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Broken Hero
Audrey Pearson’s life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother’s perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways. Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he’s lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry. However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn’t have to spend his life alone. The ice around Jake’s heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return. Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
145 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Anne Whitfield
17 books62 followersAnne Whitfield/Anne Brear is an Australian author. Born to Yorkshire parents, her passions, apart from writing, are reading, researching, genealogy, roaming historical sites, buying books and gardening. She is an author of historical women's fiction, contemporary romance and several short stories and writes under two names Anne Whitfield and Anne Brear.
For more about Anne and her books visit her website -http://annebrear.blogspot.com
I've had to make a new author page for my pen name Anne Brear, as my other author page wouldn't allow two names, sigh. So here's the new page. https://www.facebook.com/annebrearauthor
Published novels:
To Gain What's Lost, historical.
The House of Women, historical.
Kitty McKenzie, historical.
Kitty McKenzie’s Land, (sequel)
Long Distance Love, modern romance.
Broken Hero, WWII romance.
Hooked On You, romantic comedy.
New Beginnings: short story anthology.
What He Taught Her, short story.
My books can be purchased from Amazon.com or Amazon UK
For more about Anne and her books visit her website -http://annebrear.blogspot.com
I've had to make a new author page for my pen name Anne Brear, as my other author page wouldn't allow two names, sigh. So here's the new page. https://www.facebook.com/annebrearauthor
Published novels:
To Gain What's Lost, historical.
The House of Women, historical.
Kitty McKenzie, historical.
Kitty McKenzie’s Land, (sequel)
Long Distance Love, modern romance.
Broken Hero, WWII romance.
Hooked On You, romantic comedy.
New Beginnings: short story anthology.
What He Taught Her, short story.
My books can be purchased from Amazon.com or Amazon UK
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 4, 2020
First time read this Author ww2 Romance story enjoyed It all 15 chapters I wanted more
April 27, 2008
Broken Hero takes place in the English countryside during World War II. Rations are tight, air raid sirens go off nightly and fun seems to have occurred in another lifetime. For Audrey her daily life has changed dramatically in the last few years. She has lost her mother, brother and her father is very ill. She takes care of her sister and the family home which has been turned into a recuperation facility for wounded soldiers.
Anne Whitfield weaves a very convincing story of what it must have been like to live in a time when you didn’t know what each day would bring and if there would ever be an end to this horrible war. Audrey is a strong woman – putting aside all thoughts of herself to try to make everyone comfortable…that is until she bangs into the strong chest of Captain Jake Harding, the new doctor who has come to stay.
Instantly Audrey feels the pull of attraction but Jake does all he can to make her hate him, and goes from hot to cold around her, confusing her more and more.
When her sister Lucy gets in to serious trouble Audrey once again runs to the rescue and Jake realizes just how dear Audrey is to him.
Broken Hero was a wonderfully sweet story. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t have asked for more heart warming characters which you couldn’t help but suffer with and cheer for. If you are looking for a story that will make you feel deeply and leave with you with the truth that love conquers all, then you shouldn’t miss Broken Hero!
Anne Whitfield weaves a very convincing story of what it must have been like to live in a time when you didn’t know what each day would bring and if there would ever be an end to this horrible war. Audrey is a strong woman – putting aside all thoughts of herself to try to make everyone comfortable…that is until she bangs into the strong chest of Captain Jake Harding, the new doctor who has come to stay.
Instantly Audrey feels the pull of attraction but Jake does all he can to make her hate him, and goes from hot to cold around her, confusing her more and more.
When her sister Lucy gets in to serious trouble Audrey once again runs to the rescue and Jake realizes just how dear Audrey is to him.
Broken Hero was a wonderfully sweet story. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t have asked for more heart warming characters which you couldn’t help but suffer with and cheer for. If you are looking for a story that will make you feel deeply and leave with you with the truth that love conquers all, then you shouldn’t miss Broken Hero!
October 12, 2011
Audrey Pearson believes she is in control of her life and her emotions, until Captain Jake Harding’s arrival affects her in a way she never expects. She rails against his inability to respond to her due to the demons which haunt him from his past. Does she salve her pride and stop trying? Will he come to realise he needs the devotion she can offer, or is this broken hero beyond her reach?
Broken Hero is an uplifting story about the unseen wounds war inflicts on the strongest and the way ordinary people learn to cope with extraordinary situations.
Readers will sympathise at every level with Anne Whitfield’s characters, the strong-minded Audrey and the compassionate, damaged Jake who needs her but cannot or will not acknowledge it until circumstances threaten to part them forver.
Broken Hero is an uplifting story about the unseen wounds war inflicts on the strongest and the way ordinary people learn to cope with extraordinary situations.
Readers will sympathise at every level with Anne Whitfield’s characters, the strong-minded Audrey and the compassionate, damaged Jake who needs her but cannot or will not acknowledge it until circumstances threaten to part them forver.
January 14, 2022
An uplifting story about ordinary people adjusting to cope with extraordinary situations.
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry.
However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend his life alone.The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return.Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
During WWII the government requisitioned country houses across the UK for the war effort. No house was exempt, with the grandest stately homes re-purposed to house everything from schools to maternity homes, from military hospitals to war supply depots.The East Riding of Yorkshire/East Riding/East Yorkshire, is a county in Northern England.The name is traditionally and geographically a reference to the easternmost of the three subdivisions (called Thrydings or Ridings) of the traditional county of Yorkshire.When a doctor agrees, or is told, to enlist, the context in which he practises medicine is transformed. As a civilian, he is taught to serve the interest of his patient with the proviso that he does no harm. By contrast, the army doctor is presented with a very different set of priorities.
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry.
However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend his life alone.The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return.Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
During WWII the government requisitioned country houses across the UK for the war effort. No house was exempt, with the grandest stately homes re-purposed to house everything from schools to maternity homes, from military hospitals to war supply depots.The East Riding of Yorkshire/East Riding/East Yorkshire, is a county in Northern England.The name is traditionally and geographically a reference to the easternmost of the three subdivisions (called Thrydings or Ridings) of the traditional county of Yorkshire.When a doctor agrees, or is told, to enlist, the context in which he practises medicine is transformed. As a civilian, he is taught to serve the interest of his patient with the proviso that he does no harm. By contrast, the army doctor is presented with a very different set of priorities.
March 18, 2018
Very enjoyable
Yorkshire 1944.Audrey Pearson lived and worked at twelve pines with her father and sisters that was made into a convalescence home taking in the wounded during war times. Was always kept very busy keeping the place running. This is the first book I have read by this author and thoroughly enjoyed it. Good details and accounts all the way through. Heartbreaking times emotional times and happy times.
Yorkshire 1944.Audrey Pearson lived and worked at twelve pines with her father and sisters that was made into a convalescence home taking in the wounded during war times. Was always kept very busy keeping the place running. This is the first book I have read by this author and thoroughly enjoyed it. Good details and accounts all the way through. Heartbreaking times emotional times and happy times.
July 4, 2023
a winner!
This is the Fifth book that I have read. Each book is unique that there is nothing similar in them. Each story is captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed them. This particular book has many errors in words and needs closer proof reading but it did not affect the story base. Great job, AnneMarie!
This is the Fifth book that I have read. Each book is unique that there is nothing similar in them. Each story is captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed them. This particular book has many errors in words and needs closer proof reading but it did not affect the story base. Great job, AnneMarie!
July 18, 2021
Full of typos! And story predictable from outset.
So many spelling and omitted words, wrong words etc. Story you can guess from the first few chapters, but on a sunny day it was an easy read. Read in a day easily.
So many spelling and omitted words, wrong words etc. Story you can guess from the first few chapters, but on a sunny day it was an easy read. Read in a day easily.
May 4, 2019
Hero's
From the first page I fell in love with the girls. The characters of the men and the fabulous Dr. This book is a good read for anyone.
From the first page I fell in love with the girls. The characters of the men and the fabulous Dr. This book is a good read for anyone.
August 22, 2019
Yet again the page numbers are incorrect.
Anyway.3.5 stars and thats because of all the spelling mistakes and sentences that didnt make sense. But otherwise ok.
Anyway.3.5 stars and thats because of all the spelling mistakes and sentences that didnt make sense. But otherwise ok.
May 20, 2021
A Good Book
I enjoyed this book but it took me a little while to get into.i But it was a very good book once i was into the story
I enjoyed this book but it took me a little while to get into.i But it was a very good book once i was into the story
December 24, 2021
Excellent story, dreadful copy
Lovely story, well written. However, ruined by this dreadful copy. Full of mistakes, errors etc, makes difficult reading at times.
Lovely story, well written. However, ruined by this dreadful copy. Full of mistakes, errors etc, makes difficult reading at times.
January 15, 2023
Diction
I enjoyed the book as always, but there were so many mistakes in the diction , shame.
I enjoyed story.
I enjoyed the book as always, but there were so many mistakes in the diction , shame.
I enjoyed story.
April 1, 2024
eventually a very very happy ending.
Every now and then it is nice to read a story that is sad, very sad but has a lovely ending.
Every now and then it is nice to read a story that is sad, very sad but has a lovely ending.
July 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ Cute little read
July 26, 2024
Shame about the typographical errors.
I love Anne Marie’s books but this one was spoilt for me by all the typing errors. Such a pity.
I love Anne Marie’s books but this one was spoilt for me by all the typing errors. Such a pity.
October 5, 2025
Great book , easy read , I couldn’t put it down
October 7, 2023
Another brilliant entertaining read from AnneMarie Brear.
July 17, 2024
I loved that this wasn’t your typical WW2 soldier romance. There were real issues in their lives, other than the war itself. It felt real, honest, and romantic. The world building was great.
May 31, 2008
Enjoyed this book. It give us a different view of WW II and how families were affected.
February 1, 2011
This author desperately needs a new copy editor. There, were, so, many, commas. Commas everywhere. The dialogue read stiffly. The characterization was... non-existent. Skip this book.
June 12, 2016
Nice easy read
but sad in places. Love wins out in the end though. Four stars mainly because it didn't raise my spirits.
but sad in places. Love wins out in the end though. Four stars mainly because it didn't raise my spirits.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews