The Return

By Anita Frank

Jack’s war is over, but his greatest battle is about to begin.

‘An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love’ Sunday Times

‘A truly wonderful novel’ Jill Mansell

‘An enticing slant on wartime life’ Mandy Robotham

‘A beautiful and poignant love story’ Jenny Quintana

From the author of The Lost Ones, shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award…

Jack Ellison’s war is over, but the battle for his family has just begun.

When Jack left for the war, he made a parting pledge to his pregnant bride, Gwen, that he would never return. It was, after all, best for everyone that he didn’t.

Now, as celebrations erupt for Victory in Europe, Gwen is terrified that Jack will renege on his promise, threatening the life she has built for herself and their son on the family farm.

But war has changed Jack, and he is coming home, determined to claim a place in Gwen’s life – and her heart.

As events of the past come back to haunt them, Jack and Gwen find themselves facing their greatest battle – and it is a fight neither of them can afford to lose.

In this sweeping historical story with huge heart, Anita Frank weaves a glorious tale of love and loss, secrets and promises.

Praise for The Return:

‘An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love’ Sunday Times

‘A truly wonderful novel, so beautifully written and with an engrossing plot’ Jill Mansell

‘Draws you in with a deeply held secret so that just when you think it should all be over, it’s really just beginning – an enticing slant on wartime life’ Mandy Robotham

‘Set during WWII, Anita Frank weaves a beautiful and poignant love story that tugged at my heartstrings’ Jenny Quintana

‘An engrossing story of loss, betrayal and love on the farming home front during WWII’ Carolyn Kirby

‘Beautiful, atmospheric writing and masterful storytelling’ Jenny Ashcroft

‘A more modern take on Far from the Madding CrowdHistorical Novel Society, Editor’s Pick

‘Utterly gripping. It wrapped me in its spell from the first page to the last’ Iona Grey

‘A love poem to a lost agricultural way of life’ Caroline Scott

Format: Digital download
Release Date: 11 Nov 2021
Pages: None
ISBN: 978-0-00-834125-1
Anita Frank was born in Shropshire and studied English and American History at the University of East Anglia. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and three children and is now a full-time carer for her disabled son. Her debut novel The Lost Ones was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award. The Return is her second novel.

Praise for The Return: -

”'An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love” - Sunday Times

‘I loved every minute of The Return - a truly wonderful novel, so beautifully written and with an engrossing plot … From now on, Anita will be a must-read author for me’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author of And Now You're Back -

”'Draws you in with a deeply held secret so that just when you think it should all be over, it’s really just beginning - an enticing slant on wartime life” - Mandy Robotham, bestselling author of The Girl Behind the Wall

”'Set during WWII, Anita Frank weaves a beautiful and poignant love story that tugged at my heartstrings” - Jenny Quintana, author of The Hiding Place

‘An engrossing story of loss, betrayal and love on the farming home front during WWII … that immerses the reader in the struggles of women in wartime and the traumas of the men who returned’ Carolyn Kirby, author of The Conviction of Cora Burns -

”'Beautiful, atmospheric writing and masterful storytelling” - Jenny Ashcroft, author of Under The Golden Sun

”'A more modern take on Far from the Madding Crowd” - Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Pick

”'Utterly gripping. It wrapped me in its spell from the first page to the last. Anita Frank is a beautiful writer and a wonderful storyteller” - Iona Grey, author of The Glittering Hour

”'A page-turner crafted with care and respect. A love poem to a lost agricultural way of life” - Caroline Scott, author of When I Come Home Again

”'A beautiful tale of love, loss and survival … with characters that live on well after the last page” - Fiona Scarlett, author of Boys Don’t Cry

‘A gripping, achingly romantic wartime drama’ Samantha King, author of The Secret Keeper’s Daughter -

‘A tribute to the ordinary working lives of extraordinary people before, during and after WWII’ Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie May -