Another great addition to a wonderful series which I am enjoying immensely. A gripping and unputdownable story of love, sacrifice and torn family loyalties during the turmoil of WW1 as the blurb says and I have to agree. I love the story, it is emotional, interesting, intriguing and captivating. I love the time period, the setting and the wonderful characters.

This is a book I couldn't put down and is one I would definitely recommend. Loving this series and looking forward to the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving ,me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A solid follow up to book 1, the introduction of the bother seemed a bit random but I guess you need something interesting to keep the story moving.

"The Artist's Wife" by Clare Flynn is an exquisite and engrossing novel that swept me away into a world of love, sacrifice, and torn loyalties during the tumultuous time of World War I. Set in July 1914, the story follows Alice Dalton, a talented stained-glass artist, and her husband Edmund as they navigate the challenges of war and family dynamics that threaten to tear them apart.
From the very first page, Flynn's writing enveloped me in the sunlit Hampshire workshop where Alice and Edmund create their art, setting a scene of tranquillity and creativity that is soon overshadowed by the looming threat of war. The arrival of Alice's estranged brother Victor adds a layer of tension and unresolved family issues that loom large as he enlists in the war effort, leaving Alice to wonder if she will ever see him again.
As the war gathers pace and Edmund is torn between his duty to his country and his desire to protect his family, the complexities of their relationships are brought to the forefront. Flynn's richly drawn characters and meticulous attention to historical detail immerse the reader in a world torn apart by violence, betrayal, and heartbreak.
One of the most compelling aspects of "The Artist's Wife" is Flynn's exploration of the impact of war on personal relationships and individual struggles for survival and redemption. Through Alice's eyes, we witness the emotional toll of living through such turbulent times, as she fights to hold onto love amidst the chaos and uncertainty of war.
Flynn's prose is evocative and lyrical, transporting the reader from the gilded world of high-society London to the perilous battlefields of Gallipoli with seamless ease. The novel is a testament to Flynn's skill as a storyteller, weaving together love, loss, and resilience in a tapestry that is as haunting as it is beautiful.
Overall, "The Artist's Wife" is a gripping and unputdownable story that resonated deeply with me. Clare Flynn has crafted a captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and torn family loyalties that will stay with me long after I have finished reading. I highly recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction and those who appreciate complex characters and emotionally resonant storytelling. "The Artist's Wife" is a true masterpiece that shines a light on the enduring power of love and forgiveness in the face of adversity.

A Phenomenal Book a Hidden Gem

This is the second in the series by Claire Flynn. It is A beautiful historical story set during WWI that reveals the impact of war on the family and soldiers I thought the first book was good, but this is an exceptionally heart rendering book. Alice and Edmund are very much in Love, but Edmund is struggling with balancing life protecting Alice and his duty should he join the war.
Alice is now helping with the war effort by volunteering at night as a nurse aid in Mrs. Bowyer home which is helping the war effort by being turned into a hospital for the veterans who have lost limbs and need rest and a place to recover and come to terms with their horrific injury's.
Alice's brother Victor is injured in Gallipoli he loses an eye and will also need a cane to walk. Victor is shipped home to and ends up at Little Badgerton. He arrives back in bad shape depressed and in shock. When Alice is informed by matron that he is there she is heartbroken when she first sees him. Victor had lost his love of his life to suicide and then his latest lover in the sinking of the Lusitania and now his life has changed drastically since joining the war.
The Artists Wife involves and deals with Love, Revenge Murder, Betrayal, a Stillborn baby, Divorce and Same Sex Couples. Married and single people cohabitating where frowned upon in the day. This book is beautifully written, it is heartbreaking in places and will tug at your heart with so many emotions that stay with you long after you finish the book. I cannot wait to see what the third book has in store. I am now such a great fan of Claire Flynn’s books that I will be reading more books from this author. I highly recommend this book as the author pulls you back in time with a fascinating storyline which is brought to life. I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A beautiful sequel. Great war love story! If you wanted more after "The Artist's Apprentice" this is one you won't want to miss. Possibly even better than the first.

I have read this as an immediate follow on to The Artist's Apprentice because I wanted to find out more about Alice and Edmund. It was good to also find out more about Victor. The author has written so well that I can't wait for the next instalment.
I highly recommend this book.

I didn't realise until I started reading that I had recently read the prequel The Artists Apprentice. So I was right into the story straight away. This one maintained the same quality narrative as the previous story.. Lots of changes going on and some of them very sad but the central theme stayed true. I can't wait for the follow on.

Clare Flynn's "The Artist's Wife," the second installment in the Hearts of Glass series, delivers a spellbinding tale of love, ambition, and the complexities of family dynamics against the backdrop of interwar Europe. With richly drawn characters and a meticulously researched historical setting, Flynn transports readers on a journey through the tumultuous events of the early twentieth century.

At the heart of the novel is Miranda Meadowe, a woman torn between her love for her husband, Frederick, a talented but troubled artist, and her growing desire for independence and self-expression. As Frederick's career begins to flourish, Miranda finds herself grappling with her own identity and aspirations, caught between the expectations of society and the dictates of her heart.

Flynn deftly explores themes of love, sacrifice, and artistic ambition, painting a vivid portrait of a marriage tested by the pressures of success and the uncertainties of the future. Through Miranda's eyes, we are drawn into a world of bohemian artists, opulent salons, and the looming shadow of war, where passion and betrayal intertwine in unexpected ways.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of "The Artist's Wife" is its exploration of the complexities of family relationships and the bonds that unite us across generations. As Miranda delves into her husband's troubled past and confronts long-buried secrets, she discovers the true meaning of love and forgiveness, and the power of art to heal old wounds.

Flynn's prose is lyrical and evocative, immersing readers in a world of beauty and intrigue. From the sun-drenched landscapes of southern France to the bustling streets of London, she brings to life the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone era with remarkable clarity and depth.

While "The Artist's Wife" can be read as a standalone novel, readers familiar with Flynn's previous work will appreciate the continuation of themes and characters from the first book in the series, "The Pearl of Penang." However, newcomers will find themselves quickly drawn into the story, thanks to Flynn's skillful storytelling and engaging narrative style.

In conclusion, "The Artist's Wife" is a captivating historical novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. With its compelling characters, lush setting, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. Fans of historical fiction and family sagas alike will find much to love in this utterly absorbing tale of love, art, and torn loyalties.

Thanks to Negalley and Storm publishing for an advance copy for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this interesting book. It was so informative and a beautiful story. Set in 1918 and present day I just gobbl3d it up. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Artist's Wife
By: Clare Flynn

5 Stars

This was such an easy book to fall right into and in love with since it picked up shortly after the ending of the "apprentice." This one follows more closely the other members of the family. Not solely Alice and Edmund. This includes the brother Victor. Also, we get more of Dora. This story follows after Victor comes home and he and Edmunds' father work up a new scheme. Dora and Edmund will divorce, leaving her free to marry Victor and him to adopt Edmunds child.

Wow. This was a great continuation to the first book. I loved the storyline. The characters. The scenery. The ART. The writing in this book makes you love to read it. It was engaging and intriguing. They both present a story filled with love, heartbreak, promise, and even war. It had a bit of everything a good book should have. I loved this story, as well as the first. Hopefully, others will, too. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.


*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*


Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

A follow up to The Artist's Apprentice Alice Dalton and Edmond Cutler story continues, will they ever find true happiness. This time Alice's brother Victor's story is included along with the run up to WWI adding extra historical detail to this epic love story

Alice becomes a nurse and is only able to work with Edmond in the mornings, will they finish their commission and will they have any other work? Can Edmond avoid signing up to going to war? Will he ever be able to divorce Dora and marry Alice? Will he be able to see his daughter Charlotte again?

A moving story full of beautiful characters and settings, I'm hoping there will be a 3rd book as this one ended on a huge cliff hanger!

This is book number 2 in the series, and this is a series you ought to.read in the correct order.
It was nice catching up with the Main characters again, and follow their daily lives and choices. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I loved this book particularly how Edmund and Alice's love endured in spite of everything. This is set during the period when men were volunteering to join up to fight during WW1 and conscription was about to begin. What a terrible time it must have been for the wives and families at home!

Edmund and Alice are desperate to finish the Lady Lockwood stained glass window as it will be their masterpiece. The couple are devoted to each other at last and to their art of stained glass making but there are a lot of obstacles to overcome before they can be truly happy. Edmund is trying hard to come to an agreement with Dora, his ex wife about regular contact with Charlotte, their daughter.

I'm not sure if there will be a 3rd book in the series but I was really sorry when this one ended after I had gone through so many trials and tribulations with them

Thank you Clare for wonderful writing!

I thought this was a good continuation of this series.
I almost think this book is better than the first one.
The book touches a lot of emotions. It’s a nice love story set among perilous times and circumstances.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Book two in the series that follows a handful of families in WWI era England. To fully enjoy, I think reading the first book "The Artist's Apprentice" is necessary.

This book picks up right where its predecessor left off, and while it does make veiled references to characters' backstories, to fully appreciate the story, reading in order is the way to go.

The Artist's Wife follows Alice and Edmund's journey as stained glass artists who have secured several commissions and a workshop/cottage in the countryside away from London. This presents problems and solutions for the pair: it keeps Edmund miles away from his young daughter but allows him to cohabitate with his mistress and live in a pretend-marriage. Of course, the road is not entirely smooth, especially with war looming.

By the end of the book, several main characters have been impacted by the fighting, the draft, the White Feather movement, and by nursing responsibilities. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger which hopefully points to future additions to the series.

England 1914: Six years have passed and as war looms, Alice Dalton's brother Victor returns from America still holding a grudge against his sister and blaming her for the tragedy that still haunts his life.
In their workshop in Hampshire, Alice and Edmund have made a life for themselves with their love for each other and their mutual love of the stained-glass work they do. As they work on commissions received, they are ever conscious of the unhappiness that could be caused to both of them through Edmund's father and his estranged wife who has pushed herself into the life and home of Edmund's father, both of them preventing Edmund from access to his beloved daughter, Charlotte.
As Alice's brother risks his life on the battlefield, Alice notices cracks appearing in her own life as Edmund tries to protect the life they have made for themselves and, while he struggles with his conscience regarding the war, he fears that is he leaves Alice, he will leave her vulnerable to the designs of his father.
I very much enjoyed this, the second book in the series, and I do hope there are more books to come because for me this story has not yet ended.

Loved this book 2 in the series.... it is great to continue in the lives of the Dalton's and Culter's. To see how war can revelate people's lives is interesting and the difference in social classes. Seeing from the perspective of soldiers is illuminating. The way the author grasps the emotions in this book is fantastic. The impact on Edward being seperated from Lottie is sad. This book really is riveting for endless reasons.... big houses in war times being made into hospitals and seeing the impact a kind word or gesture can help a veteran was lovely. All in all this book was a real delight to read, thank you Net Gallery.

Alice Dalton and Edmund Culter are a partnership both professionally and personally. It has come at grave cost though. The year 1914 brings upheaval in England with the onset of war and Edmunds father Herbert has taken his hatred of his son further by promoting a marriage of Edmunds wife Dora with Alice brother who is now Herbert’s protégée in business and his heir.

The story although mainly of Alice and Edmund their deep love for each other, despite many obstacles is only a part of the story. Herbert Cutler is Machiavellian in his dealings - he wants to cut Edmund from his inheritance, then to get his grand daughter adopted legally by Victor Dalton and then get a seat in Parliament.

He never took into account the vagaries of the heart because he did not have an iota of empathy for people. Herbert got thwarted at every turn. He never dreamt that being the industrialist he was that he will not get nominated to any constituency. He never thought Victor will throw away a massive inheritance and enlist, and he did not realise that his son was not bothered by money or inheritance. He did not take into account personalities and feelings of the heart.

His downfall, leading to stability for Alice and Edmund and the beginning of a new life for all involved after many tragic events is this story.

The setting, the period in which the story is set and the classes in English society, so rigid at the time very descriptively detailed. There are details of the suffragette struggles, the beginning of the white feather movement adding further dimensions to the story.

In Clare Flynn's captivating novel, The Artist's Apprentice, readers are transported to pre-World War I England, where love, art, and rebellion intertwine in the life of protagonist Alice Dalton. Fleeing from an arranged marriage, Alice embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating societal constraints and pursuing her passion for art. Flynn skillfully weaves together historical details, including the suffragette movement and the Arts and Crafts era, creating a vivid backdrop for Alice's story. The characters, notably Alice and Edmund, are portrayed with depth and nuance, drawing readers into their world of love and artistic ambition. Despite a critique of the writing style, the novel's engaging narrative and well-developed characters leave a lasting impression. The Artist's Apprentice is a testament to Flynn's storytelling prowess, offering a poignant tale of resilience, love, and the pursuit of one's dreams.

Absolutely amazing book which grips you from the very first page
I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.
If you haven’t read any of Claire’s books before you don’t know what you are missing
This is the second book in her Heats of Glass series but it is also a stand alone novel
Can’t recommend it enough
Five stars all the way