The Patchwork Girls

Patchwork Girls

by Elaine Everest

The Patchwork Girls by Elaine Everest is a moving story about the ties of friends and family, set during the turbulence of the Second World War.1939. After the sudden and tragic loss of her husband, Helen is returning home to her mother’s house in Biggin Hill, Kent – the one place she vowed she’d never go back to again.Alone and not knowing where to turn, Helen finds herself joining the local women’s sewing circle despite being hopeless with a needle and thread. These resourceful women can not only make do and mend clothes, quilts and woolly hats, but their friendship mends something deeper in Helen too. Lizzie is a natural leader, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Effie has uprooted her life from London to keep her two little girls away from the bombing raids, and the sewing circle is a welcome distraction from worries about how to keep a roof over their heads and about her husband too, now serving in active duty overseas.When the reason for Helen's husband's death comes to light, her world is turned upside down yet again. The investigating officer on the case, Richard, will leave no stone unturned, but it’s not long before his interest in Helen goes beyond the professional. As she pieces together old fabrics into a beautiful quilt, will Helen patch up the rifts in her own life?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, British Literature, Historical

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2021

About the author

Elaine Everest is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of historical sagas including The Woolworths Girls series, The Teashop Girls series and other popular books.

She is represented by the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency Ltd.

Reviews

[Carol Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of fluff.. In fact,
you’ve heard the saying.. Over egging the pudding ! In this case ..
it was the book! 😉
Because nothing could have made this book rise
Just too many Excessively verbose descriptions!!!! 🤨

It’s only saving grace was the potentially
excellent story!

2.5 Stars for what could have been :(

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

My word this book was outstanding from the first page so amazingly well written with excellent characters and the story plot is so good you get hooked straight away and just want to keep reading. It’s full of heartache and friendships and starting a new life after secrets come out and plenty of romance as well. Such a warm read and worth far more than five stars.
It’s 1939 and Helen has been at a friends for the night and is woken to be told her husband has lost his life tragically so she decides to head home to her mums to get support it’s the one place she said she wouldn’t return due to her new husband who she doesn’t get on with at all. She finds herself lovely so joins a local sewing group even though she can’t sew and they are big into making quilts but also the usual things to. She soon makes new friends along with the house keeper from her mums and she gets to get close to new friends. Problem is she learns that her husband was murdered and wasn’t an accident and the police are trying to find out who killed him and of course they question her. Her world is turned upside down as the friend she stayed with was hiding secrets and she was having an affair with her husband and also the policeman in charge Richard will leave no stone unturned and he soon shows an interest in Helen and wants to be closer to her but she says she can’t when her husband has just passed away. As she makes this quilt and adds different materials things start to unravel and plus she gets a letter from her friend who has an affair with her husband and they race to her and learn more and start leaving more together. Will they find out who killed her husband and can she move forward to find romance and be happy which she so deserves.
Worth far more than five stars so brilliant.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous tale of domestic life in Britain during the second world war!

With the tragic loss of her husband and her home off limits, Helen returns home to her mother’s house in Biggin Hill where she befriends Effie, the housekeeper, who left London to keep her young daughters safe when her husband went off to fight for his country. Lizzie is an expert craftswoman who meets Helen when she shows her quilts to the local sewing circle which Helen – much to her own amazement – joins. With an investigation ongoing into her husband’s death by Richard, an RAF Police Officer, she needs something to distract her. Can creating her own patchwork quilt help Helen smooth out her life?

As always, Elaine Everest has created a lively and interesting read, introducing a subject I knew little about which added that little bit extra to this story. With a wonderfully crafted story and creatively drawn characters, this is an absolutely terrific story! It’s a fine change to read about life outwith the British cities during this time and I was fascinated by all the little details to which this author always gives her attention. There is such a lot going on and this is, as always, a beautifully spun tale which I wallowed in from beginning to end. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a five star read and deserves my recommendation.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wartime and how it affected womens lives is brought to life in this new novel from Elaine Everest, this time taking us away from the air raids in the Kent town and seaside settings of her previous books and into the country, where a new sewing group and a kennels taking in stray dogs take centre stage. Helen has been widowed young after her MP husband dies in an apparent gas explosion accident but it is soon clear, as an RAF police investigation gets underway, that not only was he murdered but that he had been unfaithful too. But who would want him dead, and why? Who can Helen trust? As she makes new friends, grows closer to the investigating officer, and finally makes peace with her rather distant mother, what secrets are about to rock her world and will she ever feel safe again? A page turning read.

[Julie Barham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen is a young woman who wakes up to a nightmare: her husband John has been killed. Even though it is London in 1939 it is still a surprise; the cause is given as a gas explosion. The event forces her to return to her mother’s home with all its tensions and her offensive stepfather. After running away to London to avoid him, her difficult mother and village life, how can she survive her return given the ominous onset of war and all the implications of rationing and worse? Even her best friend has gone silent in London, and she knows no one in the village. The only person taking an interest in her is an RAF officer who seems to be investigating her MP husband’s death, but his interest does not seem to be friendly. A village sewing group may provide a lifeline for her and Effie, whose daughters need a safe home while her husband is on active service abroad. Can sewing pieces of fabric truly help with trauma on this scale?

This is a standalone book from the author of several series of wartime novels. At its heart are the memories and more of women as they deal with more than the usual cycle of marriage and life; they are looking to challenges that will require more of them than knitting socks for troops. As it introduces characters like Lizzie, the strong minded Canadian who actively tries to improve the lives of others, it looks at how women can work together to make a difference even in difficult circumstances. Aware that she may seem an outsider as Britain gears up for War, her determination to offer friendship and more to Helen is a strong theme in this engaging book. The research into the setting and various aspects of early wartime life makes this a fascinating read, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this entertaining book.

As she surveys the scene of her husband’s death, Helen is shocked at her reaction, especially as in the light of questions from the attentive Inspector Richard Gladstone. While she realises that as an important MP with responsibilities in the preparations for war his sudden death must be investigated, she is mystified as to why he is taking such an interest in her. After all, while her marriage was never passionate or even very loving, she fulfilled all the duties of the perfect MP’s wife. She had spent the day largely with her friend Felicity, and in leisurely shopping. Now she must make a quick decision about where she is going to live, and how she must come to terms with her greatly changed future. Her mother’s disappointment in no longer being associated with an MP is difficult to cope with, so when she sees an advertisement for a sewing group she snatches at the opportunity, and is soon persuaded that the simple construction of a quilt can help resolve her difficult memories, especially when more revelations further rock everything. Meanwhile Effie, a live-in housekeeper in Helen’s mother’s employ, has had to retrieve her daughters from their evacuation home, and now faces the bleak choice of returning to London and its dangers or finding a home in the village. As Helen despairs of remaining in her mother’s house, Richard is asking yet more questions, and Effie is struggling, they must find a swift answer to their difficulties.

This is certainly an engaging and entertaining book, with a well constructed plot and a warmth in some of the characters. Helen is a particularly interesting character who has to cope with some very tricky situations. I recommend this book to all those who are interested in wartime stories, and especially those who would like to gain some knowledge of how groups of women working together on crafts made a real difference to life on the Home Front.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 5 out of 5]

So finished #thepatchworkgirls which I was gifted by the lovelies @ed.pr @elaine.everest 5 stars plus extra extra if I’m allowed..
Set in 1939 we start off with Helen having to return home in Biggin Hill, Kent when she loses her husband I’m a sudden way.. She joins a local sewing circle where she makes great friends.. When the reason for Helen’s husbands death is revealed her world is turned upside down again.
Ok that is the brief summary of the book but it’s sooo much more. You have the mystery of what happened to Helen’s husband running through giving a real mystery element which I found thrilling. When you combine that with the friendships which are always the core of the authors book and never disappoint. I found this book exciting, emotional and hopeful as you see Helen grow and change. This book is released on the 14th of October and I encourage all historical fiction lovers to get it and especially those who love mysteries too. Elaine Everest has added a new favourite to my list of books for this year 🎉🎉🎉

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading Helen's story and the slow-burn relationshp with Richard. Set against the backdrop of WW2, it was a pleasant change to have the patchwork story at the forefront as although references to war were there, the story isn't primarily about the hardship and suffering of the time, rather the way in which friendship and shared activities can offer support. The idea of deliberately adding an imperfection was a little gem that shows the amount of research the author does. a pleasant change from the usual sagas.

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s a given that no-one expects ‘normal’ when it comes to my reviews. Am I right, or am I right? *snorts*

I was trying to describe The Patchwork Girls to my mum and said it was like settling down on Sunday evening with a hot cuppa and a blanket to watch your favourite cosy drama! Honestly, it was like being enveloped in a great big hug.

Drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, all wrapped up in a story chock full of heart with family and friendships at its core.

It’s more than quilts and rag rugs being stitched together in this sewing circle. Brace yourself, I’m going there… hearts are as well. *cringes* Apologies for sounding like a walking-talking cliché, I couldn’t help myself! *laughs*

TPG is my first Elaine Everest read. (*holds hand up* You can berate me later; I’m getting used to it!) I love her writing style. It was effortless to read, and I found myself devouring the chapters as I became lost in the story. Bookworms don’t let a pesky thing like sleep get between them and a good story once we’re invested.

I loved the main characters of Helen, Effie, and Lizzie. Each with their own distinct voices, but I have to admit to having a soft spot for Helen. Despite certain events, she’s always thinking of others, and nobody can push her buttons like Richard. Some of my favourite moments, which made me hoot with laughter, were when she gets a bit salty with him. Bring on the sass! *chuckles*

What can I say? The Patchwork Girls are the perfect accompaniment when the nights are drawing in.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Everest has seamlessly woven a WWII saga that is filled with the usual community spirit from the era, a murder mystery, a cosy romance all whilst blending fact with fiction. I was completely hooked by this story!

Helen is reeling from the sudden death of her husband which also resulted in the loss of her home and her job, she has no alternative but to return to the Kent countryside to live with her mother and step-father. Helen’s relationship with her mother has always been strained but since her mother re-married the relationship is very frosty. Helen coping with her grief is also feeling anxious being back with her mother and step-father and is keen to find herself a distraction so when she sees an advert for a sewing club she decides to join. Attending the sewing club and meeting Lizzie, a patchwork enthusiast, is the start of many life changing events for Helen.

However, Helen’s life is about to become even more complicated as her late husband’s death may have been from the result of foul play and Helen is now having to prove her innocence. Can Helen prove her innocence or will she always be looking over her shoulder? Will we find out the truth about the death of her husband?

I loved the sound of the sewing club bringing women together from all ages and backgrounds united in ‘making do and mend’, producing clothing for the men at war and building a lasting friendship during an awful time. Learning about the history of the patchwork quilts was fascinating and it has given me a thirst to learn more.

Another side to the story was about the survival of dogs during conflict and this too was a subject I hadn’t envisaged during the war and was quite fascinating. I do often find when an author brings animals into a storyline it brings out a softer side to the characters and this was lovely to witness.

I do love how novelists can bring history to life giving the reader an insight into another life and another time.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Elaine’s work for a little while now. In fact I have been a fan of her work ever since I had the good fortune to pick up a copy of her first saga called ‘The Woolworths Girls’. Since then I have read and loved every single book that she has written. When I found out that she was due to release a standalone story, I knew that I had to read it as soon as I could and I instinctively knew that I was going to enjoy reading ‘The Patchwork Girls’ just as much as I have enjoyed her other books. I was spot on too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Patchwork Girls’ but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely loved the character of Helen and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact I ended up feeling as though Helen had become a friend of mine and I ended up feeling protective of her. She doesn’t have the easiest of lives with a much older husband, who also happens to be an MP. Helen has a distant mother and a step father who quite frankly needs a certain part of his anatomy chopping off and bromide putting in his cup of tea. I don’t want to go too far into what Gavin, her stepfather, gets up to but needless to say he is a wrong ‘un. I did end up thawing a bit in my attitudes to Hillary, who is Helen’s mother. At first she is a complete nightmare but as time goes on and we learn more about what she is forced to endure, I could totally see why she was the way she was. It won’t come as a surprise when I say that I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to give Helen several hugs and at the same time I wanted to sort out those who had upset her.
The fact that I saw ‘Elaine Everest’ on the book cover was enough to grab my attention and the story within the covers of the book sealed the deal as it were. As soon as I started to read the book, I knew that I wouldn’t be doing much for the rest of the day other than reading ‘The Patchwork Girls’. I just couldn’t put the book down. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of this thrilling story. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Patchwork Girls’ and the end of the book certainly made me smile. I found ‘The Patchwork Girls’ to be a gripping read which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
‘The Patchwork Girls’ is superbly written but then to be fair that’s true of all of Elaine’s books. Elaine has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Elaine’s books is more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Elaine clearly cares a great deal about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she talks and writes about them. Elaine writes so enthusiastically about her characters that the characters seemed just as real as you and I. The author has done an awful lot of research into the period she writes about and this makes the story seem that bit more authentic. I got a real insight into what it must have been like to have lived through the Second World War. My grandparents are no longer with us so reading books such as Elaine’s are the only way in which I can find out what life was like back then. ‘The Patchwork Girls’ certainly took me on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns and so on. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Elaine’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I absolutely adored reading ‘The Patchwork Girls’ and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Elaine’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1939 and Britain is at war. The Patchwork Girls begins with Helen visiting the London apartment she shared with her MP husband, John, after his untimely death. Unable to stay there she goes to stay with her mother and stepfather in Kent where she makes some wonderful new friends. The title hints at the nature of the friendship: Helen becomes involved with a group of people undertaking various crafts, the most interesting for her being patchwork, and quilt designs in particular.

This is such an engaging read, a multi-layered one which I enjoyed so much. Helen goes from her fairly sophisticated London home to quite a more rural one, and I thought the settings were really vivid and well-drawn. I especially liked the dog kennels that come to play a huge part in Helen's new life and I felt genuinely happy for her to have that involvement. Being an old romantic, one of my favourite aspects of the story was Helen meeting Richard, the chief officer investigating John's death. I don't want to give anything away but I just thought that strand of the story was really lovely. Another uplifting aspect was Helen's new friendships, with Effie and Lizzie in particular, both so different yet both exactly the kind of people Helen needed in her new life, giving her a sense of comradeship.

As I say, there are several threads (excuse the pun) in this story with the crafts, the dogs, the romance, the friendships, family ties, and then the sub-plot of John's death and what caused it. They're all brought together expertly by the author to make The Patchwork Girls into a gorgeous story that completely warmed my heart. I spent a very happy couple of days reading this delightful book. I feel like I've learned more about patchwork quilt designs too which is a nice bonus. I loved this touching and engrossing standalone read from Elaine Everest.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable listen, warmed to the characters especially Lizzie with all her wonderful ideas.

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book, loved it kept me glued to the end. A lovely tale of friendship love and sorry all evolving around patchwork quilts rescued dogs during the war.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant ww2 read

Another great book by the talented Elaine Everest I loved this story of the patchwork girls all coming together in ww2 to help the community hope there will be a book 2

[Alison Boniface · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Different from the other series I’ve read by Elaine. But still fantastic I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend for anyone who loves wartime fiction.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Elaine Everest and was so excited when this arrived on my Kindle and it didn't disappoint.
It is very different to her other books but I loved the character of Helen and enjoyed the way a mystery was mixed with the tale of women in the war.
As always the characters are well written and you can really warm to them, even Helen's mum.
A lovely read

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Courtney at Ed PR for the blog tour invite, and gifted paperback review copy of 'The Patchwork Girls' which is a bit of a relief, I think, for those readers/subscribers who are seeing their inboxes filled with my horror related reviews!

So , away with bodies down wells and killer mists, and let's take a look at a real feel good read, to which many readers can probably relate-moving back home after a period away can feel dislocating and also engender a feeling of 'failure'.

So when Helen has to go back to her home village, in Kent, how can she begin to make a life for herself, when such a huge part of her heart is missing?

Balancing the need to be independent whilst really not wanting to do so, Helen throws herself into joining the local woman's sewing circle, and whilst she patches together fabric, she is actually sewing together friendships with careful stitches, snipping away at the edges of her wounded heart and patching a new way forward.

Here she meets a fabulous array of people from all walks of life, as I can imagine a lot of readers thinking they would rather stick their hands in a mangle than sew . Personally, I find it a wonderful mindful past time, and especially when fixing old clothes to give them a new lease of life. And, in the absence of being able to physically fight, although it is a distracting activity, it does contribute to the war effort.

I can well remember my mother unravelling school jumpers, knitting them up in a bigger size, sometimes with slight shade variants due to adding in a new wool, or making my trousers last longer by letting them down. My suggestions to my daughters who are growing at an astonishing rate, that I add fabric to their jeans and turn them into bell bottoms, was not met with approval, despite there being many instagram posts to the contrary! Upcycling, reliving experiences as you fix a much loved item, or tucking a child in under a quilt made with love, from loved clothing, is such a wonderful feeling and shows how skills are passed down, through family lines.

In 1939, which feels not really that far away, the friendship and comradery between women kept them stoic in the face of abandonment by their partners, and I think this comes across so very well. The war is lurking in the background, a constant reminder no matter how happy the women are, it is a safe place for women like Effie who have come to Kent to keep her daughters out of harms way. And whilst it feels relatively safe in the countryside, at the start of the book, how long will it take before it begins to reach out to those in the countryside?

A heart-warming story of escapism, resilience and the bond between women in the face of adversity, Elaine welcomes you into her world and you feel that there is a satisfactory glow which surrounds you when you finish her novels. Thank you, Elaine, for another story which is great for snuggling up with (under a patchwork blanket, of course!) as the autumn nights draw in!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A terrific wartime saga perfect for curling up with, The Patchwork Girls is an absorbing and emotional historical tale from Elaine Everest’s immensely talented pen.

When Helen found herself widowed after her husband’s unexpected and tragic death, she had nowhere to turn. Forced to return to the one place she swore never to set foot in again, Helen reluctantly goes back to her mother’s house in Kent where she feels lost, alone and adrift. In desperate need of distraction and needing an outlet that would get her out of the house, Helen decides to join the local women’s sewing circle, even though she is absolutely hopeless with a needle and thread. However, she quickly realises that her lack of sewing prowess will not matter in the slightest as she finds herself welcomed with open arms by the members of the circle.

Lizzie is a natural born leader who is always willing to dispense sage advice and provide a helping hand and a sympathetic ear when needed while Effie had uprooted her entire life from London and moved to Kent with her two girls to escape the relentless bombing of the city. Effie is hoping that the sewing circle will stop her from fretting about keeping the wolf from the door and worrying about her husband who is serving overseas. As the women bond and begin to share their troubles, their friendship deepens and grows with each passing day and when shocking news reaches Helen about her husband’s death, she realises that she is going to need her friends more than ever.

When a new investigating officer begins to look into her husband’s death, Helen’s world is turned upside down yet again. The sewing circle has given her the tools she needed to weave together different fabrics and transform them into a beautiful quilt, but will Helen be able to patch up her own life so easily? Or will she be left with nothing but broken threads and dashed hopes?

It’s always a joy to shut the world away and sink into one of Elaine Everest’s poignant and compelling sagas and in The Patchwork Girls, she has outdone herself yet again by writing a wonderful tale about love, friendship and the ties that bind that tugs at the heartstrings and brings a tear to the eye. The Patchwork Girls is a story about hope, new beginnings and the courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when the odds are stacked against you, that keeps readers engrossed right until the very end.

With characters it is impossible not to care about, vivid descriptions that bring wartime England to life and spellbinding emotional drama, saga fans will not want to miss Elaine Everest’s latest novel, The Patchwork Girls.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s England, 1939. After her husband dies unexpectedly, Helen decides to return to her mother’s house in Kent. She joins the local women’s sewing circle who are doing all they can to contribute to the war efforts, and soon begins to form friendships that will change her life. Meanwhile, the reason for the death of her husband is explored and the investigating officer on the case soon begins to grow into more than just that. As it says on the blurb, “As she pieces together old fabrics into a beautiful quilt, will Helen patch up the rifts in her own life?”

This was a generally light and “fluffy” story, set just as WWII has broken out. The main protagonist, Helen, was fairly likeable and friendly, as were the new friends she makes while patchwork quilting. Richard was fairly predictable from start to finish but sometimes that’s okay!

I wouldn’t say this was a particularly gripping story but sometimes you simply need that escape. I would recommend this if you’re looking for something to curl up with and to shut out the darkening, rainy, autumnal days!

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Elaine Everest has written yet another brilliant entertaining story. This story takes you through the life of Helen after the tragic death of her husband, which turns out to be a not only a gas explosion but a murder which adds a bit of intrigue to the book. Whilst returning home to Biggin Hill after the events in her London Home a card in the shop which encourages Helen to get on with her life and go to a crafts meeting where she meets Lizzie a lady who is a quilter who changes her direction in life when joining the sewing group to create a patchwork quilt. There are some loveable characters in this book, I won't spoil it. This is another must read by Elaine Everest and well worth ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A recommended read.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1939 and Helen Wentworth has just lost her husband John, in desperation she goes back home to her mother and her much hated stepfather Gavin.
To fond solace she joins a local group for women quilt making even though she has little experience she makes some good and dependable new friends.
But Richard Gladstone is investigating John's death and it isn't what it seems.
He was murdered, so is Helen even safe?
He soon develops feelings for Helen so this case is now more personal than professional, meanwhile a killer is still on the loose.
She is patching up more than a quilt, she is now patching the shattered remains of her old life.
This was such a lovely story with even a hint of a murder mystery to add to all the drama.
Never read a bad one by this author.

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virkelig god roman.

Helen har været nødt til at flytte hjem til sin mor og hendes mand. Hendes egen mand er død og hun har ikke rigtig andre steder at tage hen. Hun bryder sig afgjort ikke om sin stedfar og føler at hendes mor er ligeglad med hendes sorg og med hendes afsky for stedfaderen.

For at komme lidt ud af huset, ender Helene med at blive medlem af af den lokal patchwork-klub. Samtidig finder hun ud af, at der er noget uldent omkring hendes mands dødsfald.

Historien udvikler sig naturligvis og vi får både lidt kærlighed, et mord der skal opklares, og så kampen mod den afskyelige stedfar.

Det er en fin fortælling om sorg, vrede og nye veje at gå.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Elaine Everest and this book was another good one. This time there was a mystery enveloped in this early (1940) WWII novel. We learn about Helen, her family, and the community in Kent where she flees after the death of her husband, a member of parliament. Of course there is some lovely romance thrown in as well. This was an easy to read book that kept my interest all the way through.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable war time story.

I loved Effie and Helen. And there relationship just warmed my heart and how they came together despite being from different classes.

Gavin what a rotter! But he got what he deserved in the end.

A lovely festive and heartwarming story of life, love, loss and friendship.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic standalone from the author of the Woolworths series. The story starts with Helen going back to live at home with her Mum and Stepdad after her MP husband dies in a gas explosion. She joins a local sewing group and the story goes from there. As I'd read and loved her other books I knew I'd love this too and I wasn't wrong.

[Samantha Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a story to read.
It become a patchwork story which is perfect to read.
It was also a mystery story as well.
The reason for the 4 star was because the character I was always pushed to believing it was the character that was responsible for what had happened. I was right. It was a bit obvious. Sorry.

I love reading Elaine Everest stories and I can't wait to read more.

[Jane Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another good book by Elaine Everest.
Although set just before and during the war this one has other things running through it as well, don’t want to give the game away by saying though.
Highly recommended
Still can’t believe that there won’t be anymore of her lovely books to read, I have read them all apart from one and I can’t get that one.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite read by Elaine Everest but still decent. I liked Helen and her friendship with Lizzie was really heartwarming. I found the story a little drawn out at times and overall a bit predictable.

[Katie]

Did not finish

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book from Elaine Everest enjoyed it from start to finish