I love novels inspired by true stories and this one did not disappoint. It tells the story of American women driving Ambulances in France during WWI. A highly educational and entertaining read. I enjoyed it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This was an excellent story about a group of WWI all female group of ambulance drivers and doctors. Arlene Favier applies for the job after her father passes away which leads to a story of wonderful women who knowingly put themselves in harms way to make a difference.

This was a very well written story in terms of day to day life in war-torn France until the end of the war and I thought the story of this time was very well written and atmospheric. The characters were mostly very well written except I got more o a friendship than a romance vibe with Jimmy, but I didn't choose to read this for a romance. There's a villain too who is suitably obnoxious. All in all, a good read on a role women played during WWI.

A wonderful story of love, survival and heroism among those who ferried soldiers from the front to medical care! Ann Creel's latest book is based on the women drivers and doctors who went to Europe during WW1 to rescue wounded soldiers from the front and get them to hospitals.

Arlene Favier is a young woman in Paris, Kentucky. She has her life all mapped out; she will work with her father on their horse farm and eventually take over the business. One terrible night her home burns to the ground and her father is killed, leaving Arlene to support the family. This is not an easy task for a young woman in 1916, as she discovers when she looks for work. Then she learns about the call for women ambulance drivers and signs up.

As she drives the ambulance she sees the horror of war, corruption among officers, brutality from the enemy and the devastating cost to civilians. She also meets the love of her life.

Reading Mercy Road was in a way like reading the journal of Arlene's life; I felt as if I was there with her, experiencing the terror of war and the heartbreak of love. Arlene is tested over and over but doesn't break. There are a few moments that seem a bit silly, but overall Mercy Road is a wonderful book.

I do not remember learning much about women and their roles in either of the World Wars in History class. I am so thankful that more books are coming out that delve into what they did.
The fact there was an American Women’s Hospital in France that received little assistance but HIGH expectations for services was something I knew nothing about until oh July 2019.
Ann Howard Creel does a wonderful job of taking Arlene Favier from Kentucky and putting her in the middle of actual events and places. Arlene came from Kentucky where her family has lost their patriarch and the money they thought they had. Arlene must save her mother and her brother and finds a chance that means going to France.
There is definitely a romance portion of the story but I found the detail to their tasks, the fights they had to be SEEN and respected, the imagery of "The war to end all wars", and the friendships these women from all socioeconomic classes was what drew me in the most.
I would recommend and thank Netgalley for the ARC!

I am a huge fan of Historical Fiction, especially surrounding the World Wars, and I really enjoyed this book - mostly. I was drawn in immediately by the story, as the action starts on the very first line. And its a true story! However, the writing style is a bit cut and dry more like a nonfiction book is. It doesn't hurt the story much, but I think it does prevent you from "connecting" to the characters as much as you might expect to. Otherwise it is a great read and I would still recommend it to anyone interested in the genre!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed Mercy Road. Although it initially seemed like a typical young girl "saves the farm," by the time she very quickly got to France I was hooked. I now would like to see how Arlene fares later in life, attempting to save the horse farm.

Net Galley gave me this book to read,you would never know what hardships these women faced during a war and a hospital outside. History in the making,well researched and love and miss and joy you will find in this book! It's a very much to read book and enjoyed this one of many stories during this time in history!

I loved the book, it was interesting, exciting, romantic and tragic all in one book. The Woman's hospital helped both soldiers and citizens. The conditions were bad and emotions were high and sometimes overcame. I had never heard of this service and these brave women and it was an inspiration to me to read about their courage.

Arlene was devastated when their house burned on their horse ranch with her father inside. It left them practically penniless and she knew she had to find work to help support her mother and her brother. She applied for a job advertising for French speaking drivers and ended up driving an Ambulance for the American Woman's Hospital in France during World War I.

She never expected to see the conditions she saw and how it affected her fellow drivers. She tried to help her friend Cassie overcome her anxiety and in doing so put herself and her friend Jimmy in jeopardy. She never expected to meet Jimmy in France and to be involved in the intrigue with Captain Brohammer.

I love the ending, I thought it was a good ending for a good book. I would definitely recommend this book.

Based on a true story, Arlene Favier suffers a terrible tragedy. Trying to keep her family provided for, she moves to a new town seeking work. Having learned French from her father, she is accepted as a French speaking ambulance driver, and only realizes later, she will be part of the first woman medical team from the United States, sent to France to aid in WWI.
While this was not Arlene’s first choice to see Paris, she makes the most of her wartime visit.
The author does a good job describing the frustrations of women at the fronts. The danger, horrors, and reactions to this barbaric work.
Arlene is faced with an egotistical American Captain who refused to accept no as an answer. Then there is a danger that lurks for Arlene. Lastly, enter Arlene running into the boy from back home.
I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in history.

