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Homefront Hearts Trilogy #3
The Land Girl on Lily Road
Expecting a relaxing getaway at her family’s summer estate, pampered socialite Elsie Foster-Quinn signs up for the Women’s Land Army. When she ends up at a Somerset dairy farm instead, Elsie immediately butts heads with the grumpy farmer she now works for. Being a land girl in a small town is far more than the city girl bargained for.
Ben Grainger hates asking for help. When two land girls unexpectedly arrive on his farm, he quickly learns he can’t simply make them go away. He finds amusement in tormenting Elsie whose privileged life certainly didn’t prepare her for farm life. However, nothing could have prepared Ben for the feelings that suddenly emerge whenever the haughty little princess is near.
Why can’t he keep his eyes off her? And why can’t she stop thinking about him? Opposites attract—but is it true love?
Between the Germans bombing nearby Bath and a deadly disease rampaging through local farms, Ben and Elsie’s trust in each other is put to the ultimate test.
Bravery and fortitude on the English homefront endure in this lighthearted, enemies-to-lovers WWII romance.
Ben Grainger hates asking for help. When two land girls unexpectedly arrive on his farm, he quickly learns he can’t simply make them go away. He finds amusement in tormenting Elsie whose privileged life certainly didn’t prepare her for farm life. However, nothing could have prepared Ben for the feelings that suddenly emerge whenever the haughty little princess is near.
Why can’t he keep his eyes off her? And why can’t she stop thinking about him? Opposites attract—but is it true love?
Between the Germans bombing nearby Bath and a deadly disease rampaging through local farms, Ben and Elsie’s trust in each other is put to the ultimate test.
Bravery and fortitude on the English homefront endure in this lighthearted, enemies-to-lovers WWII romance.
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2024
12 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Jillianne Hamilton
11 books88 followersJillianne Hamilton writes entertaining historical fiction and historical romance novels with happy endings. Her stories feature feisty female protagonists and plenty of sass and wit, using the past as an exciting backdrop. Her debut novel was shortlisted for the 2016 PEI Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 4, 2024
I wasn’t sure how I was going to take to Elsie at first, but she definitely grew on me by the end. There is a similar “under the same roof” complication to the one in book two, but it plays out differently and creates its own set of challenges for the characters. Definitely recommended, but read Seamstress On Cider Lane first to get more familiar with Elsie.
Three things that run through my mind a few times while reading:
1) Despite knowing about the Blitz it never occurred to me how the other parts of England were affected.
2) I should really read, or at least watch, Pride and Prejudice
3) I still want a Lucinda book, and I’ve gotten at least one person in on my quest
That’s all I’ve got; it’s two hours past my bed time but I couldn’t stop with so little left.
Three things that run through my mind a few times while reading:
1) Despite knowing about the Blitz it never occurred to me how the other parts of England were affected.
2) I should really read, or at least watch, Pride and Prejudice
3) I still want a Lucinda book, and I’ve gotten at least one person in on my quest
That’s all I’ve got; it’s two hours past my bed time but I couldn’t stop with so little left.
February 11, 2024
Having grown up on a farm myself, this story had me cracking up at times at Elsie's character. Needing to do her part for the war, Elsie goes through the Women's Land Army program and once completed her father will get her a cushy position but the army has a different plan and she is sent off to Somerset dairy farm and here she will have to physically work and put to use her training. The third novel in the Homefront Hearts series, this rounded them all out and I really enjoyed this one. It brought back many memories of my childhood and I loved how realistic the author wrote the characters and situations that arose. This was another quick heartwarming historical read, another program that I did not know about during the war. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
March 12, 2024
Take a step back in time to WWII and the outlying farmlands near Bath, England.
When we meet Elsie she's just completed her Land Girl training and is packing to go home to London before she travels to Channel House, her family's country estate in Suffolk. She won't be working on it but being pampered by the staff while the normal grounds crews take care of the rest. One of the other girls Sheila Buckley tries to get her to come out for celebratory drinks, but Elsie is focused on getting to London and away from anything to do with farming.
Unfortunately, those plans go away when the army takes over the estate. She's going to have to go to a farm until her father can find another place for her.
