Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’m so happy to be a part of the AustenProse PR book tour for this book published by Thomas Nelson. It’s out now, so check your favorite bookstores for a copy.

This is a beautifully written book inspired by real accounts of the Coventry Blitz of WWII. It’s set in the early 1940’s but has flashbacks to before WWI and during WWI. Amos and Lady Charlotte were childhood friends that supported each other’s dreams. Amos loves books and yearns to further his education, but as the son of a farmer, he knows that will never happen. Charlotte loves playing the cello but her mother forbids her from playing, especially in front of other people. Each is in love with the other, but when they age Amos has more responsibilities on the farm and Charlotte is forced into a loveless marriage with the Earl of Harcourt. She has one daughter, Eden, who is fiery, outspoken, and fearless. An attorney from the U.S. visits the town and tells Eden he’s suing her, which brings up family issues.

It took me a long time to get a sense of Charlotte because despite her initial adventurous nature, she allows herself to be married off and live a life she didn’t want. Amos goes to war in WWI and is injured and scarred for life. He comes back, opens a bookstore, and becomes a recluse. He still looks after Charlotte, from afar, but will he finally take the steps to go after what he really wants?

Initially I was a bit confused with the jumping timelines because I didn’t expect it or realize what was going on, but then I settled into enjoying the story. We get a sense of the terror of living during the war and bombings and the thought of having to spend hours in a dark, dank bomb shelter makes me shiver. If you like a steady paced historical fiction romance this is the one for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, AustenProse PR, Thomas Nelson and the author. All opinions are my own.