Ann Howard Creel is a new author for me and I very much enjoyed her book, Mercy Road. This is set in France during WWI and Ms. Creel’s writing brings you right into the action. I was transported to that time through descriptive writing. The characters were well developed and I was drawn in by the sights and sounds of this wartime era and the courage it took for the people involved, especially the women. I enjoy stories of strong, courageous and determined women and Ms. Creel did not disappoint in this book. The flow of the story was quite good and kept my attention through till the end. This is a very delightful historical fiction novel.

A book of loss and war. When Arlene's father is killed in their house fire, they discover that there was no money in the bank. She sets off to Cincinnati to find work and becomes an ambulance driver for the American Womens Hospital in war torn France. It is 1918 and the sights she sees - and is part of - are horrifying.

Loved it.

I read a free advance review copy. This review is voluntary, honest and my own views.

A story made up of two parts,
It is connected by Arlene, the main character.
In the beginning Arlene and her family are devastated by a tragedy. Arlene accepts a position as an ambulance driver to help her family financially.
The setting is World War l in France. Arlene sees more than her share of suffering and danger as she drives back and forth from the war zone. This part of the novel is dedicated to the courage and spirit of the American Women's Hospital, a non-military group who selflessly aid the injured and sick in spite of the danger to their lives.
Alice's return home is complicated. It is very difficult to adjust to her life in Kentucky.
The story seems to end abruptly, but with a promise for Arlene of better things to come.

I really wanted to love this book, but I found it a little boring. The mystery seemed a little unnecessary and not very realistic. Maisie Dobbs, this book is not.

I always love and appreciate historical fiction, and especially historical fiction from World War I and II. Ann Howard Creel draws the reader in from page 1, a skill I'm learning is not easy for all authors, yet she hooks you with her word craft and the storyline. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author and thoroughly enjoyed her book
A Tale of how women fought just as hard during war time being in the ambulance service in France was no easy job for these American ladies great story can highly recommend.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review (thanks #netgalley and Lake Union Publishing!).

Everything Ann Howard Creel writes is magic, mesmerizing, transforming. I’m not usually a huge fan of WWI fiction... this novel changes that. I didn’t read the description before diving in, so each turn of the page was a surprise, and I really liked it that way!! The shock of it all - whether loosing her father, her search for a job, France, the war-torn villages... it was all a surprise and SO well done.

It’s a coming-of-age, a gentle romance (aka not too heavy on the romance), and historical fiction all rolled into one. Set against the backdrop of France at the end of WWI, it dives into the lives of the volunteers in the American Women’s Hospital, a true but little-told story. In a novel, I do love a strong female lead but also love a little sweet, hometown romance... perfect blend.

It’s not a “heavy” read; definitely a page-turner and a delight!

Review also posed to Goodreads.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and although it's fiction, the story of the American women's ambulances in the first world is based on fact. There is an inevitability about the story but it doesn't make it any less interesting or compelling. I enjoyed the book and will look out for more by this author

#MercyRoad #NetGalley
It’s 1918. There is a war going on in Europe. American soldiers are dying.
This story is about Arlene Favier from Paris, Kentucky. Her family home on the horse farm is destroyed by fire, setting off a series of events. Her necessary job hunting ends up with her becoming an ambulance driver in France. Through her eyes we witness the horrors of war and the injuries and deaths of soldiers and civilians as well. There are secret romances since fraternizing is grounds for dismissal.
The author, Ann Howard Creel, has written a compelling novel showcasing how American women medical teams contributed to the war effort. Her characters seem so real.
The women of the American Women’s Hospital were real!
This is a hard book to put down!

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was not familiar with this author before receiving Mercy Road. I liked the cover, was intrigued by the summary, and was luckily chosen to read an ARC. I am grateful I got to read Mercy Road and would love to read more by Ann Howard Creel. Mercy Road was well written with interesting characters that I easily became attached to. I liked the background based on historical events that provide a different perspective of what those times were like to really live in. Arlene, the main character, is a strong female who was always a little independent against the norms for women at that time. She loved working with horses in her family's business and looked forward to it as a career rather then following most young women her age towards marriage. When her father is killed unexpectedly in a fire that destroys their home and business, Arlene decides to move to a bigger city in hope of a job that will provide for her mother and brother as they rebuild. She is able to secure a job as a female ambulance driver in France, her Father's birthplace, during World War I. It was exciting and interesting to be on this journey with Arlene as she meets other strong women trying to make a place in the medical field during the war. We experience the fear of being in a war zone, the devastation of arriving in villages destroyed and the people left fighting to survive, and the stress and heartbreak of being far from home in the only way to bring your family back together again. An enjoyable and interesting read.

Another fabulous historical fiction read. This is set in France during WWI and introduces us to the female staffed American Women's Hospital with a particular focus on the ambulance drivers. All of these women struggle to be recognized and accepted in a male arena, all amidst the chaos and terror of war. Through the eyes of the main character Arlene, we encounter her new friendships and alliances, her personal fears and bravery. It was well written, meticulously researched with characters I could easily identify with. I really enjoy strong female characters in strong roles so this was a double win. I will definitely have to read more of her novels. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC. 4.5 rounded up