As someone who was born and raised in Dover & a huge fan of historical fiction, I was really excited to read this book. I just couldn’t warm to Marianne at all... which I think is why I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to.
The local references were excellent & it was easy for me to picture the places described.

The story starts strong with an impactful prologue but it was up and down for me throughout the book, I had guessed the twist re: Robert’ so that wasn’t a shocker, it’s not a gripping book but it’s a nice read and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series as they are published.

Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Its 1939 in Dover and Castle's Café is run by Nellie Castle and her six children.

Since the birth of her son ten years ago, Marianne, Nellie's eldest daughter, works in the kitchen which she prefers away from the towns gossipers.

One thing she’s never done due to shame, is that she’s never revealed the identity of Donny's father - even to her own mother.

But, now with World War II just around the corner, pretty soon Marianne's past catches up with her. Making the lives of the Castle family become a lot more complicated.

Will past secrets destroy the future???

Looking forward to the next book.

Omg what a brilliant book. Family saga, wartime these are definitely my kind of books. All about the Castle family cant wait to read the next one