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.

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.

In The Broken Vow I was keen to show not only how soldiers were affected by trauma, but also the attitudes of people on the home front towards them.

I was so completely absorbed in the world of the Oregon Trail in the 1840s that I could hear the creak of the wagons, smell saddle leather and horses.

Alexandra Walsh’s best book yet, with strong echoes between the timelines. The history is impeccably researched, bringing an entirely new angle to The Gunpowder Plot, and how it might have played out for the women behind the scenes.

One of the biggest arcs of character growth I have read in a very long time, and so ambitious to undertake. Yet it works, and the subplots around it make the book all the more rewarding.

This is an ambitious debut novel. Part family saga, part romance, part mystery thriller… but best not to try to pigeonhole it, rather just say it’s a cracking story.