What do you think?
Rate this book
Denk aan mij
Meeslepende historische roman over de kracht van echte liefde
1942, Egypte. In een schuilkelder in Alexandrië grijpen Yvette en James voor het eerst elkaars hand vast als boven hun hoofd een bombardement losbarst. James, een Britse gevechtspiloot, weet Yvette na de oorlog weer te vinden en hun liefde houdt stand. Als kersvers echtpaar vertrekken ze naar Engeland, waar een tragische gebeurtenis hun huwelijk in gevaar brengt.
1974, Engeland. Tien jaar na de dood van zijn vrouw solliciteert James in een opwelling op een nieuwe baan in het dorpje Upton. Daar vindt hij op een dag een sjaal die hem vreemd bekend voorkomt. Zijn verleden is blijkbaar nog niet klaar met hem. Als hij dan ook nog op Yvettes dagboeken stuit, komt zijn hele leven in een ander daglicht te staan.
1942, Egypte. In een schuilkelder in Alexandrië grijpen Yvette en James voor het eerst elkaars hand vast als boven hun hoofd een bombardement losbarst. James, een Britse gevechtspiloot, weet Yvette na de oorlog weer te vinden en hun liefde houdt stand. Als kersvers echtpaar vertrekken ze naar Engeland, waar een tragische gebeurtenis hun huwelijk in gevaar brengt.
1974, Engeland. Tien jaar na de dood van zijn vrouw solliciteert James in een opwelling op een nieuwe baan in het dorpje Upton. Daar vindt hij op een dag een sjaal die hem vreemd bekend voorkomt. Zijn verleden is blijkbaar nog niet klaar met hem. Als hij dan ook nog op Yvettes dagboeken stuit, komt zijn hele leven in een ander daglicht te staan.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2022
294 people are currently reading
11747 people want to read
About the author
Frances Liardet
5 books248 followersFrances Liardet is a child of the children of the Second World War. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and studied Arabic at Oxford before travelling to Cairo to work as a translator. She currently lives in Somerset with her husband and daughter, and runs a summer writing session called Bootcamp. Her first novel, The Game, won a Betty Trask award. We Must Be Brave is her second novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
January 25, 2022
1942: Due to the war, half of Alexandria has fled to the countryside, the Haddad family decide to stay and are looking forward to their eldest daughter’s wedding. Cecla is marrying flying officer Peter Ingram, the night before the big day, the wedding party find themselves huddled in a basement, praying they will survive and a terrified Yvette’s holding onto best man James Acton’s hand.
James flies hurricanes, after the wedding, he and Peter are sent to different parts of Africa to stop the German advance. Yvette learns to drive a truck, she joins the WAAF and her first job is packing parachutes. Yvette doesn’t hear from James, it’s not unusual considering the times and when he finally returns and she discovers he’s been a German prisoner of war. Despite not knowing each other well, they marry and Yvette moves to England.
James returns to the ministry, he’s an Anglican priest and the couple are happy. But, James silently struggles with his traumatic wartime memories, the couple experience a tragic personal loss, and their relationship changes.
Think of Me has a dual timeline, it alternates between Egypt in 1942 and England in 1974.
1974: James is now a widower, his son Tom’s at university, after twenty years and he decides to put in for a transfer. His new parish is in the small village of Upton, the vicarage is a mess, Ronald Frobisher the Archdeacon wants to pay him a visit and he puts him off! James makes friends in the new village, delivers his sermons, christens children and visits elderly parishioners. When he finds a discarded Hermes scarf or head-square, it reminds him of Yvette’s and surly it couldn’t be the same one? James starts to look back at the past, things he’s hidden away in his memory because they were too painful to deal with at the time and now he’s questioning his relationship with both his deceased wife and god.
I received a copy of Think of Me from Edelweiss and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Frances Liardet has written a compelling story about the Second World War in Africa, and how the years after the war were extremely hard for returned servicemen, and their war brides. I had no idea clergymen fought in the war, some soldiers discovered their faith during the war and became priests afterwards. I highly recommend both Think of Me and the author’s previous book We Must Be Brave and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
James flies hurricanes, after the wedding, he and Peter are sent to different parts of Africa to stop the German advance. Yvette learns to drive a truck, she joins the WAAF and her first job is packing parachutes. Yvette doesn’t hear from James, it’s not unusual considering the times and when he finally returns and she discovers he’s been a German prisoner of war. Despite not knowing each other well, they marry and Yvette moves to England.
James returns to the ministry, he’s an Anglican priest and the couple are happy. But, James silently struggles with his traumatic wartime memories, the couple experience a tragic personal loss, and their relationship changes.
Think of Me has a dual timeline, it alternates between Egypt in 1942 and England in 1974.
1974: James is now a widower, his son Tom’s at university, after twenty years and he decides to put in for a transfer. His new parish is in the small village of Upton, the vicarage is a mess, Ronald Frobisher the Archdeacon wants to pay him a visit and he puts him off! James makes friends in the new village, delivers his sermons, christens children and visits elderly parishioners. When he finds a discarded Hermes scarf or head-square, it reminds him of Yvette’s and surly it couldn’t be the same one? James starts to look back at the past, things he’s hidden away in his memory because they were too painful to deal with at the time and now he’s questioning his relationship with both his deceased wife and god.
I received a copy of Think of Me from Edelweiss and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Frances Liardet has written a compelling story about the Second World War in Africa, and how the years after the war were extremely hard for returned servicemen, and their war brides. I had no idea clergymen fought in the war, some soldiers discovered their faith during the war and became priests afterwards. I highly recommend both Think of Me and the author’s previous book We Must Be Brave and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
March 5, 2022
Top Pick! A reminder that worthwhile stories, beautifully told, have power to enrich and change us. These characters drew me into their world and their hearts and swept me along on an entertaining, uplifting, and moving journey . . . How would I describe or classify this novel? It’s about loss, grief, loneliness, confusion, need, hope, joy, renewal, sacrifice, forgiveness, living & dying. But, chiefly, I would call it a love story. 5 Stars. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2022
The pace was too slow for me and the characters did not command my attention I am sorry to say. This is more to do with my personal reading taste than the author’s efforts.
July 15, 2022
I finished Think of Me a few weeks ago but I’ve been putting off writing my review because I’m not sure I can do justice to it. But here goes….
A book that switches between multiple timelines can be difficult to pull off successfully but Frances Liardet does it brilliantly. There are some very clever touches that connect events in the past and present in a subtle and surprising way. (There was one particular moment where my response was ‘Oh, that’s that person’.) Using a journal as part of the narrative structure is another thing I’ve had problems with in other books, but not in this one. It works perfectly as a means for James, and us the reader, to discover Yvette’s story bit by bit, and I loved that the author kept one important element of it to the very last pages.
The emotional element of the story is handled in a way that is never sentimental and feels very true to the way relationships can change over the years. The book explores how people can block out things that are difficult for them to face and how things unsaid can be just as damaging as those that are said. The ‘Sources’ section at the end of the book reveals how the author’s own experience allowed her to handle one particular element of James and Yvette’s story with such empathy and insight. It was heartbreaking to see that when they needed each others support the most it was as if a great chasm had developed between them.
I loved the relationship between James and his son Tom, a mixture of deep affection and gentle teasing that is also challenged by some of the things that are revealed. Although there’s sadness and suffering in the book, it ends with a sense of hope and the possibility of new beginnings. As one of the characters to whom James becomes close observes, ‘You know […] things can change. Even if they lie in the distant past. Even if they are shocking, ugly. It’s a matter of seeing them in a new light’.
I absolutely loved Think of Me and I’m sure it’s going to be one of my books of the year. If you don’t have a tear in your eye as you read the last chapter I’ll be surprised.
A book that switches between multiple timelines can be difficult to pull off successfully but Frances Liardet does it brilliantly. There are some very clever touches that connect events in the past and present in a subtle and surprising way. (There was one particular moment where my response was ‘Oh, that’s that person’.) Using a journal as part of the narrative structure is another thing I’ve had problems with in other books, but not in this one. It works perfectly as a means for James, and us the reader, to discover Yvette’s story bit by bit, and I loved that the author kept one important element of it to the very last pages.
The emotional element of the story is handled in a way that is never sentimental and feels very true to the way relationships can change over the years. The book explores how people can block out things that are difficult for them to face and how things unsaid can be just as damaging as those that are said. The ‘Sources’ section at the end of the book reveals how the author’s own experience allowed her to handle one particular element of James and Yvette’s story with such empathy and insight. It was heartbreaking to see that when they needed each others support the most it was as if a great chasm had developed between them.
I loved the relationship between James and his son Tom, a mixture of deep affection and gentle teasing that is also challenged by some of the things that are revealed. Although there’s sadness and suffering in the book, it ends with a sense of hope and the possibility of new beginnings. As one of the characters to whom James becomes close observes, ‘You know […] things can change. Even if they lie in the distant past. Even if they are shocking, ugly. It’s a matter of seeing them in a new light’.
I absolutely loved Think of Me and I’m sure it’s going to be one of my books of the year. If you don’t have a tear in your eye as you read the last chapter I’ll be surprised.
June 26, 2022
THINK OF ME
Frances Liardet
This is a beautifully written book about an English man. James Acton, who was once a WWII pilot who was shot down and held prisoner by the Germans returns to England and becomes a vicar. His life is filled with his family and God until tragedy strikes the family.
Yvette, his wife was raised in North Africa, and when James returns after the war, beaten, bruised, and almost broken, it is her love that pulls him through. She moves with him to England and makes a wonderful life until the miscarriage of their first child, and the relationship begins to show its cracks.
But life moves on and another child is born, but something is different. Yvette seems to do more recovering than James and she seeks help to get over it from a woman who had suffered a similar incident. But then illness and death.
The book is told by moving backward in time, James is telling the story, and then Yvette, but mostly through her diary. The book is about faith and loss of it, redemption and love, grief, and moving forward.
I really enjoyed the book, family saga is one of my favorites. Liardet fleshed out the characters so well. James is a beautiful character, modest, refined, kind, and loving but a little lost. Yvette is a smart woman, sweet, caring and in love with her husband and their life.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
Frances Liardet
This is a beautifully written book about an English man. James Acton, who was once a WWII pilot who was shot down and held prisoner by the Germans returns to England and becomes a vicar. His life is filled with his family and God until tragedy strikes the family.
Yvette, his wife was raised in North Africa, and when James returns after the war, beaten, bruised, and almost broken, it is her love that pulls him through. She moves with him to England and makes a wonderful life until the miscarriage of their first child, and the relationship begins to show its cracks.
But life moves on and another child is born, but something is different. Yvette seems to do more recovering than James and she seeks help to get over it from a woman who had suffered a similar incident. But then illness and death.
The book is told by moving backward in time, James is telling the story, and then Yvette, but mostly through her diary. The book is about faith and loss of it, redemption and love, grief, and moving forward.
I really enjoyed the book, family saga is one of my favorites. Liardet fleshed out the characters so well. James is a beautiful character, modest, refined, kind, and loving but a little lost. Yvette is a smart woman, sweet, caring and in love with her husband and their life.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
September 4, 2022
Think of Me by Frances Liardet is an interesting historical romance. Yvette and James met during WWII in Alexandria, Egypt and later moved to England where James was a curate. The story is a dual timeline written in the story's present day of the 1970’s and journeys through Yvette’s diaries starting back from World War II. Think of Me uniquely walks through their trials and weaves an enduring story of their lives.
I enjoyed the history and the romance in the book. To me the story had sort of a All Creatures Great and Small feel to it in the rural English country-side. The themes of walking through trials, friendship, and redemption make a thoughtful story. I recommend it.
I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.
I enjoyed the history and the romance in the book. To me the story had sort of a All Creatures Great and Small feel to it in the rural English country-side. The themes of walking through trials, friendship, and redemption make a thoughtful story. I recommend it.
I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.
October 21, 2021
I received an advance copy of this beautiful novel and appreciated the experience. Looking at the cover, this seems like yet another World War II love story, and it certainly encompasses the early story of James and Yvette as they fall in love in Alexandria, Egypt, during the war. Yvette narrates her account of meeting RAF pilot James, friend of her sister Celia’s fiancé, Peter. They take shelter together during a bombing, stand up in Celia’s wedding, and correspond throughout the rest of the war (she drives ambulances and he is taken prisoner by the Germans). James is an Anglican clergyman, so after they marry they settle in England to begin a new life.
A second storyline is narrated thirty years later by James, now widowed and looking for a change. He moves to a new parish not far from his first posting, much to the surprise of his son, Tom. As he meets new people, he finds a scarf and searches for its owner, even as he feels it has some connection with his late wife. His quest brings up revelations about Yvette and memories of their lost child that he has not been able to deal with.
Usually I would say that I enjoyed a book that moved me so much; however, this one deals with the immediate and far-reaching consequences of loss through stillbirth, so it doesn’t seem right to use that term. The characters are well-written and compelling, even humorous at times. Some characters from Liardet’s previous novel, We Must Be Brave, appear here, but I don’t think one needs to have read it to understand this book, which I found memorable and absorbing.
Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
A second storyline is narrated thirty years later by James, now widowed and looking for a change. He moves to a new parish not far from his first posting, much to the surprise of his son, Tom. As he meets new people, he finds a scarf and searches for its owner, even as he feels it has some connection with his late wife. His quest brings up revelations about Yvette and memories of their lost child that he has not been able to deal with.
Usually I would say that I enjoyed a book that moved me so much; however, this one deals with the immediate and far-reaching consequences of loss through stillbirth, so it doesn’t seem right to use that term. The characters are well-written and compelling, even humorous at times. Some characters from Liardet’s previous novel, We Must Be Brave, appear here, but I don’t think one needs to have read it to understand this book, which I found memorable and absorbing.
Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
March 12, 2022
This book was very emotional for me, particularly as it unfolded. It was beautifully written and deeply thoughtful. Wonderful characters; I cried for them. Just my kind of book!
March 8, 2022
Think of me was a very different book for me, as it was slow-paced with so many details that I have to take my time to understand a little bit more about where the story was heading but it was good.
Alternating between 1942 and 1974 the love story of James and Yvette starts in Alexandria Egypt a love story that was cut too short, moving on to 1974 where the majority of this story takes place when James and his son will finally be able to understand what happened all those years before.
Think of me is a love story that starts during WW2 but it doesn't dwell in that era transporting us years later to find what James has been doing after such terrible events in his life, he is now living in the UK as Vicar with a son who doesn't know a lot about his mother and the story behind.
Without giving too much away this is a novel that will transport you to many regions and places that you will feel come alive while reading these pages, the love between James and Yvette was short but very strong to feel on every page of the book. one of the things that I love about this story was how the relationship between James and Tom turns once James is finally able to tell the whole story about the past.
Definitely a very different book, with strong characters, a great plot, and a roller coaster of emotions.
Thank you, NetGalley, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Alternating between 1942 and 1974 the love story of James and Yvette starts in Alexandria Egypt a love story that was cut too short, moving on to 1974 where the majority of this story takes place when James and his son will finally be able to understand what happened all those years before.
Think of me is a love story that starts during WW2 but it doesn't dwell in that era transporting us years later to find what James has been doing after such terrible events in his life, he is now living in the UK as Vicar with a son who doesn't know a lot about his mother and the story behind.
Without giving too much away this is a novel that will transport you to many regions and places that you will feel come alive while reading these pages, the love between James and Yvette was short but very strong to feel on every page of the book. one of the things that I love about this story was how the relationship between James and Tom turns once James is finally able to tell the whole story about the past.
Definitely a very different book, with strong characters, a great plot, and a roller coaster of emotions.
Thank you, NetGalley, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2022
Think of me. A nice touching romantic story I enjoyed this, not usually into romance but a good read all the same told in twin time line. Enjoyable.
December 18, 2022
Alexandrië, 1942. Tijdens het zoveelste bombardement houden Yvette en de Britse gevechtspiloot en priester James voor het eerst elkaars hand vast in een schuilkelder. Ze gaan ieder hun eigen weg maar hun band blijft bestaan en ze vinden elkaar terug, ze worden verliefd, overleven de beproevingen van de oorlog en vertrekken als pasgetrouwd echtpaar naar Engeland. Hoewel ze gelukkig jaren met elkaar beleven, overschaduwt een groot verlies hun huwelijk, waardoor ze elkaar bijna kwijtraken.
Upton, 1974. Tien jaar na de dood van Yvette solliciteert James in een opwelling naar een nieuwe betrekking in een klein dorpje, vlak bij zijn eerste parochie, klaar voor een nieuwe start. De gemeenschap verwelkomt hem met open armen, maar wanneer hij een sjaal vindt die hem vreemd bekend voorkomt, is dat het begin van een zoektocht die alles wat hij dacht te weten over zijn eigen leven op zijn kop zet.
Door de afwisseling van dagboekfragmenten van Yvette en het perspectief van James lees je over hun leven samen, over hun liefdesgeschiedenis, over alles wat ze hebben meegemaakt en over het leven van James en zijn zoon in 1974, hun mooie band die op de proef wordt gesteld en James’ avonturen in Upton. Het geeft je een inkijk in het leven in de oorlog in Egypte, toont hoe lastig het is om daarna je leven weer op te pakken en hoe mensen daar ruimte voor nodig hebben en terwijl je in de hoofden van James en Yvette kruipt, leer je ook hoe iedereen anders omgaat met een ingrijpend voorval, hoe een verlies mensen uit elkaar kan drijven, hoe belangrijk steun is, hoe helpend het kan zijn om dan de juiste mensen tegen te komen die je gevoelens wél begrijpen en hoeveel impact zo’n gebeurtenis jaren later nog kan hebben.
James is een man van weinig woorden, een echte binnenvetter, waardoor je niet altijd begrijpt hoe hij bepaalde situaties beleefde terwijl de emoties van Yvette erg indringend zijn. Ik had graag meer gelezen over hun verwijdering en hoe zij elkaar toch weer terugvonden, want er blijven wat vragen onbeantwoord terwijl juist dat wat níét wordt gezegd erg belangrijk kan zijn.
Dit is een ingetogen, interessant, gedetailleerd en relatief traag verhaal dat je aandacht wel constant vast blijft houden door de wijze waarop het zich langzaam ontvouwt en door de onderlinge relaties die sterk zijn uitgewerkt. De auteur maakt je nieuwsgierig naar meer, het verhaal bevat heftige gebeurtenissen en grote emoties maar ook luchtigheid, humor en grappige momenten, waardoor er een goede balans ontstaat en het prettig blijft lezen. Het is een verhaal over de oorlog en de trauma’s die daaruit voortvloeien, over liefde, geluk en verlies, over communicatie, geheimen en eenzaamheid. Een verhaal over connectie, jezelf openstellen, nieuwe inzichten, persoonlijke groei en begrip. Een boeiend verhaal over menselijke gebreken, verwarring, verwijten, hoop en een nieuw begin. Een gevoelige, ontroerende roman die je raakt!
3.5⭐️
Upton, 1974. Tien jaar na de dood van Yvette solliciteert James in een opwelling naar een nieuwe betrekking in een klein dorpje, vlak bij zijn eerste parochie, klaar voor een nieuwe start. De gemeenschap verwelkomt hem met open armen, maar wanneer hij een sjaal vindt die hem vreemd bekend voorkomt, is dat het begin van een zoektocht die alles wat hij dacht te weten over zijn eigen leven op zijn kop zet.
Door de afwisseling van dagboekfragmenten van Yvette en het perspectief van James lees je over hun leven samen, over hun liefdesgeschiedenis, over alles wat ze hebben meegemaakt en over het leven van James en zijn zoon in 1974, hun mooie band die op de proef wordt gesteld en James’ avonturen in Upton. Het geeft je een inkijk in het leven in de oorlog in Egypte, toont hoe lastig het is om daarna je leven weer op te pakken en hoe mensen daar ruimte voor nodig hebben en terwijl je in de hoofden van James en Yvette kruipt, leer je ook hoe iedereen anders omgaat met een ingrijpend voorval, hoe een verlies mensen uit elkaar kan drijven, hoe belangrijk steun is, hoe helpend het kan zijn om dan de juiste mensen tegen te komen die je gevoelens wél begrijpen en hoeveel impact zo’n gebeurtenis jaren later nog kan hebben.
James is een man van weinig woorden, een echte binnenvetter, waardoor je niet altijd begrijpt hoe hij bepaalde situaties beleefde terwijl de emoties van Yvette erg indringend zijn. Ik had graag meer gelezen over hun verwijdering en hoe zij elkaar toch weer terugvonden, want er blijven wat vragen onbeantwoord terwijl juist dat wat níét wordt gezegd erg belangrijk kan zijn.
Dit is een ingetogen, interessant, gedetailleerd en relatief traag verhaal dat je aandacht wel constant vast blijft houden door de wijze waarop het zich langzaam ontvouwt en door de onderlinge relaties die sterk zijn uitgewerkt. De auteur maakt je nieuwsgierig naar meer, het verhaal bevat heftige gebeurtenissen en grote emoties maar ook luchtigheid, humor en grappige momenten, waardoor er een goede balans ontstaat en het prettig blijft lezen. Het is een verhaal over de oorlog en de trauma’s die daaruit voortvloeien, over liefde, geluk en verlies, over communicatie, geheimen en eenzaamheid. Een verhaal over connectie, jezelf openstellen, nieuwe inzichten, persoonlijke groei en begrip. Een boeiend verhaal over menselijke gebreken, verwarring, verwijten, hoop en een nieuw begin. Een gevoelige, ontroerende roman die je raakt!
3.5⭐️
November 27, 2022
Over een Engelse priester die toe is aan een nieuwe start. Hij is uitgekeken op de plaats waar hij al heel lang zijn werk doet, maar wat hij nog niet weet is dat hij na de verhuizing eerst nog in het reine moet zien te komen met het verleden en ondertussen zijn geloof weer moet zien terug te vinden.
Lange tijd is het heel aardig, maar het einde bevalt mij minder. Te veel toeval en zoetsappigheid en dan ook nog een wansmakelijk religieus sausje.
Lees meer: bit.ly/3AQvGjI
Lange tijd is het heel aardig, maar het einde bevalt mij minder. Te veel toeval en zoetsappigheid en dan ook nog een wansmakelijk religieus sausje.
Lees meer: bit.ly/3AQvGjI
January 7, 2024
I have enjoyed this novel a lot. Though it presents predominantly as a romance that lasts a lifetime, it has important plot points set in the north African campaign during the second world war which add layers and depth to the characters.
Through the popular device of using two timelines, the author effectively draws a line between a charming vicar and a grieving man. She also explores what grief looks like for different people in a very subtle but effective manner.
It is a fine piece of work. Charming, layered and compelling, all at once.
Through the popular device of using two timelines, the author effectively draws a line between a charming vicar and a grieving man. She also explores what grief looks like for different people in a very subtle but effective manner.
It is a fine piece of work. Charming, layered and compelling, all at once.
April 3, 2022
This is a gorgeous book. Beautifully written, deeply moving and heartbreakingly human. It is a love letter to love, grief, friendship, kindness, faith, sacrifice, and resilience. The pace is very slow and will not be for every reader but oh what a rich and timeless love story.
Yvette and James fight and survive WWII in Egypt. After the war, they make a life together in England where another tragedy awaits them. Then James is alone and it is 1974. He moves to a different English village seeking change. There he discovers an item that transports him back in time and we begin to see all of the horrors of war, all of the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians, all of the traumas and repercussions. This book is told in two forms; One, from James's point of view in remembrance and Two, from Yvette's diary, written before she dies.
Like I said this is a gorgeous and beautifully written story. It is captivating, inspiring and very powerful. Read this with a box of tissue, it is a very emotional tale. I highly recommend!
Yvette and James fight and survive WWII in Egypt. After the war, they make a life together in England where another tragedy awaits them. Then James is alone and it is 1974. He moves to a different English village seeking change. There he discovers an item that transports him back in time and we begin to see all of the horrors of war, all of the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians, all of the traumas and repercussions. This book is told in two forms; One, from James's point of view in remembrance and Two, from Yvette's diary, written before she dies.
Like I said this is a gorgeous and beautifully written story. It is captivating, inspiring and very powerful. Read this with a box of tissue, it is a very emotional tale. I highly recommend!
December 29, 2021
This is not another WWII love story although it starts there. Yevette and James meet in 1942 Alexandria. They fall in love, survive the war and go off to start an idyllic life in England. But a tragedy and a misunderstanding cause a rift. The story comes full circle as James, a rector, moves to a new parish and discovers a scarf that belonged to his wife.
Touching and lovely, I think this would be a good choice for a book group.
This review is of a digital galley provided by NetGalley.
Touching and lovely, I think this would be a good choice for a book group.
This review is of a digital galley provided by NetGalley.
April 16, 2022
Lovely.
April 20, 2022
This one will stay with me for a long time. Written with the warmth of Jan Karon's Mitford series and the wrestling of Elizabeth Goudge's The Bird in the Tree.
April 2, 2022
I struggled with this book.... had a hard time figuring out who was speaking and what time frame they were speaking in - book jumps from the past to the current.... James and Eyvette meet the night before Eyvette's sisters wedding during WW2. They end up in a bomb shelter together holding hands that same night.... years later after he served in the war they meet up again and marry.... the book fills in the gap of the years they were not together based upon each telling the other about that time.... each had things they did not share with each other and secrets came out years later in journals written by Eyvette.
Good idea just hard for me to follow!
Good idea just hard for me to follow!
March 21, 2022
After 1/2 read I had to give up. Much too slow moving for me. Too much religion and way too much going back and forth. I just couldn't continue. Give me a good old murder mystery or spy novel although I am not really opposed to just about anything except horror. But I just can't abide slow moving stories. This book just wasn't for me.
January 9, 2023
I felt this book dragged on and on. Must be me for loads of folks really like it
April 3, 2024
Deeply emotional and spiritual, at times humorous. These characters are beautiful—English pilot marries Egyptian girl in WW2? Yeah, it’s a stellar read.
January 30, 2025
4.5 stars - What a touching book... It really is. I so enjoyed it. There might be a few slow spots, and it may be a little dull at times, but the beautiful writing and heartfelt message those words convey make the story come alive. At its heart, this is a story about a marriage. About a life lived and shared between two people. During good times and bad, during heartbreak and happiness, and especially during those in between normal times. James and Yvette meet during war time in Alexandria and fall in love quickly and get married. James becomes a vicar, and they move to a small parish in England. Ten years after Yvette's death, James moves to Upton to be the vicar there, and things come to light that makes him question her loyalty to their marriage. He also finally admits something to his Archdeacon after a disaster befalls him. It takes confronting his past and a sad tragedy that happened during his marriage for James to see the light and to begin again. The ending had me sobbing, especially when he was describing seeing his daughter. My heart hurt for him and for Yvette. This truly is a special book.
February 20, 2022
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway,
This book begins in Alexandria, Egypt during World War II as a young woman falls in love with a British pilot. However, the book is not at heart a war story, nor is it actually a typical dual time narrative. The majority of the book takes place in 1974, ten years after that young woman, Yvette, has died from leukemia. Her widower, James, that former British pilot, is now a vicar in a small English village not far from where the couple lived when they first moved to England after the war. Yvette and James had faced many difficulties together as James recovered from months as a POW in Germany and began a new career in a country new to Yvette, but they also had encountered a further tragedy that for some reason they were unable to deal with together. The details of those years are filled in for the reader in the form of diary entries Yvette wrote in the months just prior to her death, not found until this period ten years later - and for both James and their son, these revelations are earth-shattering. This is a beautifully written book which is definitely more character-driven than plot-driven. At times I felt the pace was slow, and it was sometimes confusing as to the time period or the point of view in a particular section. The last 100 pages or so moved faster than the early sections of the book.
This book begins in Alexandria, Egypt during World War II as a young woman falls in love with a British pilot. However, the book is not at heart a war story, nor is it actually a typical dual time narrative. The majority of the book takes place in 1974, ten years after that young woman, Yvette, has died from leukemia. Her widower, James, that former British pilot, is now a vicar in a small English village not far from where the couple lived when they first moved to England after the war. Yvette and James had faced many difficulties together as James recovered from months as a POW in Germany and began a new career in a country new to Yvette, but they also had encountered a further tragedy that for some reason they were unable to deal with together. The details of those years are filled in for the reader in the form of diary entries Yvette wrote in the months just prior to her death, not found until this period ten years later - and for both James and their son, these revelations are earth-shattering. This is a beautifully written book which is definitely more character-driven than plot-driven. At times I felt the pace was slow, and it was sometimes confusing as to the time period or the point of view in a particular section. The last 100 pages or so moved faster than the early sections of the book.
February 25, 2022
I wanted to start off by saying that I was approved for this book through the publisher and NetGalley. In return for my honest thoughts and review. This definitely a new author for me. I will be reading more from this author. I enjoy her writing. Historical fiction and war times are my favorite read. . I also liked that this book different point of views Learning and trying to picture that time. I have to say that I enjoyed both our main characters. This book is sat in War2 times. Where Yvette and James meet when Yvette sister is getting married to a man named Peter. The three of them are out one evening when a bomb as hit the building that they are at. Yvette and James who at the time don’t know each found it comfortable to chat with each other until it was safe to come out. After that they both went their separate ways. Always thinking of each other. I enjoyed reading Yvette chapters or her point of view more. The things that she felt the lost the hurt and sickness she went through. I felt the emotions has well. James looking for change while his son Tom studying at a university. Still having sadness about loss of his wife who has been gone. And his time during the war. I don’t have anything negative to say about this book. With historical fiction some say its slow. But I enjoy a slow pace. Getting to know our characters. I cant wait for this book to come out February 22, 2022 I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher again for allowing me to read such amazing story . About two amazing characters.
My reviews will be up on goodreads and Bookbub. I will be a review and release day post up on my instagram @amada_coffee_books
My reviews will be up on goodreads and Bookbub. I will be a review and release day post up on my instagram @amada_coffee_books
April 6, 2022
Think of Me by Frances Liardet
Set in 1942, Alexandria, Egypt. The Hadad family is getting ready to celebrate their daughter’s Cecla wedding, but they end up in a basement the night before the wedding and hope to survive the explosions. Yvette is holding the best man’s hand with bombs exploding above them.
James and Peter, the groom, fly to Africa the day after the wedding to fight the Germans. We follow the story as James becomes a prisoner of war and returns home to marry Yvette, the girl he barely knows.
The story is a dual timeline, alternating between 1942 and 1974, England, When James is a widower, has tom, his son who is at the university now.
