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Always In My Heart
Always-in-My-Heart
Paperback
First published February 25, 2016
8 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Freda Lightfoot
74 books211 followersBorn in Lancashire, I've been a teacher, bookseller and in a mad moment, a smallholder on the freezing fells of the Lake District where I tried my hand at the ‘good life’, kept sheep and hens, various orphaned cats and dogs, built drystone walls, planted a small wood and even learned how to make jam. I now spend the winter in Spain and summer in the UK. I have now published 48 books including many bestselling family sagas and historical novels.
For more information, visit my website www.fredalightfoot.co.uk.
For more information, visit my website www.fredalightfoot.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 19, 2016
The book jumps a bit in time. The war is over and Brenda returns to her husband's home. Oh but everyone there are so mean, arghh, I wanted to hit them, well especially the evil sister in law. She was, ugh, trust me. She was bad!!!! No one believes she was married. And she has lost her child. And here begin the flashbacks, how she met Jack, their time in France, the start of the war, how she was sent to a german prison camp, and how she searched for her son.
And while those flashbacks continue we get to see her trying to build a new life for herself.
But the book is not only hers, her sister in law Prue (the good sister, not the evil one) is in love with someone she should not love, and she has her own struggles.
The book does deal with some heavy things, but at the same time because of how it is written it never feels dark or anything. It's like there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel. And there will be happiness, at the very end.
It was a short, sort of light (with touches of dark). There is romance, hope, war, and one evil woman.
And while those flashbacks continue we get to see her trying to build a new life for herself.
But the book is not only hers, her sister in law Prue (the good sister, not the evil one) is in love with someone she should not love, and she has her own struggles.
The book does deal with some heavy things, but at the same time because of how it is written it never feels dark or anything. It's like there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel. And there will be happiness, at the very end.
It was a short, sort of light (with touches of dark). There is romance, hope, war, and one evil woman.
May 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, Freda Lightfoot is such a great author I have enjoyed all her books that I have read. One thing I didn't like was the character Melissa, what an awful, obnoxious person and she certainly made the end of the book interesting!
May 7, 2018
Words fail me!!!!!
December 27, 2016
Heartbreaker
I loved this follow on to home is where the heart is. Brendas Heartbreaking story to find her son after the war.this book pulled at my heartstrings from start to finish like all these authors books. Looking forward to reading more . Thank you to the author .
I loved this follow on to home is where the heart is. Brendas Heartbreaking story to find her son after the war.this book pulled at my heartstrings from start to finish like all these authors books. Looking forward to reading more . Thank you to the author .
December 17, 2016
Last year quite be chance I discovered the writing of Freda Lightfoot when I read Home is Where the Heart Is and was very surprised by what a good book it turned out to be. The cover didn't really stand out and wouldn’t be a talking point but the story between the pages proved to be a brilliant read and made me want to read more from this author. So when I saw this new book Always in my Heart I knew I wanted to give it a go as historical fiction is my favourite genre to read and I am always looking for new authors who provide a different spin on stories that have been told multiple times before particularly those based in and around World War Two. This new book once again proved to be a very good read with a twist that I had never seen coming and to be honest I was kicking myself because really all the clues had been there. This isn't the usual run of the mill wartime saga, it has a lot more depth to it with a solid storyline that leaves the reader guessing throughout whilst also focusing on the development of the characters. Even though I have only read two books by Freda Lightfoot it's clear she is a gifted, accomplished storyteller who has you eagerly turning the pages keen to see what next lies in store for the main characters.
Always in my Heart alternates between England in 1944 and France in 1941/42 for the majority of the novel. I love books that go back and forth in time and did initially question why there was such a short timespan being employed throughout the story? In fact my fears proved unfounded as it all genuinely helped to add flavour and depth to the story and provided a fascinating insight into our main female protagonist Brenda. We got to see her in 1944 and what her exact situation was but by taking us back two/three years we see a different character and it helped the reader to feel genuine sympathy but also respect for a woman who went through so much but at all times was strong, brave and resilient. These are the characters traits I would most associate with Brenda throughout the entire story. Not once did she waver from what she believed was right or what she felt had occurred. She stuck by her opinions and beliefs and never swayed no matter how much opposition was placed in her path by those supposedly close to her. The author showcased Brenda's strengths and feelings to perfection and she made for a character whom the reader wanted only a positive outcome for.
We first meet Brenda as she is on the last leg of an incredible tough and arduous journey. It's 1944 and although the war may not yet be over Brenda is at last returning home to Trowbridge Hall. Immediately the reader can sense that she has been through such trauma and unspeakable events but there is something drawing her back to the place where she met and fell in love with her husband Jack. It's only as the chapters unfold and we slip forward and back in time that we uncover her story and it all gelled so well with how we find her today. Although her love had been forbidden as she came from a poor background and was an orphan the son of the house Jack fell hook line and sinker for Brenda and that was that. Nothing would tear them apart and having been thrown out they escaped to Paris to Camille – Jack's mother. Unfortunately their union was short lived and Brenda was left a widow.
So clearly to be returning to the hall must be extremely difficult for Brenda but there is something driving her on. It's this driving spirit and never taking no for an answer that dominates Brenda's character throughout the book and I mean that in a good way. Finally we don't have a character who is weak and the reader is meant to feel all sympathy towards them. Here was a woman who had been deeply wronged and she was back to get answers and answers she would get whatever it took and no matter the length of time. What courage it must have taken to a return to a place where you are not welcome but deep in your heart you want to find the son that you were forced to leave behind when you were captured then surely return to the family home is what you would do. It's said within the first few chapters why Brenda has returned and although this 'quest' didn't dominate the entire story it was always there in the background bubbling away and for most of the book I was thinking where on earth could he be? Something just wasn't adding up. The author did a brilliant job on filling in the background of Brenda's time in Paris and also when she was taken away and when she made a friend - Emma in the harshest of circumstances. It was a fascinating aspect to the story but also rather upsetting that this genuinely happened to many women, it was heartbreaking but written with the utmost tact and sensitivity.
So apart from Brenda we have Hugh, Jack's brother, whose father has recently died placing him in charge of the farm estate and their biscuit factory. He appeared surly and had a chip on his shoulder and didn't believe a marriage between Brenda and Jack had even taken place in the first place. He had plenty of worries on his shoulders and I know we saw a softer side to him as the novel progressed and he attempted to let his guard down but I never really warmed to him even though he was meant to replace Jack as the 'heartthrob' of the story. As for his sister Melissa, married to the repulsive Gregory, she was a horrible character and very very devious in attempting to stop Brenda at every turn, I was glad she flitted in and out of the book as I wasn't keen to read much about her.
Maybe the character alongside Brenda whom I loved most of all was Prue - the youngest of the family. She loves working outdoors and tending the gardens and farm. She seemed to be the most sensible and loyal of the family now that Jack was gone. She was an ally, confidant and friend to Brenda when the rest of the family clearly didn't want to know or admit that Brenda was now related to them. Prue had her own story regarding an Italian prisoner of war sent to work on the farm. It could have felt out of place within the overall context of the story as the focus was on Brenda and her finding her lost son but Prue's storyline was realistic, heartfelt and most certainly had it's place. At one or two points I did feel the story flagged in places before picking up once again. There seemed to be a bit too much back and forth regrading Brenda staying at the hall then leaving then returning etc and I felt this could have been left out but apart from that this was a very good read.
Always in my Heart kept me guessing and hooked until the very last page and proved to me that Freda Lightfoot is an author whose back catalogue I want to read and anything she publishes in the future will always be placed on my wishlist. Wartime sagas can become a bit predictable and routine but this one is different from all the rest, it had great substance to it which is hard to do considering so many books have been written on the subject over the years. It had an element of mystery and suspense alongside the romantic plotlines and that's what sets it apart and makes for a very good read. There were several stories all which worked well separately but they then they came together at just the right time and left the reader going ah damn I should have seen that coming yet the author would be pleased she had pulled the wool over your eyes.
