The audiobook of THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED by James Lingard narrated by Natalie Beran and published by Wordwooze Publishing has now been reviewed for Amazon UK by Isabella, a Scottish Author. The review reads:
"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2021
The historical information was well researched and accurate. What threw me was the use of Walter's name. He is often referred to as my Jimmy or her Jimmy. At first, I had to stop and think, who is Jimmy? At first I thought it must be a mistake, but when it happened over and over, I realised it was deliberate, like 'her husband' and I came to realise that Jimmy and Walter were the same person. The narrator spoke too fast too, but that was not a problem as I could slow her down. Otherwise a decent enough listen."
The accolade that the historical information was well researched and accurate should attract historians interested in the social history of the period.
The review caused the audiobook to squeeze into the Amazon UK top fifty 20th century audiobook historical romance ranking. Audiobooks are increasing in popularity and appeal particularly to listeners who do not have time or the eyesight to read.
THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED, a historical romance set in Britain around WW2, brings the period alive for the reader; a moving love story about one woman’s enduring resilience, a story full of quiet humour and surprising twists and turns, a story full of romance but also drama and the danger of impending death. It is fact based on my family and written from my own personal experiences. Attractive Emily falls passionately in love with Walter despite opposition from her father and resolves to elope. She and her four year old son struggle to survive the devastation brought about by the war. Their air raid shelter is destroyed by a direct hit. When her husband volunteers for the army, Emily and her son are evacuated from a London suburb to a rat infested cottage in a farming community near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. The war changes Walter into an efficient army officer who demands to be obeyed. Emily worries that she might have a rival for his affections. How can she restore their loving relationship?
The book has received several 5 and 4 star reviews:-
'Wow! What a good book' (Goodreads reviewer)
'James brought their lives to life' (Library Thing reviewer)
‘A beautiful historical blend of fact and fiction. This book was an emotional read for me. 5stars.' (Readers Favorite)
'A wonderful exciting book to read, the author puts us right there in the middle of the story.' (Linkedin comment)
'very easy rating of 5 stars' (Tony Parsons Washburn; MSW Amazon reviewer)
'What a wonderful novel! The Girl Who Disappeared is everything I love!' (Jenna Soliani It's a Military Life)

Details of the book are at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YMZHKS9 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YMZHKS9
For further information go to https:/lnkd.in/dddWRAs.

James Lingard ( )

Emily grew up in the more privileged society in England. When she fell in love with a man that did not meet her parent's standards, she had to make a very difficult choice. That choice was just the beginning of define the rest of Emily's life. Set during pre-WWII through WWII in England, the story is told from Emily's point of view.

I had a difficult time with Emily - she was a hard person for me to like, however, she did grow on me. Even though I didn't care for her, the story was very engrossing and kept the pages turning (and sometimes rather quickly!)

This is a great story about life during WWII and is well researched. It is very realistic - down to the privileged Emily, who really didn't fall out of character, even though I really wanted her to. The issues I had with her personality ended up being what made this book so good! ( )

Review #1: Review by Jennifer Ibiam
Review Rating: 5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed By Jennifer Ibiam for Readers’ Favorite
The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard is a historical romance novel that will appeal to lovers of war stories. Emily loved Walter fiercely, but her parents kicked against her marrying him. She married and eloped with him to America, where he had gained a scholarship to Harvard.
They moved back to London, Walter got a banking job, and they had their baby boy, Richard. Everything fell to pieces as the war between Germany, Great Britain, France, and other Allied forces kicked off. The journey to survival for Emily and her family began. Walter went from being a respectable banker to a military officer with little familial contact. Emily moved from a beautiful home to a run-down cottage in the heart of nowhere. Will their love endure the war? Did Emily make the right choice to marry Walter?
The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard is a beautiful historical blend of fact and fiction. It detailed the travails of a family during the war that took the lives of millions of people. Many of us have only read about the war or heard it from the older generations. However, after reading this book, I’d say it was a terrible experience.
I loved the plot and character consistency. Emily’s strength made me marvel, even though she wasn’t my most favorite character. She was tough, brave, and dogged whenever she needed to be. Walter gained my respect for his wisdom and subtle approach to life. Richard was my most favorite character because of his strength, resilience, and formidable mind. This book was an emotional read for me, and James Lingard gets a thumbs up. (*****)

5 star review by Bookread2day
Wow! What a good book I’ve read to day. A very well written story that I’m very happy to recommend.

Emily lives in Halifax Yorkshire with her mother and strict father. But Emily is in love and is going to get married on her twenty-first birthday. Her father has forbidden her to marry Walter Lingard. He makes it very clear to Emily that if you marry that man, you leave this house for good never to return. 'Never. Do you understand me? he boomed.' He’s a wicked father with a cane, but Emily is now a grown woman, he can’t use it on her anymore.

Emily loves her boyfriend and gets married in secret and sails on her honeymoon to America, but her father is looking for her. A bombing of war is about to start that’s quite frightening.

A mixture of topic of scenes, built up slowly and nicely that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
An excellent story for book clubs to discuss all moving scenes, with things happening along the way that I didn’t think about these plots would take place, so I was taken by surprise as the plots unfolded.

4 star review by Grace J Reviewerlady's review dated June 06, 2021 in Goodreads of The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard (Goodreads Author) "A glimpse back to a time in Britain when men ruled and women were expected to obey.

"Emily falls in love with Walter but she knows that her father will never approve their union. He considers her fiance to be from a lower class and expects his daughter to follow his rules, but Emily has no intention of giving up on love and plans to elope. She wants her union to be a marriage of equals, but when Walter returns from serving during the war he takes decisions without asking for her input and she wonders if she’s made a grave error. Can she get their relationship back on an equal footing?

"It’s no surprise that this is a fact based tale; I definitely had the feeling that there was more than a bit of truth in this one. I really liked Emily, and felt for her having to live under her father’s strictness. I loved that the dialogue reflected the more proper manner of speech employed in the thirties and forties, it all added to the authenticity. Marriage isn’t always what we dream it will be; it takes a bit of work as demonstrated here.
"This is a well-written account of two people in love, and how things turn out for them. Very enjoyable and one I’m happy to recommend to all lovers of a good WWII story. ****."

4. Posted by Sue Vincent in her Daily Echo blog.
THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED by James Lingard is a fact-based historical novel set in Britain in the 1930s and continuing through the Second World War and the 1940s and 50s.
Emily living with her strict parents in Halifax falls in love with Walter Lingard but on bringing him home, her father throws him out of the house and tries to force her to marry someone else. Emily elopes with Walter during the night to escape her domineering father.
They start their married life in America but move back home for Walter’s career at Lloyds Bank. Their lives are turned upside down by the Second World War.
This is a fascinating novel set in a turbulent time, using a woman’s voice on her thoughts and feelings of war. Her character grows as time passes from a spoilt young women to a mature lady who has experienced a challenging life. We see her struggle to survive the devastation brought about by the war as she and her four year old son are thrown into the midst of danger and death. The family experience rationing and the terror of bombing. Their air raid shelter is destroyed by a direct hit.
When Walter volunteers for the army, Emily and her son are evacuated to a rat infested cottage in a farming community near Hebden Bridge. The war changes Walter into an efficient army officer who demands to be obeyed. Emily worries that she might have a rival for his affections.
The Girl Who Disappeared is a moving love story about one woman’s enduring resilience, a story full of quiet humour and surprising twists and turns.
James Lingard certainly knows this period of history and England’s involvement, then how it affected the daily lives of its citizens. I found this fascinating. England experienced dreadful damage and loss of life during this horrific war, and not just on the battlefield. Most historical fiction novels focus on the war itself and the battles. Mr Lingard’s shows a different aspect of the war.
5. What a wonderful novel! The Girl Who Disappeared is everything I love!
I feel the storyline is so relatable to our community as we are all military spouses navigating life in unfamiliar places with our young kiddos much like your mother did when she travelled around America, England, and Europe.
Jenna Soliani
It's a Military Life Chief Editor and Program Manager
IML MUST-READ: THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED BY JAMES LINGARD MAY 7, 2021 BY JENNASOLIANI
The Girl Who Disappeared is a wonderful, adventurous story set in Britain at the brink of World War II. Emily (James’ mother) falls in love with Walter, a working class gentleman who fiercely adores her. Despite her father’s disapproval, Emily decides to elope in an attempt to leave a male dominated society and the control of her father. When Walter later volunteers for the Army, Emily and their 4-year-old son are thrust into the dangers and consequences of war. Walter is a different man after the war, in large part due to his experience as an accomplished Army Officer, leaving Emily to wonder if their loving relationship will return.
The story focuses on Emily’s incredible sacrifice, resilience, and love despite the hardships she faces – which is definitely something that many of our military spouse friends can relate to.
Grab your copy of The Girl Who Disappeared from Amazon (Kindle, Audiobook, or Paperback formats) or Walmart!

6. Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Historical
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 February 2020
A fact-based historical novel set in Britain in the 1930's and continuing through the Second World War and a few decades after.

Emily living with her strict parents in Halifax falls in love with Walter but on bringing him home, her father refuses their engagement and tries to force Emily to marry someone of a higher class. Nearing her 21st birthday Emily decides to run away with Walter and marry, it seems anything to escape her domineering father and weak mother.

They embark their married life with a visit to America but move back home for Walter's career at the bank. Unfortunately Walter predicts the repeat of a world war and their lives are turned upside down. As he enlists, Emily is left with a young son without the support of her family.

This story is mainly described with Emily's view however there are a few passages and chapters using her son's view of his schooling and further career.

An interesting novel set in this turbulent time, using a woman's voice on her thoughts and feelings of war. I enjoyed how her character grew as time passed, from a spoilt young women to a mature lady, who clearly had experienced many life's lessons and tribulations.
* * * *

7. Reader Lady
4.0 out of 5 stars My Musings
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2020
3.5 Stars
Thanks go to the publisher and author for the chance to read and review The Girl Who Disappeared by James Lingard, an historical novel set in the WWII era. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by the gift of an e-copy of this book.

The Girl Who Disappeared is an interesting novel that shows life prior to, during, and the aftermath of WWII. I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the book. As a reading experience, it’s unusual. It reads more like a documentary than a novel. There is a great deal of telling instead of showing. The dialogue is indirect and different than what I normally see in works of fiction. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, and I’m glad I agreed to read it.

Emily is the main character. She is an interesting individual. I would have enjoyed more depth to her character. Her role is the vehicle for the information regarding the life and times of the WWII period.

Walter’s character marries Emily, but since the POV is in Emily’s, I didn’t get much insight into his character. He seemed to care for Emily and their son, Richard. However, he is rarely with them. Initially, because he’s advancing his career, and later a soldier in the Royal Army.

James Lingard certainly knows this period of history and England’s involvement, then how it affected the daily lives of its citizens. I found this fascinating. England experienced dreadful damage and loss of life during this horrific war, and not just on the battlefield. Most historical fiction novels focus on the war itself and the battles. Ms. Lingard’s shows a different aspect of the war.

If you would enjoy a fantastic view of what life was like for British citizens, then you will like this novel. In 2016, I visited England. On my tour, we drove by the shell of a church in Devon. The guide explained that it was left in ruins so British citizen would never forget the horrors of WWII. For me, that gave me a new understanding of what England suffered during that awful period of history. The Girl Who Disappeared had added to that a great deal. Happy reading.

8. James Lingard's The Girl Who Disappeared is a fact-based historical romance novel following Emily as she progresses in life from a young love struck woman in Yorkshire through her relationship with Walter Lingard beginning in the 1930s. The relationship persists through immigrating to another continent, raising a child, and the struggles that World War II brings. As Walter’s surname implies, it’s based off the author’s own parents. The book brims with lovingly described anecdotes to the characters’ behaviours and interests.
I first read Lingard’s historical British spy thriller, The Caucasus Cauldron, and found The Girl Who Disappeared a surprising and well-done shift between these two genres. Many stylistic choices in the writing differed between these books, and I felt surprised by the quality of The Girl Who Disappeared.
Romance frequently holds presence in many novels I read, and often I find myself critiquing romance aspects of books. With this book of Lingard’s, I find myself invested in Emily and Walter’s romance. It’s littered with moments that would be hard on many couples: moving to a new and unfamiliar country after marriage, experiencing a marriage that frequently must be long distance due to new and changing circumstances, surviving a war in which both Emily and Walter find themselves changing while Emily raises their son on her own for a long time. It isn’t a quick and fast romance but one slow, sweet, and full of quirks with the characters. Emily expresses what she wants from her marriage and how her relationship with Walter changes through the book’s events.
While some minor errors are present, I highly recommend reading The Girl Who Disappeared with its range of tensions and humour, especially with the combination of genres this novel fills. After reading this, I look forward to seeing Lingard’s future books as his writing grows, especially any with similarities to The Girl Who Disappeared.
Cheyenne Heckermann
* * * * ( )

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read. I was transported back in time and was along for the journey with Emily and Walter. There was a point where I was not feeling the friendliest feelings towards Walter. However by the end of the story, I was fine with Emily and Walter being together.

Which, speaking of Emily; I have to applaud her for standing up for herself. There was a moment in the beginning where I thought she might chicken out and stay under the rule of her father. At the last moment, she found her voice and joined Walter for their new life together.

I did enjoy this story but there was something that did keep me from fully embracing the characters. I was reading the book but not "into the book". If you know what I mean. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would read another one by this author. ( )

Thanks for letting me read this book in exchange for a review. My review is below:
Too fast paced. Jumped ahead too much. Didn't really talk about their lives in detail, only in broad strokes.
Some paragraphs do not transition smoothly. Many times I had to double back through the book because I thought I lost my place or accidentally skipped a part.
Main character always complaining but never doing anything resolve the circumstances that she complains about.
A couple of spelling errors.
This book title doesn't really fit the book.
With all that being said, it wasn't a terrible book. There was quite a bit of info about WWII. it is nice to read a book from a viewpoint of the English rather than an American one.
Please don't let the above statements deter you from reading this book. It is quite.nice. ( )