When I finished this novel, I didn’t want to review it: I wanted to reread it. . . . An affair to remember.”

The Last Tigers of Hong Kong: True Stories of Big Cats that Stalked Britain’s Chinese Colony • John SaekiThe story follows four cabin mates as they try to each manage new experiences, new people and new fears. Moyes does a very good job of weaving these stories into a fine tapestry without missing a stitch. Each line of the book makes sense and each character is absolutely believable.

While the series may have started off as a romance, Jojo Moyes has turned Louisa Clark’s story into one about learning to be, and to love, yourself.” It’s 1946, the war is over, and Australian war brides need to get to their British husbands. What better way to get them there than on a British aircraft carrier carrying arms and over 1,000 men? It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what happened to more than 600 brides. Jojo Moyes gives us a fictional account of this fascinating story in her wonderful book The Ship of Brides. Although, once I got to chapter 26 and read 9 words I completely balled my eyes out.. I couldn't believe that 9 words could instantly bring me to tears. I actually took a bit of a brake and let the information sink in and had a really good cry. I realised I probably wasn't going to get my HEA. I forced myself to continue, crying along the way, those tears stopped and I started smiling, grinning, laughing, racing to the point where what I was crying over wasn't what I thought it was. I swear! my face hurt from all the emotions a felt during that last chapter!! OMG Author!! really?!! Incredible!

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The genius of Moyes . . . [is that she] peers deftly into class issues, social mores, and complicated relationships that raise as many questions as they answer. And yet there is always resolution. It’s not always easy, it’s not always perfect, it’s sometimes messy and not completely satisfying. But sometimes it is.” Jean ist die Jüngste, unreif, ungebildet und naiv aber offen und direkt. Und man hat sie einfach gern. Rich in history, with well-developed characters and a strong sense of place, this book will fit well in any library’s fiction collection.For fans of Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephantsor Catherine Marshall’s Christy.”

The novel focuses on 4 young women who are forced to share a cabin. Though they are very different, they become friends and learn to rely on each other. This novel is set in the time period just after World War II. During the War many people from all over the world met one another and got married quite hastily, to people that they wouldn't see until the War was over. This novel starts off in Australia, where over 600 Australian brides need to be transported to their English husbands in England, to go and live as a married couple now that the War is over. I was also pleasantly surprised that so much happens on board the ship. From women and men sneaking away, to betrayal, to “Not Wanted, Don’t Come” telegrams, to a beauty contest, and more, there was constantly something happening to or around these women and I was thoroughly entertained. Masterful . . . a heartbreaker in the best sense . . . Me Before Youis achingly hard to read at moments, and yet such a joy.” After You] left me thrilled by the possibilities of fiction to entertain and inform, and astounded by [Moyes’s] deep well of talent and imagination.”I must confess from the outset that my mother was a New Zealand American War Bride and because of that I was curious after reading the title--so I bought it to read! I tell you, Frances, Margaret, Avice, Jean were magnificent persons, each one in her own way. Each one struggle with her own fears and past. What happened to them before, during and after the voyage showed how different life and people are but at the same time how alike. Next to female characters there were Nicol, Highfield, Tims and husbands. They presence made the book greater and more compelling. I can't tell you more about those people without spoiling, I am not able to do it (without spoiling) because their stories described and made them.

It’s the end of World War II and thousands of Australian women, War Brides, will be traveling to England to reunite with the men they married. Over 600 will not have the luxury of traveling on a ship like the Queen Mary with all of its amenities but will make the six-week journey on The Victoria, an aircraft carrier. The Victoria is ill suited as a vessel for women, outfitted for its crew of men and planes. The book focuses on four of the brides allowing us a window to their hopes, fears and dreams. These four along with the others are leaving all that they know, all who they know behind to start a new life on foreign shores. Even those madly in love wonder at the sanity of their decision. And what of those who mid-voyage receive a Dear Jane Letter. I often get confused in stories with large casts, and this story was no different. But there were a few characters whom I really adored -- the woman with her dog, the woman who ends up in the nightmarish tenement situation, and also the captain, who winds up marrying the primary female protagonist. These characters were finely drawn, fleshed out, and I connected to them and rode the little ripples of their stories through the greater waves of the plot, right to the end. An intriguing look at an aircraft carrier transporting brides from Australia to England after World War II. I found this book to be interesting and the details of the voyage captivating. What a wonderful book that I've just finished. One of those that really mean something. It was a pleasure to read this book, the first of Jo Jo Moyes that I have had the pleasure to read. This is a beautiful story that is based on a factual voyage, each chapter starts with an non fictional extract based on experiences of war brides, or those who served on the 'Victorious'. Ich fand es ziemlich schwierig reinzukommen, die Geschichte ist schleppend angelaufen und war fast schon langweilig. Und dann kam irgendwo der Punkt an dem ich nicht mehr aufhören wollte zu lesen.Because this has been based on an actual sailing taken by the HMS Victorious, Moyes was able to include extracts from journals, newspaper clippings, and diary entries from the actual men and women aboard which added an element of real emotion to the voyage. Maybe this leopard can change her spots. I'm the perennial thriller reader. I read thrillers because they are often fast paced, make my heartbeat faster and I love a suspenseful read. So why have I found myself bewitched by the author JoJo Moyes? I have just finished my third book The Ship of Brides and will be singing its praises to everyone I meet. The year is 1946, and almost 700 war brides are making their way to England, the war is over. We follow a group of gals who have so many stories to tell. Maggie - feisty girl of the land. Lovely. Avice - society girl, vein and focused on things not so important. Annoying. My favourite (just!) Frances - capable nurse who has survived a horrible upbringing. A treasure.