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World War II #4
As Time Goes By
The Liverpool-based World War II saga from the ‘new Katie Flynn’
When Sam Grey joins the ATS, and is posted to Liverpool she wants to show that she’s as brave as any man, and when she doesn’t get the chance her lively nature leads her into confrontation with her authoritarian boss. Sparks also fly when she encounters Johnny, whose heroic work in bomb disposal makes him very attractive to many women – but Sam’s determined not to fall for his charm.
Sally wants nothing more than to protect her small children while her husband is a prisoner of war. She works hard doing shifts in a factory and singing at the Grafton ballroom, confessing to no-one the shameful reason why she needs two jobs. But help is at hand, from a most unlikely source.
This stirring tale of women fighting together to do their bit for their country, keep their families together and finding love and fulfilment in the process will delight her fans and win her many more.
When Sam Grey joins the ATS, and is posted to Liverpool she wants to show that she’s as brave as any man, and when she doesn’t get the chance her lively nature leads her into confrontation with her authoritarian boss. Sparks also fly when she encounters Johnny, whose heroic work in bomb disposal makes him very attractive to many women – but Sam’s determined not to fall for his charm.
Sally wants nothing more than to protect her small children while her husband is a prisoner of war. She works hard doing shifts in a factory and singing at the Grafton ballroom, confessing to no-one the shameful reason why she needs two jobs. But help is at hand, from a most unlikely source.
This stirring tale of women fighting together to do their bit for their country, keep their families together and finding love and fulfilment in the process will delight her fans and win her many more.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2008
501 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Annie Groves
40 books170 followersPenelope Jones Halsall aka: Caroline Courtney, Penny Jordan, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 in a Preston, Lancashire, England.
She had been a keen reader from the childhood. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction.
She has earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, she found an agent. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her name to Melinda Wright and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her present historical romance novels, she has adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70m of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Now Penny Halsall lived in a house in Nantwich, Cheshire. She worked from home.
Penny died on 31 December 2011.
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 in a Preston, Lancashire, England.
She had been a keen reader from the childhood. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction.
She has earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, she found an agent. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her name to Melinda Wright and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her present historical romance novels, she has adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70m of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Now Penny Halsall lived in a house in Nantwich, Cheshire. She worked from home.
Penny died on 31 December 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 23, 2018
I read this book some time ago and I really enjoyed the story. Think it's well worth reading again in the future. I really enjoyed the books by Annie Groves and this one was no exception. Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.
August 9, 2018
Things happen to people in war especially relationships between people. Sally has a POW husband who borrowed money from unscrupulous money lenders before he left and now Sally must pay it back. Sally also has two small boys. She must work all the time for money to pay them so she has to leave her children with neighbors. The doctor thinks she may not be a fit mother when the boys get sick and she is not there.
Sam is still a tomboy waiting to become a woman. She has great sympathy for those who are weak and hurting. She has not learned to cut out dead weight for the benefit of the whole team. A painful lesson to learn. Another painful lesson is learning to trust men.
The first part of the book was lots of unfairness and an ugly look at human nature. The second part showed more of the kindness of people.
Sam is still a tomboy waiting to become a woman. She has great sympathy for those who are weak and hurting. She has not learned to cut out dead weight for the benefit of the whole team. A painful lesson to learn. Another painful lesson is learning to trust men.
The first part of the book was lots of unfairness and an ugly look at human nature. The second part showed more of the kindness of people.
March 29, 2018
Read many year ago would re read loved this series. 5 star rating. R.I.P.Annie Groves.
July 12, 2018
So g ood
I truly enjoyed the adventures in this story! There were times I got a bit confused by the way the author chose to change characters but eventually caught on
I truly enjoyed the adventures in this story! There were times I got a bit confused by the way the author chose to change characters but eventually caught on
February 23, 2019
As time goes by
I liked the time frame the story was set in but hated the way it skipped from one character to another in many areas from one sentence to the next.
I liked the time frame the story was set in but hated the way it skipped from one character to another in many areas from one sentence to the next.
February 20, 2012
I'm not really keen on war books but as this was a book club choice I thought I ought to make an effort. The book had some real positives that deserve credit. It was so readable I found myself able to pick it up and immediately get right back into the story. It also gave a glimpse into living life during wartime and how values changed. I don't however feel I can recommend it for a couple of reasons. I was dissappointed that the story descended into a Mills & Boon style live story with excruciating love scenes. I also think the characterisation was poor, all characters except the two main protagonists were one dimensional and cliched (Johnny Everton) and the main characters seemed to merge into one. I was often genuinely confused as I realised I'd read entire passages not realising which person I'd read about!
January 9, 2011
This is writing that I could do. Which means to say - not great. She loses the suspense all the way through by interrupting dialogue to refer to past events... it was very difficult to engage with any of the characters because it was all very "surface" with no depth or insight and quite frankly I couldn't care about any of them. The speeches she had characters making were far too long. This is schoolgirl writing and I fail to see how she's sold so many books. The ending had all hte loose ends tied up a little too neatly
September 9, 2013
I really, really wanted to like this. I thought I was in the mood for a novel about female fortitude during the war, about plucky characters with a bit of romance thrown in. Sadly, by about the sixth chapter, I found myself a little bored by it all. I quite liked the characters Sam and Sally, and could see how their stories were about to become entwined, but I also think the obviousness of it all depressed me ever so slightly and I got to the point where I didn't want to see how their happy endings came about. A shame, as maybe I would have enjoyed this if a different mood.
February 6, 2019
A WWII book so boring and cliched that I can't bear to finish it.
January 10, 2012
Didn't enjoy this one as much as I have others by her. To much chopping and changing from one story to the next so none came out really strong.
February 16, 2024
I wish now I hadn't read these back to back, Individually they are pretty good reads except book one, but this series suffers from not being a continuous story it gets repetitive, something very obvious when you read them all at once instead of months or a year apart as intended. There's a love story where the characters start off hating each other and then fall in love, which was missing only from book one where Molly had them all falling at feet. And everyone is either dumb or annoyingly nosy butting into the lives of others they have no business doing. This time, we have one character from book one, Sally, a friend of the awful June. I liked Sally mostly, but she was also very dumb too. And Sam, who was stupid and filled me with rage at times. It starts with Sam arriving at her billet. She decides to go explore Liverpool and ignores a sign telling her not to go down a street as there was an unexploded bomb there. Like the moron she is, she falls into a pit and nearly sets the thing off, killing herself and the bomb squad member Johnny, who was engaged to Molly in book one. She then thinks he's coming on to her, which again proves how utterly moronic she is. Then, he gets mad at him and calls him rude and bossy. I hated Sam, and while she did have a sort of redemption arc, she's not done being stupid. Sam is also what is known as a pick me in modern terms. You know not like other girls. She spends more time with boys than girls, collects rocks and fossils, never wears dresses, and has a skinny boyish figure that no man is attracted to. Even though it's probably her terrible personality that drove the men away, not her figure. To really piss me off, she tries pathetically to flirt with Molly's husband. Ugh. Sally works two jobs to help pay off debts her husband left before going to war. He's in a Japanese POW camp, which never ends well. She has a doctor who's arrogant and also annoying, so you know where this is going. Her son gets sick, and she fears he's going to take her boys away. Doris went from okay to an aggravating, busybody pushing her to be with the doctor. Despite this being pushed as a sweet love story, it was more horror story with the doctor replacing his lost family with a new one. I tried, but I couldn't find it romantic, just kind of creepy. Her son Tommy was a pain in the ass more than the precocious toddler they wanted him to be. It's probably better. I never had kids, I guess, but it also made the so-called love story even creepier. Back to Sam, who has a sort of redemption arc with an ATS girl nicknamed Mouse, who is bullied and tortured by a WO, which ends horrifically. She falls for Johnny predictably and then when one of the other ATS girls who also has a thing for him tells her he never loved her and is still in love with Molly and she believes it and doesn't even ask him about it and there went any hope I had of liking Sam. She's just too dumb for her own good and probably won't survive the war being that idiotic. Sally is dumb for not coming clean about her debts, but that is a lot more understandable. So, I finally finished this series. I had mixed feelings about it overall. It really needed to be a series that followed a group of people throughout the entire war, sort of like Beach View or Maureen Lee's Lights Out Liverpool books, which did eventually cover the whole war. This series ends mid war and feels unfinished to me. Individually they books were pretty good, but as a series, it felt like it was lacking something.
September 20, 2023
Tired old storyline- what there is of it.
I usually love HF & have always been a fan only Annie’s work, but this was simply disappointing. In short, two unrelated stories run parallel, each featuring an angry woman who feels wronged by those who surround her & takes out that anger on a man she comes across. Each makes wild assumptions about what said male’s interest could be in them, which being very rude to them. Then, shock horror, both ladies fall for said men who have also inexplicably fallen for the females despite how badly they’ve behaved, and eventually the really tenuous & meaningless link between them all is played out when the women pointlessly meet for a few moments. Throw in a few peripheral pointless characters & that just about sums the book up.
The first half of the book is SO repetitive, droning on & on & on & on about how shameful it was to be in debt. We get it, move on…but no.
I initially gave this book two stars, but having written this review I decided this was being too generous & removed one. Such a shame as I’ve loved so many of Annie’s books in the past.
I usually love HF & have always been a fan only Annie’s work, but this was simply disappointing. In short, two unrelated stories run parallel, each featuring an angry woman who feels wronged by those who surround her & takes out that anger on a man she comes across. Each makes wild assumptions about what said male’s interest could be in them, which being very rude to them. Then, shock horror, both ladies fall for said men who have also inexplicably fallen for the females despite how badly they’ve behaved, and eventually the really tenuous & meaningless link between them all is played out when the women pointlessly meet for a few moments. Throw in a few peripheral pointless characters & that just about sums the book up.
The first half of the book is SO repetitive, droning on & on & on & on about how shameful it was to be in debt. We get it, move on…but no.
I initially gave this book two stars, but having written this review I decided this was being too generous & removed one. Such a shame as I’ve loved so many of Annie’s books in the past.
March 27, 2019
2.5 stars. [Trigger warning: Suicide, Animal Endangerment, Child Death]
I set this aside several times before I decided to bite the bullet and finish it.
I love WWII War At Home stories when they’re well-told. Some of my favourites include the Lavender Road series by Helen Carey and the Guernsey Literary etc. novel.
This is not poorly written from a technical aspect. It is, however, not the type of War At Home book I enjoy. It is much more soap-opera-ish than I care for and focuses more on “does he love me” than on the types of things I look for in these books—women finding a way to muddle through in the midst of deprivation and hardship. There is also a lot of melodrama. A LOT of melodrama. Multiple mustache-twirly villains, which is really overkill in a book about the Nazis.
I don’t expect I’ll be reading anything else from this author.
I set this aside several times before I decided to bite the bullet and finish it.
I love WWII War At Home stories when they’re well-told. Some of my favourites include the Lavender Road series by Helen Carey and the Guernsey Literary etc. novel.
This is not poorly written from a technical aspect. It is, however, not the type of War At Home book I enjoy. It is much more soap-opera-ish than I care for and focuses more on “does he love me” than on the types of things I look for in these books—women finding a way to muddle through in the midst of deprivation and hardship. There is also a lot of melodrama. A LOT of melodrama. Multiple mustache-twirly villains, which is really overkill in a book about the Nazis.
I don’t expect I’ll be reading anything else from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
Love Story
This is the third of this series that I have read. And I think the third book by this author. I couldn't find/buy the first book of the series so I actually started with the second one. I really liked that one and was anxious to read the other two. But I wasn't as impressed with them. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but not a Maeve Binchy or Catherine Ryan Hyde. The first third of the book seemed to go on and on and there were a lot of characters. The second third was , the meat of the story and was fairly good. The last third, to me, felt rushed. Sam and Sally were the two main female characters and you would be reading about one and in the middle of the chapter you would start reading about the other one. I'm glad the series was about the people and not so much the grisly parts of war. I will recommend to family and friends.
This is the third of this series that I have read. And I think the third book by this author. I couldn't find/buy the first book of the series so I actually started with the second one. I really liked that one and was anxious to read the other two. But I wasn't as impressed with them. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but not a Maeve Binchy or Catherine Ryan Hyde. The first third of the book seemed to go on and on and there were a lot of characters. The second third was , the meat of the story and was fairly good. The last third, to me, felt rushed. Sam and Sally were the two main female characters and you would be reading about one and in the middle of the chapter you would start reading about the other one. I'm glad the series was about the people and not so much the grisly parts of war. I will recommend to family and friends.
November 18, 2021
Great Read
I just loved this book - part of a series of war books, all of them brilliant.
The writer certainly grabbed my attention with the Characters that emerged as I read on.
Sam, the first main Character, was brilliantly woven into the book by her nervousness at getting things wrong in The ATS - after a prank she was transferred and given a clerical job, not the adventurous job of driving that she craved.
The second main Character Sally, is a wonderfully caring mum, who is under such pressure with by all hours. I won't tell you why, as it will spoil the book.
All I can say is - it is a BRILLIANT read. The series are not linked and I am sure once you have read As Time Goes by you will be off to read another.
Annie has written other books (fabulous) some I have not read yet! Off to buy another
I just loved this book - part of a series of war books, all of them brilliant.
The writer certainly grabbed my attention with the Characters that emerged as I read on.
Sam, the first main Character, was brilliantly woven into the book by her nervousness at getting things wrong in The ATS - after a prank she was transferred and given a clerical job, not the adventurous job of driving that she craved.
The second main Character Sally, is a wonderfully caring mum, who is under such pressure with by all hours. I won't tell you why, as it will spoil the book.
All I can say is - it is a BRILLIANT read. The series are not linked and I am sure once you have read As Time Goes by you will be off to read another.
Annie has written other books (fabulous) some I have not read yet! Off to buy another
June 6, 2019
Interesting characters and setting
This book has fully developed characters who are very interesting. The story is set in Liverpool, England during World War II. Sam is a former tomboy who is coming into her own as a desirable woman. Sam is a private in the ATS, an army-type corps for women. Sally is a young mother whose husband is a Japanese prisoner of war. Even though these young women don't meet until the end of the book, their circumstances weave around each other due largely from living in Liverpool. I am disappointed this isn't part of a series. I would like to know what happened to Sam and Sally going forward. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!!
This book has fully developed characters who are very interesting. The story is set in Liverpool, England during World War II. Sam is a former tomboy who is coming into her own as a desirable woman. Sam is a private in the ATS, an army-type corps for women. Sally is a young mother whose husband is a Japanese prisoner of war. Even though these young women don't meet until the end of the book, their circumstances weave around each other due largely from living in Liverpool. I am disappointed this isn't part of a series. I would like to know what happened to Sam and Sally going forward. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!!
March 27, 2019
This book was different from others that I have read because of the different class of English persons. This book was set in Liverpool, England which had been extensively bombed before this book started. A lot of the book is about UBX finding and defusing unexploded bombs. This was not an easy book to read because of the distress in the lives of the people involved. I did enjoy it and would recommend it.
January 21, 2019
Very touching book
So much emotion! Makes you feel like you are there with these folks. Very evident is that during the war you had to keep in keeping on. I will recommend this book.
So much emotion! Makes you feel like you are there with these folks. Very evident is that during the war you had to keep in keeping on. I will recommend this book.
October 18, 2018
Kind of liked it. Love story in the war time. Like how the writer took time with descriptions. A time when time was slower
January 24, 2019
Sweet
Happiness blossomed even during a war. Wonderful, light reading, and an interesting read about times and jobs individuals had during the war.
Happiness blossomed even during a war. Wonderful, light reading, and an interesting read about times and jobs individuals had during the war.
February 15, 2019
wonderful story.. I really
I really enjoyed this story, characters, plots, talking about the war & the hardships it caused. The rationing on food.
I really enjoyed this story, characters, plots, talking about the war & the hardships it caused. The rationing on food.
March 7, 2019
Love at last
Enjoyed reading of the love s and lives of the characters in this story. I love historical romance stories especially during g world war two
Enjoyed reading of the love s and lives of the characters in this story. I love historical romance stories especially during g world war two
March 8, 2019
An engaging read
March 11, 2019
Formulaic
This was a nice story. Did not like that Sam went from a hellion to a simpering schoolgirl when she fell in love
This was a nice story. Did not like that Sam went from a hellion to a simpering schoolgirl when she fell in love
March 24, 2019
I liked the story except it skipped around so much at times I didn’t know who I was ready about.
March 27, 2019
No bearing
Was not thrilled how the author left you to figure out who was who when going back and forth with the characters lives. Should have been breaks some how!!
Was not thrilled how the author left you to figure out who was who when going back and forth with the characters lives. Should have been breaks some how!!
May 22, 2023
A lovely story set in WW2. Well worth a read
June 20, 2025
Another quick and easy read set in wartime Liverpool. Predictable and enjoyable storylines of the struggles facing women and the men they fall in love with...
January 25, 2026
Full of twists and heartwarming charm.
September 27, 2009
Another good read from Annie Groves. I enjoyed the fact that it involved many of the same characters as another of her books but from a different characters perspective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews