Heartbreak in the Valleys

Shortlisted for The Romantic Novelists' Association Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021

The world was crumbling, but her love stayed strong

November 1915. For young housemaid, Anwen Rhys, life is hard in the Welsh mining village of Dorcalon, deep in the Rhymney Valley. She cares for her ill mother and beloved younger sister Sara, all while shielding them from her father’s drunken, violent temper. Anwen comforts herself with her love for childhood sweetheart, Idris Hughes, away fighting in the Great War.

Yet when Idris returns, he is a changed man; no longer the innocent boy she loved, he is harder, more distant, quickly breaking off their engagement. And when tragedy once again strikes her family, Anwen’s heart is completely broken.

But when an explosion at the pit brings unimaginable heartache to Dorcalon, Anwen and Idris put their feelings aside to unite their mining community.

In the midst of despair, can Anwen find hope again? And will she ever find the happiness she deserves?

A beautiful, emotional and heart-breaking saga set in the Welsh Valleys of the Great War that fans of Rosie Goodwin and Sheila Newbury will love.

Readers are falling in love with Francesca Capaldi's debut novel:

‘this is a really emotional book…I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all the stars’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘worthy of a 5 star rating… a good book that commands your attention and emotions.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

'A lovely debut saga!... Great story line and wonderful period details.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘I loved this book… I would heartily recommend it for anyone who enjoys family saga or historical fiction.’ Reader Review

‘an all-engrossing story that swept me along with it. It is a wonderful historical saga… With a hint of romance… It had me go through an array of emotions’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘this is such a warm-hearted book… I would ask all readers to read this book. I loved it’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review