Fans of historical fiction will love Always in my Heart as it's only as you reach the end do you realise what an apt title that is. People new to Freda Lightfoot's will enjoy this book particularly now as a nice alternative to all the Christmas books published at the moment. I was sad to reach the end of Brenda's story but I am already looking forward to what compelling tale Freda Lightfoot may bring to us in 2017.
Always in my Heart alternates between England in 1944 and France in 1941/42 for the majority of the novel. I love books that go back and forth in time and did initially question why there was such a short timespan being employed throughout the story? In fact my fears proved unfounded as it all genuinely helped to add flavour and depth to the story and provided a fascinating insight into our main female protagonist Brenda. We got to see her in 1944 and what her exact situation was but by taking us back two/three years we see a different character and it helped the reader to feel genuine sympathy but also respect for a woman who went through so much but at all times was strong, brave and resilient. These are the characters traits I would most associate with Brenda throughout the entire story. Not once did she waver from what she believed was right or what she felt had occurred. She stuck by her opinions and beliefs and never swayed no matter how much opposition was placed in her path by those supposedly close to her. The author showcased Brenda's strengths and feelings to perfection and she made for a character whom the reader wanted only a positive outcome for.
We first meet Brenda as she is on the last leg of an incredible tough and arduous journey. It's 1944 and although the war may not yet be over Brenda is at last returning home to Trowbridge Hall. Immediately the reader can sense that she has been through such trauma and unspeakable events but there is something drawing her back to the place where she met and fell in love with her husband Jack. It's only as the chapters unfold and we slip forward and back in time that we uncover her story and it all gelled so well with how we find her today. Although her love had been forbidden as she came from a poor background and was an orphan the son of the house Jack fell hook line and sinker for Brenda and that was that. Nothing would tear them apart and having been thrown out they escaped to Paris to Camille – Jack's mother. Unfortunately their union was short lived and Brenda was left a widow.
So clearly to be returning to the hall must be extremely difficult for Brenda but there is something driving her on. It's this driving spirit and never taking no for an answer that dominates Brenda's character throughout the book and I mean that in a good way. Finally we don't have a character who is weak and the reader is meant to feel all sympathy towards them. Here was a woman who had been deeply wronged and she was back to get answers and answers she would get whatever it took and no matter the length of time. What courage it must have taken to a return to a place where you are not welcome but deep in your heart you want to find the son that you were forced to leave behind when you were captured then surely return to the family home is what you would do. It's said within the first few chapters why Brenda has returned and although this 'quest' didn't dominate the entire story it was always there in the background bubbling away and for most of the book I was thinking where on earth could he be? Something just wasn't adding up. The author did a brilliant job on filling in the background of Brenda's time in Paris and also when she was taken away and when she made a friend - Emma in the harshest of circumstances. It was a fascinating aspect to the story but also rather upsetting that this genuinely happened to many women, it was heartbreaking but written with the utmost tact and sensitivity.
So apart from Brenda we have Hugh, Jack's brother, whose father has recently died placing him in charge of the farm estate and their biscuit factory. He appeared surly and had a chip on his shoulder and didn't believe a marriage between Brenda and Jack had even taken place in the first place. He had plenty of worries on his shoulders and I know we saw a softer side to him as the novel progressed and he attempted to let his guard down but I never really warmed to him even though he was meant to replace Jack as the 'heartthrob' of the story. As for his sister Melissa, married to the repulsive Gregory, she was a horrible character and very very devious in attempting to stop Brenda at every turn, I was glad she flitted in and out of the book as I wasn't keen to read much about her.
Maybe the character alongside Brenda whom I loved most of all was Prue - the youngest of the family. She loves working outdoors and tending the gardens and farm. She seemed to be the most sensible and loyal of the family now that Jack was gone. She was an ally, confidant and friend to Brenda when the rest of the family clearly didn't want to know or admit that Brenda was now related to them. Prue had her own story regarding an Italian prisoner of war sent to work on the farm. It could have felt out of place within the overall context of the story as the focus was on Brenda and her finding her lost son but Prue's storyline was realistic, heartfelt and most certainly had it's place. At one or two points I did feel the story flagged in places before picking up once again. There seemed to be a bit too much back and forth regrading Brenda staying at the hall then leaving then returning etc and I felt this could have been left out but apart from that this was a very good read.
Always in my Heart kept me guessing and hooked until the very last page and proved to me that Freda Lightfoot is an author whose back catalogue I want to read and anything she publishes in the future will always be placed on my wishlist. Wartime sagas can become a bit predictable and routine but this one is different from all the rest, it had great substance to it which is hard to do considering so many books have been written on the subject over the years. It had an element of mystery and suspense alongside the romantic plotlines and that's what sets it apart and makes for a very good read. There were several stories all which worked well separately but they then they came together at just the right time and left the reader going ah damn I should have seen that coming yet the author would be pleased she had pulled the wool over your eyes.
Fans of historical fiction will love Always in my Heart as it's only as you reach the end do you realise what an apt title that is. People new to Freda Lightfoot's will enjoy this book particularly now as a nice alternative to all the Christmas books published at the moment. I was sad to reach the end of Brenda's story but I am already looking forward to what compelling tale Freda Lightfoot may bring to us in 2017.
April 16, 2018
Scullery maid Brenda, who was brought up in a Children’s Home, met and fell in love with Jack Stuart, the son of the local landowner who lived in Trowbridge Hall in 1939. Because of Sir Randolph’s controlling behaviour Jack decided to run away to Paris to be with his mother, taking Brenda with him. Once war was declared in France Jack started working for the French Resistance and inevitably got killed but not before Brenda became pregnant. Brenda had the baby Jack, but was the put into an internment camp and spirited away by the Germans. Brenda left the baby with her mother-in-law. She eventually managed to escape with her friend Emma who was also interned. Once back home Brenda tried to find her son Jack believing that Camille and her mother-in-law would ensure Jack’s safe return. Just like Cinderella there was an ugly but articulate sister-in-law who tried desperately to bad mouth poor old Brenda, and one has to say did succeed until Camille turned up with Emma and restored the equilibrium by bringing the Marriage Certificate and baby Jack’s Birth Certificate, it all being rounded off by a French Resistance Medal given posthumously to Jack Stewart which is son collected at the French Embassy.
It was a bit light on detail. There are no real descriptions of the way they found their way across Austria and France before eventually getting to Spain and the UK. The story did touch on the difficulty women had in retaining jobs when the soldiers were demobbed but there was much more than was described. A nicely written piece. It was interesting to get the juxtaposition of the Italian lad Dino who has been interned in the UK whilst Brenda and Emma were having the same treatment doled out by the Germans in France.
It was a bit light on detail. There are no real descriptions of the way they found their way across Austria and France before eventually getting to Spain and the UK. The story did touch on the difficulty women had in retaining jobs when the soldiers were demobbed but there was much more than was described. A nicely written piece. It was interesting to get the juxtaposition of the Italian lad Dino who has been interned in the UK whilst Brenda and Emma were having the same treatment doled out by the Germans in France.
July 9, 2024
The novel, Always in my Heart by Freda Lightfoot, is about the difficulties encountered by enemy aliens during and after World War II. There is a dual timeline of post-war in England and wartime France. I did not enjoy this book although the exploration of social conditions is highly commendable. This book is the middle component in a series of three and is a cozy-type novel with no gratuitous sex or violence, although there is one particularly obnoxious character. That character illustrates class consciousness and arrogance based on wealth rather than personal achievement. The writing style is very direct and the plot is well constructed. Lightfoot is a very experienced author with a lengthy catalogue of popular works. Probably this book suits readers with a lifestyle different from mine.
May 3, 2019
A story about hardship, love, hope and never giving up
The book was well paced and gave an insight into how expatriates were treated with imprisonment during WW2, family separated and reconnecting and that unbreakable love a mother has for her child .
The book was well paced and gave an insight into how expatriates were treated with imprisonment during WW2, family separated and reconnecting and that unbreakable love a mother has for her child .
August 21, 2021
Really lovely wartime book
July 15, 2022
didn't expect this book to be good.
November 16, 2016
Always in my Heart is a wonderful family drama set from 1939 to just after WW2.
Starting off when Brenda Stuart moves to France with her then boyfriend and soon to become husband Jack, they soon find themselves in the middle of war torn France. Life has been very difficult for Brenda over the war, having been held in an internment camp in France simply because of her nationality. Thankful that her newborn son Tommy at least was safe in the care of his grandmother Camille, she now finds that she has lost him too, and her life is in turmoil. Returning to Britain to look for her son Tommy, Brenda faces more difficulties.
I found Brenda a very strong and likeable character as well as Prue and Emma. Some truly nasty characters as well such as Melissa and her awful husband Gregory.
I found Always in my Heart a welcome and refreshing change from the normal crime and psycho thrillers I tend to read and I highly recommend this lovely book that I found hard to put down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin (UK) Limited for this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased and voluntary.
Starting off when Brenda Stuart moves to France with her then boyfriend and soon to become husband Jack, they soon find themselves in the middle of war torn France. Life has been very difficult for Brenda over the war, having been held in an internment camp in France simply because of her nationality. Thankful that her newborn son Tommy at least was safe in the care of his grandmother Camille, she now finds that she has lost him too, and her life is in turmoil. Returning to Britain to look for her son Tommy, Brenda faces more difficulties.
I found Brenda a very strong and likeable character as well as Prue and Emma. Some truly nasty characters as well such as Melissa and her awful husband Gregory.
I found Always in my Heart a welcome and refreshing change from the normal crime and psycho thrillers I tend to read and I highly recommend this lovely book that I found hard to put down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin (UK) Limited for this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased and voluntary.
January 6, 2017
I love books set around the second World War and love Freda Lightfoot’s writing style.
Brenda loses her husband in the war and comes home to his family hoping to find her little boy who spent the war with one of the aunts. She faces a lot of opposition and has a tough time settling back into life in Britain.
We follow family issues, relationships and a lot of WW2 history and I was drawn in from the start. We heard about life in the camps and very daring escapes. We go back in time to her life with her husband and the troubles in the war, back to her trying to win over his family when she returns and they refuse to believe that they were married.
A real treat.
Brenda loses her husband in the war and comes home to his family hoping to find her little boy who spent the war with one of the aunts. She faces a lot of opposition and has a tough time settling back into life in Britain.
We follow family issues, relationships and a lot of WW2 history and I was drawn in from the start. We heard about life in the camps and very daring escapes. We go back in time to her life with her husband and the troubles in the war, back to her trying to win over his family when she returns and they refuse to believe that they were married.
A real treat.
March 28, 2017
Won from goodreads
Brenda and jack fall in love but his father is against it so they run away together to France where his mother lives.
They marry quickly as war has broken out and jack helps the resistance dying doing this leaving Brenda pregnant in a foreign country but living with his ailing mother who she tends to.
It is hard when your British in this time with the war and eventually Brenda is taken by the Germans but her son is saved by jacks mother who looks after him with her friend.
The jist is Brenda finally gets out to find her mother in law and son nowhere the search begins and she ends up back with jacks family who treat her as a servant not believing she was married to him.
Really enjoyed this book heartly recommend
Brenda and jack fall in love but his father is against it so they run away together to France where his mother lives.
They marry quickly as war has broken out and jack helps the resistance dying doing this leaving Brenda pregnant in a foreign country but living with his ailing mother who she tends to.
It is hard when your British in this time with the war and eventually Brenda is taken by the Germans but her son is saved by jacks mother who looks after him with her friend.
The jist is Brenda finally gets out to find her mother in law and son nowhere the search begins and she ends up back with jacks family who treat her as a servant not believing she was married to him.
Really enjoyed this book heartly recommend
March 30, 2017
Won through goodreads .... Had not read Freda Lightfoot's books before but am sure will be reading more from now on!
A lovely written novel, set just after the War has finished but has flash back as she tells her story of what happened to her in the turmoils of war. A love story, which has romance, loss and hardship. Also the struggle to find her son and the betrayal of family. Loved it from start to finish.
A lovely written novel, set just after the War has finished but has flash back as she tells her story of what happened to her in the turmoils of war. A love story, which has romance, loss and hardship. Also the struggle to find her son and the betrayal of family. Loved it from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews