Can their friendship help them weather the storm?

Young Julia Fowler’s life revolves around Poole Harbour and its lifeboat – her older brother Wilbur is a volunteer crew member, and every blast of the mortar fills her with fear for his safety.

When news of the Titanic disaster reaches the town, the close-knit seafaring community is rocked to its core. One of their own has been lost, and grief hangs over the harbour. But Julia and her friends – Kathy, Flora, and Betsy – are also discovering new opportunities for themselves, stepping up in a world that is slowly beginning to open doors to women.

Yet change is never easy. Opposition rises at home and in the community, and tensions grow as the country edges closer to war. Julia dreams of a better childhood for her younger siblings, even as the world around her becomes increasingly uncertain.

As the girls navigate heartbreak, responsibility, and the stirrings of romance, they must rely on their friendship to guide them through darkening times.

Will it be enough to see them safely into the future?

Praise for Rachel Sweasey:

'Follows four feisty young women with a yearning to be more than they were expected to be.' Lizzie Lane

‘This is a wonderful portrayal of a community that is gradually changing, responding to new challenges yet holding together. A neat twist at the end of the book has me searching for the next book in the series.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘The storyline had lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and entertained. All in all it was a fantastic book and I long for the next in the series especially after reading the Epilogue!’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘This book had me drawn in from the first page. What an incredible read. I honestly cannot fault it. Hope there is more to come.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I really enjoyed this opener, my favourite character was Julia who never complained about her lot. Look forward to hearing more about her in future books.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I loved this dual time-line read. Set in the start of WW2 and present day it deals with loss and war and finding love when you don't expect to ever love again. This was a great book and I highly recommend this one.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Loved this book. I got totally immersed in the characters and their lives, loves and loss. The mix of fact and fiction and the two different time lines worked very well.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A brutally honest account of how both men and women coped with the changes in their lives. This author writes so authentically about grieving that at times I simply had to stop reading. Anyone who has lost someone will immediately identify with the visceral pain felt by the characters. The settings were gorgeous and the descriptions of French food made me long to go back.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Loved it, sadness and joy, ups and downs. Hope there will be a sequel!’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Fantastic read, was enjoyable – even cried at one part I felt I was inside the book.’ Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️