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War at Home #3
The Land of My Dreams 1916
In 1916, the people are settling down to the business of war. As conscription reaches into every household, Britain turns out men and shells in industrial numbers from army camps and munitions factories up and down the land. Bobby Hunter gains his wings and joins his brother in France. Ethel, the under housemaid, embarks on a quest and Laura sets out on her biggest adventure yet. Diana finds a second chance at happiness in the last place she'd think of looking, and Beattie's past comes back to haunt her. But as the Battle of the Somme grinds into action, the shadow of death falls over every part of the country, and the Hunter household cannot remain untouched.
This is the third book in the War at Home series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels. Set against the real events of 1916, this is a richly researched and a wonderfully authentic family drama featuring the Hunter family and their servants.
This is the third book in the War at Home series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, author of the much-loved Morland Dynasty novels. Set against the real events of 1916, this is a richly researched and a wonderfully authentic family drama featuring the Hunter family and their servants.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
34 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
168 books496 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 3, 2025
We're right in the middle of the war and in sooo many ongoing storylines! I'm enjoying this series so much. The ending is really poignant and hopeful.
April 18, 2025
Loved this book. It took me a while to get my head around the characters as it's been a long time since I read the last one. This is the third in the series.
We get a lot of the war in this one and there is sadness and joy aplenty. David is now in the trenches and Bobby is training for the RFC. Sadie is still working with the horses, getting them ready for France and Diana who is still getting over the loss of her fiance, Charles, has the oddest reaction of all. Rupert, her brother-in-law, who was very unkind and cruel to her previously, now turns the tables completely. Diana is the most naive, clueless, to me, dimwit, I've ever come across. What follows will have your eyebrows up in your hairline!!
Beattie, the Matriarch, has her own demons to handle and I felt sorry for her and her husband.
Laura, Edwards sister and woman police officer is restless and longing to do more. She changes direction in this book and I think there's plenty more of her story to come.
David is also engaged to the delectable Sophy but I feel this is not going to run smoothly and I think you get an inkling of the way things might go.
It's a great series and I'm just sorry it takes so long for the next one. I could read it right now. Highly recommended.
17/4/2025
Enjoyed it just as much this time round, maybe even more, as I'm reading them consecutively and it really adds to the reading experience.
We get a lot of the war in this one and there is sadness and joy aplenty. David is now in the trenches and Bobby is training for the RFC. Sadie is still working with the horses, getting them ready for France and Diana who is still getting over the loss of her fiance, Charles, has the oddest reaction of all. Rupert, her brother-in-law, who was very unkind and cruel to her previously, now turns the tables completely. Diana is the most naive, clueless, to me, dimwit, I've ever come across. What follows will have your eyebrows up in your hairline!!
Beattie, the Matriarch, has her own demons to handle and I felt sorry for her and her husband.
Laura, Edwards sister and woman police officer is restless and longing to do more. She changes direction in this book and I think there's plenty more of her story to come.
David is also engaged to the delectable Sophy but I feel this is not going to run smoothly and I think you get an inkling of the way things might go.
It's a great series and I'm just sorry it takes so long for the next one. I could read it right now. Highly recommended.
17/4/2025
Enjoyed it just as much this time round, maybe even more, as I'm reading them consecutively and it really adds to the reading experience.
November 13, 2024
*4.5 stars. This was the best one so far! I loved *almost* every character’s story arch in this, they all stood out and it kept me turning the page to read on. I can’t believe what happened with Diana, was I just a silly naive reader that didn’t read the signs? I loved how Ethel’s story contrasted with hers. And I love Sadie as a character, I can’t wait for her to get her happy ending (hopefully).
June 15, 2022
One of the hallmarks from reading a Cynthia Harrod-Eagles novel is that you will never be indifferent to the lives of the characters therein. And so it is with "THE LAND OF MY DREAMS", the third novel in the 'War at Home' Series.
It is now 1916. The First World War for civilians and combatants alike in Britain has taken on the attributes of an irresistible tide, altering everything in its path. In the Hunter family, 2 sons are now on active service. David, the eldest and his mother's favorite, is an infantry officer who has already received his baptism of fire in the failed Battle of Loos of the previous year. Bobby, who had followed his brother into the Army, developed a love for aviation and was able to wrangle a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) whilst still in Britain. Bobby takes to the rigors of ground school and the rather haphazard flight training scheme then in effect in the RFC with nary a misstep. With the advent of spring, he earns his wings and is assigned to a frontline unit in France where he becomes a skilled scout pilot, flying the nimble Airco DH.2 single-seat biplane 'pusher' aircraft on various offensive patrols and escort missions over the lines. By mid-year, the Battle of the Somme would commence, a cataclysmic struggle that would sorely test the resolve of both the British forces at the Front and their families at home.
In the meantime, the rest of the Hunter family is caught up in the pressures and changes the war has already wrought on the world around them. Beattie, the matriarch of the Hunter family, while busily engaged in an expanding number of charitable activities related to the war, has a chance encounter with someone from her past which could have consequences on her marital relationship. Diana (the eldest daughter) unexpectedly finds 'love' - if one can truly call it that - from an unexpected corner. I won't say more on that score. For the reader of this review whose curiosity about this novel has been whetted, I will leave it to him or her to take up "THE LAND OF MY DREAMS" and discover how the third year of war impacts on the Hunters, some relatives thereof, and some of the servants in the Hunter household.
It is now 1916. The First World War for civilians and combatants alike in Britain has taken on the attributes of an irresistible tide, altering everything in its path. In the Hunter family, 2 sons are now on active service. David, the eldest and his mother's favorite, is an infantry officer who has already received his baptism of fire in the failed Battle of Loos of the previous year. Bobby, who had followed his brother into the Army, developed a love for aviation and was able to wrangle a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) whilst still in Britain. Bobby takes to the rigors of ground school and the rather haphazard flight training scheme then in effect in the RFC with nary a misstep. With the advent of spring, he earns his wings and is assigned to a frontline unit in France where he becomes a skilled scout pilot, flying the nimble Airco DH.2 single-seat biplane 'pusher' aircraft on various offensive patrols and escort missions over the lines. By mid-year, the Battle of the Somme would commence, a cataclysmic struggle that would sorely test the resolve of both the British forces at the Front and their families at home.
In the meantime, the rest of the Hunter family is caught up in the pressures and changes the war has already wrought on the world around them. Beattie, the matriarch of the Hunter family, while busily engaged in an expanding number of charitable activities related to the war, has a chance encounter with someone from her past which could have consequences on her marital relationship. Diana (the eldest daughter) unexpectedly finds 'love' - if one can truly call it that - from an unexpected corner. I won't say more on that score. For the reader of this review whose curiosity about this novel has been whetted, I will leave it to him or her to take up "THE LAND OF MY DREAMS" and discover how the third year of war impacts on the Hunters, some relatives thereof, and some of the servants in the Hunter household.
April 5, 2020
A wonderful historical read, the Land of My Dreams continues the path of the Great War in 1916. 3rd in the War at Home series, the older children of the Hunter family are doing their part to help in the war effort. David is fighting in the trenches, while Bobby is a proud airman, and Sadie is training horses for battle at home. Diana, after losing her husband to the war, has a new proposal. The entire family and staff suffer as the war hits home with great loss.
January 28, 2025
This is the third of the series and I'm eagerly awaiting the last three books I have ordered.
There is much that is predictable in these books but the characters are so lovingly created that predictability isn't a problem.
It's fun watching some of the women as they develop their lives but I'm a little amazed at the way most have been sheltered. (I do dread the time when Diana understands her situation)
There is much that is predictable in these books but the characters are so lovingly created that predictability isn't a problem.
It's fun watching some of the women as they develop their lives but I'm a little amazed at the way most have been sheltered. (I do dread the time when Diana understands her situation)
September 15, 2017
A great third installment of the War at Home Series.
May 4, 2020
Auch zu Beginn des Jahres 1916 ist kein Ende des Krieges in Sicht. Die Familie Hunter sorgt sich um den Ältesten, David, der mit seiner Infanterietruppe in Frankreich ist, und Diana, die Zweitälteste, trauert um ihren gefallenen Verlobten. Der 19jährige Bobby hingegen hat sich als begabter Pilot erwiesen und kann es kaum erwarten, seine Ausbildung zum Jagdflieger abzuschließen und seine Kenntnisse im Luftkampf unter Beweis zu stellen, während Sadie, inzwischen 18, nach wie vor hingebungsvoll mit Pferden arbeitet, die auf Kampfeinsätze vorbereitet werden sollen und Tante Laura allmählich ziemlich desillusioniert von ihrem Dasein als Streifenpolizistin ist und eine neue Herausforderung sucht.
Unter den Dienstboten sorgt das plötzliche Verschwinden des Dienstmädchens Ethel für Aufruhr, vor allem, als herauskommt, warum sie von einem Tag auf den anderen ihre Stellung verlassen hat. Nur gut, dass unter den Bediensteten nicht bekannt ist, dass auch die Ehe von Edward und Beatrice Hunter kriselt, nicht zuletzt durch "Geister" aus der Vergangenheit.
Der dritte Teil der Serie "War at Home" umfasst die Geschehnisse des Jahres 1916, in dem sich einige der schrecklichsten Schlachten an der Westfront zugetragen haben und niemand mehr Prognosen wagt, wie bald der Krieg beendet sein könnte. Auch für die Hunters kommen die Einschläge näher mit dem Verlust von Dianas Verlobtem und anderen jungen Leuten, die man gut gekannt hat. In der Gesellschaft kündigen sich größere Veränderungen an, man sieht gar junge Frauen in Hosen herumlaufen und in Munitionsfabriken arbeiten - für viele Anhänger der althergebrachten Ordnung ein Skandal, für die Verfechterinnen der Emanzipation noch lange nicht genug.
Die Struktur der Serie, pro Band ein Jahr des Krieges abzudecken und viele verschiedene Aspekte aus der Sicht von vielen verschiedenen Charakteren darzustellen, sorgt einerseits dafür, dass man ein umfassendes Bild dieser Zeit erhält und spannende Einzelheiten zur Sprache kommen können, andererseits bleiben dadurch jedoch auch insbesondere in diesem Teil einige an sich interessante Figuren eher blass oder erhalten nicht genügend Raum. An manchen Stellen hätte ich mir etwas mehr Ausführlichkeit gewünscht und dafür auch gerne noch ein paar Seiten mehr gelesen. Mit den letzten Kapiteln hat mich die Autorin dafür jedoch zumindest ein stückweit entschädigt und den Fokus etwas mehr auf psychologische Tiefe gelegt - und mich mit dem Ende auf angenehme Weise überrascht.
Unter den Dienstboten sorgt das plötzliche Verschwinden des Dienstmädchens Ethel für Aufruhr, vor allem, als herauskommt, warum sie von einem Tag auf den anderen ihre Stellung verlassen hat. Nur gut, dass unter den Bediensteten nicht bekannt ist, dass auch die Ehe von Edward und Beatrice Hunter kriselt, nicht zuletzt durch "Geister" aus der Vergangenheit.
Der dritte Teil der Serie "War at Home" umfasst die Geschehnisse des Jahres 1916, in dem sich einige der schrecklichsten Schlachten an der Westfront zugetragen haben und niemand mehr Prognosen wagt, wie bald der Krieg beendet sein könnte. Auch für die Hunters kommen die Einschläge näher mit dem Verlust von Dianas Verlobtem und anderen jungen Leuten, die man gut gekannt hat. In der Gesellschaft kündigen sich größere Veränderungen an, man sieht gar junge Frauen in Hosen herumlaufen und in Munitionsfabriken arbeiten - für viele Anhänger der althergebrachten Ordnung ein Skandal, für die Verfechterinnen der Emanzipation noch lange nicht genug.
Die Struktur der Serie, pro Band ein Jahr des Krieges abzudecken und viele verschiedene Aspekte aus der Sicht von vielen verschiedenen Charakteren darzustellen, sorgt einerseits dafür, dass man ein umfassendes Bild dieser Zeit erhält und spannende Einzelheiten zur Sprache kommen können, andererseits bleiben dadurch jedoch auch insbesondere in diesem Teil einige an sich interessante Figuren eher blass oder erhalten nicht genügend Raum. An manchen Stellen hätte ich mir etwas mehr Ausführlichkeit gewünscht und dafür auch gerne noch ein paar Seiten mehr gelesen. Mit den letzten Kapiteln hat mich die Autorin dafür jedoch zumindest ein stückweit entschädigt und den Fokus etwas mehr auf psychologische Tiefe gelegt - und mich mit dem Ende auf angenehme Weise überrascht.
July 29, 2017
I was rather critical of the first book in this series, and couldn't get the second in my local library, so jumped onto the third covering the year 1916. I felt this was a much stronger volume, with CHE back in her familiar territory of well-defined characters in gripping situations, interspersed with interesting historical details.
The early chapters set the scene well and immediately gave the reader the incentive to keep reading. Banker Edward Hunter was finding his widowed client Eloise a haven of peace and calm, whilst his wife Beatrice was more and more withdrawn, with hints of a long held secret (pretty obvious really); Diana was at 20 years old, a widow following the death of her husband in France, whilst her once antagonistic brother-in-law was showing interest in her, but what were his motives? Second son had joined the Royal Flyingh Corps, and youngest daughter Sadie was taking on more responsibility at the stables where she helped train horses for the army. So all in all plenty of potential for some strong storylines to develop. And they did!
A couple of points- on some occasions minor characters featured again, who,we were expected to know without any brief explanation e.g. Antonia, David's friend , but who was she? Aeneas suddenly makes an appearance and I had to refer to the helpful family tree to find he was Edward's brother-in-law'. His sole role seemed to be to illustrate the issue of women moving into the workplace.
In terms of reflecting the war on the home front (the series'theme), the book does focus on the impact of the war on the well to do, who did not appear to be hit financially. There is only one brief section on how other sections of society are living- with housemaid Ethel searching for her sister amongst slum housing.
But overall this was an engrossing read and at times difficult to put down- and it ended on a quietly optmistic note - I can't wait to read the next book four!
The early chapters set the scene well and immediately gave the reader the incentive to keep reading. Banker Edward Hunter was finding his widowed client Eloise a haven of peace and calm, whilst his wife Beatrice was more and more withdrawn, with hints of a long held secret (pretty obvious really); Diana was at 20 years old, a widow following the death of her husband in France, whilst her once antagonistic brother-in-law was showing interest in her, but what were his motives? Second son had joined the Royal Flyingh Corps, and youngest daughter Sadie was taking on more responsibility at the stables where she helped train horses for the army. So all in all plenty of potential for some strong storylines to develop. And they did!
A couple of points- on some occasions minor characters featured again, who,we were expected to know without any brief explanation e.g. Antonia, David's friend , but who was she? Aeneas suddenly makes an appearance and I had to refer to the helpful family tree to find he was Edward's brother-in-law'. His sole role seemed to be to illustrate the issue of women moving into the workplace.
In terms of reflecting the war on the home front (the series'theme), the book does focus on the impact of the war on the well to do, who did not appear to be hit financially. There is only one brief section on how other sections of society are living- with housemaid Ethel searching for her sister amongst slum housing.
But overall this was an engrossing read and at times difficult to put down- and it ended on a quietly optmistic note - I can't wait to read the next book four!
December 1, 2022
The war continues.
This book brings home to you the futility of war, its impact on the Hunter family and their friends.
In this book there is a death, but other characters briefly seen before in book one gave passed as well.
The way all their lives have changed and you feel as if you are a fly on the wall or watching a film or series about them. You feel involved in their lives.
The war years are affecting all of them, not just the children, parents too.
A new romance for Diana, an unusual one. Not typical love match. I hope she finds some proper happiness.
We are lucky in some ways that there are wars going on but not as they were in the first world war. I mean we don't have rationing and shortages of the things we need etc. But those who lived through them were forever changed and these books show how just one family can affect a village, and their interactions are so much more interesting to me than a lot of the current soap operas. You learn so much because of all the research done by Cynthia that we feel we are living each day with the Hunters.
Steady the Buffs and onwards onto book 4.
This book brings home to you the futility of war, its impact on the Hunter family and their friends.
In this book there is a death, but other characters briefly seen before in book one gave passed as well.
The way all their lives have changed and you feel as if you are a fly on the wall or watching a film or series about them. You feel involved in their lives.
The war years are affecting all of them, not just the children, parents too.
A new romance for Diana, an unusual one. Not typical love match. I hope she finds some proper happiness.
We are lucky in some ways that there are wars going on but not as they were in the first world war. I mean we don't have rationing and shortages of the things we need etc. But those who lived through them were forever changed and these books show how just one family can affect a village, and their interactions are so much more interesting to me than a lot of the current soap operas. You learn so much because of all the research done by Cynthia that we feel we are living each day with the Hunters.
Steady the Buffs and onwards onto book 4.
April 27, 2019
War is hell
The second full year ---- 1916 ---- finds Great Britain staggering with small gains in France at a huge cost in men injured and killed. Volunteers are inadequate replacement, and conscription is instituted. The Hunter family is devastated by the death of Bobby, the affable second second son and airman, as well as the overwhelming injury of David, their first son, an officer in the infantry on the front. After Charles Dene's death just weeks before his marriage, Diana Hunter is surprised by Rupert's attention. When Rupert asks Diana to marry him, she accepts and becomes Lady Dene, despite not understanding Rupert's motivation for marriage (there must be an heir or the time the and lands revert to cousins from Canada). Sadie's role as trainer of horses for the army is enlarged to become supervisor of the girls recruited as grooms (to replace the men conscripted). Beatty and Edward Hunter are emotionally estranged.
Complex and engaging, an thoroughly enjoying this series.
The second full year ---- 1916 ---- finds Great Britain staggering with small gains in France at a huge cost in men injured and killed. Volunteers are inadequate replacement, and conscription is instituted. The Hunter family is devastated by the death of Bobby, the affable second second son and airman, as well as the overwhelming injury of David, their first son, an officer in the infantry on the front. After Charles Dene's death just weeks before his marriage, Diana Hunter is surprised by Rupert's attention. When Rupert asks Diana to marry him, she accepts and becomes Lady Dene, despite not understanding Rupert's motivation for marriage (there must be an heir or the time the and lands revert to cousins from Canada). Sadie's role as trainer of horses for the army is enlarged to become supervisor of the girls recruited as grooms (to replace the men conscripted). Beatty and Edward Hunter are emotionally estranged.
Complex and engaging, an thoroughly enjoying this series.
November 12, 2017
Once again I enjoyed the at home perspective of WWI, as things move from volunteering to conscription; from being done by Christmas to dragging on to four or more years. The challenges of needing more munitions and men, and the jobs at home traditionally belonging to men now being filled by women. The losses - of businesses built up that had to be left behind; sons and husbands killed in battles; limbs and dreams due to the brokenness of bodies and minds. The thrills of new experiences and victories and the horrors of trench warfare and defeat.
All this revealed through the lives of the Hunter family and those in their intimate circle of family, friends, household and community.
Well told!
Looking forward to the next installment!
All this revealed through the lives of the Hunter family and those in their intimate circle of family, friends, household and community.
Well told!
Looking forward to the next installment!
October 12, 2018
This, the 3rd book in the War at Home series is set in 1916 and it is when the war starts really hitting the Hunter family. The way that Harrod Eagles develops the story and the reaction to the turn of events is superb. Away from the conflict the story of Ethel comes front and centre and it is a heart wrenching tale. Uncomfortable parallels with the life of another character expose a secret that has laid dormant for many years. Edward and Beattie, the anxious parents have the worry of two sons in service whilst fighting with temptation that one tries desperately to resist and the other doesn't think twice. Definitely a darker book than the previous two as befits the darkest period of the war. This is an incredible series and I can't wait to read 1917.
April 23, 2022
I struggled with this book in the series. It didn’t keep my interest other than when Sadie or David came up. I could really care less about the others. I hope they both get their happy endings. Another thing that annoyed me was normally I enjoy when an author brings detail into things I know little to nothing about. However, this time I was bored! I didn’t feel any attachment to the scenes if they weren’t directly connected to a character. This author is a good writer and very thorough so I will continue the series because I want to see what’s next for David and Sadie. I do hope though there is more showing instead of telling in some places. I would still recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
September 9, 2021
Wonderful English Family Saga
This is the 3rd book in a series of about the Hunter family. Their story begins in 1914 before the beginning of the Great War. The characters are well crafted. I have laughed & cried esp in this volume. My favorite character is Nailor. I laugh or chuckle at each of his antics. There are 8 members in the Hunter family as well as their servants, neighbors & friends whose lives intermingle. These books grab your attention & are hard to put down. I consider this a series of must read. If you liked/loved Downton Abbey you will be as enthralled with this saga.
This is the 3rd book in a series of about the Hunter family. Their story begins in 1914 before the beginning of the Great War. The characters are well crafted. I have laughed & cried esp in this volume. My favorite character is Nailor. I laugh or chuckle at each of his antics. There are 8 members in the Hunter family as well as their servants, neighbors & friends whose lives intermingle. These books grab your attention & are hard to put down. I consider this a series of must read. If you liked/loved Downton Abbey you will be as enthralled with this saga.
September 24, 2021
The War at Home series continues through 1916. Things are grim in Britain, and everyone is affected by the war. All feel the pain, young and old, rich and poor. The role of women becomes more important. I was particularly intrigued by the munitionettes. They were essential in manufacturing ammunition using TNT--highly dangerous work, risking their lives. Working with sulfuric acid turned their skin yellow and caused a metallic taste in their mouths--earned them the name Canary Girls. On average 2 munitionettes died a week. The families in the book all have to adapt to the changes in their lives. A good addition to the series.
August 30, 2020
Now it's 1916 and the third book involving the Hunter family. Diana is still grieving the loss of her fiancee, Charles. Bobby is learning how to be a pilot and is absolutely thrilled when he finally is allowed to go up in a plane. He spends his time off reading and learning whatever he can about the different planes and soon excels in his chosen field. Daniel, the eldest is fighting at the front in France.
Ethel, the housemaid quits and goes on a quest to find her true mother.
Sadie continues to spend her time at the nearby farm helping train horses to work at the front line in France. She occasionally sees the veterinarian, Dr. Courcey when he is sent back in England for one reason or another.
Beattie and Edward seem to be drifting apart and Edward doesn't know how to bridge the gap.
Life goes on and with so many characters in the book, one simply wants to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next episode so, I'm looking forward to book #4 in the series.
Ethel, the housemaid quits and goes on a quest to find her true mother.
Sadie continues to spend her time at the nearby farm helping train horses to work at the front line in France. She occasionally sees the veterinarian, Dr. Courcey when he is sent back in England for one reason or another.
Beattie and Edward seem to be drifting apart and Edward doesn't know how to bridge the gap.
Life goes on and with so many characters in the book, one simply wants to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next episode so, I'm looking forward to book #4 in the series.
October 4, 2021
3.5 stars. 1916. How the war is affecting the family, friends, relatives, and servants of the Hunter family throughout its third year. Bobby is thrilled to train as a pilot, while his mother Beattie unexpected encounters an old friend. Diana makes a surprising decision (an may have shocks in store for her). While some details of the fighting are included, the focus is on the war at home.
October 8, 2024
This one would have had 4 stars, but, alas, I’m disappointed that Edward and Beattie have not pulled it together. I really wish they would patch up their relationship because I’ve really had enough of their extramarital storylines. I’ve had to gloss over a number of pages bc I’m just not interested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
Like everything of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles', a bloody good read. Never trite or predictable, never either brutal or too sweet, masterfully written, superbly plotted, with characters we can identify with, who seem real. She has done her historical homework, too.
Just so good, she makes it look easy. I'm glad she has written a zillion books, because I can't get enough.
Just so good, she makes it look easy. I'm glad she has written a zillion books, because I can't get enough.
February 9, 2018
Quite enjoyable even though a couple of the characters are rather unbelievable. The irritating thing is the narrator has changed on the audio book. Much prefer the previous one who made the characters more likeable!
July 26, 2019
I have only discovered the author this year, but so far, she always manages to get the reader to invest in her characters. Add this talent to the well researched historical backgrounds and you have a novel that fully engages on all fronts.
March 4, 2017
I love this series and it should be read in order. The Hunter family is revealed as more complicated with each book. I will be waiting and looking forward for 1917 to be released!
December 2, 2017
Poor bobby, and David is a bit wet. Ethel and Laura are the best chas in the series. I think che has too many characters for these books, which are much shorter than her usual epics.
April 9, 2018
Cynthia continues to entertain with her well moving stories and interesting writing style.
June 3, 2018
The series continues...just as comfortable as Downton Abbey was...still fun.
January 22, 2019
Fiction
December 12, 2018
Excellent, book three in the series, 4.5 stars.
July 2, 2020
Makes WW I on the home front so real...
February 11, 2021
My favorite of the series so far. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews