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The Loves of Mrs McAllister
Would you risk losing everything for love?
In 1936, eighteen-year-old Esther Muncie marries Scottish landowner Fraser McAllister, twenty-four years her senior.
By 1946, Esther is the mother of two children, wife to an absent husband and is running the estate of Kirkmore. With her Scottish labourers still helping to rebuild Europe with the British Army, and desperately needing workers, Esther takes delivery of twenty German prisoners of war.
Amongst these ‘enemy aliens’ the residents of Kirkmore find friends. They find craftsmen, farmers, ordinary men and boys.
And Esther McAllister finds a German academic by the name of Michael Petersen.
In 1936, eighteen-year-old Esther Muncie marries Scottish landowner Fraser McAllister, twenty-four years her senior.
By 1946, Esther is the mother of two children, wife to an absent husband and is running the estate of Kirkmore. With her Scottish labourers still helping to rebuild Europe with the British Army, and desperately needing workers, Esther takes delivery of twenty German prisoners of war.
Amongst these ‘enemy aliens’ the residents of Kirkmore find friends. They find craftsmen, farmers, ordinary men and boys.
And Esther McAllister finds a German academic by the name of Michael Petersen.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2020
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 3, 2021
Mrs McAllister did not grow up a lady. Rather, she was born Esther to a widowed mother who worked on the McAllister estate, and she spent her childhood playing on the fields and pranking the grumpy gamekeeper with the young Andrew McAllister. When Esther turns eighteen though, Drew's father Fraser McAllister asks for her hand in marriage, and she becomes her best friend's stepmother and the lady of the estate. Her marriage, ultimately, is loveless, save for the birth of Esther's two young children, Archie and Florrie, and Fraser leaves her mostly to herself while he attends to business and politics in London. It is thus under Esther's management of Kirkmore that the British War Ag decides to relocate a number of German former prisoners-of-war to work on the farm in the late summer of 1946.
Despite underlying tensions and fear that characterize the rural Scottish community after six long years of war against the Germans, the soldiers-cum-farm laborers work hard and with little complaint, slowly but surely integrating themselves into the community over the two years spanned in the book, becoming friends, teachers, and lovers of their new Scottish neighbors.
The book was somewhat more of a romance than I anticipated (complete with happily ever after ending), which wasn't necessarily a problem but did take me by surprise. I liked the characters of both Esther and Michael (her German lover), and I was impressed by McNiven's efforts to create complicated, nuanced characters. Sympathetic portrayals of Germans during the Second World War are always difficult to pull off, and for the most part, I think McNiven was successful, highlighting the humanity of all of her characters and the horrors of loss that so many of them (on every side) experienced. Some of the less stellar moments included descriptions of Mr. Michael Petersen as the "ideal Aryan" and his dialogue with Esther about his disgust for Nazi policies, even those supported by his own family members.
The references took me out of the story a bit (a romantic hero just should not be described as Aryan in any way, in my opinion), and the denigration of Nazism seemed, though somewhat necessary, a bit forced and overdone. Indeed, that is my primary criticism of the book overall: character descriptions and emotional analysis were often stated too directly and too dramatically, and frankly, it was unnecessary. McNiven created strong characters, and I gleaned of their personality and internal struggle without needing to be explicitly told most of the time, so the subsequent telling rather than showing was distracting and disappointing. This also came up occasionally in descriptions of the land, which were certainly detailed but quite matter-of-fact. I would have appreciated some more imaginative and evocative imagery to capture the feelings of the Kirkmore estate and farmland.
Furthermore, I was frustrated by the sudden drama at the end of the book. It seemed to come from nowhere, despite building tensions throughout the book, and the randomness and violence threw me for a loop, though it was powerful to see the strength of the bonds that had been formed. Likewise, the happily ever after was overly simplistic, with disappointingly little regard for the inevitable future complications of reconciling Esther's marriage and her affair. I love a romance that ends with two engaging, dynamic, intelligent characters together, but there were a few kinks left to work out in this one that made it a bit too hard to believe.
Overall, this is a good book with an interesting plot and nuanced, human characters. The passage of time was well-done, and the romance was sweet. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to people who love historical romance and especially WWII historical fiction, but the writing let it down.
I received and read this book for free from BookSirens in partnership with Poolberg Press. Opinions stated in this review are honest and my own.
Release Date: 9 September 2020
Despite underlying tensions and fear that characterize the rural Scottish community after six long years of war against the Germans, the soldiers-cum-farm laborers work hard and with little complaint, slowly but surely integrating themselves into the community over the two years spanned in the book, becoming friends, teachers, and lovers of their new Scottish neighbors.
The book was somewhat more of a romance than I anticipated (complete with happily ever after ending), which wasn't necessarily a problem but did take me by surprise. I liked the characters of both Esther and Michael (her German lover), and I was impressed by McNiven's efforts to create complicated, nuanced characters. Sympathetic portrayals of Germans during the Second World War are always difficult to pull off, and for the most part, I think McNiven was successful, highlighting the humanity of all of her characters and the horrors of loss that so many of them (on every side) experienced. Some of the less stellar moments included descriptions of Mr. Michael Petersen as the "ideal Aryan" and his dialogue with Esther about his disgust for Nazi policies, even those supported by his own family members.
The references took me out of the story a bit (a romantic hero just should not be described as Aryan in any way, in my opinion), and the denigration of Nazism seemed, though somewhat necessary, a bit forced and overdone. Indeed, that is my primary criticism of the book overall: character descriptions and emotional analysis were often stated too directly and too dramatically, and frankly, it was unnecessary. McNiven created strong characters, and I gleaned of their personality and internal struggle without needing to be explicitly told most of the time, so the subsequent telling rather than showing was distracting and disappointing. This also came up occasionally in descriptions of the land, which were certainly detailed but quite matter-of-fact. I would have appreciated some more imaginative and evocative imagery to capture the feelings of the Kirkmore estate and farmland.
Furthermore, I was frustrated by the sudden drama at the end of the book. It seemed to come from nowhere, despite building tensions throughout the book, and the randomness and violence threw me for a loop, though it was powerful to see the strength of the bonds that had been formed. Likewise, the happily ever after was overly simplistic, with disappointingly little regard for the inevitable future complications of reconciling Esther's marriage and her affair. I love a romance that ends with two engaging, dynamic, intelligent characters together, but there were a few kinks left to work out in this one that made it a bit too hard to believe.
Overall, this is a good book with an interesting plot and nuanced, human characters. The passage of time was well-done, and the romance was sweet. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to people who love historical romance and especially WWII historical fiction, but the writing let it down.
I received and read this book for free from BookSirens in partnership with Poolberg Press. Opinions stated in this review are honest and my own.
Release Date: 9 September 2020
October 21, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up
Recommended for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale or films like The Aftermath and The Exception. You know how worked up people get about Mr. Darcy’s hand flex in Pride and Prejudice? That’s this book, basically.
During The Great War, Fraser McAllister’s small town sends enough men to form their own regiment, and as the most prominent landowner he feels personally responsible for their safety. To his dismay, one man dies under his command. McAllister takes it upon himself to care for the widow and her small daughter, Esther. Consequently, Esther is raised from her impoverished roots and given the best opportunities McAllister’s money has to offer, roaming Kirkmore estate freely with his son and blossoming into a young woman. In a move that surprises them all, McAllister proposes to Esther, and she accepts. The years that follow change them all forever.
The characters of The Loves of Mrs McAllister have interesting stories and unique interests and convictions which drive them. Even McAllister, who might seem like the villain for binding Esther into a passionless marriage is more than he seems. McNiven does a good job of exploring the divide between servants, prisoners, the village, and the landowners rather than creating an unrealistic portrayal of the times.
The first chapter of the book was particularly compelling and well-done; I really liked starting off with Michael’s perspective and getting his story directly even though he relays the incident to Esther later. The pacing is great, and I enjoyed the way the story unfolded over the years. The flashbacks and backstories were interesting without popping up too frequently.
The main thing I would change about the book is its title. The Loves of Mrs McAllister is rather melodramatic and doesn’t do the nuanced story justice. It’s like if Ian McEwan had named Atonement, “The Library Incident” or something.
The writing here was good, but it was not especially poetic or compelling in its diction or turns of phrase, which is why I would rate this 4.5 stars. Still, I loved it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to historical fiction/romance fans.
I received a free copy through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Recommended for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale or films like The Aftermath and The Exception. You know how worked up people get about Mr. Darcy’s hand flex in Pride and Prejudice? That’s this book, basically.
During The Great War, Fraser McAllister’s small town sends enough men to form their own regiment, and as the most prominent landowner he feels personally responsible for their safety. To his dismay, one man dies under his command. McAllister takes it upon himself to care for the widow and her small daughter, Esther. Consequently, Esther is raised from her impoverished roots and given the best opportunities McAllister’s money has to offer, roaming Kirkmore estate freely with his son and blossoming into a young woman. In a move that surprises them all, McAllister proposes to Esther, and she accepts. The years that follow change them all forever.
The characters of The Loves of Mrs McAllister have interesting stories and unique interests and convictions which drive them. Even McAllister, who might seem like the villain for binding Esther into a passionless marriage is more than he seems. McNiven does a good job of exploring the divide between servants, prisoners, the village, and the landowners rather than creating an unrealistic portrayal of the times.
The first chapter of the book was particularly compelling and well-done; I really liked starting off with Michael’s perspective and getting his story directly even though he relays the incident to Esther later. The pacing is great, and I enjoyed the way the story unfolded over the years. The flashbacks and backstories were interesting without popping up too frequently.
The main thing I would change about the book is its title. The Loves of Mrs McAllister is rather melodramatic and doesn’t do the nuanced story justice. It’s like if Ian McEwan had named Atonement, “The Library Incident” or something.
The writing here was good, but it was not especially poetic or compelling in its diction or turns of phrase, which is why I would rate this 4.5 stars. Still, I loved it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to historical fiction/romance fans.
I received a free copy through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 18, 2020
The loves of Mrs. McAllister are many. It isn't just the love between a man and a woman. Esther McAllister loved her mother and the village she lived in very much. This love was the basis of many of the decisions she made in her life.
Esther was stronger than she thought. She was smart and worked hard to achieve the impossible.
Many of her loves were forbidden. How can she live with the decisions she made? What would happen if her secrets were discovered?
I enjoyed the book. It was different than anything I have read lately. Beware: there were some sexual scenes that might make you uncomfortable. I do give it five stars out of five.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About Hannah McNiven
Hannah grew up on a farm in rural Ireland where she spent her childhood riding horses and chasing or being chased by many other animals (mostly cows). Thanks to her parents and siblings, she became a voracious reader. From reading novels by the Bröntes to Evelyn Waugh to Phillipa Gregory, Sebastian Faulks and Pat Barker (there was plenty of Enid Blyton too), Hannah has developed a love of historical and literary fiction which has influenced her own writing. She has an especial interest in stories that occur around the time of, and during, World War One and Two. She sometimes feels that she was, perhaps, born in the wrong era but then remembers how useful the internet is when it comes to researching her work. She is also proud of her Scottish and Irish heritage, believing that there is nowhere more beautiful on Earth than the verdant hills and rugged countryside of these places which are the perfect setting for her work.
Esther was stronger than she thought. She was smart and worked hard to achieve the impossible.
Many of her loves were forbidden. How can she live with the decisions she made? What would happen if her secrets were discovered?
I enjoyed the book. It was different than anything I have read lately. Beware: there were some sexual scenes that might make you uncomfortable. I do give it five stars out of five.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About Hannah McNiven
Hannah grew up on a farm in rural Ireland where she spent her childhood riding horses and chasing or being chased by many other animals (mostly cows). Thanks to her parents and siblings, she became a voracious reader. From reading novels by the Bröntes to Evelyn Waugh to Phillipa Gregory, Sebastian Faulks and Pat Barker (there was plenty of Enid Blyton too), Hannah has developed a love of historical and literary fiction which has influenced her own writing. She has an especial interest in stories that occur around the time of, and during, World War One and Two. She sometimes feels that she was, perhaps, born in the wrong era but then remembers how useful the internet is when it comes to researching her work. She is also proud of her Scottish and Irish heritage, believing that there is nowhere more beautiful on Earth than the verdant hills and rugged countryside of these places which are the perfect setting for her work.
September 20, 2020
Forbidden Love
This is a story of lonely people finding each other. It is a story of a forbidden love and of those involved. It is also a story of a coming together and healing following a period of devastating war. A town accepting those that are different and were once their enemy.
Esther married a wealthy land owner at eighteen who was the father of one of her school friends, years and years older that her at the insistence of her mother to do so. After bearing two children and taking on management of the farm her husband stayed in London and she stayed on the farm in Scotland.
Because of the war farm workers were hard to find. Finally she talked the POW camp into allowing her to use German POW’s to work on the farm. The relationships formed between herself, the Village people and the German Soldiers and the true plot of the story. Her affair with one of the German Soldiers and how other's reacted. Their integration into not only the farm, but the whole village is interesting. The stories of the different men and how they came to be a the camp. The stories of their different talents was well told. It is a romance story, but it is more than that. Although there are some love scenes they are well written and add more than distract from the book. It had a good ending.
This is a good story in compassion, kindness, forgiveness and healing of the mind and spirit. It is also a story of how some will never be accepting, but life and Love flourishes in spite of it.
It was a good book, and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Hannah McNiven and Book Sirens for allowing me to read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2021
The Prologue takes place about two years before the end of WWII and the story picks up shortly after the war has ended in the small village of Kirkmore in Scotland. As was true the world over, feelings of national loyalty and hatred of former foes continued well after final battles were called. In the nearby POW camp the prisoners were still feared and abused by the locals. So when Esther McAllister hires 20 prisoners to help keep the large Kirkmore estate from floundering the local residents are wary of the possible dangers of working alongside their recent German enemies.
“The Loves of Mrs. McAllister” is an amazingly wonderful story of relationships and understanding and forgiveness and acceptance. It tests the expectations of society, especially after witnessing the great evils of WWII, and opens eyes and hearts to the realities that all people are capable of great kindness and understanding and that sometimes the rules should be broken.
I received a free copy of this book for my voluntary, honest review. I was so taken by this book - the lovely settings, the interesting characters and the overall romance of the story - I pIan to read it again and will definitely recommend it to my friends.
“The Loves of Mrs. McAllister” is an amazingly wonderful story of relationships and understanding and forgiveness and acceptance. It tests the expectations of society, especially after witnessing the great evils of WWII, and opens eyes and hearts to the realities that all people are capable of great kindness and understanding and that sometimes the rules should be broken.
I received a free copy of this book for my voluntary, honest review. I was so taken by this book - the lovely settings, the interesting characters and the overall romance of the story - I pIan to read it again and will definitely recommend it to my friends.
October 28, 2020
Initially a slow buildup, but it picks up pace and we learn about another aspect of the way the English were affected by the constant barrage of bombs by the Germans!
If all the men were out fighting the war who did they get to work in the fields? People had to eat? Soldiers needed to be fed in order to keep going forward!
Women could only do so much!
Esther is a young wife of an estate, but smart and her older husband is in London. She asks for help and they bring in 20 German prisoners of war with varied experiences! Some knew how to work on a farm and some did not, but were willing to work hard and they were.better than there previous workers!
