Daughter of the Home Front
Jennie Jones
Reviewed by Helen
This is a beautifully written story, heart-breaking at times but filled with friendship, caring and love during really hard times, set around Townsville during World War two, we meet fifteen year old Emma Hatton and journey with her through some really hard decisions, make sure you have some tissues.
Emma is living in the small seaside town of Blueholm Bay with her mother and four younger brothers her father is off fighting somewhere in New Guinea, they don’t have much money and Emma’s mother is very domineering and makes sure Emma is always busy working. Emma is a good girl but cannot wait to leave her home when she turns sixteen to help with the war effort.
When Emma finally gets to Townsville to help her aunt car for her US Army borders the world opens up for Emma, she meets the beautiful Cassie O’Byrne and there is friendship instantly, these two become fast friends and soon they out enjoying themselves Townsville is a hive of US army men and Aussies as well, Emma meets Frank Kendrick from California and she is smitten, but his kisses lead to more and then Frank is gone and Emma is in trouble.
As a disgrace to the family Emma is sent to the Holy Refuge of Saint Philomena a home for pregnant young woman, the girls are treated like prisoners here and made to work hard till they have their babies and they are taken away from them they have no choice whatsoever, Emma does something she is not supposed to and makes friends with a couple of the other girls, who are all struggling with what is going to happen to them, they would much prefer to keep their babies.
Emma finally leaves the home and returns to Blueholm Bay where she finds herself a good job to help her family her mother is still as hard as ever and the decisions Emma has made will stay with her forever, will she find happiness with them? One thing Emma has done is made true friendships along the way, she showed such courage and strength, my heart went out to her, and she is always there for everyone, such a kind heart, I loved her.
This is a story that I would highly recommend, it is hard to put down when you pick it up, filled with so many emotions, yes there were lots of tears sad and happy, and thank you Jennie Jones for such a wonderful story, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Emma is living in the small seaside town of Blueholm Bay with her mother and four younger brothers her father is off fighting somewhere in New Guinea, they don’t have much money and Emma’s mother is very domineering and makes sure Emma is always busy working. Emma is a good girl but cannot wait to leave her home when she turns sixteen to help with the war effort.
When Emma finally gets to Townsville to help her aunt car for her US Army borders the world opens up for Emma, she meets the beautiful Cassie O’Byrne and there is friendship instantly, these two become fast friends and soon they out enjoying themselves Townsville is a hive of US army men and Aussies as well, Emma meets Frank Kendrick from California and she is smitten, but his kisses lead to more and then Frank is gone and Emma is in trouble.
As a disgrace to the family Emma is sent to the Holy Refuge of Saint Philomena a home for pregnant young woman, the girls are treated like prisoners here and made to work hard till they have their babies and they are taken away from them they have no choice whatsoever, Emma does something she is not supposed to and makes friends with a couple of the other girls, who are all struggling with what is going to happen to them, they would much prefer to keep their babies.
Emma finally leaves the home and returns to Blueholm Bay where she finds herself a good job to help her family her mother is still as hard as ever and the decisions Emma has made will stay with her forever, will she find happiness with them? One thing Emma has done is made true friendships along the way, she showed such courage and strength, my heart went out to her, and she is always there for everyone, such a kind heart, I loved her.
This is a story that I would highly recommend, it is hard to put down when you pick it up, filled with so many emotions, yes there were lots of tears sad and happy, and thank you Jennie Jones for such a wonderful story, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review.
5 stars
October 5, 2022 by Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Pty Ltd
