getting to know people even if you don’t approve of your families choices of living partners! You don’t know a person and their life unless you take the time to get to know them!
Life is about choices but you have to remember how are those choices going to affect not just you, but remember everyone concerned!!
I received a advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
You are an adult with an adult daughter and your mother dies and leaves you a letter that changes your life! You just find out that the man you called Father all your life and you loved him dearly was not your dad! Apparently, your mom had a fling with a soldier and she thought he died and so she married her good friend who was had always been in love with her! But, the sad thing the soldier wasn’t dead and he never was told that he had a daughter! Juliet was shocked that her mother decided that since she was already married to her friend that it would just complicate things if he knew about the baby because he was from America and they lived in Britain! How sad to find out that you have a father somewhere that doesn’t know you exist! Would you go looking for him and enter their life at this point? What if they had a family and that family didn’t want them you coming in and messing up there life by bringing up a time that maybe he would choose not to remember! War is not a memory that people like to remember especially if they were shot down and lost most of their crew like her father did! Plus supposedly Juliets mother & father were truly in love and he couldn’t have been too happy that she married months after his plane went down. Even though he wasn’t aware of why she really married so fast so he had to have been hurt by that betrayal. Would he want to be found by a daughter kept hidden from him?
This book brings up a lot of emotional questions of what complications arise from war romances or even just one night stands! The author touches on some delicate issues, but she handles them with a great finesse!
The book also touches on divorce and long distance relationships and communication and getting to know people even if you don’t approve of your families choices of living partners! You don’t know a person and their life unless you take the time to get to know them!
Life is about choices but you have to remember how are those choices going to affect not just you, but remember everyone concerned!!
I received a advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
August 17, 2020
A Romantic Treat Set in WWII England
As devastating to human life as war is, the toll exacted on personal relationships is oftentimes equally destructive and the reverberations can echo through multiple generations. In “I’ll Be
Seeing You”, Juliet Porter’s mother lost her battle with cancer and knowing her death was imminent, she left a letter revealing her WWII romance with an American bomber pilot who was Juliet’s biological father and that she’d never stopped loving him. But the letter was woefully lacking in details. The only clue was a snapshot of an American bomber crew. No names, no nothing.
Once Juliet got over her initial shock, anger quickly followed and then her resolve to find his identity. The hunt for information soon turned into a quest. Some might say an obsession. Juliet doggedly pursued every lead even though she had no plans to reveal herself to him. She HAD to find out who he was.
“I’ll Be Seeing You” is not an historic treatise by any stretch of the imagination. In my opinion, Margaret Mayhew intended it to be just what it is, a romance set in WWII England. To that end, the story more than meets its goal.
The protagonist is stereotypically British in her reticence, which is a little off-putting to the reader. However, Mayhew gives us a good understanding of her thought processes and her emotions in what would be a major upheaval in anyone’s life. So why would we expect her to react differently? I found it to be an enjoyable and very satisfying romantic read.
That said, Juliet’s present day romance with Rob seems incomplete, almost as an afterthought. I can’t quite make up my mind about the value of expanding that but it kinda’ left me wanting more. Four and a half stars.
As devastating to human life as war is, the toll exacted on personal relationships is oftentimes equally destructive and the reverberations can echo through multiple generations. In “I’ll Be
Seeing You”, Juliet Porter’s mother lost her battle with cancer and knowing her death was imminent, she left a letter revealing her WWII romance with an American bomber pilot who was Juliet’s biological father and that she’d never stopped loving him. But the letter was woefully lacking in details. The only clue was a snapshot of an American bomber crew. No names, no nothing.
Once Juliet got over her initial shock, anger quickly followed and then her resolve to find his identity. The hunt for information soon turned into a quest. Some might say an obsession. Juliet doggedly pursued every lead even though she had no plans to reveal herself to him. She HAD to find out who he was.
“I’ll Be Seeing You” is not an historic treatise by any stretch of the imagination. In my opinion, Margaret Mayhew intended it to be just what it is, a romance set in WWII England. To that end, the story more than meets its goal.
The protagonist is stereotypically British in her reticence, which is a little off-putting to the reader. However, Mayhew gives us a good understanding of her thought processes and her emotions in what would be a major upheaval in anyone’s life. So why would we expect her to react differently? I found it to be an enjoyable and very satisfying romantic read.
That said, Juliet’s present day romance with Rob seems incomplete, almost as an afterthought. I can’t quite make up my mind about the value of expanding that but it kinda’ left me wanting more. Four and a half stars.
August 3, 2021
I’ll Be Seeing You is by Margaret Mayhew. This is a World War II fiction that is set in England.
Juliet Porter and her brother Drew were having to pick out a coffin and other things for their Mother who just died of cancer. Once they get to the church and talk to the minister, things seem to fall into place. Now they have to see about the house. Neither of them has room for much of the furniture, so it needs to be sold as well. Juliet wanted the desk in her Mother’s room and went to see if there were any papers they might need inside. To her surprise, there is a letter for her inside. She gets the shock of her life when she reads it. It seems that she had been in love with an American soldier during the war and became pregnant. She found out while he was on a mission. He was shot down on that mission and no one saw any parachutes. When they found the plane, it was burned along with the crew. Not having another good choice, she married her neighbor when he offered as he offered to love her daughter as his own, which in fact he did.
Juliet is devastated; but when she thinks about it, she decides to try to find her natural father. Where should she start? What will she find?
Juliet Porter and her brother Drew were having to pick out a coffin and other things for their Mother who just died of cancer. Once they get to the church and talk to the minister, things seem to fall into place. Now they have to see about the house. Neither of them has room for much of the furniture, so it needs to be sold as well. Juliet wanted the desk in her Mother’s room and went to see if there were any papers they might need inside. To her surprise, there is a letter for her inside. She gets the shock of her life when she reads it. It seems that she had been in love with an American soldier during the war and became pregnant. She found out while he was on a mission. He was shot down on that mission and no one saw any parachutes. When they found the plane, it was burned along with the crew. Not having another good choice, she married her neighbor when he offered as he offered to love her daughter as his own, which in fact he did.
Juliet is devastated; but when she thinks about it, she decides to try to find her natural father. Where should she start? What will she find?
August 10, 2020
At first I thought this would be the same type genre: a letter is found giving many new facts and secrets about the deceased; the daughter reads the letter and wants to find out more about the events that led to her mother's secrets. At first I thought, oh no, not another one about a girl thinking her long lost love has been killed only to marry the boy who had loved her since she was a child. In the second part, we find out all about the story behind the letter and Daisy's love affair with her American pilot. This part was the best and the words that are written to describe the bombers flying made it seem so real. (Spoiler alert!!!!! ) I kept on reading to find out what happens and I was a little disappointed in the end wondering what happened to her father's family, did he return to London, etc. All in all, it was a really good book, I am glad I spent the time reading it as I enjoy this time period and thank you Net Galley for letting me read this.
July 6, 2021
I chose this book because I thought it would be a nice change from the contemporary romances that seem to think that sex and foul language is necessary in order to sell books. I really enjoyed the story!
I was a teenager during WWII and it brought back memories for me. So, why did I give it a 3 rating?
There was too much detailed description of, towns, scenery, buildings, etc. for me, but more importantly, I was shocked and disappointed at the abrupt ending. Most of the book was sad and I was waiting for the HEA. There was so much more that could have been written instead of just implied. I was left with a let down feeling and almost wish I had not read it. An additional chapter or a good epilogue would have earned a 5 rating from me.
I was a teenager during WWII and it brought back memories for me. So, why did I give it a 3 rating?
There was too much detailed description of, towns, scenery, buildings, etc. for me, but more importantly, I was shocked and disappointed at the abrupt ending. Most of the book was sad and I was waiting for the HEA. There was so much more that could have been written instead of just implied. I was left with a let down feeling and almost wish I had not read it. An additional chapter or a good epilogue would have earned a 5 rating from me.
July 18, 2020
Margaret Mayhew writes wonderful stories that leave you feeling all tingly and warm lol
Story follows a woman who finds out after her mother dies that in fact her father isnt the man she always called Dad but a USA airman, who her mother was engaged to but he was presumed dead and MIA. Off course (and Im sure happened!) he wasnt, and reappears to find out the love of his life has married another man.
Juilet follows the story of her parents love affair eventually finding her way to her real dad.
Highly recommend
I just reviewed I'll Be Seeing You by Margaret Mayhew. #IllBeSeeingYou #NetGalley
Story follows a woman who finds out after her mother dies that in fact her father isnt the man she always called Dad but a USA airman, who her mother was engaged to but he was presumed dead and MIA. Off course (and Im sure happened!) he wasnt, and reappears to find out the love of his life has married another man.
Juilet follows the story of her parents love affair eventually finding her way to her real dad.
Highly recommend
I just reviewed I'll Be Seeing You by Margaret Mayhew. #IllBeSeeingYou #NetGalley
August 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this WWII story. It was interesting traveling with Juliet as she tries to track down her father. The fact that she just found out the man she thought was her father wasn’t, triggers a myriad of emotions. I loved the relationships Juliet develops as she begins her journey. The clues and connections were well delivered.
This was an emotional read and you find yourself cheering Juliet on as she finally decides that she wants to discover the man her mom loved until the day she died.
Thank you to NetGalley and Corgi Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
This was an emotional read and you find yourself cheering Juliet on as she finally decides that she wants to discover the man her mom loved until the day she died.
Thank you to NetGalley and Corgi Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
November 4, 2020
Enjoyable
This book is like sorbet between courses; pleasant and light. Although the outcome is predictable, Ms Mayhew is adept with descriptive phrases that makes it an enjoyable book. American servicemen "loving then leaving" European and British women pregnant and alone during WW II, and the progeny of the affairs going in search of their paternal ties is a banal storyline. In this case, however, the characters are likeable and developed, and don't stray into schmaltzy or chip-on-the-shoulder stereotypes.
This book is like sorbet between courses; pleasant and light. Although the outcome is predictable, Ms Mayhew is adept with descriptive phrases that makes it an enjoyable book. American servicemen "loving then leaving" European and British women pregnant and alone during WW II, and the progeny of the affairs going in search of their paternal ties is a banal storyline. In this case, however, the characters are likeable and developed, and don't stray into schmaltzy or chip-on-the-shoulder stereotypes.
May 11, 2021
This book starts off very slowly (I almost stopped reading-twice) and gets bogged down in endless details (did I really need to read a long paragraph about the drapes). But the last 100 pages are a quick read. At the age of 48, in 1992, finds that she may be the daughter of an American WWII Air Force pilot instead of the man who she had called Da her whole life.Then she goes on a search to find him. The only part that I really enjoyed was the romance between Daisy and Ham; it seemed old-fashionedly perfect for the 1940s and genuine..
July 23, 2021
Thumbs down.
A painful read, with an unbelievable premise. The mother of the main character writes her daughter a letter telling her that her bio dad is an American. But she only finds this out after her mom dies. Throughout the book, the author keeps trying to justify why the Mother kept this information from her daughter and didn’t tell her while she was alive. Ugh. Don’t waste your money.
A painful read, with an unbelievable premise. The mother of the main character writes her daughter a letter telling her that her bio dad is an American. But she only finds this out after her mom dies. Throughout the book, the author keeps trying to justify why the Mother kept this information from her daughter and didn’t tell her while she was alive. Ugh. Don’t waste your money.
August 16, 2021
A great read
I'm a WWII buff, have been since I was 10. WWII romances aren't really my thing but Ms Mayhew knows how to spin a good yarn: I
enjoyed the descriptions of the old English airbases and the well researched details of life on base during the war and the dangers the crews experienced. Her mother's love story and Juliet's detective journey to find her father kept me reading long after I should have been asleep. I highly recommend this book.
I'm a WWII buff, have been since I was 10. WWII romances aren't really my thing but Ms Mayhew knows how to spin a good yarn: I
enjoyed the descriptions of the old English airbases and the well researched details of life on base during the war and the dangers the crews experienced. Her mother's love story and Juliet's detective journey to find her father kept me reading long after I should have been asleep. I highly recommend this book.
November 21, 2018
Memory Lane
Margaret Mayhew writes wonderful evocative stories that leave you feeling as if you had shared in the experiences of her character's. I also like the conclusions that both wrap up the story in its present sense but leaves something open in your mind so you can personalise the epiogue.
Margaret Mayhew writes wonderful evocative stories that leave you feeling as if you had shared in the experiences of her character's. I also like the conclusions that both wrap up the story in its present sense but leaves something open in your mind so you can personalise the epiogue.
July 19, 2020
This was a fast read, great for summer days and beach reading.
I thought it was interesting that the author broke the story in the tree parts with the back story being it’s own section rather than skipping back and forth between past and present. Did not understand the relevance or need for the daughters boyfriend though!
Ending was predictable of course.
I thought it was interesting that the author broke the story in the tree parts with the back story being it’s own section rather than skipping back and forth between past and present. Did not understand the relevance or need for the daughters boyfriend though!
Ending was predictable of course.
July 19, 2020
There was baby boom after WWII and some of those children never knew their father because he was a foreign soldier gone back home after the war.
This is a story about a daughter and her search for her father while learning more about her mother's past while dealing with her loss and the story of the mother and her love story.
It is a wonderful book.
This is a story about a daughter and her search for her father while learning more about her mother's past while dealing with her loss and the story of the mother and her love story.
It is a wonderful book.
September 2, 2020
A VERY RARE 5* rating from me!
As a retired teacher I believe that there is always room for growth. That's why no give 4*'s as my best. But this book is one of THE best I've read in a very long-time. It was so well done that I feel like the story was written about friends of mine. Thank you Margaret Mayhew. I'll be watching for more!
As a retired teacher I believe that there is always room for growth. That's why no give 4*'s as my best. But this book is one of THE best I've read in a very long-time. It was so well done that I feel like the story was written about friends of mine. Thank you Margaret Mayhew. I'll be watching for more!
November 21, 2020
I will be seeing you!
One of the best books I have ever read. The story was excellent and the characters were respectful, human and truly loved each other Their love lasted a life time and beyond. I do wish daisy had have talked to Hal about her condition and they could have been together even notnot hough she had married someone else. Very well written with an easy flow.
One of the best books I have ever read. The story was excellent and the characters were respectful, human and truly loved each other Their love lasted a life time and beyond. I do wish daisy had have talked to Hal about her condition and they could have been together even notnot hough she had married someone else. Very well written with an easy flow.
December 9, 2020
My first Margaret Mayhew book. I really enjoyed it and the way she described the characters in the story, you could really almost see them and fee their feelings. I have download 2 more of her books Bluebirds and the Little Ship. Can't wait to read them as I seem to be obsessed with the WWII historical fictions books at this time.
December 11, 2020
Wonderful likeable, realistic characters and story
The description of the countryside, of the wartime airmen and operations, English village life rang true. I enjoyed the development of the romance between the past and current characters...understated and well written. A pleasure in every way.
The description of the countryside, of the wartime airmen and operations, English village life rang true. I enjoyed the development of the romance between the past and current characters...understated and well written. A pleasure in every way.
April 30, 2018
I'll be seeing you
Really enjoyed reading this book couldn't put it down. I feel like there should be a follow-up book to it. If there is could somebody tell me what the title is please
Really enjoyed reading this book couldn't put it down. I feel like there should be a follow-up book to it. If there is could somebody tell me what the title is please
August 17, 2020
Juliet's Search.
A delightful saga of illustrator Juliet's search for her mother's great love during WW II. The author brings the characters alive and the countryside is described so that you feel you are there. I enjoyed every page.
A delightful saga of illustrator Juliet's search for her mother's great love during WW II. The author brings the characters alive and the countryside is described so that you feel you are there. I enjoyed every page.
August 22, 2020
Missing an Epilogue
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the style of writing. Having said that, there were just too many loose ends at the end of the story. It needed an epilogue.
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the style of writing. Having said that, there were just too many loose ends at the end of the story. It needed an epilogue.
September 15, 2020
Loved it, it made me cry.
I am so glad I took a chance on a new author! I loved the setting the characters and I wish there would have been a longer ending!
Nevertheless a very good book and I will reading her other books!
I am so glad I took a chance on a new author! I loved the setting the characters and I wish there would have been a longer ending!
Nevertheless a very good book and I will reading her other books!
October 10, 2020
Well done!
This was an enjoyable read about a woman, Juliet, who found out after her mother died, that she was the daughter of an American pilot her mother had known during the war. The story was about how she found him. Good story I would recommend!
This was an enjoyable read about a woman, Juliet, who found out after her mother died, that she was the daughter of an American pilot her mother had known during the war. The story was about how she found him. Good story I would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews