Tug Of War

The Strands That Bind and Unravel

Tug of War by Catherine Forde plunges readers into the tumultuous world of the Harwood family, where loyalty and resentment pull at every heartstring. Set against the windswept cliffs of Cornwall, the novel follows sisters Isla and Marianne Harwood, whose once-unbreakable bond frays under the weight of inherited expectations. When their domineering father, a retired naval officer, summons them home to settle his estate, old grievances resurface: Isla’s long-simmering anger over a childhood promise betrayed, and Marianne’s quiet guilt for dreams she abandoned in the name of duty. As the sisters confront the ghosts of their past, they must decide whether to remain tethered to family obligations or break free to chart their own courses.

Under Currents of Love and Regret

Forde weaves a rich tapestry of characters beyond the central sisters: their childhood friend, Rory, whose steadfast kindness masks his own longing for forgiveness; their mother’s former companion, Mrs. Llewellyn, whose whispered confidences reveal long-buried secrets; and the local vicar, whose pragmatic wisdom offers a surprising balm for strained relationships. Through late-night confessions by the smuggler’s cove, seaside picnics interrupted by sudden storms, and the silent communion of shared grief, each interaction drives home the novel’s central metaphor—a tug of war between the pull of the past and the promise of renewal.

When Strength Is Found in Release

As the inheritance dispute reaches its peak beneath the shadow of an ancient lighthouse, Isla and Marianne stand at the crossroads of their lives. In a heart-stopping climax set during a raging tempest, they learn that true resilience lies not in holding on tighter, but in knowing when to let go. Forde’s lyrical prose captures both the elemental fury of Cornwall’s coastline and the subtle tremors of the human heart, crafting a narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned. Tug of War is a poignant exploration of forgiveness, the bonds that both bind and heal, and the courage required to release what can no longer be carried.

. Catherine Forde is a British author celebrated for her evocative storytelling, adept character studies, and the ability to illuminate the complexities of family life against vividly drawn landscapes.