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Daughters of England #19
We'll Meet Again
While Violetta stoically awaits the return of her fiance+a7 from the European front during World War II, her twin sister Dorabella's new beau unwittingly involves the family in treason. By the author of The Black Swan. Doubleday Main. Lit Guild Alt.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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436 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Carr
100 books247 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Anna Percival and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 19, 2024
We’ll Meet Again is a Second World War story which focuses on the lives of four girls who join the WAAFs (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force).
The tale covers their backgrounds, reasons for joining up, their developing friendships, war roles and romances. The story is heavily seasoned with nostalgic terms, language and memorabilia to the point where I found it all slowed the narrative, seemed unrealistic and took away opportunities for deeper character development. Once I reached about half way through the book, I found it easier to overlook the constant reminders of the era, and settled down to enjoy the story.
Some readers enjoy this style of writing in this genre, but I prefer a much lighter hand with nostalgia content.
The tale covers their backgrounds, reasons for joining up, their developing friendships, war roles and romances. The story is heavily seasoned with nostalgic terms, language and memorabilia to the point where I found it all slowed the narrative, seemed unrealistic and took away opportunities for deeper character development. Once I reached about half way through the book, I found it easier to overlook the constant reminders of the era, and settled down to enjoy the story.
Some readers enjoy this style of writing in this genre, but I prefer a much lighter hand with nostalgia content.
December 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Easy to read but hard to put down.
February 24, 2025
At long last, the last of the 19 Daughters of England (aka the Cornwall Saga). It went out not with a bang, but with more of a meh. There's nothing overly dramatic or shocking here, but some interesting turns, and the book itself is fine - a perfectly serviceable story in the saga told with alternate narrators, taking place in World War II England. But if you're hoping for one last return to the drama of past tomes like KNAVE OF HEARTS or THE SONG OF THE SIREN, you are decidedly out of luck. Our most deviant main character is quite sedate, there's lots of filler (we do NOT need this lengthy recap of everything from the previous book!), and the little shocker Carr tries to get you with at the end is resolved super tidily. A good enough denouement, but also makes you wonder what could have been.
(If you want to know more about the plot and who's narrating, see my blurb at the end of this review past the spoiler heading - be aware that the spoiler isn't for this book, but the previous book.)
Fun series facts:
-I can't see where this series ever had an official title or had a lot of advertising as a series when it was originally published, and I suspect that Philippa Carr / Victoria Holt (aka Eleanor Hibbert) preferred not to give it one or even really thought of it strictly as a series where you had to follow from one book to the next (although the books do follow a linear, generational timeline). Some authors really don't like the constraints of an official "series." Today these books are published as "Daughters of England", but I've also seen them called "the Cornwall saga" on some older covers. It probably was loosely called one name in the US and other countries, and another in the UK where everyone knew where Cornwall was.
-The original series is 19 books. Today it's published as 20, but the last book (titled Daughters of England, natch) is a standalone posthumously-published novel that, by all accounts (I haven't read it just yet), has nothing to do with the series whatsoever. It's not even clear Hibbert would have published it as a Carr novel.
-WE'LL MEET AGAIN was also published posthumously, at least in the U.S.
-Book 6 in the series causes a lot of confusion because it is titled THE LOVE CHILD and there is a book listed by that name under another Hibbert pseudo that was published in the 1940s. These are actually two entirely separate books.
-Book 8, THE DROP OF THE DICE, was originally published in the U.S. as WILL YOU LOVE ME IN SEPTEMBER. Today it's reverted back to DICE, its original UK title. Ditto for book 10, ZIPPORAH'S DAUGHTER, which was called KNAVE OF HEARTS for a while. If I had to guess why the initial name change for the U.S. market, I'd say it was to give the books more romance novel appeal as they were published at perhaps the height of historical romance popularity, and the paperback covers of Hibbert's novels reflect this as well.
More about the story in WE'LL MEET AGAIN (WARNING! If you read this, it will spoil a major plot point of the previous book The Gossamer Cord for you):
-Previous books were usually narrated by a daughter (sometimes two daughters), or sometimes, the much younger sister of the previous narrator. This book deviates from that pattern by continuing with Violetta as narrator; however, it also alternates with Dorabella, who SPOILER! SPOILER! miraculously returned from the dead (infuriatingly) in the last book. It's a little dull continuing with the same characters we followed in book 18. I really would have appreciated a fresh take with new characters in this one ... instead of countless pages of recaps and Violetta awaiting her love's return.
(If you want to know more about the plot and who's narrating, see my blurb at the end of this review past the spoiler heading - be aware that the spoiler isn't for this book, but the previous book.)
Fun series facts:
-I can't see where this series ever had an official title or had a lot of advertising as a series when it was originally published, and I suspect that Philippa Carr / Victoria Holt (aka Eleanor Hibbert) preferred not to give it one or even really thought of it strictly as a series where you had to follow from one book to the next (although the books do follow a linear, generational timeline). Some authors really don't like the constraints of an official "series." Today these books are published as "Daughters of England", but I've also seen them called "the Cornwall saga" on some older covers. It probably was loosely called one name in the US and other countries, and another in the UK where everyone knew where Cornwall was.
-The original series is 19 books. Today it's published as 20, but the last book (titled Daughters of England, natch) is a standalone posthumously-published novel that, by all accounts (I haven't read it just yet), has nothing to do with the series whatsoever. It's not even clear Hibbert would have published it as a Carr novel.
-WE'LL MEET AGAIN was also published posthumously, at least in the U.S.
-Book 6 in the series causes a lot of confusion because it is titled THE LOVE CHILD and there is a book listed by that name under another Hibbert pseudo that was published in the 1940s. These are actually two entirely separate books.
-Book 8, THE DROP OF THE DICE, was originally published in the U.S. as WILL YOU LOVE ME IN SEPTEMBER. Today it's reverted back to DICE, its original UK title. Ditto for book 10, ZIPPORAH'S DAUGHTER, which was called KNAVE OF HEARTS for a while. If I had to guess why the initial name change for the U.S. market, I'd say it was to give the books more romance novel appeal as they were published at perhaps the height of historical romance popularity, and the paperback covers of Hibbert's novels reflect this as well.
More about the story in WE'LL MEET AGAIN (WARNING! If you read this, it will spoil a major plot point of the previous book The Gossamer Cord for you):
-Previous books were usually narrated by a daughter (sometimes two daughters), or sometimes, the much younger sister of the previous narrator. This book deviates from that pattern by continuing with Violetta as narrator; however, it also alternates with Dorabella, who SPOILER! SPOILER! miraculously returned from the dead (infuriatingly) in the last book. It's a little dull continuing with the same characters we followed in book 18. I really would have appreciated a fresh take with new characters in this one ... instead of countless pages of recaps and Violetta awaiting her love's return.
September 27, 2022
‘We’ll Meet Again’, the last book in the Daughters of England series, is not the worst of the nineteen books, but far from the best.
What makes this novel different to the other eighteen is that for the first time the heroine of the previous book returns as the narrator. Every other sequel sees the daughter or younger sister take over from the mother or older sister of the previous story.
That said, this is a twin narrative. Quite literally, in fact, as the two narrators are twin sisters. Violetta, heroine of Book 18, narrates the bulk of the chapters. I expected her sister Dorabella’s voice to be more lively, as she’s the reckless twin, whereas Violetta is the sensible one; however, I found Violetta’s narration much more engaging than Dorabella’s.
Similar to ‘A Time of Silence’ (Book 17), in which the author ensures she fits in the entire World War One years, ‘We’ll Meet Again’ does the same with World War Two. As a result, the story feels rushed, with too many second-hand accounts of what’s going on in Europe. Having a first-person narrator recount something she’s heard about does nothing to enliven the story.
The results are passive. For example, we get a dry explanation of an air raid, rather than dramatizing the event and ‘showing’ how the characters cope with it.
Occasionally, something exciting does happen, but the outcome is often predictable. I worked out many an upcoming revelation long before the main characters do.
It doesn’t help that after Violetta narrates the opening chapters, we then have Dorabella recalling events from a year earlier. Why not open with her narrative? Granted, it’s not as strong, mainly because it’s written like a summery rather than engaging drama, but much of it covers what happened in the previous novel, while other parts are explained in Violetta’s opening chapter, so there’s no suspense.
Much of what happens during both narratives, especially Dorabella’s, are ‘told’, not ‘shown’, which is a trait this author is often guilty of, including under her other pseudonyms. ‘I found him looking upset and perplexed’; ‘Jowan was clearly bewildered’; ‘Jowan was astounded’ are all examples of blatant telling.
Similarly, we get too much reported speech: ‘Jacques replied that Mr. Lewyth was a man of much knowledge and indeed he was kind.’ This is passive. Why not make it active by putting it into dialogue?
Overall, then, a disappointing end to the series, though it's not without its good moments. The part I liked best was Dorabella’s handling of a situation where her son was in danger. This comes about halfway through story.
I’ve always liked the concept of the Daughters of England, featuring a family descended through the female line over a 500-year period. Of the nineteen novels Book 4 – ‘A Saraband for Two Sisters’ – is my favourite.
What makes this novel different to the other eighteen is that for the first time the heroine of the previous book returns as the narrator. Every other sequel sees the daughter or younger sister take over from the mother or older sister of the previous story.
That said, this is a twin narrative. Quite literally, in fact, as the two narrators are twin sisters. Violetta, heroine of Book 18, narrates the bulk of the chapters. I expected her sister Dorabella’s voice to be more lively, as she’s the reckless twin, whereas Violetta is the sensible one; however, I found Violetta’s narration much more engaging than Dorabella’s.
Similar to ‘A Time of Silence’ (Book 17), in which the author ensures she fits in the entire World War One years, ‘We’ll Meet Again’ does the same with World War Two. As a result, the story feels rushed, with too many second-hand accounts of what’s going on in Europe. Having a first-person narrator recount something she’s heard about does nothing to enliven the story.
The results are passive. For example, we get a dry explanation of an air raid, rather than dramatizing the event and ‘showing’ how the characters cope with it.
Occasionally, something exciting does happen, but the outcome is often predictable. I worked out many an upcoming revelation long before the main characters do.
It doesn’t help that after Violetta narrates the opening chapters, we then have Dorabella recalling events from a year earlier. Why not open with her narrative? Granted, it’s not as strong, mainly because it’s written like a summery rather than engaging drama, but much of it covers what happened in the previous novel, while other parts are explained in Violetta’s opening chapter, so there’s no suspense.
Much of what happens during both narratives, especially Dorabella’s, are ‘told’, not ‘shown’, which is a trait this author is often guilty of, including under her other pseudonyms. ‘I found him looking upset and perplexed’; ‘Jowan was clearly bewildered’; ‘Jowan was astounded’ are all examples of blatant telling.
Similarly, we get too much reported speech: ‘Jacques replied that Mr. Lewyth was a man of much knowledge and indeed he was kind.’ This is passive. Why not make it active by putting it into dialogue?
Overall, then, a disappointing end to the series, though it's not without its good moments. The part I liked best was Dorabella’s handling of a situation where her son was in danger. This comes about halfway through story.
I’ve always liked the concept of the Daughters of England, featuring a family descended through the female line over a 500-year period. Of the nineteen novels Book 4 – ‘A Saraband for Two Sisters’ – is my favourite.
October 11, 2022
A fitting end to a series that is more interesting in its premise than its execution.
I, however, cannot believe that we don't learn what happened to Gretchen's family. As Jewish people living in Germany during the Holocaust, I can guess, but to have so much time dedicated to how worried she is about them, to just have... nothing, no information, no follow up, not even a MENTION of the extermination camps... it's wild.
I, however, cannot believe that we don't learn what happened to Gretchen's family. As Jewish people living in Germany during the Holocaust, I can guess, but to have so much time dedicated to how worried she is about them, to just have... nothing, no information, no follow up, not even a MENTION of the extermination camps... it's wild.
January 3, 2025
This was another good Carr read, and I enjoyed the story against the historical backdrop. There were some gasp moments to make it fun in a gossip kind of way. It ended well. This #19 is the end of this family saga. Well done.
January 31, 2015
Life and love in a WAAFery. Predictable; most scenes of conflict are told through flashbacks, so the reader knows the ending ahead of time. Once, one of WAAFs actually reaches to pluck an apple from a tree before learning of the death of an aircrew.
Read
July 7, 2016A cover by Ben Stahl, and it's about WWII. By Victoria Holt - a mainstay of my childhood reading. How could it be so terrible? Published after her death, it made little sense and was terribly written. Sad. Unless one had read the two prequels, not worth it.
December 16, 2020
Enjoyable ending to a long series. Overall, glad I read the series, not as romantic as billed, very entertaining.
December 29, 2025
The nineteenth and final novel in the "Daughters of England" series, "We'll Meet Again" is a frustrating book because it lacks the elements that made Carr's work (and that of one of her pen names, Victoria Holt) memorable: suspense and romance. Rather, it feels like a string of episodes from wartime, continuing the story of twin sisters Dorabella (the flighty one) and Violetta (the sensible one) from the previous volume. It doesn't help that Carr sets up the novel to alternate the voices of the sisters, as she'd done in "Saraband for Two Sisters," fifteen novels previously, but then seems to abandon Dorabella; moreover, most of Dorabella's first sections wind up recapping her actions from "The Gossamer Cord," the book that introduced the pair. The novel was published posthumously, and perhaps, in charity, it was more of a draft than a polished final work—although the quality of the final five volumes in the series had definitely declined, suggesting Carr herself was flagging in her enthusiasm for the project. By this time, no reference whatsoever is made to the family that came before (one assumes that grandmothers and nursery mates Lucie and Belinda, still living in the previous volume, have quietly departed the mortal coil; even stranger is to realize that when the action shifted again to Cornwall in the last novel, no mention was made of the twins' great aunt Rebecca and her family, theoretically living in the same duchy.) What redeems the novel is Carr's familiarity with wartime England (she would have been in her twenties during World War II), which have the ring of authenticity as they only could be written by someone who had lived through the period. Towards the end of the novel, Carr throws in several potential wrenches, but none of them really hit, and the series, after 21 years and thousands of pages, ends happily if with, to paraphrase T.S. Eliot, a whimper. It is safe to say that, with the decision, either by the publisher or Carr herself, to shift the action away from the chronology and all extended relatives with "Midsummer's Eve," the series became pale, connected versions of Victoria Holt novels.
October 22, 2019
I didn't realize this was part of a series. I had no problems reading it as a stand-alone book. I prodded through this book as I like World War II books. The writing style seemed like a Victorian novel which I do not like. I do not recommend this book.
March 26, 2020
Not what I was expecting.
I found this book hard to get into and nearly gave up on it but continued and two thirds in it started to get more interesting. I guess it covered the years of the second world war quite well with a few events that I didn't see coming.
I found this book hard to get into and nearly gave up on it but continued and two thirds in it started to get more interesting. I guess it covered the years of the second world war quite well with a few events that I didn't see coming.
September 8, 2020
Twins Violetta and Dorabella have different views on romance. Violetta waits throughout World War II for the return of her fiance; Dorabella has a couple of flings. Then spies invade their corner of Cornwall, and everyone is on alert. A good read.
July 28, 2017
This was my favorite of all 19 of the Daughters of England series of books.
April 11, 2019
Typical 'granny' book, light and quick to read, easy to dip in and out of.
February 1, 2020
This book was not as good as some of Holt’s other novels.
September 23, 2023
Very nice so far I'm wondering where the cover photo is?
November 24, 2025
These are always awesome books and things start to happen fast!! Loved it!!
February 2, 2020
this book was not very interesting
September 8, 2019
Katie Flynn appears to be a really popular author and yet of the two of her books I have read I haven’t warmed to either.
I enjoyed We’ll Meet Again more than You Are My Sunshine, but for me it was like wading through porridge trying to finish it.
I felt it covered the trades and day-to-day aspect of the WAAF much more than YAMS, being able to remuster, moving the girls around to different stations, and bringing Fighter and Bomber Command into the story, but it was so predictable. The ending of Christi’s story especially.
I really felt that the author was obsessed with the amount of strip-down washes the WAAFs had; the paragraph regarding the sanitary towel was totally unnecessary.
We get to a certain point in the book and it seems all four girls are obsessing over getting into or thinking about going to bed with someone. I’m no prude, but it definitely seemed out of context.
For me I’ve read much better WWII service-based historical/romantic fiction than Katie Flynn/Judith Saxton. I doubt I’ll be revisiting her works.
July 18, 2020
Totally invested in this war story but cringed at the ending. Of course, I was rooting for a happily ever after but can this ever be a satisfactory ending with war?
Loved reading about the characters, the English countryside and learning about events that occurred during the war. Great character development and by the end of the tale, you actually believed you knew all the players. A really well written and Good Read!!
Loved reading about the characters, the English countryside and learning about events that occurred during the war. Great character development and by the end of the tale, you actually believed you knew all the players. A really well written and Good Read!!
March 9, 2011
Victoria Holt, writing here as Philippa Carr, does her standard excellent job of storytelling. This time it's the English people of Cornwall, the rescue at Dunkirk, the London blitz and English POW's in France. It was a little simplistic at times and seemed to be catching the reader up with some previous story.
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April 13, 2014Part of a series of mother to daughter generations stories telling the history of England from Henry VIII to WW II. Fabulous to read them all in order. Each one is a gem; each is surprising and well written.
One of the last novels of the series, it accurately portrays England during the war.
One of the last novels of the series, it accurately portrays England during the war.
March 15, 2016
I almost didn't finish this book cos it was not up to the author's usual standards--but then I checked the date and realized it was published in the year of her death (1993), and the last in The Daughters of England series. I have to admire the author's dedication!
January 5, 2019
Fantastic read
A very enjoyable book the story of friendship and love during war. Can't wait to read about Blackpool, and how they all got on after the last meeting. A well written and heart warming story, highly recommend.
A very enjoyable book the story of friendship and love during war. Can't wait to read about Blackpool, and how they all got on after the last meeting. A well written and heart warming story, highly recommend.
February 5, 2008
Quick read. Part of a series of romances that follow the women of one family down through history starting around the time of Henry the Eighth.
June 9, 2009
This was a nice predictable read. The author also writes as Katie Flynn and I have read some of her books before. THis will be one to pass on to my mum!
June 13, 2018
Love this book. read it many times. Glad its finally in ebook form.
March 20, 2013
I started reading this series in middle school. So glad I haven't read them all yet! Love this author as Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr-as Jean Plaidy not so much oddly enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews