This is a rich blend of history, secrets and a love story, set against the backdrop of Instabul. There are still shadows from the war in 1921. Nur is caring for an orphan with a terrible secret, he fall ill, she must seek help from the enemy, New dangers emerge. It is an entralling read and will appeal to fans of historical novels

Never having read this author I was very pleased with it but occasionally had to back track to make sure I got the gist right. Would certainly read this author again.

I was sent the ARC of the book from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

I struggle to get this one started, the witting style felt kind of old fashion and over elaborate, I'm not a big fan of the over usage of adjectives. And the switch between characters was a little too much to be able to keep up. So it took me a while to actually get into the book. Having said all of that, I think Historical Fiction tends to be that way, and that's why I navigate towards other genres. So if you like historical fiction with a tint of love thrown into it. You would probably enjoy it more than I did.

I like the complexity of the characters and how well rounded they felt, love seeing a female protagonist being strong and somehow sensitive and properly human. Love the setting, as I used to live in Istanbul it made me a little nostalgic of the Incredible views of the Bosphorus, the scent of the streets, and the typical Istanbul noises and voices, which I think the author really captures in her book.
The ending of the book was my favourite part, because it was realistic and less dramatic than the rest of the story.

An interesting setting and premise for this tale of war, loss and forbidden love. I didn’t know much at all about the allied occupation of Istanbul and the city is well described. I enjoyed it but it didn’t wow me.

Such a beautifully written tale with interesting characters and the perfect setting. I loved how this book make me feel. Well done Lucy on another exquisite read.

The descriptions of Istanbul are wonderfully evocative. Although not generally a fan of wartime novels, I really liked this one. I did struggle a little with having so many narrators’ perspectives, though.

Despite a slow beginning, i did enjoy reading this novel. I love wartime stories and whilst i rarely write what a story is about, it certainly pulled at my heartstrings. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a wartime story. Yet another author whose books i shall be watching out for!

Set in the then Constantinople in 1921, this story is told through the eyes of several different narrators. Nur had to leave her family home when the allied troops moved in after the war and the house became a military hospital. She cares for her mother, grandmother and an orphaned Armenian boy. On a visit to get a glimpse of her old home, across the waters of the Bosphorus, she stumbles across one of the doctors, George, who she has seen before in the town. When the boy becomes ill one night she seeks his help and he cares for him in the hospital, against all the rules. Nur and the doctor shouldn’t be mixing either but it’s obvious there’s a love between them. Nur’s brother also features, missing in action, but returns one day bringing all the pain of the war back with him. Then there is ‘the traveller’, whose identity isn’t revealed until the end of the book. I did find this book a bit slow and I did put it down for a while, but I’m glad I picked it up again and finished it. The setting was described well and the description of the war very moving. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me review it.

I have tried several times to read this book now but just can't get into the characters or the flow of the book.

Very dull, very boring. Couldn't get into this whatsoever. Felt like I was being preached at rather than told a story. No thank you.

I was sent Last Letter from Istanbul by Lucy foley to read and review by NetGalley.
I’m afraid that despite the hype that drew me to this novel I don’t actually have anything good to say about it. It is, in my opinion, poorly written and very repetitive (if I hear the word Bosphorus once more I’ll scream!). I have to admit that I only managed to get half way through the book - there was one continuity error too far for me! I don’t like giving bad reviews and I very rarely abandon a book but I just felt that this one was not going to give me anything more so abandon it I did. I am sure there are other readers out there that do like this style of writing – perhaps I’m just a book snob after all!

Although the book was a bit slow and not the usual fast paced books I read, I found it fascinating. The author described Istanbul beautifully and the story was very well researched which kept my interest.

Last Letter from Istanbul is an intriguing historical drama set in the aftermath of World War One. A young Turkish woman forges an unlikely friendship with a British doctor whilst raising an Armenian boy and mourning the loss of her family home and status. Beautifully written and researched.

Not my most favourite effort from Ms Foley, evocative read about a time and place long since gone! She effectively creates a seductive world of Istanbul, with its heat and smells and angst!

A love story at a time of emense change!

Still well written just not the story for me!!

I read this book just before the end of the First World War Centenary commemorations and this seemed very appropriate. The story revolves around characters in Istanbul just after the end of the war, although parts of the story are told in flash back and flash forward. In these parts, there is at first some mystery over who is narrating and who they are in the "present" of the main story. I liked this tool of the author's although it did take a bit of getting used to.

But I think the author's main success has been in telling a fictional story that is heavily influenced by real events in a way that doesn't place blame on any one side. The characters are all influenced by these events but also are focused on their worlds and the author gets the balance just right.

This was the first book I have read by this author but I have another of hers on my shelf and I look forward to delving into it soon!

As much as I tried I could not get into this book so had to give up. Because of this I would not recommend to family and friends.

I was totally engrossed by this book - set in the dog days of WW1 in allied-occupied Istanbul.

The author conveys the feelings of both sides - the original residents of Istanbul and the occupiers - as well as casting a wider net and encompassing other conflicts. The book threw up some facts that I was previously unaware of, and I was rather shocked by some of them.

On the whole though, the book shines a spotlight on a number of different love stories - I'm including wider relationships in this (Nur and her family, the boy) as well as Nur and George. The writing flows nicely, and there are some wonderful passages that make you feel you know the places being described.

Overall I'd say that the book evokes the same kind of atmosphere and emotions in the reader as others I've read by Victoria Hislop - but that is not a criticism - I will happily read more of Lucy Foley's works.

My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

I loved this book. Not only was it written beautifully but it also told a touching but painful story. Before reading, I never knew about how the Great War affected Turkey. Sadly it was not taught when I was at school. I now have an interest in learning more.

This book is a beautifully written story of love, set against the horrors of war. I'm not usually a fan of descriptive passages, but I savoured the images conjured up, of a beautiful, ancient city.

A beautiful, captivating story that whisks you away to Istanbul during WW2, and shows in full colour how war affects everyone no matter what side you are on. A riotous kaleidoscope of colour and taste- this book left me desperate to visit Turkey for myself.