Elaine Everest

Gracie has her life before her as the dark clouds of the Second World War gather. One night, one mistake and she is carrying the wrong man's child. Must she pay for it for the rest of her life?

Gracie's War

Jess Bickerton

Gracie’s War is a story set during World War II about the life of Gracie and the struggles and fears she faces as a result of one mistake she made on her 21st birthday. I love history and enjoy novels based around this time, so was excited when I was offered an ARC copy of Gracie’s War.

Elaine Everest has written the story in such a way that it highlights the hardships that families faced during wartime, but doesn’t leave you feeling like you are reading a history textbook. The story follows Gracie’s life as she faces the consequences of becoming entangled in a life with Joe Johnson. Immediately as Joe is introduced to the reader I took a strong disliking to him. He is a very cocky and arrogant character and always left me feeling uncomfortable with the way he acted towards Gracie. Joe has no respect for Gracie or her family and I found his behaviour towards her repulsive. My heart broke for Gracie when her life became tied to his, as the reader knows how Gracie really feels and all you want is happiness for her. As the reader you find yourself frustrated that Gracie ever let herself get involved with Joe, but Elaine’s writing makes you very aware that as the war had begun women were being left at home, and every woman growing up at this time was concerned with finding a husband and starting a family of their own. When Gracie found herself all alone whilst her friends around her were falling in love and getting married, you can understand why she had her moment of weakness with Joe.

I love Elaine’s representation of Gracie’s family. They have such a strong connection and a real respect for one another. They stand by each other through thick and thin; although the moral code in society at this time finds this connection being put to the test. 

One of my favourite characters is Peggy, Gracie’s best friend. A very positive character, she is always there for Gracie and helps her out any way that she can. A really admirable quality of hers is that she never judges Gracie and stands by her with an unfaltering loyalty.

And then there is Tony *swoon*. From the moment Gracie meets him you can feel the special connection between them, although this makes Gracie’s situation even more heart breaking. Throughout the story I found myself hoping and praying that they would be together one day, and Elaine keeps the reader in suspense at every meeting as it is always left uncertain and unresolved.

Elaine writes in a very familiar way which makes the characters come to life and seem more real and enables you to understand and empathise with them. Gracie is such a likeable character and you really feel for her when her life takes a turn for the worst. No woman deserves what Gracie suffers, no matter what mistakes they have made.

I really enjoyed reading Gracie’s War – it is a very quick, easy read, as long as you can keep track of the time jumps, and Elaine’s writing style is a real page-turner. I did find myself wishing the story was longer and that it elaborated on certain events on many occasions, but at the same time I can appreciate how the pace of the narrative mimics how the war interrupts people’s lives and forces people to put feelings and relationships on hold. My only criticism would be that I spotted a number of grammar mistakes within the story – that’s the proof reader in me crying out – but this doesn’t take anything away from the enjoyment of reading the story.

I would definitely recommend Gracie’s War, not only to those who enjoy stories based around the war, but anyone who enjoys a drama story about a woman facing the struggles of her time and trying to come out fighting.

A story of desperation, great friendships and a fight for true love.

Gracie's War

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