★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

It's been so long since I read the first book in this series I had to go back to my review of it to refresh my memory. But then Rosie Clarke is such a prolific writer with her Harpers and Mulberry Lane series not to mention her standalones and now the Blackberry Farm series! It didn't take me long to catch up with everyone there and it was like coming home. Except I didn't have to get the dirt from the farm under my fingernails and over my clothes to do so.

It's 1940 and war has been raging for a year as we rejoin Pam and Arthur Talbolt at Blackberry Farm with both their grown and younger children. Tom and Lizzie have married, their youngest John is courting young nurse Faith whilst he is training in the RAF while son Artie remains on the farm helping his father with the aid of a couple of Land Girls. Their sisters Susan and Angela are preparing for uni and studying at school respectively. Also in their clan is Land Girl Jeanie Salmons, whom Lizzie met in London in the first book and Jeanie's baby niece Tina whose mother died in a gas explosion at their flat whilst her father Terry was recuperating in hospital from war wounds.

But Pam loves nothing more than a full house and cooking for everyone, ensuring their well fed and looked after. And she loves having little Tina in the house. Arthur has been building a house on the edge of the farm for Tom and Lizzie to live in and it is nearly complete. Lizzie has been buying what furnishings she can whilst Tom has been away fighting and can't wait until she and Tom can have their own home. But then Tom goes missing while on a mission but both Lizzie and Pam believe he is still alive.

Young nurse Faith has been stepping out with John Talbolt and while the two of them agreed to wait until the war was over to marry, they soon discover that anything can happen in conflict and that time is precious. John feels Faith has put nursing ahead of him when she moves away to a military hospital making their time spent together few and far between. But when John is declared missing over Germany, Faith finds herself in trouble and turns to Lizzie for support.

Meanwhile, Tom and Lizzie's nemesis Ralph Harris returns with revenge in mind but how does he plan on playing that out? As an added complexity to the story, Ralph is also Faith's uncle and does not mince words when letting Faith know his feelings towards her intended, nor Lizzie and Tom. But she has no idea why he dislikes the Talbolts so much as they have always been good to her, particularly when she finds herself in trouble and turns to them for support.

There is so much more to this story than I have touched on that will envelop you. War touches the lives of everyone changing some people's outlook and even the moral code of the day. People grab happiness where they can for they only have now, in that moment, as tomorrow isn't guaranteed. People live, fall in love, give birth and die. Tragedy comes in all forms.

I loved revisiting these heartwarming characters once again and I hope we don't have to wait as long to see them again. I can almost smell the home cooking in Pam's cooking and taste her succulent meals made with meagre rations and what they grew on the farm. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them once again and found myself completely invested within all their lives.

Blackberry Farm and the Talbolts welcomes us all with open arms, including the reader and I loved my time there with them. I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book and this series so far but if you enjoy Rosie's other series and pretty much this type of wartime fiction, then you will love HEARTACHE AT BLACKBERRY FARM as well as the series.

A thoroughly enjoyable and easy read I highly recommend.

I would like to thank #RosieClarke, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #HeartacheAtBlackberryFarm in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

July 1940 Blackberry Farm

A heartwarming wonderful story of a family living on the Blackberry farm a few miles from the cathedral city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, there are heartbreaking moments to Joyful ones to bitter sweet to keep the reader glued to the storyline.

What was troubling Pam Talbot's as Arthur's wife was the war with Germany that had been raging for months, the British army had been trapped on the beaches, some dying, raked by enemy fire, others wounded, hungry and unable to merciless attacks. The war was far from over. Pam was terrified for her sons, Tom and John were amongst those fighting made worse than anxious and mentally shaken with tears. Will her prayers be answered and both sons return home? She was proud of her boys at the same time worried for them. Tom, her first son was in the army, and John, her youngest boy, had recently joined the RAF and he hardly wrote to her about his whereabouts. She had a second son, Artie, still at home and working on the land with his father, she had two daughters, Susan and Angela. Lizzie was a clever woman who owned a hairdressing salon in a small market town nearby. John had a lovely girl named Faith GoodJohn who worked as a nurse in Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge for the wounded soldiers and was very pretty. They were not engaged, even though John Talbot was away in the RAF but he told her he was in love with her. John promised her to get together with her after the war blooming war. It was the time of horrible war and the saying goes everything is fair in love and war. The battle was ongoing in Britain skies. Pam ached for her sons to return!

Because of the damn war Lizzie missed Tom terribly. The wicked war damaged homes and London was suffering badly after some terrible raids on Rotterdam, the Allies had started bombing German cities in retaliation. Livelihoods were terrible and soldiers died in battle killing innocent civilians on the ground. Where was Tom Talbot? What would happen to him? This is a compassionate story that displays kindness and patience through the war of dangerous missions all the characters. Faith prayed that John would come home, He was a navigator now and that meant probably flying over the enemy territory - most likely in bombers.

The last chapters were heartbreaking and a story of survival takes a turn, when Faith was attacked while giving birth to John's baby son and dies at the end. The ending brings laughter and tears to all readers.

I just reviewed the novel at Heartache At Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke. Thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for an advance copy for my honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this lovely book

this is my second visit to blackberry farm and hopefully not my last...it was lovely to catch up with all the characters in the book and to see where we are with them all, luckily it starts not long after the first book finished

trials and tribulations abound in this book with the war advancing and heartache visit the farm for the family

cant wait for the next book in this lovely series

This is a well written book that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It is full of drama, romance, and emotions. Loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve absolutely loved both books in this series from Blackberry Farm. Rosie writes the characters so believable that you go through all the ups and downs with them. I look forward to reading what happens next as the book definitely leaves you wanting more from these characters. I highly recommend this book.

Historical drama set during the war. Life on a farm and how war impacted farm life. Good characters and an engrossing story,heart warming.

RosieClark has written another lovely story part two in the series.I was drawn right back into their world the characters theirs. Lives.Emotional moving fun a wonderful read.#netgalley #boldwoodbooks

Many thanx to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this book..

I love Rosie Clarke, her books always great reads but I admit to being a little disappointed with this book Lots of very believable characters who find themselves in many situations, most of which I could relate to and possibly due to the fact that I haven't read the previous book.

Saying all that, the ending was not what I expected and nearly had the tissues out!! A good book but, personally, I don't think it was her best. Giving 4 stars

The second in the Blackberry farm series and what a great WW2 saga it is. There are many different emotions with lovely characters and descriptions. When you read a novel by Rosie Clarke you know you will be getting a fantastic read. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the advance read of this book.
Having read and enjoyed the first in the series, I was delighted to get a chance to read and review this one, the second in series, which could easily be read as a standalone. Rosie Clarke has created such heartwarming characters and a perfect setting of Blackberry Farm and I look forward to the next in the series.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heartache at the BlackBerry Farm, there is the heartache for sure alongwith warmth of family and kindness in general.

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

This book was about how those that have family members or friends at war are coping. The story made me laugh and cry, just like the characters, who I felt were relatable.

After reading the second book, I was looking forward to this book. It had great characters and a very good storyline, it didn’t disappoint at all. It was lovely catching up with the characters at the farm,

I really enjoyed it.

I highly recommend this book.

Heartache At Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is a marvellous historical novel. It is part of the Blackberry Farm series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order so you can track character progression.
We catch up with the action in 1940. The war has very much been established as young men are away at war and land girls are working on the farm.
Blackberry Farm welcomes all with open arms, including the reader. The farmhouse takes in all who need shelter, love and care. The welcome is as warm as the fireplace. The farm is busy but never too busy to support those in need.
War is terrible. Husbands, brothers, sons all go off to war – but not all return. Those who do may well be injured but loved ones are just happy to see them again.
The reader follows three main elements – the farm, soldiers and nursing. Everyone plays their part in the war effort.
Lives still continue in war – people still fall in love, give birth, and die. The reader witnesses the two differing points of view when it comes to unmarried mothers. Some heap on shame and guilt, others see the baby as a beautiful gift to be treasured. There is much love and support given to those in need.
War changes the moral code of the day. Life and happiness are grabbed where they can. We only have the moment, tomorrow is not guaranteed.
I loved catching up with familiar faces. Rosie Clarke has created a wonderful set of characters. I ‘lived’ the action, so much so that at one stage I literally yelled ‘no!’ as the turn of events shocked me. At another stage I punched the air and yelled ‘yes!’ I was definitely invested in the lives of the characters.
With emotions all over the place, I thoroughly enjoyed Heartache At Blackberry Farm. It was a terrific read that I can recommend.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Loved this book, full of twists and turns, very detailed and descriptive. The only downside was the tragedy, but that’s part of the book. Definitely recommend.

Excellent book but I do love Rosie Clarke's books she writes great stories with characters you warm to and she draws you into her books and you finish wanting more.5*

Oh how I loved catching up with pam and her family and life on blackberry farm, wonderful storyline in which both her sons go missing, will they be found safe and more importantly alive? As the war rages on and life becomes more difficult for them all pan never loses hope that her boys are still alive and will return home, Toms wife Lizzie faces some worrying times while johns fiance faith has her own problems and the talbot family welcome her with all the love and support they have.
Loved catching up with all the characters once again and hope there is another in the series, wonderful writing as always

Having read the first Blackberry Farm book, book 2 did not disappoint like meeting up with old friends. Really great book continuing the tale during world war 2 and life at the farm. Strong characters and a meaty storyline what more could you want. Really enjoyed and would highly recommend this author and this book.

WWII is raging and people in Cambridgeshire, England are living in constant fear, especially when it comes to wondering whether their loved ones will return from war injured...or at all. During such times many difficult decisions must be made. As always, Rosie Clarke beautifully introduces historical bits such as clothing styles, food (rationing) and social expectations to make her stories really come to life.

Heartache at Talbot's Blackberry Farm could not be more aptly named as it is full of sorrow, mental and physical suffering, anguish, shame and even crime. But there is also love, determination and hope. No one is exempt from problems from young men missing in action in war, difficult workplaces, manipulative people and simply doing what it takes to survive. War changes everyone. Pam's sons Tom and John have enlisted and she is on tenterhooks wondering when she will see them next. Faith finds her calling and love. Lizzie is worried about her husband in the war, too. Waiting for word is impossible to fathom. Faith's Uncle Ralph is bitter and resentful. The cast of characters is varied but Faith is my favourite in this story.

The ending introduces many possibilities for the next in the series. I'm very curious! I enjoyed familiar characters from the first book but also like "meeting" new ones. Not only are the story and subplots gripping but so are the unexpected twists.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this lovely series, one which all Historical Fiction readers should consider adding to their reading lists. Those who are new to the genre ought to start with a series such as this.

Back with Blackberry Farm and the Talbot’s where Pam is caring for her family while worrying about John who is missing in action. To add to her worries John then signs up too leaving Artie working on the farm alongside the land girls. Faith’s evil uncle who has a gripe with Lizzie, rears his head again, will he get his revenge on Lizzie?
I read this book in no time as I couldn’t put it down. There is love and friendship and sadly tragedy, will it be who you think that suffers?
Great book. Rosie never lets you down.

This was the second installment in Rosie Clarke’s Blackberry Farm series, and I enjoyed this book as much as the first, War Clouds Over Blackberry Farm. We meet many of the same characters as in the first book—Pam Talbot, her husband Arthur, and their sons, Tom, John and Artie. (Tom is actually Arthur’s stepson, his father Tommy having been killed in WWI). Faith Goodjohn, John’s girlfriend and later fiancee, figures prominently in the story.

The book begins in July 1940, and the War figures prominently in the book in terms not only of the characters—Lizzie’s former landlady, Vera, her son Terry, injured in the war, and Pam’s sons, land girls Nancy and Jeanie—but in the daily life of Britons. I could easily picture how it was for average people to live, coping with petrol and food rationing (can Pam find certain ingredients to bake a cake, for example?), short supplies of furniture, even “knicker elastic” to repair ladies’ undies! Since the book is set in a time before I was born, the details of wartime living in Britain were fascinating to me.

As well, the social more of a woman becoming pregnant outside marriage, and whether she could still find a job being considered a “loose woman,” was of great interest and another example of how societal values have changed.

My thanks to #NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series. Rosie Clarke is a “must-read” author for me!