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The Lives We Left Behind
1943. Seventeen-year-old Dorothea Miller is given the responsibility of managing the family farm when her father and brother are conscripted, leaving her with only her distant mother and the unfamiliar Land Girls for company.
Angeline Carter and her four younger brothers are evacuated to the Welsh countryside to escape the bombings; the Miller farm is nothing like they’ve seen before and certainly more than Angeline bargained for when she meets the surly, unwelcoming farmer’s daughter.
Despite their rocky start, misunderstandings and tragedies, Dorothea and Angeline realise that their friendship may run deeper than either of them had prepared for.
Angeline Carter and her four younger brothers are evacuated to the Welsh countryside to escape the bombings; the Miller farm is nothing like they’ve seen before and certainly more than Angeline bargained for when she meets the surly, unwelcoming farmer’s daughter.
Despite their rocky start, misunderstandings and tragedies, Dorothea and Angeline realise that their friendship may run deeper than either of them had prepared for.
413 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2021
30 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 7, 2022
genuinely such a beautiful story. i am also never going to be able to listen to dorothea by taylor swift the same way again!!
June 16, 2021
wow a solid 4 stars from me (maybe even 4 and a half) i loved this book, i couldn’t put it down. i loved the romance, the writing really captured the emotions on the characters so well! it’s hard to find LGBTQ books so i really loved the representation in this.
some of my fave quotes:
“sometimes, the things that are harder to fight for are worth it in the end”
“he wasn’t sick, he wasn’t wrong or crazy. he was just in love, and not even the law should be able to stop that.”
some of my fave quotes:
“sometimes, the things that are harder to fight for are worth it in the end”
“he wasn’t sick, he wasn’t wrong or crazy. he was just in love, and not even the law should be able to stop that.”
September 29, 2023
oh my god i just read this all in one go? its 6am? wow
June 16, 2021
Beautiful story I loved it!!
June 16, 2021
a beautifully written, debut novel. very emotional and uplifting, can’t wait to read the second one 🥰
“it was so freeing, uplifting, to know that people like her existed. john loved a man so maybe it was alright that angeline made thea feel like she was floating.”
“it was so freeing, uplifting, to know that people like her existed. john loved a man so maybe it was alright that angeline made thea feel like she was floating.”
November 14, 2021
this book was so, so special to me. aside from the fact that it's a sapphic historical fiction novel (which might just be my favourite genre), i am so honoured to have read it and i am incredibly inspired by olivia herself. i've followed the creation of this work since she first got the idea, and it's so surreal to hold it in my hands now and to have read it in full. i honestly can't believe it. i'm so proud of her and the fact that she got us to this point; longing to visit angie and thea again.
the contrast between the two main characters was perfect, and made the harmony of their relationship flow beautifully. grief and sadness and pure joy and discovery of love are all eternal, mixed into this story of a beautiful yet sometimes bittersweet fate in the midst of wartime.
i can't wait for more!!!
the contrast between the two main characters was perfect, and made the harmony of their relationship flow beautifully. grief and sadness and pure joy and discovery of love are all eternal, mixed into this story of a beautiful yet sometimes bittersweet fate in the midst of wartime.
i can't wait for more!!!
July 3, 2021
That. Was. Amazing.
July 7, 2021
I read this book completely in one sitting and I can't help but wish I didn't; just to drag it out longer. Because I so enjoyed it!!
It was like being in another world, despite how realistically the author wrote it.
Thea; Dorothea. Such an ideal character. She's sassy, free-spirited, and caring. Her walls may be built up rather high but that does not prevent her from expressing how much she truly cares for certain people. I love how she was written. Her character development from page one to the epilogue was greatly fleshed out.
Angie; Angeline. Another phenomenal character! I think she very well might be my favorite character, mainly because her heart is so big. I love how much she adored Thea and wanted to protect her no matter what. I also see myself in the way she cares for her younger brothers and yet longs for a mother figure in her life. Her relationship with Florence was very heartwarming and appreciated.
When it comes to the confession scene, I admire how it arose, with Dorothea first realizing the depth of her feelings for Angeline and having the truth burst out of her like a long-kept secret. Another thing I like is the fact that within the narration and thoughts of the protagonists, you could already suspect their feelings from the moment they met. Angeline often made passing comments (internally) about passerby and of course, Dorothea.
Another moment I truly appreciated, was when Angeline stood up for Dorothea. From the second she found out about Thea's father and brother, Angie had wanted nothing than to tell her the truth. Despite distractions and Scary Mary getting in the way, her intentions remained true and she stuck up for her lover. What made it better was Dorothea not holding it against her. Like aksjsishsjgk yesss 🥰
One of the key reason why I'd recommend this book is solely due to the protagonists communication and commitment to each other. Sure, they fight and disagree quite often. But that never stops them from being together, or discussing their problems.
One of the reasons why I'd tell future readers to be wary is the ending.
It. Will. Carve. Your. Heart. Out.
Realistically, I understood why it had to happen. The 1940s had nothing good to offer the lgbtq+ community and for that reason, Dorothea and Angeline could not have a classic happy ending.
As a selfish reader, I wanted their happy ending. 😭
Thankfully, that is not a demerit point, and my enjoyment remains the same.
5 stars 🌟
And a new favorite book!!! I can't wait for more from this author!!
It was like being in another world, despite how realistically the author wrote it.
Thea; Dorothea. Such an ideal character. She's sassy, free-spirited, and caring. Her walls may be built up rather high but that does not prevent her from expressing how much she truly cares for certain people. I love how she was written. Her character development from page one to the epilogue was greatly fleshed out.
Angie; Angeline. Another phenomenal character! I think she very well might be my favorite character, mainly because her heart is so big. I love how much she adored Thea and wanted to protect her no matter what. I also see myself in the way she cares for her younger brothers and yet longs for a mother figure in her life. Her relationship with Florence was very heartwarming and appreciated.
When it comes to the confession scene, I admire how it arose, with Dorothea first realizing the depth of her feelings for Angeline and having the truth burst out of her like a long-kept secret. Another thing I like is the fact that within the narration and thoughts of the protagonists, you could already suspect their feelings from the moment they met. Angeline often made passing comments (internally) about passerby and of course, Dorothea.
Another moment I truly appreciated, was when Angeline stood up for Dorothea. From the second she found out about Thea's father and brother, Angie had wanted nothing than to tell her the truth. Despite distractions and Scary Mary getting in the way, her intentions remained true and she stuck up for her lover. What made it better was Dorothea not holding it against her. Like aksjsishsjgk yesss 🥰
One of the key reason why I'd recommend this book is solely due to the protagonists communication and commitment to each other. Sure, they fight and disagree quite often. But that never stops them from being together, or discussing their problems.
One of the reasons why I'd tell future readers to be wary is the ending.
It. Will. Carve. Your. Heart. Out.
Realistically, I understood why it had to happen. The 1940s had nothing good to offer the lgbtq+ community and for that reason, Dorothea and Angeline could not have a classic happy ending.
As a selfish reader, I wanted their happy ending. 😭
Thankfully, that is not a demerit point, and my enjoyment remains the same.
5 stars 🌟
And a new favorite book!!! I can't wait for more from this author!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
Such a fantastic book, detailing exactly what it’s like to fall in love for the first time as a young queer woman. I loved all the characters in their own ways, and could not put this book down. So excited to see what Olivia writes in the future! ⭐️
June 3, 2022
really what i craved lately and it delivered!!
i do have to say that it kind of felt rushed wouldve liked to see more of the chracters i think? idk not really but i would have wanted to see more yearning but it still made me cry :Dreally excited for the second book !!!
i do have to say that it kind of felt rushed wouldve liked to see more of the chracters i think? idk not really but i would have wanted to see more yearning but it still made me cry :Dreally excited for the second book !!!
June 26, 2021
A little messy, but a thoroughly enjoyable story and shows promise of becoming a popular writer.
January 23, 2022
To put it simply, this book had me sobbing on the train.
January 25, 2022
4.5
SO WHOLESOME AND COZY AND SHAPPIC
SO WHOLESOME AND COZY AND SHAPPIC
March 5, 2022
my favourite! the characters are so well written!!
July 2, 2021
This is a well written and clearly well-researched novel. It’s clear the author has a passion for writing and I was very happy to find an LGBT+ Romance novel written by a young and lesser-known writer. The actual story is emotional and confronts fears many young queer people may feel. I really enjoyed this book and read it across two days. I’m excited to see more from this writer!
June 19, 2021
Exactly what I’ve been wanting in a book!
August 24, 2021
This book just made me FEEL! It was emotional but not in a bad way. I’m pretty sure I cried at parts I wasn’t even supposed to cry at (I blame it on the fact that I finished reading it while I was sick). Even as I write this, I still feel the remains of tears in my eyes. Maybe it’s because it ended openly in the sense where Thea and Angie were together but the future was so unsure.
I look at this book and I think about the year it was set in. 1943/4. The idea of anyone being a part of the LGBT+ community in that time was just absurd and even as I write this review in 2021, knowing how far we’ve come and still how much further we have to go, really puts things into perspective. I longed for Angie and Thea to be together and I think considering the year they were in, I was just rooting for it even more because love shouldn’t be stopped. Maybe that’s why I cried so much because it truly must’ve been hard back then and I just wanted the characters to be happy, both together and in themselves. I guess in a way that did happen but also, did it?
I loved Angie and Thea as characters, both separately and together and I even took a liking to Florence as well as she sort of took on a motherly role throughout the book, that and the fact that she seemed to be the most understanding of the whole situation that was going on.
Overall, it was a great book. One of those books where I wish I could start again and read from the beginning without knowing what was going to happen. It was an emotional and touching story but one that I’m very glad I had the privilege of reading.
I look at this book and I think about the year it was set in. 1943/4. The idea of anyone being a part of the LGBT+ community in that time was just absurd and even as I write this review in 2021, knowing how far we’ve come and still how much further we have to go, really puts things into perspective. I longed for Angie and Thea to be together and I think considering the year they were in, I was just rooting for it even more because love shouldn’t be stopped. Maybe that’s why I cried so much because it truly must’ve been hard back then and I just wanted the characters to be happy, both together and in themselves. I guess in a way that did happen but also, did it?
I loved Angie and Thea as characters, both separately and together and I even took a liking to Florence as well as she sort of took on a motherly role throughout the book, that and the fact that she seemed to be the most understanding of the whole situation that was going on.
Overall, it was a great book. One of those books where I wish I could start again and read from the beginning without knowing what was going to happen. It was an emotional and touching story but one that I’m very glad I had the privilege of reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
This is literally so good. I read it in one night.
Characters are in-depth and the plot is heart-warming and awesome. The representation as well as the historic details are very realistic.
I loved this. If you consider buying it, it's definitely worth it!
Characters are in-depth and the plot is heart-warming and awesome. The representation as well as the historic details are very realistic.
I loved this. If you consider buying it, it's definitely worth it!
June 15, 2021
4.5* - I smiled and / or cried the whole way through!
July 6, 2021
I’ve been waiting for this book for ages i never actually thought I’d get it. I just want to say it took me so long because i hit a reading slump when i was halfway through and took a break but i could have read it in a sitting I’m serious i sat down and just read it for house which i never do. My expectations were set so high which i try not to do often but thankfully they were extremely met :]. This is without a doubt my new favourite book whenever i see a sapphic booktok video i just recommend this regardless of the video it’s literally so good. The author has such a way with words i can’t actually believe a 16 year old wrote this :o. I love Angeline and i love Dorothea i wanted a happy ending for them both so so bad.
I never really feel connected to book romances, they never really work with me but they did they are literally so cute they are my new favourite book couple. I really really need a sequel and i hate sequels so that is saying something i hope the author has other sapphic books in mind as-well (not in this universe) because i love how she writes and i love the characters she thinks of.
5/5 i love this book i love the world and the characters :]
I never really feel connected to book romances, they never really work with me but they did they are literally so cute they are my new favourite book couple. I really really need a sequel and i hate sequels so that is saying something i hope the author has other sapphic books in mind as-well (not in this universe) because i love how she writes and i love the characters she thinks of.
5/5 i love this book i love the world and the characters :]
November 11, 2021
3,5!! Can’t wait for the sequel
May 11, 2022
Omg I loved this book so so much! I could not put it down! I'm so in love with Dorothea and Angelines friendship and the entire story ❤ will probably not stop talking about this for a few weeks... it was perfect
June 19, 2022
I love it
April 2, 2023
I’m gonna go cry this is beautiful
June 2, 2025
Fantastic and sweet and god I just love historical fiction. Dorothea and Angeline my beloveds 🥹🥹🥹
February 8, 2023
(3’5⭐️) A very enjoyable read by a very young author !! It is a very entertaining book and it is incredible to me that a sixteen year old could write this!! i loved the setting and most of the characters.
my only criticisms of it are that the crush seemed a bit rushed (in the sense that they had like one or two convos and dorothea was already sooo crazy for angie; and that some characteristics that were said about the characters weren’t really shown.
my only criticisms of it are that the crush seemed a bit rushed (in the sense that they had like one or two convos and dorothea was already sooo crazy for angie; and that some characteristics that were said about the characters weren’t really shown.
June 30, 2021
3.5 stars
June 20, 2021
The entire book was amazingly well written and the way Thea and Angie were written was so beautiful. I loved how even aside from their romance you can tell how profound and strong their friendship is. Deffinatley my new favourite book
July 31, 2021
This book… where do I start…
I was hooked from the first letter to the last period. This book made me feel a whirlwind of emotions. I’ve been waiting to find a book just like this for so long and now I have I don’t know how to feel.
The way that Dorothea came to terms with her identity was so beautifully done. The connections with her father made my heart sob knowing that something could possibly happen.
5/5 stars without a doubt.
Favourite Quotes:
“It isn’t a life without me in it,” Thea said, “I’ll always be there in your memory. The beautiful thing is that nobody can erase the past.”
“It had better be somewhere amazing you’re taking me,” Angie commented, “because I would much rather be in bed right now.” Thea raised a brow as she did her coat up. “Somebody’s eager.” Angie whacked her arm. “I meant asleep! Not in bed with you!”
“He and She. It’s a difference of one letter, isn’t it? We’re all humans, we’re all built the same inside and yet poor John had spent his life burying that down. He deserved better than that. He wasn’t sick, he wasn’t wrong or crazy. He was just in love, and not even the law should be able to stop that.”
“That wasn’t going to happen anytime soon with a British government of old, fat, white male capitalists.”
“Juliet and Juliet,” Angie whispered. “The new and improved star-crossed lovers.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2021
Wonderful and heartwarming story, couldn’t put it down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews