Until the War Is over

The Derwent Chronicles #2

by Rosemary Goodacre

Summer 1918: Young couple Amy and Edmond Derwent , after their experiences on the front line of battle - Edmond as an officer and Amy as a VAD in France - have now settled back in England and are starting to build a life as a family, with the arrival of baby Beth bringing them much-needed joy. But while she may have married into the wealthy Derwent family, now living with her in-laws in their grand home, Amy's modest upbringing means that she is never truly accepted by Edmond's family. The Great War rages on, and while the men are off fighting, those left at home steel themselves for tragic news, praying that their loved ones return safely. Edmond, still struggling with the effects of the injury he sustained at Ypres, feels the guilt of remaining at home while his friends are sent into battle. But life at Larchbury is not without its own problems - as food becomes scarce, and the Spanish Influenza causes deaths throughout England, tragedy strikes closer to home and it seems no one is safe from heartbreak. Can Amy and Edmond keep their love strong, even in a world crumbling all around them? A captivating family saga set in WW1 about the power of love amongst the heartbreak of war - if you like Rosie Goodwin, Katie Flynn and Val Wood, you'll be swept away by this engrossing, emotional novel.

Genres: World War I, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

Audio CD

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer 1918: Amy and Edmond Derwent had been on the front line of battle. Edmond had been an officer while Amy was evading France. They are both settling into life back home and now have a baby girl. They are living with Edmond's wealthy family and because Amy comes from a more modest family the Derwents havenever really accepted her. Edmond recieved and injury whilst serving in Ypres but he feels guilty as his friends are sent into battle. But Lachbury has it's own problems. The Spanish influenza is rife 8n England and tragedy strikes close to home. Will Edmond and Amy's love stay strong while everything else is crumbling around them.

I didn't realise this was the second book in this saga when I requested this book. In the end it didn't make that much difference as there was a lot of background information to get you up to speed. There is a lot going on in this book between the warns the Spanish influenza. This is one of these books you could read all day and never tire of it. I liked the young couple, Edmond and Any. I felt right sorry for her at times. I'm going to have to read the previous book now. This is a well written story.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Hera Books and the author Rosemary Goodacre for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the first world war, the author gives a real sense of what life was like back then. Through Amy and Edmond, we see the day to day life of dealing with the threat of being under attack whilst trying to get on with every day life. Not easy with Edmond not fully recovered from a war injury and Amy with her first dealings of motherhood.

Whilst part of a saga, I haven’t actually had the pleasure of reading the previous novel. It didn’t matter to much as there is enough background given so I knew what I needed to without feeling lost or as if I had missed something.

The author has lots going on with the war itself, as well as home life and Amy and Edmund trying to do their bit in the war effort. This obviously sees the characters under a certain amount of strain and if that isn’t enough, tragedy is never far away with a war going on.

Until The War Is Over is a gentle read that captivated my mind. Who doesn’t enjoy a good family saga and seeing other peoples problems, rather than their own? Amy and Edmund are a lovely couple who has you routing for them and am interested to see what the author has in store for them next.

My thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the first book in this exciting new series "Until We Meet Again" , I jumped straight into UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER without even taking a breath or taking time to review book one first! I was just excited to continue Amy and Edmond's story with their baby daughter Beth...although I was hoping she would make her appearance on New Years Eve and share my birthday but that was not to be. And it was like I didn't miss a step! This book simply picks up directly where the first one ends, so it feels as if I have read one big book, having devoured them back to back in two days. The difficulty with that is how to separate both books when reviewing...since I have reviewed them both together.

I will mention that although this is part of a series, UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER can be read as a standalone as there is enough background given to the overall story. But to fully appreciate the characters and their story, I think it is best to read the first book before this one. In that book we are introduced to Amy and Edmond, their romance, their difficulties and their time in France. This book continues their story...

Larchbury Sussex, 1918: Having hidden her pregnancy from her superiors until she could tell Edmond, Amy has returned to Larchbury, with Edmond following a short while later after being critically injured in battle, before giving birth to a baby girl in the early hours of New Years Day. Now settling back to life at The Beeches with Edmond's family, the couple try to adjust to their first taste of married life after being separated for the first two years of their marriage. But it's not all smooth sailing as each have seen and experienced things the rest of their family could never imagine.

