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The Officer's Affair: A Novel of World War II
England 1944.
For more than two years, Rachel Lock has waited for her husband to return from the battlefields of Italy. When at last he arrives, she is devastated to find he is a different man, a man she cannot love. Disabled and embittered, Danny can never resume a normal life, and though Rachel is determined to restore their marriage, it seems the war has broken their lives beyond repair.
Then Captain Andrews comes to visit, and despite a deep unease between Danny and his former commander, for Rachel the attraction is instant, her heart captured by the officer.
But the tension between the two men seems to stem from an earlier time. What happened in Italy to make Danny so hostile to an officer he once trusted and admired? And why has Andrews come to visit him in the face of it?
As Rachel struggles to shake off the ghosts of the war, she is torn between her loyalties to an empty marriage and her deepest desires. Only one can prevail in this heart-wrenching novel, which delves into the devastation left behind by the Second World War.
For more than two years, Rachel Lock has waited for her husband to return from the battlefields of Italy. When at last he arrives, she is devastated to find he is a different man, a man she cannot love. Disabled and embittered, Danny can never resume a normal life, and though Rachel is determined to restore their marriage, it seems the war has broken their lives beyond repair.
Then Captain Andrews comes to visit, and despite a deep unease between Danny and his former commander, for Rachel the attraction is instant, her heart captured by the officer.
But the tension between the two men seems to stem from an earlier time. What happened in Italy to make Danny so hostile to an officer he once trusted and admired? And why has Andrews come to visit him in the face of it?
As Rachel struggles to shake off the ghosts of the war, she is torn between her loyalties to an empty marriage and her deepest desires. Only one can prevail in this heart-wrenching novel, which delves into the devastation left behind by the Second World War.
328 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2018
445 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Grosser
17 books119 followersHistorical fiction author Samantha Grosser originally hails from England, but now lives on the sunny Northern Beaches of Sydney with her husband, son and a very small dog called Livvy.
Combining a lifelong love of history with a compulsion to write that dates from childhood, Samantha is now bringing her passion for telling stories to the world.
Samantha has an Honours Degree in English Literature and taught English for many years in Asia and Australia. She is the author of wartime dramas Another Time and Place, The Officer’s Affair, and Out of the Ashes, as well as the literary historical novel The King James Men
Combining a lifelong love of history with a compulsion to write that dates from childhood, Samantha is now bringing her passion for telling stories to the world.
Samantha has an Honours Degree in English Literature and taught English for many years in Asia and Australia. She is the author of wartime dramas Another Time and Place, The Officer’s Affair, and Out of the Ashes, as well as the literary historical novel The King James Men
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 4, 2018
The Officer’s Affair: A Novel of World War II is by Samantha Grosser. This novel is definitely one which will keep you up all night reading. It simply cannot be put down. It is definitely well-developed and the characters seem to jump of the page and join you as you read.
The story begins after the battle of Anzio in Italy during World War II. Rachel’s husband Danny had come home after Anzio; but he came home without legs and definitely a changed man. Rachel had wanted only one thing and that was for her loving husband to get home alive. She and their two children had been living with her parents since his Father had died and the family business closed. Her sister, Kate, lived there as well. Danny and his Father-in-law had really never gotten along and with Danny in a wheel chair and having to have someone with him to help him was humiliating for Danny and his Father-in-law took advantage of that to be on his case. Danny wasn’t the same person he had been before leaving. He did not want to have any physical contact with his wife. He got a job at the local pub and spent all his time their drinking. Rachel did not know how to reach him.
One day, Danny’s platoon officer, Captain Andrews came to visit Danny. There was an immediate attraction between Captain Andrews and Rachel. They fought it but finally succumbed to the attraction and began an affair.
What would become of them now? Would Rachel leave Danny for Captain Andrews or would he just go away.
After many twists and turns, the book comes to an end only to have a major twist at the end. Makes for a great book.
The story begins after the battle of Anzio in Italy during World War II. Rachel’s husband Danny had come home after Anzio; but he came home without legs and definitely a changed man. Rachel had wanted only one thing and that was for her loving husband to get home alive. She and their two children had been living with her parents since his Father had died and the family business closed. Her sister, Kate, lived there as well. Danny and his Father-in-law had really never gotten along and with Danny in a wheel chair and having to have someone with him to help him was humiliating for Danny and his Father-in-law took advantage of that to be on his case. Danny wasn’t the same person he had been before leaving. He did not want to have any physical contact with his wife. He got a job at the local pub and spent all his time their drinking. Rachel did not know how to reach him.
One day, Danny’s platoon officer, Captain Andrews came to visit Danny. There was an immediate attraction between Captain Andrews and Rachel. They fought it but finally succumbed to the attraction and began an affair.
What would become of them now? Would Rachel leave Danny for Captain Andrews or would he just go away.
After many twists and turns, the book comes to an end only to have a major twist at the end. Makes for a great book.
October 7, 2018
The book is a good historical read. The story is well developed read. The characters are good, and they seem to jump of the page to join you as you read. The story has many twists, turns, and the story has a major twits at the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2018
This book is a captivating historical story, it is interesting with twists. Characters are intriguing. It is well written. I appreciate reading the book.
March 30, 2025
A lovely read. Samantha Grosser has a was of making your heart hurt with her books... but in a good way! Not my first book and not gonna be my last book! 😊😊
January 6, 2019
Sad
What a sad and lonely story. Love is so indiscriminate!
