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If You Were the Only Girl
When Lucy's father dies and her family is plunged into poverty, she is forced to take a job as a scullery maid at Windthorpe House, home to the aristocratic Hetheringtons, who lost three of their four sons in the Great War.
When their only remaining son, Clive, returns home from his studies, he and Lucy strike up an immediate bond, which only depends as Lucy becomes indispensable to the family.
With the outbreak of war ever more certain, the two fall in love and Clive is determined that the class difference won't keep them apart. But Hitler's troops are gathering and fate has something very different in store for both of them...
When their only remaining son, Clive, returns home from his studies, he and Lucy strike up an immediate bond, which only depends as Lucy becomes indispensable to the family.
With the outbreak of war ever more certain, the two fall in love and Clive is determined that the class difference won't keep them apart. But Hitler's troops are gathering and fate has something very different in store for both of them...
608 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2012
17 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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December 28, 2013I'm very confused. The synopsis of this book on Goodreads doesn't match the synopsis on Amazon......or am I missing something here?? The book's main character is Lucy Cassidy. No mention of a Bridgette at all.
August 8, 2016
An Insight into War
Anne Bennett has captured the inside story of World war two taking one into the very souls of those experiencing that terrible time of Hitler's manic run through countries and people's lives. It makes one think of how hard it must have been for all that suffered. This story however does have a happy end making me want more.
Anne Bennett has captured the inside story of World war two taking one into the very souls of those experiencing that terrible time of Hitler's manic run through countries and people's lives. It makes one think of how hard it must have been for all that suffered. This story however does have a happy end making me want more.
January 14, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. Storytelling at it's best.
February 6, 2022
i loved this book so much. as some of the other reviews point out, it is really descriptive but i really enjoyed this, i felt like the length of it was just right and the descriptions made it like you were part of the story.
it’s full of twists and turns too that you don’t expect which always makes a book amazing!!
i just really enjoyed it, i couldn’t put it down towards the end i had to find out what happened.
the war theme is present in this book but not too much, i love that the romantic aspect remains throughout and isn’t drowned out too much by the war, there’s a really good balance. such a good read!
it’s full of twists and turns too that you don’t expect which always makes a book amazing!!
i just really enjoyed it, i couldn’t put it down towards the end i had to find out what happened.
the war theme is present in this book but not too much, i love that the romantic aspect remains throughout and isn’t drowned out too much by the war, there’s a really good balance. such a good read!
March 2, 2013
Maybe I'm missing something, but I didn't like the writing of this book. It is hard to put my finger on it, but it felt to me as though I was watching the characters from a distance rather than really being there, and I felt a lot of the dialogue was forced and 'written' rather than 'spoken'.
But then again, maybe I've just wandered into a genre that doesn't appeal to me in search of the 1930s.
But then again, maybe I've just wandered into a genre that doesn't appeal to me in search of the 1930s.
January 25, 2015
This synopsis doesn't match the one of the book I read!
Is anyone else having that problem?
Is anyone else having that problem?
March 8, 2017
Brilliant
Another excellent book by Anne Bennett. Top class story, of the social standing between people and how they worked and achieved things they didn't fee possible. How war broke out, and with an in depth details of 2nd world war, and the love that blossomed between two people that withstood time and war . An amazing book and surprise ending.
Another excellent book by Anne Bennett. Top class story, of the social standing between people and how they worked and achieved things they didn't fee possible. How war broke out, and with an in depth details of 2nd world war, and the love that blossomed between two people that withstood time and war . An amazing book and surprise ending.
January 28, 2019
Oh man, I wish all period dramas were written by Catherine Cookson. I want to love these kinds of books, but I always find them poorly written. This book was so friggin dull I can't remember enough of it to write about it.
February 7, 2021
I loved This book although found it very long from Lucy at the start of the book as a young child going off to work for a rich family to her at the end what a transformation she went through and so brave all on her own without her family times wasn’t always easy for her and falling in love more than once I was a little disappointed when I thought she would end up with the dr but delighted by the end of the book I feel she really ended up with the right person she survived and become a fully qualified nurse despite watching numerous nurses ands friends around her die
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2018
A great read from Anne Bennett.
August 16, 2018
I wanted to give this 5***** but I felt the ending was rushed .
May 24, 2019
I usually like Anne Bennett books but not this one
December 5, 2022
Rather long winded a predictable
October 18, 2024
Easy read, thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 1, 2025
This was a lovely story to read.
Sadly four stars as I think there was more to the story and wish it lasted longer.
The characters are great and it shown it was brilliant.
Sadly four stars as I think there was more to the story and wish it lasted longer.
The characters are great and it shown it was brilliant.
April 13, 2015
Gli ho messo una stella perché non mi è assolutamente piaciuto il finale. Il sentimento che la scrittrice ha costruito tra La protagonista e Clive è assolutamente inesistente. Molto più vera e concreta la storia tra lei e il medico. E ciononostante, nel momento in cui il medico muore, la protagonista lascia da parte il tragico evento in pochissimo tempo per riappropiarsi del precedente amore. Ma durante tutta la storia in cui lei e Clive sono separati, non una volta le era venuto in mente di rimpiangerlo. L'elaborazione della fine della loro storia, alla luce del matrimonio di Clive, è stata troppo approssimata. Sembrava non essere rimasta traccia di Clive quando inizia la storia d'amore col dottore... Insomma, finale forzatissimo e sgradito che ha rovinato una storia altrimenti molto bella e curata nella sua parte storica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2014
There were moments throughout this book where the plot seemed to lack a bit. Despite that, I really enjoyed the book.
Even though I though the plot lacked, when it picked up, it certainly picked up. I cried. I laughed. I felt like I was right there with the characters and going through the same emotions as Lucy. When she cried, I cried. When she felt betrayed, so did I.
I normally get really into books and talk to my parents or friends about what's going on and with this book, I did exactly that. I've already told a friend everything about this book i can without giving away spoilers and I would so recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories set during war from the point of view of a teenage girl faced with big decisions that a teenager should never have to make.
Even though I though the plot lacked, when it picked up, it certainly picked up. I cried. I laughed. I felt like I was right there with the characters and going through the same emotions as Lucy. When she cried, I cried. When she felt betrayed, so did I.
I normally get really into books and talk to my parents or friends about what's going on and with this book, I did exactly that. I've already told a friend everything about this book i can without giving away spoilers and I would so recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories set during war from the point of view of a teenage girl faced with big decisions that a teenager should never have to make.
November 6, 2015
Goodreads has the wrong synopsis for this book. This is a great read. In the beginning, Lucy is a 14 year old scullery maid helping to support her family. She helps to nurse her employer's dying mother. This experience gives Lucy the dream of becoming a nurse. When the old woman dies, she leaves money to Lucy to help Lucy fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. Lucy falls in love with her employer's son but they are like star-crossed lovers because of the rigid class system they live in. It is WWII and the Germans are bombing England and she is surrounded by the dying and injured at the hospital she works at. She falls in love with a doctor but they are separated by World War II. At times it seems that she is fated to lose everyone she loves. I highly recommend this book.
February 15, 2016
This book is centered around 14 year old Lucy Cassidy who is forced to leave home, her family are in extreme poverty and she must support them. It follows her life to the build up of war and as she goes through it.
This book put me through all the emotions: both joy and sadness. It was a brilliant read and I would recommend this powerful book to anyone, although I am unsure on my view of the ending of the book.
This book put me through all the emotions: both joy and sadness. It was a brilliant read and I would recommend this powerful book to anyone, although I am unsure on my view of the ending of the book.
March 5, 2014
really good easy read about a kitchen maid who makes good a bit far fetched that all the characters die except the son of the house and kitchen maid now a nurse are the only ones left and free to marry
February 6, 2013
Great book , not always as expected a few suprizes
February 12, 2013
what a satisfying read! you really feel as if you're living the era along side heroine Lucy as she grows up and finds love.
April 21, 2013
Another great read good orginal story.
July 30, 2013
great book! Was instantly hooked on the characters and the surprises in the plot. A very enjoyable read
September 29, 2013
I loved this book i felt as if i was there with lucy and going through everything that she was.
September 19, 2014
A good read
January 21, 2015
The book above is not the correct story its the right cover wrong story brilliant read really enjoyed the heartbreaks war and love want to read more of this authors books.great book.
April 2, 2015
My favourite book, absolutely beautiful plot really engaging. I must read it again some day!
March 20, 2016
Lovely book.
April 13, 2016
A great book
Great book from start to finish. Anne Bennett's books are always a joy to read, especially this one. Couldn't put it down.
Great book from start to finish. Anne Bennett's books are always a joy to read, especially this one. Couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews