Family Matters at Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm #4

by Rosie Clarke

The war continues to touch everyone’s lives and loves on Blackberry Farm.

Cambridgeshire – 1943

As Spring blossoms, it seems love is in the air. 21-year-old, John Talbot dreams of a world not at war, where he can be a father to his young son Jonny and have a wife by his side. But is nurse Lucy Ross the woman for him?

When brothers Tom and John are recalled to active service, Artie is left to look after the farm. But tragedy strikes at the very heart of the family, when Arthur peacefully passes and John is reported missing in action. Pam, is left grief-stricken and fearing the worst with John lost at sea – has John’s luck finally run out?

Pam’s eldest Tom, returns home injured to convalesce and help a disgruntled Artie with the farm. But when the brothers become embroiled in a dreadful fight that could ruin several of the Talbot’s lives, it’s up to Tom to protect what they hold dear.

With an uncertain future there are trials and tribulations ahead for the Talbots in this continuing bestselling saga.

Genres: Historical Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2025

Reviews

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the BlackBerry Farm series and like the previous books I was engrossed in this story from the very first chapter. It was great to be back with the Talbot family and read how life is going for them all. Times are tough with two of the brothers on active service and Artie remaining at home looking after the farm. It’s not an easy time for anyone as the war is still continuing with everyone praying it will end soon. The Talbot women are all sticking together and helping one another out during these tough times. However life can change in the blink of an eye as they are about to discover. Again Rosie Clarke has written another brilliant addition to this fantastic family saga. The characters are so vividly described I actually can picture myself being there with them all . I found this book very hard to put down as I was so invested in the story. The final chapter of this book has me eagerly awaiting for the fifth book of this great series.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Blackberry Farm is like stepping into the warm embrace of family, even as the backdrop of World War II casts its shadow. Rosie Clarke once again delivers a heartfelt and immersive story, bringing to life the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of the Talbot family.

The war continues to demand sacrifices, with Tom and John away fighting for their country. John wrestles with grief over his late wife, Faith, while trying to remain strong for his young son, Jonny, as duty calls him back to his unit. Meanwhile, Tom undertakes perilous missions under the guise of training recruits, leaving his wife, Lizzie, to wonder if he will ever return safely to the farm.

Back at Blackberry Farm, Artie shoulders the responsibility of running the family operations, a role he doesn’t embrace without some bitterness toward his absent brothers. His journey of maturing through adversity is a highlight of the story, and Clarke’s rich descriptions make his transformation feel authentic.

Pam, ever the heart of the family, faces her share of trials, including the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. Yet, her strength and love hold the family together during uncertain times. There are plenty of “oh no!” moments that keep the reader engaged, rooting for the Talbots as they navigate through the challenges of war and life on the home front.

Rosie Clarke’s ability to transport readers to another era is unmatched, capturing the nuances of wartime life and the enduring spirit of family. The characters are vivid and relatable, each with their own struggles and growth, making the story both poignant and uplifting.

Favorite Character: Tom, for his quiet bravery and devotion to his family.
Least Favorite Character: Mr. Armstrong, who serves as a perfect foil to the warmth of the Talbot family.

Family Matters at Blackberry Farm is a touching addition to this beloved series, filled with love, loss, and hope. Fans of historical fiction and family sagas will find much to enjoy here, and I’m already looking forward to the next chapter in the Talbots’ lives.

Highly recommended for fans of emotional, character-driven stories set against the backdrop of history. Rosie Clarke has done it again!

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, it was lovely to return to Talbolt family fold at Blackberry Farm in rural Cambridgeshire. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and watched the characters develop and grow as war rages in Europe, taking with it many young men.

It's now 1943 and the war is at its height and at last it feels as if Britain and her Allies are gaining the upper hand at last. Maybe by next Christmas it will all be over. Who knows? But one thing's for sure...something big is brewing; and it is bound to change the course of the hostilities once and for all.

At Blackberry Farm, however, it's almost as if the war has not reached them there but for the young men off fighting or those that have been lost. Not to mention the airfield running adjacent to the farm itself, having once belonged to the Talbolts and sold to the RAF. Life is quiet and it goes on, whatever the war holds.

Tom and Lizzie have barely spent any of their married life together, but long enough to produce young Arthur who is now toddling and saying a few words. John's little Jonny, only a few months older than Arthur, is thriving while his father courts a young nurse named Lucy. She agrees to marry him and the couple plan to marry in the Autumn after Lucy has served her 6 months abroad as a nurse in a field hospital. But fate has other plans for the couple.

Artie and Jeanie recently married and farm the land at Blackberry Farm. But now that Jeanie has discovered she is with child, she can no longer do the heavy work and so they apply for some new Land Girls to take her place. Susan has gained a place at teacher's college but has some trouble along the way. Only Angela finds herself adrift with her sister away and everyone having their places in life. She wants to leave school and become a farmer's wife.

And then, just as they start to find their feet again, tragedy strikes the family once again...

Once again, there is so much going on in this book that I have barely scratched the surface. Suffice to say, it will leave you wanting to read the next installment with how it ended, wondering how it will all pan out.

Rosie Clarke is a go to author I always enjoy and I look forward to rejoining the Talbolts in Pam's warm and inviting kitchen once again soon.

I would like to thank #RosieClarke, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheFiance in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers are sure to be completely engrossed in the lives and loves of the Talbot family in the latest saga from much-loved author Rosie Clarke, Family Matters at Blackberry Farm.

Twenty-one year old John Talbot would love nothing more than to be a father to his son Jonny and have a loving wife by his side. Yet, while John yearns to spend the rest of his life with nurse Lucy Ross raising their little family, it’s 1943 and the world is at war. Compelled to do his duty for king and country, John and his brother Tom are recalled to active service, leaving Artie to look after Blackberry Farm.

But life for the Talbots changes forever when Arthur passes peacefully and John is lost at sea. Pam is torn apart by worry as she wonders whether she will ever see John again – or whether the Talbot family will end up wracked apart by grief and sorrow anew. With Tom back from battle to convalesce and a disgruntled Artie running the farm, the future continues to look more and more uncertain for the Talbots. Can they weather the storm coming their way? Can they be there for one another when they need each other most? Or will they end up losing everything they hold dear to their hearts?

Rosie Clarke always delivers top-notch sagas that leave readers in thrall from beginning to end and Family Matters at Blackberry Farm is the latest in a long line of page-turners that have made her a firm favourite with fans of the genre. In her latest novel, Rosie Clarke writes straight from the heart and has penned a dramatic, enjoyable and poignant wartime saga that readers will find absolutely impossible to put down.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Matters at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is a slice-of-life story about those who stayed at home during World War II. As always, it was refreshing and interesting. The human condition. The story basically revolves around three brothers and their families. Two of the Talbot brothers: John and Tom, were off at war. The third, Artie, had stayed at home on the farm as his father’s heart was bad and he could no longer work hard. All of those around chipped in and they had farm girls sometimes. In fact, Artie had married one of their farm girls and soon there would be a baby. Tom’s wife, Lizzie, owned a beauty salon in town and took care of little Arthur, their son. Tom was a trainer as he had been wounded and was not longer fit for service. John had just told Lucy about the illegitimate son his mother was raising at home, in preparation for a proposal.

Good things come and go as the months wear on. These are lovable and interesting characters and day-to-day things happen to them as well as some big things. One doesn’t always think of those left behind and I think it is important that we do. I enjoy this genre. It has opened my mind in unexpected ways. It’s a good read.

I was invited to read Family Matters at Blackberry Farm by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RosieClarke #FamilyMattersAtBlackberryFarm

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the latest Blackberry Farm novel, readers return to Cambridgeshire in 1943 at the height of the Second World War. With John and Tom recalled to active service, Artie must take on the duty of the farm when the patriarch Arthur dies and John is reported missing in action. Pam, grief-stricken and fearing the worst, must pull her family together when Tom returns home injured, but the ensuing fight between Tom and Artie over the farm might just threaten the peace in the Talbot family. Nurse Lucy Ross, who might be a good stepmother to Jonny and wife to John, must also continue her service in the face of this potential tragedy and see if there is a future on the farm for her as well. With a host of complex characters all dealing with different aspects of the war, readers will love this latest instalment for the continuation of the characters’ narratives as the Talbot family itself changes with the addition and loss of relatives. With a great emotional storyline and the readers’ investment in this family, Rosie Clarke has continued to bring the wide variety of World War II experiences to life in this well-written historical fiction series that readers can’t miss.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the fourth book in the Blackberry Farm series, and although I've enjoyed several other books by this author, I haven't read any of the previous books in this series.

The story follows the Talbot family, living on their Cambridgeshire farm during WWII. I found the characters easy to warm to. John struck me as a very endearing character, and I really wanted him to be happy. I think that the characters I identified with the most were Lucy and Lizzie, but my favourite character was Pam, as I loved her caring, maternal nature.

I found this book really easy to read, as the characters were easy to connect with. In some ways, it felt nostalgic to read, because I felt it spoke to some old-fashioned values, and I felt that the Talbot family represented everything that a solid family should be. They supported each other, took care of each other, through all the ups and downs. The story had some tearjerker moments, but it left me with a warm feeling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Matters at Blackberry Farm is the newest creation by the talented author Rosie Clarke in the Blackberry Farm series.

Jonny continues to be cared for by his grandmother, Pam, while his father is away serving in the war. He has recently met the charming Lucy and believes she could be the right partner for him and a mother figure for Jonny. Unfortunately, both John and his brother Tom are called back to duty, and they are away when their father passes away. Pam, like many others, feels the pressure to keep going, only to later discover that John has been declared missing, presumed dead. Additional troubling events unfold, raising concerns for Tom and their other brother, Artie. Can they unite as a family?

As with all of Rosie's novels, I found this one even more captivating than the last! She always leaves me eager for more, and I’m already curious about how she will craft the next story.

Make sure to grab your copy soon!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Matters @BlackBerry Farm by Rosie Clark is book 5 in this series. I didn’t realize it was a series. Wish I would have read the other books first. I read it as a standalone but I would suggest that you read the books from the beginning. I would have loved to have been more connected with the Talbot’s. John, who struggles with the death of his childhood love Faith’s death and the birth of his son,while serving his country. Tom also serving his country leaves behind his wife Lizzie and their son while Artie is at home working the farm. Their father is dying and Pam their mother is raising John’s son at home. While WW2 is happening in the background. The other half of the family are at home on the farm. The struggles and worries are real for them as they await and hope for the safe return of John and Tom from the war.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Family matters at Blackberry Farm we still follow the lives of Artie. Pam, Tom and John and the rest of the family. Artie is continuing to keep the farm running with the help of some new characters to the series who are land girls. While Tom and John are still away fighting in the war with brief periods where they return home. This book carries on with the characters that I have come to know and love throughout the series and I think in this story they face there toughest challenges yet . I felt the suspense building through the drama and I couldn't tear my eyes away. There is immense grief, love and uncertainty . The cliffhanger ending has me itching for more. I can't wait!

[Enid Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life goes On

Excellent storytelling by Rosie again. The continued struggle in farming communities across England increasingly difficult in every aspect. Ministry regulations, crop yields and animal welfare a constant worry. Hard work every hour of every day by a few men and many female land girls and every family member
The call to War medical personnel and their mental trials and long hard working days portrayed in this story so well
Reflections so important to be remembered

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back with Pam, Arthur and the family at Blackberry Farm. The war is still raging and Tom and John are away fighting leaving Artie helping with the farm. There is a lot going on in this book and I don’t want to give anything away, but I can highly recommend this series and I can’t wait for hopefully more from the Talbots and Blackberry farm in the future.

[Sue Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

another great read from this author..... family drama at its best..... its always nice to revisit a family or town and this one no more so than....

cant wait for the next installment of this series

[Patricia]

Family Matters

Nice to catch up with the Talbot family..Pam the Rick that holds them all together.. 2 sons fighting in the war..Arthur her husband ill..Young Argue keeping the farm going..

[Janeane Lee]

Loved the book, but the ending left me hanging. Was hoping another book would follow

[Glenda Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

as usual Rosie hit me right in my heart with the blackberry farm series. She is a great writer, and I'm slowly going through all her books.

[Kate Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from the BlackBerry farm series

[victoria devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book

This is a lovely series, I have real enjoyed it. It has a lot twist and turns the Chararctets server real.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all the Blackberry Farm books so far and have enjoyed them all. I have a vested interest in these many characters and can't wait for the next installment of this series!!

[vicki kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Loved it and as usual I was very disappointed when I came to the end. I just want Rosie to write a book that never ends 😁

[Eleanor Sedgwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the ending

Looking forward to the next book to know the rest of the story. Very enjoyable and easy read. Typical war time novel

[Pat Fairbairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Loved catching up with the family. The last book ended on a bit of a cliff hanger but it was worth the wait, loved the storyline and the way Rosie writes

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing series, such a well written story.

All I can add about my family is that is how I felt, one of the family . Rosie, thank you.

[Jayne Greig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again the follow on book, just great. Kept you intrigued and the characters were with you. Love the era and the story, many twists and turns which showed what people went through in that age

[Sharon Broaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

It finished too soon

It finished too soon.
The twidt if turns that affect the Talbot family make it such a good read. Cant wait for the next one.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Matters @BlackBerry Farm by Rosie Clark is book 5 in this series. I didn’t realize it was a series. Wish I would have read the other books first. I read it as a standalone but I would suggest that you read the books from the beginning. I would have loved to have been more connected with the Talbot’s. John, who struggles with the death of his childhood love Faith’s death and the birth of his son,while serving his country. Tom also serving his country leaves behind his wife Lizzie and their son while Artie is at home working the farm. Their father is dying and Pam their mother is raising John’s son at home. While WW2 is happening in the background. The other half of the family are at home on the farm. The struggles and worries are real for them as they await and hope for the safe return of John and Tom from the war.

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice update to the series, though it would probably help if I’d read the other four books and had more interest,in the characters. Really doesn’t work well as a standalone.

I received a copy from NetGalley.