The choice to fall and stay in love with one person can be a roll of the dice as so well described in this heart breaking story. I have to admit I didn't like Rachael or Capt. Andrews at all during the beginning of their affair. Her husband Danny did not choose to become a cripple having given so much to his country during WWII. It actually angered me. I hated Rachel's father... what an ass!
I would urge anyone reading the book to finish it as there are a few surprises. I had to search my own conscience over and over to decide what I might have done given similar circumstances and constantly remind myself of the timeframe here.
It's a very good book. A soul searcher! Recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance.
What a sad and lonely story. Love is so indiscriminate!
The choice to fall and stay in love with one person can be a roll of the dice as so well described in this heart breaking story. I have to admit I didn't like Rachael or Capt. Andrews at all during the beginning of their affair. Her husband Danny did not choose to become a cripple having given so much to his country during WWII. It actually angered me. I hated Rachel's father... what an ass!
I would urge anyone reading the book to finish it as there are a few surprises. I had to search my own conscience over and over to decide what I might have done given similar circumstances and constantly remind myself of the timeframe here.
It's a very good book. A soul searcher! Recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance.
May 4, 2025
This book is set towards the end of World War II. Rachel's husband has finally come home from war. He was injured and is now in a wheelchair. The war has also made him angry. One day his commanding officer came to visit him. There was an attraction between the oficer and Rachel. In a short time, they started an affair. Will Rachel leave her husband for him? What happens after the war?
This was an easy read. The characters have stayed with me. I've been done for a couple days and I'm still thinking about them. I do recommend this book.
This was an easy read. The characters have stayed with me. I've been done for a couple days and I'm still thinking about them. I do recommend this book.
August 17, 2023
historical romance
Historical heartbreak book. No HEA. This is a story of moral high character people who stand by their vows, except when they are having an affair. The circumstance are strained so its understandable. Towards the end of the war we figure there is a chance these two great people will be together. You’ll have to read to know of all the wrongs rights and back and forth with this sad tale. The author has an alternate ending.
Historical heartbreak book. No HEA. This is a story of moral high character people who stand by their vows, except when they are having an affair. The circumstance are strained so its understandable. Towards the end of the war we figure there is a chance these two great people will be together. You’ll have to read to know of all the wrongs rights and back and forth with this sad tale. The author has an alternate ending.
February 22, 2025
This was a well written story with good characters. I found myself very frustrated with Rachel and her failure to confront the situation she was in. Her father was an impossible person to deal with and she should have stood up for Danny .
There was two endings to the story and I liked the second one the best.
There was two endings to the story and I liked the second one the best.
November 21, 2025
Rachel is married to captain Danny in 1943. WWII is the setting and Danny steps on a bomb and loses both legs and when he gets home Rachel knows he's lost much more. Danny is angry and discouraged but also takes his anger out on those around him. Captain Kit comes to visit Danny and he and Rachel fall in love but both know there is no future for them
April 5, 2021
A Sad Story
This book tells the story of a couple in love living in circumstances they think they can't change. I guess they are a product of their time. The story is well written and holds the readers interest.
This book tells the story of a couple in love living in circumstances they think they can't change. I guess they are a product of their time. The story is well written and holds the readers interest.
November 8, 2023
Amazing book
I love that it explores the lives of wounded soldiers and their families, how PTSD can affect family dynamics.
It also explores the hardships of women in that time and the courage to do what is right, always!
I love that it explores the lives of wounded soldiers and their families, how PTSD can affect family dynamics.
It also explores the hardships of women in that time and the courage to do what is right, always!
January 17, 2019
I loved the story but someone forgot to have it proof read.
February 23, 2019
I really enjoyed the story but lots of unfaithfulness and sorry. The War does that to people. I enjoy WWII books, but a little more history and not quite so much dysfunction.
June 5, 2020
Compelling
Good story about people brought together by the tragedies of war and the strength of forbidden love and family dynamics.
Good story about people brought together by the tragedies of war and the strength of forbidden love and family dynamics.
June 23, 2020
I would have rated this lower except for the alternative ending. The first ending was too awful!
September 3, 2020
Excellent!
November 25, 2020
Good but...
I found it hard to cheer for infidelity in this book, but I couldn't help it. The love story sucked me in & I was hooked. I appreciated the ending, but did not like it
I found it hard to cheer for infidelity in this book, but I couldn't help it. The love story sucked me in & I was hooked. I appreciated the ending, but did not like it
November 30, 2020
I liked this much more than I expected to. It’s basically a love triangle story set in World War 2 England but well written.
October 30, 2021
What we give up
You always hope you make the right decisions in your life. Guess we won’t know until the end if we did.
You always hope you make the right decisions in your life. Guess we won’t know until the end if we did.
October 5, 2022
Very Good
Good story about how war shatters people. A husband returns from fighting in WWII without his legs. His commanding officer comes to visit and falls in love with the wife. They have an affair and he begs her to leave her husband. She refuses due to her loyalty to her husband but there are secrets the husband has. So glad the author wrote an alternate ending to the book. It made it much better.
Good story about how war shatters people. A husband returns from fighting in WWII without his legs. His commanding officer comes to visit and falls in love with the wife. They have an affair and he begs her to leave her husband. She refuses due to her loyalty to her husband but there are secrets the husband has. So glad the author wrote an alternate ending to the book. It made it much better.
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August 12, 2024I am a big fan of Samantha Grosser's written and storytelling style. This story is gripping and full of unexpected twists which held me captivated. Another great book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good romantic novel.
November 13, 2020
I loved the book! It was hard to put down. While this ending is ok I liked the alternative ending better!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews