When her beloved father is killed in the Blitz, trainee nurse April Harvey is all alone in the world. Desperate to find the family she craves, she heads to Truro, her mother's home town.
But danger and heartbreak lurk even in Cornwall, and when the American G. I.s arrive, April finds her life turned upside down as she discovers that some people are not to be trusted. Especially when it comes to her budding romance with Major Crawford Dunbar.
As vicious rumours emerge, April fears there will never be a future for them. But if war has taught her anything, it is that you must grasp happiness where you can, and April is not prepared to give up without a fight . . .
Eileen Ainsworth was born on 16 December 1940 in the South-West of Scotland, where she brought up. She wrote since she was seven, but she decided become a teacher. After graduating she went to teach in the USA for a year - and stayed 18 years. She married Ian Ramsay, a Scottish mathematics scientist working on the first moon shots. They had two chidren. They returned to their native Scotland.
Her writing for children and adults has won several awards, including the Constable and Pitlochry trophies from the Scottish Association of Writers and the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Award. In 2004 she was short listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year award.
Eileen is an honorary member of the Angus Writers Circle, was vice-president of the Scottish Association of Writers, a member of the Society of Authors and was on the committee of the Scottish branch for about six years and for four was the Secretary, and she was elected the twenty-seventh Chairman (2015-2017) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
I really loved this Book, it is one of those books that you get into from the first few pages and here we meet April, a young nurse in ww2 London, who after a horrendous bomb attack loses the only member of her family, her father. Now all alone she wants to find out about her mother's family, and she gets a transfer to Cornwall, where her mother lived as a girl. Soon she settles into her new job at Truro hospital and makes new friends, but is everyone as friendly as she would wish them to be. With the arrival of the Americans nearby this causes excitement for the nurses and romances soon start up. The subject of racial discrimination is also covered quite a bit, not only from the Cornish people but also amongst the American G.I.s themselves with segregation in bars and cafes. I would have liked this story to have continued more, but maybe that's to come in another book (I hope so). The recipe at the end of the book looks very nice and one I will be making for my family.
I'll have to start my review by saying that this genre isn't my cup of tea normally; I'm more of a psychological thriller girl myself. However, I was happy to read and review the book when offered a free copy. I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed the book a lot more than I expected to, and was able to read it in one afternoon.
The story itself is nice and quite charming, although, as you generally find with this genre, you can guess what will happen in the end. The author wrote in a couple of obstacles that April and Major Crawford had to face, but nothing too dramatic in my opinion (although I am used to massive twists in my thrillers, to be fair).
To conclude, I would recommend this story to fans of this genre. The only thing I really disliked is that characters constantly refer to April, the main character's, hair as 'golden, yet the character on the cover' s hair is so far away from golden that it just irritated me throughout the story!
As it says "a heart-warming" book. It's a first British war romance I've read so didn't have any expectations. It is nicely written, beginning is a bit too long and to monotonous, but then American soldiers appear and sweet drama begins. It's really nice and I did shed some tears at "awww this is so sweat and innocent" moments.
I do understand that the book from the series "The Memory Line" couldn't portrait a real social situations of that period and it tends to romanticise British society and it's behaviour, but it was hard not to smile at how British society was put in higher moral position than American one. Main heroines always were surprised of American racism (though this word not mentioned once in the book, probably because the racism issue is not applicable to the British society at that time. Sorry for my sarcasm) and how towns people accepted "coloured" G.I.'s and didn't see any problem. Because you know, whole era of colonisation was about equality and all. But this book is not tend to be a work of critique on British society, so, please, don't mind my smartass comment on that issue :)))
What a truly lovely story of April and her life,i could writ a lengthy review but i feel that would spoil it for others.To say that April suffers when the bombs drop would be an understatement.When she moves to cornwall to begin a new life she is looked after by the delightful Mrs Teague she makes friends too but she also finds she has an enemy.All i can say is please buy the book and read it as you will truly love it as i have.worthy of more than 5*
In wartime, can new hope still be found? When her beloved father is killed in the Blitz, trainee nurse April Harvey is left all alone in the world. Desperate to find the family she craves, she heads to Truro, her mother's home town. But danger and heartbreak lurk even in Cornwall, and when the American G. I.s arrive, April finds her life turned upside down as she discovers that some people are not to be trusted. Especially when it comes to her budding romance with Major Crawford Dunbar. As vicious rumours emerge, April fears there will never be a future for them. But if war has taught her anything, it is that you must grasp happiness where you can, and April is not prepared to give up without a fight . . . Truro is a cathedral city and civil parish in Cornwall,UK.It is Cornwall's county town,only city,and its centre for administration,leisure and retail.Their denizens are Truronians.Royal Cornwall Infirmary was a hospital in the south of the centre of Truro.It was badly damaged by bombs and by machine gun fire on 6 August 1942 during WWII.St Merryn is a civil parish and village in north Cornwall.The Americans' arrival in WWII England was known as the 'friendly invasion'-as their impact on British life was huge and they profoundly changed the places they inhabited.But their arrival highlighted many differences between the two nations,including the institutionally-mandated racism(segregation).Black troops were,though,often warmly received by the British people.The fact is,the British do draw racial distinctions,but not within the doors of the British Isles-at least not until the arrival of the white American soldiers.The fact that British women socialised with and dated black Americans was often raised as a concern by some white servicemen.Service in Britain and Europe gave black American troops the opportunity to sample aspects of daily life that weren't wholly impacted by a formal,institutional colour bar.American servicemen were considered attractive as they had better manners,were handsome in their uniforms,and had access to material goods.But some people thought the Americans were bold and brash,and were stealing their women away.
