In an honest review, this book was just not what I had hoped when I read the blurb. I lacked the character connection and ease of reading that I have had in many books in this genre.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I was so looking forward to reading this novel. I read a lot of WWII fiction and get excited every time I hear of a new book that is going to be released within this genre. I do not know much about the occupation of Guernsey so I was hoping to gain a new perspective on that as well. However, there is not enough dialog in this story. It is so rapid fire throwing events at you that it was unenjoyable. I cannot get into the story or the characters as I feel I'm not really learning anything about them. Moreover, the friendship between the three women that is supposedly at the center of the book is barely referenced, it seems like an afterthought. I really wanted to like this and tried to push on but unfortunately it was a DNF for me at 40%.

This was such a good book! It follows three women from Guernsey throughout their different experiences during WWII. I liked that the plot consistently progressed while rotating the perspectives of each woman. Each of their stories was very unique and accounted for a part of the war that is often overshadowed by the French and Eastern European occupations. Overall, this was an engaging read that I was sad to see end.

If you like characters who all speak like Basil Exposition, then you might enjoy this. I don't, and didn't. Cardboard characters, clunky prose, predictable plotting, lots of telling and very little showing... a real shame because I was looking forward to experiencing life on Guernsey during World War II. I hadn't realized the deprivation the island experienced during its German occupation, but I could have gleaned the information from an article or a textbook in a fraction of the time it took to read this book, which failed to provide me with any of the emotion, insight, or memorable depictions I look for in a novel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Troubador Publishing, for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book had an interesting take on the classic WW2 novel with being set in Guernsey from 1940. It shed a light on events not usually seen with the story being supported and grounded by the real history of the period.
The writing is good and the pace rapid which adds to the urgency of the time period e g. In the beginning when people are being evacuated, it helps really evoke the panic described in the book. The main characters are all likable and relatable, enabling the reader to become invested in the story and get drawn in to it. It is a relatively quick read compared to most historical read and it is a good way to pass some free time.
It was quite difficult to follow initially with the introduction of many characters within the first few chapters, as well as the three stories running in parallel.
However, as the story went on, the use of the three narrators added to the story by giving a fuller picture of the time than would be seen with just one narrator. I enjoyed reading about the variety of experiences each MC had which allowed greater depth to the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in historical fiction.

One of the main reasons I love historical fiction is because of the actual history lessons I’m learning as I turn each page. Yes, a good deal of the story is fiction but so much of it is based on actual events and the story paints a vivid picture.

Rachel, Marion and Stella are the best of friends. The girls went to school together, shared the stage in community plays and they each had a very different experience with the Germans invaded the Channel Islands in 1940. Stella was able to escape and try to make a life for herself in England. Thankfully, the boy next door was close by and helped her establish a new life away from their island. Rachel and Marion were locked in on the island. Rachel, a nurse, got a front row seat to the decline and devastation of her home. She befriends a German doctor who was conscripted into the army. He’s a good man and together they try to secure the supplies needed to care for the residents. Marion also stays behind and becomes a companion to a German officer. She is looked down on by her community and disowned by her mother as a result of her actions. Over the next several years, Rachel and Marion just try to make it to the next day while Stella is on the outside looking in and tries to find a way to help her former home.

What I love about this book is the fact that it opens ones eyes to the fact that each and every person had a different experience in WWII and the each and every one had a different outcome. The characters are extremely relatable and likeable. This is definitely a weekend read. Once you get immersed in the story, you won’t want to put it down.

My only beef with my copy of the book is that I received an unedited copy from NetGalley and it didn’t include authors notes. To me, those are vital to these stories. The author does include a list of sources for further reading which I grately appreciate. Thank you NetGalley for a early access to this excellent read!