I have read so many WWII stories but this one was very new to me since it was set in Africa. Think Of Me is a captivating story, with fully developed and influential characters. Both James and Yvette felt real to me, and I enjoyed how the author penned all the descriptions. I loved this book.
I have to say I was impressed reading about the author, this was my first book, and I can’t wait to read We Must Be Brave next.
Set in 1942, Alexandria, Egypt. The Hadad family is getting ready to celebrate their daughter’s Cecla wedding, but they end up in a basement the night before the wedding and hope to survive the explosions. Yvette is holding the best man’s hand with bombs exploding above them.
James and Peter, the groom, fly to Africa the day after the wedding to fight the Germans. We follow the story as James becomes a prisoner of war and returns home to marry Yvette, the girl he barely knows.
The story is a dual timeline, alternating between 1942 and 1974, England, When James is a widower, has tom, his son who is at the university now.
I have read so many WWII stories but this one was very new to me since it was set in Africa. Think Of Me is a captivating story, with fully developed and influential characters. Both James and Yvette felt real to me, and I enjoyed how the author penned all the descriptions. I loved this book.
I have to say I was impressed reading about the author, this was my first book, and I can’t wait to read We Must Be Brave next.
July 10, 2023
This is one of the most heartbreaking, moving and beautifully written books I have ever read. In 1974, James Acton takes up a post as vicar in Upton and Barrow End. He was widowed 10 years previously and his son Tom is at university in East Anglia. Told in alternating chapters in the voices of James in 1974 and his late wife Yvette by way of a diary she wrote just before her death in 1964 the reader gradually learns about their lives from the time they met in wartime Alexandria to the present day (1974) as James tries to navigate his life now that Tom has flown the nest. I had read the author’s previous novel We Must Be Brave a few years ago and was fascinated to realise that characters from that novel which I also loved, also appear in this new story. The two stories are skilfully interlinked. James and Yvette’s backstory is heartbreaking and very moving and Frances Liardet writes so beautifully that I was almost sorry to reach the end. I thoroughly recommend both Think of Me and We Must Be Brave (if you haven’t already read it) although both books can be read as standalones.
May 22, 2022
4.5 I had a hard time with the first half of the book. I started with the audio and was completely lost. The speaker changes abruptly without warning and I was so confused. When the ebook came in, I started over and read it. It was still a bit confusing as to who was talking and when but the more I read, the easier it was to follow.
Other than that, I love this story. It seems more realistic than many things I’ve read recently. The characters both infuriated me and made me love them. I would’ve loved a deeper look into James’ rediscovery of God.
Other than that, I love this story. It seems more realistic than many things I’ve read recently. The characters both infuriated me and made me love them. I would’ve loved a deeper look into James’ rediscovery of God.
June 18, 2022
It took me about 100 pages to connect to the characters and the plot but then I did enjoy it. The connection to the adjustments for soldiers after returning from WW1 was a small part. There was a bigger connection to the loss of those we love and the things that are left unsaid. The setting for this book was mostly England which meant that vocabulary was an adjustment. Also, one of the characters had a French background with French phrases in the dialogue. It was fun to see how much I remembered from high school.
March 31, 2023
Another book I had high hopes for and fell flat for me.
This was my first Frances Liardet book. Unfortunately, I felt that I forced myself to read it and couldn't wait to put it down. Usually, if I don't enjoy a book, I DNF, but I read the entire thing for a book club so I could have a discussion with my fellow members - they felt the same way too.
Even though I have not read We Must be Brave by this author, I am going to go ahead and give it a shot and hope it captures my attention the way this book did not.
Another gorgeous cover and boring book. Can't win them all.
This was my first Frances Liardet book. Unfortunately, I felt that I forced myself to read it and couldn't wait to put it down. Usually, if I don't enjoy a book, I DNF, but I read the entire thing for a book club so I could have a discussion with my fellow members - they felt the same way too.
Even though I have not read We Must be Brave by this author, I am going to go ahead and give it a shot and hope it captures my attention the way this book did not.
Another gorgeous cover and boring book. Can't win them all.
August 22, 2022
I found this book slow going in the first part. After reading some GoodReads reviews stating that it picked up after the first 100 pages, I skimmed some early parts and am glad I stuck with it. The second half of the book was very worthwhile reading and grabbed me totally until the satisfying ending.
I am glad that reviewers encouraged me to continue reading after the first part.
I am glad that reviewers encouraged me to continue reading after the first part.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews