Anyone who enjoyed my book The Occupation will also enjoy this book by Liz Harris which gives a different and fascinating account of WW2 and how it affected the islanders of Jersey.
This is the first in a series of books about three sisters, and Rose, the first in the series is easy to warm to, as she makes the transition from urban life in England to a farm on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands with her new husband Tom. Working on a farm before the advent of mechanisation is not easy, and through the book we learn more about farming life – the planting and harvesting of the famous Jersey potatoes and the work involved in maintaining the herds of Jersey cows.
Rose’s main antagonist is her new sister-in-law Kathleen who sets out to deliberately make Rose’s life hell. This is bad enough, but then Jersey is invaded by Nazi forces, and her life in Jersey begins to change. Kathleen gets a new boyfriend, one of the attractive young German soldiers stationed on the island, and this gives rise to much antagonism from other islanders. Things are made worse when Rose and Kathleen, sworn enemies, are taken to a camp in Germany because they are not native to Jersey. This for me was the best part of the book as it was something I knew nothing about and found interesting to discover. The novel is impeccably researched, and all the detail of life in Jersey and in the women’s internment camp, is brought brilliantly to life.
This is a book suitable for anyone who likes a romance with plenty of history. There are no graphic depictions of war or atrocities, and yet Liz Harris seems to keep them simmering in the background to give a shifting sense of unease. Highly recommended for lovers of romantic historical fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK
From award-winning author Liz Harris comes the first in the sweeping epic series Three Sisters, in which each book tells the story of one of the three Hammond girls.
The Loose Thread is Rose’s story.
Early in 1938, with the threat of WW2 little more than a shadow on the horizon, Rose Hammond marries Tom Benest, whom she hardly knows, and leaves London to go to live with Tom on his family’s farm in Jersey. There, she’s welcomed by his parents as she attempts to adjust to her new life, but meets with open hostility from Tom’s sister, Kathleen.
Less than two years later, the lives of the family are turned upside down when Jersey is cut loose from British protection. The Germans move in and seize control of the island, forcing the islanders into a perilous situation that will test their endurance and resourcefulness.
As the German Occupation tightens its grip on life on the island, Tom and Rose are torn apart in a situation of unimaginable heartbreak, which calls for the greatest of courage, and a powerful determination to survive.
A gripping, heart-breaking story of life in occupied Jersey during WWII from the author of Darjeeling Inheritance and The Road Back. Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy, Santa Montefiore and Kate Furnivall.
BUY THE BOOKABOUT LIZ HARRIS
After graduating in Law in the UK, Liz moved to California where she led a varied life – from cocktail waitressing on Sunset Strip to secretary to the CEO of a large Japanese trading company. Upon returning to England, she completed a degree in English and then taught for a number of years before developing her writing career. Her most recent novels, DARJEELING INHERITANCE, COCHIN FALL, HANOI SPRING and SIMLA MIST comprise THE COLONIALS. Each is a standalone set in a different location, with different characters, in different years.
