Gillian Reads, Wherever You Will Go—a historical, romantic mystery, by Fran Clark.
- gillianyoung
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
I was fortunate to be approached by Fran Clark to review her newest book, "Wherever You Will Go." I initially became acquainted with Fran during the online Book Review Tour for "The Slow Walkers Reading Club," which she wrote under the pseudonym Rosa Temple. Since then, I've read and reviewed numerous books by her, including the Island Secrets series, all of which I adored and highly recommend. Fran has now started The Hope Series, with "Wherever You Will Go" being the first instalment.
AUTHOR BIO
Fran Clark writes Women’s Fiction, both contemporary and historical. Her first novel was published by Indigo Dreams in 2014. In the same year she achieved a Distinction in her Creative Writing MA from Brunel University. In 2016 she was shortlisted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize. In February 2024, her Island Secrets Book Series will be published, starting with Holding Paradise Book 1.
Originally from London, Fran moved to the English countryside with her musician husband. A musician herself, Fran teaches vocals and leads a local choir. She has two sons.
Fran also writes under the pseudonym, Rosa Temple, writing contemporary fiction and published by HQ Digital and Simon & Schuster UK.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.franclarkauthor.co.uk
Intstagram: https://www.instagram.com/franclarkauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/franclarkauthor
BOOK BLURB
Her husband is missing. The truth is buried in 1940s London.
Newlywed Essie dreams of building a life with her husband in England. But when he vanishes without warning, those dreams begin to unravel.
Alone in a foreign land, Essie must navigate the uncertainty of post-war London, chasing the only clue she has. What she discovers will challenge everything she believed about love, loyalty, and herself.
MY REVIEW
Wherever You Will Go is a story filled with emotion, mystery, and intrigue. This sweeping novel begins in 1948, on the island of Dominica, where 19-year-old Esperanza (Essie) marries LeJeune Francis, a strong and handsome man ten years her senior, with clear grey eyes and skin so pale that many mistake him for white.
Young, shy and naïve, Essie waves goodbye to her new husband as he boards the boat for London. This, he tells her, is where their future lies. He already has a job lined up and just needs to find them a place to live before sending her a ticket to join him in their motherland.
But things do not go according to plan.
One of the last words LeJeune says to her as he leaves is: ‘This is forever, you and me. This is going to be my greatest adventure.’
Two weeks later, Essie receives a letter from LeJeune telling her he has arrived. But then there is silence. After waiting three months, Essie decides to go to London and find out just what has happened to her new husband. Is he hurt? Is he sick? Did his new job fall through, and was he too proud to admit that he was now short of money? Or, is it what the other islanders believe - that LeJeune has changed his mind and fallen in love with someone else?
Essie faces her fears and boards the ship to England alone. Once in London, she moves in with her mother’s cousin, Myrtle Young. Now, her search for LeJeune Francis begins.
Wherever You Will Go is told from the point of view of both Essie and LeJeune.
From following Essie in 1948's London, the reader is taken back to 1943 when Lejeune arrives in London to answer the call from his motherland, helping with the war effort. He meets young soldiers from Jamaica, also answering the call. From here, we are taken into the life of a young Dominican soldier fighting for England during the Second World War.
Yet, the reason for his disappearance remains a mystery until Essie finally pieces together his life in England during the war.
Each chapter gives a clue as to what happened. Each chapter gives the reader a deeper understanding of Essie and LeJeune.
I loved this book. The mystery of LeJeune Francis’ whereabouts meant that I couldn’t wait to get back to the book and find out more. If you enjoy emotionally driven romantic mysteries, then Wherever You Will Go is for you.
Thank you for inviting me to review your latest book, Fran. I look forward to reading the rest of the Hope series.
Thank you for joining me for today's bookblog.
Until next time, Happy Reading!
Gillian x
#BookReview #Windrush #WWII #FranClark #TheHopeSeries #WhereverYouWillGo #BookRecommendation #RomanticFiction #historicalfiction #bookstagram #worldwar2drama #windrushfiction #windrushgeneration
Comments