Goodnight Sweetheart by Charlotte Bingham is a poignant and romantic wartime novel that delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Set during World War II, the story revolves around Walter Berrisford, an artist who is commissioned to paint the beautiful Katherine Garland. As he paints her, she asks him to place a ladybird on her finger, a request he doesn’t think much of at the time. However, he is appalled to later discover that Katherine is a Nazi sympathizer.
The narrative follows Katherine’s sister Caro and her friend Robyn, who join the FANYs (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry), and former maids Betty and Trixie, who work in a factory. Amid the turmoil of war, romance blossoms unexpectedly for many, including their flatmate Edwina O’Brien. Yet, it is Betty, who is transferred to decode messages at the Park, who uncovers the shocking truth about the meaning of the ladybird on Katherine’s finger, revealing a secret that will change everything.
Goodnight Sweetheart is an evocative and deeply emotional story that intertwines romance with the harsh realities of war, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and wartime love stories.
