Flora escapes an institution and is surprisingly rescued by a man, Andrew who himself has just joined an institution.
But for some reason the two of them have formed an initial immediate bond and while Flora tells a few white lies to be able to live life freely, despite the clouds of war starting to gether over Edinburgh. Andrew becomes her sailor sweetheart when he goes back to sea.
Circumstances force them both into very different situations and it seems that Flora now must do everything she can to survive and goes to Andrews home on the estate of Ingersley. Little does she know that she is walking into a very different place that Andrew left behind since the war started.
But shelter, food and the offer of help for the future is there and it seems that Flora must take all these options. But she is sadly merely a pawn in the game that the lady of the house, Ruth. How can you dislike a character so much that she compels you to keep reading just to see what happens. Which is what Ruth did in this story. Her actions were dangerous, immoral and she was only out for one person – herself. Flora and all those who come into contact with Ruth stand no chance.
As the book progresses, so do the years but that first bond that Andrew and Flora has seems to still be there, despite everything and everyone who choose to keep them apart.
When the death of Andrew’s beloved Captain and owner of Ingersley, in somewhat suspicious circumstances, the truth starts to be revealed to Andrew. But of course we know the truth.
This is a book full of heroic acts, full of sadness, full of laughter and most of all full of hope, that everything will turn out alright in the end. The only way you are going to know is to read the book.
A favourite read in one of my favourite genres.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
Flora’s War is out now. (Please note this was previously published as The Weeping Tree.)
The Book Jotter 