Heartache at Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm #2

by Rosie Clarke

Discover Rosie Clarke's bestselling Blackberry Farm series!

A story of life and survival during the war which is heart-rending and bitter-sweet, bringing you laughter and tears.

Cambridgeshire – 1941

As the war rages on in Europe, it brings untold heartache to the Talbot family at Blackberry Farm.

First Tom is missing in action and then his brother John. leaving the family distraught with worry.

Faith finds herself in trouble and turns to Lizzie for support as fear and grief bring them closer together.

But tragedy is never too far away and when it strikes, it may not be those who fight that suffer the most.

Will Pam’s prayers be answered and will both her sons return home?

And can the family at Blackberry Farm unite to overcome their heartache and find hope for the future?

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, British Literature

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, I was a bit nervous starting this book. Somehow, (somehow!?) it has been over a year since I read the first book. As readers know, leaving it so long between books in a series can make it difficult to get back into the characters. Secondly, I thought the first book was a bit “safe” so was hoping that in this one, the writer mixed things up again.

I had no need to worry.

Yes, it took me a couple of chapters to remember the different characters and their connections, but it wasn’t too long before I was whizzing through the story and really enjoying seeing what happens next to the family at Blackberry Farm. The war has progressed and readers follow the characters over a rocky year which sees love, loss and heartache (no surprise, considering the title of the book). I found the story really interesting and felt invested in the characters. The writer combines love and heartache, leaving the plot open-ended and whetting my appetite enough that I know it won’t be another twelve months (I hope!) before I read the next book.

Undoubtedly, I think the story is a bit darker this time. Seeing as the war is in full flow, we observe the vulnerabilities of the soldiers and the family left behind. Furthermore, the despicable Ralph seems to have upped his game in this book and I enjoyed the unpredictability of his character, with the writer adding surprises that I did not expect. It definitely made the book even more unputdownable.

The warmth at Blackberry Farm is endearing and I think I was with the characters, constantly drawn to the heart of the house – Pam Talbot’s kitchen! She is such a lovely character and despite the sadness that lurks in the corners of her life, she has the inner strength to carry on for everybody. She symbolises the hope that was needed in such dark times and the farm as a whole offers that escapism needed whilst the war raged on.

A great read and highly recommended. It can be read as a stand-alone but I thought knowing a bit more about the characters from book one really helped grasp the different loyalties. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the advance read of this book.
Having read and enjoyed the first in the series, I was delighted to get a chance to read and review this one, the second in series, which could easily be read as a standalone. Rosie Clarke has created such heartwarming characters and a perfect setting of Blackberry Farm and I look forward to the next in the series.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually the second book in a series, but I came into this without having read the first and found I was able to follow everything well enough, so its definitely fine to be read standalone.

The writing style is very easy and nice to get into quickly. It made the book an enjoyable one for me and I think the time period has been very well described so the reader feels like they are right there in that time with these characters.

This is the first novel I've read by this author but I liked it and will consider reading more.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Enough characters with their own stories to keep the reader interested and written in such a way as to be believable and to become invested in them. Full of love but also heartache and disappointment with the inevitable casualties of war time but an equal mix of happiness added to counteract the sadness. Now I've found this it's time to read the first in the series and then the rest of the series.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this lovely book

this is my second visit to blackberry farm and hopefully not my last...it was lovely to catch up with all the characters in the book and to see where we are with them all, luckily it starts not long after the first book finished

trials and tribulations abound in this book with the war advancing and heartache visit the farm for the family

cant wait for the next book in this lovely series

[maureen s. o'brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read as part of a British series about WWII. An historical novel.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

It's been so long since I read the first book in this series I had to go back to my review of it to refresh my memory. But then Rosie Clarke is such a prolific writer with her Harpers and Mulberry Lane series not to mention her standalones and now the Blackberry Farm series! It didn't take me long to catch up with everyone there and it was like coming home. Except I didn't have to get the dirt from the farm under my fingernails and over my clothes to do so.

