I had high hopes for this novel as I have read all of Liz Fenwick's books to date and always enjoyed them, but THE RETURNING TIDE exceeded all of my expectations . Brimming with emotion, love, family, and the beauty of Cornwall, set against the backdrop of the War, we are drawn into the lives of twin sisters Amelia and Adele. Identical in every way, yet opposites in temperament and personality, we share their lives as they work as Wrens, and follow their highs and lows in love and loss. But one act will alter their lives forever and echo into the present in ways nobody thought possible.
Jump forward to the present day in America where Lara is at a crossroads in her life - divorced, unemployed, and reeling from the death of her beloved great-grandfather - she decides to travel to Cornwall to uncover the mystery surrounding her great-grandmother, and understand what happened to her great-grandfather when he was stationed there during the war. As the story switches from the past to present, an emotional tale of heartbreak and sacrifice unfolds in front of our eyes, and I am warning you now, you will shed tears, as the scars from history are brought out into the open to heal those who need it in the present.
THE RETURNING TIDE by Liz Fenwick is a powerful novel that brings the reality of war, loss, heartbreak, and ultimately love, to life for the reader, and all of it eloquently written with the sophisticated style and flair that is synonymous with Liz Fenwick. If you haven't already guessed, I love this book - I love the compelling characters, it's history, it's exquisite detail, and most importantly the emotional connection that I felt with the story throughout. This book is a triumph, and one that would translate beautifully onto our tv screens (here's hoping!).
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author