Sarah’s Choice by Rosie Clarke is a bit of a departure for the author. It is a Victorian novel rather than a war story, although there is an element of that, as well. Sarah is the youngest of three. Her mother’s favorite is her brother, and her father’s is her sister, Marianne. Sarah had fallen in love with Troy when he had carried her to her room after a fall that had injured her ankle. But, alas, he became betrothed to her sister, the jewel of the season and much more beautiful than her sister. Sarah was heartbroken but vowed to live her life anyway. At the same house party where the engagement was announced, a woman revealed that her necklace had been stolen. As nothing of that sort had never happened in their home, Sarah’s parents were distraught. They searched all the servant’s rooms to no avail causing ill will. Only Sarah had seen Troy leaving the woman’s bedroom. She knew he had stolen nothing, but her sister was not as constant and gave him back his ring. Troy was angry. He though his betrothed should have trusted him. He left in a rage, but not as much of a rage as Sarah’s father. Broken engagements were a scandal and he didn’t like scandal.
Sarah was twice the woman and more of her sister. Her love was pure, and later, at the home of her friend where she was staying, she and Troy fell in love. He came to speak to her father and was summarily refused. He left and went and enlisted for the coming war. He wrote to her but the letter was kept from her. Sarah went to stay with a cousin, a more conservative cousin, her mother thought, but ran into Troy there and renewed their relationship and became engaged. But, I am telling too much of the story. This story went from heart-breaking to jubilant, several times, in the blink of an eye. Sarah spent her time volunteering by working in cottage hospitals doing what she could. She worked in several; her nickname was Angel. This was an enthralling story with many ups and downs for all of the characters. Clarke has outdone herself. As always she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but that is fine with me. I still learned plenty about the beginning of World War I.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Sarah’s Choice by Boldwood Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts an opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RosieClarke #SarahsChoice