Alice lives at Oakbourne Hall, once the happily married wife of Stephen, who sadly like many were damaged by the second world war. Once a poet Stephen is now withdrawn and hostile to Alice and everyone around him.

Life in the village of Oakbourne is much changed and scared by the war, and the new Reverend George Ivens is discovering this first hand. George is from the city and is not used to country life but still is able to see how the war has affected these people as it had in London.

This is a really beautifully written book about a really difficult time after war. Many men did not return from fighting and the ones that have are much changed. The women have also changed as they had to adapt in the absence of their husbands. Alice uses her garden as a solace and space to escape the stranger that she is now married to.

Dr Downes a surgeon is now the village doctor due to the war and his experiences and finds a companion in George. I enjoyed reading the different perspectives in the book as it was very enlightening to read both sides of the story. I also enjoyed the class aspects of the book within the village, which felt more prevalent amongst the men.

A emotional, thought provoking historical fiction novel in which I genuinely cared about the characters and their fate.

5 stars *****