The Locket

England, 1942. “It has to stay secret,” he whispers, placing the locket around her neck. “If they find it, they’ll send me away.” As she holds the locket, glinting in the moonlight, she can’t hold back the tears. “I just wish we didn’t have to hide…”

When farmer’s daughter Irene meets Theodore at a village dance, sparks fly instantly. The war has brought him all the way from Louisiana to build a US airbase just across her father’s fields, but as they sway together, there is nothing else in the world. Only his gentle touch and his deep brown eyes.

But being together comes at a price. As Theodore is Black, the might of the US Air Force is against them, and all the members of the little village community disapprove of their relationship. And they will all go to terrible lengths to tear the two young lovers apart…

Decades later, heartbroken Ruby is back at her family’s crumbling farmhouse for the first time in years, after the loss of her beloved grandmother Irene. The roof has fallen in, family photographs are damaged – and her grandmother’s jewellery is nowhere to be found.

When Ruby uncovers her grandmother’s waterlogged diaries, she discovers that Irene treasured one piece of lost jewellery above all. A locket from a man called Theodore. And the missing locket holds the key to unravelling a heartbreaking secret that changed her grandmother’s life…

Is someone in the village hiding the locket to keep the truth about Irene and Theodore buried? And can Ruby find a way to honour her grandmother’s memory ­– or in digging up the pain of the war, will she tear her family apart?

An absolutely breathtaking World War Two story about the power of love in the face of adversity, and how the tragic consequences of war can echo through generations. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will be addicted to this incredible read.

Read what everyone’s saying about The Locket:

‘By far the best book I’ve read this year. There have been a few 2 am bedtimes because I couldn’t bear to put it down without another chapter… or 2… A fantastic book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Broke my heart… Historical fiction lovers will devour this heart-breaking novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Let Natalie Meg Evans sweep you away… I love it!… The tears fell… This is one you’ll want on your night table!… One of the best books I’ve read all summer.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It immediately swept me away… My heart hurt… Such a beautiful historical tale of loss and love in the face of adversity.’ @books_by_the_bottle

‘I couldn’t stop reading until I found out the ending… Heartbreaking… A story full of mystery, suspense, history, secrets and forbidden love.’ @shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked… Heartbreaking… Definitely a must read.’ @chellsandbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Emotional and poignant… So evocative. Truly fantastic!’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I couldn’t put it down… Heart-wrenching… Clear your calendar and make sure you have time to read it!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A sweeping saga… It broke my heart… Historical fiction lovers will devour this heartbreaking novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