Review of While I Was Waiting by Georgia Hill - Five *


Blurb: 

June 1963, Clematis Cottage, Stoke St. Mary, Herefordshire

I am really not sure why I am writing this. A foolish whim by a foolish old lady and it will probably sit in a box unread and decay much like its writer when Death makes his careless decision.

But perhaps someone will find it. Someone will care enough to read and somehow I know that will happen.

April 2000, Clematis Cottage, Stoke St. Mary, Herefordshire

Tired of her life in London, freelance illustrator Rachel buys the beautiful but dilapidated Clematis Cottage and sets about creating the home of her dreams. But tucked away behind the water tank in the attic and left to gather dust for decades is an old biscuit tin containing letters, postcards and a diary. So much more than old scraps of paper, these are precious memories that tell the story of Henrietta Trenchard-Lewis, the love she lost in the Great War and the girl who was left behind.

Review:

This hooks you from the start and keeps your interest all the way through. I loved the way Georgia intertwines the two stories of Hetty and Rachel.
This is a time slip novel, but neither character moves out of their own time. The link is the notes and letters that Hetty left in an old biscuit tin. Rachel read these through the book and became intrigued.
The bleak description of the countryside during a foot and mouth outbreak was horribly realistic.
The modern day love story was very good - Gabe being a very untypical hero. I was praying that all would come good for them. Hetty's story was far more complicated and a brilliant portrayal of life in Edwardian England.
All in all - a really interesting book - full of history and romance - and missed opportunities.

Amazon UK: While I Was Waiting

Not yet available in US.