Love Is Blind

by Anne Baker

A family struggles to survive bereavement, bombing and bitter rivalry...Love is Blind is a gripping wartime saga from much-loved author Anne Baker, which follows a family's path through heartache and war. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Sheila Newberry.Patsy Rushton's brother Barney doesn't know the meaning of hard work, so when their father tragically dies, Patsy has no choice but to save the family's business. Meanwhile, Barney has got his girlfriend pregnant and, feeling trapped, he abandons her and leaves Merseyside altogether. But trouble follows Barney wherever he goes and when he learns of his sister's growing success, he can't help feeling resentful. Why is their mother, Beatrice, so quick to forgive him? Surely, she can't be blind to his faults? As Patsy is to discover, there's something else about Barney that is frightening her mother so much she has never dared to speak of it before.What readers are saying about Love is Blind :'Very good, easy read. The twists and turns in the plot kept the intrigue alive. I would recommend to anyone'' Engaging characters and a gripping war time story . A good insight into life during the war. Can't wait to read another of Anne Baker's books'

Genres: Fiction

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2012

About the author

Anne Baker trained as a nurse in England, but after her marriage lived in Libya and Nigeria before returning to Birkenhead, where she worked as a health visitor. She now lives with her husband in Merseyside.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story by a good author.
At the start of this book, Patsy and her mother are waiting for her father to return from a fishing trip. As time passes they become more worried and Patsy cycles to the place she believes her father went and discovers his car and nothing more. Back at home her brother, Barney returns to find his mother and sister upset.
The story is set during world war two in Birkenhead, near Liverpool. The set up for the story is good and there are lots of skeletons in the family cupboard to be found.

[Lorna Milton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

Although the story line was imaginative, there was too much unnecessary padding throughout the book and the style didn’t always sound convincing or exciting. I virtually glossed through the last chapters as the long drawn out descriptions seemed rather boring when all the final traumas had already occurred and the story could have ended three of four chapters earlier. I was disappointed in this writer.

[J WHITAKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

What a lovely story it just shows that love can conquer all. Even after so many problems as there were in the War years.it was lovely to see people join in at a great wedding.and how everyone dug deep to see how much food could be found during rationing. It brought people together joy whitaker

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tackling all sorts of issues Anne Baker writes another enthralling book. Mental illness and bereavement are faced throughout this story. I loved the strength of character of Patsy, a strong woman , knowing her own mind, determined and confident. I wished for happiness for her and it happened ......even in difficult wartime challenges.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fifth Anne Baker book and once again it didn't disappoint and I couldn't put it down. Loved Patsy, Tim and Bill but got very frustrated with Beatrice and Barney. A lovely but sad story. Can't wait to get started on the next book.

[Mrs. Christine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Really enjoyed this book. It had many up's and downs, could not put the book down. I will look for this author again for my next read. Really enjoy these kind of books, love Edwardian, Victorian saga's.

[Emma Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read about determination to succeed through struggles of war. I could not put it down and I wish for more from these characters I learned to know.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the storyline, I didn’t want it to end !

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This is first book I have read by this author, it definitely won't be the last.
A Very good read ... recommend!!

[GenX · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, strong plot

[Maureen Constable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

Now and again I felt that I couldn't out this book down. It was very gripping. Story lines were good and very believable.

[Cherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Good story line.. loved how it mixed fiction and fact together.
Made me feel for the characters and want to continue reading to see how it ended for them

[Isabelle Cachia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got hooked to it ... very flowing to read. I love it.

[Rosalyn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

,found it hard to put down good book to read

Excellent book couldn't put it Down. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Thoroughly enjoyed and well worth a read

[fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely read realy enjoyed it,

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

have read this a few times, Good book.

[Zulekha's Reflections · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Fiction – set in late 1930’s into WW2
This book interconnects many themes in the story of one family, which are as relevant today as they were almost a century ago.

Sibling rivalry is rife after the father suddenly passes away. The immature step-son Barney, refuses to support the family and the nineteen year old daughter Patsy is left to make the family business a success, earn income and ensure the bills of the family home are paid for.

Shortly after, Barney runs away with the burden of becoming a father on his shoulders leaving his girlfriend in shatters.
However, it is not long before he is tempted into a new relationship telling lies to build its foundation. Soon he repeats his first mistake but this time he is forced to marry Jeanie as it is clear he is now in need of her – her companionship, her money and her living arrangements.

Nevertheless, his relationship with Jeanie begins to crumble as he is unable to provide for her. Jeanie digs up family secrets out of spite for her in-laws who refuse to give them a place in the business or help them financially.
When Barney eventually finds a job in the army, family history repeats itself as his mental health spirals out of control causing hallucinations and irrational behaviour.

On the contrary, Penny becomes a successful business woman. She also falls head over heels over a middle-class man but soon finds out the relationship is one sided and purely based on lust. Her painful lesson on love eventually brings her together with one reliable young man who has always been fond of her but she had been blind to see.

This story summaries lessons which almost everybody experiences in various ways. Lessons on families, relationships, business partnerships and mental health are portrayed extremely well by Anne Baker.

[Xondra Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read by Anne Baker. I love her books.

I thought Patsy was a great character. She was strong and independent. For the time(1940s) it was refreshing to see this. I liked that no matter the circumstance tossed at her, she always managed to make things work in life for her.

The others characters in the book were well written. Barney was an ass who had no redeeming qualities and his eventual wife, Jeanie was no better. I really liked Tim(Patsy's right hand man in the shop) and Patsy's mother, Beatrice.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Anne Baker never disappoints! If you love family sagas set in Britain try this one!

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of Patsy and her family. Patsy's father died unexpectedly and the family was left to carry on without him. They had a small family business, a clothing factory that Patsy took over as her father had been grooming her to. Originally it was going to be her older brother who was to work the business but he was a lazy bugger who suffered terribly from anxiety which debilitated him quite badly. There was also a family secret that Patsy's mother Beatrice told Patsy about during their nights in the air shelter. Beatrice did not tell the whole story though. It was a good story.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read.

[Noreen Llewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is blind

Enjoyed this book slow to start buy once I got into it could not put it down. 5 stars awarded to it

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, like all Anne Baker's books I just have to finish it.