The Officer's Wife: A heartbreaking WW2 historical novel from Catherine Law Paperback – 3 April 2023

I purchased this book as I have read all of Catherine Law's previous books and really enjoyed them, so I wanted to read her newest book.It is so beautifully written, you really feel as if you are "there" in the book. A wonderful story set at the start of the 2nd World War, the book is " unputdownable" and I raced through it. Lovely characters that you become very fond of and I was sad to leave them behind! A sequel would be brilliant!

We must never forgot times in the past

I have read all of the books written by Catherine Law but this one was my favourite. As you are reading the book you can just imagine the scenery and the characters! A moving storyline and beautifully written. I can’t wait to read her new book when it is published.

A charming story of people thrown together in wartime. Of opportunities taken and lost. Realistic storyline. Lovely ending. Different types of love through the years, with a strong sense of romance. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Such a moving story, so beautifully told. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to read another book by this author. ❤️

I found this book somewhat superficial. No depth in the story and the characters one dimensional, especially that of Nathan. Information about the war was very sketchy and told. What most people already know with very little detail. It was as if theauthor took ideas of several similar types of book and cobbled them together. I felt the only original concept was that of how the "menage a troi" worked out. Writing style was very jumpy and the passage of time felt very rushed. Not one of my better reads

Absolutely riveted by this book, so beautifully written with evocative descriptions & interesting characters. It took the author 4 years to write and you will appreciate that as you immerse yourself in this sometimes heart wrenching but ultimately uplifting story.Highly recommend!

As above, rating based on my normal reading which is a bit more action oriented, but still a good read

The story started off slow but once you meet all the characters and understand the timeline, you won't want to put it down.

This book is not your typical World War story. It doesn't focus on the battles, the blitz, resistance or the genocide of the Holocaust. It does tell of the emotional challenges faced by so many who did endure these things. Nathan was raised in a very dysfunctional home with an abusive father and a mother who never spoke out against what was happening to her. As a young boy, Nathan met Elise on a beach and when she was cut in a fall gave her his handkerchief to stop the bleeding. It was years before he would meet her again.Vivienne and her parents came to England shortly before the war began. When she met Nathan, she fell in love with him(despite his strange parents with their old world ideas). After a two day honeymoon, he left to go to war as a naval officer. Shortly after his departure Vivi received devastating family news. She next saw Nathan months later after he had been injured in the evacuation from Dunkirk.While in hospital, Nathan had been nursed by Elise who was working as a VAD nurse. She was a strong support through those difficult days and when Nathan returned home, Vivi found him changed, closed off from her in spite of her love for him.These three characters form the basis for the rest of the book. There is mystery and tragedy, but also love. Vivienne is a strong woman whose heart is big enough to forgive and to love even those who cause her pain.The writing and descriptions were beautiful. As a reader I felt sadness and joy. I would definitely recommend this book in all its complexity.

Excellent story line history repeating its self. Selfish men women who have to pick up the pieces. Very good Ann

This takes place around the time of WWII and after. A young woman comes to visit England with her parents and falls in love with an Englishman. They marry but have no children. He has an affair with a woman he met as a child and they have a child. The sad part of this is that the wife finds out about all of this but stays with her husband. He seems like such a jerk just like his father was. Very good characters and story seemed realistic.

So much love and heartache in one book. Vini so warm and true and loved Nathan and his child so much. This is just a very beautiful story of home in WW 2 and after. And life with it ups and downs. And the story paints a picture of a very beautiful lonely place. And the importance of a best friend in all phases of life. I highly recommend this book as I have described it.