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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, War
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is an illustrative historical novel. Diana Somerville spent the war breaking code at Bletchley Park while her husband, Brent was a stretcher bearer in France. Brent has no clue as to the type of work Diana accomplished, nor can she tell him thanks to the Official Secrets Act. Brent saw terrible tragedies while serving in Europe. He is suffering from PTSD as well as a scar on his face and finger damage. Brent has nightmares, but he does not want to share his traumatic experiences with Diana. They married just before Brent shipped out and have been apart the last four years. This makes for an awkward reunion especially since Diana was gone for five weeks while Brent recovered and only told him she was doing a favor for a friend. Rachel McMillan is a detail-oriented writer. Her word imagery allows readers to visualize the scenes especially the beautiful churches plus I could felt I could hear the music. I did feel, though, that this slowed down the pace of the book. The story progressed at a snail’s pace (it is like walking through quicksand—you get no where fast). There is a slight uptick in the second half. I never did understand Simon Barre’s obsession with Eternity. I thought the characters lacked development. From the beginning, it felt like I was dropped into the middle of an ongoing story. There was more information on churches than the main characters. Diana seems to care more for the churches than her husband and seems oblivious to what he is experiencing. Brent comments often on Diana’s beauty (it got tiring). I can tell the author did her research on churches, music, and Christopher Wren. The history and architecture of the churches is interesting, but it was overwhelming. A little is good, too much has my attention wandering. The book is set in 1945, but it also goes back in time to show us what Brent and Diana did during the war. It could be confusing as to who was speaking and where they were at. They visited many sites and they all started to blend together. I would sit down my book and come back, and I would be completely lost. I ended up skimming through the second half so I could see how The London Restoration ended. I was unable to connect with this book despite my numerous attempts. I did not feel that the author was successful with the meshing of history and mystery. Those readers who like detail oriented historical fiction will enjoy The London Restoration.
I enjoyed this novel itself (please find a link to my review here). https://www.netgalley.com/book/184790/review/215260
I also liked the audiobook. The narrator, if not actually British managed to sound British enough to convince this native. Her intonation and pronunciation were excellent. Sometimes, when American narrators try to read books set in Britain they just end up sounding awkward, clumsy and unnatural. Fake, basically. That wasn't the case with Hannah Curtis.
It was genuinely a pleasure to listen to. Not monotone nor boring, even for someone like me who has the habit of increasing the playback speed. She handles the male and female characters perfectly, as well as those from different backgrounds and nationalities.
As my first audiobook review on Netgalley, this makes me glad that they are now included on the catalog, and I hope Thomas Nelson/Zondervan will put more of them up in future. Using this narrator, preferably.
I also liked the audiobook. The narrator, if not actually British managed to sound British enough to convince this native. Her intonation and pronunciation were excellent. Sometimes, when American narrators try to read books set in Britain they just end up sounding awkward, clumsy and unnatural. Fake, basically. That wasn't the case with Hannah Curtis.
It was genuinely a pleasure to listen to. Not monotone nor boring, even for someone like me who has the habit of increasing the playback speed. She handles the male and female characters perfectly, as well as those from different backgrounds and nationalities.
As my first audiobook review on Netgalley, this makes me glad that they are now included on the catalog, and I hope Thomas Nelson/Zondervan will put more of them up in future. Using this narrator, preferably.
A London Restoration is rightly described as the author's "love letter" to London. You can feel the author's love and appreciation for the city, and especially it's ancient churches and buildings throughout this novel.. What I also loved about it is that although the author *could* have fallen into the trap of writing a traditional romance, she's didn't.
The protagonists are already married, as a result of whirlwind wartime romance. Diana is an architectural historian with a passion for 17th century churches studying at King's College, where Brent teaches theology.
The 'restoration' in the title is essentially the restoration of their relationship after several years being separated by the war, and by the secrets and barriers which have risen up between them.
One gets the "feel" for London and Britain in the months following the end of of WW2 in this novel, especially the struggles of a population still having to deal with rationing and loss in a city that was still marred by bomb damage. Yet the overall tone is hopeful, not gloomy, which some humourous passages and scenes: especially Diana's lack of cooking skills.
As the two seek to reestablish their trust with the possibility that Brent may have PTSD, a potential plot comes to light in the form of a Soviet Agent. This reveals what Diana was really up to, and put all the more strain on their relationship. Will it break, or will they have to learn to trust one another and anew?
The characterization in this story was excellent, and the historical and geographical details woven in seamlessly. Of course, I appreciated the details about religious relics, and the purpose of building churches. The faith message is there, but it doesn't overwhelm the story, and its realistic. in the sense that many people did struggle to reconcile their beliefs with their wartime experiences.
Thoroughly recommended for all lovers of Historical Fiction.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read a PDF of this story via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
The protagonists are already married, as a result of whirlwind wartime romance. Diana is an architectural historian with a passion for 17th century churches studying at King's College, where Brent teaches theology.
The 'restoration' in the title is essentially the restoration of their relationship after several years being separated by the war, and by the secrets and barriers which have risen up between them.
One gets the "feel" for London and Britain in the months following the end of of WW2 in this novel, especially the struggles of a population still having to deal with rationing and loss in a city that was still marred by bomb damage. Yet the overall tone is hopeful, not gloomy, which some humourous passages and scenes: especially Diana's lack of cooking skills.
As the two seek to reestablish their trust with the possibility that Brent may have PTSD, a potential plot comes to light in the form of a Soviet Agent. This reveals what Diana was really up to, and put all the more strain on their relationship. Will it break, or will they have to learn to trust one another and anew?
The characterization in this story was excellent, and the historical and geographical details woven in seamlessly. Of course, I appreciated the details about religious relics, and the purpose of building churches. The faith message is there, but it doesn't overwhelm the story, and its realistic. in the sense that many people did struggle to reconcile their beliefs with their wartime experiences.
Thoroughly recommended for all lovers of Historical Fiction.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read a PDF of this story via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
In this mannered, 1950s-styled novel, a Bletchley Park alumna-turned-informal-spy and her husband, reunited after WWII, seek out a Soviet spy amidst the churches of London. The woman has poor communication skills, ADHD, loves churches more than her husband, and is oblivious about many things, despite being called a person with great observation and pattern-finding skills; her husband is jealous, a chauvinist, has poor communication skills, and PTSD; this is not a functional relationship and throughout I kept telling the woman to leave, but she didn't. There is a lot of pressing of hands and bodies before dramatic turning away from each other, all very 1940s novels kinds of things. The spy hunt also lacks drama or much interest, and of course the spy is found to be close to home for the protagonists.
First, I’d like to thank NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Rachel McMillan for my copy (audiobook) of The London Restoration. I also want to praise Hannah Curtis for her narration of the novel!
I enjoyed The London Restoration, but mostly because of the well-researched history and architecture. Being interested in both, I did like this book, but I’m not sure if people who don’t share this interest will. The story itself was a bit slow (the plot was fine, but because it unfolded so slowly, it became a bit boring), and though I liked the characters from the start, they lacked development. Still, 3,5 stars!
I enjoyed The London Restoration, but mostly because of the well-researched history and architecture. Being interested in both, I did like this book, but I’m not sure if people who don’t share this interest will. The story itself was a bit slow (the plot was fine, but because it unfolded so slowly, it became a bit boring), and though I liked the characters from the start, they lacked development. Still, 3,5 stars!
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway, and if I hadn't, I would not have finished it.
Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II with flashbacks to war times, this book is part mystery, part romance, and part ode to Christopher Wren. Unfortunately for this reader, the ode to Christopher Wren was a bit mind-numbing, as the myriad details supplied throughout the novel related to the architecture and history of London churches was confusing and not particularly compelling. Similar to the churches, I found the main characters a bit aloof and could not connect with their romance. Frankly, it was all just a bit dull for me.
Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II with flashbacks to war times, this book is part mystery, part romance, and part ode to Christopher Wren. Unfortunately for this reader, the ode to Christopher Wren was a bit mind-numbing, as the myriad details supplied throughout the novel related to the architecture and history of London churches was confusing and not particularly compelling. Similar to the churches, I found the main characters a bit aloof and could not connect with their romance. Frankly, it was all just a bit dull for me.
During World War II Diana Foyle and Brent Sommerville are hastily married before Brent ships out as a stretcher bearer. While Brent is away, Diana wants to do anything to help bring him back safely. With her experience in architectural history and her specific love of Christopher Wren churches, Diana is recruited as a codebreaker for Bletchley Park M16. All of her work there is classified and when Diana discovers that Brent has returned from the war and is injured, she needs to put off their reunion for another five weeks while she completes a task. Finally reunited, Diana and Brent are both changed from their experiences during the war and neither of them can talk about it. Diana still has a special task to complete: to find an agent named Eternity who is using Diana's favorite churches as rendezvous points. Diana is determined to finish the job, but her involvement places Brent in danger alongside her.
Set in Post World War II London, The London Restoration explores the devastated churches that were bombed during the war as well as the effects of war on relationships. Through Diana's eyes and her unique love of architecture I was able to envision, not only what was left of the churches, but the beauty they still held. Diana's work at Bletchley Park opened my eyes to another important role that women held during World War II intercepting messages and breaking codes that were sent directly to the Allies. In addition, the women were not allowed to talk about their roles in any capacity. The writing bounces back and forth between Diana and Brent's experiences during the War and 1945, when they are both battling inner demons as well as Eternity. While understanding what each character went through during their time apart is pivotal to the story, the transitions in time felt a little clunky to me and sometimes I had to backtrack to see if I was reading about the character's past or present. Brent's experience during the War adds another layer to the secrets being kept as well as an important reminder of the mental health of Veterans. The hunt for Eternity, the artifacts and codes kept my interest level up and the suspense heightened. However, at the heart of the story is a marriage; and how secrets can change the marriage, but trust can make it stronger.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Set in Post World War II London, The London Restoration explores the devastated churches that were bombed during the war as well as the effects of war on relationships. Through Diana's eyes and her unique love of architecture I was able to envision, not only what was left of the churches, but the beauty they still held. Diana's work at Bletchley Park opened my eyes to another important role that women held during World War II intercepting messages and breaking codes that were sent directly to the Allies. In addition, the women were not allowed to talk about their roles in any capacity. The writing bounces back and forth between Diana and Brent's experiences during the War and 1945, when they are both battling inner demons as well as Eternity. While understanding what each character went through during their time apart is pivotal to the story, the transitions in time felt a little clunky to me and sometimes I had to backtrack to see if I was reading about the character's past or present. Brent's experience during the War adds another layer to the secrets being kept as well as an important reminder of the mental health of Veterans. The hunt for Eternity, the artifacts and codes kept my interest level up and the suspense heightened. However, at the heart of the story is a marriage; and how secrets can change the marriage, but trust can make it stronger.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Rachel McMillan's The London Restoration! It was a smart book full of spies, intrigue, mystery, and history. The main characters - Diana and Brent - are interesting and both grapple with their own losses from World War II. I enjoyed how they were both their own people but also united as a couple by the end. The setting of post-war London was fascinating. It felt like I was traveling even though that's not possible right now! Well done - this book was masterful.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary ecopy. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary ecopy. All opinions are my own.
I can truly appreciate the amount of research that went into this book. The details are beautifully descriptive, and, at times, I almost felt like I was walking the streets of London. I truly did love the idea of Brent and Diana’s characters. I wanted to love their love story. That being said, I felt the characters really lacked development, and that the book was more focused on the scenery (which really was great!). Much of their relationship in the story focused on the past or the strain and the process to healing seemed much too fast. Certain plot points didn’t seem believable or rational, so the movement of the story felt stilted and disjointed at times. About 40% in I did start to like it a lot better and thought we’d finally hit our stride, but it stalled out again near the end. I felt like this book was trying to be too many things and you got lost in the weeds versus just enjoying the story for what it was. It was if the author forced the characters instead of letting them “write themselves”. This was my first book by Rachel McMillan, but based on her following, I would be willing to try another. I’ve only heard great things about her books. I thought this was so close to a stellar read, but it just missed the mark for me.
I listened to this book on audio. While I love a good British accent when you have a story based in Britain, I didn’t think this narrator was quite expressive enough. She captured some of the characters, but not all, and that didn’t help the flat pace of the plot.
I received an ARC of this audiobook via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I listened to this book on audio. While I love a good British accent when you have a story based in Britain, I didn’t think this narrator was quite expressive enough. She captured some of the characters, but not all, and that didn’t help the flat pace of the plot.
I received an ARC of this audiobook via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.