GUEST reviewer and military wife Claire Simpson, whose father is a serving soldier, shares her thoughts on Brenda Hale’s I Married A Soldier – an account of how a widow coped when her husband was killed in action.


I received the book on a Saturday afternoon – and by late lunchtime on Sunday, I had finished it, writes Claire.

Before my daughter was born, I used to love reading and getting stuck into a book, but I haven’t been able to find one that I can really sink into for such a long time – until this one.

The way Brenda tells the story like an autobiography is incredible. She sucks you right in and you can feel the love between herself and Mark. Laughter and tears and complete raw emotion are all part of the richness and uniqueness of this book.

So many times I had a little chuckle to myself, when she mentions the typical standard Army issue ovens, the magnolia walls, the dread of march-outs. All part of this life we lead as Army wives and husbands.

The way Brenda has courageously written this book alongside Rachel Farmer is just amazing. It truly is a story written with heart and soul.

A powerful book written with true human spirit at its best.

If you would like to write a review for Army&You’s website, email deped@aff.org.uk

I Married A Soldier, published by Lion Books, is available in paperback, priced £9.99 or Kindle, £6.99.

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