I enjoy reading historical fiction books, especially when they take place during WWII. The characters are well developed, and the author does a good job of pulling you into the lives of Luc and Lisette. I enjoyed the aspect of spending time in France and the espionage and work of the resistance. An interesting love story but the end kind of fizzled out for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more review

This was definitely a failure for me and my attempt to read more historical fiction books that introduce me to a unique aspect of history. One big turn off for me was the amount of crude language. I can handle some when it is imported to the story or the characters, but this was over the top unnecessary. I felt like I was plotting through mud to get through the pages. There are too many wonderful books out there to enjoy for me to spend hours, forcing myself to pick up the bo

I was so looking forward to reading this book. I have enjoyed several books that took place around the Titanic. But I did not find myself engaged in this story. Though I did enjoy the story of Melville. It was very informative. I think the biggest thing that turned me off was the repetitiveness of many things throughout the story parentheses ashes, tires, gripping the pavement, etc.). It definitely took away from my enjoyment of the story. This was an interesting exploration

Well, I am branching out into different areas of books in the historical fiction. Genre, I need to be more careful in what I choose to read. This was a slow plotting through the pages, which made it very difficult for me to become invested in the story or the characters. And I am not a big supporter of feminism for the sake of feminism. By the time I had explored the pages, I was left wanting more. The subject matter had potential, but it was disappointing. Thank you to NetGa

I enjoy reading historical fiction books, and I am trying to brunch out to new time periods. Unfortunately, this was not a good one to attempt that. Not sure how I feel about the liberties the author took to rewrite Evelyn Nesbit's history. But Allison Pataki does an admiral Raul job presenting what life was like for women during Gilded Age. The characters are well developed, though you will not particularly like all of them. This is a glimpse into the dark façade of the life

I have come to love historical fiction books that take place in England. And spending time post WWII was a new frame of reference for me. Ginevra (Gin) Bishop and Sidney Braithwaite wore a wonderful combination for teammates. The mystery and intrigued pulled me into the story. And Gin and Sidney’s very different approaches to espionage kept me entertained. Lots of clues are sprinkled throughout the pages which held my attention and had me anxious to see what danger lurked aro

This book was one that had me emotionally invested in the story and the characters. It tugged at my heartstrings and I enjoyed getting to know Tula. You will have the opportunity to learn about Tula as well as go back in time to 1941-42 during WWII. Experiencing life on the final voyage of the Oceanus as it traveled during the war and individuals who were aboard was entertaining. This book will expose you to mystery and intrigue, emotional trauma, fear, deep sea diving experi

I agree with several of the reviews. This was an amazing story but told in such a way that it did not deliver it in a way that grasped your attention. I wanted to be moved by the stories of the boys and their lives following such a harrowing experience. Unfortunately, there were too many names and the depth of emotion was too shallow. I appreciate the research the author did and the boys’ resilience and determination. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Horizon for my advanced

I really enjoyed learning the background story of Amelia Earhart. What an amazing woman and I wonder what she would have been able to accomplish if she had survived her last great adventure. The theories of where her plan crashed or where she escaped were interesting. And with each one, I hope that it would be the clue to her disappearance. Some of it was a little technical, but the author’s research was extensive and I appreciated her efforts. I am so glad I had the opportun

The story of Pippa Latour, covert spy for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was eye opening. The fact that she kept all of this a secret ... from even her family ... her entire life is amazing. At 102 years of age, she finally shares her story ... the danger, the adventure, her bravery, and endurance. An interesting read that will have you awed at how an unassuming woman was actually a hero. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All o

I love reading historical fiction books that take place during WWII. This was a different focus for me in that it is set in the Ukraine. I liked the dual timeline aspect ... part during the invasion of the Ukraine by Russia and then Germany and part in 2022 during the Russian invasion. To witness how the same evils exist today and history repeating itself is heart wrenching. The dedication of so many people who would use quiet and unobtrusive means to be a part of the resista

This is one of the best books I have read this year. I loved the characters, the settings (Europe, the Titanic, and America), and the story. I did not want to put it down. The only thing that I think could have made it better was if it was an audiobook and hearing the accents for the people from different countries and especially Teddy’s sweet voice. The first part of the book provides great background into Elinor’s life ... which is important for later on. And while part of

I love reading WWII historical fiction books. And just when I think I have read about every aspect of that time period, I discover something new. Experiencing the Nuremberg Trials was eye opening for me. To read how those on trial did not accept any blame or claimed that things were exaggerated. Their nonchalance at the atrocities they inflicted on millions of people just left me aghast. The two primary characters, Anna and Margarete come alive on the pages. Anna was a brave

I love reading historical fiction books and really enjoyed learning about the Harvey Girls. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know Billie and Charlotte. I had never heard of the waitresses who served at America’s first hospitality chain along the Santa Fe railroad. The adventures you get to experience as the girls are trained to the people they meet along the way to the various locations they work ... you will be drawn into the story and learn to much a

This was a very emotional read. I have read a lot of historical fiction books that take place during WWII. I continue to be in awe of what so many individuals experienced during Hitler’s reign of terror. And while a portion of this book rehashes Hitler’s rise to power and how so many people were hypnotized into believing his depraved ideology, the time spent with the members of Company D and two young men, Eddie (the author’s father) and his best friend, Mike, is heart wrench

After reading the synopsis for this book and having enjoyed previous books by Sarah Pekkanen, I really looked forward to reading it. From my experience of working in a university Psychology Department of 38½ years, I was exposed to a variety of research projects. I basically cringed while reading this book. I know there are plenty of unethical researchers so I had to just accept that, while I did not like the methods used, it was the basis for the story. However, I just did n

I love reading historical books. This was a different focus than my typical read. I have never heard of illegal abortion clinics operating in the 1930s and 1940s. The characters are well developed and you will be drawn into their lives. From the doctors and nurses who performed the procedures to the women who chose to endure the abortion, you will be affected by their stories. The reasons for their decisions were varied and factors into the strong emotions you will experience

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially those that take place during WWII. As I have said recently, I have read so many books set during that time period that it is hard to find one that presents a unique approach to the war. Imogen Matthews has definitely done that with this book. I have read about tattooists, musicians, and seamstresses who worked in the concentration camps. But the focus on a photographer who was tasked with photographing the inmates as the

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially if they are set during WWII. I have read so many in recent years that it is difficult to find a book that covers a different aspect of that time period. This book managed to do that and pulled me into the story and had me invested in the life of Halina. The characters of Gavriel, a fellow prisoner, and Flora, the baby in the Nazi officer’s home, added an extra layer of emotion. What a heart wrenching story of hope, deter

Based on a true story of the Heppenheimer family and their lives during the Nazi occupation during WWII. I continue to be amazed at the atrocities of Hitler’s regime and what the Jewish people endured. You are treated to the background of the four cousins who were separated during the war. The story was slow and I had difficulty staying invested. I wanted to be emotionally invested in the characters’ lives. There are plenty of very positive reviews so I would encourage you to