We meet Ben Grainger as he protests to his sister Vera about getting land girls. He wants nothing to do with them. Then two of them arrive after getting a bit lost since Fairbury has no road signs. Ben tries to send them away, but the shorter of the two protests that they were here to work and had completed the required courses to do so. Then Rosetta Watkins the local WLA representative greets the girl as if they are old friends. Which they sort of are. Rosetta isn't backing down and Ben has no choice but to accept their help. He insists on them calling him Ben and introduces them to his dog Sam. Elsie insists he call her Miss Foster-Quinn, so he says he'll call her Norman since Foster-Quinn is too unwieldy to be practical. She relents and tells him her name is Elsie, but he sticks with Norman.
He shows them their rooms, Vera serves them dinner of vegetable stew, fresh bread and weak tea. Over dinner Ben goes over the requirements for the cows. There's no indoor plumbing and the tub needs to be filled with water heated on the fire. It's an uneasy start but Sheila and Elsie quickly get the hang of milking the cows.
I got quite the kick out her delivering the milk especially the last stop which was Ben's mother. In spite of everything Ben really couldn't complain, both Sheila and Elsie worked just as hard as he did. The first really challenge for Elsie is a cow having trouble giving birth. In spite of her protests and queasiness she manages to persevere. This birth leads to another reality of wartime and dairy farming.
As this story progresses it's almost easy to forget it's wartime, with rationing and bombings, that is until shooting planes come over the farm and bombs hit Bath.
An emotional story, interspersed with the horrors and realities of war. The heroism of regular people and some unforgivable behaviors of US soldiers who've come to aid the British army.
There's also the gradual romance that blossoms between Ben and Elsie. It sort of comes as a surprise to both of them and witticisms from the times that made me laugh.
I love the way Jillianne makes this time period come to life and I look forward to reading more of her books.
When we meet Elsie she's just completed her Land Girl training and is packing to go home to London before she travels to Channel House, her family's country estate in Suffolk. She won't be working on it but being pampered by the staff while the normal grounds crews take care of the rest. One of the other girls Sheila Buckley tries to get her to come out for celebratory drinks, but Elsie is focused on getting to London and away from anything to do with farming.
Unfortunately, those plans go away when the army takes over the estate. She's going to have to go to a farm until her father can find another place for her.
We meet Ben Grainger as he protests to his sister Vera about getting land girls. He wants nothing to do with them. Then two of them arrive after getting a bit lost since Fairbury has no road signs. Ben tries to send them away, but the shorter of the two protests that they were here to work and had completed the required courses to do so. Then Rosetta Watkins the local WLA representative greets the girl as if they are old friends. Which they sort of are. Rosetta isn't backing down and Ben has no choice but to accept their help. He insists on them calling him Ben and introduces them to his dog Sam. Elsie insists he call her Miss Foster-Quinn, so he says he'll call her Norman since Foster-Quinn is too unwieldy to be practical. She relents and tells him her name is Elsie, but he sticks with Norman.
He shows them their rooms, Vera serves them dinner of vegetable stew, fresh bread and weak tea. Over dinner Ben goes over the requirements for the cows. There's no indoor plumbing and the tub needs to be filled with water heated on the fire. It's an uneasy start but Sheila and Elsie quickly get the hang of milking the cows.
I got quite the kick out her delivering the milk especially the last stop which was Ben's mother. In spite of everything Ben really couldn't complain, both Sheila and Elsie worked just as hard as he did. The first really challenge for Elsie is a cow having trouble giving birth. In spite of her protests and queasiness she manages to persevere. This birth leads to another reality of wartime and dairy farming.
As this story progresses it's almost easy to forget it's wartime, with rationing and bombings, that is until shooting planes come over the farm and bombs hit Bath.
An emotional story, interspersed with the horrors and realities of war. The heroism of regular people and some unforgivable behaviors of US soldiers who've come to aid the British army.
There's also the gradual romance that blossoms between Ben and Elsie. It sort of comes as a surprise to both of them and witticisms from the times that made me laugh.
I love the way Jillianne makes this time period come to life and I look forward to reading more of her books.
March 8, 2024
This was a really great story.
I had NO idea what a 'Land girl' was before I read this and it turned into an entire fascinating rabbit trail. I really adore WWII history, so this added a really cool new layer for me.
In this tale, wealthy and well-connected Elise learns to do her part for the war effort by joining the WLA. Thinking she would be heading to one of her family's swanky estates to be waited on, she is in for a surprise when the army confiscates their house and she is shipped off to a real farm near Bath. She quickly finds out that her training really wasn't that helpful and her new boss doesn't really want her to be there. She is determined to not be intimidated, which helps her to find a strength she didn't know she had. It doesn't hurt that she works for handsome farmer Ben, who she really shouldn't have feelings for, but can't really help it.
In my opinion, the best parts of this story are about Elsie's difficulties being a Land Girl. It was just absolutely fascinating. The romance was a little secondary for me, but a little sweet and a little spicy. This book was a good addition to the series, and you will see familiar friends from previous books pop back in for a quick update, which I really enjoyed as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: Medium
Content: Open door, not explicit
I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout in exchange for my honest review.
I had NO idea what a 'Land girl' was before I read this and it turned into an entire fascinating rabbit trail. I really adore WWII history, so this added a really cool new layer for me.
In this tale, wealthy and well-connected Elise learns to do her part for the war effort by joining the WLA. Thinking she would be heading to one of her family's swanky estates to be waited on, she is in for a surprise when the army confiscates their house and she is shipped off to a real farm near Bath. She quickly finds out that her training really wasn't that helpful and her new boss doesn't really want her to be there. She is determined to not be intimidated, which helps her to find a strength she didn't know she had. It doesn't hurt that she works for handsome farmer Ben, who she really shouldn't have feelings for, but can't really help it.
In my opinion, the best parts of this story are about Elsie's difficulties being a Land Girl. It was just absolutely fascinating. The romance was a little secondary for me, but a little sweet and a little spicy. This book was a good addition to the series, and you will see familiar friends from previous books pop back in for a quick update, which I really enjoyed as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: Medium
Content: Open door, not explicit
I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout in exchange for my honest review.
February 21, 2024
I loved this book not least because of its main female character Elsie Foster-Quin. She starts as a spoilt socialite who only signs up as a land girl because it was arranged that she would work on a family estate. That meant she would pretty much be doing nothing. The story sees her ending up working at a real farm, doing hard work. But that hard work, making new friends, and having a possible romance make Elsie much nicer.
It wasn't possible to forget that the book was set during the war, but apart from one sad part that focused on Bath being bombed, much of the book was set on the farm and was a more lighthearted read than some books based during wartime. I appreciated the lighter read and enjoyed seeing how Elsie's character developed.
The book had a believable and wonderful ending with an epilogue that I thought was brilliant. This was an enjoyable book which I am happy to recommend.
It wasn't possible to forget that the book was set during the war, but apart from one sad part that focused on Bath being bombed, much of the book was set on the farm and was a more lighthearted read than some books based during wartime. I appreciated the lighter read and enjoyed seeing how Elsie's character developed.
The book had a believable and wonderful ending with an epilogue that I thought was brilliant. This was an enjoyable book which I am happy to recommend.
March 13, 2024
Simple yet satisfying:
Even though this was set during WWII, it still was a lighthearted and sweet little story. I liked that it brought attention to the Land Girls and their contribution to the war effort. It was a quick, heartwarming historical novel with little angst.
There was a sweet, slow burn romance between Elsie and Ben which I enjoyed. Elsie was pampered and possessed an air of entitlement which made it difficult to like her at first but I enjoyed seeing her personal growth as the book progressed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Even though this was set during WWII, it still was a lighthearted and sweet little story. I liked that it brought attention to the Land Girls and their contribution to the war effort. It was a quick, heartwarming historical novel with little angst.
There was a sweet, slow burn romance between Elsie and Ben which I enjoyed. Elsie was pampered and possessed an air of entitlement which made it difficult to like her at first but I enjoyed seeing her personal growth as the book progressed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
If you like a story which transports you back in time then this is the book for you. The trials and tribulations these women face are completely different to challenges faced today. Just a lovely story to be perhaps enjoyed nightly with a cup of tea and a biccy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2025
The dialogue is so peppered with American idioms (sometimes circa 2010) that the characters do not sound authentically British at all. Their speech also does not reflect class differences (as it would have then) nor local dialect. Disappointing because it could have been a much better story with a little extra effort.
March 12, 2024
I knew Elsie would grow to enjoy farming and fall in love with the farmer, but it was still a wonderful read seeing how she got there. I loved the scenes of the farm set against the bombed out London, and enjoyed the personalities of the girls. Very good book.
