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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
A very well-researched book that takes place in WW2 during the blitz of London. The main characters are a young German Jewish woman who was in London with false papers and an American GI who was in the bomb removal until
The end of the book has a ton of resources and more resources are provided on the authors website.
The end of the book has a ton of resources and more resources are provided on the authors website.
In reading historical fiction, I often learn something new that sends me into researching the subject. In this case, it was bomb disposal teams. In all the books that I have read about the Blitz, rarely have I read about the teams that came in after bombings to dispose of the unexplored bombs. This is the story of Wesley Bowers, who, in fact was a real person. He was an American soldier sent to England to join a bomb disposal team. He arrived expecting to be trained, but instead is thrown right into work, learning as he goes, because another team has died on the job. He learns that members of bomb disposal teams are given a life span of ten weeks. The bulk of the story takes place in this ten weeks. Wes meets a young woman named Audrey Stocking when he is called to remove or detonate a bomb that landed in her flat the previous night. Audrey works for the WVS which rehomes children to keep them safe during the bombings. Audrey and Wes strike up a friendship which turns into something more. Audrey has a secret which changes everything between them. I highly recommend this book. It gives a unique view of living during the blitz. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book.
Not the ending I expected, but a compelling narrative nonetheless. The beginning was a little difficult to get into due to all of the technical terms (bombs, war jargon, etc.) but once I became familiar with all of the characters and their backstories, everything became more clear.
This wonderfully compelling and poignant book immediately grabbed me in a deeply emotive way. I must have read at least 30 WWII novels in the past few months and this...this is a firm favourite. Why? It's different, substantive and heart warming, yet gut wrenching. It's all I seek in a novel and then some. For me it has that special something that easily elevates it from a 4* to a 5* read. My first book by Camron Wright was such a pleasure! I enjoyed it thoroughly. That ending! Wow!
Compassionate Audrey Stocking helps rescue displaced children and finds homes for them. She loses her own home and belongings to a bomb but continues her work nonetheless. London is being heavily bombed and horrors are common, though impossible to grow accustomed to. Audrey values her irreplaceable ebony box and treasures within with ties to her secret life and to her family. She is fluent in English but it is imperative that she hide her Jewish German identity otherwise she would be imprisoned...or worse.
American Lt. Wesley Bowers arrives in England and is shocked by what he sees in the fiery halo of death and destruction which envelops him. He can breathe it. His job is to disarm bombs which is described in brilliant detail in the book, a topic I knew nothing about. Part of the story details his dangerous job and those he works with. I love that he learns how to write letters from his heart.
We meet several other fascinating characters including Aunt Claire, Colonel Moore and Lady Reading. The book is about heroism, relationships, the unbelievable will to survive overwhelming conditions and precious hope. I highly, highly recommend this stunning read to Historical Fiction readers especially but to any General Fiction readers as well.
One of my favourite passages (there are many!) is about rain and primrose petals. Breathtaking and memorable. The story is even more gorgeous than the title and cover!
My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enchanting book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
Compassionate Audrey Stocking helps rescue displaced children and finds homes for them. She loses her own home and belongings to a bomb but continues her work nonetheless. London is being heavily bombed and horrors are common, though impossible to grow accustomed to. Audrey values her irreplaceable ebony box and treasures within with ties to her secret life and to her family. She is fluent in English but it is imperative that she hide her Jewish German identity otherwise she would be imprisoned...or worse.
American Lt. Wesley Bowers arrives in England and is shocked by what he sees in the fiery halo of death and destruction which envelops him. He can breathe it. His job is to disarm bombs which is described in brilliant detail in the book, a topic I knew nothing about. Part of the story details his dangerous job and those he works with. I love that he learns how to write letters from his heart.
We meet several other fascinating characters including Aunt Claire, Colonel Moore and Lady Reading. The book is about heroism, relationships, the unbelievable will to survive overwhelming conditions and precious hope. I highly, highly recommend this stunning read to Historical Fiction readers especially but to any General Fiction readers as well.
One of my favourite passages (there are many!) is about rain and primrose petals. Breathtaking and memorable. The story is even more gorgeous than the title and cover!
My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enchanting book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
This emotional book starts in September, 1940. The Blitz has overtaken London with ongoing bombings creating death and destruction. For Audrey Stocking, she is not only trying to survive but trying to hide her true identity. She is German and Jewish having escaped to England with a fake passport. Audrey has been working for the Woman’s Voluntary Services to bring children to the countryside for safety. During an air raid, an unexploded bomb lands in her apartment. A bomb disposal unit comes to remove it and she meets Lieutenant Wesley Bowers, an American. Their meeting is the beginning of a special connection between two people living one day at a time.
In Times of Rain and War was inspired by the actual life of Lieutenant Bowers. Author Camron Wright details the bravery of those who worked to disarm the German bombs, which continued to become more and more sophisticated and tough to prevent from detonating. Amidst all the horror surrounding them, Audrey and Wes find hope.
This was a fast-moving book that shook me to the core. By the time the book ended, I was filled with so much emotion that I had to sit and reflect on what I’d just read. Add In Times of Rain and War to your list of WWII-era books to read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this beautiful story prior to its publication.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In Times of Rain and War was inspired by the actual life of Lieutenant Bowers. Author Camron Wright details the bravery of those who worked to disarm the German bombs, which continued to become more and more sophisticated and tough to prevent from detonating. Amidst all the horror surrounding them, Audrey and Wes find hope.
This was a fast-moving book that shook me to the core. By the time the book ended, I was filled with so much emotion that I had to sit and reflect on what I’d just read. Add In Times of Rain and War to your list of WWII-era books to read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this beautiful story prior to its publication.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In Times of Rain and War was my first book by this author, but I certainly don't think it'll be my last. The book led me in one direction and ended in another and I enjoyed that. I loved the characters and their stories. Audrey's pre-book story especially intrigued me and I love that it unfolded slowly. I was totally rooting for Audrey and Wes both together, and as separate characters.
I just downloaded Rachael's story and look forward to reading this companion piece!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.
I just downloaded Rachael's story and look forward to reading this companion piece!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.
OMG, I feel like a broken record, BUT, this is a beautifully written story of love and war.
There is nothing I can say that other reviewers haven't already said about this wonderful and tragic book.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in April 2021.
There is nothing I can say that other reviewers haven't already said about this wonderful and tragic book.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in April 2021.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing this ARC. I almost didn’t read it because I’ve read so many books about WWII; however The Orphan Keeper by this same author is in my top 5 all-time favorite books. I enjoyed the way that this emotional story about a Jewish woman escaping Germany to help innocent children get to safety in war-torn London was written. Her story intertwines with Wesley Bowers, an American in London to diffuse bombs. I found the story fascinating and the writing very compelling. I would recommend this one when it is published in 4/6.
I really enjoyed listening to In Times of Rain and War. The narrator was fantastic and a joy to listen to as he told a very intriguing story.
The story gave insight into those brave men that disarmed bombs that had yet to detonate in England. To find out all the ways that the Germans created the bombs was shocking. My mom has talked about the different bombs that flew over her neighborhood, but never detailed the problems with the bombs. I need to know more and that is thanks to the author.
The story didn't gloss over issues. However, the author didn't hide the tragedy of war. He brought me to tears on more than one occasion. My heart aches for what occurred in WW2. I can only hope more and more people decide to read or listen to the stories and learn.
The story gave insight into those brave men that disarmed bombs that had yet to detonate in England. To find out all the ways that the Germans created the bombs was shocking. My mom has talked about the different bombs that flew over her neighborhood, but never detailed the problems with the bombs. I need to know more and that is thanks to the author.
The story didn't gloss over issues. However, the author didn't hide the tragedy of war. He brought me to tears on more than one occasion. My heart aches for what occurred in WW2. I can only hope more and more people decide to read or listen to the stories and learn.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No