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The Invitation
London, 1953
Clementine falls for handsome Alfie Arbutus over cocktails at the Savoy and knows that life will never be the same again. Especially when he invites her to visit the family home he will inherit one day, Foxwood Manor...
Stella lost a part of her heart forever when Edwin Arbutus died. Their wartime love affair changed everything - but now she has her young son, Ted, to fight for.
Elizabeth hopes that throwing the glamorous Snow Ball at Foxwood will bring light back into its darkened walls, and into the eyes of her heartbroken husband, Michael, for the first time since they lost their eldest son.
Yet as the gilded invitations are sent, the lives of all three women collide with unimaginable consequences - will the secrets of the past break the family apart, or bring them back together?
Clementine falls for handsome Alfie Arbutus over cocktails at the Savoy and knows that life will never be the same again. Especially when he invites her to visit the family home he will inherit one day, Foxwood Manor...
Stella lost a part of her heart forever when Edwin Arbutus died. Their wartime love affair changed everything - but now she has her young son, Ted, to fight for.
Elizabeth hopes that throwing the glamorous Snow Ball at Foxwood will bring light back into its darkened walls, and into the eyes of her heartbroken husband, Michael, for the first time since they lost their eldest son.
Yet as the gilded invitations are sent, the lives of all three women collide with unimaginable consequences - will the secrets of the past break the family apart, or bring them back together?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
About the author
Veronica Henry
47 books1,636 followersVeronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 18, 2026
My rating: 3.5 stars
A charming read. Veronica Henry beautifully captures the 1950s atmosphere and the grandeur of Foxwood Manor. The story follows three different women and although the plot is predictable and the ending a little too neat, it is a solid historical story about family ties. The title refers to the invitations sent out for a grand ball at the manor—the event that finally brings these characters together.
A charming read. Veronica Henry beautifully captures the 1950s atmosphere and the grandeur of Foxwood Manor. The story follows three different women and although the plot is predictable and the ending a little too neat, it is a solid historical story about family ties. The title refers to the invitations sent out for a grand ball at the manor—the event that finally brings these characters together.
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March 3, 2026Superb. I love Veronica Henry’s books. She is the master of the big cast of characters and this story is no different. But settings this in the 1950s gives this story a timelessness and richness. For me this is her best.
April 9, 2026
An easy read. Just to note war features throughout.
March 31, 2026
4.5 stars ✨
I love Veronica Henry’s writing and this one was no exception. Forever my comfort author.
Set in 1950’s and following 3 women whose lives all come together.
I love Veronica Henry’s writing and this one was no exception. Forever my comfort author.
Set in 1950’s and following 3 women whose lives all come together.
December 17, 2025
Absolutely loved this book - I inhaled it in 2 days, swept up in the story of the three women, their lives, loves and losses in 1953. I wanted to be Foxwood and spending time with them, hoping for happy endings. So glad I read it!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
Character-driven, emotionally rich, and quietly unforgettable.
💔 Women Bound by One Man | 📖 Character-Driven Story | 🔗 Intertwined Lives | 📜 Family Secrets | 🫶 Found Family | 🕊️ Post-War Healing | TRW: Mention of Baby Loss | 🌍 London & Somerset countryside
I was completely over the moon when the publisher contacted me to ask if I’d like to receive a physical ARC of The Invitation. I’m so glad I said yes, because this novel swept me away to post-war London and the rolling Somerset countryside—and I didn’t want to come back.
Set in 1953, The Invitation follows the lives of three women—Clementine (the sister-in-law), Stella (the lover), and Elizabeth (the mother)—each bound together by grief, love, and the lasting shadow of Edwin Arbutus, lost during the war. Though their lives look very different on the surface, their stories slowly intertwine into something deeply moving and unforgettable.
I’d read Veronica Henry’s How to Fall in Love in a Bookshop years ago, so picking this up felt almost like discovering her writing anew. And what a joy it was. From the very first page, this story had my heart. The emotion, the heartbreak, the friendships, the love, the family secrets—it was everything I wanted it to be, and more. I felt every single moment.
Stella, whose narrative broke my heart in the quietest way. A young, bereaved mother living on a canal boat with her son, trying to carve out a future as a writer and illustrator while carrying her own deep grief for Edwin—the man who connects all three women. The contrast between Stella’s life and the Arbutus family’s world made for utterly compelling reading, and as the layers of connection were revealed, I simply couldn’t put the book down.
When I turned the final page, I felt genuinely sad. I wasn’t ready to let these characters—or Foxwood—go just yet. The writing is exceptional: tender, evocative, and quietly powerful. I love stories that make me feel, and this one absolutely did. I would love nothing more than to return to Foxwood and hear from these characters again.
The Invitation is a charming, character-driven novel that perfectly captures the contrast of post-war life—new freedoms and opportunities sitting alongside loss, mourning, and unspoken truths. Beneath its elegance lies a family struggling with grief and one enormous secret, yet still full of the potential for love that was lost somewhere during the terror of the Second World War.
I kindly received this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Orion.
Character-driven, emotionally rich, and quietly unforgettable.
💔 Women Bound by One Man | 📖 Character-Driven Story | 🔗 Intertwined Lives | 📜 Family Secrets | 🫶 Found Family | 🕊️ Post-War Healing | TRW: Mention of Baby Loss | 🌍 London & Somerset countryside
I was completely over the moon when the publisher contacted me to ask if I’d like to receive a physical ARC of The Invitation. I’m so glad I said yes, because this novel swept me away to post-war London and the rolling Somerset countryside—and I didn’t want to come back.
Set in 1953, The Invitation follows the lives of three women—Clementine (the sister-in-law), Stella (the lover), and Elizabeth (the mother)—each bound together by grief, love, and the lasting shadow of Edwin Arbutus, lost during the war. Though their lives look very different on the surface, their stories slowly intertwine into something deeply moving and unforgettable.
I’d read Veronica Henry’s How to Fall in Love in a Bookshop years ago, so picking this up felt almost like discovering her writing anew. And what a joy it was. From the very first page, this story had my heart. The emotion, the heartbreak, the friendships, the love, the family secrets—it was everything I wanted it to be, and more. I felt every single moment.
Stella, whose narrative broke my heart in the quietest way. A young, bereaved mother living on a canal boat with her son, trying to carve out a future as a writer and illustrator while carrying her own deep grief for Edwin—the man who connects all three women. The contrast between Stella’s life and the Arbutus family’s world made for utterly compelling reading, and as the layers of connection were revealed, I simply couldn’t put the book down.
When I turned the final page, I felt genuinely sad. I wasn’t ready to let these characters—or Foxwood—go just yet. The writing is exceptional: tender, evocative, and quietly powerful. I love stories that make me feel, and this one absolutely did. I would love nothing more than to return to Foxwood and hear from these characters again.
The Invitation is a charming, character-driven novel that perfectly captures the contrast of post-war life—new freedoms and opportunities sitting alongside loss, mourning, and unspoken truths. Beneath its elegance lies a family struggling with grief and one enormous secret, yet still full of the potential for love that was lost somewhere during the terror of the Second World War.
I kindly received this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Orion.
May 13, 2026
The Invitation by Veronica Henry is a powerful dual timeline novel that consumed me from the start.
The main body of the book is set in 1953 in Somerset. We also hear of World War II in snippets as we follow a family in peacetime and in war.
Peacetime took some adjusting to. “War didn’t just end with life going back to normal… There were scars.” People lost loved ones in war and the pain was just too much to bear. “You never really got over losing someone you loved… Had they lived their dreams before they died?” The loss digs down deep. “Something inside her had broken, the day he died.” Life will never be the same again. “Sometimes she thought her grief had grabbed her… pulling her down into a pit of despair.” Waves of grief come rolling in. “Grief was not measurable. One person didn’t suffer more than another after a tragic loss.” The loss of one man rocks his whole family… As I write this, I have just lost my Dad, and this quote sums up our family’s life now.
War saw people pulling together. “Everyone pulled together in times of adversity but there were still rules. Shop girls didn’t belong to posh boys.” The class system still existed and was slow to be eroded. Love blossomed where it fell. Love was no respecter of class. Life was to be grabbed, and the consequences to be faced later.
War brought opportunities for women. Their lives opened up – and then the men came home and women were expected to return to the shadows. This disrupted lives.
Characters fell into patterns of bad behaviour due to loss. When they reflected backwards, guilt became the master. “Being consumed with guilt served no purpose.”
We learn about war artists. “The pure power that art had to tell the truth.” A picture can convey more than a thousand words.
Family is everything. It is not always blood related but it is those who love us.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Invitation. It was an epic read that entertained and warmed my heart.
The main body of the book is set in 1953 in Somerset. We also hear of World War II in snippets as we follow a family in peacetime and in war.
Peacetime took some adjusting to. “War didn’t just end with life going back to normal… There were scars.” People lost loved ones in war and the pain was just too much to bear. “You never really got over losing someone you loved… Had they lived their dreams before they died?” The loss digs down deep. “Something inside her had broken, the day he died.” Life will never be the same again. “Sometimes she thought her grief had grabbed her… pulling her down into a pit of despair.” Waves of grief come rolling in. “Grief was not measurable. One person didn’t suffer more than another after a tragic loss.” The loss of one man rocks his whole family… As I write this, I have just lost my Dad, and this quote sums up our family’s life now.
War saw people pulling together. “Everyone pulled together in times of adversity but there were still rules. Shop girls didn’t belong to posh boys.” The class system still existed and was slow to be eroded. Love blossomed where it fell. Love was no respecter of class. Life was to be grabbed, and the consequences to be faced later.
War brought opportunities for women. Their lives opened up – and then the men came home and women were expected to return to the shadows. This disrupted lives.
Characters fell into patterns of bad behaviour due to loss. When they reflected backwards, guilt became the master. “Being consumed with guilt served no purpose.”
We learn about war artists. “The pure power that art had to tell the truth.” A picture can convey more than a thousand words.
Family is everything. It is not always blood related but it is those who love us.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Invitation. It was an epic read that entertained and warmed my heart.
February 28, 2026
There is nothing quite like the magic of discovering a new author who completely sweeps you away. I’ll admit, a post-war setting isn't my typical "go-to" genre, but The Invitation by Veronica Henry was an absolute revelation. I am so grateful to Orion Publishing Group for providing me with a digital ARC; this is a story that will stay with me for a long time.
At its core, this is a beautifully written family drama that feels deeply intimate. The novel follows the lives of three women, Clementine, Stella, and Elizabeth, whose stories are woven together with incredible grace. Henry has a gift for creating a character-driven narrative that feels both grounded and emotionally resonant.
I was immediately drawn into the internal lives of the three main characters. They felt like real people navigating the complexities of their era, making it easy to invest in their journeys.
While I don't usually reach for post-war fiction, the atmospheric prose made the era feel vivid and essential to the plot. It wasn't just a backdrop; it was a living, breathing part of the story.
Henry’s writing style is elegant and immersive. She manages to balance the weight of drama with a sense of hope that kept me turning the pages.
So if you love rich, character-led fiction that explores the intricacies of family and the resilience of women, you need to pick this up. Even if you don't typically read historical fiction, the emotional pull of Clementine, Stella, and Elizabeth’s lives is universal. Veronica Henry has officially gained a new fan!
At its core, this is a beautifully written family drama that feels deeply intimate. The novel follows the lives of three women, Clementine, Stella, and Elizabeth, whose stories are woven together with incredible grace. Henry has a gift for creating a character-driven narrative that feels both grounded and emotionally resonant.
