"A fantastic read." Editor’s Choice, Historical Novel Society

London, 1630. Widowed and impoverished, Lucy St. John faces impossible choices to secure a future for her children. In her darkest hour, she makes a desperate decision, but even her sacrifices may not be enough to protect her family. Her daughter, Luce, rebels against the royal court and refuses a wealthy arranged marriage, instead falling in love with a cultivated and charismatic soldier.

As England spirals toward civil war, the bonds of family are tested like never before. Luce’s beloved brother, Allen, chooses to fight for the king as a cavalier, while Luce and her lover are drawn to the Parliamentarian cause. With their loyalties divided, the siblings are swept into the brutal conflict, each fighting for survival and love on opposite sides of the battlefield.

In the chaos and devastation of war, Luce and Allen must face the ultimate question: will the war unite them or tear them apart forever? And in the midst of violence, can they find a place—and love—to return to when the fighting is over? In the dawn of England’s great rebellion, family is the final battleground.

Based on the true story of Elizabeth St.John’s ancestors, By Love Divided brings to life the emotional struggles of one family torn apart by war. Through surviving memoirs, letters, and court papers, Ms. St.John vividly portrays the heart-wrenching choices, sacrifices, and passion that define the human experience in England’s Civil War. A sweeping historical novel of love, loyalty, and courage, this is a must-read for fans of women’s fiction and wartime romance.

"Her world and characters are so real I wanted to remain there. I loved this book, and the Lydiard Chronicles are now on my list of all-time favorite historical novels." Editor’s Choice, Historical Novel Society

"A beautiful story of love, family values, and empowered women." Reader's Favorite Five Stars

"What I adored about this book was the fact that all the characters are based on real people who lived through this terrible time. By Love Divided is one of those rare books that leaves a mark upon your heart. This is not a book that I will forget in a hurry." 2018 Silver Award Winner, the Coffee Pot Book Club

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