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My Love Story
The Only Girl in the World
The Only Girl in the World is a gripping romance set during the First World War. Dennis is an English soldier fighting in the trenches of the Western Front. When he is on leave he meets Helene, and it's love at first sight. But the shadow of the trenches hangs over him. His leave is over in a mere two weeks. When this battle is won; when this war is over, he says he will come back for her. Dare Helene fall in love with this foreigner? Will she ever see him again? Will he survive the trenches? The world can be ending around you, but if you're in love nothing else matters...
160 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2014
5 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Carol Drinkwater
42 books438 followersCarol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress, author and filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 19, 2018
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and the narration was really good.
A love story set in the war years which I really enjoyed.
Very well written and narrated. I needed my tissues for this one. Recommended.
A love story set in the war years which I really enjoyed.
Very well written and narrated. I needed my tissues for this one. Recommended.
February 27, 2023
Dennis is an English soldier during WWI who is sent abroad to France.
Lonely, homesick and downright scared he finds solace playing piano in the local bistro where he meets Helene, who quickly becomes the love of his life.
He intends to marry her and carve a life out for them both after the war.
But plans don't always come to fruition.
For when Dennis is sent to the front things go badly wrong.
First one in this series I didn't enjoy so well.
Was really looking forward to this one as I enjoy Carol Drinkwater's writing but this lacked something and the ending seemed rushed and just not in keeping with the hopeful, romantic tone of the others
Lonely, homesick and downright scared he finds solace playing piano in the local bistro where he meets Helene, who quickly becomes the love of his life.
He intends to marry her and carve a life out for them both after the war.
But plans don't always come to fruition.
For when Dennis is sent to the front things go badly wrong.
First one in this series I didn't enjoy so well.
Was really looking forward to this one as I enjoy Carol Drinkwater's writing but this lacked something and the ending seemed rushed and just not in keeping with the hopeful, romantic tone of the others
March 24, 2014
‘The Only Girl in the World’ is published in April by Scholastic. The moving WW1 romance tells the story of a young British soldier, Dennis, and his experiences of war on the Western Front. During his leave, he meets and falls in love with a local girl Helene, and promises he will return for her when the war is over.
The book wonderfully evokes both the trauma of battle, and every day life in provincial France, and is a genuinely moving account of love and loss. I found myself rooting for ‘Denniz’ as Helene calls him, and desperately hoping he would make it home to her. It is a real achievement to get that depth of feeling within the constraints of a YA novel, and from the horror of war to craft a story that ends with hope for the future.
The book wonderfully evokes both the trauma of battle, and every day life in provincial France, and is a genuinely moving account of love and loss. I found myself rooting for ‘Denniz’ as Helene calls him, and desperately hoping he would make it home to her. It is a real achievement to get that depth of feeling within the constraints of a YA novel, and from the horror of war to craft a story that ends with hope for the future.
June 19, 2020
This is a love story without a happy ending that took place at the time of first world war. The description of war was very accurate. Language used is easy to understand and fluid. Characters are well potrayed though I skipped some the pages as it was too much for me to take in. At few moments, it bored me (especially when the war events were too much described). But overall, it was a short and heart melting read.
It was a very difficult situation for France but people didn't loose hope and worked hard for earnings. They were supportive and understanding.
This story is discussed in two point of views, one from Helene who is a french girl, helping her father with there family restaurant. She is an independent, hardworking women and also a skilled horsewoman. She is a very beautiful lady having her own fantasies about love and hoping to find one after the war is over just like the other character of story from whose point of view the rest story is dicussed, Dennis Stoneham is an Englishman fighting on the frontline for France against German. He has a great taste in music and is god gifted in playing various instruments without studying them and not even knowing how to read music. He has never went to serve any country, this was his first time and hence, he doesn't know much about this stuff. He never write about the bad incidences taking place in the war as it would upset his parents. Which shows his loving and caring nature and also he misses his home. When Helene asked about his best memory, he told her, when his father used to ask him to play and boast around about his talent. This part really melt my heart.
They both meet each other because of his love of music and Maman's piano after about 60 pages of the story. They started hanging out together and confessed about their love.
The other character Ginger was potrayed very well and gave the true meaning of friendship.
Helene has given the true meaning of selfless love.
Is Dennis gonna be alive? Will they be happy ever after? Is Maman and grandma plotting against them?
It was a very difficult situation for France but people didn't loose hope and worked hard for earnings. They were supportive and understanding.
This story is discussed in two point of views, one from Helene who is a french girl, helping her father with there family restaurant. She is an independent, hardworking women and also a skilled horsewoman. She is a very beautiful lady having her own fantasies about love and hoping to find one after the war is over just like the other character of story from whose point of view the rest story is dicussed, Dennis Stoneham is an Englishman fighting on the frontline for France against German. He has a great taste in music and is god gifted in playing various instruments without studying them and not even knowing how to read music. He has never went to serve any country, this was his first time and hence, he doesn't know much about this stuff. He never write about the bad incidences taking place in the war as it would upset his parents. Which shows his loving and caring nature and also he misses his home. When Helene asked about his best memory, he told her, when his father used to ask him to play and boast around about his talent. This part really melt my heart.
They both meet each other because of his love of music and Maman's piano after about 60 pages of the story. They started hanging out together and confessed about their love.
The other character Ginger was potrayed very well and gave the true meaning of friendship.
Helene has given the true meaning of selfless love.
Is Dennis gonna be alive? Will they be happy ever after? Is Maman and grandma plotting against them?
July 17, 2022
A story of strength in the trenches and love found in the most unlikeliest of places.
Amidst a war, Dennis is dispatched to France on the front lines; green and putting on a brave face, this young lad with music in his heart and courage in the face of terrifying adversity, meets Helene and finds a new reason for trying to stay alive in a war hell bent on ending it.
The characters were easy to warm to and it was simple and gripping read. A short book, it follows the split perspective of the two characters and sees them progressively draw closer, despite not speaking the same language.
It was nice to read from Dennis’s point of view, as the conditions in the trenches and the anxiety of war and fighting have a fresh perspective to the typical wartime romance reads.
It was entertaining to listen to this audiobook, with some fab narrators (and Helene by the author herself) and I finished it in no time! I wasn’t expecting some of the things that happened to happen (no spoilers here) and it was a surprise. I’m normally quite good at figuring out what’s going to happen but I didn’t have this one pegged. It got me! A wonderful little read.
Amidst a war, Dennis is dispatched to France on the front lines; green and putting on a brave face, this young lad with music in his heart and courage in the face of terrifying adversity, meets Helene and finds a new reason for trying to stay alive in a war hell bent on ending it.
The characters were easy to warm to and it was simple and gripping read. A short book, it follows the split perspective of the two characters and sees them progressively draw closer, despite not speaking the same language.
It was nice to read from Dennis’s point of view, as the conditions in the trenches and the anxiety of war and fighting have a fresh perspective to the typical wartime romance reads.
It was entertaining to listen to this audiobook, with some fab narrators (and Helene by the author herself) and I finished it in no time! I wasn’t expecting some of the things that happened to happen (no spoilers here) and it was a surprise. I’m normally quite good at figuring out what’s going to happen but I didn’t have this one pegged. It got me! A wonderful little read.
June 20, 2018
3.5 stars. A quick read but does pack an emotional punch xx
July 27, 2020
Audio book. Not sure I would have rated three stars if I had read and not listened.
March 17, 2024
A lovely little short story about two people and how their lives change during the first world war
October 16, 2024
A little cheesy and could have had more substance. Not my favourite historical fiction.
December 31, 2024
This was a short but lovely palette cleanser to get me through a reading slump.
February 12, 2018
Worst. Writing. Ever. Not sure how this made publication.
July 13, 2021
A bitter sweet tale for young adults.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews