You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
*4,5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the audiobook.
I had to take a few days after finishing this to process my thoughts because this was quite a journey.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I love books with a WWII setting, however, this one takes place in the post-WWII setting, when we're watching the "restoration".
I really enjoyed the narrator of this book, and how I was compelled to keep reading this book, which may have been related to the story itself. It all worked perfectly for me.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the audiobook.
I had to take a few days after finishing this to process my thoughts because this was quite a journey.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I love books with a WWII setting, however, this one takes place in the post-WWII setting, when we're watching the "restoration".
I really enjoyed the narrator of this book, and how I was compelled to keep reading this book, which may have been related to the story itself. It all worked perfectly for me.
I highly recommend this book!
The separation of husbands and wives during war is something I have not thought extensively about. Sure, as a student of history in Canada there's always discussion about life on the home front, but it was different in Canada during the war than it would have been in England. We had no bombs, first of all, no Bletchley Park. The women here made sacrifices, but nothing to the extent that women overseas did, and they were much more involved than we could ever imagine. That's one of the things about this book that I enjoyed reading the most. There's a passage near the end where Brent and Diana are sort of comparing their experiences. Diana knows that Brent is no longer the man she married, but Brent has just come to the realisation that Diana is also no longer the woman he married. Because she cannot talk about it, it puts strains on their relationship. While Diana was always worried about Brent while he was in France, he wasn't exclusively worried about her because her situation was nothing like his and hypothetically, she was in no danger. But she did things that changed her, made relationships that didn't involve him, and worked with people and information that he wasn't privy to. So when the war ends and they both are looking forward to being actually properly married, they are relearning how to be with each other and how to fit back together as two entirely different people than when the relationship began.
I'm a big architecture geek, so that aspect of this book is what drew me to reading it in the first place. I adore Christopher Wren, just like Diana does, and could read books upon books filled with descriptions of the churches he designed. And that's why Diana and her passion are the greatest part of the book for me. Not to mention the fact that I also love stories about Bletchley Park and the women who worked there, but Diana is living the life that I would have wanted to live had I been around (and in England) during the war. Sure, I'm not keen on the Russian spies, the secrecy, or the being underutilized and underappreciated as a woman, but I really loved her story and the trajectory her life took. Even when she's struggling in her marriage and struggling to choose between the domestic life she initially wanted and the new, secret, Christopher Wren-filled existence she gained after the fact, I thought she was headstrong, confident, and knew her worth.
The writing was good and pretty standard for historical WWII novels. After initially picking it up and getting into it, it slogged a tiny bit and I found myself skimming or reading quite quickly in order to move things along faster. After the 50% mark however, I found myself slowing down again and wanting to take in every word to make sure I didn't miss a thing. There were a lot of back and forths in the chapters in this book, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't really mind at all - which is shocking, on my part, believe me. I am not usually a fan of flipping back and forth on a timeline, especially when the said timelines were so close together as these ones were. Another thing I also found I enjoyed was Brent's perspective, nearly as much as I enjoyed Diana's. While she's the one with the secrets that she cannot share, we also get to experience his perspective on the side of not knowing things, which certainly built sympathy for his character. Otherwise, I likely would have found myself siding with Diana most of the time.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and would happily have it on my shelf to revisit later on. It's unique enough that I find it stands out amongst books of its kind, and there isn't just one plot given all of the attention, but rather a variety of underlying plots as well that you almost find yourself caring for and wondering about the conclusion of more. Diana Foyle, like the bookshop on Charing Cross Road, is probably my favorite character I've come across in the many WWII novels I've read. I'd happily read a sequel of her and Brent's life in Vienna should the author ever decide to write one (this is me saying the author should definitely write one).
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a big architecture geek, so that aspect of this book is what drew me to reading it in the first place. I adore Christopher Wren, just like Diana does, and could read books upon books filled with descriptions of the churches he designed. And that's why Diana and her passion are the greatest part of the book for me. Not to mention the fact that I also love stories about Bletchley Park and the women who worked there, but Diana is living the life that I would have wanted to live had I been around (and in England) during the war. Sure, I'm not keen on the Russian spies, the secrecy, or the being underutilized and underappreciated as a woman, but I really loved her story and the trajectory her life took. Even when she's struggling in her marriage and struggling to choose between the domestic life she initially wanted and the new, secret, Christopher Wren-filled existence she gained after the fact, I thought she was headstrong, confident, and knew her worth.
The writing was good and pretty standard for historical WWII novels. After initially picking it up and getting into it, it slogged a tiny bit and I found myself skimming or reading quite quickly in order to move things along faster. After the 50% mark however, I found myself slowing down again and wanting to take in every word to make sure I didn't miss a thing. There were a lot of back and forths in the chapters in this book, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't really mind at all - which is shocking, on my part, believe me. I am not usually a fan of flipping back and forth on a timeline, especially when the said timelines were so close together as these ones were. Another thing I also found I enjoyed was Brent's perspective, nearly as much as I enjoyed Diana's. While she's the one with the secrets that she cannot share, we also get to experience his perspective on the side of not knowing things, which certainly built sympathy for his character. Otherwise, I likely would have found myself siding with Diana most of the time.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and would happily have it on my shelf to revisit later on. It's unique enough that I find it stands out amongst books of its kind, and there isn't just one plot given all of the attention, but rather a variety of underlying plots as well that you almost find yourself caring for and wondering about the conclusion of more. Diana Foyle, like the bookshop on Charing Cross Road, is probably my favorite character I've come across in the many WWII novels I've read. I'd happily read a sequel of her and Brent's life in Vienna should the author ever decide to write one (this is me saying the author should definitely write one).
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 stars
Tea. For any insecurity she had about their reconciliation, three letters in a small word and she felt safe. And more tea.
Following the end of the war, Diana Somerville, née Foyle, just wants to reunite with her husband, Brent. However, her friend requests that she help MI6 catch a Soviet agent named Eternity and find a file containing names of traitors. Diana’s husband has no idea that she worked at Bletchley Park breaking codes during the war. This expertise, along with her lifelong obsession and research into Christopher Wren’s restoration of London churches following the Great Fire, makes her the only individual who can help MI6 in this instance. It seems that Eternity has been using Wren churches as drop-off points.
Over the course of the novel, Diana searches for answers amidst the rubble of bombed churches. She is not only looking to crack Eternity’s code—she also wants to rebuild her connection with her husband. Both of them have wartime secrets that are keeping them apart.
This book gets all the points for having a plot crafted exactly for me. Soviet spies, female espionage, and historical architecture? Did McMillan have me in mind when coming up with the plot? I kept waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars because the execution was far from perfect at points. However, the plot is original and the prose is gorgeous. I couldn’t decide and cheated with 3.75.
The scary thing about loud ideologies at a time when a country is broken is that the loudest and most assured ones dominate until they seem right, they seem conscionable.
The romance aspect of this book was also very well done. Diana and Brent’s adorable love story is threaded through this novel in a beautiful way.
Tea with you sounds...well, I don’t believe my Greek vocabulary extends that far.
While some reviews have called Brent’s character into question, his views on marriage are progressive for the era. I cannot blame him for not wanting his spouse to embark on dangerous espionage missions. Diana would have probably felt the same if the tables were turned. Furthermore, Brent is clearly suffering from PTSD, which explains a lot of his behaviour.
Some reviews also slandered Diana for seeming ‘clueless’ and ‘inept.’ While Diana is not good at fitting the ‘traditional’ role of a housewife, that has no bearing on her intelligence. She is an incredibly smart character who fell in love, but wants to maintain her independence.
Diana didn’t want to be pretty. She wanted to be a threat.
That being said, the dialogue and plot lacked clarity at some points. The fact that my copy (sent to my Kindle from Netgalley) was clearly missing a few pages at some key points in the novel contributed to this. At other points, the dialogue made little sense. The pacing was also a little bit off (there was a lot of build-up to a very short climax).
On the other hand, I highlighted many beautiful quotes. I also learned so much about Christopher Wren and was motivated to do further research. The author mentions in the foreword that her Goodreads page has lists of further reading beyond her bibliography, which I am planning to check out very soon. The amount of research that clearly went into this text is astounding. I’m really upset that I cannot go explore all of the churches that play a role in this book.
When the dialogue is clear in this book, it is extremely clever. Who else would describe cracking Enigma like this?
‘Do you know the myth of Sisyphus?’ Fisher had said her first day. ‘Who pushes the rock to the top of a hill only to have it fall to the bottom again?’ ‘’Yes.’ ‘Sort of what it feels like here.’
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tea. For any insecurity she had about their reconciliation, three letters in a small word and she felt safe. And more tea.
Following the end of the war, Diana Somerville, née Foyle, just wants to reunite with her husband, Brent. However, her friend requests that she help MI6 catch a Soviet agent named Eternity and find a file containing names of traitors. Diana’s husband has no idea that she worked at Bletchley Park breaking codes during the war. This expertise, along with her lifelong obsession and research into Christopher Wren’s restoration of London churches following the Great Fire, makes her the only individual who can help MI6 in this instance. It seems that Eternity has been using Wren churches as drop-off points.
Over the course of the novel, Diana searches for answers amidst the rubble of bombed churches. She is not only looking to crack Eternity’s code—she also wants to rebuild her connection with her husband. Both of them have wartime secrets that are keeping them apart.
This book gets all the points for having a plot crafted exactly for me. Soviet spies, female espionage, and historical architecture? Did McMillan have me in mind when coming up with the plot? I kept waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars because the execution was far from perfect at points. However, the plot is original and the prose is gorgeous. I couldn’t decide and cheated with 3.75.
The scary thing about loud ideologies at a time when a country is broken is that the loudest and most assured ones dominate until they seem right, they seem conscionable.
The romance aspect of this book was also very well done. Diana and Brent’s adorable love story is threaded through this novel in a beautiful way.
Tea with you sounds...well, I don’t believe my Greek vocabulary extends that far.
While some reviews have called Brent’s character into question, his views on marriage are progressive for the era. I cannot blame him for not wanting his spouse to embark on dangerous espionage missions. Diana would have probably felt the same if the tables were turned. Furthermore, Brent is clearly suffering from PTSD, which explains a lot of his behaviour.
Some reviews also slandered Diana for seeming ‘clueless’ and ‘inept.’ While Diana is not good at fitting the ‘traditional’ role of a housewife, that has no bearing on her intelligence. She is an incredibly smart character who fell in love, but wants to maintain her independence.
Diana didn’t want to be pretty. She wanted to be a threat.
That being said, the dialogue and plot lacked clarity at some points. The fact that my copy (sent to my Kindle from Netgalley) was clearly missing a few pages at some key points in the novel contributed to this. At other points, the dialogue made little sense. The pacing was also a little bit off (there was a lot of build-up to a very short climax).
On the other hand, I highlighted many beautiful quotes. I also learned so much about Christopher Wren and was motivated to do further research. The author mentions in the foreword that her Goodreads page has lists of further reading beyond her bibliography, which I am planning to check out very soon. The amount of research that clearly went into this text is astounding. I’m really upset that I cannot go explore all of the churches that play a role in this book.
When the dialogue is clear in this book, it is extremely clever. Who else would describe cracking Enigma like this?
‘Do you know the myth of Sisyphus?’ Fisher had said her first day. ‘Who pushes the rock to the top of a hill only to have it fall to the bottom again?’ ‘’Yes.’ ‘Sort of what it feels like here.’
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Delightful. Sooo much history and architecture and music—made me look up Christopher Wren churches and listen to Mozart.
This book was a book had a lyrical flow that had me looking up pictures of the bombed churches of London and admiring the resilience of the human spirit.
This book absorbed me into the tale, I really felt like I was there admiring the history and architecture of houses of worship while getting to see a love story that is fighting to weather the scars of war.
One thing that I absolutely adored was the deep love and devotion that the two main characters had for each other, even though they struggled with coming back and how the war had changed both of them, they were resolved to fight for each other.
I do not see that kind of stories much, with already married couples and it was a real treat.
I listened to the audiobook on this one and I am really glad I did, the narrator's accent helped me to feel more absorbed into this tale set mostly in London.
I think the only thing that I wished more for was a bit of a spiritual message woven into it. Theology and churches were discussed, yet it didn't seem to be a huge part of the character's personal life.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a historical glimpse into the time after WW2.
It has a touch of danger as well!
I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally all opinions are completely my own.
This book absorbed me into the tale, I really felt like I was there admiring the history and architecture of houses of worship while getting to see a love story that is fighting to weather the scars of war.
One thing that I absolutely adored was the deep love and devotion that the two main characters had for each other, even though they struggled with coming back and how the war had changed both of them, they were resolved to fight for each other.
I do not see that kind of stories much, with already married couples and it was a real treat.
I listened to the audiobook on this one and I am really glad I did, the narrator's accent helped me to feel more absorbed into this tale set mostly in London.
I think the only thing that I wished more for was a bit of a spiritual message woven into it. Theology and churches were discussed, yet it didn't seem to be a huge part of the character's personal life.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a historical glimpse into the time after WW2.
It has a touch of danger as well!
I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally all opinions are completely my own.
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is a stunning read. I was immediately hooked by the storyline and felt transported to 1945 London. What a time that must have been — the destruction, the rationing, the rebuilding of lives that had been devastated by WWII. My heart ached for the characters in this book. I found that I related to Brent and Diana’s struggle to find their way back to one another as a married couple after four years of separation. The feelings they experience as they attempt to navigate a “new normal” are relatable and realistic. And, I love that I am leaving this story filled with hope. Life can really do a number on us all. We may feel down and out, but God always makes a way for us in the end. We just have to trust the journey. The London Restoration is a superb story of reconciliation; one that should not be missed.
I am the most impressed by how realistic McMillan portrays the struggles Brent and Diana experience as a married couple who have gone through trauma in the early days of their marriage. When they first are a couple, it seems like nothing can come between them. Their love is so passionate and so big. It’s unfathomable that they would ever feel differently. But then Hitler comes with his bombs and murder and hate, and their lives are irrevocably changed. When the war ends and things go back to normal, Brent and Diana struggle. How does one just go back to normal after experiencing something as awful as Hitler and his war machine? What does normal even mean? Both Brent and Diana have been blown away by the four years they spent desperately and separately trying to survive the war, and are now completely different people than when they first married. Feelings are different. Things are awkward. How do they get back to where they once were as a couple when they don’t even know how to do that as individuals? Is there a way to reconcile their experiences in the war, the traumas they experienced, and still follow the dreams they had for their marriage before the war? To see how Brent and Diana navigate these difficult questions, you will just have to read this beautiful novel. But as a married woman of many, many years, I can say their journey is poignant, relatable, and so very, very true to life. In fact, it is their journey as a married couple in a crazy awful time that filled me with the most hope.
The London Restoration is more than just a good story. It forces the reader to wrestle with things like change — change in feelings, change in time, change in self, change in relationships — and it illustrates that grace and forgiveness and understanding cover a multitude of frustrations and confusions and misunderstandings. It also shows that in the end, it really all does boil down to love — all seven of the Greek forms! The London Restoration is a must-read novel that I highly recommend. If you are a fan of sophisticated historical romances that include a little mystery and intrigue, and timely themes, then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I am the most impressed by how realistic McMillan portrays the struggles Brent and Diana experience as a married couple who have gone through trauma in the early days of their marriage. When they first are a couple, it seems like nothing can come between them. Their love is so passionate and so big. It’s unfathomable that they would ever feel differently. But then Hitler comes with his bombs and murder and hate, and their lives are irrevocably changed. When the war ends and things go back to normal, Brent and Diana struggle. How does one just go back to normal after experiencing something as awful as Hitler and his war machine? What does normal even mean? Both Brent and Diana have been blown away by the four years they spent desperately and separately trying to survive the war, and are now completely different people than when they first married. Feelings are different. Things are awkward. How do they get back to where they once were as a couple when they don’t even know how to do that as individuals? Is there a way to reconcile their experiences in the war, the traumas they experienced, and still follow the dreams they had for their marriage before the war? To see how Brent and Diana navigate these difficult questions, you will just have to read this beautiful novel. But as a married woman of many, many years, I can say their journey is poignant, relatable, and so very, very true to life. In fact, it is their journey as a married couple in a crazy awful time that filled me with the most hope.
The London Restoration is more than just a good story. It forces the reader to wrestle with things like change — change in feelings, change in time, change in self, change in relationships — and it illustrates that grace and forgiveness and understanding cover a multitude of frustrations and confusions and misunderstandings. It also shows that in the end, it really all does boil down to love — all seven of the Greek forms! The London Restoration is a must-read novel that I highly recommend. If you are a fan of sophisticated historical romances that include a little mystery and intrigue, and timely themes, then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book was fun, engaging, suspenseful, and mysterious! I thought that the pacing was great, and the characters really kept me engaged.
-
The war is over, except for people like Diana. She is working hard to try and uncover a spy ring in London that could lead to a dangerous Cold War that is looming with the Soviets. While using her knowledge of Christopher Wren and churches to try to uncover the secrets and codes, she is also trying to get back to normal life with her husband, Brent, who was a stretcher bearer in the war and has returned home injured.
-
I thought it was cool how Diana used her education to track down spies and decipher codes. The author portrayed her as an awkward academic, which is what drew her to her husband. He is a professor at King's College before and after the war and you can tell that they are very suited for each other. I also really appreciated how he supported her studies and encouraged her to go back to school, even though she is torn between going back and continuing her work chasing spies! This is a really fun WW2 era novel that kept me engaged throughout the whole book!
-
The war is over, except for people like Diana. She is working hard to try and uncover a spy ring in London that could lead to a dangerous Cold War that is looming with the Soviets. While using her knowledge of Christopher Wren and churches to try to uncover the secrets and codes, she is also trying to get back to normal life with her husband, Brent, who was a stretcher bearer in the war and has returned home injured.
-
I thought it was cool how Diana used her education to track down spies and decipher codes. The author portrayed her as an awkward academic, which is what drew her to her husband. He is a professor at King's College before and after the war and you can tell that they are very suited for each other. I also really appreciated how he supported her studies and encouraged her to go back to school, even though she is torn between going back and continuing her work chasing spies! This is a really fun WW2 era novel that kept me engaged throughout the whole book!
The London Restoration is a masterful historical fiction novel, exploring post-WWII London. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s knowledge of London churches and experience as a codebreaker intersect when she is asked to engage in one more post-war mission to find a Russian agent. Her husband, Brent, is a professor at King’s College who returns to his wife from the war a different man. As he fights the traumas from the front line that haunt him, he tries to rebuild his life and love with the woman he left behind who now feels, in some ways, like a stranger in his bed. Brent senses that Diana’s explanations of her wartime activities and whereabouts are fabrications, if not flat out lies. There is an undercurrent between them – a yearning for the time before the war and a yearning to make a new love after it. But the war haunts them, and they must face whether too much has changed, whether the secrets they carry will be their demise.
The physical destruction of London and Europe by the war is materialized further in the marriage of Diana and Brent. The ravages of secret missions, horrific scenes witnessed, and physical intimacy colored by emotional distance. While the buildings of a city can be rebuilt, removing indications of devastation, the lives of our characters are not so easily fixed. Externally, things look familiar, aside from Brent’s physical injuries, but their emotional turmoil remains a tarnish on their marriage that persists.
This novel is expertly researched with well-developed characters who are complex, intriguing, and heartbreaking. There are moments where it’s as if Diana and Brent are hugging through a wall. There is warmth and yearning, but they just can’t seem to know each other fully. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, exploration of PTSD and trauma, women in war, and architecture.
The physical destruction of London and Europe by the war is materialized further in the marriage of Diana and Brent. The ravages of secret missions, horrific scenes witnessed, and physical intimacy colored by emotional distance. While the buildings of a city can be rebuilt, removing indications of devastation, the lives of our characters are not so easily fixed. Externally, things look familiar, aside from Brent’s physical injuries, but their emotional turmoil remains a tarnish on their marriage that persists.
This novel is expertly researched with well-developed characters who are complex, intriguing, and heartbreaking. There are moments where it’s as if Diana and Brent are hugging through a wall. There is warmth and yearning, but they just can’t seem to know each other fully. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, exploration of PTSD and trauma, women in war, and architecture.
The premise of this story is very interesting - Diana’s love and knowledge of London churches may be the key to finding a Russian spy in the aftermath of WWII. It seems natural that her husband, a theology professor, might be able to help, but she can’t tell him what she’s really doing... until he is drawn into the effort, whether he likes it or not. I thought the struggles they faced in their marriage, after years apart and so many secrets between them, were portrayed very realistically. However, the story seemed a little disjointed and confusing to me. The transitions between past and present didn’t flow very smoothly and left me feeling a little lost. Overall, this was an enjoyable story, but not one of my favorites.
I can’t claim to know as much about churches and Christopher Wren as Diana Somerville, but I do have a deep, visceral love of churches and all they embody, so pair that with a war-time romance and I was never in any doubt that this would be a book I would sink into and adore. And adore it I did. Not only did London’s churches play a significant physical role in the story, but their brokenness, their need for restoration, was a perfect metaphor for the toll war had taken on Diana and Brent’s marriage and the restoration it, too, needed to undergo.
At this point, it possibly needs to be said: Pillars of the Earth this is not. It is the restoration of Diana and Brent’s marriage that is at the heart of The London Restoration rather than the physical rebuilding of London—churches or generally. There’s no fear of getting bogged down in architectural details. But at the same time, McMillan’s passion for churches and her meticulous research imbues the story with an authenticity that brings the setting and the characters to life. It’s a perfect marriage for lovers of tangible history and romance, if not a perfect marriage for the characters!
Speaking of the characters, I loved Diana and Brent for their intelligence, their maturity, their moments of droll humour, and I ached for them as they struggled to re-establish their marriage in the wake of a war that had changed them in so many ways. It’s a romance that very deliberately looks beyond the physical connection between a husband and wife to the emotional foundation that supports it—as Brent so aptly puts it: making sure the columns are straight before rebuilding the dome. It’s a delicate operation with four years of war-time experiences and an Official Secrets Act between them, but every deliberate step speaks to the genuine love (all seven kinds, according to the Greeks and Professor Somerville) that binds Brent and Diana amidst the rubble.
And can I just say, Sophie and Simon—my goodness, what personalities! I can’t wait to read more about them in The Mozart Code.
In short, this book was my happy place!
At this point, it possibly needs to be said: Pillars of the Earth this is not. It is the restoration of Diana and Brent’s marriage that is at the heart of The London Restoration rather than the physical rebuilding of London—churches or generally. There’s no fear of getting bogged down in architectural details. But at the same time, McMillan’s passion for churches and her meticulous research imbues the story with an authenticity that brings the setting and the characters to life. It’s a perfect marriage for lovers of tangible history and romance, if not a perfect marriage for the characters!
Speaking of the characters, I loved Diana and Brent for their intelligence, their maturity, their moments of droll humour, and I ached for them as they struggled to re-establish their marriage in the wake of a war that had changed them in so many ways. It’s a romance that very deliberately looks beyond the physical connection between a husband and wife to the emotional foundation that supports it—as Brent so aptly puts it: making sure the columns are straight before rebuilding the dome. It’s a delicate operation with four years of war-time experiences and an Official Secrets Act between them, but every deliberate step speaks to the genuine love (all seven kinds, according to the Greeks and Professor Somerville) that binds Brent and Diana amidst the rubble.
And can I just say, Sophie and Simon—my goodness, what personalities! I can’t wait to read more about them in The Mozart Code.
In short, this book was my happy place!