Picking up a book by Rachel Hore is always a joy and this one did not disappoint. It was a slightly different take on the war as it focuses on a half German man who fought against the Nazis in world war 2. I particularly enjoyed the way the ww2 parts and the present day parts flowed seamlessly together.
A warm comforting read to snuggle up with on a wintry day.

This was my first Rachel Hore novel and I quite enjoyed it. The WW2 history and Norfolk setting really appealed and I found the story mostly engaging. I did feel that the book fell between two stools somewhat as there was the feel of both chick lit and historical fiction as I was reading but neither quite worked - although all the plot lines were tied up at the end I felt that this wasn't brilliantly done - some of the more interesting threads just came to a halt. This would have made a good holiday read but I just wanted something either a little lighter or a little heavier.

Last Letter Home by Rachel Hore.
Briony a historian has gone to Italy on holiday with friends. While out walking one day she stumbles across a ruined villa that has connections to her late grandfather who was stationed there in 1943 during the war. She is given some film reels and letters by a local woman that had been left at the villa after the soldiers moved out. Briony decides to try and find out about Sarah and Paul the writer and recipient of the letters. This takes her on a journey of discovery and a secret that has been hidden for many years. I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have not been disappointed with a book written by Rachel Hore yet and this newest is excellent too. The writer pulls you in and her characters become important, right to the end.

I like the two time zones and the mix of Norfolk and
Italy . It’s an interesting idea to use the Italian campaign in WW11 as it was important at the time and many know nothing of it or it’s consequences.

As always the research has been well done and again history, families and modern day are linked bringing together a great storyline.

This is a perfect holiday read but I read it during a very cold week in England and it was a total treat. Escapism at its best. I can’t wait for the next book.

I love books where the present and the past intertwine. The story follows historian Briony who is handed a random package of war time cinefilms and a bundle of love letters whilst on holiday in Southern Italy with friends.

The story unfolds as Briony pieces together the story behind Paul and Sarah who were writing the letters.

The story moves at a good pace and moved between the present and the past perfectly. The story slowly unfolds some hidden connection between Paul and Briony but what?

A good read with lots of historical content!

Just finished reading this book. It was a good story with likable characters. It set it in modern time with parts of the story going back to the 2nd world war. Brionyis given some letters which she wants to find out more about the person who wrote them. The story behind to unfold, with a few mysteries to solve along the way.

If you enjoy a good love story this is the book for you.

Whilst on holiday in Italy, Briony discovers a ruined villa which it seems her grandfather Harry has a connection to, it appears he spent some time there during the second world war. Briony is handed some letters that date back to the war from someone called Sarah which were written to a soldier called Paul Hartmann. Briony sets out to investigate what happened to the recipient of the letters and Sarah.
The story follows Briony as she seeks to undercover what happened to her grandfather Harry, Paul Hartmann and Sarah during the war and how her questions also cause problems for some people in the present who would like the past to remain a distant memory.
An easy enjoyable read with interesting characters interlinking the present with the past with an unexpected twist,

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wove between two time periods and did it well. The main characters were full of interest and there was an unexpected twist at the end.

Following a holiday in Italy, Briony pursues the mystery of a villa she stumbled upon and the connection it has to her grandfather.The story alternates between the present and the past, slowly unravelling the mystery of the relationship between Sarah Bailey, Paul Hartmann and Briony's late grandfather.
This is a novel full of secrets, betrayal, romance, family ties and friendship which I found to be an easy and enjoyable read, despite the wartime context and descriptions. It is well-written with an interesting and varied cast of characters. I have to admit, it did take a while to figure out the characters and how they all related to each other, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.