Two families. Divided by war. United by love.

There are some things which even the closest friendship cannot survive . . .

Neighbours Edie Kelsey and Lil Horton have been friends for over twenty years, sharing the joys and sorrows of their tough lives as the wives of fishermen in Grimsby. So it came as no surprise that their children were close and that Edie's son, Frank, and Lil's daughter, Irene, fell in love and married at a young age.

But the declaration of war in 1939 changes everything. Frank goes off to fight, and Irene and baby Tommy, along with Edie's youngest son are sent to the countryside for safety. With Edie's husband, Archie, fishing the dangerous waters in the North Sea and daughter Beth in London doing 'important war work', Edie's family is torn apart.

Friendship sustains Edie and Lil, but when tragedy strikes - and then Beth disappears - their relationship is tested to the limit. But it is Irene's return, during the VE day celebrations, that sends shock waves through the family and threatens to destroy Edie and Lil's friendship.

I cannot thank Margaret Dickinson enough for the hours of pleasure she's given me with this book. Welcome Home has everything you would expect from the Queen of saga; family life, friendship, heartaches, love and betrayal and much, much more. I not only came to appreciate the privations for those left behind on the home front but the heart stopping moments when one of the family is behind enemy lines, will live on in my memory for a long time to come. A thoroughly enjoyable read