I was immediately drawn into the internal lives of the three main characters. They felt like real people navigating the complexities of their era, making it easy to invest in their journeys.
While I don't usually reach for post-war fiction, the atmospheric prose made the era feel vivid and essential to the plot. It wasn't just a backdrop; it was a living, breathing part of the story.
Henry’s writing style is elegant and immersive. She manages to balance the weight of drama with a sense of hope that kept me turning the pages.
So if you love rich, character-led fiction that explores the intricacies of family and the resilience of women, you need to pick this up. Even if you don't typically read historical fiction, the emotional pull of Clementine, Stella, and Elizabeth’s lives is universal. Veronica Henry has officially gained a new fan!
November 12, 2025
Henry’s writing is consistently compelling, warm and uplifting. So it will come as no surprise to you that this is yet another glowing commendation of her work.
Henry loves to play to settings: from France, to beach huts, to beautiful bookshops, you can always be guaranteed the most varied and evocative of worlds - and, in this, her newest offering we are transported to a post war England and the sweeping world of the estate in Foxwood Manor. Although Foxwood is known in the local town to house the rich and inaccessible Arbutus family, in truth is also houses a family deeply struggling with grief, one huge secret but a family full of potential love, that has somehow got lost amidst the terror the 2nd World War.
At the heart of the family is Elizabeth, the family’s glamorous matriarch, struggling to connect with her husband and daughter so when her youngest son, Alfie, brings home the independent and vivacious Clementine, she is forced to face facts. The third narrative is that of Stella - a young woman, living in very circumstances, desperate to make her way as a writer and illustrator for her and her son - also struggling with grief over than man to who they are all connected: Edwin Arbutus.
Three women: the mother, the lover, the new sister in law - living in a fractured world but one full of hope. Three fantastic narratives pieced together to reveal one beautiful story.
Henry loves to play to settings: from France, to beach huts, to beautiful bookshops, you can always be guaranteed the most varied and evocative of worlds - and, in this, her newest offering we are transported to a post war England and the sweeping world of the estate in Foxwood Manor. Although Foxwood is known in the local town to house the rich and inaccessible Arbutus family, in truth is also houses a family deeply struggling with grief, one huge secret but a family full of potential love, that has somehow got lost amidst the terror the 2nd World War.
At the heart of the family is Elizabeth, the family’s glamorous matriarch, struggling to connect with her husband and daughter so when her youngest son, Alfie, brings home the independent and vivacious Clementine, she is forced to face facts. The third narrative is that of Stella - a young woman, living in very circumstances, desperate to make her way as a writer and illustrator for her and her son - also struggling with grief over than man to who they are all connected: Edwin Arbutus.
Three women: the mother, the lover, the new sister in law - living in a fractured world but one full of hope. Three fantastic narratives pieced together to reveal one beautiful story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautiful, charming heart wrenching and heart warming, the new absolute classic reading from Veronica Henry.
Set in London and Somerset in the early 1950’s the story is centred around three strong female characters Clementine, Stella and Elizabeth. The story is captivating and pulls you along for an atmospheric journey through post war Britain recovering from the shocks and fallout of the Second World War, the devastation it brought to families and lives and how they put their lives back together. There are so many topics and relevant period moments covered.
There were some fascinating historical moments and great characters. It was deeply touching and moving and reminded me of how far women have come since that time.
I loved being emersed in life in the 50’s, the book held my imagination and thoughts for quite a while!! Hugely recommended, this is a new ageless classic, essential reading for women!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orion for the early read.
Set in London and Somerset in the early 1950’s the story is centred around three strong female characters Clementine, Stella and Elizabeth. The story is captivating and pulls you along for an atmospheric journey through post war Britain recovering from the shocks and fallout of the Second World War, the devastation it brought to families and lives and how they put their lives back together. There are so many topics and relevant period moments covered.
There were some fascinating historical moments and great characters. It was deeply touching and moving and reminded me of how far women have come since that time.
I loved being emersed in life in the 50’s, the book held my imagination and thoughts for quite a while!! Hugely recommended, this is a new ageless classic, essential reading for women!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orion for the early read.
February 19, 2026
Another fabulous character-driven novel set in a beautiful location and a tricky time in history. Between Somerset and London, the story unfolds for three main characters, as their lives are woven together by Veronica's pen.
There was just the right amount of setting, family drama and historical information to keep focus on this book, the perfect blend, with often quite emotional scenes and chapters that can't help but pull at your own emotions.
Veronica Henry is skilled at juggling her characters lives and bringing forward several perspectives in her writing - the chapters for each character were intriguing, compelling and beautifully written. So much so that it was hard to let them go at the end - their lives were woven together so deftly that it was easy to want to read about them in future books. Filled with secret love affairs, heartbreak and friendship, expect surprises on every page.
There was just the right amount of setting, family drama and historical information to keep focus on this book, the perfect blend, with often quite emotional scenes and chapters that can't help but pull at your own emotions.
Veronica Henry is skilled at juggling her characters lives and bringing forward several perspectives in her writing - the chapters for each character were intriguing, compelling and beautifully written. So much so that it was hard to let them go at the end - their lives were woven together so deftly that it was easy to want to read about them in future books. Filled with secret love affairs, heartbreak and friendship, expect surprises on every page.
February 25, 2026
My third Veronica Henry, and possibly my favourite! I'm so excited to meet her - bonus, in conversation with Emily Barr, - at my favourite bookshop on the 26th of February, where she'll be discussing The Invitation!
Historical fiction? Tick.
Set in the early 1950s specifically? Tick.
Romance? Tick.
Lingering effects of the war? Tick.
Tragedy? Tick.
Family scandals, affairs, secrets, and mysteries? Tick.
London? Tick.
A lovable character like Stella who I relate to right down to her red hair and dress sense and her love of Wuthering Heights? Tick, tick, TICK!
I was so gripped by The Invitation, from the homely settings contrasting with the scandals, to the historical facts of war remnants and ripples, to mysteries that unfold and intertwine - you know it's a good one when I of all people can keep track of a large cast of characters!
Historical fiction? Tick.
Set in the early 1950s specifically? Tick.
Romance? Tick.
Lingering effects of the war? Tick.
Tragedy? Tick.
Family scandals, affairs, secrets, and mysteries? Tick.
London? Tick.
A lovable character like Stella who I relate to right down to her red hair and dress sense and her love of Wuthering Heights? Tick, tick, TICK!
I was so gripped by The Invitation, from the homely settings contrasting with the scandals, to the historical facts of war remnants and ripples, to mysteries that unfold and intertwine - you know it's a good one when I of all people can keep track of a large cast of characters!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pure joy in a book.
I adore Veronica's stories. They are so uplifting with gorgeous characters you want to have as friends.
Elizabeth is mourning the loss of her son. Stella is mourning the loss of her lover, and Clementine has found the love of her life.
This follows the Arbutus family and life at Foxwood. Set in 1953, at the end of the war, we flit between London and Foxwood. How their world's collide as Elizabeth and Stella overcome their loss.
How each of the family finally find their place and are able to move on with joy.
This is pure warmth, believable characters, and a great setting.
Fans of Henry will love this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I adore Veronica's stories. They are so uplifting with gorgeous characters you want to have as friends.
Elizabeth is mourning the loss of her son. Stella is mourning the loss of her lover, and Clementine has found the love of her life.
This follows the Arbutus family and life at Foxwood. Set in 1953, at the end of the war, we flit between London and Foxwood. How their world's collide as Elizabeth and Stella overcome their loss.
How each of the family finally find their place and are able to move on with joy.
This is pure warmth, believable characters, and a great setting.
