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The Officer's Wife
1939 - American heiress Vivi Miles falls for naval officer Nathan as soon as she arrives in England. And, under the threat of war, they marry in a whirlwind before he leaves to join his ship. When Nathan returns from Dunkirk injured, he is distant, aloof, and no longer the man Vivi fell in love with. But it’s not just because of his brutal experiences of war. Nathan has a secret and Vivi suspects it’s linked to the mysterious evacuee at the secluded house in the woods on his Kent estate. As war continues to rage, Vivi battles her own grief and loneliness, and tries to find out the truth of the girl’s identity, uncovering a scandal from the past. Is her love for Nathan strong enough to survive?
‘I was engrossed in this beautiful, heartfelt story . Characters to care about and a plot that kept me turning the pages.’ Helen Parusel, author of A Mother's War
‘I was engrossed in this beautiful, heartfelt story . Characters to care about and a plot that kept me turning the pages.’ Helen Parusel, author of A Mother's War
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2023
About the author
Catherine Law
11 books54 followersCatherine Law is the author of six romantic novels, set during the first half of the 20th century, inspired by the tales our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers tell us, and the secrets they keep.
Her latest novel, The Officer's Wife was published in April 2023 by Boldwood Books.
Catherine lives 10 minutes from the sea in Kent.
Her latest novel, The Officer's Wife was published in April 2023 by Boldwood Books.
Catherine lives 10 minutes from the sea in Kent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 3, 2023
I love those books that make you question what you’d do in the same situation.
As I turned the last page, I realized that Law had perfectly captured the essence of resilience in wartime and was reminded of the aphorism that suggests that what doesn’t break us will make us stronger.
Law explores the test that war played on marriages and what happens when the man you married returns from war completely different from the man who you fell in love with. She writes to uncover the depth of her characters’ love and if it is strong enough to survive.
I’d like to think that I’d have the maturity and patience to uncover the truth and see that a loved one gets the help needed before writing off a relationship. It’s easy to suppose how one would react, quite another to add into the mix the effects of war. Vivienne’s strength of character left me in awe.
I loved how the author structured the book into three time periods. This format allows me to completely immerse myself in one time period and offers a natural break where I can put down the book guilt free! I was in awe reading about dating during wartime and how quickly things progressed due to the uncertainty of the future. Despite arranged marriages, such a short courtship and so many external pressures, many relationships withstood the test of time. I was also reminded why so many women who edured the war years, matured into strong independent women.
Law’s exploration of trust, duty, and sacrifice will leave you spellbound and her heartwarming story about love during war will have you adding this author to your auto-read list.
I must mention that this cover was what drew my attention to the book; it’s phenomenal!
I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
As I turned the last page, I realized that Law had perfectly captured the essence of resilience in wartime and was reminded of the aphorism that suggests that what doesn’t break us will make us stronger.
Law explores the test that war played on marriages and what happens when the man you married returns from war completely different from the man who you fell in love with. She writes to uncover the depth of her characters’ love and if it is strong enough to survive.
I’d like to think that I’d have the maturity and patience to uncover the truth and see that a loved one gets the help needed before writing off a relationship. It’s easy to suppose how one would react, quite another to add into the mix the effects of war. Vivienne’s strength of character left me in awe.
I loved how the author structured the book into three time periods. This format allows me to completely immerse myself in one time period and offers a natural break where I can put down the book guilt free! I was in awe reading about dating during wartime and how quickly things progressed due to the uncertainty of the future. Despite arranged marriages, such a short courtship and so many external pressures, many relationships withstood the test of time. I was also reminded why so many women who edured the war years, matured into strong independent women.
Law’s exploration of trust, duty, and sacrifice will leave you spellbound and her heartwarming story about love during war will have you adding this author to your auto-read list.
I must mention that this cover was what drew my attention to the book; it’s phenomenal!
I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 14, 2023
I want to preface this review with the fact that I did want to love this book. As an avid reader of historical fiction, the concept really interested me and I thought the air of mystery surrounding the identity of the mysterious evacuees added something really different to your usual WW2 fiction story. But unfortunately, the book really missed the mark for me and I was left really disappointed.
One of the biggest issues I had with the book was that Vivi and Nathan’s relationship was so flawed that it was so difficult to root for. They have a real whirlwind romance and don’t actually see each other between their first meeting, getting engaged and getting married, instead only communicating via letter. A mere forty letters to each other does not seem like a solid basis for a marriage so it was a given that their relationship was going to have its troubles. The second relationship in the story is between Elise and Nathan and again it was really difficult to root for as we see very little interaction between them. Seeing such little of them made it even harder to comprehend why Nathan would show a woman he’d briefly met once as a child more affection in a single air raid than he did to his actual wife.
The characters in the story lacked really any real depth whatsoever and felt ultimately really unlikeable. Vivi was a naïve and immature protagonist and anger at her husband for being away at war and not there to support her, despite marrying him in full knowledge he was actively serving in the navy, showed such immaturity. You really wanted her to be the strong support her husband needed after returning from war with the trauma that experiencing something like Dunkirk would have brought but she was pretty useless to be honest. She had a slight reprieve towards the end of the story with how she stood by her husband but it ultimately felt like a little too late.
In Nathan we had the potential to have a really interesting and powerful exploration of the psychological impact of war, particularly as a result of his experiences at Dunkirk, but this unfortunately wasn’t well executed. It wasn’t really taken beyond descriptions of him being distant and aloof and we saw very little of how he started to recover in order to return to work. I thought that this was the biggest disappointment in the story as it had the potential to set the story apart from other historical fiction works of a similar nature.
The story felt incredibly rushed and therefore lacked any real depth to it. Certain aspects of the story – such as the circumstances surrounding the death of Nathan’s father – felt skipped over despite having the potential to be really interesting and this was disappointing. We had frequent jumps forward in the timeline and frequent changes of perspective with no real structure to the narrative and this made it difficult to keep track of the progression of the story. Whilst being mindful of avoiding spoilers, I thought the choice to give Elise the ending that she got was a distasteful and badly written solution to Vivi and Nathan’s fertility problems and it ultimately resulted in me finishing the book with a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, The Officer’s Wife was a really interesting concept but it was disappointing overall.
⭐️⭐️/5
I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk .
*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.
One of the biggest issues I had with the book was that Vivi and Nathan’s relationship was so flawed that it was so difficult to root for. They have a real whirlwind romance and don’t actually see each other between their first meeting, getting engaged and getting married, instead only communicating via letter. A mere forty letters to each other does not seem like a solid basis for a marriage so it was a given that their relationship was going to have its troubles. The second relationship in the story is between Elise and Nathan and again it was really difficult to root for as we see very little interaction between them. Seeing such little of them made it even harder to comprehend why Nathan would show a woman he’d briefly met once as a child more affection in a single air raid than he did to his actual wife.
The characters in the story lacked really any real depth whatsoever and felt ultimately really unlikeable. Vivi was a naïve and immature protagonist and anger at her husband for being away at war and not there to support her, despite marrying him in full knowledge he was actively serving in the navy, showed such immaturity. You really wanted her to be the strong support her husband needed after returning from war with the trauma that experiencing something like Dunkirk would have brought but she was pretty useless to be honest. She had a slight reprieve towards the end of the story with how she stood by her husband but it ultimately felt like a little too late.
In Nathan we had the potential to have a really interesting and powerful exploration of the psychological impact of war, particularly as a result of his experiences at Dunkirk, but this unfortunately wasn’t well executed. It wasn’t really taken beyond descriptions of him being distant and aloof and we saw very little of how he started to recover in order to return to work. I thought that this was the biggest disappointment in the story as it had the potential to set the story apart from other historical fiction works of a similar nature.
The story felt incredibly rushed and therefore lacked any real depth to it. Certain aspects of the story – such as the circumstances surrounding the death of Nathan’s father – felt skipped over despite having the potential to be really interesting and this was disappointing. We had frequent jumps forward in the timeline and frequent changes of perspective with no real structure to the narrative and this made it difficult to keep track of the progression of the story. Whilst being mindful of avoiding spoilers, I thought the choice to give Elise the ending that she got was a distasteful and badly written solution to Vivi and Nathan’s fertility problems and it ultimately resulted in me finishing the book with a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, The Officer’s Wife was a really interesting concept but it was disappointing overall.
⭐️⭐️/5
I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk .
*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.
April 7, 2023
It’s ten years now since I began reviewing books on my blog – and, if I go back to the very beginning, I see names like Kate Morton and Katherine Webb, and remember how much I loved their brand of historical fiction before I sidetracked into crime and psych thrillers, and finally found my comfortable place amidst the lighter end of romantic fiction. And this book really made me remember those books that used to be my first choice of reading – it’s an emotionally compelling family drama, with just the right degree of historical detail for a story that begins at the start of WW2 and spans the years through to the 1960s, entirely consumed me for as long as I read, and stayed with me for some time thereafter.
There’s an intriguing prologue where a young boy, on holiday in Margate with his parents, meets a young girl collecting seaweed for her mother’s cures – don’t overlook it, even if it seems disconnected from the story that follows, where we meet Vivi, an American heiress, visiting England with her parents, her father visiting a business associate, and her unexpectedly finding love with their son Nathan. They marry after only one previous meeting, followed by an exchange of letters – and she finds herself living with his parents as he takes up his duties as a naval officer. He returns a changed man – but the character who always draws the eye is Vivi, finding an extraordinary strength to see her through every new challenge, facing up to all the losses, challenges and betrayals that blight her life. I won’t stray outside the book’s description, but this really is quite a story – secrets that surface and shake the family’s foundations, and a story of survival and tenacity quite wonderfully told.
The characterisation is just superb – Vivi, a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability, is always at the story’s core, but there’s a very strong supporting cast – and I loved the way the story was told, its pacing entirely perfect and every new revelation emotionally quite perfectly judged and moving the story forward. And I loved the settings – wonderful descriptions, the family home and estate and the mysterious cottage in the woods that becomes central to the story. The focus of the book changes in the post-war years – beautifully handled, edge-of-the-seat as yet more secrets surface, and the whole story races towards an uncertain but wholly satisfying conclusion.
I have to say I really loved this one – the author’s writing is stunning, and the story everything I wanted it to be. I can’t wait to see what she does next – I’m so delighted that this book didn’t escape my radar, and I’d recommend it really highly.
There’s an intriguing prologue where a young boy, on holiday in Margate with his parents, meets a young girl collecting seaweed for her mother’s cures – don’t overlook it, even if it seems disconnected from the story that follows, where we meet Vivi, an American heiress, visiting England with her parents, her father visiting a business associate, and her unexpectedly finding love with their son Nathan. They marry after only one previous meeting, followed by an exchange of letters – and she finds herself living with his parents as he takes up his duties as a naval officer. He returns a changed man – but the character who always draws the eye is Vivi, finding an extraordinary strength to see her through every new challenge, facing up to all the losses, challenges and betrayals that blight her life. I won’t stray outside the book’s description, but this really is quite a story – secrets that surface and shake the family’s foundations, and a story of survival and tenacity quite wonderfully told.
The characterisation is just superb – Vivi, a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability, is always at the story’s core, but there’s a very strong supporting cast – and I loved the way the story was told, its pacing entirely perfect and every new revelation emotionally quite perfectly judged and moving the story forward. And I loved the settings – wonderful descriptions, the family home and estate and the mysterious cottage in the woods that becomes central to the story. The focus of the book changes in the post-war years – beautifully handled, edge-of-the-seat as yet more secrets surface, and the whole story races towards an uncertain but wholly satisfying conclusion.
I have to say I really loved this one – the author’s writing is stunning, and the story everything I wanted it to be. I can’t wait to see what she does next – I’m so delighted that this book didn’t escape my radar, and I’d recommend it really highly.
March 12, 2023
Every once in awhile, a book comes along that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. That is exactly what The Officer's Wife by Catherine Law will do its readers, This book was the true definition of unputdownable. The characters were very intriguing, the plot was addictive, and I had a constant yearning to keep turning the page because I wanted to see how the book would end.
The main character is Vivienne, Vivi for short, and the story begins when she is eighteen and meets Nathan, an officer in the Royal Navy at the beginning of WW2. They go on one date and they marry quickly. Vivi finds out quickly this man she marries not only carries both the mental and physical scars of Dunkirk, but there is a secret he is keeping from her that has the potential to turn her world upside down. The story spans over eighteen years of love, loss, grief, sorrow, betrayal, forgiveness, war and peace.
Not only was the author excellent at building these characters and telling their stories, but the author truly excelled at making the reader feel the emotions of the characters. Their happiness, their sadness, their pain and sorrows, and the highs and lows. It truly was a beautiful novel.
The main character is Vivienne, Vivi for short, and the story begins when she is eighteen and meets Nathan, an officer in the Royal Navy at the beginning of WW2. They go on one date and they marry quickly. Vivi finds out quickly this man she marries not only carries both the mental and physical scars of Dunkirk, but there is a secret he is keeping from her that has the potential to turn her world upside down. The story spans over eighteen years of love, loss, grief, sorrow, betrayal, forgiveness, war and peace.
Not only was the author excellent at building these characters and telling their stories, but the author truly excelled at making the reader feel the emotions of the characters. Their happiness, their sadness, their pain and sorrows, and the highs and lows. It truly was a beautiful novel.
April 9, 2023
The book starts with a little boy who meets a girl who is from Margate, and she is collecting seaweed for her mother to use in her concoctions. The boy is with his parents on vacation to Margate.
Fast forward and we are introduced to Vivi Miles, an American heiress. Her father moves them from New York to England. There she meets and falls in love with a young Naval officer. As there is a threat of war, they marry. Nathan soon heads off to war but is injured in Dunkirk. He comes back a different man as most men do that have been in a war.
Vivi's parents died at the beginning of the war when the ship they were on heading back to New York was torpedoed by the Germans. She becomes a wealthy young woman and brings the home that she is now sharing with her mother-in-law, her father-in-law had died. The home is in need of repairs so she does what she can.
In the meantime, Nathan is back home but still works for the Admiralty, spending a lot of time away. When he is home, he is aloof, living in his own mind. We circle back to the little boy at Margate, this was Nathan and the girl was the nurse. An affair starts and as a result of that affair, there is a child. That is as far as I will go in telling the story, it would leave spoilers if I continued.
This book is a story of WWII but more at the end and the lives of Vivi and Nathan span 18+ years culminating in a wonderful and poignant ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would love to read more by Catherine Law in the future.
5 stars!!
I received a copy of the book for review from Rachel's Random Resources
Fast forward and we are introduced to Vivi Miles, an American heiress. Her father moves them from New York to England. There she meets and falls in love with a young Naval officer. As there is a threat of war, they marry. Nathan soon heads off to war but is injured in Dunkirk. He comes back a different man as most men do that have been in a war.
Vivi's parents died at the beginning of the war when the ship they were on heading back to New York was torpedoed by the Germans. She becomes a wealthy young woman and brings the home that she is now sharing with her mother-in-law, her father-in-law had died. The home is in need of repairs so she does what she can.
In the meantime, Nathan is back home but still works for the Admiralty, spending a lot of time away. When he is home, he is aloof, living in his own mind. We circle back to the little boy at Margate, this was Nathan and the girl was the nurse. An affair starts and as a result of that affair, there is a child. That is as far as I will go in telling the story, it would leave spoilers if I continued.
This book is a story of WWII but more at the end and the lives of Vivi and Nathan span 18+ years culminating in a wonderful and poignant ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would love to read more by Catherine Law in the future.
5 stars!!
I received a copy of the book for review from Rachel's Random Resources
July 30, 2023
not really sure what the point of this book is
Another misleading “review” …not really sure what the point of this book at all. Self indulgent characters except the too saintly Vivi, silly story lines and subplots that weren’t really explored. Could have been a much better book than it actually is, feels disjointing and unsatisfying
Another misleading “review” …not really sure what the point of this book at all. Self indulgent characters except the too saintly Vivi, silly story lines and subplots that weren’t really explored. Could have been a much better book than it actually is, feels disjointing and unsatisfying
April 3, 2023
My thanks to the personal invite I received to review this book, Net Galley, and Boldwood Books.
New Yorker Vivi goes to England, meets Naval officer Nathan,marries quickly and moves into.his family s large estate. Nathan goes to war, and is injured and Vivi herself suffers a personal loss. However, Nathan has a secrets. He calls out for Elise not Vivi,and he has a cottage on his property with a secret. Who or what is he hiding? Who is Elise?
I am mixed with this story. I know this story spanned 30 years but I wish some of the characters were developed more. We heard bits about Elise but did not get more till much later. Then when Viv accepts the cottage secret, boom, it's decades later. We don't get the development of that. Things seemed our of order. I wish there was more linear continuity. All in all decent read.
New Yorker Vivi goes to England, meets Naval officer Nathan,marries quickly and moves into.his family s large estate. Nathan goes to war, and is injured and Vivi herself suffers a personal loss. However, Nathan has a secrets. He calls out for Elise not Vivi,and he has a cottage on his property with a secret. Who or what is he hiding? Who is Elise?
I am mixed with this story. I know this story spanned 30 years but I wish some of the characters were developed more. We heard bits about Elise but did not get more till much later. Then when Viv accepts the cottage secret, boom, it's decades later. We don't get the development of that. Things seemed our of order. I wish there was more linear continuity. All in all decent read.
April 8, 2024
It was okay.
I have many questions left unanswered. The plot skipped around a lot. I also didn’t really connect with the characters. It was an okay read though.
I have many questions left unanswered. The plot skipped around a lot. I also didn’t really connect with the characters. It was an okay read though.
April 9, 2023
The Officer’s Wife shows a different perspective on the impact of war- one of those left behind and how their strength often went unnoticed. It’s an emotional read and one I found intriguing. Vivi is an interesting character - she loses so much at an early age yet finds that inner strength to continue and keep her new family alive. I particularly liked Robin as a character, him and his dad were instrumental in so many of the family’s actions, yet quietly got on with their lives and their service.
July 21, 2023
I am the first to say WWII books have saturated the historical fiction genre, but this one wasn't too bad or even predictable. WWII is merely the timeframe, besides a quickie marriage, some air raid sirens, and a war injury the war isn't the focus.
I really enjoyed listening to this book. There wasn't anything untoward, no language, no sex, very limited references to violence, and I liked both Elise and Vivi. The third "book" about Bella was a bit meh, honestly, but that's really my only complaint. Sure it could have been deeper -- it deals with some pretty serious life stuff -- but even without that depth it makes the reader think.
A pleasant listen. I would recommend.
I really enjoyed listening to this book. There wasn't anything untoward, no language, no sex, very limited references to violence, and I liked both Elise and Vivi. The third "book" about Bella was a bit meh, honestly, but that's really my only complaint. Sure it could have been deeper -- it deals with some pretty serious life stuff -- but even without that depth it makes the reader think.
A pleasant listen. I would recommend.
July 15, 2023
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I'll just come right out and say it: I found this book depressing, and I spent much of it angry.
Vivi (probably 18ish at the start of her first chapter) was phenomenal. She was solid, steady, poised, compassionate, and merciful--but it wasn't in a "look how merciful I am" way. It's just who she was, and I adored her. She endured so much, and she deserved far better than she received. Her character was the best part of the book, by far.
I liked Nathan (also probably 18-19ish when Vivi met him) for part of the book. He was inherently kind and patient, which was quite a feat considering who his parents were. But there came a point when my opinion of him changed, and he never quite redeemed himself. He made very poor choices over and over again. Even his attempt to not follow after his despicable father's example was only a kindness towards himself and the other person involved in his poor choices. He hid everything from the person he truly wronged and never seemed truly penitent. He was not a violent man, unlike his father, but I viewed him as weak and cowardly.
As for Elise (about their same age, I'm sure): Her very first chapter as a young girl was fine. After that, I disliked her.
This story spans 30 years from the prologue (1932) until the end and is told from the third-person perspective of three women: Elise, Vivi, and Bella. It's divided up intro three sections: 1939-1941, 1944-1945, and 1959-1962. The missing years were rather frustrating to me because of the events that were skipped over during those times. Yes, the most relevant information was shared or reflected on during the sections that followed, so we know what happened. But the brief "what" was never accompanied by a "how," nor anything showing its affect on the characters or their relationships. I wanted to see Vivi and Nathan work things out. I wanted to see him make a conscious and deliberate choice rather than just allowing things to happen. In truth, Nathan was essentially relegated to the sidelines when his actions would have meant the most; he didn't even have the opportunity to redeem himself to the reader, and his "choice" was made for him by circumstance.
As I said, this book just made me unhappy. I suppose I'm supposed to be left with a feeling that it all worked out, but it felt more to me like a resigned ending.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe some mild swearing. Implied, completely off-page sex.
I'll just come right out and say it: I found this book depressing, and I spent much of it angry.
Vivi (probably 18ish at the start of her first chapter) was phenomenal. She was solid, steady, poised, compassionate, and merciful--but it wasn't in a "look how merciful I am" way. It's just who she was, and I adored her. She endured so much, and she deserved far better than she received. Her character was the best part of the book, by far.
I liked Nathan (also probably 18-19ish when Vivi met him) for part of the book. He was inherently kind and patient, which was quite a feat considering who his parents were. But there came a point when my opinion of him changed, and he never quite redeemed himself. He made very poor choices over and over again. Even his attempt to not follow after his despicable father's example was only a kindness towards himself and the other person involved in his poor choices. He hid everything from the person he truly wronged and never seemed truly penitent. He was not a violent man, unlike his father, but I viewed him as weak and cowardly.
As for Elise (about their same age, I'm sure): Her very first chapter as a young girl was fine. After that, I disliked her.
This story spans 30 years from the prologue (1932) until the end and is told from the third-person perspective of three women: Elise, Vivi, and Bella. It's divided up intro three sections: 1939-1941, 1944-1945, and 1959-1962. The missing years were rather frustrating to me because of the events that were skipped over during those times. Yes, the most relevant information was shared or reflected on during the sections that followed, so we know what happened. But the brief "what" was never accompanied by a "how," nor anything showing its affect on the characters or their relationships. I wanted to see Vivi and Nathan work things out. I wanted to see him make a conscious and deliberate choice rather than just allowing things to happen. In truth, Nathan was essentially relegated to the sidelines when his actions would have meant the most; he didn't even have the opportunity to redeem himself to the reader, and his "choice" was made for him by circumstance.
As I said, this book just made me unhappy. I suppose I'm supposed to be left with a feeling that it all worked out, but it felt more to me like a resigned ending.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe some mild swearing. Implied, completely off-page sex.
March 28, 2023
This is an epic tail that spands over 30 years in the life of an American girl name Vivian. She married a British naval officer named Nathan for Love but would soon question why he married. In the beginning of the book we also meet Elise, while gathering plants and other ingredients for her mom‘s homemade medicines she meets nine-year-old Nathan and although it was just a passing moment in time fate and Luckwill bring these two back together. There is so much to this beautiful story that covers World War II a possible arranged marriage and two people that fate keeps bringing back together. But that is just a couple of things touched on throughout the story but there is so much more I am not saying. This is it great story about trusting your parents trusting your husband but ultimately about trusting yourself I truly loved this book and thought Vivian was such a great character and although they have other great characters in the book I do believe her or bell was my favorite. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 11, 2023
Disappointing story
I found this book somewhat superficial. No depth in the story and the characters one dimensional, especially that of Nathan. Information about the war was very sketchy and told. What most people already know with very little detail. It was as if the
author took ideas of several similar types of book and cobbled them together. I felt the only original concept was that of how the "menage a troi" worked out. Writing style was very jumpy and the passage of time felt very rushed. Not one of my better reads
I found this book somewhat superficial. No depth in the story and the characters one dimensional, especially that of Nathan. Information about the war was very sketchy and told. What most people already know with very little detail. It was as if the
author took ideas of several similar types of book and cobbled them together. I felt the only original concept was that of how the "menage a troi" worked out. Writing style was very jumpy and the passage of time felt very rushed. Not one of my better reads
July 16, 2023
While I did finish the book, there were several times I thought about not finishing it. None of the characters are particularly interesting. The protagonist, Vivi, lost all of her spark the moment she came home from her honeymoon. I found the adultery particularly unwelcomed. At no point did either of them express any regret or remorse. Don't waste your time on this one.
August 22, 2023
Much better than expected - thoughtful and giving. About love that goes beyond romantic love. I typically hate these types of books that provide a moral argument for commitment - but this one demonstrates how complicated life is, and that sticking to commitments can provide some clarity in life along with complicated surprises.
April 11, 2023
April 06, 2023
REVIEW: THE OFFICER'S WIFE BY CATHERINE LAW
Today, I'm delighted to share my review of The Officer’s Wife by Catherine Law. It's an intriguing story of exciting love, the dangers of war, and of human frailties.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for a copy of the book.
The Officer’s Wife
Catherine Law
The Officer's Wife begins with a flashback of two children meeting on a Kent beach – a girl called Elise and an unnamed boy. Little did they know how fateful that initial meeting would be...
We move to 1939, and a whirlwind romance between rich American heiress, Vivienne, and Nathan, an English Naval officer. With the threat of war hanging in the air, they quickly marry, and Vivi settles into his family manor with his parents. But her unfriendly father-in-law makes her feel like a stranger. She tries to make the best out of an unusual situation, but their attitude towards her – having called her a Wall Street Princess behind her back – doesn't help.
Nathan is off to war, but returns, injured, and distanced, and Vivi is at a loss as to how she could help him with the horrors in his head. Little does she know that there is another reason for his aloofness – he met Elise who worked as a nurse in a hospital.
The story continues in Vivi's and Elise's points of view. We also learn Nathan, worried he may turn out just like his father, feels torn. Is Vivi correct in not trusting her estranged husband? Or is there something else?
The Officer's Wife is a moving tale of friendship, love, loss – and secrets. The novel portrays the human side of war well, showing the struggles between old friendships and ’modern' relationships, and it explores links between the past and the present.
I liked Vivi's character. Her internal journey takes her from superficial society girl to disillusioned wife to determined mother. She deals with her fate with a strong sense of self-preservation and dignity.
Elise, from a different class to Nathan and Vivi, is a young woman who shares her home with her healer mother. We learn a little about her in her point of view, but I felt she still evaded me.
As for Nathan, I found him the weakest link. Some of his reactions would now be regarded as PTSD, but I felt he still could have acted more responsibly. At times, his conflicting emotions seemed like an excuse. It was Vivi who always picked up the pieces.
The Officer's Wife draws you into a deftly-woven plot interlinking past and present (within its WWII and post-WWII setting), with opportunities, secrets, and the dangers that came with the time. I found the story engaging and intriguing.
I would recommend The Officer's Wife especially to readers of well-plotted women's fiction.
Note: I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
April 13, 2023
Here is a book with a very strong and courageous female character. Vivi, an American heiress, falls in love with Nathan, the English son of her father's friend. They marry very quickly, after exchanging letters while he is at war and then soon after he is gone. Vivi then finds herself set up in the country living with her new in-laws, albeit a very strange father-in-law, while her husband is at sea. But then tragedy strikes when her parents are killed returning to America and her husband is badly injured. He returns and both are much changed from the carefree young couple in love. But Vivi is bound to do all she can for her husband Nathan and help them find their way back. She longs desperately for a child. Nathan's parents are odd. His father resents Nathan, thus Nathan detests him while his mother fears her husband and hovers too much over Nathan. After his father dies unexpectedly, Nathan fears becoming his father, a philanderer and spendthrift and tyrant. However, when Nathan is given a desk job at the naval artillery, he seems to find his way. Needing to be in London often, he rarely sees Vivi, although they do share affection. But Nathan has a secret. Who is Elise and why when Nathan was recovering from his wounds, did he cry out her name? Also, who is at the cottage found in the woods? This family is full of secrets, and history just may repeat itself, but Vivi preserves and makes difficult choices when faced with them. These will be choices that shapes her future. Told from many perspectives and from varying time spans, we see the effects of war on those left behind. I like how this story begins with a story in childhood of two children meeting on the beach which becomes important in context later on in the story. This story makes you think, what choices would you make for those you love when faced with the decisions that Vivi had to make, or even her mother-in-law? This book had me hooked from the beginning and I could not put it down. Well done. Loved it.
Thank you to #netgalley #theofficerswife #catherinelaw for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to #netgalley #theofficerswife #catherinelaw for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 10, 2023
The Officer's Wife is a historical fiction novel by the author Catherine Law that takes readers through a heartbreaking story and battle between the love, loneliness, forgiveness, grief, scandal, and survival of an American heiress Vivienne Miles and Nathan a Naval Officer. Vivienne was thrilled to travel from New York to London to her own Mansion on Grosvenor Street. A new chapter in her life began as she began to establish herself at her childhood mansion on Grosvenor Street. She had come to London to see her friend, Genna, not to find her a husband, moreover, she was bored with New York. She had not expected to fall in love. But her parents and Nathan's arranged their marriage to each other so quickly all had happened.
Nathan was a fully-fledged naval officer and a lieutenant, who worked away from London at the war. Vivi was a bride, and a naval wife fighting to survive alone in wartime. Vivi as a naval wife wandered and spend each day alone against an exquisite pastoral backdrop, worrying about her husband Nathan, and his naval duties, expecting him to return home soon., or walking the rooms of the house in the dreary wake of her Mother in law. As Nathan heals from his injury at the same time, a job was waiting for him at the Admiralty to see out the war behind a desk in Whitehall. While working at Whitehall he could stay during the week at Grosvenor Street and be at the halls on the weekend.
Will Vivi be able to be his wife without him during the war? All she wanted was to be alone with him and be his wife. Will Vivi being a fifth avenue American girl reincarnated as an English countrywoman be able to tread carefully and find a way to fit in? An emotionally moving plotline, Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood books Publishers, and Rachel Random Resources for a complimentary copy for my honest review.
Nathan was a fully-fledged naval officer and a lieutenant, who worked away from London at the war. Vivi was a bride, and a naval wife fighting to survive alone in wartime. Vivi as a naval wife wandered and spend each day alone against an exquisite pastoral backdrop, worrying about her husband Nathan, and his naval duties, expecting him to return home soon., or walking the rooms of the house in the dreary wake of her Mother in law. As Nathan heals from his injury at the same time, a job was waiting for him at the Admiralty to see out the war behind a desk in Whitehall. While working at Whitehall he could stay during the week at Grosvenor Street and be at the halls on the weekend.
Will Vivi be able to be his wife without him during the war? All she wanted was to be alone with him and be his wife. Will Vivi being a fifth avenue American girl reincarnated as an English countrywoman be able to tread carefully and find a way to fit in? An emotionally moving plotline, Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood books Publishers, and Rachel Random Resources for a complimentary copy for my honest review.
April 28, 2023
1939, Vivi and Nathan have a whirlwind romance and marry quickly. But they are soon separated by war and become emotionally distant as well. Nathan returns home injured and they need to rediscover their relationship. Can Vivi live with Nathan's past...?
The Officer's Wife is an historical novel set in three parts: at the start, end and after the Second World War.
Vivi is a glamorous American heiress who travels to England in 1939. She meets dashing Nathan, a naval officer and they fall in love. Shortly after their marriage he leaves to fight and Vivi is stuck in his family home with his parents. She feels awkward and frustrated as a wife without a husband and as a foreigner in a war-torn land. Meanwhile Nathan meets a nurse who he remembers from his childhood and this meeting has huge consequences for all of the main characters.
Chance and coincidence play a key role in this book. Nathan and Elise have a chance encounter on a beach as children then reunite when she nurses him after his injury. Another accident changes the lives of all the main characters significantly as we move into the final part of the books.
I felt desperately sad for Vivi as she is forced into a life she didn't want. Nathan's behaviour was appalling even when you accept that you can't help who you fall in love with. Luckily Vivi has enough strength for both of them and makes the best of her situation.
There were some unexpected twists in the final part of the book. Secrets from the past are expanded upon and revealed which creates additional tension as we wonder how events will play out.
The Officer's Wife is an engaging and emotionally tense historical novel.
The Officer's Wife is an historical novel set in three parts: at the start, end and after the Second World War.
Vivi is a glamorous American heiress who travels to England in 1939. She meets dashing Nathan, a naval officer and they fall in love. Shortly after their marriage he leaves to fight and Vivi is stuck in his family home with his parents. She feels awkward and frustrated as a wife without a husband and as a foreigner in a war-torn land. Meanwhile Nathan meets a nurse who he remembers from his childhood and this meeting has huge consequences for all of the main characters.
Chance and coincidence play a key role in this book. Nathan and Elise have a chance encounter on a beach as children then reunite when she nurses him after his injury. Another accident changes the lives of all the main characters significantly as we move into the final part of the books.
I felt desperately sad for Vivi as she is forced into a life she didn't want. Nathan's behaviour was appalling even when you accept that you can't help who you fall in love with. Luckily Vivi has enough strength for both of them and makes the best of her situation.
There were some unexpected twists in the final part of the book. Secrets from the past are expanded upon and revealed which creates additional tension as we wonder how events will play out.
The Officer's Wife is an engaging and emotionally tense historical novel.
July 14, 2023
Love against all odds
This book is not your typical World War story. It doesn't focus on the battles, the blitz, resistance or the genocide of the Holocaust. It does tell of the emotional challenges faced by so many who did endure these things. Nathan was raised in a very dysfunctional home with an abusive father and a mother who never spoke out against what was happening to her. As a young boy, Nathan met Elise on a beach and when she was cut in a fall gave her his handkerchief to stop the bleeding. It was years before he would meet her again.
Vivienne and her parents came to England shortly before the war began. When she met Nathan, she fell in love with him(despite his strange parents with their old world ideas). After a two day honeymoon, he left to go to war as a naval officer. Shortly after his departure Vivi received devastating family news. She next saw Nathan months later after he had been injured in the evacuation from Dunkirk.
While in hospital, Nathan had been nursed by Elise who was working as a VAD nurse. She was a strong support through those difficult days and when Nathan returned home, Vivi found him changed, closed off from her in spite of her love for him.
These three characters form the basis for the rest of the book. There is mystery and tragedy, but also love. Vivienne is a strong woman whose heart is big enough to forgive and to love even those who cause her pain.
The writing and descriptions were beautiful. As a reader I felt sadness and joy. I would definitely recommend this book in all its complexity.
This book is not your typical World War story. It doesn't focus on the battles, the blitz, resistance or the genocide of the Holocaust. It does tell of the emotional challenges faced by so many who did endure these things. Nathan was raised in a very dysfunctional home with an abusive father and a mother who never spoke out against what was happening to her. As a young boy, Nathan met Elise on a beach and when she was cut in a fall gave her his handkerchief to stop the bleeding. It was years before he would meet her again.
Vivienne and her parents came to England shortly before the war began. When she met Nathan, she fell in love with him(despite his strange parents with their old world ideas). After a two day honeymoon, he left to go to war as a naval officer. Shortly after his departure Vivi received devastating family news. She next saw Nathan months later after he had been injured in the evacuation from Dunkirk.
While in hospital, Nathan had been nursed by Elise who was working as a VAD nurse. She was a strong support through those difficult days and when Nathan returned home, Vivi found him changed, closed off from her in spite of her love for him.
These three characters form the basis for the rest of the book. There is mystery and tragedy, but also love. Vivienne is a strong woman whose heart is big enough to forgive and to love even those who cause her pain.
The writing and descriptions were beautiful. As a reader I felt sadness and joy. I would definitely recommend this book in all its complexity.
March 25, 2023
The Officer’s Wife by Catherine Law is a powerful historical novel that spans a generation from 1932-1962, as Catherine Law captures a snapshot of history.
We see that there are pivotal moments that shape us – at the time we do not realise that this is a moment that will define a life. It is a time that we will return to and cling to because it brings happiness.
And there are lives that draw others in. They rescue the lost and lonely, creating a place of sanctuary within their hearts.
There are also physical sanctuaries of bricks and mortar – the place where we just know that we belong, as if we have spent a lifetime of searching.
Love appears where it chooses. We cannot always help where attraction lies. Kindness and good hearts will always draw others in.
We witness the devastating effects of war – lives are changed in an instant. There are daily physical and mental reminders, things that cannot be unseen, remain in damaged minds forevermore.
The officer’s wife is a lady, in all true sense of the word. She always behaves like a lady. Love and duty direct her steps. She is the one who holds it all together.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Officer’s Wife. It was such a powerful read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
We see that there are pivotal moments that shape us – at the time we do not realise that this is a moment that will define a life. It is a time that we will return to and cling to because it brings happiness.
And there are lives that draw others in. They rescue the lost and lonely, creating a place of sanctuary within their hearts.
There are also physical sanctuaries of bricks and mortar – the place where we just know that we belong, as if we have spent a lifetime of searching.
Love appears where it chooses. We cannot always help where attraction lies. Kindness and good hearts will always draw others in.
We witness the devastating effects of war – lives are changed in an instant. There are daily physical and mental reminders, things that cannot be unseen, remain in damaged minds forevermore.
The officer’s wife is a lady, in all true sense of the word. She always behaves like a lady. Love and duty direct her steps. She is the one who holds it all together.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Officer’s Wife. It was such a powerful read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
April 10, 2023
First things first, Wow what a gorgeous cover. It definitely catches your eye and you just want to dive in. I don’t often mention the Cover but this one really stands out.
Anyway back to the book. Set in WW2 and based around the rather stunning American heiress Vivi Miles as she moves the the UK and we follow how her life changes far beyond anything Vivi could have imagined; and just what is going on in the cottage with the woods? Intrigue aplenty. I was quickly immersed in this story of friendship, love and family. The characters are written superbly well and are all realistic in the trials and tribulations they have to endure at this terrible time.
The history and it’s accuracy only serves to add to the drama unfolding. Ever the Lady in every sense, Vivi conducts herself in the only way she knows, with honesty and integrity. Nobody knows when love will strike, when strong bonds will be formed and whether forgiveness with be forthcoming. I can not explain further without there being huge spoilers so I heartily recommend you go and grab a copy of this beautiful book and immerse yourself in the drama of WW2 and beyond. Find out how it all turns out for Vivi, her husband, her friends, her family, her future.
Anyway back to the book. Set in WW2 and based around the rather stunning American heiress Vivi Miles as she moves the the UK and we follow how her life changes far beyond anything Vivi could have imagined; and just what is going on in the cottage with the woods? Intrigue aplenty. I was quickly immersed in this story of friendship, love and family. The characters are written superbly well and are all realistic in the trials and tribulations they have to endure at this terrible time.
The history and it’s accuracy only serves to add to the drama unfolding. Ever the Lady in every sense, Vivi conducts herself in the only way she knows, with honesty and integrity. Nobody knows when love will strike, when strong bonds will be formed and whether forgiveness with be forthcoming. I can not explain further without there being huge spoilers so I heartily recommend you go and grab a copy of this beautiful book and immerse yourself in the drama of WW2 and beyond. Find out how it all turns out for Vivi, her husband, her friends, her family, her future.
December 15, 2023
It's 1939. American heiress Vivi Miles falls for naval officer Nathan Callaway shortly after she arrives in England. Under the threat of war, they marry in a whirlwind before he leaves to join his ship. But their marriage means Vivi must move in with her in-laws who are less than welcoming. When Nathan finally returns home from Dunkirk, he's injured, distant and aloof. Vivi gives him space even though that means she remains alone. And it’s not just his brutal war experiences that affect Nathan. He has a secret that's linked to the mysterious evacuee and a secluded cabin on the Kent estate.
At first, I was really into this book. I liked Vivi and wanted her love story to have a happy ending. But after Nathan's war experience and the plot twist, I lost interest. The story transformed from a war romance novel to a three-way love affair that wasn't appealing to me.
The title is deceptive. The book isn't just about Vivi. All the main characters have chapters dedicated to their stories. I would rename the book "WW2 Love Affair" or something like that.
Vivi is resilient. And Bella and Robin share a heartfelt love story. I also like how they embraced the past and created a new future. For these reasons, I give the book three rather than two stars.
At first, I was really into this book. I liked Vivi and wanted her love story to have a happy ending. But after Nathan's war experience and the plot twist, I lost interest. The story transformed from a war romance novel to a three-way love affair that wasn't appealing to me.
The title is deceptive. The book isn't just about Vivi. All the main characters have chapters dedicated to their stories. I would rename the book "WW2 Love Affair" or something like that.
Vivi is resilient. And Bella and Robin share a heartfelt love story. I also like how they embraced the past and created a new future. For these reasons, I give the book three rather than two stars.
March 19, 2023
The Officer's Wife is a very intriguing World War Two historical fiction. I liked how it was divided into three books by a expansion of time. It made it a little easier to read by having a time reference.
Vivi and Nathan meet at the start of the war. Vivi and her family are in England for her father to complete some business with Nathan's dad giving a different perspective than most of the books I read. The authors gives glimpses of how it would have been to be an American female in England.
In the darkness of war, courtships were conducted through letters. Couples were rushing into marriage.
Vivi and Nathan's life together was nothing I could have imagined. They experienced so much. Things only talked about in hushed voices around the dinner table became reality. Chapter after chapter brought more challenges to their relationship and those around them.
I am not sure I could be anything like Vivi. She looses so much but holds her head up high. She is the epitome of posters on walls, "Keep Calm and Carry On". Even after the war, her strength, her money, her actions are what keep Nathan's family moving forward.
Vivi and Nathan meet at the start of the war. Vivi and her family are in England for her father to complete some business with Nathan's dad giving a different perspective than most of the books I read. The authors gives glimpses of how it would have been to be an American female in England.
In the darkness of war, courtships were conducted through letters. Couples were rushing into marriage.
Vivi and Nathan's life together was nothing I could have imagined. They experienced so much. Things only talked about in hushed voices around the dinner table became reality. Chapter after chapter brought more challenges to their relationship and those around them.
I am not sure I could be anything like Vivi. She looses so much but holds her head up high. She is the epitome of posters on walls, "Keep Calm and Carry On". Even after the war, her strength, her money, her actions are what keep Nathan's family moving forward.
January 21, 2024
I liked this story, but it could have been better. It is set up as a love triangle story, but we only get a full picture of one side of that triangle. The story begins with a prologue where we are introduced to Nathan and Elise. Then it shifts to Vivienne, and we stay in her P.O.V. for the most of story. We learn a lot about Vivienne, but Nathan's character is never fully developed. The relationship between Nathan and Vivienne is hard to read because he is away most of the time. Elise's character appears briefly, but we don't learn a lot about her. The book finishes with the story shifting to Elise's daughter Bella, which seemed an odd way to wrap things up. I liked that the book explored the theme of why people stay in relationships that seem unhealthy. It leant authenticity to the story because people and their motivations are complicated. I wish the author had spent more time showing us the relationships between the main characters.
June 26, 2024
I enjoy reading novels about women who become better people during war. In this case the main female character didn’t become a spy, a resistance fighter, a pilot, an ambulance driver at the front or spend the war trying to stay alive and / or out of a concentration camp. Instead Vivi became a more tolerant and caring person who learned to forgive and do the right things. Yes, there were some weaknesses in the way the relationship between Vivi and Nathan developed but that happened a lot during wartime when time together was difficult to arrange and so many couples married without truly knowing their spouse, and lots of people, men especially, came back from war with secrets, disabling injuries or PTSD. The relationship between Nathan and Vivi is not atypical but Vivi’s response that showed she had both matured and developed compassion, acceptance and a a true love for her husband was heart warming. 3.5* rounded down to 3**
March 28, 2023
The Officer's Wife is a compelling historical family drama spanning thirty years. It begins with a chance meeting on a beach and continues through the 1930s to WW2, ending in the early 1960s.
Vivi, an American, finds love and unexpected marriage at the beginning of WW2. Unsure of what to expect and without the support of her family, she becomes the compassionate and independent woman she was always destined to be. Her life though privileged, is defined by betrayal, drama and secrets. Vivi is the character who epitomises strong women in this period. Their sense of duty and sacrifice kept families and societies together during the grief and hardship of the war years and the devastation that followed.
It is a story of family, love and secrets. I like this story's characterisation, historical detail, and female protagonists.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Vivi, an American, finds love and unexpected marriage at the beginning of WW2. Unsure of what to expect and without the support of her family, she becomes the compassionate and independent woman she was always destined to be. Her life though privileged, is defined by betrayal, drama and secrets. Vivi is the character who epitomises strong women in this period. Their sense of duty and sacrifice kept families and societies together during the grief and hardship of the war years and the devastation that followed.
It is a story of family, love and secrets. I like this story's characterisation, historical detail, and female protagonists.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 2, 2023
An unputdownable novel. The Officers Wife is a well written WW2 story that is full of grief, love, heartbreak, bravery, hope, secrets, loss, forgiveness, but is also heart-warming. Vivienne is a strong, independent, young women who went through so much during the war. It did feel rushed in places however it is a beautiful historical book that does have a happy ending and is well worth reading.
I would like to thank Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheOfficersWife #NetGalley
I would like to thank Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheOfficersWife #NetGalley
March 25, 2023
A wonderfully engaging WWII historical fiction read. The book centres around Vivi (Vivienne) an American heiress who has travelled, at the age of 18, to London with her parents. Vivi meets Nathan an officer in the Royal Navy. A whirlwind romance sees them marry and Vivi moves into Nathan’s family home with his parents while Nathan is called up.
There is a lot of emotional trauma throughout the book and I couldn’t put it down till I found out what happened in the end.
It is a heartbreaking story of family, trust, love, betrayal, forgiveness and hope.
There is a lot of emotional trauma throughout the book and I couldn’t put it down till I found out what happened in the end.
It is a heartbreaking story of family, trust, love, betrayal, forgiveness and hope.
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