This volume is the complete trilogy of 'A String of Pearls' it tells of the life and loves of Bethan Edwards from her girlhood during World War 1 to her old age in the 1970's. Her first love is her childhood friend Mark who seduces her with the promise of marriage but breaks her heart when he marries for money. Her mother's premature death and earlier extravagant lifestyle leaves Beth penniless apart from a string of pearls given to her when a baby by her paternal grandmother. Maggie her nanny/housekeeper tells her that her routes are in Pembrokeshire so disguising herself as a lad she sets out on foot on a hazardous journey to trace her grandparents and father whom she had always assumed was dead. She meets several memorable characters the most outstanding being 'Mother Lee' a gypsy who tells Bethan that she is pregnant and will have a son she also foretells of a happier future. Reunited with her grand-mother a local wise-woman and herbalist she finds contentment and awaits the birth of her child with trepidation that no-one will ever wish to marry a woman with an illegitimate child. A son is born whom she names James as Mother Lee had requested.Through her grandmother's friend Major Morgan she meets his grand-son on leave from the front and immediately they fall in love. They keep up a correspondence and on his second leave their love is fulfilled unknown to him she is carrying his child. The first book 'The Journey Begins' ends happily with Bethan marrying but the journey to that end has many twists and turns which of her lovers does she marry and does she find her father? 'It Will all be Over by Christmas' brings the reader up to the second world war and Beth has fixed her mind on the fact that she is beginning the menopause only to find that like her daughter and future daughter-in-law she is pregnant. The death of her daughter and the broken romance of her son leaves her to raise three children throughout the war years. Separated from her beloved husband she has to rely on the support of her friend and companion; a chance meeting with a 'ghost' from the past raises her from the depths of despair to a rich woman who opens up her home as a rest home for recuperating officers. The end of the war brings the coming together of her children; a time for rejoicing as marriages are arranged and grand-children are born and he husband's return brings her contentment as she is surrounded by all that she loves and holds dear. 'As Time Goes By' is the third of the trilogy and we now see Bethan in her 70's reliving old memories and finding a new love but again family ties prevent her from committing to marriage. She now lives the life of a countrywoman; marriage could change all that but which road does she take? To continue the autumn of her days alone continually concerned about her family or find happiness with the man she loves who could make all her dreams come true. Dear reader you will have to read the book to find out all the twists and turns and the ending of Bethan's story of a life of many 'ups' and 'downs'. Enjoy.