A superb story that will have you piecing the puzzle together from the start. As we meet Jack who stumbles across Gwen whilst trying to get away from his home town, you never anticipate the twists and turns this story will take as we jump between 1939 and 1945.

In 1945 we meet Gwen as she works to keep the family farm running as the end of the war approaches with the help of her land girl Nora whilst bringing up her little boy Tom.

As this story progresses we get to know how Gwen and Jack initially met and the events that occurred for both of them in 1939 in the lead up to war being announced.

A superb step back in time that kept me intrigued as I wanted to know how events had lead to the events that consequently took place.

Anita Frank has a wonderfully descriptive writing style, that makes her books thoroughly enjoyable.

Jack has run away from the North East and ends up working on a farm in the South where he meets Gwen and her son. As war is declared Jack joins up promising Gwen that he will never return but why?
An enjoyable read with a mystery.

really enjoyed the dual timeline of this novel, set in 1939 just before war breaks out and also in 1945 as the war has ended.

When Jack turns up out of nowhere and saves Gwen after she falls from her horse, her father gives him a job working on their farm. He is a hard worker and willing to learn. He is running from his past in Newcastle, and can never return. All Jack wants from life is somewhere to call home. And Gwen, who sadly does not reciprocate his feelings.

Gwen is besotted by the wealthy and charismatic Gordon, fully expecting he will marry her now that she is pregnant with his child. When he announces his engagement to another woman she is devastated but Jack steps up to protect her reputation. Not long after, he goes off to war promising he will never return as that will be best for everyone.

At the end of the war, Jack breaks his promise and returns to the farm hoping to find a home and a family but he is not welcomed with open arms as he had hoped.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s last book, The Lost Ones, and although I was expecting this one to be a similar ghost type story it was completely different but I enjoyed it just as much but for different reasons.

The characters were very well written and the hard life running a farm in those years was made very obvious.

Completely absorbing.

Thank you HQ and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

There's an undeniable predictability to this story as it deals with some of life's eternal struggles. In the end I enjoyed it more than I initially thought I would.

As the end of World War II in Europe dawns, Gwen is not expecting her husband, Jack, to return. After a marriage of convenience on her side, Jack promised that should he survive the war, he would not return home, & Gwen is praying that he keeps that promise. Meanwhile Jack has indeed survived, he still loves Gwen & decides that he has to return to see if her feelings have changed in the previous six years.

The story wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, there's not much about the actual war in book at all, but I became caught up in the narrative & ended up really enjoying it. The main characters of Jack & Gwen were, on the whole, easy to identify with for the reader, although I didn't like Gwen as much as I liked Jack. There was more romance in this book than the books I normally read, but it was well-written & not overly dramatic, so I rather liked it. I found myself rooting for Jack to win Gwen over.

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Poignant and heart-warming. Jack returns from war a changed man. Before he left, he promised never to return to his family. Gradually, via a dual time-line, the reason for this is revealed as he tries to win them back. The descriptions of farming life are beautiful and the strong class system in the area is an integral part of the story. It's quite a long book, so allow plenty of time to enjoy it. Great for Remembrance Day.

3,5* rounded to 4
I think it's a good historical fiction and I liked the character development, the descriptions of the life on a farm and wanted to learned what happened to cause the drama.
Unfortunately it's very slow paced and my mind wandered.
Not my cup of tea but I'm surely it will be appreciated by a lot of people.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book drew me in from the beginning. I have always been a fan of stories that intertwine two timelines, carefully offering answers from the past to explain the present.

First of all, Jack is a dream man, and it has nothing to do with his looks. He is kind, thoughtful and respectful, loyal to his core. Though it takes nearly all of the Book for him to be appreciated by Gwen.

Gwen, at times, I found unlikeable but then I remembered she was young and foolish and then because old and scorned. So I forgave her ways but she comes to see what has been under her nose all along.

