To Have and to Hold

by Anne Bennett

A stirring saga of a nurse who only wants to do her duty in World War Two - and who ends up having to make an agonising choice. Set in Ireland and Birmingham, this is the latest from emerging star of the genre Anne Bennett. Carmel Duffy is the eldest child of a brutal and abusive marriage, and she can't wait to leave home. She's equally determined to have no husband or children of her own - what she wants more than anything is to be a nurse. As soon as she turns eighteen, she heads for Birmingham and begins her training. With her beautiful auburn curls, she draws plenty of attention and her resolve to concentrate on her career is tested when Dr Paul Connolly comes onto her ward and into her life. Gradually he wins her heart, and they agree to marry, both certain that they want no children. They have valuable jobs to do - all the more so when World War Two looms. But those years will change their relationship, their priorities, their very characters. Carmel will find that the future is very different to the one she thought she wanted for so long...

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Historical Fiction

546 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. It told the story of Carmel, a girl from Belfast from a poor family, with a father who beat his wife and children and drank excessively. In order to get away from home, Carmel travels to Birmingham to take nurse training, and vows she will never marry. But she meets a handsome young intern from a wealthy family and eventually agrees to marry him, to his mother's disgust. Carmel finds out she is pregnant just as WWII starts, and Paul goes off to work in the Medical Corps. The story about life in Birmingham during the war was well researched, and explained the results of the Blitz on the people. One memorable section was the description of the pavement being turned into tar due to the heat of the bombs.

[ANNE BARNES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this made me cry

[Jummy Adagun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't tend to read about war or even romance. This book covers genres I don't gravitate towards yet I found myself wanting more. Everything that it sets out to do it does it and it does it well.

Set around 1930s Ireland and later England looming towards WWII, Anne Bennett's captivating and immersive language illustrates these locations with attention to detail that engulfs me to these times, into the socio-economic and political landscape, elucidating conflicts draws me in to each character and their story. Although the novel centres Carmel, almost every other named person had me just as invested. The progression of each individual relationship with themselves and each other just begs for you to invest in them.

The book, I feel is about love persevering. I finished the book, reread the title and saw 'When a promise to love is not enough' at the bottom and that's when the weight of the book hit me and the whole story feels complete.

[michelle & ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I did really enjoy this one, even though there were quite a few mistakes, I am glad I carried on because it was definitely worth reading.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting novel that spanned at least… seven years? It starts with Carmel, she's about sixteen, wants to be a nurse to get out of the hell-hole that is her home. She becomes a nurse, eventually falls in love with Dr. Paul, they get married, and he goes off to war.

A great deal of things happen, a great deal of tragedy and 'comedy,' happy endings (for a while), and not-so-happy endings. It wasn't fantastic, but it was

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing war book with so many twists that were so true to the war

[Alison White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book - I couldn't put it down

[Erin Paech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get's you right in, Written very well!!
Great shock near the end, didn't see that one coming!!