AFTER WAR OVER Paperback – Deckle Edge, December 12, 2014

First read Somewhere in France and then this book continues the story and same characters. I’ve never read much about WWI and found her books very interesting.

I REALLY WOULD NOT LIKE TO MESS WITH THIS. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

This would be a great novel to assign to a history class. The war mentioned in the title is the Great War which ended in 1918, and that we now call World War I. In one chapter Edward tells Charlotte what a day on the front lines was like. Then she tells him what her day as a nurse at a mental hospital for shell shocked veterans was like. She writes a column for the newspaper about the challenges the poor families in Liverpool face. Charlotte, a former nurse, shares some interesting medical tidbits. Olive oil and lavender can help cure an ear ache. Those who don’t have telephones in their homes or offices, must use one of the public ones at the post office. The plot is thin. It’s a romance, but the two lovers have resigned themselves to lives without each other. He is Lord Cumberland, a titled aristocrat; who needs to find a wealthy wife to pay off debts. She once worked as a governess for his younger sister. But the writing is crisp and I liked all the characters. Charlotte’s roommates face challenges. Norma is a natural flirt who barely escapes being raped. Meg is haunted by memories of a husband badly burned in the war. Rosie also lost someone in the war. The girls get together for a day at the beach or to savor slices of a banana, a delicious delicacy. Wars are never over until the last victims die. The victims are many and their lingering pain is impossible a assuage. This is unusual background for a romance. Anyway Charlotte and Edward are not together enough to make this a true romance. The novel does, however, work. The characters make it work despite the thin plot.

I have read many books in my time, but none about World War I, or what happened after it was over. I learned in school how it changed history in the United States and other countries. Author Jennifer Robson shows us in another country Great Britain. We meet Charlotte Brown and learn what life was like for women.Synopsis:Charlotte Brown has been in the service of Cumberland family for years. She has become great friends with Lilly her charge also known as Elizabeth Cumberland. Charlotte was the governess of Lilly in her childhood but is hired by her brother Edward. He becomes Lord Cumberland after their father dies. Will he be able to have what he wants in life? Once Lilly reaches her eighteenth birthday what will happen to Charlotte? How does life change when the Great War happens? Once the war is over Charlotte takes a job in Liverpool. She still has contact with the Cumberland family. What has happened to Edward and how that does affect his relationship with Charlotte?My Thoughts:I was excited to read one of Jennifer Robson’s book. I have not read of her other work before. The subject of World War I and life after the war is interesting to me. I loved the part that focused on the Women’s’ Liberation movement. I found the novel slow at times. Charlotte’s character was not interesting to me. The author lays out the various layers of this character but takes much of the book to do it. Her life seems like normal everyday. She is well liked by most of the characters. The climax questioned whether she would have the courage to step out in faith and claim her future.Happy Reading!

From the very first chapter, we are allowed a glimpse into the beautiful, selfless and disillusioned heart of Charlotte Brown. She is passionate, compassionate, intelligent, honest, determined, steadfast and persistent—a beacon of light and love in a shattered post-war Britannia.We were introduced to this remarkable woman in Mrs. Robson’s excellent previous novel “Somewhere in France” and it’s a delight to delve deeper and explore her character more in the aftermath of the Great War. Any reservations and concerns I had that Charlotte would be a static character—an unchanging martyr to her causes—were deemed unfounded getting into the heart of the story. Throughout this story we see her struggle with finding balance between celebration and joy and excess extravagance. Between being proud and judgmental and educating and inspiring. She is humbled by her own shortcomings, and in those moments I found her endearing and someone I’d imagine being friends with...We see familiar faces and come to meet new characters along the way—each as full of life and easily conceivable as our main characters. The writing is crisp and vivid, and the author has an excellent way with words, weaving a historically accurate and incredibly detailed story without droning or sacrificing character and story development for the sake a history lesson. This book is every bit as lovely and captivating as its predecessor and I couldn’t be more pleased with it! Looking forward to reading more from this outstanding author.

The first thing you'll notice about this book is not the romantic and brooding cover when you receive it but the way the pages have been cut and feel. They have used a different texture and it gives you that old worldly feel which unfortunately is the only good thing about the book. Okay, slightly harsh but this book is a very light read and okay. The characters are a little wet behind the ears and not well rounded in terms of characterisation but this is only when you hold it up against other well written books of this era. If you are only starting out reading WW11 novels this is a nice book to start with but not deep or engaging enough for seasoned readers.I can't say anymore or it will spoil the plot x

Excellent read, sequel to Somewhere in France. Loved the characters in the first book, and the follow up just confirmed the consistency of true characteristic traits. Accurate attention to detail throughout, covering the years immediately following the Great War. Lived with the characters for the duration of the book, didn't want it to end. Full 5 stars!

A lovely read

best read i have had in a long time. started reading about mid afternoon and finished about midnight, i could not put this book down the page just lead you through to the past brilliant

I read the previous book by this author and she makes it so alive with feelings so real , I hope she will write more stories in the future with such strong to life ideas, I couldn't put it down