It's 1940 and war has been raging for a year as we rejoin Pam and Arthur Talbolt at Blackberry Farm with both their grown and younger children. Tom and Lizzie have married, their youngest John is courting young nurse Faith whilst he is training in the RAF while son Artie remains on the farm helping his father with the aid of a couple of Land Girls. Their sisters Susan and Angela are preparing for uni and studying at school respectively. Also in their clan is Land Girl Jeanie Salmons, whom Lizzie met in London in the first book and Jeanie's baby niece Tina whose mother died in a gas explosion at their flat whilst her father Terry was recuperating in hospital from war wounds.

But Pam loves nothing more than a full house and cooking for everyone, ensuring their well fed and looked after. And she loves having little Tina in the house. Arthur has been building a house on the edge of the farm for Tom and Lizzie to live in and it is nearly complete. Lizzie has been buying what furnishings she can whilst Tom has been away fighting and can't wait until she and Tom can have their own home. But then Tom goes missing while on a mission but both Lizzie and Pam believe he is still alive.

Young nurse Faith has been stepping out with John Talbolt and while the two of them agreed to wait until the war was over to marry, they soon discover that anything can happen in conflict and that time is precious. John feels Faith has put nursing ahead of him when she moves away to a military hospital making their time spent together few and far between. But when John is declared missing over Germany, Faith finds herself in trouble and turns to Lizzie for support.

Meanwhile, Tom and Lizzie's nemesis Ralph Harris returns with revenge in mind but how does he plan on playing that out? As an added complexity to the story, Ralph is also Faith's uncle and does not mince words when letting Faith know his feelings towards her intended, nor Lizzie and Tom. But she has no idea why he dislikes the Talbolts so much as they have always been good to her, particularly when she finds herself in trouble and turns to them for support.

There is so much more to this story than I have touched on that will envelop you. War touches the lives of everyone changing some people's outlook and even the moral code of the day. People grab happiness where they can for they only have now, in that moment, as tomorrow isn't guaranteed. People live, fall in love, give birth and die. Tragedy comes in all forms.

I loved revisiting these heartwarming characters once again and I hope we don't have to wait as long to see them again. I can almost smell the home cooking in Pam's cooking and taste her succulent meals made with meagre rations and what they grew on the farm. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them once again and found myself completely invested within all their lives.

Blackberry Farm and the Talbolts welcomes us all with open arms, including the reader and I loved my time there with them. I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book and this series so far but if you enjoy Rosie's other series and pretty much this type of wartime fiction, then you will love HEARTACHE AT BLACKBERRY FARM as well as the series.

A thoroughly enjoyable and easy read I highly recommend.

I would like to thank #RosieClarke, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #HeartacheAtBlackberryFarm in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Rosie's work for a few years now. I haven't caught up with everything that she has written which is something that I hope to rectify fairly soon. I love every book that Rosie has released but I must admit that I have a particular fondness for her new series set at 'Blackberry Farm'. I read and loved the first book in the series called 'War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm' so when I heard that Rosie was due to release the second book in the series, I knew that I had to read it as soon as I could get my hands on a copy. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the second book in the 'Blackberry Farm' series is called 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm' and it was released on 5th October 2022. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm' but more about that in a bit.

Seeing Rosie's name and 'Blackberry Farm' on the cover of a book was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I started reading 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm', I knew that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the afternoon. I found it impossible to put this book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. At one point the pages were turning that quickly it was almost as if they were turning themselves and the page numbers became a blur. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm'. I found 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm' to be a gripping and emotional story which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.

'Heartache At Blackberry Farm' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Rosie Clarke. Rosie has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Rosie's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Rosie has clearly done a lot of research into the time period covered by this story and this shines through in the quality of the story and makes the story seem more authentic. Rosie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I always find that the sign of a good book is when I go through the same emotions that the characters go through and I 'live' the story as if it were real. That's exactly what happened with 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm'. Rosie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Heartache At Blackberry Farm' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. Rosie is a superb author of historical fiction and I look forward to reading much more of her work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartache at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is another episode in the lives of the folks at Blackberry Farm. Lizzie and Tom are married. Lizzie has opened her own hair salon and the house Arthur is having built for them is nearly finished. Tom is off fighting, no one knows where. They rarely hear from him until the missing-in-action-presumed-dead telegram arrives. Ralph, the man who had raped Lizzie, has escaped from London after murdering some gangland toughs. He has enlisted and is now working as a bartender in the officer’s club on base. Of course, he is up to no good. His niece, Faith, is training as a nurse and has fallen completely in love with John, Tom’s younger brother. They plan to wait to consummate their love until their wedding night, but as often happens, they jumped the gun, causing a certain amount of strife. Pam, the boys’ mother, remains at home with her daughters, stalwart, always available. Would this war ever end?

Clarke writes these multi-book sagas about the war, but focusing on the home front. They are totally character driven and provide a personalized glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people, like you and me. Pam is everyone’s mother. She is a farm wife and a good one. She loves her family fiercely as well as the extra people who become part of the family as life progresses. Her husband, Arthur, is quiet, but always supportive. Lizzie loves Tom fiercely and never gives up hope that he will will return, alive and well. Faith is young, and she is struggling to find her place in the world. She loves John but she waffles in how to handle their relationship. This is before women worked after they were married, mostly, and she really wants to be a nurse. If you love being submerged in people’s lives, this is the book (series) (author) for you. I love it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Heartache at Blackberry Farm by Boldwood, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Boldwood #RosieClarke #HeartacheAtBlackberryFarm

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartache At Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is a marvellous historical novel. It is part of the Blackberry Farm series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order so you can track character progression.
We catch up with the action in 1940. The war has very much been established as young men are away at war and land girls are working on the farm.
Blackberry Farm welcomes all with open arms, including the reader. The farmhouse takes in all who need shelter, love and care. The welcome is as warm as the fireplace. The farm is busy but never too busy to support those in need.
War is terrible. Husbands, brothers, sons all go off to war – but not all return. Those who do may well be injured but loved ones are just happy to see them again.
The reader follows three main elements – the farm, soldiers and nursing. Everyone plays their part in the war effort.
Lives still continue in war – people still fall in love, give birth, and die. The reader witnesses the two differing points of view when it comes to unmarried mothers. Some heap on shame and guilt, others see the baby as a beautiful gift to be treasured. There is much love and support given to those in need.
War changes the moral code of the day. Life and happiness are grabbed where they can. We only have the moment, tomorrow is not guaranteed.
I loved catching up with familiar faces. Rosie Clarke has created a wonderful set of characters. I ‘lived’ the action, so much so that at one stage I literally yelled ‘no!’ as the turn of events shocked me. At another stage I punched the air and yelled ‘yes!’ I was definitely invested in the lives of the characters.
With emotions all over the place, I thoroughly enjoyed Heartache At Blackberry Farm. It was a terrific read that I can recommend.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWII is raging and people in Cambridgeshire, England are living in constant fear, especially when it comes to wondering whether their loved ones will return from war injured...or at all. During such times many difficult decisions must be made. As always, Rosie Clarke beautifully introduces historical bits such as clothing styles, food (rationing) and social expectations to make her stories really come to life.

Heartache at Talbot's Blackberry Farm could not be more aptly named as it is full of sorrow, mental and physical suffering, anguish, shame and even crime. But there is also love, determination and hope. No one is exempt from problems from young men missing in action in war, difficult workplaces, manipulative people and simply doing what it takes to survive. War changes everyone. Pam's sons Tom and John have enlisted and she is on tenterhooks wondering when she will see them next. Faith finds her calling and love. Lizzie is worried about her husband in the war, too. Waiting for word is impossible to fathom. Faith's Uncle Ralph is bitter and resentful. The cast of characters is varied but Faith is my favourite in this story.

Not only are the plots and subplots gripping but the unexpected twists are as well. The ending introduces many possibilities for the next in the series. I'm vey curious! I enjoyed familiar characters from the first book but also like "meeting" new ones.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this lovely series, one which all Historical Fiction readers should consider adding to their reading lists. Those who are new to the genre ought to start with a series such as this.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new historical saga series from the marvelous Rosie Clarke. The second book in the series, Heartache at Blackberry Farm can be read as a standalone. I will say that if you read this on its own, I can guarantee you will want to read the first, just because this author's storytelling us so good.

I have never read a bad book from Rosie Clarke so knew I would be in for a proper treat with this one. Set in the 1940s with the war meaning the men are away and there are land girls working on the farm now. Blackberry Farm is the one constant for everyone still, even through sadness and hard times.

Another series with characters that make you feel like you could be sat having a brew with them, as friends. Rosie Clarke has that skill. She brings characters who the reader can invest in, no matter which series. Heartache at Blackberry Farm meant I got to catch up with the Talbots, and everyone around them. The War is making its mark on everyone as the story unfolds,and I was as bereft as the characters. They tugged on my heartstrings so easily, I was that invested in them all.

A historical saga with warmth emanating from the pages. This is a perfect example of why I love Rosie Clarke's writing. The reader feels like they are welcomed by the characters and the setting is so well researched and vividly detailed that you can't help but be transported back to the War years.

This is yet another series/book I have to recommend to any historical saga fiction readers out there!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books.

[Nancy L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second installment in Rosie Clarke’s Blackberry Farm series, and I enjoyed this book as much as the first, War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm. We meet many of the same characters as in the first book—Pam Talbot, her husband Arthur, and their sons, Tom, John and Artie. (Tom is actually Arthur’s stepson, his father Tommy having been killed in WWI). Faith Goodjohn, John’s girlfriend and later fiancee, figures prominently in the story.

The book begins in July 1940, and the War figures prominently in the book in terms not only of the characters—Lizzie’s former landlady, Vera, her son Terry, injured in the war, and Pam’s sons, land girls Nancy and Jeanie—but in the daily life of Britons. I could easily picture how it was for average people to live, coping with petrol and food rationing (can Pam find certain ingredients to bake a cake, for example?), short supplies of furniture, even “knicker elastic” to repair ladies’ undies! Since the book is set in a time before I was born, the details of wartime living in Britain were fascinating to me.

As well, the social more of a woman becoming pregnant outside marriage, and whether she could still find a job being considered a “loose woman,” was of great interest and another example of how societal values have changed.

My thanks to #NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series. Rosie Clarke is a “must-read” author for me!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the tale of the Talbot family at Blackberry farm and first there son Tom goes missing in action then his brother John is missing presumed dead. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone as I have and Rosie writes so well that it is quite easy to pick up on the characters and scenes. I didn't feel like I had missed anything at all.

This is my favourite type of book from the first sentence I felt immersed in another world and found myself really feeling for the characters and I felt there joy and there heartache right with them. Rosie has a unique way with words that I adore. This is a particular saga which I think will stay with me for a long time and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

There was a bit in this which I was awestruck with a shock that I didn't see coming but I won't say anymore on that as it would be a spoiler.
If you enjoy sagas and historical fiction then you will thoroughly enjoy this , I certainly did.

[InsomniacBookwormBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read any of Rosie Clarke's books when I was offered a Boldwood tour spot, however I am so glad I decided to read this. (It is a continuation of a series but I managed to pick up the narrative without reading the previous novel).

It was so beautifully written, I am not a regular historical fiction reader but I was obsessed with this. The book was so immersive, it felt like you were in the era as you read it. The characters are so well rounded, this makes it so easy to feel the emotions they feel throughout the book. I love this so much I wanted the next installment the minute I finished, I need to know what happened after the end of this.
#HeartacheatBlackberryFarm @bookandtonic

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the BlackBerry Farm series and it was an absolutely wonderful read. I read the first book right before I started this one as I always like to read book series in order, however this second book reads perfectly well as a stand alone. The author gives us lots of information in this second book so it’s very easy to follow and understand all the characters. Rosie Clarke is to me such a wonderful writer and as I was reading this book I actually felt I was right there in the midst of everything and everyone. You know how when you start a book and after the first page you feel ‘settled’ into the story , well that is exactly how I felt about this wonderful read. A book I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction sagas 5⭐️

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Second in the series however Heartache at blackberry farm is easy to read as a standalone.
Its story has warmth and love and easily skips along at a gentle pace.
It was nice to catch up with the characters and felt like I'd never been away as the story continued on beautifully, such a clever writer.
There are moments in the book to keep the reader interested both happy and not so but this makes the book all the more interesting.
Set in the 1940's war is running riot over England, men are being sent to war, and women are working the land and munitions factories.
Great story, really enjoyable.

[Greenreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the first book and I don't read sagas so this was a bit of a departure for me. I haven't managed to read the whole book. From what I have read I would say that you probably can read it as a standalone novel but would get more out of it if you have read the first book. Clearly a lot happened in 'War clouds' that is significant to the second book. There are obviously some complicated relationships and nefarious activities that would make for an interesting story. I am not sure if I am persuaded to delve into into saga but the book has some glowing reviews so I think it would be a good one for fans of the genre.

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

Continuing on from book one, this book is about Faith and her relationship with John Talbot. But he goes missing, presumed dead, Faith is pregnant and leaves Portsmouth to move in with the Talbots. Her mother refuses to speak to her etc and her uncle is very angry with her too. Ralph Harris doesn't like the Talbots and is not above anything....
Tom also gets injured but he returns to the army to train future special forces teams.
More to come in book three.
Highly recommended especially during the long winter evenings.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read lots of Rosie Clarke’s novels and they never fail to amaze me - Heartache at Blackberry Farm was no exception. This is the second book in the BlackBerry Farm series; Tom and John are away fighting for their country, Faith, (married to Tom) is living with Pam and Arthur and their daughter Susan, as well as a couple of Land Girls. Artie, their youngest son, is helping them on the farm. Rosie always delivers a fabulous story which also tells us a little history. Brilliant read

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie Clarke is a favourite historical fiction author of mine. I have reviewed other series of hers and this is a new series for me. As always, her style is immersive and she's knowledgable about time periods in history. Family dynamics and community are themes and the farm was a great setting. I'd like to review more books in the series.

Thanks to Rosie Clarke, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this series so far and I love the author and her writing style. This book just didn’t disappoint and I finished the book wanting more from the series and I just didn’t want the story to end. I loved being back with the characters and back on Blackberry Farm, I just find this series so welcoming and it brings so much comfort when I’m read these books. I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to carry on with the next one!

[Barbara Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. It's just not about a farm. It's about how people are coping while their loved ones are away at war. It makes you laugh,cry, and be sad when they are. You will feel for the characters in this book they are relatable.
This book was approved for me to read and review by netgalley and the publisher.

[Carol Mageean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first Blackberry Farm book, book 2 did not disappoint like meeting up with old friends. Really great book continuing the tale during world war 2 and life at the farm. Strong characters and a meaty storyline what more could you want. Really enjoyed and would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve absolutely loved both books in this series from Blackberry Farm. Rosie writes the characters so believable that you go through all the ups and downs with them. I look forward to reading what happens next as the book definitely leaves you wanting more from these characters. I highly recommend this book.

[jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Rosie Clarke

Loved Heartache at Blackberry Farm thought l had it all worked out Rosie Clarke had me fooled. Definitely an absolute good read , a book that had me laughing ,crying as well as being a thoroughly amazing read. I would so love to live there. Thank you Rosie

[Pat Fairbairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow up book is a beautiful story with a lot of happiness and laughter and a lot of heartache, loved reading it, Rosie Clark is a fantastic author I am a huge fan and I hope there will be a folloepw up about the rest of the family

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Folks of BlackBerry Farm

Rosie Clarke..is a great writer..Bringing Back the Folks of BlackBerry Farm..Along with the hopes and dreams..heart aches and Troubles..Along with a few miracles. All while fighting World War II.

[ann pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely story

Sometimes you like a book that takes you away, this is one of those. I love the day to day details and the love of this family despite its problems. I recommend it to anyone who wants to leave these troubled times for a while. I hope there’s a sequel

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book as I have all of Rosie's books but I do find it repetitive . She does keep on about the same thing rather a lot which is unnecessary as once is enough, we get the message