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Set in Edwardian Portsmouth, this is the enchanting story of a girl who has to choose between an exciting secret love and the boy everyone thinks she will marry.
Beautiful Fidelis McCauley instantly falls for handsome Lieutenant Daniel Herrick when he rescues her hat from blowing away during the triumphant celebrations marking the return of his ship. Fidelis is determined to escape her treadmill existence and her chance meeting with Daniel seems to open new doors for her.
But loving Daniel is risky – his father, a marine colonel, will disown his son if he finds out about his secret affair with a servant girl. And will Daniel, who has grown accustomed to his privileged background, be willing give up everything for the one he loves?
Meanwhile Fidelis has already promised her hand to a childhood friend Harry, drifting into the engagement to please his family whose house was a second home while she was growing up. But Harry is far away in India with the Royal Marines.
Beautiful Fidelis McCauley instantly falls for handsome Lieutenant Daniel Herrick when he rescues her hat from blowing away during the triumphant celebrations marking the return of his ship. Fidelis is determined to escape her treadmill existence and her chance meeting with Daniel seems to open new doors for her.
But loving Daniel is risky – his father, a marine colonel, will disown his son if he finds out about his secret affair with a servant girl. And will Daniel, who has grown accustomed to his privileged background, be willing give up everything for the one he loves?
Meanwhile Fidelis has already promised her hand to a childhood friend Harry, drifting into the engagement to please his family whose house was a second home while she was growing up. But Harry is far away in India with the Royal Marines.
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Reviews
A vividly told and heartwarming saga.
A pulsating and heart-warming saga peopled with human and compelling characters and with convincing dialogue . . . a rich first novel.
A rich first novel . . . packed with interesting people living what might appear to be mundane lives, but of course they are not. We get an insight into the lives of the families of sailors, their good and bad fortune, their ups and downs. Decent people who we want to win through.
Here's a great excuse to put your feet up and escape into a world which celebrates Portsmouth's past...It's really well worth the read
Julia Bryant creates a vivid picture of Portsmouth in the final years and aftermath of the "Great" War of 1914-1918, weaving it into a story that pulses with the warm blood of humanity.
Fresh and thoughtful.