The English Wife

by Adrienne Chinn

Two women, a world apart. A secret waiting to be discovered…

VE Day 1945: As victory bells ring out across the country, war bride Ellie Burgess’ happiness is overshadowed by grief. Her charismatic Newfoundlander husband Thomas is still missing in action.

Until a letter arrives explaining Thomas is back at home on the other side of the Atlantic recovering from his injuries.

Travelling to a distant country to live with a man she barely knows is the bravest thing Ellie has ever had to do. But nothing can prepare her for the harsh realities of her new home…

September 11th 2001: Sophie Parry is on a plane to New York on the most tragic day in the city’s history. While the world watches the news in horror, Sophie’s flight is rerouted to a tiny town in Newfoundland and she is forced to seek refuge with her estranged aunt Ellie.

Determined to discover what it was that forced her family apart all those years ago, newfound secrets may change her life forever…

This is a timeless story of love, sacrifice and resilience perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Lorna Cook and Gill Paul.

What readers are saying about The English Wife:

‘An emotive and engaging read’ Rosanna Ley

‘Rich, evocative and utterly immersive, this beautifully written book swept me away’ Jenny Ashcroft

“An epic tale of family, tragedy & love… I highly recommend this book!!” Books, Wine, Cats 5*

“The sense of suspense makes this story a page turner! Highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a WWII era book without all of the historical stuff” To Read is to Breathe, 5*

“I couldn’t put it down. It was not your typical historical novel & I think that’s what I loved about it. Great book!” Dabbookclub, 4*

“A book that drew me in from the first pages! The characters come alive, they’re so well written. Fans of historic fiction will love this story. An author to follow” Consumer review, 4*

• ISBN13: 9780008314583
• Publish Date: 25 June 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: One More Chapter
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 448
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Lynn]

The English Wife is a captivating novel about two women and how their lives are intertwined. 

As a reader, I'm always cautious when I pick up a novel when duel times lines are involved because quite often I feel overwhelmed trying to remember names and details. I needn't have worried about The English Wife as Ms Chinn has produced an easy to follow narrative which also includes multiply points of view too. The novel has two distinct parts. The first follows Ellie's life in Norwich during World War II and Sophie's unscheduled arrival in Newfoundland in 2001. Part two focuses on Ellie's life after she arrives in Newfoundland in 1946, and Sophie's second visit back to the island in 2011. 

Tippy's Tickle, what a wonderful place it is. The descriptions bring the place alive making it easy to visualise the rugged landscape and to see it through the eyes of Ellie as she arrived in Newfoundland after travelling thousands of miles from Norwich. I enjoyed learning about the lifestyles of the habitants and the history. Mostly I appreciated how Ellie's life evolved away from her family and the people she surrounded herself with.

Family drama, secrets and the complexities of relationships. The English Wife is emotionally charged, with tragedy and heartbreak as well as regret and sacrifice as the lives of Ellie and Sophie collide in an unexpected way. The outcome gives both women closure in what turns out to be a complicated situation and highlights that actions have consequences. The narrative begins slowly, but there's a gradual increase in pace building to a satisfying but bitter-sweet outcome. 

Overall, expect to embark on an emotional journey full of twists and turns in this beautifully written, engaging novel. 

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of 0ne More Chapter via NetGalley***