Bravery and fortitude on the English homefront endure in this lighthearted, enemies-to-lovers WWII romance, perfect for fans of The Wartime Matchmakers and Dear Mrs. Bird.

Expecting a relaxing getaway at her family’s summer estate, pampered socialite Elsie Foster-Quinn signs up for the Women’s Land Army. When she ends up at a Somerset dairy farm instead, Elsie immediately butts heads with the grumpy farmer she now works for. Being a land girl in a small town is far more than the city girl bargained for.

Ben Grainger hates asking for help. When two land girls unexpectedly arrive on his farm, he quickly learns he can’t simply make them go away. He finds amusement in tormenting Elsie whose privileged life certainly didn’t prepare her for farm life. However, nothing could have prepared Ben for the feelings that suddenly emerge whenever the haughty little princess is near.

Why can’t he keep his eyes off her? And why can’t she stop thinking about him? Opposites attract—but is it true love?

Between the Germans bombing nearby Bath and a deadly disease rampaging through local farms, Ben and Elsie’s trust in each other is put to the ultimate test.

Excerpt

“The Army has acquired Channel House,” my father announced, his nostrils flaring with great abandon. “I got a call from some Corporal So-and-So this morning. He said the location is strategically advantageous so the British Army will be moving troops into our home within the week.” He shook his head and puffed his cheeks out. “I’ve never heard such outrageous poppycock.”

“No,” I said. “No, no, no, no. No, they cannot do this. They can’t just decide to move into our house because they want it. I’m going there next week to—” I hesitated as we both knew very well what I was going there to do “—work in the fields.”

He gave an exaggerated huff and the hairs of his thick mustache fluttered. “I called the War Office and they said there was nothing to be done.” He shook his head again. “The bloody nerve of those bastards.”

I considered what a manor full of troops and handsome officers might be like.

“I could still go—”

“No, you could not,” he thundered.

“Well, what is she supposed to do, Robert? She can’t go to some farm and live with-with-with strangers in the middle of nowhere.” Mother laid a protective hand on the gold chain at her throat.

An enormous portion of British Army uniforms were made at Father’s textile factories and this gave him some influence at the War Office. Evidently, it had not been enough to keep Channel House untouched by the war.

Sighing, Father lowered his eyes. Robert Foster-Quinn hated a lot—and I mean a lot—of things but he hated disappointing my mother most of all.

“I’ll make some calls,” he said quietly. “You may have to go to a farm temporarily while I sort this out and get you reassigned somewhere more appropriate.”

My mouth fell open. “Go to a farm? A real one? That was not part of the plan.”

“I knew it,” Mother added. “You should have taken a secretarial job and we could have avoided this whole situation. You would have stayed in London and slept in your bed instead of…instead of…” She shuddered and threw her hands up in the air.

“I’m sorry,” Father said, almost whispering. Apologizing was also high on his list of things he hated. “I will see what I can do.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, giving a Dutiful Daughter nod and leaving his office.

“Elsie, darling?” My mother still looked distraught as she lifted a slender finger and gestured. “Those trousers are terribly unflattering on you.”

The high-waisted brown corduroy trousers were roomy around the thighs and backside, letting the wearer move around to work. They weren’t nearly as unflattering as the army-issued dungarees though.

I clenched my jaw. “They’re part of the uniform.”

My mother’s hand went to her cheek. “Oh, God. It keeps getting worse.”

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About the Author

Jillianne Hamilton writes delightful historical fiction and historical romance novels featuring rebellious ladies and happy endings. Her stories feature feisty female protagonists and plenty of sass and wit, using the past as an exciting backdrop. Her debut novel was shortlisted for the 2016 PEI Book Award and her debut historical fiction novel, The Spirited Mrs. Pringle, was longlisted for the 2022 Historical Fiction Company Book Award.

She lives in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on Canada’s beautiful east coast. She is a member of the Paper Lanterns Writers author collective.