I was totally taken by this story of an unusual obsession, both sad and joyful. It is full of poetry and character, and is very cleverly written to encompass a life, both poignant and beautiful. We learn of war time loss and lost love, but this is far from a conventional love story.. A child is taken in an instant love developing,  and only then do we find out about the heartbreak behind this.need.

A very moving book.  I enjoy reading books around this era and it reminds me of the stories my Grandma used to tell me.  Beautifully written and at times brought a tear to my eye.

A great read. I enjoyed reading it and it has a great plot and characters. I also look forward to more books from the author.

Written from the heart with characters that feel real, this novel beautifully flows from being in the heart of ww2 and then afterwards in post war Britain. I felt I leant a lot about what people experienced during these hard times and its not often you read about how people coped with the change after the War was over. 
Although I was excited to read this one, I did lose interest in the story being told. Ellen one day finds a little girl left alone on a bus and decides to look after her. We follow their journey as their lives weave together and experience all the hope, love and positivity in a time of despair.

Where do I start with this story? I have to say I had mixed feelings throughout. I thought when I picked it up it would be a historical story about WW2, a genre I love, however although WW2 was a backdrop to the story it wasnt about WW2 and I didnt learn anything. However the descriptions and imagery the story brought to my mind was fantastic, what a beautiful story. I would recommend to anyone wanting to read a heart warming story rather than a story of WW2.

A lovely book, slow burning but full of warmth, love and tenderness.  An abandoned baby in wartime changes all the lives of those involved forever.

I really enjoyed this book, based during the war Pamela is found asleep in the back of a bus by Ellen.

Due to her own childhood Ellen never wanted children but finds herself bonding with Pamela. She realises this is going to be harder than she ever anticipated when the war ends.

I love historical fiction and enjoyed this story of love and how happiness can be found in places you least expect it in the village of Upton.

Unfortunately I stopped reading this at 20%. It just wasn't for me - it was very slow and detailed and I'm not a big fan of that. I need some sort of plot. It also isn't as focussed on the 'lost girl' as I thought it would be. I think it would still be enjoyable for people who don't mind these things :)

Great wartime drama with a lovely heartfelt sad story and i read this over a matter of days couldn't put it down.

I loved this book and first I’ve read of the author but I will be reading more.  I love how it followed her life right through. All her ups and downs nd felt like I was there with her. Highly recommend

I adored this book. It opened slowly, gently, only just captivating enough. (I'm not a fan of war-themed entertainment, I admit it.) Then just as I thought I was safe, it ripped my heart straight out! The writing is beautiful, tender, and the story takes its time. But it's absolutely worth it. So lovely to read a novel where the characters are real, good but imperfect, their suffering tenderly, painstakingly betrayed. If you enjoy literary fiction you'll love this.

What a beautiful book a book of bravery love survival.A book perfect for book club discussion.This is a book I will be gifting to friends a very special book.#netgalley #harper4thestateuk

What a treat We Must Be Brave is - many thanks to Frances Liardet for  the exquisite writing contained within this book. I finished the story in one day as I kept returning to it again and again. Ellen Parr, together with Pamela and Paula have burrowed their way into my heart and I will miss them. The tale spans many years and takes you through myriad emotions. However it is never over sentimental or syrupy; it presents the tale and the nuances within it are yours to enjoy. Alongside the main characters we have Selwyn, Lucy and other beautifully detailed players, each one adding their own special sparkle to what is already a magical tale. A highly commendable book of unique and endearing people who manage to find silver linings on even the darkest days. This is a 'must read' book for anyone who appreciates happiness, love and friendship.

It took me a while to get into this novel and I must confess I picked it up and put it down a few times. But when the alchemy finally fell into place (the right reader for the right book at the right time), I found this novel to be quite brilliant.

We Must Be Brave is an incredibly moving, sweeping story set during the second world war. The writing is sharp and stunning; author Frances Liardet knows her way around a metaphor and then some, which keeps the everyday minutiae of English village life away from being sentimental or nostalgic.

When Ellen Parr finds a small child wrapped in a dirty blanket on the back seat of a bus during the evacuation of Southampton in World War 2, it sets in motion a chain of events which will impact upon the rest of her life. Nobody knows to whom the child belongs and as it becomes clear that there isn’t anybody to claim her, Ellen and her husband Selwyn take her in. They don’t have children of their own and for Ellen, a woman who didn’t really want children, little Pamela reveals a maternal side she didn’t know she wanted.

The women in this novel feel strong, capable and brave (the title forming more of a character battle-cry, I suppose!), and though the rural setting is quaint, the writing never is, which I adored.

In a story spanning most of a century, We Must Be Brave is almost as much about the passing of time and the grief and loss that entails, as the women the novel follows.

A beautiful book.

I loved this book. Really well written and a compelling story about the disruption caused by war, and the complicated matter of what is ‘best’ for children and those who love and care for them.

A lovely story about human relationships and how they can be affected by outside experiences. Recommended to those who enjoy reading this type of book.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and the author Frances Liardet. 
I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of WW2 historical fiction, and although the focus of this story is much more on the home front than the battles of this conflict, it is not to any detriment.
The characters are beautifully written and developed, and the story is emotional and incredibly engaging from the very start. I couldn't put it down. 
Highly recommended, 4 stars!

We Must Be Brave was a rather delightful surprise of a book for me. I don’t often read books set in World War 2 - and I’m not sure why - but I thought I’d give it a go, because I knew that it was something that my mum would probably enjoy (it’s a pretty poor reason, but it’s worked out well for me!). 

The main character, Ellen Parr, and her husband Selwyn, find themselves responsible for a young girl after her mother is killed during bombing in Southampton. Pamela is a charming, independent child, who is packed to the brim with personality, and Ellen falls for her. We learn a lot about Ellen’s childhood - one of relative wealth reduced to extreme poverty when her father loses the family fortune and abandons them. This gives us some inkling as to why Pamela manages to fill a hole in Ellen’s life: a whole that Ellen wasn’t even aware of. 

I loved the supporting characters in this story. They were all such good, caring people, who all helped Ellen when she needs it most. It’s not a love story, but it is a story about love: that of a husband and wife, a woman and child, and the love of good friends. And I have to admit to crying quite a bit in the last half of this book, so a warning that you’ll need tissues! 

This book is well worth a read - and not just because I cried! It’s a really lovely story. 
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins/ Fourth Estate for my copy of this book.

I'm biased towards WWII stories anyways but I enjoyed the unique perspective and plotline within this story. This is a very emotional book with love and loss featuring heavily. All the feelings throughout

Newly married Ellen was sure she did not want children but when she finds a lost child, Pamela, on a bus fleeing German bombs she finds herself opening up. As her own memories of her fractured childhood haunt her she realises how like her Pamela is and soon loves her as her own. But as the war draws to an end it becomes apparent that Pamela is not as alone in the world as they thought, and that she was never Ellen's to keep.

This is one of those books I rarely pick up. I'm more of a thriller type but something drew me to this story. The best thing about this is the emotion at the heart of the story, it's very genuine. The worst is that not a huge amount happens. Whilst it held my attention it, and I did enjoy it on many levels it left me feeling a little flat at the end. It's beautifully written, and is obviously a very personal story but this wasn't for me.