In Belfast in 1941 there is not much to smile about. It is the second world war and bombs have been dropping scaring the people half to death, damaging properties and changing lives for ever. Two sisters, Emma and Audrey couldn't be more different from each other. One is secretly having a relationship with another woman - something that is illegal in these times, and the other is engaged and about to be married. The author has cleverly set this book into sections - each named after one of the three main bombing raids over the city - The Fire raids, The Easter raids and the Dockside raids. It is set out to follow what happened to the areas and the characters which makes for a great wartime saga. The book overall is an honest overview of the war and the changes made to one particular family. With desire, upset and ill-fated relationships this book certainly has it all