This was a pleasant story to read with character types I have come to recognise in this genre of book. With the loving, central family; a distant mother and sweethearts separated by war, I am keen to see how these characters develop over the series.

At times I thought the plot was a bit slow, particularly at the beginning. The writer takes their time in establishing the different character identities and I thought this was at a detriment to the plot development. Indeed, the story is set in the months leading up to war and once it is declared, I thought this was when the novel started to get more interesting.

I liked when Lizzie moves to London and thought her escape from the Cambridgeshire countryside was well over-due. It was interesting to see her develop as an independent woman and the change she undergoes from “country mouse” to “town mouse” means that when she does return to her home village, Lizzie has a wealth of experience and adulthood that she can rely upon. In contrast, her adopted family at Blackberry farm are the heart of the story and I liked seeing how so many characters orbit this location. Even Lizzie is drawn back to this family home, despite conflicting events that take place earlier in the novel. It is symbolic of unity in times of conflict.

In contrast, Ralph is the nasty character whom readers indulge their hatred towards! Throughout the novel he has a vendetta against Lizzie and Tom. His actions are quite shocking and it shows that Ralph will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Sinister, Clarke is clearly preparing readers for some more Ralph revenge later in the series and I look forward to seeing what he gets up to (even though I don’t want him to succeed!).

This book explores the impact of the war from romance and family life, to the “phony war”, military training and the land girls. There are a lot of elements to it and I think this made for a more interesting read. However, it would have been even better if the story were a bit pacier and less quaint. I am hopeful that as the war years progress, Clarke will make the plot more gritty as a result.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a wartime saga and this author always writes so well. The characters are heartwarming. Such a lovely book

Really good book. The plot was well-written and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A wonderful start to a new series. This book was a great read and I look forward to reading more in this series. Set during world war 2 .

I found ‘War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm’ to be an emotional and gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm’ is superbly written but then I think that all of Rosie’s books are superbly written. Rosie has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Loved it!

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

If you've followed my blog for a while, you will know that I am a huge fan of Rosie Clarke's Mulberry Lane series so when I was offered the opportunity to read War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm, the first in a new saga series, I jumped at the chance! I am pleased to confirm that I was not disappointed - Rosie Clarke knows how to write a good saga series!

In this first novel we are introduced to Lizzie and Tom, childhood sweethearts who are living under the cloud of a looming war. When a shocking incident occurs, Lizzie finds herself fleeing her home and heading for London where she aims to throw herself into her hairdressing. She has always wanted to compete with her hairdressing, and when she finds herself safe lodgings and a good salon, she finds herself attempting to heal, despite pining for her lost love with Tom.

Tom is hot headed and sometimes struggles to contain his anger. But he knows he would never hurt Lizzie, and he finds himself caring for her, despite what has happened in the past. As war becomes inevitable, Tom finds himself longing to bring Lizzie back home, away from the city in order to keep her safe.

I really liked both Tom and Lizzie's characters - their thoughts and actions are very fitting for the time period but it was nice to see Lizzie's ambitions shining through, despite what has happened to her. Rosie Clarke's real success in her storytelling is her characterisation, and War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm is no exception. The themes of family, love and loss run strongly through her novels and they are clear to see here. The love and support within the Talbot family is beautifully described which left me keen to know more about other family members. It was also nice to see the clear contrast between rural and city life in 1939. With the Mulberry Lane series being set in London, I actually really enjoyed reading more about rural life in Britain as war started to become a certainty for all.

I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all - I personally can't wait for the release of the next in this historical saga series!

Rosie Clark writes the best of British novels. In the style of Catherine Cookson . A great story of life on blackberry farm as the war comes to Britain. Love and friendship, sorrow and laughter. A great read!

Really enjoyed this excellent summer holiday read from Rosie Clarke. She never fails to keep you engrossed in her stories. This book is set in the time of World War 2 and features Lizzie Johnson and Tom Talbot. Would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a light read.

Another Rosie Clarke book, this time a brand new series for 2021. I have read the majority of her other series of books, The Harper Girls and Mulberry Lane, both these are series that takes the reader right back in time, with such a lot of colourful and unique characters. I have been waiting very patiently for this book blog tour, now it is time and I am bringing my Thoughts on War Clouds over Blackberry Farm.
As Rosie Clarke always does, she has captured the feel of the time she writes about. The threat of war looms closer and then arrives at the shores of England. The changes begin and even on Blackberry Farm, it is very apparent as their workers are replaced by the new Land Army.
This book concentrates on Lizzie and Tom two well-made characters who are in a relationship and everyone in their village expects nothing but marriage, but as life is cruel they are thrown a curveball in which the fallout means Lizzie rushes off to London and Tom just immerses himself into his work. These two are just meant to be together and this made me keep reading to discover if this pair makeup and deal with their issues so they can have their perfect life together.
Rosie Clarke is an expert at writing sagas that bring you love, friendships, family and the strifes of yesteryear like you are there. She has again perfected a historical saga that brings a ton of new characters and a different setting.
It isn't fully sweetness and light and the darker issues put the reader on edge as it looms over the characters, again this added a bit more tension, to keep us on our toes! I am looking forward to the next Instalment from Blackberry Farm.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources
Boldwood Books and netgalley for the copy of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this ARC

This is the first book in a new series and starts with life before and at the start of WW2. It of course starts with Blackberry Farm but also tells of life within the hairdressing fraternity and life for those in London.
As with many historical fiction sagas there is love and loss, misunderstandings and of course, the genre wouldnt be right without an out and out rotter.
But it was cleverly left open-ended and you know that there will be more to come in this particular characters life.

The book did end abruptly but it was well advertised as the first in a new series so it had to end somewhere.

This quickly became one of those books that I would sneak extra reading time rather than just before bed.

Personally I can't wait for the next episode

Thank you again for the chance to read this in return for my review which is my own opinion

Rosie always gives us great books that are very well written and interesting. This was a great read and I can't wait for her next book to be released. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

I love all Rosie’s series and looked forward to this new series and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s set at the start of World War Two and there are lots of great characters to get to know. There is lots going on in this book, and I am looking forward to more from Blackberry Farm in the future. The story is well written and leaves you wanting more. A well deserved five star read.

With thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review which I freely give.

I have read books by Rosie Clarke before and enjoyed them, this is no exception and is the first book in a new series which begins just before the beginning of WWII. This is another very enjoyable read. Very tangled in that Lizzie & Tom are going out and that Lizzie believes Tom wants to marry her. That is until Bad boy Ralf appears. Tom has half brothers & sisters who all become entwined in this WWII story. Because of Ralf Lizzie leaves home for London and finds nice lodgings and family along with a good job in a hairdressers. I do not want to expand as I do not want to spoil the story and ending. For me some of the reading did not 'flow' like other books by Rosie, however it is still a good read an I can recommend.

Such a delightfully believable book, with some wonderfully warm characters.

We catch up again with Tom and Lizzie's story. They are so in love with each other but an unfortunate event causes them heartache. seeing Lizzie fleeing from the countryside of Cambridgeshire to London.

The story is of family, love, sadness, with a few smiles. It is a lovely book that will keep you engrossed to the end. There are some really lovely warm moments from the characters and then some not-so but all in all a book to really enjoy. Set on the edge of war it also brings fears for the family and their friends.

I can't wait for the next episode to find out what happens next.
Thank you Rosie for such a wonderful book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this lovely book. xx

Now I don't generally read a lot of war time sagas (maybe only a handful) but this one intrigued me and I just had to give it a go....I'm very glad that I did !

This book is set in 1939 Cambridgeshire, the war clouds are gathering over Europe , Blackberry Farm will be torn apart and the Talbots lives will never be the same ! Their lives will soon be entwined with the Salmom family in London , they must find strength in each other to get through the most difficult time in their lives . We also have the love story of Lizzie Johnson and Tom.

Even though there is a lot going on in the book , the author has done it so that it flow with ease through the book without leaving the reader confused. The characters are ones that are very easy to feel empathy for even though I couldn't imagine the fear and terror going through them at the time. It definitely kept me hooked on reading the book

Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. A new series and as with all Rosie Clarke book instantly hooked from page one. Loved all the family characters set during the war years, their love, relationship , struggles and sheer determination to get on with life. Can’t wait for the next book and continuing saga .

A war time historical fiction with so much going on……overcoming adversities, friendships and family.
Main characters Lizzie and Tom are in love but their relationship is not going as they hoped. Will Lizzie going to London to work and Tom staying back home strengthen their relationship or cause issues? Will the war affect their love for each other? Will they find happiness? You must read this book to find out!
A engaging story that will draw you in. Looking forward to reading more from Rosie Clarke and this series.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rosie Clarke bring us a brand new series, introduced with this book. A book in the WWII era about family, friendship, love and how the times of war affects the community. I love historical novels in that saga subgenre because of how it always have that sense of community and understanding. The characters could be our family members and these could be the stories our grandparents told.

As we get to know the families and the main characters we get to follow in this journey, we are also introduce to the rural ton of Blackberry Farm and also the context of the WWII at that time. I could help myself, I as very curious to know what would happen next. I wanted happiness for the characters and my heart was with them from beginning to end.

Overall, I enjoyed it, and since it was the start of a new series, it made sense that not everything was resolved or even uncovered, and I can't wait for the next book.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Rosie Clarke for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm is a detailed well thought out story that Has a good flow and is easy to follow. The reader is pulled into the story from the first page...
I like how Clarke has transported the reader into the story with a great amount of research into the affects of WW2 as it begins. Also how she has created an interesting and strong plot!
The character development of War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm is good. The characters are realistic and relatable. Lizzie flees to London after a tragic mistake causes a rift between her and the man she loves, Tom. The reader sees how Lizzie pulls her life together...all she needs now is to get Tom to forgive her!
I would recommend reading War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm to lovers of Women's Fiction and Historical Fiction, as it is a engaging and emotional character driven story that gives glimpses into the backstories of characters and let's the reader see as friendship, family, love and loss take hold of the characters...