Break out the tissue

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑  A beautifully heartbreaking novel, We Must Be Brave will surely leave you weepy, as I am now upon finishing it. If you fully immerse yourself in this world, and let it touch your heart, you will feel greatly enriched by it. It's a tender story of a woman who happens upon Pamela, a sleeping child, whilst helping WWII bombing refugees off a bus in the fictionalized village of Upton. We see what transpires after Pamela is found, reflect on Ellen's younger years of struggle and those that follow on to, nearly, current day.

The setting is in Hampshire, England. There is much mention of Southampton, which is not far from here. I can easily envisage the areas Ellen describes and the goings on of rural village life. I live in a similar village. The hardships they endure and the 'make due' attitude is brilliantly depicted and completely authentic. Yes, I know our Upton villagers hale from Hampshire but the voices, to me, feel very Dorset. The practicality of action and speech and the sweet country burr is so Dorset in my mind.

We Must Be Brave felt entirely earnest in the sweet relationship between Ellen and Pamela. Ellen loves her as a mother would her own child, maybe more so, and what happens to them is hard to bear. I had to pause for a good little cry but pressed on to see what would come of it. Much does and that is the magic of this yarn. The gentle appreciation of life and so many small things makes Ellen a well rounded, generously lovely person. She feels very much like your favourite aunt and you only want the very best for her.

I cannot recommend this novel strong enough. The gentle strength it delivers is the pure essence of British gumption and determination. The love conveyed throughout, not just of mother and daughter, but of friendship and all those relationships we hold dear, make this a powerful and stunning read that will stay with you for some time.