Absolutely enchanting love story about second chances and overcoming obstacles. I couldn't put it down and I loved every second. Anita Frank creates a wonderful farm and characters that melt your heart.

In the lead up to Armistice Day what better choice of reading material than a historical wartime novel. My choice was Anita Frank’s The Return, a gentle but poignant love story that’s both dramatic and a little bit mysterious. Set deep in the Berkshire countryside between 1939-45 this is the story of Gwen and Jack’s relationship from their first encounter through to their subsequent marriage, their separation during the war years with Jack off fighting for King and country, and the soldier’s eventual unexpected and strangely unwelcome return.

The use of a dual timeline works extremely well. From the moment the church bells ring out signalling victory in Europe and the end of the war, questions start lining up in your head beginning with Gwen’s reaction to the news which is more subdued rather than jubilant. Why is she not eagerly awaiting the return of her husband? Without giving away any spoilers the author wastes no time in revealing the reasons behind Gwen’s fear that Jack will renege on his promise to stay away from his wife and son, assuming he has survived. What has caused Jack to make this promise in the first place and why has he wandered so far from his northern roots? The search for answers whilst uncomplicated is in direct contrast to the tangled web of emotions afflicting many of these characters who find themselves trapped by societal expectations and a sense of duty and moral obligations. At a time when uncertainty reigns over everyone’s lives aspects of this narrative are achingly familiar with many behaving in a less than exemplary fashion. Both Gwen and Jack are harbouring secrets which if discovered will have devastating ramifications not just for themselves but for those nearest to them. Thus for the most part it’s a tense and anxious read with husband and wife willing to go to great lengths to protect and preserve the lives they’ve come to cherish. The weight and burden of responsibility sits heavily on their shoulders; the push and pull between right and wrong is tangible. However this couple are not the only ones with secrets to hide. It would seem there is no end to the amount of deception at play with yet more promises made and broken, leaving hopes, dreams and hearts shattered. There is so much at stake for all concerned in this storyline full of loss and longing, love and heartache, tragedy, revenge, integrity, honour, kindness and decency, loyalty and devotion. I don’t think there’s an emotion the author doesn’t embrace!

I appreciated the quiet beauty of the prose, which gradually builds unfurling like the petals of a flower. Anita Frank manages to bring the outside in with writing that has a poetic quality to it evoking vivid images of the landscape, nature and the harsh reality of a farmer’s life. I felt as if I’d swapped the sofa in my living room for a stool in the milking shed or a place at the kitchen table. Despite the obvious hard manual labour involved in keeping the farm afloat there’s a tranquility to this rural way of life that’s comforting and reassuring, with Gwen and Tom existing in a safe bubble loyally supported by housekeeper Muriel and neighbouring farmer Ted both of whom are close family friends. It’s almost as if the war doesn’t exist. Instead the real threat to the stability of these characters lives is much closer, part of which comes in the form of idle gossip, the village grapevine at times working overtime. Overall I think the setting serves as a great backdrop to the unfolding mystery and drama although on occasion it overshadows the plot, temporarily halting its progress. The pace is definitely more of a sedate trot than a gallop!

The characters in this novel on the whole are well developed and believable. Gwen is an impressionable and naive young woman who through disappointment and heartbreak hardens into someone tough and independent. Her Achilles heel is son Tom whom she loves fiercely and will protect at any cost so there are plenty of occasions when you witness her vulnerability. Gwen’s constant fear that her luck will run out and her past will catch up with her is palpable but there’s a dignity to her behaviour that I admired. You almost forget and forgive her earlier selfishness but not quite! The same goes for Jack who like Gwen is forever looking over his shoulder but for very different reasons. Both are complex and flawed individuals yet for all their faults I felt they deserved respect and compassion, Jack more so than Gwen. However it’s Jack who by displaying a decency and tenderness quite at odds with some other aspects of his character wins my affection hands down. His patience in building a relationship with Tom who initially views his daddy as a stranger, presumably like so many other children did at the time, is heartwarming plus his selflessness puts him in the league of a true gentleman. I liked Muriel who’s a down to earth straight talking, no nonsense motherly figure and I reserved a degree of pity for good old Ted who can always be relied upon to lend a neighbourly hand. I warmed to Jim, Gwen’s father, instantly; a typical gruff but fair, honest, hardworking morally upright character whilst land girl Nora is cast as rather flighty,carefree and promiscuous (at least by 1945 standards!) who doesn’t warrant a second thought.

Some readers may find the narrative rather slow with too much emphasis on detailed descriptions of the landscape and the daily grind of a farmer’s life but I’m not one of them! Although the tone is sombre and there’s a great deal of heartache and tragedy woven throughout these characters lives there’s an air of hopefulness too that I hadn’t been expecting. I know this is perhaps a weird criticism to make but from the beginning I was preparing myself for a real tearjerker of a novel, my tissues at the ready so to find myself completely dry eyed at the end was something of a surprise. Given the predictability of the storyline, particularly in the early stages of the novel I had imagined and written a very different ending in my head. Anita Frank’s version is infinitely preferable! The added bonus was that I didn’t anticipate the twist in the tale which wraps up the whole mystery element well.

Overall The Return was a joy and a pleasure to read. The setting and mood of the era is vividly captured, it’s full of bittersweet and sometimes beautiful moments plus the characters are authentic. This is a novel to cherish and in my opinion a fantastic follow up to the author’s hugely enjoyable and equally atmospheric debut. Another 5⭐️review.

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Net Galley sent me this book and I am thrilled I've read it. The return by Anita Frank is a beautifully written historical novel set in WW2.
In September 1939 a local farmer's daughter Gwen gets pregnant by the local squire's son, Gordon . She think she loves him and wants to marry him. But her father forbids the marriage. Gwen then finds out his love for her is not reciprocated and he is due to marry Helen, of similar social standing His father's farm hand Jack Ellison, steps in and agrees to marry her, to save from malicious gossip. Her father isn't happy, but agrees to the marriage. Jack has feelings for Gwen, but she doesn’t have any feelings for Jack. He promises to join the war, and never return.
Jack is also harbouring secrets of his own. He came down from Newcastle to escape the police after a crime he had committed, so going to war he feels will relieve him of the sin he has committed. But an unexpected meeting with a friend from Newcastle days in the dying days of the war, tells him about the unexpected outcome of the man Jack had thought he'd murdered and how he was still alive, that Jack decides to return from the war where he has been for 6 years, to the farm where Gwen and her son Tom, live. The welcome Jack got, was not what he had expected. He had to work hard for Gwen's affection, but Tom takes to Jack and slowly Gwen relents. She has to face the fact Gordon, injured in the war and now married and unable to have children of their own, demands that Gwen gives up Tom, who is his son. This book is beautifully written, well researched in farming terms and will do well.
I really enjoyed this story about Jack, Gwen and Tom, and their life the farm. This story drew me into the story, kept me in the story and kept my attention to the end.

The Return by Anita Frank is a marvellous historical novel that enthralled me from the start.
The story alternates between 1939 and 1945, through the voices of the two main characters. The action is mainly set in the Berkshire countryside.
Farming is a hard way of life. We witness the strength of characters who have to adapt and change as war approaches and as it subsequently ends.
Women of strength and character keep the home front going as they pull together to feed the nation.
As with many small communities, there is a lord of the manor. We witness the arrogance of some of the privileged as they leave destruction behind. They are in complete contrast to the characters who do not have worldly goods but have huge hearts.
Anita Frank has cleverly constructed her novel. As it opens, we hear a character running from something. We hear the hints and try to guess the reason before it is later revealed. I failed to correctly guess, again!
As the novel progresses, we see love in action. It is a love that stands quietly by, wanting the best for others, whilst remaining silent. It is a beautifully love, perfectly summed up by: “Life’s real treasures can’t be bought… Happiness, love, knowing you are loved… those are the things that truly matter.”
The Return was a powerful, all-consuming novel about community, family and love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for more by Anita Frank.
I received a free copy from Harper Collins via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A story set either side of World War Two,featuring some great characters. On leaving for the war Jack promises never to return to his wife and child but war changes everything. A good read.

When Jack left for the war, he promised Gwen, his pregnant wife that he wouldn't return.

But war changes people and now, the war is over and Jack wants to return to Gwen and the child that he left behind.

This is a love story. A tale that goes back and forth which works so well with this book.

The characters jump off the page and I felt a real connection with some of them.

Perfect for these cold, blustery autumn evenings.

Anita Frank has now written two great novels. So different though which just proves what a great author she is. The first was a ghost story. This is a novel about a snapshot of history, of wartime, lost loves and promises to survive. I loved the way the author really set the scene and described the hardship of wartime on the farms , and the women who were left behind to keep things going. Oh, so much to love here. A novel to cuddle up with on a cold winter's evening.

This is such a great book to snuggle up to in these autumn months. It is a beautifully written historical novel that captures the time period perfectly. The book is set just either side of the war and alternates narrative between Jack in 1939 and Gwen in 1945 until both stories come together. It is a story based on family and friendships and at its centre it is a heart warming love story with a whole host of endearing characters.

Jack Ellison’s war is over but the battle for his family has just begun. When Jack left for the war he made a parting pledge to his pregnant wife Gwen that he would never return. But war has changed Jack and he is coming home determined to claim a place in Gwen’s life - and her heart…
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A perfect read to cosy up with on an autumn evening! I was completely hooked with the story that alternated, in part one, between two timelines and then came together into one timeline in part two. I really liked Jack, in my opinion he was such a gentleman and I eventually took to Gwen, I can understand why she acted like she did but at the same time I was almost shouting at the book for her to just look right in front of her. The descriptions in this book are fantastic no detail was missed and I loved the ending - there was no direct telling of what came of the characters but is left for the reader to come to their own conclusions almost

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for my copy in return for a review

When Jack Ellison left for war, he made a parting pledge to his pregnant bride, Gwen, that he would never return. It was, after all, for everyone that he didn't, Now, as the celebrations erupt for victory in Europe, Gwen is terrified that Jack will renege on his promise, threatening the life she has built for herself and their son on the family farm. But war has changed Jack, and he's coming home, determined tp claim a place in Gwen's life - and her heart.

Set in WWII. Gwen prays that Jack will keep his promise and never return after the war is over. But Jack survives and he's determined to make a good life with his wife and son. We are slowly told the reason why Jack couldn't come back from war.

Jack and Gwen's relationship is complicated. But what was it that Jack was running from? I had to try and read faster to find out. Gwen was also a flawed character. It's an intriguing, emotional and well written but I did feel it dragged on a bit too long. There's a few subplots that made the story more interesting.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #AnitaFrank for my ARC of #TheReturn in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely read, this is a story about extraordinary selfless love ,a story of hardworking country folk in difficult times .The characters were fantastic I felt I knew them ,I especially liked Jack and Muriel ,I wasn't that keen on Gwen I found her hard to like .The story goes back and forth between two time lines 1939 and 1945 ,I rather like this as you seem to get more of the story this way. A very enjoyable read .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and Net Galley for my copy in return for an honest review .

A poignant love story set around WW2. It tells the story from the perspective of two people, Gwen and Jack, and unfolds over the course of the war. There are plot twists and turns and you want to find out what will happen to them. Will there be a happy ending?

I enjoyed reading this book. It was set in wartime Britain and just after the war when men were coming home. The social strata of the time was used effectively. I was kept interested throughout the book and wanted to read what happened to the characters at the end. The characters were developed well throughout.