Publication date January 16, 2024

Summary

Set against the backdrop of World War 2 and the Cuban Missile Crisis, this historical drama is told from three points of view. Jeannie, a 19-year-old English girl, falls in love with an American airman in 1942, little imagining how the relationship would change the trajectory of her life. In 1962, Celia is longing for a career, not just a job, but her parents tell her she should settle for her lot in life and be happy with the job she has in a bookshop. Meanwhile, Septimus has just been given a job as the aide-de-camp for the US ambassador in London, and with his life on path, he is determined that nothing should get in his way. When their lives become intertwined, secrets are uncovered.

My Thoughts

I very much enjoyed this book. It was very emotionally resonant. 

I don’t always love books told from multiple perspectives on multiple timelines, but I found these stories captivating and the different perspectives easy to follow.

All the characters are, in their own ways, victims of circumstance – of their times, their families, their classes, and their nationalities. It’s the way each of them takes on those circumstances that makes them unique and makes this story special. 

There are many twists and turns that made me want to keep reading. Some I saw coming, and some kept me guessing. In some books, it bothers me when I see a twist coming, but in this case, I really enjoyed watching Celia trying to figure out what was happening. Things that are obvious to me as an adult woman in 2024, were certainly going to be less obvious in 1962 to a 19-year-old with extremely limited life experiences. I think the author did an excellent job at portraying Celia’s inexperience and naivety in a way that made the reader want to see her succeed. 

Underlying themes of this book are injustice, betrayal, bravery, sacrifice, healing and forgiveness. It was in turns infuriating, heart-breaking, and heart-warming. 

However, the most powerful theme throughout was the ways in which patriarchy impacted every character. Men, as so often has happened throughout history, pulled together to help other men escape the consequences of their actions. Women felt the need to punish themselves, and others, for not adhering to society’s rigid patriarchal norms. Celia, who is an “innocent girl” and “nice girl”, reflects at one point on what those words mean, and it feels like a pivotal moment for her character. 

There are coincidences at play in the story, but they were appropriate. None was so egregious that it would be entirely impossible to imagine. I was entirely comfortable with the way the stories were tied together, and, ultimately, I found the conclusion very satisfying. 

Many thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating 5/5

About the Author

Louise Fein is a British author of historical fiction. To learn more about her and her other novels, be sure to check out her website.