Until You Come Home

Cliffehaven #12

by Ellie Dean

‘Until then, we’ll just have to carry on in the belief that the end of the war is finally in sight; and that before too long, we can all go home.’

It is 1944 and Anne Black is making the best of a new life in Somerset, but bringing up her daughters so far from their father, her mother Peggy and their real home of Cliffehaven isn’t easy. The safety of Somerset makes separation bearable, until danger strikes and rocks Anne’s world.

Back in Cliffehaven Peggy Reilly is running the Beach View Boarding House with her usual love and warmth. The war is taking its toll however, and Peggy longs to have her scattered family home again. Until then she’ll continue being a mother to all, and maybe even find some time for herself.

As the fighter planes leave RAF Cliffe every evening all anyone can hope is that the war, like the night, will soon be over.

Genres: World War II

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2017

About the author

Ellie Dean lives in Eastbourne, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love catching up with the residents of Beach View Boarding House. This is defiantly my favourite series of books, I always look forward to devouring Ellie Dean's next offering.
This story focuses on Peggy' s oldest daughter, Anne who is living down in Somerset with her two young children, and her husband , Martin who is a Group Captain in the RAF. He worries about his men and takes part in numerous missions himself.
I found this book slightly different to the others, it still had the familier characters that I've got to know and the lovely Peggy is still central to the story but this book goes into much more detail about the RAF and what happened when things didn't go to plan.
After each story I find I grow to love the characters even more and can't wait fir the next instalment.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brings the war home to one. The hardships the sorrow the longings and the heartbreak. Looking forward to the next book. We will never really know what it was like during the war so poppy day is a reminder to those that lost loved ones and for us born later to reflect on those brave men and women that died fighting for the freedom of their country.

This book brought me to tears a few times. I have a great respect for those that fought in the second world war. Take my hat of to them all.

[Susan Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another from mobile library for my mother! Again print not large enough, so thought try myself. Gave up after a few pages, just boring start.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love The Boarding House books and this was as enjoyable as the others. All the characters are back. Cordelia is still fiddling with her hearing aid. Ron is still romancing Rosie while dressing like a tramp and walking the hills with his beloved dog Harvey. Daisy, the youngest of Peggy's children seems to be turning into a right little madam.
Anne, who's living in Somerset with her daughters while Martin her husband flies with the RAF doesn't have it so easy this time. Martin, who is worn out with flying and watching the young recruits die, acts like a selfish school boy. He's putting his own jealousies before the safety of his wife and daughter.
In this one we have quite a bit about the war away from Cliffehaven. I was interested in the part about the POWs and the camps. Also the difference between the prisoners and the prisons they were kept in. I was bit sceptical about the end with the German commander and the English prisoners. It was all bit too much appreciation of each other and metaphorical back slapping and so on. Somehow I don't think things were that friendly.
But another great read from the series and I'm already looking forward to the next.

[Josee Corriveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je sais, je dis toujours la même chose concernant la série de la Pension de bord de mer mais même après 12 volumes, je suis toujours aussi attaché, et éprise des personnages. J'ai l'impression de faire partie de la famille de Peggy. Cette fois-ci, je trouvais difficile de le terminer car l'intrigue n'est pas résolue. Martin, le mari d'Anne est toujours fait prisonnier dans un camp. Très hâte que le volume 13 arrive en librairie.

[ღ❀ ℭaroline ❀ღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say that 'Until You Come Home,' is the best BVBH story for a long time. It's the usual saccharin to start with, and then the meat kicks in, and it gets juicy. It was getting to be the same old, same old with it being about a girl that Peggy rescues, and they come to live at Beach View. UYCH definitely sets a new standard though in the life of the Reilly family. I for one liked that the story jumped to different locations. Regular readers will know the town of Cliffehaven inside out by now, so different locations are an added bonus.
Hurrah, finally, no-one apart from Doris is wearing "perfect" make-up and beautiful clothes, and sugar rationing finally seems to have hit Beach View. I think I can say all that without giving any of the story lines away.
Unfortunately, there are still the usual inaccuracies that don't get picked up - Spitfires didn't have the fuel capacity for a start to fly all the way to Berlin and back - sometimes it's not realised that Berlin is only 80 miles to the nearest town inside the Polish border. Aircraft never flew from one airfield, there simply wasn't the space to accommodate so many aircraft. They joined up mid-air into the one beehive. An experienced Group Captain like Martin Black wouldn't suddenly glance at his fuel gauge to realise he was nearly on empty. He was allegedly flying from Point A to the drop zone, Point B, and then the return leg. The fuel would have been worked out for the journey.
Ellie Dean is not the only author to write books with historical inaccuracies - it's because I'm such a history addict, I seem to pick them up easier.
I still loved my brief stay - I wish I could read slower, or the storyline was such that I could put it down - with Peggy and her extended family. I'd love a story into the world of Roger Makepeace, and his family, though. Roger comes from the world Doris would love to inhabit, and I love reading stories about the upper classes, and the Aristocracy, and the deprivations they went through in the War.
So I'm left to look forward to " The Waiting Hours:" Beach View Boarding House 13, published in late August 2017.

[Gail Amendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be one of the best installments in this great WWII series, in spite of the fact that I am docking a star. Rather than introducing a new character to Peggy's circle of family, friends and boarders, and focusing on this new character, this book focuses on well known characters. Peggy's daughter Anne and her husband Martin have been peripheral characters in the series since the beginning, and they are now getting their turn in the spotlight. Martin is serving in the air force with the danger it entails, while Ann has evacuated to the country with her two small children and is teaching school. The worry and separation is understandably putting a strain on their marriage. Meanwhile, Peggy and the residents of Cliffehaven are carrying on and missing loved ones who are serving. This book is set in the final months leading up to D-Day, when the British people could tell something big was about to happen, but could only speculate as to what it was. A little known piece of WWII history is explored, involving a group of Allied airforce servicemen captured by the Nazis. I won't go into detail as I don't want to spoil the story. The author did take a bit of artistic license in terms of the timing of this event, but I will forgive that. I did deduct a star as there seems to be more and more awkward explaining of what has happened previously in the series in every book. The author needs to just trust that we will remember, or drop tiny hints, rather than review everything. This series is just too long and has too many characters to do that.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series in a great example of well written well fleshed out characters and plotlines. One page you despise a character to several pages later you feel bad for them. Unlike previous books that usually focus on the newest lodger at Beachview this book looks at Anne Peggy's oldest child. Wife of RAF officer Martin and two little girls. Anne has settled with her girls in Somerset with her brothers and Sally the first evacuee at Beachview and her child and little brother. Anne teaches at the local school and everyone is content until one day the farm is forced to hire three POWs. Martin pays a surprise visit to the farm and flies into a rage seeing his wife and daughters with the POWs. The visit threatens their marriage and the safety, peace and happiness Anne has found. Then a huge raid on Berlin leaves everyone connected to Beachview shattered. The story flips around between Cliffehaven, Somerset and the RAF base and is very engaging. Just as things start to slow something else happens. There's spies, intrigue special movies and we meet Danunta from book two (or three? I don't remember now) again. That book and the one about Rita are my favourite books in the series although this one is rising up the ranks because boy there was a lot going on here. D-Day is just around the corner all travel is canceled the war is winding down and things are certainly going to be interesting when this war finally ends based on the experiences of many of these characters.

[Mathilde Hours · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amis et habitués de la Pension du Bord de Mer, nous voici au début de 1944, la saga se rapproche petit à petit de la fin ! Chaque tome couvrant quelques mois, nous n'en sommes quand même pas aux adieux.

Comme toujours, les alertes et les bombardements se succèdent à Clivehaffen, Ron braconne dans les collines, l'Ancre ne désemplit pas le soir, Mrs Finch oublie de brancher son sonotone, et la bouilloire chauffe à n'importe quelle heure.

À chaque fois, quel plaisir de retrouver la famille Reilly, et surtout Peggy aux bras toujours prêts à s'ouvrir.

Ce 12e tome ne suit pas le même schéma que les précédents, puisque Peggy n'accueille pas de nouvelle protégée à la Pension. Nous y suivons plus particulièrement le couple d'Anne, la fille aînée de Peggy, et Martin, et l'histoire se partage entre Clivehaffen bien sûr, mais surtout la ferme dans le Sommerset où sont réfugiées Anne et ses filles, et la base aérienne où est basé Martin. L'accent est aussi mis sur la RAF et ses pilotes.

Les personnages habituels sont néanmoins bien là, les Reilly malgré l'absence de Jim, les anciennes pensionnaires, les commerçants.
J'ai un peu regretté que Ron dans ce tome ne soit pas très actif, bien que présent.

L'écriture est toujours aussi agréable et immersive, c'est à chaque une lecture bien sympathique. Vivement le tome 13 !

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 12 just can’t stop reading these books
They are absolutely amazing and from the 1st chapter of book1 you feel part of this wonderful person Peggy’s family even though not all are related to her in anyway
But she loves and cares for all of them
Such moving stories from start to finish
Just another 8 to go so far and can’t wait

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved this story! trying to read a little at a time to make it last longer didn't work. These are such good stories that they feel like family. sad now that I'm back to waiting for the next one!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic captivating read

Very much enjoyed. Highly recommend ready this series by Ellie Dean. Although I didn’t live through the war years these stories have captured by interest and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

[Karine SIMON · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le 12eme tome de la Saga de la Pension du Bord de mer. Nous sommes début 1944, la guerre fait toujours rage, et nous retrouvons nos personnages préférés tourmentés par l’histoire. Un roman plein d’émotions.

[Jenni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldnt get into the story.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic family story love Peggy and her family

[Tammy Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. This was something i never knew about that happened in ww2. And to imagine what those men went through is unbearable. Well done ellie, yet again you made the story come alive.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great episode Peggy at Cliff haven

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read , each one is as good as the other such an enthralling read . No words other than I,m totally hooked .

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie pushed herself out of usual comfort zone on this one. Well done.

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get so immersed in the Beachview series that I feel as if I actually know the Reilly family!

[E.L.Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffhaven Mrs Reileys chicks

Just love these books I would recommend them to anyone who loves a good family story of courage,happiness, some tales of the great war and the resilience of a mother's love for her family and her chicks

[Paul Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Clifehaven series. On my third read of the series. Can’t get enough of Peggy and Ron.

[Carol B Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I love this series of books groundbreaking what went on during the war is often hard t o read. Some day the war will be over but I hope Kellie will continue writing about the recovery of people I Britain.

[Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until You Come Home written by Ellie Dean is another wonderful trip back in time to Cliffehaven, where the Second World War is still keeping Peggy Reilly's family away from her and the Boarding house she calls home Beachview.
This was unlike the earlier work of this series as the major part takes place away from Cliffehaven, deep in Somerset where Anne the eldest of the Reilly clan is living with her two girls along with other members of the family. Everything in the farm is going well until Vi the farm owner needs extra help and instead of Land Army girls but German Prisoners of War. I enjoyed this part of the story as instead of seeing all Germans as the enemy Anne sees a totally different side to the War which was tearing their lives apart.
We are also brought to Germany through the wonderful writing of Ellie Dean where she weaves historical facts through her work of fiction and the author certainly does not disappoint her reader as this book had me gripped with the constant action which filled this wonderful book. The horrors of war are brought alive through this book and the horrors of the prison camps are shown and I have to say Ellie Dean showed the misery which German officers could put upon the British and their allies yet while other German officers showed nothing but friendship.
Until You Come Home written by Ellie Dean has written another wonderful book which brought me back into the home of Peggy and her chicks, I liked how I was able to see another side to Peggy which showed not only how strong she was but how she was a wife and mother first of all but it still did not stop her taking control of her own life, which was a major thing during the 1940's.
Personally, I loved this book, as it was constant action throughout, Ellie Dean certainly knew her history and her gift of weaving fiction through facts made this one very entertaining book.
Until You Come Home written by Ellie Dean is the 12th book in this wonderful series. I am already looking forward to August when the thirteenth book is published titled The Waiting Hours as I already am sure it will be another five star read from my favourite author.
Happy to recommend Until You Come Home by Ellie Dean as it is an excellent read.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘We’ll just have to carry on in the belief that the end of the war is finally in sight'.It is 1944 and Anne Black is making the best of a new life in Somerset, but bringing up her daughters so far from their father, her mother Peggy and their real home of Cliffehaven isn’t easy. The safety of Somerset makes separation bearable, until danger strikes and rocks Anne’s world.Back in Cliffehaven Peggy Reilly is running the Beach View Boarding House with her usual love and warmth. The war is taking its toll however, and Peggy longs to have her scattered family home again. Until then she’ll continue being a mother to all, and maybe even find some time for herself.As the fighter planes leave RAF Cliffe every evening all anyone can hope is that the war, like the night, will soon be over.If an aircraft flying over land was critically damaged, aircrew would have to bail out.Parachutes were bulky and not completely reliable, escape hatches were small and had to be located in the dark, and the aircraft might be on fire and out of control. Men were sometimes injured or killed by striking parts of the aircraft after jumping. Only 25% of airmen safely exited Halifaxes and Stirlings, a mere 15% from Lancasters. Landings were often perilous. Survivors would try to evade capture as, if they were not killed by the SS, the Gestapo or angry civilians, they would become prisoners of war (POWs).Those landing in occupied countries had more chance of evading capture. As the war progressed, lines of courageous helpers, who sheltered fugitive airmen, were built up by MI9 - the British escape service - to get the men to neutral Spain or Switzerland.Airmen who became POWs first went to Dulag Luft transit camp near Frankfurt, where they were interrogated for information, and then to a permanent camp. The journey between camps often offered the best chance for an escape. Conditions for POWs were harsh.Food was always scarce and of poor quality, camps were cold in winter and often overcrowded. They were sustained by parcels of food, medicine and other comforts sent by the Red Cross.

[claire lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece

Yet again as soon as I got the book, I couldn't put it down. Following the stories of all the characters is absorbing and it makes you laugh and cry. You really feel as if you are there watching it all unfold before your eyes. I really hope that Ellie writes another book in the series as I can't wait to find out what happens next. Think this whole series should be made into a TV dramatisation, it would give call the midwife and home fires a run for their money. Keep up the great work Ellie, you are the best author I've read.

[MRS CHRISTINE SITTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Yet again another book in the saga that I couldn't put down and tried to read slowly. Although it's sad in places the warmth and humour of all the characters come through. I do love the mentions of the family pets and their lovely quirks. Interesting to learn more about Peggys other children in Somerset as they are only mentioned in passing in other books apart from when Ann had her baby in the air raid. Although the dates are only a guide line and poetic licence it was sad to read about how the airmen were treated before they were rescued. I've read every book since the first one was released and have already pre ordered the next one for my kindle. Kellie thank you so much for another excellent story

[Denise Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic love this series of books.
Peggy Reilly and the Beach view boarding house are fabulous. Can't wait for the next one.

[michelle reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Another great instalment in this fantastic series Again i couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next one .I love Peggy Reilly and all the other familiar characters. After reading the whole series they feel like family.

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story. Now the long wait until the next installment