I love a strong heroine, and Rebecca Westbrook is exactly that. Compulsive, maybe foolhardy even, but with a courage that was unusual for its time and I really enjoyed her story.

A genuinely emotional, properly grown up summer read, and one not to be missed. Put it in your suitcase now.

I learnt so much from this excellent novel set in Canada. I had never heard of the devastating explosion in the harbour at Halifax which flattened part of the town and killed thousands. But as the inciting incident for the book, it worked perfectly.

Definitely a contender for my book of the year, I absolutely adored this Second World War family saga that reminded me so much of a long term favourite author, R F Delderfield.

This book has a huge heart, wonderful characters you care about instantly, and a rich feeling of community.

Set mainly during, and a little after, the Second World War, this is different to the typical ‘home front’ story because the war forms the backdrop, rather than being centre stage.

With Angela Petch’s sumptuous descriptions of the landscape, people and food, it was certainly worth the wait to get to Sicily.

Please can I go on a Caroline James holiday every year? Her books are so full of joy, feeling, and wonderful characters I just want to be part of them.

The Cowgirl Nanny is the perfect heart-warming read, with characters who’ll live with me for a very long time.

Writing as Maisie Thomas, Susanna Bavin excels at creating incredibly well researched novels of female friendship during the Second World War, and this book is no exception.