A Home from Home

A Home from Home

by Rosie Hendry

A heart-warming story set in World War II, perfect for fans of Ellie Dean and Donna Douglas

Norfolk, 1944

Phylly is a Land Girl on Catchetts Farm. She and her friend Gracie are doing their bit to support the war effort. But times are changing at Catchetts - there's an evacuee and two P.O.Ws on their way... And then Phylly meets an American airman from the base up the road.

As the War rages on the Continent, Phylly and Gracie's world will be changed forever.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2022

About the author

Award winning author Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband and two children. East End Angels is the first book in her uplifting and heart-warming saga series that follows the lives and loves of Winnie, Frankie and Bella, who all work for the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) during the Blitz. Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she loves researching further, searching out gems of real life events which inspire her writing.

Reviews

[Maria Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good characters and a storyline that gets you invested, but sadly, there doesn't seem to be a sequel or potential series hence the star deduction

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very popular author of The East End Angels series of books, featuring an ambulance crew in London during WW2 of which I absolutely loved and adored each one, we have a brand new story featuring land army girls Phylly and Gracie working at Catchetts Farm in rural Norfolk during WW2.
Two girls from very different backgrounds but who became such close friends, Phylly is from a working class background and Gracie is married and from a more well to do background, her husband is a pilot in the RAF and Gracie worries about him every single day. Also on the farm are two Italian prisoners of war Benedict and Roberto, plus a young evacuee Jimmy, who had already been placed before to an elderly couple who mistreated him so understandably he is very apprehensive about everything but everyone cares about him so much.
But when Gracie receives a dreaded telegram, everyone does their best to raise her spirits, but will it be enough! Edwin who is in the American Air Force reveals to them all that his mother once lived in the village and one person has big regrets dating back to WW1. Will he get the chance to once again meet the love of his life that he once let slip through his fingers?

Full of friendships and relationships with totally believable characters from a wide range of places that you can't help but care about, and all brought together at Catchetts Farm, they really draw you into this brilliant read. Set in glorious Norfolk countryside, you feel that you are reading about people you know and care about. I really enjoyed it and would love to see a follow-up to see what happens to everyone.
A well deserved five star read from me.

[Ritika Ghoshal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story telling. Kept me hooked throughout also it was so wholesome.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely heart warming story. I wish it went on for longer or that there was a sequel.
I highly recommend this to everyone. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Home from Home is a warm-hearted and cosy story about two Land Girls, Phylly and Gracie. Billeted to Catchetts Farm in Norfolk, they work the land along with the farm's owners. Then there's Jimmy, a young evacuee sent to the farm and feeling very worried about it, and Edwin, an American airman who quite literally almost runs into Jimmy and who gets to know the residents of the farm.

I love a wartime saga and A Home from Home is a moving and well-written example of the genre. It's my first Rosie Hendry book but I'd definitely be happy to read more. I was wondering what felt different about the style of this one and it made sense when I learned it had originally been serialised in eight parts in The People's Friend. It means the overall story isn't that long at 230 pages, but each section is perfectly formed as you might expect.

I haven't actually read many Land Girl books and so it made a refreshing change to read Phylly's and Gracie's stories. The whole thing is very family-orientated and even though the two women are not strictly part of the farm's family they are certainly made to feel like they are. Strong friendships, new relationships, a couple of rather exciting escapades and some sad wartime events combine to make this a jam-packed read with a delightful ending. I enjoyed A Home from Home very much indeed.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a quick wartime read and this one jumped up from my bookshelf and delivered. It was so easy to get into, cosy and super enjoyable.

The characters are easy to like, the plot itself interesting and it was a steady pacer of wartime drama, friendship and doing your bit for the wartime effort.

I’ve always loved books set around the land girls and they’re amongst my favourite wartime genre reads so it was bound to be a hit. I found it so easy to pick up, fly through the pages and I quickly grew connected to the characters. It was the perfect read for what I was looking for.

I only wish there were more books following this series!! I love these characters and would love to see a follow up with them all. I could have read another 400 pages!

[PrincessLhala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this is a good story of finding family, friendship and love in times of war. The characters are so lovable that you all want to root for their happily ever after. Just a refreshing story of WW2 in a different side table. I'm glad that I've read this book in one setting.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed, a lovely light read!