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The Return

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What to expect

Gwen’s war is over, but her 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, a mesmerising gothic novel which was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award…

May, 1945. When bells ring out for Victory in Europe, young wife and mother Gwen wonders if her world is about to change.

Six years ago, on their wedding night, her husband Jack promised he would leave for the war and never return.

But Jack is coming home, unable to keep the promise he so faithfully made, and full of hope that he may at last win a place in Gwen’s life and her heart.

As events of the past return to haunt them, threatening all they hold dear, Jack and Gwen find themselves facing their greatest battle yet.

To win, they will have to stand together and fight as one.

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’ Carolyn Kirby

‘Beautiful, atmospheric writing and masterful storytelling’ Jenny Ashcroft

‘A more modern take on Far from the Madding Crowd’ Historical Novel Society, Editors' Choice

‘Utterly gripping’ Iona Grey

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

‘A beautiful tale of love, loss and survival’ Fíona Scarlett

‘A triumph of pacing and emotional power’ Lancashire Post

Critics Review

  • 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’ 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, Editors’ Choice

    ‘Utterly gripping. It wrapped me in its spell from the first page to the last. Anita Frank is a beautiful writer’ 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’ Fíona Scarlett, author of Boys Don’t Cry

    ‘A triumph of pacing and emotional power … The Return is an impressive follow-up for an exciting new author’ Lancashire Post

    ‘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

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