The Soldier's Daughter
Fiona McIntosh
Reviewed by Helen
Another brilliant story from masterful storyteller Fiona McIntosh I fell into this one and could barely put it down as I traveled through the 1930’s 1940’s and then onto the 1950’s through Scotland, England, Tasmania and France through World War 2 and after, getting to know Violet Nash and reacquainting myself with Captain Charlie Nash, a must read.
Violet Nash is her father’s daughter in so many ways she and her father are making whiskey in Scotland at their distillery, Glen Corbie although young Violet knows what she wants in life, Charlie had fought in the great- war came home to England married Ellen, Violet’s mother and then they lost her and they have both thrown themselves into making whiskey but when the depression comes and they are forced to close their distillery they move to Tasmania and start over again growing the barley for their whiskey and very successfully and then World War 11 happens and Charlie after all he went through in the first war enlists to help in this one only this time not on the front line and he ends up in Epernay again and meeting up with Sophie Delancre champagne maker, the woman that Charlie never let go of.
Violet was devastated and angry that her father was going to war again but nothing will change his mind and Violet carries on with the farm and distillery making decisions and doing very well thinking of her father always, Charlie meets up with people from his past when he arrives in Reims their hearts are bursting with happiness at meeting again and opening up to each other and when Charlie steps up to protect Sophie’s son Raphael life will change again for both families.
I loved Charlie when I read The Champagne War and was thrilled to see him get his story and there are so many more in this story that had me feeling very emotional while reading it but a beautiful story it is of love and courage, I loved the characters so much, Violet is so strong and determined will she ever find love? The story is a beautiful, moving and emotional one, it is one that I highly recommend it truly is one not to be missed.
Violet Nash is her father’s daughter in so many ways she and her father are making whiskey in Scotland at their distillery, Glen Corbie although young Violet knows what she wants in life, Charlie had fought in the great- war came home to England married Ellen, Violet’s mother and then they lost her and they have both thrown themselves into making whiskey but when the depression comes and they are forced to close their distillery they move to Tasmania and start over again growing the barley for their whiskey and very successfully and then World War 11 happens and Charlie after all he went through in the first war enlists to help in this one only this time not on the front line and he ends up in Epernay again and meeting up with Sophie Delancre champagne maker, the woman that Charlie never let go of.
Violet was devastated and angry that her father was going to war again but nothing will change his mind and Violet carries on with the farm and distillery making decisions and doing very well thinking of her father always, Charlie meets up with people from his past when he arrives in Reims their hearts are bursting with happiness at meeting again and opening up to each other and when Charlie steps up to protect Sophie’s son Raphael life will change again for both families.
I loved Charlie when I read The Champagne War and was thrilled to see him get his story and there are so many more in this story that had me feeling very emotional while reading it but a beautiful story it is of love and courage, I loved the characters so much, Violet is so strong and determined will she ever find love? The story is a beautiful, moving and emotional one, it is one that I highly recommend it truly is one not to be missed.
5 Stars
September 30, 2025 by Penguin Books Australia
