My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Summary: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a captivating epic saga of courage and honor, following the aristocratic Inghams and the loyal Swann family who have served them for centuries.
It is 1938 in England, and Miles and Cecily Ingham have lead the family in bringing the Cavendon estate back from the brink of disaster. But now, with the arrival of World War II, Cavendon Hall will face its biggest challenge yet. It is a challenge that will push the Inghams and Swanns to protect each other and the villagers, and reveal their true capacity for survival and rebirth.
Told with Bradford’s deft, evocative prose and featuring a beloved cast of characters, The Cavendon Luck is a story of intrigue, romance, sorrow, and joy that readers won’t soon forget.
After finishing this book, I think this may not be a trilogy but an actual series. I've blown through the first three and I'll say now that I want to read what comes next so if there's to be another... when will it be available?! Also, I think it's possible that future books could do with family trees as there are so very many characters to keep track of and the characters often have dialogue to remind the reader about relationships, which feels unnatural.
I very much enjoyed how not just the Cavendon women but even the women of the villages and collectively as the WI and Land Army girls were well represented. It was nice to know that not just Inghams and Swanns "stand up to be counted" and in difficult times "got on with it". With WWII taking place, all the ladies seemed to be at their best. I was most intrigued with Deidre's contributions and was most satisfied with her story overall. I still pine for an Ingham woman to officially go over to the Swann side. I'm so upset my favorite character was mostly absent in this book (until the 95% mark) & then when finally present was summarily and without much preamble, dispatched. But points to the author for breaking that Happily Ever After thing that the first two books had in spades. I'm upset but I respect that turn of events.
I liked the inclusion of Clark Gable quite a lot. Also, as I'd never read Barbara Taylor Bradford's Harte books, I wasn't familiar with Emma but her inclusion here makes me want to read those. Another recommendation. Reader, take it along on vacay this summer.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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