December 27, 2024
Worth the read
I know I only gave this book a 4 but that is because it's a little slow out the gate. Once you read about the first 3 chapters it picks up and becomes a good read. I would recommend this book.
I know I only gave this book a 4 but that is because it's a little slow out the gate. Once you read about the first 3 chapters it picks up and becomes a good read. I would recommend this book.
Want to read
February 7, 2024pre-ordered from Amazon.
April 5, 2024
Historical romance
I fell in love with all the characters. I wish that the ending would have led into another book with the same characters or at least some of them.
I fell in love with all the characters. I wish that the ending would have led into another book with the same characters or at least some of them.
December 22, 2024
Cute story
This was a quick fun read. I really enjoyed the characters and the historical ww2 setting. I will be reading more of jillianne's books in the future.
This was a quick fun read. I really enjoyed the characters and the historical ww2 setting. I will be reading more of jillianne's books in the future.
February 27, 2025
One never knows what may happen
I liked this book more than the last one! It surprised me about Elsie enjoying living and working on the Farm, wait and read for yourself!
I liked this book more than the last one! It surprised me about Elsie enjoying living and working on the Farm, wait and read for yourself!
June 24, 2025
Very Enjoyable Book
The story starts good and does not slow down. It was a disappointment to read the sex scenes. The story would be fine without them.
The story starts good and does not slow down. It was a disappointment to read the sex scenes. The story would be fine without them.
April 3, 2024
5 out of 5 Stakes!
Another wonderful book by Jillianne Hamilton. I just love this little series.
Although at first I have to say i wasnt to thrilled to read about Elsie being the next person we read about in this series. Because although in the last book she started to seem okay and not a spoiled brat.
Quickly though in this book she definitely started off as a spoiled rich brat thinking she wasn't going to have to help out at a farm during the war.
But I loved how she met her match in Ben in more ways then one. He called her on her crap and loved when he called her out. Ben is very tough and owning the farm and trying to do eveything himself was hard enough but thinking he was getting two land girls that weren't really going to help him out cause the last few were useless in his opinion.
Ben hadn't realized that Sheila and Elise were not like any other land girls he had previous. Well maybe Elise was. But like him I think we all got a little shocked to see that Elise isn’t just rich brat. There really is a nice person under all that. And Sheila I liked her from the start and I'm glad she started standing up for herself to Elise.
I don’t want to give anything else away but I feel those who read the previous book and also the first book will be surprised by this one some. The war is still going on obviously in this one and this book is about helping and learning to trust in others and asking for help.
Please write another book and more about Sheila.
Now you can read this book as a stand alone but why would you want to do that to yourself? Read the first two books because they do tie in together and you hear about the other characters.
Another wonderful book by Jillianne Hamilton. I just love this little series.
Although at first I have to say i wasnt to thrilled to read about Elsie being the next person we read about in this series. Because although in the last book she started to seem okay and not a spoiled brat.
Quickly though in this book she definitely started off as a spoiled rich brat thinking she wasn't going to have to help out at a farm during the war.
But I loved how she met her match in Ben in more ways then one. He called her on her crap and loved when he called her out. Ben is very tough and owning the farm and trying to do eveything himself was hard enough but thinking he was getting two land girls that weren't really going to help him out cause the last few were useless in his opinion.
Ben hadn't realized that Sheila and Elise were not like any other land girls he had previous. Well maybe Elise was. But like him I think we all got a little shocked to see that Elise isn’t just rich brat. There really is a nice person under all that. And Sheila I liked her from the start and I'm glad she started standing up for herself to Elise.
I don’t want to give anything else away but I feel those who read the previous book and also the first book will be surprised by this one some. The war is still going on obviously in this one and this book is about helping and learning to trust in others and asking for help.
Please write another book and more about Sheila.
Now you can read this book as a stand alone but why would you want to do that to yourself? Read the first two books because they do tie in together and you hear about the other characters.
August 5, 2024
Sad to finish series, originally picked up series bc free on kindle but then, it was soo good, very sweet. Highly recommend series
March 6, 2024
Elsie is a land girl during WWII and is sent to Ben’s farm to help Britian in their war efforts. She’s had quite a privileged upbringing which makes acclimating to the country and farm labor difficult. This is a wonderful love story that weaves in the difficulties those serving at home had during the war. I’m betting you will enjoy it just as much as I did.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews