1939, England. Bess Dudley knows what it means to lose what you love. As daughter of a groom at historic Foxden Hall, she’s pushed herself to escape her humble background and train as a teacher, but she’s made huge sacrifices along the way. Just as Bess arrives in London to take up her first, hard-won post, the shadow of war sweeps over England. Bombs rip apart the city, and screeching air raids become a part of everyday life. London is thrown into chaos and schools close, taking Bess’s dreams with them.
Then Bess learns that James, the handsome heir to Foxden Hall – who she’s loved since childhood – is engaged to Annabel Hadley. Annabel is everything Bess is not – a wealthy aristocrat – but James never seemed to care about those things before. It breaks Bess’s heart to see him with someone else.
London is becoming more dangerous by the day and when Bess nearly dies in a terrifying air raid she knows it’s time to go home. Back at Foxden Acres, she becomes a Land Girl –– farming the estate for wartime rations. It’s back-breaking work and a far cry from the life she dreamed of – even here, the horror of war leaves no life untouched.
Then the unthinkable happens, and Bess’s resilience and hope are tested to the ultimate limit. In a world torn apart by violence, she must choose between her heart and her duty… all while keeping a dark secret of her own.