Stormy Waters at Harbour House is the second installment in Fenella J Miller's nest series, but it can easily be enjoyed on its own.

This book delves deeper into the life of Emily, the eldest daughter of the Roby family, as well as Nancy, who becomes the Robys' cleaner and part time child care provider. As Emily navigates the complexities of growing up and the changes in her body, she finds herself confused. Meanwhile, Nancy is in love with.Can, and the two are making plans for their future together.

Fenella is creating an incredible series! I adore this book, although I'm not quite sure why. The characters are relatable and endearing. I have a feeling we will see more of Nancy and Dan in upcoming stories, especially since her mother continues to work for the Robys. I can't wait for the next installment

Stormy Waters at Harbour House by Fenella J Miller takes up a few months after the last one ended. Mother is having a baby, life in the house is pretty good, and Nancy Bates was going to move in to help take care of them. They fixed her up a room in the attic and it was the first time she’d ever had a room to herself. She was young, only seventeen, but had “a good head on her shoulders.” Life was good. She had a boyfriend, Dan, who asked her to marry him. She said she’d be engaged but she was too young to be married. Life went on with normal ups and downs.

Nancy and Dan were a terrific couple. Nancy was strong and independent and Dan was learning to adjust to that. He had a horrid family and couldn’t wait to have a good one with Nancy. With the war, things got complicated beyond the daily problems with the blackout and food rationing. Dan was a sailor. He’d been a fisherman but now he worked on a barge carrying whatever someone would pay them to carry. That ended up being the major complication when the barge sank and everyone died. I love these World War II slice-of-life novels. This is a good one., I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I was invited to read Stormy Waters at Harbour House by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #FenellaJMiller #StormyWatersAtHarbourHouse

WW2 homefront

I thoroughly enjoyed Stormy Waters at Harbour House, as I did the first book in the series and am looking forward to the third book. It probably would be best to read the series in order but if you can't, there are plenty of clues to the characters in this book. I like WW2 books and this type especially, a warmhearted plot and characters who live on the home front in the UK, not centering on the war itself and the abuses of the camps. I also really enjoy the story from the points of view of the children and young people coming of age in trying times. Thoroughly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional any my own opinion.

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

a slow paced book in the series

back with the harbour house gang and its good to catch up on where everyone is.... interesting read about the life and times during the war years and the struggles they all faced....

love how this author writes

Gorgeous book set in world war two though the war rarely impinges on the lives of the inhabitants of Harbour House . Apart from rationing and blackouts, life goes on and we are drawn into the world of Nancy our heroine. Leaving her hated job sewing uniforms for the services, she works full time at Harbour House where her mum is cook/housekeeper, with the benign and kindly employers treating them very much like family. One consequence of war, is women are beginning to challenge the traditional mores and Nancy is a feisty, independent example of this. Engaged to Dan, a handsome seaman, she wants more than to be a wife and mother and gets her chance when her aunt inherits a big house and haberdashery shop and allows Nancy to run it and live there. Nancy seizes the chance to achieve her dreams despite Dan's misgivings. Will there love survive their change in circumstances? A thoroughly enjoyable read with believable and lovable characters. The children are adorable! As is the dog Boyd whom I would love to have seen more of .

Book 2 of 2 - Well written story and great characters. The author draws you right into WWII. I enjoyed it and suggest you read it.

Fenella J. Miller’s Stormy Waters at Harbour House is an engaging, heartfelt tale that keeps you hooked from start to finish. This is the second book of this series and it follows the lives of the residents of Harbour House, weaving together love, secrets, and the trials of living through WWII.
I am a huge fan of Miller’s books, the characters are well-written and relatable, with emotional journeys. I really felt we got to know more about the characters this time compared to the first book, it had a different feel to it and I hope that we learn more with the next.
The relationships in the novel are particularly well-explored—both romantic and platonic—adding depth to the story and making the reader care deeply about the characters’ fates. Nancy is a girl with gumption and I really liked her character, she showed determination, consideration for others and I was keen to see all work out well for her.
Overall, Stormy Waters at Harbour House is an extremely enjoyable and satisfying read. It’s perfect for those who love this genre – war time/ family saga; a book with a mixture of romance, personal growth, and family bonds not always being blood relatives. A great addition to Miller’s collection of heartwarming novels.

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

This is the second book in the Harbour House series, set in WWII. I read the previous book, and although I enjoyed them both, I found this one a little bit different from the first, and felt that I connected more with some of the characters.

I was pleased to see the return of the Roby family, and in particular, I enjoyed getting to know more about Emily. I also thought Nancy was a great character; I found her to be kind-hearted, strong-headed and independent. The bond she shared with Dan warmed my heart, and I found him an endearing character as well.

I found this heartwarming to read, and in the latter part of the book, there were some moments that made me a little bit emotional. If you haven't read the previous book, you may enjoy this as a standalone, although I was glad that I'd read the first book as well.

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

Stormy waters at Harbour House is a great book with wonderful characters and a good storyline. Easy to read without having read book one. Nancy and Dan delay getting married until after the war but can they remain friends and will Dan’s jealousy get the better of him. Thanks to Fenella and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

More from the Roby family and their staff and friends. It’s a great series with good characters so hopefully there will be more to come from the people in Wivenhoe.

This is the second book in the Harbour House series but it can be read as a standalone. Having read and loved book one I was eager to read this one and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Right from the very beginning this book drew me in and I just wanted to keep on reading. The characters are all developing and coming into their own in this second book. I especially loved young Emily and did feel a bit sorry for her at times. As the war is progressing life isn’t easy at times but the people of Wivenhoe are all there for each other even through tough times . Family sagas are one of my favourite genres and i can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

3.5 Stars

Stormy Waters at Harbour House is the second installment of the Harbour House series and can be read as a stand-alone. The story’s central character is Nancy, the new girl working at Harbour House. Nancy is indispensable to the family and has a serious boyfriend who works as a bargeman on the river and is away for days and weeks at a time. Part of her feels she’s too young to settle down and she explores what it would be like to run a business. Some effects of war are felt.

Having read the first installment, Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House, I was a bit surprised about the main character in this second story. It doesn’t pick up with the parents are main characters. Instead, the focus is on Nancy who works for the family and is a mentor and like a big sister to the family’s daughter, Emily. Nancy is an ambitious, kind, and compassionate young woman with her own aspirations for making a better life.

It’s always interesting to contemplate what life would be like on the home front during World War II. Rationing is in effect and children have been evacuated from London and live with families in the village. The transportation of goods and materials on the river is becoming dangerous.

The first book in the series is definitely a family drama as the husband moves his family (against his wife’s wishes) away from London to the countryside. Although the mother was a bit unlikable at first, the seeds are sown for a great deal of character development….which I was looking forward to in this sequel. However, the story places the parents firmly in the background with no further opportunity for character growth. The focus is on eighteen-year-old Nancy, a family maid, and the nearly teenage daughter of the family, Emily. Although their stories are somewhat compelling, it is a coming-of-age story and I was expecting more family drama.

Content Consideration: bullying

Fans of WWII home front stories and Fenella Miller might enjoy this new series.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #StormyWatersAtHarbourHouse upon my request. All opinions are my own.

This captivating tale weaves together heartwarming moments and suspenseful twists, promising to enthrall readers who are drawn to historical fiction, family drama, and romance. The story will particularly resonate with those who appreciate narratives centered around resilient female protagonists as they grapple with the complexities of coming-of-age and self-discovery amidst the turmoil and upheaval of a war-torn world.

The narrative will delve into the protagonist's personal journey, exploring themes of love, loss, courage, and resilience. Readers will be immersed in a richly detailed historical setting, experiencing the sights, sounds, and emotions of an era marked by conflict and uncertainty. The story will examine the profound impact of war on individuals, families, and communities, while also highlighting the enduring power of hope, love, and the human spirit.

Another story of the Roby family that have now settled down in Wivenhoe at Harbour House,but the a new baby arrives and Emily can’t seem to bond with her ,Ginger the cats is the only thing she seems settled with.Nancy Bates works in the local factory but then finds herself working with her mother for the Roby family and loves it .Her and Emily get along great.Danny ,Nancy’s future husband works as a barge man and is wanting to get married but Nancy thinks their is more to life than rushing in to marriage so young.Suddenly life changes for Danny and Nancy when he is hurt.Will he recover .A work man of Mr Roby comes but is not liked by Nancy.What will happen at Harbour House.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood .

This story mainly concerns the eldest daughter of the house, Emily and how she is adjusting to the changes in her body and attitude as she gets older. It also concerns members of the staff in the Roby household and their work and love lives. I found the information about the red sail barges really interesting. It must have been very frustrating for the children who were intelligent enough to attend the grammar school but unable to go because of financial difficulties. The author does portray the feeling of ordinary people and how they are beginning to be affected by the war and the danger it brings to the community. There is a newcomer in the household and I wonder if he will cause trouble in the future. I look forward to finding out. This was a lovely read and the story just flowed along. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In the latest book in the Harbour House series, readers return to Wivenhoe in February of 1940 where the Roby family is happy to have escaped the danger and chaos of the Blitz. Emily, however, is not very happy, being disappointed with her new school, her new sister, and her parents’ treatment of her as both a baby and a grown up. With her only friend Nancy engaged and her fiance Dan wanting them to marry and have a family sooner rather than later, both Nancy and Emily must cope with the new changes at Harbour House and the dangers facing their families as the war only grows more intense. The characters are the star of the novel, with Nancy and Emily alternating perspectives as their wartime struggles continue, and readers will enjoy seeing how they have grown since the events of the previous book. The wartime experiences in this rural town are also particularly interesting, since it’s not the typical location for a World War II historical fiction novel, but Miller has done a brilliant job bringing these small-town dynamics to life in this exciting and entertaining new World War II historical fiction novel that fans of Miller’s other books will love.

This was so much better than the first book. I loved getting to know the characters more and seeing the story develop, I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series.

The story kept me turning the pages, it’s mainly about Emily and Nancy. After a new addition is born in the Roby family, they’ve settled into a routine.

There is a lot happening throughout the story both in Emily and Nancy’s lives, and it has some sad and happy moments.

The characters are relatable.

I highly recommend this book.

Life in Harbour House has settled down into some what of a routine with a couple of new additions. The characters really develop in this book and I came to care for their welfare. The author has written a compelling page turning plotted drama. With such emotion I felt every feeling through the words. The war is still continuing although they seem to be safe at Harbour House for now. I was excited to find out what would happen next for the characters and I am hoping this will be a long series because it has become one of my favourites. I can't wait for the next book to see what will happen!

This is easy to read and well-researched with likeable characters like all of Fenella J. Miller’s books, however there wasn’t much of the war in it and I didn’t like it as much as her others. The two main characters are young Emily, who is struggling with puberty and her feelings about the new baby and Nancy. Nancy worked in a sewing factory but now works as a maid for Emily’s parents. Nancy is unsure about her feelings for Dan, a bargeman in the navy.

As another reviewer pointed out, the first half is quite slow but a lot happens in the latter part of the book. A mysterious lodger arrives and Nancy has to decide what she really wants in life, while Emily starts growing up. Dan is rather old-fashioned and bossy but one gets the impression that Nancy is a good, strong match for him.

I read this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.