'A perfect marriage of deep romance and gently observed social comedy . . . It is flawless. I cannot imagine this book not making your heart swoon and your day brighter' Jenny Colgan'Sophisticated, brilliantly plotted and gloriously funny' Amanda Craig, GuardianSpring 1938: as Hitler marches into Austria, Ruth Berger's family is forced to flee, but a devastating misunderstanding leaves her alone in Nazi-occupied Vienna.

There is no hope of escape until a chance meeting with an old family friend, Quinton Somerville, offers her refuge through a marriage of convenience. On arrival in London, Ruth and Quin find that dissolving their marriage is not as simple as they had thought, nor is keeping it secret.

As war approaches, how will Ruth start a new life if she is not able to break away from the past?The Morning Gift by award-winner Eva Ibbotson is a modern classic of unexpected love, independence and belonging during World War II.