Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Since my husband’s passing I have had difficulties reading books for pleasure. My focus has solely been on surviving grief and reading many recommended books along the way that I ran to in search of some kind of comfort. Regular ‘programmed’ reading had taken a big back seat, which leaves me well behind my reading goals, but I’m thrilled to share my first book review for a book I began reading during my husband’s illness and had to abandon, but have recently completed reading – The Heart Stone by Judith Barrow. I loved all books I’ve read by Judith, and this one didn’t disappoint. The lull in completing to read this book was due to my grief, in no way a reflection of my interest in the book. Read my 5 Star review below.
![The Heart Stone by [Judith Barrow]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vBnpYYceL.jpg)
Blurb:
1914. Everything changes for Jessie on a day trip to Blackpool. She realises her feelings for Arthur are far more than friendship. And just as they are travelling home, war is declared.
Arthur lies about his age to join his Pals’ Regiment. Jessie’s widowed mother is so frightened, she agrees to marry Amos Morgan. Only Jessie can see how vicious he is. When he turns on her, Arthur’s mother is the only person to help her, the two women drawn together by Jessie’s deepest secret.
Facing a desperate choice between love and safety, will Jessie trust the right people? Can she learn to trust herself?
My 5 Star Review:
This is a beautifully written heartfelt story that takes place during the beginnings of World War I through 1921. It’s the story of love and war and the people whose lives are affected, painted beautifully with imagery and prose by this talented writer who is known for her heart-wrenching family saga historical fiction storytelling. It’s a story about struggles, love, hatred, abuse, survival, and highlighting the strength of the women left to endure.
Jessie and Arthur are best friends since childhood, now teenagers at the tender age of 16, who’ve discovered their friendship has blossomed into true love, Arthur decides he must enlist to join the war, despite his not being of legal age yet.
Jessie’s widowed mom runs a bakery and Jessie works alongside her mom to run the store, but at the news of upcoming war, quite a few bakers enlisted, leaving mom with the decision to marry Amos Morgan, head baker, who Jessie detests and remains puzzled why her mother would succumb to allowing Amos into the family business by marrying him.
In her own worries, Jessie and Arthur’s friendship turns into a romantic relationship just before Arthur announces he’s enlisted – under-aged, but the thrill of asserting his manhood calls, and he volunteers to join the fight with his country, England. This decision leaves Jessie distraught and tightening her bond with Arthur’s widowed mom, Edna, as they can share their worries and commiserate together.
Months pass no word from Arthur, but Jessie, now pregnant from their last goodbye stint continues to visit the the heart stone up the hill where they declared their undying love forever before Arthur left. Meanwhile, Amos the pig, married to Jessie’s mother, finds every opportunity to ‘touch’ Jessie. This was enough for her to revolt and move into Arthur’s mother’s home with her as a safe place and company to raise the baby.
Time passes and there’s no word from Arthur, but Jessie keeps in touch with her friend Clara, married to Stanley, Arthur’s best friend who also enlisted for war. Stanley eventually returns home – in a wheelchair, but home. Jessie travels to visit them in hopes to discover some news about Arthur.
Back at the bakery, Jessie’s mom falls ill and becomes bedridden, putting more pressure on Jessie at work – and more time around the pig, Mr. Morgan. After mum passes, Morgan takes over the bakery, even though it is rightfully in mum’s will left to Jessie, and that presents another interesting tidbit as to how he took over and what happened after; karma perhaps? And then suddenly, another baker, ‘old’ friend of Jessie’s, Bob Cleg, proclaims a sudden desire for Jessie. Somehow these two end up married – not in a good way, and a lot more dramatic things happen along the book to keep us turning the pages, and alas, Arthur returns home! This changes the dynamic of things to come now that Jessie is unhappily married to a man she can’t stand and the love of her life returns. And to find out what happens next, you are going to want to read this book!
©DGKaye2021
DGKayewriter.com 
A wonderful review of Judith’s book, Debby. I also have this on my TBR. I am making some progress with my TBR now that my dad and Michael are both improving.
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Oh that’s wonderful news to hear Robbie – both with the TBR and that your hubby and Michael are on the mend. ❤
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Robbie,thank you for commenting, I’m so grateful; for Debby’s review. I do hope you manage to read The Heart Stone one day, I would value your opinion. I’m glad your family are improving – such a worrying time.
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Lovely review Debby and I am sure Judith delighted… I saw earlier and have shared in the Cafe Update on Friday which features the book… ♥♥
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Thanks bunches Sal. You da girl! ❤ xx
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Sally. I’m always so grateful and, a lot of the time, overwhelmed, by both your and Debby’s generousity and support for all my books. Thank you xxxx
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What can I say, Debby! I’m honoured that you chose The Heart Stone as the first fiction book to review at such a difficult time for you. And I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the read. Many many thanks. Please take care of yourself. Much love. xx
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Thanks so much Judith. I had to mention that because as you know, I was halfway through your book when chaos ensued. Of course I couldn’t wait to get back to it. ❤
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Debby, I have really appreciated your support.xx
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Judith, I love your books, and if I can help spread the word – all the better. ❤ xx
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This sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Debby, and congrats to Judy!
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Thank you Jan. Judith never disappoints ❤
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Thank you so much, Jan, that’s very kind of you. I’m thrilled with Debby’s review – and touched that she has found the time and heart to take the troble to write and post it.x
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It sounds so sad! I am hoping for a happy ending.
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You will have to read to find out 🙂
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A wonderful reviews, Debby – this sounds like a very moving story. Toni x
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Judith knows how to grab our hearts with her stories ❤
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And I will always be grateful, Debby. x
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❤
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Thank you, Toni. . It’s a story close to my heart. I am so thrilled with Debby’s review. x
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Jacqui, as in life, there are humorous moments. And I think you would like the ending. x
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wonderful review; must feel good to be back to reading for pleasure…
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A wonderful escape Jim, thanks. 🙂
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Brilliant, isn’t it, Jim. Thanks for dropping by.
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This sounds good. It reminds me of the ‘When the Boat Comes in’ series of books, which were made into a TV series back in the 1970s.
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Oooh, that sounds interesting. I’d never heard of it. 🙂 x
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Oh, gosh, thank you, Toni, I vaguely remember that series, now you mention it. Good of you to drop br. x
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Amazing that you could not only do the reading but put the review together. I’m behind too–on many things.
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Thanks John. It was a process for sure, but I’m doing my best. 🙂
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Judith is a wonderful writer, Debby. I couldn’t agree more about her rich characters. I’m glad you’ve returned to some reading for pleasure and hope you’re finding the time relaxing. Congrats to Judith on the beautiful and thoughtful review. ❤
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Thank you so much Diana. I am currently reading two books! One of them is yours! ❤ Just finished Sally's new beautiful book and will review next Sunday. ❤
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Thank you so much, Diana, for your lovely comments. And, yes, I’m thrilled with Debby’s review – she’s very kind. x
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The way you describe it, Debby, there is much excitement and intrigue in this book, and you left off just when the complications were getting exciting. Sounds like I have to read it for myself if I want to know how it works out. 😉
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Oh, I’m so glad my review enticed you Norah. I do hope you enjoy it. 🙂 x
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Wondeful review, Debby. This sounds like a great love story.
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A beautiful book Carol ❤
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Hi Debby – this does sound like a fascinating read about times in WW1 … and with such interesting characters and snippets of life – helping us turn the pages – so pleased you recommended it for us. Judith Barrow coming from north Wales and the north-west of England will know the area well and so I’m sure her story is true to life. I hope to read at some stage – cheers Hilary
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I’m thrilled to introduce you to Judith’s writing ❤
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Always appreciate your support,. Debby. Thank you. xx
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Always my pleasure Judith ❤
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Thank you so much, Hilary. And I’m now in glorious Pembrokeshire West Wales and loving living here. Do hope you manage to add The Heart Stone to your ( probably toppling) TBR pile. xx
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It sounds like another winner from Judith, Debby. Great review! Thanks for sharing it!
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Thanks for reading Olga. Judith never disappoints ❤
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