Florence Cooper has spent most of her life caring for her niece, Cam Langley. Now she shares a house with her niece and Cam's beautiful girlfriend, Gloria Edwards, but at fifty-five, arthritis is slowing Florrie's body and solitude is settling on her soul. On Gloria's graduation day, a chance meeting with the woman who broke Florrie's heart over thirty years ago throws chaos and confusion into her life, forcing her to take a trip down memory lane into 1920s literary London. Old wounds reopen and long-buried feelings reignite, pulling Florrie into a life she thought long-drowned. Standing once more on the edge of uncertainty, Florrie must dive into the ocean of possibilities or swim for the safety of the shore.
Can be read as a standalone but the full series is excellent reading If you've read Encrypted Hearts from the Women in War Historical Romance series (book 3) you're already familiar with main character Florrie and secondary characters Cam and Gloria (where Cam and Gloria are mains). This is Florrie's story but Cam and Gloria show up several times; there's also a cameo of the mains from another book in the series that's a fun Easter egg. You can read On the Edge of Uncertainty as part of the series but it works well as a standalone too, or as a duology paired with Encrypted Hearts. On the Edge of Uncertainty tells Florrie's story from meeting Diana in the late 1920's (and again in 1950), raising her brilliant niece Cam who dresses in men's clothing when it's not the thing to do, and navigating tumultuous family dynamics with Cam's parents while working for Diana in publishing. Class differences between Diana and Florrie show up regularly, often with respect to finances and personal wealth (or lack of it), but intellectually they are on equal footing. When Florrie meets Diana the first time, it's like the scene in Wizard of Oz where sepia turns to Technicolor, so different from Florrie's drab boring yet uppity sister and diplomat brother in law; she is in awe but their attraction goes well beyond being skin deep, which is apparent when they cross paths again decades later. Still they have plenty more drama and angst thrown their way, with trust and forgiveness up in the air and uncertainty about whether their 'modern day' attraction (in 1950) is rooted in nostalgia or something more. For Florrie there is also insecurity about her arthritis and other body issues; it's met with body positivity that's uplifting without being unrealistic, a pleasure to read when it comes to main characters in their fifties who have real people age related issues that might affect physical expression and mobility among other things. The creative solution for that in the story is heartening but also funny as are all their latter love scenes; they bring both the steam and heat with laughter. I loved Florrie from go but Diana would say or do something that delayed my warming up to her; ultimately I rooted for them to get together, for their second chance to work out for them despite all the obstacles. It's a beautiful love story for Diana and Florrie but also one of a different kind for Florrie and her niece Cam, who is adorable and sweet in her younger years (in the 1920's chapters); those relationship dynamics are strong as are each of the characters. Cam's girlfriend Gloria brings humor and strength to the modern day mix of ladies as do other supporting characters who are supportive in more ways than one. Bits of history are incorporated into the story without feeling like they've been wedged in so you get a sense of pre and post war England and post war France that's not often acknowledged in other historical movies and TV shows. Encrypted Hearts was the first book in this series I read so when I learned there would be a sequel I was eager to read it, in part because I loved Cam and Florrie from that book , but also because author EV Bancroft writes great romances with plenty of drama angst and obstacles for the characters to overcome over and above those already in place from the time period where they're set. The characters go thru the wringer but when it finally works out for them it's glorious reading; here the ending for Diana, Florrie and their family and friends is sweet so you close the book after the final word clutching it to your chest (emotionally and physically) to soak in and savour all that good feeling of all being well for those characters you've come to love, even a few who weren't so appealing at first.
I'm no history buff but I'll delve into a historical romance happily and stay there marinating in the past if the story is well told and the characters relatable on some level. Bancroft's books do that with skill and evocative storytelling. I recommend you check out the full Women in War Historical Romance series and her other books as well. I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next and seeing where it takes me in time and space.
E.V has a real talent for historic fiction. Her writing is wonderful to read. This was great continuation of the saga. I absolutely loved 'Encripted Hearts' so to get more of the history of the characters from that was a delight and i ate it up! This is a love story full of longing, discovery, hearbreak and forgiveness. Its also a story of trying to survive and be true to yourself in a time when being different wasnt ok. Bancroft handled the topics and emotions perfectly. What i also liked where the sprinkling of historical refrences, showing reseach was done to make it feel as authentic as possible. They wherent there for show, they enhanced the narrative which a liked. Especially Agatha Christie on the train, that was a real gem! Although i will admit this didnt blow me away like 'Encripted Hearts', that was absolute magic for me. It was undeniably a great story and when it comes to historical romance, without doubt i will put my faith in E.V. Bancrofts work.
Recieced ARC from Butterworth Books for honest review
E.V. Bancroft has written another historical romance that will make you angry, sad, happy, and continually turning the pages until you reach the end.
We’re introduced to this novel starting with Florrie, Cam & her sister & their background. The novel moves on to the history of Florrie, and Diana and the heartbreak they went though when the stock market crashed, and the war broke out.
This novel shows you the strength of love, the heartbreak of war and what each person suffered during those 20 years before they meet up again! It even included an easter egg with Beryl and Odette, pilots during the war and in another historical novel by the author!
Will old hurts be healed, will everyone come together and work everything out? I suggest you pick up the book and find out those answers for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!
E.V. Bancroft has written another historical romance that will make you angry, sad, happy, and continually turning the pages until you reach the end.
We’re introduced to this novel starting with Florrie, Cam & her sister & their background. The novel moves on to the history of Florrie, and Diana and the heartbreak they went though when the stock market crashed, and the war broke out.
This novel shows you the strength of love, the heartbreak of war and what each person suffered during those 20 years before they meet up again! It even included an easter egg with Beryl and Odette, pilots during the war and in another historical novel by the author!
Will old hurts be healed, will everyone come together and work everything out? I suggest you pick up the book and find out those answers for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!
I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but overall I enjoyed this story. Set in 1950 with flashbacks to the Great Depression, but in England not the USA. Florrie is the selfless aunt who sees this different side of her niece Cam (whom I love!) and steps in to raise her when her sister is terrible at it. At the same time she needs work and meets Diana and starts to believe she has found her partner. A story of love, becoming lost, and finding love and trust again.