Beatrice continues to remain an ornament, whimpering about the absence of social events, while Mrs Derwent still finds their lack of servants inadequate...not to mention distressing. However, Beatrice has drawn the eye of Edmond's friend Charles Shenwood and they soon announce their engagement at the Christmas dance. Whilst Charles returns to the Front, Beatrice begins to plan her lavish wedding all the while remaining oblivious to her intended's experiences on the battlefield. But when Charles is critically injured and is brought back to Larchbury after some months in hospital in France, how will Beatrice react to her fiance's new limitations?

Amy's dear friend Florence is still in the barrage of grief over her fiance Bertie's death at the Somme firmly believing she will never love again. So when she catches the eye of Amy's cousin James, a medical orderly in France, she dismisses him somewhat harshly believing him to have shirked his responsibilities by choosing not to fight. She refuses his kindness to the point of rudeness that even Amy is angered by it. Will Florence ever move on from Bertie and find happiness again? Will that be with James?

Now that baby Beth has arrived, Amy has decided that she wants to raise her herself without the aid of a nanny. However, with her ankle never having been set right after breaking it during an uninvited assault in Ypres the year before, she realises that once Beth starts toddling she may have to rethink Mr Westholme's offer to reset it correctly. Edmond is also finding life a challenge with his reduced lung capacity, but is adamant about returning to Cambridge in the autumn to continue his studies. The couple plan to rent a house near the university and be a family the three of them together. But plans go awry when the Spanish flu hits and Amy's medical expertise is needed once again.

As with the first book, UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER is a wonderfully gentle paced read that is easily devoured in a day...or a night, in my case. Rosemary Goodacre has a way of drawing readers into the story as if we were there living alongside the characters and experiencing the journey firsthand. The only thing I was disappointed about was reaching the end so quickly! And I cannot wait to join Amy and Edmond once again in the next book "Until We Can Forgive" , due for publication 28th October 2020.

I especially love the line spoken by Edmond's uncle to his cousin Vicky: "Really Victoria! You mustn't damage your chances of marriage by aspiring to appear intellectual." It really made me laugh!

What more can I say about this book without spoiling it? You need to experience it for yourself. If you love historical fiction, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER...or the entire series!

I look forward to rejoining Amy and Edmond in "Until We Can Forgive" soon.

I would like to thank #RosemaryGoodacre, #NetGalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #UntilTheWarIsOver in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until the War is Over is the second book in this series by Rosemary Goodacre. It can be read as a standalone book but I think to fully appreciate the characters and all that they have been through previously, it is a good idea to read the first book before this one. In that book, we are introduced to Amy and Edmond and how their romance started and still flourished despite the war. This book continues their story...

Edmond has been sent home, wounded and with no chance of returning to the army because of his injuries. He and Amy live with his family which isn't ideal but they plan on getting their own small place when they are able.

As well as their lives we continue sharing the trials, tribulations and, of course, the good moments of friends and family of Amy and Edmond's. Each one of them will make you run the gamut of emotions because they are so believable. Life during the war was not easy, and the loss or threat of constant loss really took its toll on people. Despite that, they managed to carry on to the best of their abilities.

There weren't as many scenes from the war front in this book compared to the first, but that didn't make it any less emotional. In fact, during this story, the war finally comes to an end and I got quite teary-eyed reading how people celebrated it. Each of the characters in this story has been through so much, and now that the war has ended they have to try to carry on with their lives very much changed from when the fighting started. More of those experiences will be coming in book 3 of this series and I am very much looking forward to reading them. I feel as if I know Amy and Edmond, Lavinia and Charles, Florence and James and their respective families. I feel as if they are my friends and I will be sad when this series finishes and I don't get to spend time with them any more!

Despite being set during the hard, sad times of the war this book still has plenty of moments that will make you smile. Don't think that this will be a depressing read because it has the perfect balance of good and bad moments. I really do recommend that you read it.

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

Me: Mum, guess what? *waves e-reader in her face*

The Mommy: *shrugs* Not a clue – just tell me!

Me: I’ve got the follow-up to Until We Meet Again *happy dances*.

TM: You’re gonna need tissues again!

Me: *waves hand* Don’t be daft! I’ll be fine...

Silly, silly Laura *shakes head*. Famous last words, eh? I did indeed need those pesky tissues. Rosemary! You got me good again! *shakes fist*

*snorts*

(I know I need help. Just roll with it!)

I was excited to continue Amy and Edmond’s story (as I hope you can tell!). I knew their journey would never be plain sailing. But whatever obstacles they face they’ll do it together.

One of the things I love most about these books is the way Edmond empowers Amy to be all she can be. War changes everything and life will be forever altered. Women are no longer content to return to the moulds expected of them before the onset of war. With Edmond’s encouragement Amy can do anything she sets her mind to. Watch out! Trailblazer coming through!

Loss (see tissues comment above) was unavoidable during this time. Added to which, the Spanish flu pandemic hit. The author vividly brought the struggles of the time to life for me. I am fascinated by history and the decisions made by generations past. When you become emotionally invested in characters you feel events more keenly and it makes me want to learn more about how The Great War affected my own family.

Oopsies! I’m going off on a tangent again *palms face*.

Please note I’m still worried about certain characters and have my fingers and toes crossed that all will be okay. I must confess there is also a certain character who had me ranting at my e-reader – I just don’t understand her, lol.

Thank heavens there is another book to come. I’m ready!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read, reviewed and loved Rosemary's debut novel called 'Until We Meet Again' and so when I heard that Rosemary was due to release a second book called 'Until The War Is Over', I just knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. Blimey, I thought that 'Until We Meet Again' was good but for me 'Until The War Is Over' is even better. I absolutely ADORED reading 'Until the War Is Over' but more about that in a bit.
I loved the characters of Amy and Edmond. This book sees them as a married couple with a young baby. Both Amy and Edmond have suffered physically, mentally and emotionally during their experiences of the First World War. This book sees them try to pick up the pieces and carry on as it were. If only life was that straightforward though. Amy and Edmond hit bumps in the road, which threaten their happiness. What happens? Well you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I picked up 'Until The War Is Over' at the right time. I had just done some more family tree research with a particular focus on the First World War. Then I picked up 'Until The War Is Over' to read all about life at the end of the First World War. As soon as I picked the book up, that was it. I just couldn't put this book down. I totally immersed myself in the story to the extent that I was able to shut out all other distractions and focus solely on the story. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what fate had in store for Amy and Edmond. I liked both characters and I was keeping everything crossed that things would work out for them. I soon reached the end of the book, which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that I was disappointed with the way in which the story ended, but I was enjoying the storylines, the characters and the author's writing style so much that I just wish the book had been longer.
'Until The War Is Over' is superbly written but then I thought that to be true of 'Until We Meet Again'. Rosemary has a way of creating characters that seem more like friends than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. The author drew me into this story from the synopsis alone and it didn't take long for the book to develop a hold over me. Rosemary has one of those writing styles that makes you feel as though you are a character in the book yourself. I literally felt as though I had been transported back in time to the period of the First World War. I was gripped by this story throughout and on the edge of my seat the closer I got to the end of the story.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Until The War Is Over' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will most definitely be reading more of Rosemary's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed book one in this series, Until We Meet Again, I was looking forward to following on Edmond and Amy’s story now their daughter Beth has arrived. With Edmond injured in battle, Amy’s weak ankle and baby Beth to care for, active service days are over for the couple, who had both previously been posted to the battlefields of France. Settling back into life at the Derwent manor house in Larchbury, despite its modest luxuries, isn’t easy as they have experienced things the rest of the family could never imagine. They also both still have friends and family serving, and every day brings fearful news from the Front, about lives changed forever.

Edmond is determined to regain his strength enough to enable him to continue his university degree at Cambridge, that he gave up as war began. The plan is for Amy and Beth to join him there, but once again the couple experience a number of setbacks that see them spending time apart. Amy’s nursing experience is needed at home, where things aren’t easy for the Derwent’s, including Edmond’s spoilt sister Beatrice, whose decisions don’t always sit well with some of her family.

I loved the gentle pace of this book and its accurate portrayal of the era. We are no longer experiencing as much direct action from the Front as we did in the first book, but life is a long way from normal for everyone and the slow process to readjust their lives came across well. There are sensitive issues covered, including coming to terms with life-changing war wounds, civilian losses in the London air raids and the Spanish flu pandemic, the severity of which really hit home in the current virus situation we are living with.

It was lovely to be back with Amy, Edmond and Beth and I’m looking forward to the final book in the series. I am sure those of you who enjoy reading historical novels and family sagas will find a lot to like in this book.

[Melanie Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when I discovered Until the War is Over was due to be published.  It's no secret that I am a fan of historical fiction set during either of the World Wars, and I was lucky enough to read and review Until We Meet Again previously which I loved.  When I'm reading characters, I am always happy to discover sequels because it means we get to learn a little more about them, and what happens to them.  Until the War is Over was no exception.

As we had discovered in Until We Meet Again, Amy and Edmond had had a difficult start to married life, with both of them recovering from injuries sustained in France towards the end.  With Edmonds injury forcing him out of the war, and the arrival of baby Beth both of them find themselves back at Larchbury whilst the war continues to wage both at home and abroad.

I really enjoyed reading about both Amy and Edmond.  They are both determined characters, and despite the adversity they each face they battle on.  Tragedy continues to hit them, with the loss of friends and further injuries and illnesses sustained by loved ones.  Amy finds her VAD training is essential being back at home with the onset of Spanish Flu, the silent killer that is spreading through towns and villages.  With so many things keeping them apart, Amy and Edmond continue to fight to be together.

This is such a lovely novel.  Whilst it could be read as a standalone, I would advise reading Until We Meet Again to give you more understanding about the characters and how they got to where they are.  It really highlights the events towards the end of World War I, showing how people were suffering both at home and at the Front.  The feelings of both loss but also hope resinate throughout the novel.  I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all!

[Mona Sami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite excited to read this historical novel. Sadly, I realized very late that this is the second book to a sequel. However, this book could simply be a stand-alone as I didn't need to know the characters previously to follow the story.

The story was fun to read and it was interesting to know about the lives of a loving couple living during the traumas of a world war. The book was beautifully written!

However, there were a few things that I disliked about the book:
1) It took me quite a long time to get into the book. Although it was an interesting read, but it moved forward very slowly.
2) Because it moved forward really slowly, I found that there weren't many plot twists in the book. It would have been interesting if there was a bit more excitement.
3) The book became more interesting when I was about 68% into it.

Overall, I did enjoy reading the novel as I personally love historical novels. I would have loved it if there were more excitement to keep me going and wanting to turn the pages much quicker.

This book was provided to me by Netgalley to read and review.

[Keshini Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to ‘Until We Meet Again’ it gives an incredible description of what life was like during the First World War, and shows the struggles that families had to deal with. It is as moving as the first book in the series!

Again, it moves you and touches the heart, I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to continue following the lives of Amy and Edmond Derwent, as it is truly exquisite.

[Lynn Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1918 and the war is almost over. The book recounts the struggles of Edmond to come to terms with his injuries. Spanish flu is sweeping through Europe and Ma Derwent is a victim but survives. Heartache is in store for Charles whose engagement to Beatrice ends once he is an invalid. Amy regains her mobility and baby Beth is doing well. A lovely emotional wartime saga.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely to come back to Amy, Edmond and their friends and families in this second book of the series. A mix of war, love, friendship, sickness and joy. Looking forward to book three.

[Joanna Warrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid war saga

This is a nice warm bath of a book. Its a perfect Thanksgiving read! I hope the writer continues this series past a trilogy.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book, along with the first in the series, as part of a book deal; I so enjoyed the first one that I couldn't wait to move on to this one - and I wasn't disappointed!

[Angie Guy]

Very good

[Kathleen Orme · Rating 4 out of 5]

As it says war romance holiday reading