Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Disappointed
I’d heard good things about this author but couldn’t believe how flat this book was. I felt like I was reading a grade school novel. Flat characters, a trite story line, nothing that hasn’t been done better by many other authors. Wow.
I’d heard good things about this author but couldn’t believe how flat this book was. I felt like I was reading a grade school novel. Flat characters, a trite story line, nothing that hasn’t been done better by many other authors. Wow.
More like 3.5?? I was SO. EXCITED. for this one - as in, this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year - and I feel a little letdown? The pacing was extremely rapid-fire, jumping weeks or months within paragraphs! The ending also seemed very abrupt.
full thoughts to come.
full thoughts to come.
An enjoyable historical fiction that focuses on female relationships and endurance in England during WWI. I particularly enjoyed learning about the lessor-known efforts of the Land Girls in the Women's Land Army. This book was a quick, simple read with not a lot of emotional depth, but certainly a well-written and well-researched page turner.
It’s the last year of WWI and Emily Bryce is determined to do more than shelter at home, a large manor house with her parents. She joins the Women’s Land Army against the wishes of her parents and sets off for a great adventure. Along the way, she develops a relationship with a recovering Australian Royal Air Force flyer and finds herself pregnant. When her pilot is shot down, Emily must figure out how to make her own life for her and the baby.
On the whole, this was a totally serviceable historical fiction novel. It was easy to get into, easy to keep the pages turning and the characters were sympathetic, if a little one note. I generally liked the Land Army details and Emily’s growth. The setting was pastoral and cozy but felt a bit more WWII than WWI. The bow at the end is very neatly tied, which I think many readers will find satisfying.
On the whole, this was a totally serviceable historical fiction novel. It was easy to get into, easy to keep the pages turning and the characters were sympathetic, if a little one note. I generally liked the Land Army details and Emily’s growth. The setting was pastoral and cozy but felt a bit more WWII than WWI. The bow at the end is very neatly tied, which I think many readers will find satisfying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Emily Bryce is the daughter of a wealthy family. Her mother insists on keeping her home and sheltered from the war. While visiting the convalescent hospital, she meets an injured Australian pilot and falls in love, but her mother finds him unsuitable and she's forbidden to see him again. She enlists with the land girls, a group of women trained as farm workers to harvest the crops, milk cows, and keep the farms running while the men are away at war. This allows her to move away from home and keep seeing her pilot. Eventually, he heals and is returned to the front and Emily finds a place she belongs in a small country village.
I had never heard of the land girls and it was really interesting learning their role in the war. I love how the friendships between Emily and the other girls grow and change and how they support and help each other. I kept hoping that Robbie would make a surprise return in the end. This was such a great book that was impossible to put down!
Emily Bryce is the daughter of a wealthy family. Her mother insists on keeping her home and sheltered from the war. While visiting the convalescent hospital, she meets an injured Australian pilot and falls in love, but her mother finds him unsuitable and she's forbidden to see him again. She enlists with the land girls, a group of women trained as farm workers to harvest the crops, milk cows, and keep the farms running while the men are away at war. This allows her to move away from home and keep seeing her pilot. Eventually, he heals and is returned to the front and Emily finds a place she belongs in a small country village.
I had never heard of the land girls and it was really interesting learning their role in the war. I love how the friendships between Emily and the other girls grow and change and how they support and help each other. I kept hoping that Robbie would make a surprise return in the end. This was such a great book that was impossible to put down!
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Rhys Bowen knows how to write historical fiction and this book was no exception.
It's engaging and entertaining. one those books that keep you hooked till the last page.
The cast of characters is likeable and relatable, they're well written and tridimensional. I like how their relationship were written and their bonds and friendship.
The book is well written and I liked the mix of serious story and humour.
The historical background was well researched and I was happy to learn more about the land girls.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
It's engaging and entertaining. one those books that keep you hooked till the last page.
The cast of characters is likeable and relatable, they're well written and tridimensional. I like how their relationship were written and their bonds and friendship.
The book is well written and I liked the mix of serious story and humour.
The historical background was well researched and I was happy to learn more about the land girls.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
I bought this book after reading a favourable review from someone I follow on goodreads and I added audible with the kindle version as I love Saskia Maarleveld as a narrator.
Initially I thought this might have been a war romance novel but was pleasantly surprised as the story progressed. Yes there is a war romance but essentially it a story about a girl defying the odds in the war. Bucking with traditions of the time and joining The Women’s Land Army, living on her own as a single young woman who is unsupported, etc.
Emily, who is the main character, seems a little flaky and naive but soon shows some grit and determination. The story seems completely unrelatable to current times, but one needs to remember that WW1 is over a 100 years ago now and expectations, social status and class division have all changed.
The book is highly enjoyable with almost a Downton Abby-esque feel. Very much a period WW1 drama. The beginning was a little slow and the ending a little contrived but all in all a great book to get lost in when you want a nice read.
Initially I thought this might have been a war romance novel but was pleasantly surprised as the story progressed. Yes there is a war romance but essentially it a story about a girl defying the odds in the war. Bucking with traditions of the time and joining The Women’s Land Army, living on her own as a single young woman who is unsupported, etc.
Emily, who is the main character, seems a little flaky and naive but soon shows some grit and determination. The story seems completely unrelatable to current times, but one needs to remember that WW1 is over a 100 years ago now and expectations, social status and class division have all changed.
The book is highly enjoyable with almost a Downton Abby-esque feel. Very much a period WW1 drama. The beginning was a little slow and the ending a little contrived but all in all a great book to get lost in when you want a nice read.
This was a well written, enjoyable novel set in WWI-era England. It starts out a bit slow and I felt the relationship between the main character Emily and her beau, Robbie was kind of shallow and under-developed. However, given her age and coming from a sheltered background, it kind of makes sense after seeing how she matures through the novel so that may have been the intent of the author. What I really enjoyed was the story that develops between her and the other women in the novel and how that ultimately shapes the woman she becomes.
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes