Freddie is the second son, he plans to join his business partner in Ceylon and grow tea. Just as The Great War ends, his parents receive a telegram and his older brother Edward and the heir of Coombe Hall is missing in action and presumed dead.

Freddie now has to sacrifice his own hopes and dreams to try to fulfill his brothers role. Littlecombe farm has been sold to the Cottam's and Freddie likes their daughter Celia and her attitude. Despite being attracted to Celia, Freddie has to marry for money, feelings have nothing to do with the match and otherwise his family will lose the estate.

After The Great War, things change in England, this leads to the general strike, coal miner’s hours increase and they are paid less. Transport workers and those employed in heavy industry downed tools and went on a sympathetic strike to support them.

The labouring families who rented and worked for Freddie’s grandparents and parents for generations have left, Freddie's struggling to keep Coombe Hall going and even with his wife’s dowry. Celia wants to help returned servicemen, many are suffering from psychological problems, the effects of shell-shock and the peace and quiet of the countryside in Devon might help?

Freddie and Celia find themselves on different sides, as the Viscount of Damerel Freddie has done what’s expected of him and in doing so he’s changed and Celia doesn’t like the person he’s become. Freddie is keeping a secret, one that could change everything and he might not be the rightful heir?

A sweeping historical saga set in Devon, at the end of The Great War and leading up to the start of the Second World War. A time of social change in England, many families like the Freddie’s struggled to keep their estates afloat, due to their sons dying or being injured in the war, paying taxes and the up keep of huge houses and lavish gardens and not being able to find staff.

I received a digital copy of A Time To Live by Vanessa de Haan from HarperCollins UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Spanning twenty years, it looks at the lives of an upper crust English family, warts and all and perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. Four stars from me, I’m keen to read Ms. De Haan’s previous book, The Restless Sea.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the invite to read this eARC.

I'm a fan of historical fiction, particularly if set around WW1 and WW2 era. This book is set over a 20 year period and is, in many ways, a refreshing and enjoyable read. I liked the authors writing style, and that the story flowed well. This is very much a family saga, family drama sort of read. I liked that it touched on quite a few issues of that era that, for me, made this a very compelling read at times. Most of the characters are fairly likeable and relateable. Freddie, the second son in a well to do family has to step up when his elder brother doesn't return home from war and take over the running of the family estate in Devon. The story follows his life and that of local residents and I feel the author touched on the differences, resentment between the working and upper classes really well here. At times though I did think the book was maybe a little too descriptive and a bit too long, with the ending being far too rushed for my liking. Saying this though, this is still a good read overall, although one that didn't wow me. I'd recommend this if you like historical fiction, family drama books.

3.5 stars

A Time to Live, set in between the 2 World Wars is a sweeping saga of a family, their neighbours, friends, extended family and village folk.

The lead Freddie's story is heartbreaking and a bit sad, pathetic at times. I would've loved and enjoyed the story more than I did if it had been a few chapters less, more compact in it's flow.

Since Historicals tend to be a bit lengthy that's a drawback we can put up with, otherwise it's a story of how folks put up with life,love and everything in between post war effects paired with civil unrest and the shadow of another war.

This was quite a read. Set between WW1 and WW2 it follows Freddie's life. He has to change his plans as Edward, his older brother has been posted missing, presumed dead, so Freddie has to take over the running of the family estate. Victor, his wife Aggie and their son, Wilf, end at the estate as Victor knew Edward during the war.

Set just after WW1 this is an epic Family story ,Freddie's dreams of going to Ceylon and starting a tea business are shattered when his older brother Edward does not return from the war presumed dead .Freddie is now the heir and expected to run the Family Estate of Coombe Hill and marry a wealthy heiress to support it .A really good family saga with great characters I enjoyed this book very much .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

A Time to Live by Vanessa de Jaan

An epic Family tale set from around WW1. Two brothers Edward and Freddie and the expectations of who will inherit and take charge of the Family estate of Combe Hall.
I enjoyed reading this book and felt the author had really got under the skin of her characters.
This would make a good film . A great social insight to the upper class and often the consequences of what that brings.

Family expectations and rebellion against them. When his elder brother Edward doesn't return home after the First World War, younger brother Freddie has to forget his own dreams to take over the running of Combe Hall, the family estate. Everyone in the village is dependent on employment with the estate. He is also expected to marry wealthy heiress Elizabeth so the status quo can be maintained. But is Edward really dead? The novel takes us from post WWI unemployment to the growth of unionism and the threat of a second great war. Towards the end, there's a dramatic scene with protester and barricades that makes you want to start singing "Do You Hear The People Sing"! A dramatic time to live indeed.