A wonderful set of rounded characters who are living in difficult times. Death, pain, family discord, love and everyday life means there is a lot going on in this story, but it is not hard to follow and as the stories weave in and out of each other so do the relationships. I need to go back and read the previous books.

Family Matters at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke is a slice-of-life story about those who stayed at home during World War II. As always, it was refreshing and interesting. The human condition. The story basically revolves around three brothers and their families. Two of the Talbot brothers: John and Tom, were off at war. The third, Artie, had stayed at home on the farm as his father’s heart was bad and he could no longer work hard. All of those around chipped in and they had farm girls sometimes. In fact, Artie had married one of their farm girls and soon there would be a baby. Tom’s wife, Lizzie, owned a beauty salon in town and took care of little Arthur, their son. Tom was a trainer as he had been wounded and was not longer fit for service. John had just told Lucy about the illegitimate son his mother was raising at home, in preparation for a proposal.

Good things come and go as the months wear on. These are lovable and interesting characters and day-to-day things happen to them as well as some big things. One doesn’t always think of those left behind and I think it is important that we do. I enjoy this genre. It has opened my mind in unexpected ways. It’s a good read.

I was invited to read Family Matters at Blackberry Farm by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RosieClarke #FamilyMattersAtBlackberryFarm

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the fourth book in the Blackberry Farm series, and although I've enjoyed several other books by this author, I haven't read any of the previous books in this series.

The story follows the Talbot family, living on their Cambridgeshire farm during WWII. I found the characters easy to warm to. John struck me as a very endearing character, and I really wanted him to be happy. I think that the characters I identified with the most were Lucy and Lizzie, but my favourite character was Pam, as I loved her caring, maternal nature.

I found this book really easy to read, as the characters were easy to connect with. In some ways, it felt nostalgic to read, because I felt it spoke to some old-fashioned values, and I felt that the Talbot family represented everything that a solid family should be. They supported each other, took care of each other, through all the ups and downs. The story had some tearjerker moments, but it left me with a warm feeling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

In the latest Blackberry Farm novel, readers return to Cambridgeshire in 1943 at the height of the Second World War. With John and Tom recalled to active service, Artie must take on the duty of the farm when the patriarch Arthur dies and John is reported missing in action. Pam, grief-stricken and fearing the worst, must pull her family together when Tom returns home injured, but the ensuing fight between Tom and Artie over the farm might just threaten the peace in the Talbot family. Nurse Lucy Ross, who might be a good stepmother to Jonny and wife to John, must also continue her service in the face of this potential tragedy and see if there is a future on the farm for her as well. With a host of complex characters all dealing with different aspects of the war, readers will love this latest instalment for the continuation of the characters’ narratives as the Talbot family itself changes with the addition and loss of relatives. With a great emotional storyline and the readers’ investment in this family, Rosie Clarke has continued to bring the wide variety of World War II experiences to life in this well-written historical fiction series that readers can’t miss.

As always, it was lovely to return to Talbolt family fold at Blackberry Farm in rural Cambridgeshire. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and watched the characters develop and grow as war rages in Europe, taking with it many young men.

It's now 1943 and the war is at its height and at last it feels as if Britain and her Allies are gaining the upper hand at last. Maybe by next Christmas it will all be over. Who knows? But one thing's for sure...something big is brewing; and it is bound to change the course of the hostilities once and for all.

At Blackberry Farm, however, it's almost as if the war has not reached them there but for the young men off fighting or those that have been lost. Not to mention the airfield running adjacent to the farm itself, having once belonged to the Talbolts and sold to the RAF. Life is quiet and it goes on, whatever the war holds.

Tom and Lizzie have barely spent any of their married life together, but long enough to produce young Arthur who is now toddling and saying a few words. John's little Jonny, only a few months older than Arthur, is thriving while his father courts a young nurse named Lucy. She agrees to marry him and the couple plan to marry in the Autumn after Lucy has served her 6 months abroad as a nurse in a field hospital. But fate has other plans for the couple.

Artie and Jeanie recently married and farm the land at Blackberry Farm. But now that Jeanie has discovered she is with child, she can no longer do the heavy work and so they apply for some new Land Girls to take her place. Susan has gained a place at teacher's college but has some trouble along the way. Only Angela finds herself adrift with her sister away and everyone having their places in life. She wants to leave school and become a farmer's wife.

And then, just as they start to find their feet again, tragedy strikes the family once again...

Once again, there is so much going on in this book that I have barely scratched the surface. Suffice to say, it will leave you wanting to read the next installment with how it ended, wondering how it will all pan out.

Rosie Clarke is a go to author I always enjoy and I look forward to rejoining the Talbolts in Pam's warm and inviting kitchen once again soon.

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

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

This is the fourth book in the BlackBerry Farm series and like the previous books I was engrossed in this story from the very first chapter. It was great to be back with the Talbot family and read how life is going for them all. Times are tough with two of the brothers on active service and Artie remaining at home looking after the farm. It’s not an easy time for anyone as the war is still continuing with everyone praying it will end soon. The Talbot women are all sticking together and helping one another out during these tough times. However life can change in the blink of an eye as they are about to discover. Again Rosie Clarke has written another brilliant addition to this fantastic family saga. The characters are so vividly described I actually can picture myself being there with them all . I found this book very hard to put down as I was so invested in the story. The final chapter of this book has me eagerly awaiting for the fifth book of this great series.

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

another great read from this author..... family drama at its best..... its always nice to revisit a family or town and this one no more so than....

cant wait for the next installment of this series

It is 1943 and we are back at Blackberry Farm with the Talbot family . Artie is busy on the farm as is father Arthur is now not able to do anything ,while his two brothers are away in the war . Susan their sister is getting ready to go away to college to teacher training and Angela is still at school.When Arthur passes away and his will is read it surprises everybody as he has changed it from what they all thought it would say. Artie is not happy will everything turn out good for them in the end.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

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

In this book we follow the members of the Talbot family. Artie is doing is best to keep the farm running with help from new land girls.

Tom and John are still fighting in the war, when they get leave they come back to the farm and visit the family.

The story continues with their lives, and enjoyed meeting them and finding out how their lives have progressed. There was some difficult challenges that they had to face.

You could feel the tension and some parts made you sad as there is grief, love and unsureness that they face.

The ending was very good and I thought that was what would happen during the earlier part of the book. Can’t wait to see what happens next when some characters find out about it.

I highly recommend this book.

In Family matters at Blackberry Farm we still follow the lives of Artie. Pam, Tom and John and the rest of the family. Artie is continuing to keep the farm running with the help of some new characters to the series who are land girls. While Tom and John are still away fighting in the war with brief periods where they return home. This book carries on with the characters that I have come to know and love throughout the series and I think in this story they face there toughest challenges yet . I felt the suspense building through the drama and I couldn't tear my eyes away. There is immense grief, love and uncertainty . The cliffhanger ending has me itching for more. I can't wait!

Book 4 of 4. I suggest reading all 4 of them in order. I hated to see this saga end. I enjoyed every story.

This is the newest book in the Blackberry Farm series and I mostly enjoyed. Little obvious what was about to happen but a lovely story of love in war times and all the problems that it caused and how so many people overcame them so stoically!
Good, easy read. Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

Another great story from one of my favourite authors. So much sadness experienced by one family as the war takes its toll as it did on many families. It was heart wrenching at times but the love and support of family was hugely impressive especially after the trials and tribulations that faced the family.

Oh my gosh this had me crying, laughing, sad and really really happy at the end.
Please let there be at least one more In the series.
This one had it all and then soon.
Love, death, missing sons, injured, babies and Artie who I honestly think is the best character in this book.
He holds everything together and just keeps going no matter what happens.
I don't want to give spoilers so I can't really put more just know this book is amazing and if I could it would have 10 plus stars.

Family Matters @BlackBerry Farm by Rosie Clark is book 5 in this series. I didn’t realize it was a series. Wish I would have read the other books first. I read it as a standalone but I would suggest that you read the books from the beginning. I would have loved to have been more connected with the Talbot’s. John, who struggles with the death of his childhood love Faith’s death and the birth of his son,while serving his country. Tom also serving his country leaves behind his wife Lizzie and their son while Artie is at home working the farm. Their father is dying and Pam their mother is raising John’s son at home. While WW2 is happening in the background. The other half of the family are at home on the farm. The struggles and worries are real for them as they await and hope for the safe return of John and Tom from the war.

A great return novel. Pam and her family continue to run the farm as the war rages around them. Artie and Jeanie welcome a new baby. Tom and Lizzie spend what time they can together between his deployments. Two new land girls join the farm.. a great story. Looking forward to the next installment..

Another fantastic visit to all at BlackBerry Farm. Still at war John Talbot is worried is mother is doing to much looking after his toddler son, his ailing father and the farm. With his girlfriend Lucy waiting in the wings to take over he’s not sure of his feelings for her.
Whilst John and Tom are away fighting Artie is left to run the farm. But there is unforeseen trouble and hoepefully Tom can sort it out.
Great to be back with the Talbots and looking forward to another visit soon.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job at creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems.

Back on blackberry farm, with the war still raging on. Lovely story with lots going on.

Love these books and the author is one of my favourite's, can’t wait to see what is next

Returning to Blackberry Farm is like stepping into the warm embrace of family, even as the backdrop of World War II casts its shadow. Rosie Clarke once again delivers a heartfelt and immersive story, bringing to life the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of the Talbot family.

The war continues to demand sacrifices, with Tom and John away fighting for their country. John wrestles with grief over his late wife, Faith, while trying to remain strong for his young son, Jonny, as duty calls him back to his unit. Meanwhile, Tom undertakes perilous missions under the guise of training recruits, leaving his wife, Lizzie, to wonder if he will ever return safely to the farm.

Back at Blackberry Farm, Artie shoulders the responsibility of running the family operations, a role he doesn’t embrace without some bitterness toward his absent brothers. His journey of maturing through adversity is a highlight of the story, and Clarke’s rich descriptions make his transformation feel authentic.

Pam, ever the heart of the family, faces her share of trials, including the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. Yet, her strength and love hold the family together during uncertain times. There are plenty of “oh no!” moments that keep the reader engaged, rooting for the Talbots as they navigate through the challenges of war and life on the home front.

Rosie Clarke’s ability to transport readers to another era is unmatched, capturing the nuances of wartime life and the enduring spirit of family. The characters are vivid and relatable, each with their own struggles and growth, making the story both poignant and uplifting.

Favorite Character: Tom, for his quiet bravery and devotion to his family.
Least Favorite Character: Mr. Armstrong, who serves as a perfect foil to the warmth of the Talbot family.

Family Matters at Blackberry Farm is a touching addition to this beloved series, filled with love, loss, and hope. Fans of historical fiction and family sagas will find much to enjoy here, and I’m already looking forward to the next chapter in the Talbots’ lives.

Highly recommended for fans of emotional, character-driven stories set against the backdrop of history. Rosie Clarke has done it again!