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A Forbidden Love #1
A Forbidden Love
Book One of the "A Forbidden Love" series:
Two boys are united in their grief for their lost mothers and increasingly begin to struggle with their own feelings for each other.
They plan an idyllic holiday at the family's ancentral home in Norfolk during the summer of 1914, but their inner emotional battles are thrown into further turmoil as the Balkan Crisis turns to war.
One has to remain in England with his father, the other is to also return home with his father - a German navy officer.
Now separated for the duration of the war, will peace bring a happy reunion?
Two boys are united in their grief for their lost mothers and increasingly begin to struggle with their own feelings for each other.
They plan an idyllic holiday at the family's ancentral home in Norfolk during the summer of 1914, but their inner emotional battles are thrown into further turmoil as the Balkan Crisis turns to war.
One has to remain in England with his father, the other is to also return home with his father - a German navy officer.
Now separated for the duration of the war, will peace bring a happy reunion?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2025
15 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
John Williams
5 books5 followersGraduate of the University of Lancaster in the UK.
Enjoyed a successful career in education and cricket coaching before retiring in 2018.
Now writes about local history in the northwest of England and has recently published his first gay romantic novel
Enjoyed a successful career in education and cricket coaching before retiring in 2018.
Now writes about local history in the northwest of England and has recently published his first gay romantic novel
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2025
Completely airless but I guess at least the author’s trying.
April 26, 2025
In A Forbidden Love: Book One, John Williams masterfully weaves a poignant tale of love, loss, and loyalty set against the ominous backdrop of a world on the brink of war. The story centers on two young cousins, whose shared sorrow over their mothers’ deaths draws them into a bond that is both profound and perilously complicated. What begins as an innocent closeness slowly evolves into a deeper, forbidden affection—an emotional journey rendered with sensitivity and nuance.
The novel is set in the final golden summer of 1914, at a family estate in Norfolk, where the cousins seek solace and escape. Williams captures the tranquility of the English countryside with vivid, lyrical prose, creating a sharp, heartbreaking contrast to the looming threat of global conflict.As tensions in Europe escalate, the cousins are torn apart—one bound to England, the other compelled to return to Germany with his naval officer father—forcing their fragile connection to endure the brutal test of time, distance, and loyalty to opposing nations.
Adding further richness to the narrative are the characters of John, a titled aristocrat; Thomas, his loyal manservant; Christian, a German prince; and Pete, an American serviceman. Their lives, intertwined through friendship, duty, and shared history, form a tapestry of connection that stretches across two devastating world wars. Williams portrays their relationships with a deft hand, imbuing each character with depth and humanity.
The emotional landscape of A Forbidden Love is raw and heartrending. Longing, confusion, devotion, and guilt pulse through the pages, making for an intensely moving read. Williams excels at illustrating the inner turmoil of characters torn between societal expectations and the undeniable pull of the heart.
Beautifully written and profoundly affecting, A Forbidden Love: Book One is a stunning exploration of forbidden passion and enduring bonds in a world unraveling at the seams. Readers will find themselves captivated by Williams’ elegant prose and the aching humanity of his unforgettable characters.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate historical fiction with emotional depth and timeless themes of love and loyalty.
The novel is set in the final golden summer of 1914, at a family estate in Norfolk, where the cousins seek solace and escape. Williams captures the tranquility of the English countryside with vivid, lyrical prose, creating a sharp, heartbreaking contrast to the looming threat of global conflict.As tensions in Europe escalate, the cousins are torn apart—one bound to England, the other compelled to return to Germany with his naval officer father—forcing their fragile connection to endure the brutal test of time, distance, and loyalty to opposing nations.
Adding further richness to the narrative are the characters of John, a titled aristocrat; Thomas, his loyal manservant; Christian, a German prince; and Pete, an American serviceman. Their lives, intertwined through friendship, duty, and shared history, form a tapestry of connection that stretches across two devastating world wars. Williams portrays their relationships with a deft hand, imbuing each character with depth and humanity.
The emotional landscape of A Forbidden Love is raw and heartrending. Longing, confusion, devotion, and guilt pulse through the pages, making for an intensely moving read. Williams excels at illustrating the inner turmoil of characters torn between societal expectations and the undeniable pull of the heart.
Beautifully written and profoundly affecting, A Forbidden Love: Book One is a stunning exploration of forbidden passion and enduring bonds in a world unraveling at the seams. Readers will find themselves captivated by Williams’ elegant prose and the aching humanity of his unforgettable characters.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate historical fiction with emotional depth and timeless themes of love and loyalty.
March 12, 2025
Entwined Forever.
John: Titled Aristocrat, Thomas: John's Man Servant, Christian: German Prince and Pete: American Serviceman have their lives forever entwined together. From childhood through 2 world wars, 4 people share a bond so deep time cannot loosen its strength. One of the best written historical novels I have ever read.
John: Titled Aristocrat, Thomas: John's Man Servant, Christian: German Prince and Pete: American Serviceman have their lives forever entwined together. From childhood through 2 world wars, 4 people share a bond so deep time cannot loosen its strength. One of the best written historical novels I have ever read.
March 30, 2025
Congratulations John on your novel, which I enjoyed very much. I loved the combination of the historical saga with the romantic story line, which was so beautifully written. It moved me to tears several times and I will long remember the story of John, Christian and Thomas. I look forward to your next book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews