With whispers of war across Europe, many are uncertain of what the future will bring. For Gracie Earnshaw, who works in German-Jewish owned Rosenberg's raincoat factory, life is turned upside down when she meets the boss's charismatic nephew, Jacob.

Through Jacob, with his ambitions to be a writer, Gracie glimpses another world: theatre, music and prejudice. But their hidden romance is tested when war finally erupts and tragedy unfolds.

Gracie struggles with heartbreak, danger and old family secrets. But, eventually, the love of her first sweetheart comes back to her in an unexpected way, giving her the strength to carry on and find happiness again.

Alrene Hughes grew up in Belfast and has lived in Manchester for most of her adult life. She worked for British Telecom and the BBC before training as an English teacher. After teaching for twenty years, she retired and now writes full-time.