Dear Evelyn

WINNER OF THE 2018 ROGERS WRITERS' TRUST FICTION PRIZE A 2018 KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A GLOBE AND MAIL BEST BOOK OF 2018 A TORONTO STAR TOP TEN BOOK OF THE YEAR A WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR A QUILL & QUIRE BEST BOOK OF 2018 Born between the wars on a working-class London street, Harry Miles wins a scholarship and a chance to escape his station, but discovers instead that poetry is what offers him real direction. While searching for more of it he meets Evelyn Hill on the steps of Battersea Library. The two fall in love as the world prepares once again for war, but their capacity to care for each other over the ensuing decades becomes increasingly tested. Twisting and startling, harrowing and deeply tender, Dear Evelyn explores how two very different people come together to shape and reshape each other over a lifetime. It is a compelling and unconventional love story that will leave its mark on any reader who has ever loved.

He was seventeen when he entered the Corps. USO dances. Psychiatric hospital. City park. Train station. Hot summer days. Island time. Iwo Jima. His name was Paul. Her name was Evelyn. He did ask her to dance, but there was a problem...he didn't know how. He just knew he wanted to meet her. Later on in the evening, he asked if he could take her home. She was in training to be a nurse, and the only way to escort her to the nurses' quarters was to take her buddy along. They rode the bus. That was the beginning of their courtship... It wasn't long before Paul was boarding a train and then a ship, headed for the war in the Pacific. Evelyn and Paul had just become engaged. Letter-writing started between them. Prolific letter writing. These letters are encased within the pages of this book. You will want to read them...not only for their historical significance, but to see up close and personal what life was like for the young Marine and his nurse-in-training fiancée during World War II. Fascinating...as you become familiar with the relationships that swirl around them, and as you have a front-row seat to their developing love story. The fruits of victory are tumbling into our mouths too quickly. -Emperor Hirohito of Japan, April 29, 1942 "Bloodiest battle" of World War II claimed nearly 7,000 U.S. lives on small, ash-covered island off Japan -Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue. -Navy Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, March 1945

Starting over can be hard to do... So when mum of two Beth moves out of her beloved marital home and into an unloved and unkempt cottage, she can’t help but feel demoralised. Faced with months of DIY and dust, her children Jacob and Olivia aren’t impressed either. But when Beth finds a box of letters while she’s clearing out the children’s room, things start to look up. The correspondence is decades old, between agony aunt Evelyn and those in need of solace. Intrigued as to why the letters have been kept safe all these years, Beth can’t resist reading them, and as the wisdom and kindness of Evelyn falls off the pages, so Beth starts to feel she has a friend and champion in this woman she has never met. Good advice doesn’t age, and as life starts to look brighter, Beth begins to wonder if she could track down Evelyn and thank her for her help. But as Beth uncovers more about Evelyn’s story, it becomes clear that everything is not as it seems. And now Beth is determined to bring peace to Evelyn as she has to her. A spell-binding, heart-warming story of friendship, love and being brave enough to be yourself. Praise for Clare Swatman: 'A sensitive, touching story with emotional depth and page-turning quality' Helen Rolfe 'I loved The Night We First Met by Clare Swatman. Warm, romantic and wonderfully written, it's an emotional and thought-provoking read with such relatable characters.' Debbie Howells 'The Night We First Met is a beautiful love story that vividly evokes time and place, transporting the reader... and leaves you rooting for everyone who is brave enough to follow their heart and not their head.' Victoria Scott 'Heart-breaking and life-affirming in equal measures, Before We Grow Old is the tender story of a chance meeting between former childhood sweethearts Fran and Will, and is packed with secrets and revelations. Through her beautiful writing, Clare Swatman delivers a powerful lesson in learning to love with your whole heart and accepting the same, no matter what life throws at you.' Sarah Bennett 'Irresistible... A delightfully bittersweet story that will appeal to fans of One Day' - Sunday Mirror 'The Night We First Met is a breathless story of enduring love that will fill your heart and give you hope.' Laura Kemp 'The Night We First Met is such a special book, filled with broken and relatable characters, who you can't help but love. Just Gorgeous!' Emma Cooper 'The Night We First Met is a gorgeously romantic, sliding doors love story about how The One will find you in the end.' Katy Regan Readers love Clare Swatman: ‘I’ve enjoyed all of Clare’s books, but this one I just couldn’t put down. I was hooked from the first page.’ ‘Another amazing read from Clare x another must read from her! You can’t wait to get to the bed.’ ‘I really enjoyed this book, a real page turner. Great characters in a brilliant mystery story. Worthy of a book club, I wish I had someone to discuss it with!!’ ‘Clare Swatman weaves a beautiful tale that grips you from the first page, leaves you wanting to travel on this journey and ultimately tells a beautiful story. I heartily recommend this book, I loved her style of writing and will be reading more from this author.’ ‘This is another great, page-turner from Clare Swatman. A really enjoyable read, as are all her books. The characters are believable and you are rooting for Laura right from the off. The book does not disappoint, give it a go. A great summer holiday read.’