YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

The epic tale of Harry Clifton’s life begins in 1920, with the words “I was told that my father was killed in the war.” A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father and expects to continue on at the shipyard, until a remarkable gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school, and his life will never be the same again...

As Harry enters into adulthood, he finally learns how his father really died, but the awful truth only leads him to question: Was he even his father? Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line? From the ravages of the Great War and the docks of working-class England to the streets of 1940 New York City and the outbreak of the Second World War, this is a powerful journey that will bring to life one hundred years of history to reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

Starting this on the 8th with Dana. If anyone wants to join I have an ARR so it will count for the Review Copies Challenge too. :)

I read the first 145 pages in one sitting. I was only planning to read a few chapters but it just got better and better. Can't believe I put off reading this book for so long,I'm loving it so far. Reading about all the sacrifices his mom did for him broke my heart. It reminded me of all the things my own mom sacrificed to give me a good life. Too many feels lol.

Ahaha! That's a good thing! It's great when a book completely surprise you like that! Enjoy. I'm starting this after school today. Just on my way there now.

Chapters 1-10 (Maisie/Harry)
(view spoiler)[I too was surprised about Maisie's decision to have a one night stand. Especially when it seemed like her soon to be husband was such a kind man. Surely she couldn't be so naive not to consider what would happen. Really liking Harrys voice so far in the story too. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-19 (Maisie)
(view spoiler)[This woman! Wow I feel like a right lazy bum next to her. I am in awe of how hard working and self sacrificing she is. And Bob!I was so shocked! Especially after he didn't even make a fuss when she caught him out for stealing.I love how he was courting her with her own money! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 20-26 (Hugo)
(view spoiler)[UGH!!!!! It was so painful to read this chapter. I hate this guy. I was honest to God seething through the whole thing. Great job at writing a villain Mr.Archer but did he have to be so convincing? lol I need some hot chocolate after this chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 27-34 (Old Jack Tar)
(view spoiler)[My favourite chapter so far. I love Old Jack! That last line of his chapter, " I've just been released from prison today" had me balling like a baby. And the watches! He must have put most of his savings towards helping Harry pay for those. I really hope that he finds some happiness. He deserves it! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 35-43 (Giles)
(view spoiler)[The taxi cap scene was awesome! I laughed out loud when Giles said that he got the idea from an adventure novel. Reading for the win! I'm still hoping that Maisie is not a prostitute, perhaps she is just a dancer? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 44-47 (Emma)
(view spoiler)[Who knowingly lets their mother prostitute herself to put them through college? You want to go to college you prostitute yourself! :P

also

I'm so upset with Old Jack! I understand it was a difficult circumstance but what the hell! It's not his secret to tell. I know he wasn't aware that Emma was pregnant and I wonder if he still would have gone ahead with the truth if he knew?

In my opinion, if I knew that she was pregnant I wouldn't have said anything. It's already too late so might as well try to let the poor couple have some happiness in their lives. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry couldn't stop reading :)

Chapters 48-56 (Harry)
(view spoiler)[*reads the last page*....I'm not even mad,that's just amazing.

Although I'm pretty disappointed with Harry. After all the effort everyone put in to give him a better life he just throws away his identity and with it his only chance of returning to Oxford after the war. Bad Harry! This book is definitely in my top 100. LOVED reading this. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting October 12th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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I'm finally starting the book. Sorry for the delay. 😁

I can't believe how slow the story is. I'm still on chapter 4 and I'm a little bored already. Lol.