November 1941
Australian sisters Elizabeth and Maggie Cardwell have accompanied their father on his diplomatic assignment to Hawaii where bright blue skies, a radiant sun and the swaggering confidence of flirtatious American sailors make war feel like a distant threat. When the sisters meet the handsome Baker brothers on the sparkling white shores of Waikiki beach, Maggie falls hard and fast for Cody while Elizabeth discovers an easy friendship with his older brother, Tom, under the shared responsibility of chaperoning their wild younger siblings.
But mere days after the Cardwells board a ship back to Australia, Pearl Harbor is attacked and memories of sun-kissed afternoons and beach romance are fast eclipsed by fear and uncertainty.
With the war now very real to them all, the sisters embark on two very different paths that will take them to opposite ends of Australia, threaten their safety, and test their bonds of friendship and family. As the war continues to tear lives and loves apart, neither sister expects to cross paths with the Baker brothers again. But perhaps the pull of fate is even more powerful than the chaos of war…
If you’re a fan of Australian rural romance or historical fiction, then you’ll have heard of Cheryl Adnams. Her bestselling historical fiction novels, The Girl from Eureka and The Bushranger’s Wife are rich and meticulously researched and her newest outing doesn’t disappoint.
We’ll Meet Again, perfectly plays to her strengths and portrays a fresh perspective on the Darwin and Pearl Harbour bombings. Adnams portrays the devastation in vivid and intense detail, serving to draw the readers into the narrative’s compelling vortex. This is a poignant tale of love, loss, ambition and family set against the dramatic backdrop of the second world war.
Exceptionally written, the main characters are vivacious and vibrant and you can’t help but be invested as you watch them grow and change over the course of the novel. Maggie and Elizabeth are particularly intriguing to follow as they strive to achieve their dreams amongst the traumatic events of war. Younger sister, Maggie, begins the novel rebellious and mischievous, but as she pursues an acting career, she also becomes a strong and resilient young woman. Meanwhile, Elizabeth dreams of joining the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service which leads her to working for the Australian Navy as a secretary in Darwin. The vast cast of characters are realistic, likable and refreshing, threading humour throughout despite the darkness of war.
For readers of Victoria Purman, Kate Quinn and Alli Sinclair, We’ll Meet Again is utterly exhilarating historical fiction which will have you glued to your seat from the tension.
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