‘Before the Fall’ by Juliet West

‘Before the Fall’ was published by Macmillan on the 22^nd May 2014.  I was very kindly sent a copy to review.  Inspired by a true story, this is Juliet West’s debut novel.

It is September 1916 and the Great War is raging across the channel.  Hannah Loxwood lives in the East End of London in Canning Town.  Her husband is away fighting and as the war drags on, like many other people Hannah starts to wonder if he will ever come home.  Left with her two young children to look after, she is finding life very hard.

Opportunity presents itself when Hannah manages to get herself a job in a cafe.  It gives her a sense of much needed freedom.  When she meets Daniel, a man who comes across as thoughtful, intelligent and quietly captivating, Hannah finds herself falling in love.  But what will she decide to do?

I read a wide variety of books and I have found that I really enjoy stories about the war, so I was really looking forward to reading ‘Before the Fall’.  This is such a beautifully written novel and there are some wonderful descriptions throughout.  Split into four parts, this story keeps you guessing from the beginning what is going to happen in the future.

‘Before the Fall’ is a powerful, moving and tragic story about one woman’s personal struggle.  It left me feeling totally stunned.

I am so looking forward to what Juliet West comes up with next.

I give this book 5 out of 5.