The Phoenix and Four Months
Julie Saunders
ISBN 9781915803344
 
In the serene countryside of Down Hookham during the First World War, an old garden bothy becomes a sanctuary of hope, craftsmanship, and healing.
 
Severely wounded on the Western Front, young veteran John James returns home having lost a leg, haunted by traumatic memories of the trenches. Tucked away in a quiet brick workshop, he pours his soul into handcrafting exquisite wooden toys—from pull-along ducks and hobby horses to detailed Noah’s Arks. With the encouragement of Adam West from the War Office, John dares to dream beyond his injury and plan The Phoenix Toy Shop, a business built on new beginnings. 
When John’s masterfully crafted toys catch the attention of London’s prestigious Grantley’s department store, what began as a humble refuge turns into an extraordinary story of resilience, community, and triumph. Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, The Phoenix and Four Months is a touching story of love, recovery, and the lasting strength of the human spirit.