Fans of Henry will love this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an absolutely charming, character based book set in 1953 and following the war when people were enjoying the freedom and opportunities they had been deprived of for years but, at the same time, mourning the loss of loved ones during the conflict. Like all of Veronica Henry's books this is beautifully written with lovely prose and heartwarming descriptions. I liked all the characters. The contrast between the wealthy family and the recently bereaved mum and her young son living on a canal boat, made for interesting reading and as their connection began to reveal itself I couldn't put the book down. This is another cracking story from this talented author that I highly recommend. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Invitation by Veronica Henry and could not put it down.
This book and the characters are so beautifully written - it really brings the story and locations to life.
This book was set in 1953, after the war and follows the lives of three main female characters Clementine, Stella and Elizabeth.
I don't want to give anything away but just want to say- this is a fantastic author who can do no wrong.
If there's the chance of a follow up, I would love to hear more about these characters in the future and any other book written by her.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing group for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this fantastic book.
This book and the characters are so beautifully written - it really brings the story and locations to life.
This book was set in 1953, after the war and follows the lives of three main female characters Clementine, Stella and Elizabeth.
I don't want to give anything away but just want to say- this is a fantastic author who can do no wrong.
If there's the chance of a follow up, I would love to hear more about these characters in the future and any other book written by her.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing group for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this fantastic book.
February 15, 2026
This was a thoughtful and charming read. I loved the central thread of three woman tied together by the ripples of a loss of a young man during the Second World War.
Henry's prose is gentle, warm, and compelling, and I found myself quickly lost in this 1950's world. Despite the underlying current of heartbreak and loss, the story is one of hope, friendship and family.
This is a beautiful character-driven historical fiction, and I loved the way Stella, Clementine, and Elizabeth's perspectives and storylines gradually intertwined. I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for a moving and compelling read.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Henry's prose is gentle, warm, and compelling, and I found myself quickly lost in this 1950's world. Despite the underlying current of heartbreak and loss, the story is one of hope, friendship and family.
This is a beautiful character-driven historical fiction, and I loved the way Stella, Clementine, and Elizabeth's perspectives and storylines gradually intertwined. I'd highly recommend for anyone looking for a moving and compelling read.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
1953; Clementine has met the love of her life, Elizabeth is mourning the loss of a lovely and Stella is navigating the loss that gave her the greatest love of her life.
This is a charming page-turner of a read; you're quickly swept into the glamour and tragedy of the story. With much of it happening in flashbacks from during the second world war, the emotion is tangible throughout. The characters are likeable, the story engaging and I secured it in less than 24 hours!
It's a bit of a grittier read than Henry's Chateau series; it has more gravitas and shows her talents as a writer.
This is a charming page-turner of a read; you're quickly swept into the glamour and tragedy of the story. With much of it happening in flashbacks from during the second world war, the emotion is tangible throughout. The characters are likeable, the story engaging and I secured it in less than 24 hours!
It's a bit of a grittier read than Henry's Chateau series; it has more gravitas and shows her talents as a writer.
April 4, 2026
A firm 4.5 stars.
A gorgeous warm hug of a book. The story is set in post war Britain and centres around three wonderful women who are all brought together by the losses they suffered in World War II.
I enjoyed the fact that the women took centre stage to the story and liked the way the book reminded us of the important key roles women played during the war to keep business in Britain going.
Foxwood Manor is such a glorious setting and the family all so welcoming to new members of the family, I would love to be a part of it.
A gorgeous warm hug of a book. The story is set in post war Britain and centres around three wonderful women who are all brought together by the losses they suffered in World War II.
I enjoyed the fact that the women took centre stage to the story and liked the way the book reminded us of the important key roles women played during the war to keep business in Britain going.
Foxwood Manor is such a glorious setting and the family all so welcoming to new members of the family, I would love to be a part of it.
May 11, 2026
I read about this in the Somerset life magazine and living in Somerset I had to read it . I was suddenly transported into Clementines life Alfie’s and Stella’s the whole family . I just couldn’t put it down .
I always shared books with my mum a Somerset girl and I felt sad that my mum is no longer here to read this book I know she would have loved it as much as me .
I don’t want to say to much as I want other readers to enjoy and devour this book. Thank you Veronica Henry , I feel you could do Book 2 with these delightful characters .
I always shared books with my mum a Somerset girl and I felt sad that my mum is no longer here to read this book I know she would have loved it as much as me .
I don’t want to say to much as I want other readers to enjoy and devour this book. Thank you Veronica Henry , I feel you could do Book 2 with these delightful characters .
Read
January 31, 2026This is a beautifully written story centered around the lives of three women: Elizabeth, Clementine, and Stella, set in Foxwood Manor in 1953. It is an engaging tale featuring charming characters, with moments of sadness and heartache woven throughout. The vivid descriptions of both the characters and the manor draw you in, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the narrative. I highly recommend this book; it will keep you captivated until the very end.
February 23, 2026
I’ve loved all of the author’s novels but The Invitation is definitely my favourite. It has everything I love in a novel - a wartime and post war setting, a country house and strong and compelling female characters. At times it reminded me of the great Penny Vincenzi and I hope Veronica Henry writes more historical novels.
A gorgeous novel, I was bereft when I finished it and would highly recommend.
A gorgeous novel, I was bereft when I finished it and would highly recommend.
April 11, 2026
Set just after World War II, The Invitation tells the stories of three women - Stella, Clementine and Elizabeth, whose stories become intertwined due to the death of one young man during the battles.
It is a historical novel, but the story is definitely character driven, packed full of strong resilient women. Veronica Henry is a beautiful writer, the story is captivating and wonderfully written - she is fast becoming a must read author for me, after reading a couple of her novels.
It is a historical novel, but the story is definitely character driven, packed full of strong resilient women. Veronica Henry is a beautiful writer, the story is captivating and wonderfully written - she is fast becoming a must read author for me, after reading a couple of her novels.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderfully emotive and often charming read. I initially found this very different to Veronica Henry's usual read, perhaps because it was set in post war Britain rather than modern day, but the further you sunk into the lives of the characters, the more apparent it became who the author was.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a joy to read right from the start and to the very last paragraph!
No spoilers, just highly recommend. Fabulous!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.
No spoilers, just highly recommend. Fabulous!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.
March 1, 2026
A gorgeous and lovely light hearted book, based post WW2 with memories back to pre war. I loved the characters and the main 3 women characters. And also what I learnt about war artists and the paint industry during the war!
March 11, 2026
A lovely romantic book, showing so much love, care and passion. It was a real pleasure to meet Veronica in person at her recent book launch. I think a follow up of this very interesting family would be wonderful. Thank you.
April 16, 2026
All's well thst ends well!
Lovely story full of hope, there's so many characters you want to have a happy ending even the miserable sister! The smoke from Penelope and the destruction was the final straw that broke me but the women in this book were absolute troopers.
Lovely story full of hope, there's so many characters you want to have a happy ending even the miserable sister! The smoke from Penelope and the destruction was the final straw that broke me but the women in this book were absolute troopers.
April 22, 2026
Loved it
It took me a bit to get into it as I kept waiting for it to jump to modern day but once I realised that wasn't going to happen,I couldn't put it down. A lovely story and a lovely ending.
It took me a bit to get into it as I kept waiting for it to jump to modern day but once I realised that wasn't going to happen,I couldn't put it down. A lovely story and a lovely ending.
May 8, 2026
uplifting. a comfortable read
A feel-good book for when you’re feeling down-hearted. It might just restore your faith in human nature. The story is quite predictable but sometimes that’s what you need
A feel-good book for when you’re feeling down-hearted. It might just restore your faith in human nature. The story is quite predictable but sometimes that’s what you need
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