England, 1942. “It has to stay secret,” he whispers, placing the locket around her neck. “If they find it, they’ll send me away.” As she holds the locket, glinting in the moonlight, she can’t hold back the tears. “I just wish we didn’t have to hide…”

When farmer’s daughter Irene meets Theodore at a village dance, sparks fly instantly. The war has brought him all the way from Louisiana to build a US airbase just across her father’s fields, but as they sway together, there is nothing else in the world. Only his gentle touch and his deep brown eyes.

But being together comes at a price. As Theodore is Black, the might of the US Air Force is against them, and all the members of the little village community disapprove of their relationship. And they will all go to terrible lengths to tear the two young lovers apart...

Decades later, heartbroken Ruby is back at her family’s crumbling farmhouse for the first time in years, after the loss of her beloved grandmother Irene. The roof has fallen in, family photographs are damaged – and her grandmother’s jewellery is nowhere to be found.

When Ruby uncovers her grandmother’s waterlogged diaries, she discovers that Irene treasured one piece of lost jewellery above all. A locket from a man called Theodore. And the missing locket holds the key to unravelling a heartbreaking secret that changed her grandmother’s life…

Is someone in the village hiding the locket to keep the truth about Irene and Theodore buried? And can Ruby find a way to honour her grandmother’s memory – or in digging up the pain of the war, will she tear her family apart?

An absolutely breathtaking World War Two story about the power of love in the face of adversity, and how the tragic consequences of war can echo through generations. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will be addicted to this incredible read.

Read what everyone’s saying about Natalie Meg Evans:

‘What a gripping story!… Immersive… Amazing… heart-stopping. It was gripping, captivating, addictive, full of intrigue, suspense, and twists… I couldn’t set it down!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????

‘Amazing stuff! I really felt my heart torn up… I felt so many emotions… I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????

‘Had me from the very first page… Outstanding. If you only read one book of historical fiction, make it this one. Excellent.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????

‘Heartbreaking, haunting… You are going to devour this one… A mesmerizing, poignant, emotional, gripping, passionate and compelling novel… I cannot recommend this enough.’ Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

‘What a wonderful read!!!… I couldn’t put this book down. Natalie Meg Evans has a way with words!’ Netgalley Reviewer, ?????

‘An absolutely gripping and beautiful story… Makes you instantly fall in love… There are many twists and surprising turns in this story that will keep you gripped to the very last page… A highly enjoyable read… This is a must.’ Goodreads review

Tamsin Kennard

Sprecher