The dynamics of the village and the Germans are developed and it is truly amazing how the author weaves it in such away that we see how we base assumptions!!
Then we see the same development between aristocrats and middle class and those who perceive that you shouldn’t ever let the two mix!
This book is truly a work of art and experience!!
I would recommend this book!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review in my own words and opinions voluntarily!
If all the men were out fighting the war who did they get to work in the fields? People had to eat? Soldiers needed to be fed in order to keep going forward!
Women could only do so much!
Esther is a young wife of an estate, but smart and her older husband is in London. She asks for help and they bring in 20 German prisoners of war with varied experiences! Some knew how to work on a farm and some did not, but were willing to work hard and they were.better than there previous workers!
The dynamics of the village and the Germans are developed and it is truly amazing how the author weaves it in such away that we see how we base assumptions!!
Then we see the same development between aristocrats and middle class and those who perceive that you shouldn’t ever let the two mix!
This book is truly a work of art and experience!!
I would recommend this book!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review in my own words and opinions voluntarily!
November 2, 2020
Esther has many loves,some very innocent,some forbidden! Follow Esther McAllister's life as she fights many battles. This story written by Hannah McNiven is such a wonderful emotional love story and one of the forbidden lives is her affair with a German solider as Scotland fights a war. Many do not understand but is it theirs to understand? Follow Esther's life and loves and why she made some of her decisions she did! The beginning was a little slow but got so much better! The characters in this story they become so real to you. The love scenes are done in taste,just to let you know. This is so such a wonderful,heartfelt story you will fall in love with and not want to ever end! Received from Book Siren!
February 24, 2021
This romance gives us an acurate view of what meant to be a war prisioner after the end pf WWII as well as the difficulties winners and losers had to overcome in order to start to live together again. A great description of different cultures, how taboos were perceived and how small and knit together communities reacted to them. Sometimes war made all be forgiven and respected. It also details how women started to take a greater space in leadership and workforce. Great entertainment with beautiful descriptions of farming in Scotland.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2020
Fantastic read by Hannah McNiven. Got to the last page and was like wait WHAT?? That's IT?? 100% craving more. I wanna know what their lives are gonna be like once Fraser dies?? Does she keep the estate?? Is she able to marry Michael? Not gonna lie, I was hoping Fraser would die before the end of the book. Not because I didn't like him, I just wanted him to be out of the way 😂😂 Also I love Dieter. And the fact that one of the dogs is called Sadie and acts so much like my old pup.
5/5. Really enjoyed it.
5/5. Really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2020
A young woman marries a middle aged man only because she does not feel she can say no. In spite of the fact that her best friend was his father. And as life goes on her husband goes to London and leaves her in control of his estate. She manages - in spite of naysayers. In spite of her husband seldom coming home. In spite of having two children by him - and he still does not come home. In spite of being given some German war prisoners . . . .this book has LOTS of subplots and yet the main one is amazing! Great book!!!
December 23, 2020
I enjoyed this story of a woman struggling to handle the business of running a large estate in the post WW2 era.
As the title indicates, this book explores the many different relationships in one's life and how important each of them can be.
The book is long. There are significant periods throughout that seem somewhat irrelevant to the overarching plot. However, the moments of action and crisis are worth the slow going.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free; all opinions are my own.
As the title indicates, this book explores the many different relationships in one's life and how important each of them can be.
The book is long. There are significant periods throughout that seem somewhat irrelevant to the overarching plot. However, the moments of action and crisis are worth the slow going.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free; all opinions are my own.
February 4, 2021
A good read about a young lady who does well for herself. I liked Esther because she was not nonsense and knew right from wrong. She treated her German prisoners with dignity and respect . They appreciated her kind ways and were good workers for her. Her loveless marriage did not deter her from eventually finding true love. This book showed the strength of women despite the obstacles of that period of history that was just acknowledging women and their contribution to society.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews