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The Dilemma
A daughter visits the island of Guernsey to unearth horrifying family truths and solve a decades-old mystery surrounding her mother, in this historical page-turner.
1958 . Esme, a novelist, finds a potential new literary project. A housemaid named Clara was convicted of murder, perhaps unjustly, amid the ending of World War II and the liberation of Guernsey from Nazi occupation. Esme’s trip to Guernsey is an opportunity not only to research the case, but to learn more about her mother’s family—as well as to heal from the heartbreak inflicted on her by the man she loved . . .
1915 . A teenager marries her childhood sweetheart before he heads off to fight in the Great War. But he doesn’t come back, and Jane, presumed a widow, flees Guernsey—devastated by her loss. In London, Jane finds a new life and a new husband—but her past isn’t done with her yet.
This absorbing novel follows the parallel paths of two generations of women, and as each is faced with painful decisions and shocking discoveries, a question Can a lie be forgiven when the truth seems too much to bear?
1958 . Esme, a novelist, finds a potential new literary project. A housemaid named Clara was convicted of murder, perhaps unjustly, amid the ending of World War II and the liberation of Guernsey from Nazi occupation. Esme’s trip to Guernsey is an opportunity not only to research the case, but to learn more about her mother’s family—as well as to heal from the heartbreak inflicted on her by the man she loved . . .
1915 . A teenager marries her childhood sweetheart before he heads off to fight in the Great War. But he doesn’t come back, and Jane, presumed a widow, flees Guernsey—devastated by her loss. In London, Jane finds a new life and a new husband—but her past isn’t done with her yet.
This absorbing novel follows the parallel paths of two generations of women, and as each is faced with painful decisions and shocking discoveries, a question Can a lie be forgiven when the truth seems too much to bear?
294 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2022
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245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 28, 2022
When I first started this book I wasn't sure that it was going to be my kind of book! Glad I decided to give it a chance. Was an excellent read. Loved the characters and the story line. Really enjoyed how it was told from both mothers and daughters views!
July 24, 2022
The Dilemma spins an intriguing mother-daughter tale spanning dual timelines and mysteries. Set with a WWI backdrop on the English Channel island of Guernsey, Jane uproots after tragedy and attempts to leave her past behind. As she creates a new family, incredible circumstances immerse her into a life of deceit and denial.
In 1958 her estranged daughter Esme, reeling from an unrequited romance, travels to the island to regroup and heal. Besides writing another book, she’ll seek information about a cryptic note and her mother’s last words. As she digs – with assist from a lovely young man - she discovers explosive truths and a whole new side to the woman she’d seen as aloof and critical.
Including Jane’s point of view in the book provides the reader with valuable insights that Esme lacks. Without this in-depth and skillful characterization, she could have come off as harsh and uncaring. Yet as her backstory unravels, readers empathize with both generations as the women balance challenging decisions about love and family.
In 1958 her estranged daughter Esme, reeling from an unrequited romance, travels to the island to regroup and heal. Besides writing another book, she’ll seek information about a cryptic note and her mother’s last words. As she digs – with assist from a lovely young man - she discovers explosive truths and a whole new side to the woman she’d seen as aloof and critical.
Including Jane’s point of view in the book provides the reader with valuable insights that Esme lacks. Without this in-depth and skillful characterization, she could have come off as harsh and uncaring. Yet as her backstory unravels, readers empathize with both generations as the women balance challenging decisions about love and family.
July 20, 2022
The Dilemma by Sarah Hawthorn is set in Guernsey across two timeframes roughly around the two world wars.
After Esme’s mother, Arcadia, has passed, Esme reflects on their remote, troubled relationship. She finds a letter that suggests Arcadia had more to do with her birthplace, Guernsey than Esme was led to believe. So when Esme suffers a relationship disappointment, leaving her untethered to her life in London, she packs her bags and heads to Guernsey in search of answers.
The story alternates between Esme’s gradual discovery of her mother’s past and a young girl growing up in Guernsey, suffering the impact of a volatile home life and the breakout of war.
It’s hard to discuss the character’s dilemma without spoilers, but I’m sure there will be many a book club discussion asking, ‘What would you do in that situation?’
This is a gripping tale that kept me engrossed until the very end. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my ARC copy.
After Esme’s mother, Arcadia, has passed, Esme reflects on their remote, troubled relationship. She finds a letter that suggests Arcadia had more to do with her birthplace, Guernsey than Esme was led to believe. So when Esme suffers a relationship disappointment, leaving her untethered to her life in London, she packs her bags and heads to Guernsey in search of answers.
The story alternates between Esme’s gradual discovery of her mother’s past and a young girl growing up in Guernsey, suffering the impact of a volatile home life and the breakout of war.
It’s hard to discuss the character’s dilemma without spoilers, but I’m sure there will be many a book club discussion asking, ‘What would you do in that situation?’
This is a gripping tale that kept me engrossed until the very end. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my ARC copy.
August 2, 2022
I had the privilege to read an ARC of The Dilemma, starring Esme, an aspiring novelist in 1958 who is waiting for her life (and love life) to happen. Esme finds a cryptic letter among her deceased mother’s books and decides to pursue a lead for her own adventure.
The book mostly takes place in Guernsey, which I was not familiar with before, but completely charmed by after The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Sarah Hawthorn does not disappoint expectations, creating a vivid setting of a quiet romantic island, from Esme’s quaint cottage to the town she explores by bicycle, to the handsome historian who helps Esme uncover her mother’s secrets. The mystery behind Arcadia’s letter draws you in at once, and each parallel flashback to Jane’s life leads you deeper and deeper. The Dilemma is a lovely romantic summertime escape.
The book mostly takes place in Guernsey, which I was not familiar with before, but completely charmed by after The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Sarah Hawthorn does not disappoint expectations, creating a vivid setting of a quiet romantic island, from Esme’s quaint cottage to the town she explores by bicycle, to the handsome historian who helps Esme uncover her mother’s secrets. The mystery behind Arcadia’s letter draws you in at once, and each parallel flashback to Jane’s life leads you deeper and deeper. The Dilemma is a lovely romantic summertime escape.
July 14, 2022
So happy to have received a copy of The Dilemma from Bloodhound because I enjoy period mystery novels set in The British countryside, like this one. Imagine finding a novel set in Guernsey. Loved it. Within a few pages I was transported back to a different time and place. I particularly liked the well-developed characters of Charlie and Arcadia. In fact, after finishing The Dilemma, I feel I know them. One cannot help but admire Charlie while Arcadia must make some very difficult choices. I do wish that Clara had a larger presence as her burden was so very heavy. Perhaps a sequel? Sarah Hawthorn hits a homerun. What an excellent choice The Dilemma turned out to be. Thanks Bloodhound.
July 22, 2022
What a gripping read! I found this book hard to put down and was thinking about it and the characters between reads. I really appreciated the way the author unlocked each character’s secrets and story, slowly showing us more and more. It allowed me to feel empathy and understanding for each character and what they had been through. I want a part 2!
November 15, 2023
A great book. A page turner.
February 13, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5/5
It had been a while since I'd thrown myself in a historical novel filled with family secrets and, having basically devoured The Dilemma, I can confidently say that I had somewhat missed it.
Esme's story starts when she finds a mysterious letter while clearing her mother's house after her sudden death - a letter from many years before urging her mother to return to Guernsey. Except, as far as Esme knows, her mother had no links to the island, having left it as a young woman with no family. Desperate to leave her life in London as the man she loves announces his engagement to another woman, Esme sets off to Guernsey to shed some light on this mystery... and maybe find some family along the way.
The story is told in alternating POVs, moving between Esme - who is dealing with the aftermath of her mother's sudden death in 1950s London - and Jane - a young woman trying to make sense of the fact that her husband is presumed dead in action during WWI. Both women are compelling characters, very well depicted with all their contradictions and confusions as they grapple with huge events and the effects of choices made many years before. The double POV added depth to the characters, and it really helped to empathise with both women, who otherwise might have come off as completely different characters. I particularly enjoyed Esme's journey and her growth, as she fully develops into the wonderful woman she is and makes peace with her past.
The island setting also worked beautifully and I loved learning some more about it since I'm not really familiar with Guernsey (aside from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society). I really enjoyed how the author managed to convey the strong sense of community, with all its ups and downs, and the slower pace of island life that allows for reflection and healing in contrast with London's fast pace.
The mystery itself was intriguing but ultimately, for me, it was maybe the least convincing element to the story. For someone who reads a lot of books a fair number of twists will be quite easy to predict, removing a lot of the suspense, and a few things just seemed a bit too much. I won't go into further detail as I'm heading dangerously into spoiler territory, but there does seem to be an awful lot going on at times, which ends up making the story just a little too unrealistic for me to enjoy it fully. The ending also felt a tad abrupt, with a very easy resolution coming virtually out of nowhere and being a little too convenient.
Still, this was a very pleasant read overall and, despite a few small issues, I really enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend it to readers looking to dip their toes in historical fiction with an easy read focusing on mothers and daughters and lots (truly, lots!) of secrets.
CW:
I received a digital review copy of this book for free as part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
It had been a while since I'd thrown myself in a historical novel filled with family secrets and, having basically devoured The Dilemma, I can confidently say that I had somewhat missed it.
Esme's story starts when she finds a mysterious letter while clearing her mother's house after her sudden death - a letter from many years before urging her mother to return to Guernsey. Except, as far as Esme knows, her mother had no links to the island, having left it as a young woman with no family. Desperate to leave her life in London as the man she loves announces his engagement to another woman, Esme sets off to Guernsey to shed some light on this mystery... and maybe find some family along the way.
The story is told in alternating POVs, moving between Esme - who is dealing with the aftermath of her mother's sudden death in 1950s London - and Jane - a young woman trying to make sense of the fact that her husband is presumed dead in action during WWI. Both women are compelling characters, very well depicted with all their contradictions and confusions as they grapple with huge events and the effects of choices made many years before. The double POV added depth to the characters, and it really helped to empathise with both women, who otherwise might have come off as completely different characters. I particularly enjoyed Esme's journey and her growth, as she fully develops into the wonderful woman she is and makes peace with her past.
The island setting also worked beautifully and I loved learning some more about it since I'm not really familiar with Guernsey (aside from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society). I really enjoyed how the author managed to convey the strong sense of community, with all its ups and downs, and the slower pace of island life that allows for reflection and healing in contrast with London's fast pace.
The mystery itself was intriguing but ultimately, for me, it was maybe the least convincing element to the story. For someone who reads a lot of books a fair number of twists will be quite easy to predict, removing a lot of the suspense, and a few things just seemed a bit too much. I won't go into further detail as I'm heading dangerously into spoiler territory, but there does seem to be an awful lot going on at times, which ends up making the story just a little too unrealistic for me to enjoy it fully. The ending also felt a tad abrupt, with a very easy resolution coming virtually out of nowhere and being a little too convenient.
Still, this was a very pleasant read overall and, despite a few small issues, I really enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend it to readers looking to dip their toes in historical fiction with an easy read focusing on mothers and daughters and lots (truly, lots!) of secrets.
CW:
I received a digital review copy of this book for free as part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
February 1, 2024
I liked this ... I'm just not sure I'll really remember much about it. Text included in KindleUnlimited, with audio on Hoopla (not on Libby, text or audio, just Amazon). Two timelines, two POVs ... Esme in 1958 and Jane in 1914. The chapters in the table of contents were numerical, and labeled with the POV (I appreciate the name being included in the TOC). Doesn't stick perfectly alternating, sometimes one POV would get a couple chapters in a row.
Esme is getting to "spinster" status, for Jane, we get her history during WW1 and beyond ... her story is one Esme eventually uncovers, although the reader gets it along the way. I liked both storylines, and have this marked as "realistic" as there is nothing paranormal, it's just "historical" fiction, yet there is SO much going on, I have to wonder how realistic it would be for all this to happen to one woman. SPOILER It was just a lot. That last thing did catch me by surprise.
No proFanity, but there were some sex scenes and talk of sexual and physical abuse. Third person, past tense for both POVs. Two different narrators in the audio, which I was glad for. Helped keep the POVs separated for me.
Esme is getting to "spinster" status, for Jane, we get her history during WW1 and beyond ... her story is one Esme eventually uncovers, although the reader gets it along the way. I liked both storylines, and have this marked as "realistic" as there is nothing paranormal, it's just "historical" fiction, yet there is SO much going on, I have to wonder how realistic it would be for all this to happen to one woman. SPOILER It was just a lot. That last thing did catch me by surprise.
No proFanity, but there were some sex scenes and talk of sexual and physical abuse. Third person, past tense for both POVs. Two different narrators in the audio, which I was glad for. Helped keep the POVs separated for me.
January 9, 2024
is this supposed to be one of Arcadia's romances? It is told decently enough, but oh my. Incest, pedophilia, bigamy, child given up for adoption. Tracking a letter found in her mother Arcadia's possessions, Esme, our protagonist, learns her family (whom she didn't believe she had, based on Arcadia's account) had all these secrets (which they seem willing to spill after just a little pushing). Then there is Arcadia's first husband, believed to have died in the Great War, who fesses up to a mercy killing. Oh, and the child given up for adoption (Arcadia's child by her first husband, conceived while she was married to her second husband after Arcadia decided to tell no one but her sister Mavis about the situation) turns out to be the woman wrongfully convicted of murder, whom Esme is investigating in the course of writing a novel & whom Esme gets sprung---though the details of how she convinced the cops of the miscarriage of justice are a little hazy). C'mon.
Everybody except Arcadia's second husband seems inclined to forgive her. Why? She loved both men & so decided not to choose. She was aware her father was abusing an older sister & the boys he tutored, but yells at her mother for not exposing him, but she uses her knowledge to blackmail her father into letting her marry her first husband, Charlie Her middle sister Mavis (who had loved Charlie) agreed to take care of the badly scarred Charlie so Arcadia could maintain her double life and offers to raise the child Arcadia conceives with Charlie, but Arcadia just sniffs about these things of hers that Mavis wants. Really. This is one I should have tossed across the room, though it is harder to do with an audiobook.
Everybody except Arcadia's second husband seems inclined to forgive her. Why? She loved both men & so decided not to choose. She was aware her father was abusing an older sister & the boys he tutored, but yells at her mother for not exposing him, but she uses her knowledge to blackmail her father into letting her marry her first husband, Charlie Her middle sister Mavis (who had loved Charlie) agreed to take care of the badly scarred Charlie so Arcadia could maintain her double life and offers to raise the child Arcadia conceives with Charlie, but Arcadia just sniffs about these things of hers that Mavis wants. Really. This is one I should have tossed across the room, though it is harder to do with an audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
This is an exiting and - at times - heart-rending dual timeline story of two women dealing with what life throws at them. In Arcadia's case, (1914 on) this involves taking on a new identity and making a huge decision which involves keeping secrets and telling lies that will direct the rest of her life. Esme, Arcadia's daughter, is unknowingly a victim of these events and has never been close to her mother as a result.
When Arcadia dies in 1958, Esme finds a mysterious letter written to her late mother and decides to travel to the island of Guernsey to investigate it - if nothing else, it might help her to recover from a broken heart. She has no idea of what she will discover and how it will impact her life.
I was completely absorbed in this story - it's a real page turner. The huge amount of research the author has obviously undertaken is woven seamlessly into the narrative so that I really inhabited the worlds of the characters. The writing is quite filmic - I could easily imagine this as a movie. Both timelines are equally enjoyable and effective.
When Arcadia dies in 1958, Esme finds a mysterious letter written to her late mother and decides to travel to the island of Guernsey to investigate it - if nothing else, it might help her to recover from a broken heart. She has no idea of what she will discover and how it will impact her life.
I was completely absorbed in this story - it's a real page turner. The huge amount of research the author has obviously undertaken is woven seamlessly into the narrative so that I really inhabited the worlds of the characters. The writing is quite filmic - I could easily imagine this as a movie. Both timelines are equally enjoyable and effective.
July 18, 2022
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC and for introducing me to yet another new and exciting author. What a great read; I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in a day. Mystery, tragedy, romance and historical fact all rolled into one.
The story is a real page turner and you get drawn into the story straight away. An awful lot of research has gone into the book to make sure of the historical accuracy. The novel is set in Guernsey and London mostly, but spans a much wider canvas over two World Wars and the social changes going on between and after the wars. And it all starts with the discovery of a mysterious letter – as many of the best stories do!
There is a raft of interesting characters, all of whom have a story to tell and the book takes you on their journey as well as the central character’s.
The book would make a great film too.
The story is a real page turner and you get drawn into the story straight away. An awful lot of research has gone into the book to make sure of the historical accuracy. The novel is set in Guernsey and London mostly, but spans a much wider canvas over two World Wars and the social changes going on between and after the wars. And it all starts with the discovery of a mysterious letter – as many of the best stories do!
There is a raft of interesting characters, all of whom have a story to tell and the book takes you on their journey as well as the central character’s.
The book would make a great film too.
July 18, 2022
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending this book as an absorbing read with well-developed characters. Time and place are well evoked and the author clearly undertook in-depth research that is woven into the storyline throughout without being overwhelming.
There were a few expressions that I found slightly puzzling (e.g. reference to something being a possible 'fizzer'—with completely opposite meaning from UK English) but I think these must stem from the author being Australian, which is well disguised in the vast majority of the language used in the book. I'm also pretty sure there aren't daffodils or crocuses in bloom in Guernsey in July (but I could be proved wrong).
These small anomalies apart, I think this book will rightfully engage fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and the huge readership for mystery novels. I will certainly hope to read more from Sarah Hawthorn.
There were a few expressions that I found slightly puzzling (e.g. reference to something being a possible 'fizzer'—with completely opposite meaning from UK English) but I think these must stem from the author being Australian, which is well disguised in the vast majority of the language used in the book. I'm also pretty sure there aren't daffodils or crocuses in bloom in Guernsey in July (but I could be proved wrong).
These small anomalies apart, I think this book will rightfully engage fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and the huge readership for mystery novels. I will certainly hope to read more from Sarah Hawthorn.
July 22, 2022
I loved this book. The setting on an island I know. The characters that were so well fleshed out and believable. The numerous dilemmas. The gentleness of the story. The ending that I didn’t see coming until seconds before I read it. This book was exactly the sort of book that makes me want to read and be immersed in someone else’s creation.
I am grateful to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I am grateful to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
July 8, 2022
Esme is plunged into a family mystery when she finds a letter in her Mothers belongings after her sudden death. She embarks on tracing her unknown family in Guernsey and finds out much more than she’d expected. This is a truly lovely tale of war time love and the ravages it took on people.
July 15, 2022
This is a new author to me i knew right friom the start that once i started reading this brilliant book i could not put it down and i was right. I would like to thank the Author and Bloodhound books for my ARC copy of this brilliantly written book which I Absolutely loved.
August 4, 2022
A wonderful heartfelt story that had me reading from start to finish in one sitting. The dilemma was so real and believable for the time set, with a brilliant ending.
Thankyou Bloodhound for giving me the chance to read it.
Thankyou Bloodhound for giving me the chance to read it.
July 13, 2022
This book would make an excellent movie! Many twists & turns & just when you think you’ve figured it out, you realize you haven’t. Definitely enjoyed reading, had a hard time putting it down.
December 16, 2025
This is a beautiful read but the book opens initially on a scenario that some readers might find distasteful. The position of the family's standing in the community of Guernsey 1915 is one of trust. However, as time shows this fails and becomes the catalyst by which Jane (Arcadia), one of the two main protagonists leaves the island to start a new life in England. Jane has two sisters Virginia (Ginia) and Mavis. However, Ginia, in particular and their mother hide a terrible secret about their father/husband for which Jane also discovers.
Jane is just sixteen when Charlie, her childhood sweetheart announces that he is going to sign up, WW1 is imminent. He wants to marry Jane before leaving Guernsey. There is a little bit of an undercurrent as Mavis although stepping out with Charlie's friend, William has greater feelings for Charlie and for which Jane recognises but she is determined to be Charlie's wife, even if to thwart her sister, this gives the reader some insight into Jane's character. Interestingly as the book progresses and more secrets come to light it's Mavis who is able to solve Jane's (Arcadia's) difficulties.
1918 sees Charlie and William both in the thick of war. Communication is terrible and families are on tender hooks regarding news of their loved ones; the time now brings the much dreaded telegrams, their father who had also promptly signed up, is reported to have been taken prisoner of war however, Jane finds the telegram which reveals something more sinister, Mavis receives notice that William has been killed and a further telegram is received stating that Charlie is missing in action and is presumed dead, his name tags had been recovered. There is an added mystery to these name tags but it is not revealed until the very end.
With the tension increasing within the family and Charlie's family, Jane comes to a decision, she packs her bags and announces that she is going to London, her mother in questioning her decision of London; sees Jane’s anger and frustration overflow accusing her mother of her inability to protect her daughters and in temper she storms out of the house.
The read moves to 1958 Esme, the second protagonist, a copy editor for a small newspaper and budding author, one book has been published but not overly successful. Her mother, Arcadia a well known and successful author has past away and Esme has had the job of tidying up her mother's personal effects. Esme is cut from a different cloth to her mother who treated motherhood as a bit of an inconvenience, more interested in the good life and mixing with the rich and famous. Esme has been closer to her father. Arcadia, a presumed widow married into a well off family, thus giving her a glamorous lifestyle as well as the opportunity to pursue her career.
Esme has been in love with her boss, Hugh for as long as she can remember but until this particular day he has never invited her out for dinner. She is hopeful that all her dreams will be realised, that is until he announces that he will be moving the business to America and he wants her to come as his assistant. To add salt to the wound his new fiancé turns up which adds to Esme’s anguish. Frustrated with herself she promptly tells Hugh, “no thanks" and that she is heading off to Guernsey to sort out the mystery surrounding her mother.
Esme's father is not at all impressed with her decision to travel to Guernsey as he believes “no good will come out of it". However, with nothing else in her life and with her mother's mystery beckoning she heads off. Here, Esme is delighted with the house she is to look after while the owners are away and with a little investigation she is introduced to Anthony, an archivist cataloguing the war and occupation in Guernsey. Esme soon discovers there is a mutual attraction. She also discovers new material for a book, assisting a young woman falsely accused of murder, an extended family she never knew existed and reconciles her mother's difficulties and her life based on a presumption.
Jane is just sixteen when Charlie, her childhood sweetheart announces that he is going to sign up, WW1 is imminent. He wants to marry Jane before leaving Guernsey. There is a little bit of an undercurrent as Mavis although stepping out with Charlie's friend, William has greater feelings for Charlie and for which Jane recognises but she is determined to be Charlie's wife, even if to thwart her sister, this gives the reader some insight into Jane's character. Interestingly as the book progresses and more secrets come to light it's Mavis who is able to solve Jane's (Arcadia's) difficulties.
1918 sees Charlie and William both in the thick of war. Communication is terrible and families are on tender hooks regarding news of their loved ones; the time now brings the much dreaded telegrams, their father who had also promptly signed up, is reported to have been taken prisoner of war however, Jane finds the telegram which reveals something more sinister, Mavis receives notice that William has been killed and a further telegram is received stating that Charlie is missing in action and is presumed dead, his name tags had been recovered. There is an added mystery to these name tags but it is not revealed until the very end.
With the tension increasing within the family and Charlie's family, Jane comes to a decision, she packs her bags and announces that she is going to London, her mother in questioning her decision of London; sees Jane’s anger and frustration overflow accusing her mother of her inability to protect her daughters and in temper she storms out of the house.
The read moves to 1958 Esme, the second protagonist, a copy editor for a small newspaper and budding author, one book has been published but not overly successful. Her mother, Arcadia a well known and successful author has past away and Esme has had the job of tidying up her mother's personal effects. Esme is cut from a different cloth to her mother who treated motherhood as a bit of an inconvenience, more interested in the good life and mixing with the rich and famous. Esme has been closer to her father. Arcadia, a presumed widow married into a well off family, thus giving her a glamorous lifestyle as well as the opportunity to pursue her career.
Esme has been in love with her boss, Hugh for as long as she can remember but until this particular day he has never invited her out for dinner. She is hopeful that all her dreams will be realised, that is until he announces that he will be moving the business to America and he wants her to come as his assistant. To add salt to the wound his new fiancé turns up which adds to Esme’s anguish. Frustrated with herself she promptly tells Hugh, “no thanks" and that she is heading off to Guernsey to sort out the mystery surrounding her mother.
Esme's father is not at all impressed with her decision to travel to Guernsey as he believes “no good will come out of it". However, with nothing else in her life and with her mother's mystery beckoning she heads off. Here, Esme is delighted with the house she is to look after while the owners are away and with a little investigation she is introduced to Anthony, an archivist cataloguing the war and occupation in Guernsey. Esme soon discovers there is a mutual attraction. She also discovers new material for a book, assisting a young woman falsely accused of murder, an extended family she never knew existed and reconciles her mother's difficulties and her life based on a presumption.
February 7, 2024
'The Dilemma' is a beautifully written piece of historic fiction set in two time periods, Guernsey in the 1950s and during the First World War.
Its 1958 and Esme has just found her mother Arcadia dead at her home. Esme has always had quite a formal distant relationship with her mother, visiting her once a week for a cup of team, but leaving soon after and she's never known the reason for her mother's estrangement.
When she goes to clear Arcadia's few belongings, she finds two photos, one of a baby and one of a man that she doesn't recognise, and a letter referring to a murder case in Guernsey a few years before with the initials M and C.
Esme can't see how this relates to her mother but it obviously has some significance and piques Esme's interest, so she goes to Guernsey to see what she can uncover about her enigmatic mother and her family.
There's a parallel and related story line about three teenage sisters Virginia Jane and Mavis growing up in Guernsey in 1915 with a vile abusive father and a downtrodden mother who is unable to escape from him or save her daughters. 16 year old Jane, one of the daughters, wants to marry her childhood sweetheart Charlie before he goes to war.
The story is told through both timelines consecutively, and as we learn more about Jane's life and the decisions that she had to make after the war, it sheds light on Esme's research and changes how we might view the decisions that both women have made.
'The Dilemma' is a wonderfully written and rich piece of historic writing; I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Esme and her investigations, the historical detail was perfectly pitched and I have learnt a lot about life in Guernsey in the 1940s. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a book that will take them away from it all!
Its 1958 and Esme has just found her mother Arcadia dead at her home. Esme has always had quite a formal distant relationship with her mother, visiting her once a week for a cup of team, but leaving soon after and she's never known the reason for her mother's estrangement.
When she goes to clear Arcadia's few belongings, she finds two photos, one of a baby and one of a man that she doesn't recognise, and a letter referring to a murder case in Guernsey a few years before with the initials M and C.
Esme can't see how this relates to her mother but it obviously has some significance and piques Esme's interest, so she goes to Guernsey to see what she can uncover about her enigmatic mother and her family.
There's a parallel and related story line about three teenage sisters Virginia Jane and Mavis growing up in Guernsey in 1915 with a vile abusive father and a downtrodden mother who is unable to escape from him or save her daughters. 16 year old Jane, one of the daughters, wants to marry her childhood sweetheart Charlie before he goes to war.
The story is told through both timelines consecutively, and as we learn more about Jane's life and the decisions that she had to make after the war, it sheds light on Esme's research and changes how we might view the decisions that both women have made.
'The Dilemma' is a wonderfully written and rich piece of historic writing; I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Esme and her investigations, the historical detail was perfectly pitched and I have learnt a lot about life in Guernsey in the 1940s. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a book that will take them away from it all!
May 2, 2024
Sarah Hawthorn’s The Dilemma is a gripping and absorbing tale told across two different time lines readers will find a struggle to put down.
1958 and novelist Esme has just found her latest project. A housemaid called Clara had been convicted of murder towards the end of the Second World War just when the island of Guernsey had been freed from Nazi occupation. Esme heads off to Guernsey and hopes that this research trip will help her to unravel the tangled secrets of her mother’s past as well as allow her to heal from a devastating break-up.
In 1915, a young teenager called Jane marries her childhood sweetheart, before he heads off to fight. However, Jane’s happiness is short-lived when her husband dies doing his duty for king and country. Heartbroken and devastated by her loss, Jane flees Guernsey and goes to London for a fresh start. As time goes by and old wounds heal, Jane finds a new life and a new husband. However, the past soon catches up with her in the most unexpected of ways.
Divided by decades, Jane and Esme both find themselves forced to make the biggest decision of their lives. Will they make the right choice? Or will past sins and old lies put paid to any hope they had of forging forward into the future?
I didn’t know much about Sarah Hawthorn’s The Dilemma before I picked it up, but after reading the synopsis, I decide to give the book a try and I am very glad I did. A sensitively told, astute and heart-wrenching tale that is brilliantly rendered and meticulously researched, The Dilemma is an enjoyable tale of powerful secrets, dangerous lies and forbidden desires that marks Sarah Hawthorn as a writer to watch out for.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1958 and novelist Esme has just found her latest project. A housemaid called Clara had been convicted of murder towards the end of the Second World War just when the island of Guernsey had been freed from Nazi occupation. Esme heads off to Guernsey and hopes that this research trip will help her to unravel the tangled secrets of her mother’s past as well as allow her to heal from a devastating break-up.
In 1915, a young teenager called Jane marries her childhood sweetheart, before he heads off to fight. However, Jane’s happiness is short-lived when her husband dies doing his duty for king and country. Heartbroken and devastated by her loss, Jane flees Guernsey and goes to London for a fresh start. As time goes by and old wounds heal, Jane finds a new life and a new husband. However, the past soon catches up with her in the most unexpected of ways.
Divided by decades, Jane and Esme both find themselves forced to make the biggest decision of their lives. Will they make the right choice? Or will past sins and old lies put paid to any hope they had of forging forward into the future?
I didn’t know much about Sarah Hawthorn’s The Dilemma before I picked it up, but after reading the synopsis, I decide to give the book a try and I am very glad I did. A sensitively told, astute and heart-wrenching tale that is brilliantly rendered and meticulously researched, The Dilemma is an enjoyable tale of powerful secrets, dangerous lies and forbidden desires that marks Sarah Hawthorn as a writer to watch out for.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 2, 2024
This was a really good read. In dual timelines and set mainly in Guernsey and London. In London, 1958, Esme finds a letter when clearing out her mothers things. In 1914 Jane and her two sister live with their mother and their abusive father. She uses his indiscretions to ‘persuade’ him to let her marry her sweetheart, Charlie. However, soon after they marry he goes off to fight in WWI and doesn’t return. Heartbroken Jane runs off to England. I found this a truly compulsive read and finished it in a day.
Briefly, 1958 and after her mother Arcadia’s death, and the shattering of her dreams about a man she has been in love with for many years, Esme travels to Guernsey determined to find out more about her mothers family. She manages to find one of Arcadia’s sisters and with the help of a historian gradually uncovers more information.
Well written, clearly well researched, this was an absorbing read. Wonderful characters and although I couldn’t condone Jane’s actions I did feel a bit of compassion for her when it became clear she genuinely loved two men. It seemed almost prophetic that Esme seemed to be heading down a similar path. Alongside the main story there is a secondary story about a woman called Clara who was imprisoned for murder and Esme believes wrongly, so she tries to help prove her innocence. A very interesting and enjoyable read.
Briefly, 1958 and after her mother Arcadia’s death, and the shattering of her dreams about a man she has been in love with for many years, Esme travels to Guernsey determined to find out more about her mothers family. She manages to find one of Arcadia’s sisters and with the help of a historian gradually uncovers more information.
Well written, clearly well researched, this was an absorbing read. Wonderful characters and although I couldn’t condone Jane’s actions I did feel a bit of compassion for her when it became clear she genuinely loved two men. It seemed almost prophetic that Esme seemed to be heading down a similar path. Alongside the main story there is a secondary story about a woman called Clara who was imprisoned for murder and Esme believes wrongly, so she tries to help prove her innocence. A very interesting and enjoyable read.
October 7, 2025
The Dilemma by Sarah Hawthorn is an evocative tapestry of memory, betrayal, and the fragile weight of truth. Moving seamlessly between 1915 and 1958, Hawthorn weaves a haunting story of two women Jane and Esme whose choices echo across generations.
What makes this novel unforgettable is the way it bridges personal and historical tragedy. Against the backdrop of two world wars and the lingering shadows of occupation, The Dilemma explores how grief and guilt can shape entire families. Each revelation feels earned, each secret both devastating and illuminating.
Hawthorn’s prose shimmers with quiet intensity, immersing readers in the emotional terrain of loss, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Like the best historical fiction, it’s not just about uncovering the past it’s about understanding how the past continues to live within us.
Fans of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah will find The Dilemma both heartbreaking and redemptive a meditation on love, deceit, and the stories we tell to survive the unbearable.
What makes this novel unforgettable is the way it bridges personal and historical tragedy. Against the backdrop of two world wars and the lingering shadows of occupation, The Dilemma explores how grief and guilt can shape entire families. Each revelation feels earned, each secret both devastating and illuminating.
Hawthorn’s prose shimmers with quiet intensity, immersing readers in the emotional terrain of loss, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Like the best historical fiction, it’s not just about uncovering the past it’s about understanding how the past continues to live within us.
Fans of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah will find The Dilemma both heartbreaking and redemptive a meditation on love, deceit, and the stories we tell to survive the unbearable.
February 5, 2024
Sarah Hawthorn - The Dilemma.
This is an epic and sweeping family drama.
I’ll be honest, I found some of the content of this story, a seriously hard read. I did get to a point where I thought I simply wasn’t sure that I wanted to keep reading. Due to the fact that I’d agreed to take part in the blog tour, I decided to keep going, and I’m glad I did as #TheDilemma turned out to be a compelling read.
Sarah Hawthorn has written a great mix of characters. From strong feisty women, to vile and disgusting men, with plenty in-between. Mostly I liked or understood the characters.
It’s a credit to Sarah Hawthorn’s excellent writing, that she has created a character that, as I read the story, truly made my skin crawl.
The setting is stunning and the plot is well-paced and strong.
A thoroughly gripping read, that will stay with you well beyond the last page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an epic and sweeping family drama.
I’ll be honest, I found some of the content of this story, a seriously hard read. I did get to a point where I thought I simply wasn’t sure that I wanted to keep reading. Due to the fact that I’d agreed to take part in the blog tour, I decided to keep going, and I’m glad I did as #TheDilemma turned out to be a compelling read.
Sarah Hawthorn has written a great mix of characters. From strong feisty women, to vile and disgusting men, with plenty in-between. Mostly I liked or understood the characters.
It’s a credit to Sarah Hawthorn’s excellent writing, that she has created a character that, as I read the story, truly made my skin crawl.
The setting is stunning and the plot is well-paced and strong.
A thoroughly gripping read, that will stay with you well beyond the last page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 13, 2022
Terrific Double Timeline Historical Mystery
Set mostly on Guernsey, the island off the coast of England that was occupied by Nazis during WW2, this fascinating book switches back and forth between Esme, a young woman in the 1960s searching for her mother’s family, and the story of Jane, her mother, who left the island in the 1940s, changed her name, and began a new life. How and why she did this is revealed bit by bit in the alternate timelines. Well developed characters and vivid descriptions of the intriguing setting carry us along down a complex trail of clues and discoveries. A fun and interesting read, very well written.
Set mostly on Guernsey, the island off the coast of England that was occupied by Nazis during WW2, this fascinating book switches back and forth between Esme, a young woman in the 1960s searching for her mother’s family, and the story of Jane, her mother, who left the island in the 1940s, changed her name, and began a new life. How and why she did this is revealed bit by bit in the alternate timelines. Well developed characters and vivid descriptions of the intriguing setting carry us along down a complex trail of clues and discoveries. A fun and interesting read, very well written.
November 6, 2023
In the late 1950s, a young woman travels to Guernsey to try to uncover the secrets of her mother, who has just died.
The progression of the investigation to uncover the various secrets is interesting, as are several historical aspects (civilian life during the two World Wars, suffragettes, isolation of the islanders).
Esme's investigation into a possible miscarriage of justice after a murder adds suspense to the story.
The novel is very topical when it comes to the subject of sexual predators.
The progression of the investigation to uncover the various secrets is interesting, as are several historical aspects (civilian life during the two World Wars, suffragettes, isolation of the islanders).
Esme's investigation into a possible miscarriage of justice after a murder adds suspense to the story.
The novel is very topical when it comes to the subject of sexual predators.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
The real dilemma here is what was the main theme of this book? There are so many subplots (good ones!) going on here that all of them were just too thin. We have sexual abuse, both world wars, a sweet romance, a murder plot, bigamy, major family drama and PTSD! Whew! I wish this one book had been 3 books with more depth to the stories. But overall it was a good read and I especially was pulling for Esme and Anthony. Also I love stories set in Guernsey.
October 3, 2022
I loved The Dilemma. It's historical fiction at its best, drawing me in with excellent storytelling and attention to detail. I journeyed back in time, living alongside these richly drawn characters, and I couldn't wait to curl up in bed and read it every evening. I'm looking forward to reading more from Sarah Hawthorn.
January 4, 2023
I was absolutely enthralled by this story - set across two time periods in history, England and the Channel Islands, I loved the mix of romance, family mystery, and historical drama. This story is full of fantastic twists and turns, intriguing characters, and beautifully told stories which interweave the two different times in history perfectly. I was sad it had to end!
September 24, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It incredibly sensitively written and deals with family secrets. I enjoyed reading about Guernsey - especially during the two world wars. It’s historically well researched and accurate. It’s a real page turner full of different plots which all intertwine. One of those books you can’t put down. It would make a fantastic film.
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