What a great start to this new series. It’s 1939 and on the brink of war being declared Jonathan Roby relocates his family to Wivenhoe in the country from London. Wife Elizabeth has always lived a very privileged life and is not at all keen. This really gave an insight into what life was like for those who moved out of London and you could really tell that Fenella Miller, as always, has done lots of historical research. I loved reading how each character developed and how they adapted to their new life. This was easy to follow and I could imagine all the various locations and events. I thought that each character had depth but that there is plenty more for us to learn about them! Really looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC

Wartime arrivals at Harbour House by Fenella Miller is set in Britain that's just a few days away from World War-II.

A sweet, tender novel of a marriage strained to almost breaking point, and a family estranged by life choices, upbringing, and outside influences, but who are still very much in love with each other.

A hotly contested move from London to Wivenhoe in the country by Mrs. Elizabeth Roby sets the stage for the family dynamics to play out.

Once at Wivenhoe - her husband Jonathan Roby is involved with his job as the senior Admiralty officer in charge of the Colne River shipyard. A pregnant Elizabeth has to handle her two children, something she's left to nannies until now.

She also has to deal with two boys - Pete and Sammy, recently evacuated from London who are to be staying with the Roby family. Coming from a working class background, the children, especially Pete are a shock to her gentler sensibilities.

Through the ups and downs the little family face, the author has created characters who evolve and change with the situation. The challenges each member faces and overcomes - especially Elizabeth and her young daughter Emily make up a large part of the story arc and give room for character development.

The final denouement is unexpected and a little shocking but in the end there is a happy ending after all. However, knowing the hell about to break loose over Britain in the war years, makes me hope there will be sequels to this novel, following the adventures of the Roby family during the war.

A sweet, refreshing, clean romance within the context of marriage and family and everyday life in pre-war England.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @Boldwood Books, I was given this charming novel to read as an advanced copy without expecting a review. All opinions are mine alone.

The start of a new series from this excellent author. It was an easy read although I did struggle as I had no liking for the main character Elizabeth. I appreciate that the way she was portrayed was part of the story but at times she made me feel miserable and not relaxed which is my prime reason for reading before bed!

I hope that the second book will explore more of the impact of the war and the work of Jonathan as I feel that this would be highly interesting. I look forward to the next instalment!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and of course the author for allowing me to read an review an Arc copy.

New series

This book starts just before the war and follows a family who relocates from London to a small village in the countryside for the father’s work. The wife is very resistant and the two children are unsure but the son is open. The remaining story is about their setting in, the war starting, taking in two evacuated children and the resulting drama.

This was a good historical fiction, but I will say that I didn’t particularly care for most of the characters and didn’t get invested in the outcome. I doubt I would read the next book in the series.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoy every book by this author so couldn’t wait to start this new series. I have to admit I couldn’t warm to some characters, but this was the intention I believe. Fantastic character development throughout it the story, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This is my first book by Fernella Miller, but it’s not my last, I loved this book and was gripped from page 1

I am currently looking for her other books. This book will not disappoint if you love wartime stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and bold books

Wartime arrivals at harbour house. A new series by the wonderful Fenella J Miller, as usual this doesn’t disappoint with a great story and wonderful characters. Really looking forward to read more in this series.

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

I love reading books by Fenella J. Miller.

This is the first book in a new series which is the story of Elizabeth, who has had a good upbringing, and Jonathan, George and Emily, their two children.

Having to move as Jonathan has been given another post, the area isn’t what Elizabeth was expecting. Will it cause more issues for her and her husband or will it bring them closer?

The story kept me turning the pages with everything the family go through.

I recommend this book.

Such a delightful wartime story. The author truly brings alive the memories, emotions, bravery, and courage people had to go through in her stories and what could have happened in real life.

Family life in wartime - a view of citizens and the upheaval the stress and chaos on communities.

The story follows the lives of Jonathan and Elizabeth Roby and their two children relocated to a new area as war begins and the joys they discover amidst the sacrifices they must make.

The history makes this a strong choice for readers, and the writing style is engaging (though it took me a little while to get used to).

This was my first time reading the author, and I will read more of her work.



Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Fenella J. Miller is my favourite author of this genre. So I was beyond excited when I found out about this brand new saga. It follows the story of Elizabeth who is rather privileged and her husband Johnathan and their two children Emily and George. As they make a move because of the war will it also bring Elizabeth and Jonathan together again? I didn't really like Elizabeth or Johnathan but I adore the two children and my heart tore for Emily who has grown up way too quick. The story is engaging and held my interest throughout as it weaves together different emotions. I love the opportunity to learn different factors from the era whilst reading a fictional story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was such a a lovely story. I'm so pleased that it's a brand new series as I would love to find out what happens next to this family during wartime. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Harbour House is a poignant portrayal of a family's resilience in the face of war and displacement. Elizabeth navigates the difficulties of leaving behind her comfortable life in London. themes of family, love, and the struggles of wartime problems , a lighthearted yet emotional read, great start to a new series.

I found this book to be an easy read and loved reading about the characters in the story and how they changed during the move their family had to make. I would say that Mrs. Roby had the biggest and most difficult changes to make. The book really didn't get into WWII stories but more of how life was pre-WWII. I enjoyed the book and would read this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC for my honest review.

This historical novel tells the story of Elizabeth Roby, a London mother whose life is upended by the outbreak of World War II.

Set in July 1939, Elizabeth's happy life in London with her husband Jonathon and their two children, Emily and George, takes an unexpected turn when Jonathon's new Admiralty duties force them to relocate to Wivenhoe, a quiet riverside town.

Elizabeth is overwhelmed as she leaves the sophistication of London, feeling out of place in this unfamiliar setting and concerned about how her children will adjust to a freer, less structured life in the countryside.

I became immersed in the emotional strain of wartime sacrifices and the tension between duty and personal desires.

Elizabeth struggle to rebuild a normalcy for her family and cope with her children’s new freedom and as Elizabeth faced the uncertainty of war, the author brought together resilience and family bonds, delivering a heartfelt story of adapting and surviving easily.

It was a great book, and I loved how Elizabeth's character changed over time.

1938 London and the threat of war is hovering over England. In order to protect his family, Jonathan decides to take his wife Elizabeth and their 2 children, Emily 10 years old and George 8 years old to the countryside away from London. Elizabeth, who is used to being "pampered" by servants learns that she will not have the life she is now leading. What awaits the family? An older home, in a working class community, with only a cook, and housekeeper to take care of the family, and they are not live-in help. How will Elizabeth handle this situation, how will she take care of the children without a nanny and more to the point, what will she do living in this lower class neighborhood? Definitely a different take on the usual WWII books set in England during the war...no keep calm and carry on here. Quite simplistic in its writing, not my style for sure. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Roby is leading the life of luxury as befits a lady, or so her mother would have her believe. This is all thrown into disarray when with war looming her husband Jonathan who works as an admiralty surveyor decides to relocate to the safety of Wivenhoe, mainly to keep children Emily and George safe, although he does have an ulterior motive i.e. to try to salvage his marriage! When Elizabeth sees Harbour house for the first time, words fail her, will Jonathon get the out come he is hoping for or are there a few nasty surprises along the way?

I loved the family feel to this story, just like normal family life with its ups and downs, children squabbling etc. My favourite character was George and least favourite was definitely Pete. I’m hoping for another in the series!

I have become a big fan of Fenella J. Miller's books. She brings World War Two England to life with her characters, locations and the situations that occur. I love reading her stories and being able to picture the places. I have walked some of the roads. I have ridden on the trains. I have visited some of the locations. To think of them in two different time periods always has me wanting to know more, searching for more.

Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House is unique to me because although I have heard of Wivenhoe, I have not been there. I have really missed out. The author makes the town during WW2 sound fascinating. How exciting would it be to be near the shipyards building minesweepers? Jonathan Roby is transferred to the shipyard to oversee the construction giving the reader little peaks into the inner workings.

Jonathan moves his family from London to Wivenhoe in hopes of a better marriage. It is an eye opening experience for the family. The adjustments they have to make had me roaring with laughter. His wife, Elizabeth, was born with a silverspoon and now has to deal with just one WC and it is downstairs.

The story is riddled with drama and conflict. They are now living in a lower class area. The house maybe large but it is outdated. No longer will there be live in help. Nannies are a thing of the past. The children will be seen and heard. It gets very loud as the children learn about life in WW2 England and soon have evaccuees living with them.

I wasn't sure how Elizabeth would adapt to her new surroundings. At times she blew my mind. At otehr times, I was completely disgusted. The author's words were so believable. I never doubted. I never questioned. I just turned page after page in anticipation to see what would happen next.

There is so much going on in this story Grab a cuppa tea. Snag yourself some biscuits or scones. Get comfortable and escape into the pages.

Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House by Fenella J Miller

Love titles by this author , she really manages to set the scene with her stories like she has lived through the experience her self . Double enjoyment for me as I know Wivenhoe quite well .
An excellent story set during WW2 , sees the couple Jonathon & Elizabeth move from London to the Essex coast for his work.
Loved it , and the characters and storyline. More please !

This was a strong historical fiction novel and I was engaged with everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall story being told. Fenella J Miller has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this. It uses the time-period perfectly and was hooked from the first page.