For Better, For Worse: A Second World War saga of love and heartache

June Francis

Nov 2020 · Canelo

About this ebook

With war on the horizon, can she find peace?

Grace and Dougie have been courting for years, so when Dougie decides to emigrate to Australia he expects Grace to follow once she turns twenty-one. Grace used to be besotted with the handsome man, but she is increasingly worried by his bullying behaviour and gambling. On her way home from seeing Dougie off at the docks, Grace is nearly run down by a truck driven by widower Ben, who is on his way to the hospital to see his young son.

Soon, Grace has agreed to look after Ben’s child while he recovers from his accident. As they spend time together Ben struggles to ignore his growing feelings for Grace. But Dougie is determined not to let Grace go and when war breaks out he returns to England. With her old flame to contend with, never mind the relentless German bombers, will ever Grace find peace and love?

From Liverpool’s much-loved saga novelist comes a tale of love and heartache in wartime, which fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn will love.

Ratings and reviews

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of For Better For Worse by June Francis for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them. For Better For Worse is an intriguing historical fiction novel with complex characters and an involved plot. The pacing kept me engaged from the beginning until the end. Ms. Francis must do extensive research because the detail and authentic feel to the setting is amazing. Grace’s character has a great many facets. She is under twenty in the beginning and a mature woman by the end. During this saga, she experiences life in pre-WWII and in the midst of WWII, all the way to the aftermath. There are complex family relationships, starting with her cousin, Dougie. Then later ones with his oblivious mother, one contentious sister and another one who attempts to bridge the rift between them. I liked Grace’s character and enjoyed following her character growth and great love for her children. This was not the easiest review to write without including spoilers. The book description does not give the reader a true picture of this novel’s depth. The story is complicated at times, but it intrigued me, and I enjoyed it a great deal. If you enjoy novels depicting life before, during, and after WWII, then you will love the historical details in For Better For Worse by Ms. Francis, since it includes an excellent example of life during this turbulent period of history. Happy reading!

About the author

June Francis' sagas include Step by Step, A Dream To Share, When Clouds Go Rolling By, Tilly’s Story and Sunshine and Showers. She had her first novel published at forty and is married with three sons. She lives in Liverpool.