Who doesn't enjoy a well-put-together novel which unfolds and reveals and progresses effortlessly in the beautifully controlled way of a writer who understands her craft?
The scenario of a teenage trainee nurse at a central London teaching hospital during the Second World War intrigued me as it's an area and period I've looked closely at for family reasons.
There are a variety of characters, backgrounds and viewpoints which seemed only too true to life but I think a 21st century teenager would need a little more explanation of the social background regarding such topics as class divisions and the US 'color bar' and war-time restrictions such as blackout, shortages and rationing, also hierarchy and control of personal lives in nursing.
There are dramatic action sequences, several romances, agonising choices and many domestic scenes. All ring true in terms of both believable characters and historical detail. This novel relies upon the well-worn soap opera plot-providers of keeping secrets, lying, jumping to conclusions and refusing to listen. So it should be a comfortable fit for the millions of soap opera viewers with the bonus of being set in an exciting era.
I'm not normally one for historical fiction or chick lit but I was quite looking forward to reading this. I wasn't disappointed. Of course you get what you're given with a romance I suppose but I still very much enjoyed the book. It was such an easy and lovely read. Each romance is pretty cringey but I suppose, cute, and you can completely imagine the times being different in the 40s where that would have been the most incredible thing. I couldn't put the book down once I'd started reading and every time I was about force myself to sleep, a bomb would drop and I'd find myself holding on until I made sure everyone was ok. Really makes you think what it would be like living in those times. Especially with the racial opinions too. Crazy to think how much the world has (or hasn't) changed. April is such a relatable character - I could definitely see myself in her. Bess, however, was annoying! Of course she I supposed to be and it was great to find myself laughing out loud when she got things handed to her when she deserved it. I love it when you can get that invested in a book.
Love Conquers All This is a very pleasant story to read. It is about a young nurse by the name of April whose only living relative is her father. After the bombing raids in London she decides to move to Turo in search of her family's past while resuming her training at the local hospital. She is living in outside accommodation with a lady called Mrs Teague who becomes to regard her as her daughter. Then the Americans arrive and liven up Turo in more ways than one. As the story unfolds it tells of the difficulties the black servicemen had to endure and the white girls who fell in love with them. The nurses at the hospital are a mixed bunch in their attitudes to each other and April finds one girl in particular very hard to deal with. The author also gives the reader a little extra bonus after the end of the story....A recipe for Cheese and Potato Pie which I fully intend to make as it sounds delicious.
A pleasant tale of love and loss in wartime Britain
I do not usually read sagas but I really enjoyed this book. It is a pleasant, nostalgic and heartwarming read that held my interest and kept me turning the pages. Set in wartime Britain, the book is wonderfully descriptive and I felt like I was part of that era.
The book features a range of interesting and well developed characters, each of whom has his or her own unique voice and personality. The main character, April, is very likeable and I warmed to her straight away. I particularly liked the relationships between the characters and the sensitive way in which the author explored the attitudes towards American troops during the war.
I would recommend The G.I. Bride to anyone who enjoys wartime sagas and romance novels.
I have just read this book and loved it. I will be honest, before I started it I did think it might possibly be 'more of the same' but was completely surprised, I couldn't put it down! It is very true to how life will have been during the hardship of the second world war, with it's tragedies, loss and strong friendships to help them all through such terrible times. The book is centered around April who is a nurse and has lost everyone close to her, all April wants is to be part of a family again, when she has an opportunity to transfer to Truro in her role as a nurse she accepts and starts a new life there, at first it seems much quieter than where she previously lived in London, but as the Americans arrive to help with the war effort, problems arise in many different ways. would definitely recommend.
Loved this masterpiece book, absolutely amazing. Along with the long and hard journey April went on to have her family and create her new life, readers have the opportunity to see how the second world war affected everyone, getting to somewhat experience it as well thought-out the characters lives and moments, including when the American g.i.'s arrived and the trouble they tended to get up to and how the characters treated the coloured soldiers, some terribly awful and some wonderful, so wonderful they fall in love with each other.
For me while reading I wasn't that interested-but rest assured that was only till the Americans appeared. Then I was terribly hooked apon reading the wonderful story.
Throughout my reading I exclaimed many "yes, yes, yes's" when it all went wonderful and "no, no, no's." when drama strikes once again.
A huge congratulations to the amazing Eileen Ramsay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Such an easy romantic read. April is a nurse during the second World war. She sees her father been killed in an air raid. Feeling lost and wanting a connection to her mother she travels to Cornwell her mother’s old town. Soon, the Americans G.I.S arrive, and her life is thrown into turmoil…the hospital she is working at comes under attack Majur Crawford helps April save a young boy who is trapped on the ward.
April wasn’t expecting to fall for the Majur but she has and she’s fallen hard for him.
I really enjoyed this book one thing though her friend Bess her story didn’t get finished… it felt like there was more to her.
I like how the racial difference where tackled in this book.. to be honest not much as changed with the way some people still think these days. Anyhow I highly recommend it’s a quick read.
G. I. Bride by Eileen Ramsey is out now on Audible and Kindle.
April made this story for me; I was completely swept up in her journey.
Her story begins with heartbreak when she loses her father in the Blitz.
Set in wartime Cornwall, this book writes about life during WWII.
April is a true heroine—brave, kind, and determined to find happiness, even in the darkest time.
Major Crawford Dunbar had me swooning and quickly going on my list of book boyfriends; I loved listening to the audio and routed for April every step of the way.
This had twists of betrayal, secrets and ruining rumours that threatened to destroy everything.
This story was so engaging. It had romance and drama, often with laughing parts and historical detail.
If you love strong female leads and an emotional story, this one’s for you.
A swoony and uplifting read—I didn't want it to end, to be honest.
Eileen Ramsay is an accomplished writer of war love sagas. The prose is well written and the story moves along quickly taking you the reader with it. There are plenty of tears and smiles, well crafted heroes, heroines and villains, to keep everyone entertained. This is the story of April, orphaned in the blitz, training to be a nurse. She transfers to Cornwall to try to find her mother’s family but finds friendship on all sides and a special love her heart has been yearning for. But every story has a baddie and one of April’s new friends seems to be causing trouble at every turn. I can recommend this book as pure escapism and easy reading even for people who don’t usually read books of this genre.
April Harvey is such a likeable character and although set in the second world war you can relate to her life struggles and how this effects her. In moving to Truro Cornwall she tries to turn her life around and escape the confines of the city and the war around her. Her work is hard at anytime but doubly traumatic during a major war. And so she starts to find a new life and possibilty of love in a seemingly new world. Yet she cannot relax or enjoy when tongues are wagging and rumours are rife. The GIs were so applauded by many during the second world war but will prove to be difficult for April. Beautifully written, a real page turner and thoroughly enjoyable. Not my usual read but i would recoomend it.
After losing her Dad, April moves to Cornwall to find her mum's family. She's soon working happily in a hospital and making friends then the American GIs arrive. April's life is turned upside down and she soon learns how complicated things can get. Not everyone can be trusted.
Oh this was such a good read. Initially I wasn't too sure as I tend to prefer crime/thriller but this just had me hooked. The story is really interesting and the ending was perfect. The book deals with a lot of serious issues from those times. It's quite heart breaking at times and yet there's also much hope in the story which I loved. I really enjoyed the story between Eunice and AJ as well. It added more depth to the story. This is a brilliant read and one of my faves of the year.
This is about a girl called April, who is a nurse, who loses her family to the war, and decides to seek any other family relations in Cornwall. Upon arriving she quickly discovers that she has other living relatives, but realises over time that friends can become family. As she gets to grips with working in a new hospital, Cornwall becomes over ridden with the American army, there to help fight the war. April falls for a Major, and the story is of her trials and tribulations. It was an ok read, nothing too dramatic or gripping.
Another 'new to me' author, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a lovely story of family, love and loss. It was quite sad in parts and there were a few moments of laughter, and I did shed a tear or 2! It would be lovely if there was a follow up book, as I would love to know what happens to the characters. Mrs T was definitely my favourite character!! I shall be looking out for more of Eileen's books. Highly recommend this book
What an awesome book had a hard time putting it down at times. The main character April who is a a nursing student during the war in London & Cornwall. While she is doing her nursing training she meets a dashing G.I she falls totally in love with. There were moments in this book left me feeling breathless experiencing things April did in this wonderful book. I loved how romance and war drama intertwined in this book making it such a great easy read.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book a lot. I always see these wartime romance books on the shelves, and I’ve just never given them a chance. But, I went in a charity shop and picked this one up, and oh my goodness, I adored it! It was sappy, lovey and sweet. I would definitely recommend to give this book a chance! 10/10, five stars!
Enjoyed the story, nice light hearted reading. First time I have read any of Eileens books but will certainly look out for some of her others. Be nice if there would be another to follow this one as to how April & Crawford get on when they move to America.
Loved this book. Read it after reading a novel based on the lives in a grout of inmates at Auschwitz so the lovely soft story of love and loss gave the the perfect escapism I was looking for. This is a lovely gentle read with a happy ending
I enjoyed this book about early WW2 the Blitz, Nurses and GIs. The interactions and love affairs are well handled especially with the "colored" issue as it first occurs in Enland in the 1940s.
This book has me gripped after the first few pages. A young nurse left with no family after a night of bombing finds love with an American soldier. Recommended.