Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book, the publisher and Judith Barrow for the chance to read this book.

I read another review where the reviewer states that the book stayed with them after they had finished it - and I felt the same each evening when I had to put it down to go to bed - I have to admit to an extra 5 mins here, chapter there and more sometimes.

It was a story of the hardships of WW1 - the boys that went to war, underage, for the patriotic chance to help their King and Country, the women left behind often cowed by those men who didn't go to war and made to feel inferior.
In fact, the main character, Jessie, was married to a man who did so purely because 'What was hers was his' when in fact the Law had changed and she was entitled to inherit her family business in her own right.
Jessie. like so many thought she had lost her love and married for respectability.
Her lost love, forced to become and act like a man when little more than a boy himself and was traumatised by what he had seen and endured in the Trenches of WW1 which was described with horrific detail by the author. This meant it was obvious the book was well researched for the finer details of how futile and terrible aspects of WW1 were.

I have written far more about the storyline than I would normally but I felt it important to point out that this was more than a tale of love and loss in WW1 - there was the horror of the Trenches, injuries sustained, women left behind struggling to cope emotionally and financially, domestic abuse and in the end redemption and hope.
Though not necessarily complete healing for the soldiers traumatised by the scenes they had endured.

If normally you would pass this book by then maybe give it a chance

Thank you again to the published, author and NetGalley - this opinion is mine and mine alone

This book is really enjoyable could not put it down.

Jessie works for her family bakery, she has a childhood friend Arthur who works in the factory.

Jessie has realised she has feelings for Arthur but does he like her the same way. Arthur decides to join up as War has broken up even though he is underage. Before he leaves he tells Jessie how he feels about her.

Jessie is a strong woman but she goes through some hardships in the next few years will she ever have her happiness.

Would recommend this book,

'The Heartstone' by Judith Barrow is a historical fiction novel set during World War One and is set in the Mill Towns on the Pennines. I myself am from Oldham, what was predominantly once a mill town too, so I did feel a little nostalgic as soon as I read the synopsis and saw that the main character, Jessie, had a trip to Blackpool. My grandmother worked in the mills and Blackpool was the holiday of the year usually during Oldham Wakes, the only time the mills shut for their annual holidays. So I settled down knowing 'The Heartstone' would definitely turn back time for me.

Sixteen-year-old Jessie watches her friend Arthur marching of to fight in World War One just as they have found their friendship turning to a lot more. Jessie finds herself with a stepfather she both hates and fears due to her mum feeling like she needs protecting and remarrying. Jessie finds herself in a bad situation when she discovers the consequences of young love. Arthur's mum does her best to support Jessie all the while dealing with her own issues and worries. Jessie finds herself at a crossroads, does she wait and hope at home for Arthur...if he ever returns or does she, as we say here ' make do and mend'

A tale that does not spare the horrors of war. The acts the young soldiers, fresh from home, had to commit to in order to just survive. Judith Barrow also paints a gritty, heart-rending picture of the poor women left behind. The soul destroying wait for the knock at the door while still attempting some pretence of carrying on with their lives. As I said I was gripped. I found this book truly absorbing and found myself reflecting about my great-grandparents and how the First World War would have affected them. The women and the men, all torn away from their everyday lives, just as Jessie and Arthur where. A pretty emotional but excellent story. It is so close to home that I was immersed from the start and really wanted to know what would happen. I flew through the book in no time.
Thanks to Random Things Blog Tours, Honno Press and NetGalley for my copy of the book and my place on the Blog Tour today.

Whenever I read a well written historical saga, I wonder why on earth I don’t do so more often. This wonderful book entirely took over my life and my waking thoughts for as long as I read it: it engaged me from its opening pages, I became totally involved in Jessie’s struggle for survival, and it really was story-telling at its very best.

It’s not, I must admit, the easiest book to review at length – the story is full of twists and turns that I really don’t want to risk revealing, but which will make your heart ache every bit as much as they did mine. At the story’s heart, Jessie is just magnificent – ordinary in so many ways, but wholly exceptional as she grapples with situations that draw on every possible bit of bravery and resilience that she can summon. I really loved her, and the hurt I felt at every challenge she faced became almost physical. Sometimes, it’s all so raw that it’s difficult to read, very emotional but with such authenticity that you live and breathe every moment of cruelty and danger, sadness and loss. I will say that the lighter moments are few and far between, but there is real warmth and joy in the friendships and some of the family relationships – I particularly enjoyed her complex relationship with Edna, Arthur’s mother, and the closeness that developed.

The historical backdrop is wonderfully drawn – the whole book is a real lesson in how to use research into the social, political and industrial background to bring an era and setting to life and make it entirely real. The focus is on the home front, but there are excursions to the battlefields and front too – searing and powerful, acutely affecting.

Although Jessie is very much the story’s focus – so compelling that it’s impossible to look away – the characterisation of the supporting cast is superb too, the unsympathetic characters (that’s something of an understatement) inspiring real anger and hatred, those who show rare acts of kindness equally well rounded. But my goodness, the story-telling – the pacing, the dialogue, the moments of the unexpected, the emotional highs and lows were all just so perfectly handled.

It’s a few days now since I finished reading, but Jessie’s story is still occupying my thoughts – and that’s a sure sign of a rather special book. Very highly recommended… I loved this one.

(Review copied to Amazon UK but link not yet available)

Very enjoyable!

My heart ached for the main female lead at time’s, her life was so full of hardships. I really dreaded one part in particular but I’ll not reveal spoilers ;)

It’s certainly a must read

I loved this book from page one a historical drama 1900s - about a young girl called Jessie and her love Arthur. Such an interesting and absorbing story which transformed me to the war years with ease. The book follows the trials and tribulations of Jessie’s life and ongoing relationships. The bond she has with Arthur, her mother and best friend. The raw emotions, abuse and events that Jessie went through made me hold my breath at times. I don’t like to give the storyline away but would recommend this book and will certainly seek this author out again. Thank you Net Galley for granting me the advance copy