It’s fall 1943, and Rosie Winter and her best friend Jayne are back from their USO stint in the South Pacific. But before heading to New York City they go upstate to visit the home of Jayne’s recently deceased fiance, or at least what they believe was his home. The visit was supposed to provide Jayne with a chance to say goodbye to the man she loved, but instead both women are left wondering if he ever existed to begin with.
As Rosie searches for the truth behind his identity—and a way to help heal Jayne’s broken heart—she faces an unpleasant homecoming of her own. New York has changed and memories of the South Pacific haunt her. The newspapers are filled with tales of saboteurs infiltrating the East Coast. Her ex, Jack Castlegate, is also back in Manhattan, nursing severe war injuries, under scrutiny for desertion, and engaged to a gorgeous WAC private who wants Rosie to be her new best friend. Rosie and Jayne’s pal Al is in hiding and no one seems willing to help him out. And both girls find themselves blacklisted from the New York theater scene without explanation.
Desperate to make things right for Jayne, Al, and Jack, Rosie finds herself telling lie after lie to protect her friends and herself. But as her deceit mounts and lures danger out of hiding, Rosie starts to wonder if they weren’t all safer on the warfront than they are on the home front.
Industry Reviews
"Haines vividly recreates WWII-era New York City." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) on When Winter Returns
"Haines captures the spirit of the home front.....Thoroughly entertaining for anyone who enjoys reading about the WWII era." -- Booklist on When Winter Returns
"Haines brings glamour and sass to the genre with spunky, no-nonsense Rosie Winter. Fans will be thrilled to see this timeless heroine up to her old tricks....The storyline, witty dialogue, and Haines' meticulous research make for an entertaining read with a good balance of humor and suspense." -- Romantic Times on When Winter Returns
"[Haines's] careful re-creation of the pop culture and lingo of the era steal the show." -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on When Winter Returns