Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. The Only Light in London by Lily Graham is a historical romance based during the Second World War. When Finley, an actress who is out of work, decides to start the Finley players a group for aspiring actors she never could’ve imagined that she’d met the man of her dreams. When Sebastian walked in, soaking wet off the street looking for biscuits, not at all imagining he would actually be acting saw her, he just couldn’t believe his luck. Though the circumstances of the war would draw them apart, other events would bring them closer together. Would they end up living a life happily ever after or were they both simply destined to keep crossing paths. I felt the pain that Sebastian felt when learning about his family whom he left in Germany. I also could sympathize with Finley and her mother through the experiences they both had to endure. Overall this is a novel I would recommend to others.

"The Only Light in London" offers a poignant perspective on WWII for Sebastian, a German refugee in England. The narrative provides a fresh and insightful exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced by those seeking refuge during the tumultuous era. While the ending delivers a satisfying resolution, some may find it slightly rushed. However, the epilogue effectively ties up loose ends, enhancing the overall reading experience. Overall, "The Only Light in London" is a compelling read that I would recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction, romance and tales of resilience.

A fantastic historical fiction which brought something new to the genre for those who read World War Two historical fiction books

What a gripping and enjoyable read. Loved the main characters and how they worked together to resolve the situation. Would definitely recommend this book

Lily Graham’s The Only Light in London is a true masterpiece! Heads up: have some tissues on standby.

Set in London in 1939, weeks follow Finley, who dreams of a West End role and encounters Sebatien. Their bond strengthens as he moves in with her and her mother. Both aware of his imminent departure to war, they vote to preserve their love. But could Finley’s hidden secret jeopardise everything?

Lily’s meticulous storytelling brings every detail to life! It feels like you are right there with them. Don’t miss out, get your copy today.

You would think I would get sick of reading historical fiction but with so many great books and stories out there there aren't too many the same. Everyone has a story and to me they are all so interesting. This is a story that is heart-breaking but also warms the soul. It is a love story with a difference and a story that will get to your heart as well as your head.

I enjoyed the interaction between Finley and Sebastien and how their lives came together. It is also quite a short read and one that didn't take long at all to read. And once you start reading you can't stop as it is enthralling and utterly convincing with wonderful characters and great writing (making it all that more readable).

Loved it, recommend it and will continue to read historical fiction if they are written like this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Lily Graham’s The Only Light in London is an emotional tear-jerker that aims straight for the heart.

London, 1939 and journalist Sebastien has had to leave his homeland of Germany behind and travel to England where he wanders the streets, heartbroken at having left his beloved mother and sister behind. Yet, he knew that he had no other choice but to flee his country with the Nazis hot on his trail. However, Sebastien’s hopes for a new beginning are dashed as everyone looks at him with suspicion because of his nationality. With door after door being slammed in his face, Sebastien had almost given up hope of ever finding lodgings – until kind-hearted Finley opens her house to him.

Finley makes Sebastien feel immediately at home and the two soon begin to grow closer. As their feelings for one another escalate, both of them are fully aware that their relationship does not have a future with Sebastien desperate to join the fight and to do everything he possibly can to defeat the Nazis and save his country from their cruel and barbaric regime. However, Sebastien doesn’t realize that Finley has been keeping secrets from him. Will the two of them ever get the chance to dismantle their defenses and build a life together? Can they triumph against all the odds standing in their way? Or will their love be yet another casualty of this cruel war?

Lily Graham’s The Only Light in London is a stunning wartime tale of sacrifice, courage, hope and love that will leave readers breathless. Beautifully written, poignant and full of terrific period atmosphere that effortlessly transports readers back into the past, Lily Graham’s The Only Light in London is historical fiction at its best.

This is a lovely, slightly lighter take on WWII that came alive with great characters! I loved Finley, a perfectly imperfect main character, she drives the story with her ambitions to become an actress, not stopping even after multiple knock backs. She starts an amateur dramatics group and this is the beginning of a lovely and unlikely group of friends who become each others support throughout the war.

The book focuses on Finley and Sebastian’s romance, which was written perfectly, not too cheesy but enough knockmeoffmyfeet your gorgeous feelings for it to be believable. I really felt Finley’s pain when Sebastian goes to war and the worry that people must have felt every time they received a telegram not knowing if their loved ones were safe.

This is a shorter book with a tidy ending and I’d recommend for any romance fans or anyone who wants a lighter take on WWII fiction.

The Only Light in London is basically set in London during the time leading up to WW2 and once England declares war on Germany and Italy. Finley is an actress hoping for her big break. When she decides to something different, she puts together an amateur group to perform plays. Sebastian, a refugee, wanders into the shop to get out of the rain and joins the group. We had met Sebastian when he fled Germany after it was discovered that he was Jewish and working for a newspaper, writing pieces against the Nazis. Because his father was British, he was accepted to move to England, but it wasn't easy. He was working two jobs trying to get enough money to sponsor his parents and sister. When he is thrown out of his boarding house, he ends up renting a room from Finley's mother and his life changes. The acting group and Finley's family work with him to bring his family to England, but then war breaks out. Both Sebastian and Finley's brother enlist and things get very real and tense for everyone in London.

I am a fan of Lily Graham's books. She writes about the people affected by the war, from those in Germany to other countries involved. This story brings together a group of people that probably never would have met without the acting group, but they bond and become a found family. There are conflicts, revelations and personal growth within the group, as well as generosity, friendship, perseverance, strength and sacrifice. This was a great story that although set on the home front in London, the realities of what was happening in Germany and the surrounding countries was there as well. This is a story of how things like theatre can make such a difference in lives dealing with tragedy. I didn't realize that German refugees were interned in England, but it makes sense. Another well written book with great characters and themes by Lily Graham that I recommend.

I liked this story. I loved the characters and the relationships they forge together. Of course there’s a little romance (because it’s unusual to find a war related book without any) but there’s a lot of found family in this one too. Finley and her amateur actors group show how essential it was to have positive things in their lives during war time, and important people to lean on.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

This is one of those books that is hauntingly and beautifully unforgettable. The Only Light in London by Lily Graham is set in 1939 England. Finley is an ordinary young women who is called to do have extraordinary strength of spirit in a time of political and social unrest. Determined to continue with her theater aspirations despite a devastating war, Finley forms an actors’ group called the Finley Players. But the Players soon find themselves in roles of harbingers of comfort and love in times of anguish and despair. This is a story of loss and distress and ultimately hope, love and triumph.

The Only light in London by Lily Graham is set in London and begins in March 1939 where there is a tentative atmosphere as to what lays ahead for many considering the rise to power of Hitler in Germany. The story follows a young woman named Finley who has many hopes and aspirations to become a theatre actress with a leading role in a West End production. She has had little to no success so far and her mother Isabelle would much rather she embark on a secretarial course which of course Finley is loathe to do.

Finley lives with her mother and younger brother Christopher and they still keenly feel the absence of their father who died in The Great War. Isabelle owns a haberdashery shop and Finley works as a costume assistant when she is between roles. Her father’s premature death had taught Finley that life is short and one must live it and to this end she will always peruse her dreams. But the political and social situations in the world and close to home are changing and there are uncertain waters ahead which Finley will have to gather all her fortitude for.

Finley decides to form an amateur dramatics society in the hopes of putting on a play and gaining some attention regarding her career which she names the Finley Players. A motley crews assembles. Sunella, a doctor from India, Archie, a widow, Anita and a young man named Sebastien. They aren’t the most talented bunch but they are drawn to each other and go on to be there for each other in times of peril and great need. Really, I would have loved to know more about each member of the group because apart from Sebastien I felt we barely knocked on the doors of the other characters and they were vastly under utilised apart from Archie who stepped in to help at a most crucial time. The whole concept of the group and being there for one another as they transcended the actual reason for the formation of the society was brilliant but it wasn’t developed as well as it could have been. I understand this goes on to be the story of Finley and Sebastien but given the book was short enough in overall length I felt there was much more scope for exploration of this strand of the story. It had such potential but wasn’t advanced to the point it could have been.

For me Sebastien, both as a character and with regard to his storyline, was by far the strongest aspect of the book. I know I should view Finley on the same level but I thought Sebastien’s story spoke to me and will do to other readers as well. I felt Finley had it easier in comparison to him and again a lot of the time I thought we only got to know her on a superficial level rather than a more deeper one until it was too late in the book for me to really engage with her. Yet, I admired the way she drew closer to Sebastien and her family opened their doors for him and others when required and they did so without thinking.

The later half of the book was better than the first and the relationship that develops between Sebastien and Finley felt real and vivid but again I wanted more of this as it came too late in the book and then the outbreak of war disrupted everything. But on reflection, this was the reality at the time, people only found each other and then they were wrenched away by the hardships of war. But this quote does sum up the character of Finley and what she tried to achieve even if at times I wanted just that little bit more. ‘Take comfort that even in the darkest hours of humanity, there are always those who provide light amid the shadows’.

It’s rare for me to say that the male character in a historical fiction novel was the one I engaged with the most. But this is the case here with Sebastien who escaped Germany due to Jewish persecution. He held British citizenship as his father was British but died soon after he was born and his mother moved to Germany where she married Gunther and they had a daughter named Katrin. Sebastien was a political journalist who wrote articles under a false name which were critical of the Nazi party but someone betrayed him and he had no choice but to leave his family behind and try and get to safety on British shores. Sebastien is now a man whom Finley can see is lost, lonely and in pain aching for his family and not knowing what will befall him as rumours of war gather pace. He works two jobs to earn money and hopes to get visas and sponsorships to bring his family to Britain but this is impossible unless he has somewhere to stay permanently and that requires money which really he wants to keep for the visas.

So he is in a vicious circle of helpless anger and rage against Hitler and the Nazi’s and the anguish he feels regarding the situation his family is in only intensifies the further the book progresses. He decides to audition for the Finley Players and from the first moment he sets eyes on Finley the reader could tell he was smitten and could easily fall quite deeply in love with her. But the thoughts of what his family are potentially going through in Germany as Jews are used as a scapegoat for the problems Germany are going through-poverty, unemployment and inflation occupy his every thought and word. He needs his family by his side and will do anything to make this a reality. I loved that Sebastien was consumed by anger and rage at what was unfolding because it only fuelled his desire to be reunited with his family. Finley becomes a stalwart by his side and by coincidence he ends up renting a room in Finley’s family home. A unique bond and a sense of camaraderie and even something more is developed as they unite with one goal to bring his family to safety but as war breaks out and Sebastien enlists as well as Christopher their whole lives are turned upside down.

The last quarter of the book and in particular the ending were far too rushed and things were wrapped up far too neatly in the epilogue which at times read like a school textbook and I hate saying that but that is how I felt when reading it. I knew given what percentage I had left to read and that it was only the beginning of 1941 when the book ends that things needed to be concluded but I felt the book needed much more and it was too neatly wrapped up and warranted a bit more pain and anguish. Overall, this is a good book despite the issues I found with it but it’s not my favourite read by this author. If you want a book more on the easier side detailing World War Two than this is the one for you.

Thank you Bookouture for my stop on the Book Tour for Lily Grahams latest book The Only Light In London. This historical fiction story begins in an underground bomb shelter in London during an air raid in 1939. Finley is trying to survive another terrifying night in the shelter while German bombs are being dropped on her beloved city. Finley hears weeping and realizes it’s Mr Burns her postman. She goes over to comfort him and discovers her friends from her dramatic group, Archie, Sunella and Anita. One at a time they slowly begin to recite a poem to distract the minds of the people in the bomb shelter and lift their spirits. What ensues is a heartbreaking yet endearing story about war, persecution, love, loss, friendship and family.

The Only Light In London is the first book I’ve read by Lily Graham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Right away I was invested as I’m a huge historical fiction fan especially pertaining to WWll. I loved the blossoming romance between Finley and Sebastien, and all the other characters we were introduced to but Archie had my heart.

✨My Thoughts✨

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I felt so drawn to this book, I don’t know if it was the beautiful cover or the synopsis but I just knew it was going to be incredible.

The prologue starts with Finely in 1940, she’s reading a magazine on how to make carrots more appealing in an underground station whilst hearing the bombs being dropped above her on the streets of London.

I really enjoyed the insights of how she was feeling, particularly who she was missing and why.

From then on we go back to 8 months earlier and I was absolutely enchanted by the Finley and her story and who she met along the way, especially Sebastien and the rest of the amateur dramatic society members.

The whole story was just beautiful in every way possible and it made me so emotional.

I really felt like I was getting an insight into life for people during the war for those at home in England and refugees like Sebastien and his family, the heartache was so real and raw.

I really didn’t want this story to end but I’ll definitely be reading more by this incredible author.

During the time of WW2, there aren’t many positive stories with all the unnecessary suffering. This book, while set during that time amid tragic events, still had an uplifting story with beloved characters. Love and sacrifice are themes in this beautiful work of #historicalfiction. #LilyGraham has such an eloquent way with words.

Thank you, Lily Graham, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

The Only Light in London by Lily Graham

The book title gives a hint of the story, which is hope. The only light in the dark is Fidley, our young single lady lives in London during the ww2 time. On the other hand, a refugee Sebastian comes to London from Germany, because he is Jewish. He stayed in Fidley’s house.

The story then comes along with the tough time, brutality of war and of course an emotional romantic time between Fidley and Sebastian. Fidley feels closer to him day after day.

The author Lily Graham writes unique ww2 story. She always brings the readers into the book effortlessly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Feb 20, 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Only Light in London” by Lily Graham. This is my first book by her, but it won’t be my last!
Finley lives in London with her mother and doesn’t confirm. She’s twenty-eight, single and doesn’t have a “career”. She starts a theater group and meets four amazing people. She becomes close with Sebastien, a Jewish refugee from Germany.
This book will have you flipping the pages so fast to see what happens. If you are looking for a book that is filled with action and hope, this story is for you. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheOnlyLightinLondon #LilyGraham #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookLove #BooksSetDuringWWII #BooksSetInLondon #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

Finley and Sebastien are two of the kindest souls and as soon as they met I could feel that they were destined to be together. Sebastien is hoping to get his family to safety and he eventually has the chance to sign up for the English Army to fight and he takes the opportunity. Finley is terrified for him and even more scared of losing him. This book has the most endearing cast of characters and I really fell in love with them all and couldn't choose a favourite. I became invested in their well being and felt profound sadness, happiness, love and fear along with them. The fear was particularly prominent when the bombs were dropping and when the telegram boy was doing his rounds. The plot of the book was a powerful one but my love of the characters outshone it by far. I was deeply moved by this touching story.

I've read a lot of WWII books and while I do enjoy them, I also enjoy the originality I've come to expect while reading this author's books. I just finished The Last Restaurant in Paris by this author, and I was excited to see what the author would offer with this book. Once again, she provides an informative and unique reading experience. While about WWII the book doesn't focus on the fighting and violence as many books do. Though including some tension fraught moments, I enjoyed getting to know the characters in a more relaxed atmosphere of the day-to-day life.
A young man, Sebastian is forced to flee Germany just because he is Jewish, leaving behind his family including his young 12-year-old sister. Hoping to make his way working as he settles into London; he'll send for his family as soon as he has the funds to do so.
When things take an unexpected and embarrassing turn at his living quarters he's forced to move. A spare room turns into up at Finley's home, a woman he had previously met. I enjoyed reading about the theater and the practices. The author brings all the characters to life including the sacrifices they've made, and the love shown. Very compelling read. The author has a special way of writing that draws you in and makes you want to just keep reading.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Sebastien is a Jewish journalist living in London in 1939. As the war rages on across Germany people are rapidly losing hope. Sebastien left his family in Germany and can’t make it through one day without thinking about the one’s he left behind. Leaving his family was the only way he could keep them safe from the Nazis. He sees a notice for a lodger but he is sure that knocking on the door will be just like all the others that turned him away. But when the door opens and he is welcomed by Finley. She rents him the room and he thinks there may be hope after all. Sebastien knows that his time is short lived as he must join the fight in order to save not only his family but his homeland.

The Only Light In London written by author Lily Graham is a wonderful, emotional and unputdownable novel. Graham has proven to be an amazing author that pens well beyond her years. I love the nuggets of history that she incorporates into her books that keep the pages flipping rapidly. This World War 2 historical fiction is a well written and moving story. My heart broke for Sebastien and the tough decisions he was forced to make in order for his family to survive. This phenomenal story will have you reaching for the tissue box over and over again. I loved everything about this fast-paced and heart-wrenching read that I highly recommend. Definitely a favorite and unforgettable book.