The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

1914 before the war in a little village life is easy for the privileged. A young Latin teacher begins a relationship with two young men and their aunt in the summer before World War I. Their world is very much "Downton Abbey" in that life consists of teas and parties but Beatrice is caught between two worlds. She must now work for a living after the death of her father leaves her penniless but still enjoys the companionship of Hugh and Daniel and other well off families in the area.
Beatrice is trapped between the life she knows, wanting to be loved and have a family and wanting to be a free spirit left to pursue her writing and creative side. Aunt Agatha is the pivotal character, rallying the village to put on parades and organizing for the upcoming war all the while knowing that their lives will soon change and even she will not be able to guide her charges for what comes next.
There is a good mix of characters, straight forward thinkers and free spirited wanton types whose lives will all change after that summer. The parties will cease, young people will be forced to grow up quickly and many young men will not be coming home but they will carry on.