darrahsteffenwrites's review
4.0
Very Good
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were well fleshed out with their strengths and faults. I also thought it was an interesting way of looking at WWII from the women on the home front.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were well fleshed out with their strengths and faults. I also thought it was an interesting way of looking at WWII from the women on the home front.
melindamoor's review
3.0
A lovely, heartwarming story, but did not exactly hit the mark with me.
Despite the sometimes tear-jerking events, I couldn't help feeling that somehow it was a bit too light.
You know, like what Jane Austen thought about P&P (NOT that this book compares, it's something completely different, even though it has a character called Mr Collins.): “rather too light, and bright, and sparkling. It wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense, unconnected with the story"
But possibly it's just me being in not quite the right mood for it. Mrs Bird would tell me not to let the side down and buckle up I guess and rightly so. :)
BUT, and would you believe it??? MR COLLINS was hands down the best character of the book!! I almost fell in love with him. :)
Thank you for the recommendation, Beverly.
Despite the sometimes tear-jerking events, I couldn't help feeling that somehow it was a bit too light.
You know, like what Jane Austen thought about P&P (NOT that this book compares, it's something completely different, even though it has a character called Mr Collins.): “rather too light, and bright, and sparkling. It wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense, unconnected with the story"
But possibly it's just me being in not quite the right mood for it. Mrs Bird would tell me not to let the side down and buckle up I guess and rightly so. :)
BUT, and would you believe it??? MR COLLINS was hands down the best character of the book!! I almost fell in love with him. :)
Thank you for the recommendation, Beverly.
mandyb_75's review
3.0
Eh. I had high hopes for this one because the storyline sounded fun. Emmeline came across as whiny. Maybe it’s a British thing, but All The Caps at random places annoyed me. I did like how it wrapped up.
sarahfett's review
5.0
This is a delightful book. That may make it sound too light and fluffy, and since it takes place in London during World War II, the story definitely deals with some darker topics. It is written in the first person, and the main character’s plucky spirit makes the story so enjoyable to read. I liked that while most of the book was written as a narrative, it did include some letters. The ending is good for this to be a stand alone novel, but also leaves room for a sequel, and I would love to spend more time with these characters!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on July 3, 2018.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on July 3, 2018.
angief65's review
2.0
I wanted to like this and at times I did but many times I found myself rolling my eyes and asking “really?” And what is with so many adjectives ending in “ly”? Overly and terribly used in my opinion.
And much of it I found to be terrifically unbelievable
And much of it I found to be terrifically unbelievable
katekatiekait's review
3.0
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It was a nice story and a quick read. I’ll definitely be passing it along to my grandmother as it’s the sort of book she’ll enjoy very much. I really liked the major plot lines. There seem to be a number of works of fiction set in WWII on the market these days and this was a fresh take, an aspect of WWII that I hadn’t read about before.
The writing style was a bit off-putting. I think the author was attempting to lend the story accuracy by having the characters use what I assume was slang and expressions from that time period. As a 21st century reader, I couldn’t quite get into the flow of reading. My brain would stutter and slow as it teased out what unfamiliar words and phrases meant. Additionally when the main character, who also the narrator, was particularly excited She Would Speak Or Think With The First Letter Of Every Word Capitalized. This was also a bit jarring and kept me from fully immersing myself in the book.
That being said, I think the author nicely balanced the horrors of war, mundanity of every day life, humor, drama, and a hint of romance.
It was a nice story and a quick read. I’ll definitely be passing it along to my grandmother as it’s the sort of book she’ll enjoy very much. I really liked the major plot lines. There seem to be a number of works of fiction set in WWII on the market these days and this was a fresh take, an aspect of WWII that I hadn’t read about before.
The writing style was a bit off-putting. I think the author was attempting to lend the story accuracy by having the characters use what I assume was slang and expressions from that time period. As a 21st century reader, I couldn’t quite get into the flow of reading. My brain would stutter and slow as it teased out what unfamiliar words and phrases meant. Additionally when the main character, who also the narrator, was particularly excited She Would Speak Or Think With The First Letter Of Every Word Capitalized. This was also a bit jarring and kept me from fully immersing myself in the book.
That being said, I think the author nicely balanced the horrors of war, mundanity of every day life, humor, drama, and a hint of romance.
logoddess's review
3.0
World War II makes for a fascinating backdrop, but the story didn’t capture me. Definitely a light read.
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