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Newhaven Secrets #1
The Lies We Live
Away from the frontlines of the Great War, British intelligence agents are fighting a battle of their own.
Newhaven, England. 1917.
Nurse Clara Dankworth learned long ago to go where her government ordered. Her newest assignment pairs her with fellow spy and doctor Thomas Lindsey to gather evidence on a prominent society figure suspected of being a German sympathiser. But when threats emerge from the shadows, Clara finds that in attempting to escape her past she hadn’t run far enough.
Though one of MI5’s top agents, Doctor Thomas Lindsey’s maverick spirit often lands him in trouble with his superior. Clara’s unexpected—and unwelcome—arrival as his newest assistant places Thomas’s personal mission in jeopardy as his work of several years threatens to unravel. But in his determination to protect his secrets at any cost, he discovers Clara has more than a few secrets of her own.
When a notorious and elusive rogue agent casts a shade on Newhaven, Thomas and Clara are forced to trust each other in order to discover the answers they seek—both for England and for themselves. But with an enemy unknown and countless lives on the line, the lies they are living might be far safer than the truth that could ruin them all.
Newhaven, England. 1917.
Nurse Clara Dankworth learned long ago to go where her government ordered. Her newest assignment pairs her with fellow spy and doctor Thomas Lindsey to gather evidence on a prominent society figure suspected of being a German sympathiser. But when threats emerge from the shadows, Clara finds that in attempting to escape her past she hadn’t run far enough.
Though one of MI5’s top agents, Doctor Thomas Lindsey’s maverick spirit often lands him in trouble with his superior. Clara’s unexpected—and unwelcome—arrival as his newest assistant places Thomas’s personal mission in jeopardy as his work of several years threatens to unravel. But in his determination to protect his secrets at any cost, he discovers Clara has more than a few secrets of her own.
When a notorious and elusive rogue agent casts a shade on Newhaven, Thomas and Clara are forced to trust each other in order to discover the answers they seek—both for England and for themselves. But with an enemy unknown and countless lives on the line, the lies they are living might be far safer than the truth that could ruin them all.
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2023
5 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht
2 books185 followersMorgan Taylor Giesbrecht fell in love with fictional realms at a young age and quickly began writing tales of her own--full of hope, brave living in a dark world, and unexpected love stories for the crusty romantics (like herself). She’s a hobbit at heart (but not in height) with deep roots in the past, who loves the occasional adventure, accidentally talks in a British accent on occasion, and has the dry humour to match. When she isn’t writing or reading a book on her never ending to-be-read list, she can be found drinking copious amounts of tea, rewatching comfort shows for the umpteenth time, hanging out with family and friends, reorganising her bookshelves, or playing Christmas music year-round. British Columbia, Canada is the place she calls home, nestled in the foothills.
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August 31, 2024Yes, it’s me, the author. :)
This book took me on the adventure of a lifetime, and within these pages, I hope a little bit of history will come alive for you and that you’ll find friends among Thomas, Clara, Robbie, Alaina, Lena, Jennings, and the rest of the cast.
The Lies We Live is a spy mystery set in a small English town against the backdrop of the “War to End All Wars” and explores life on the home front. Yet at its core, it is the journey of two twenty-somethings facing a world that had crumbled in ashes at their feet: full of lost relationships, broken hearts, shattered dreams, and betrayal. Desperate to fix the mess but unsure how. Trying to escape the heartache. Only to learn (as I did in the writing) that behind every mask & every lie we believe, we can never outrun the truth, the past, or the grace of God.
Happy reading!
Morgan
This book took me on the adventure of a lifetime, and within these pages, I hope a little bit of history will come alive for you and that you’ll find friends among Thomas, Clara, Robbie, Alaina, Lena, Jennings, and the rest of the cast.
The Lies We Live is a spy mystery set in a small English town against the backdrop of the “War to End All Wars” and explores life on the home front. Yet at its core, it is the journey of two twenty-somethings facing a world that had crumbled in ashes at their feet: full of lost relationships, broken hearts, shattered dreams, and betrayal. Desperate to fix the mess but unsure how. Trying to escape the heartache. Only to learn (as I did in the writing) that behind every mask & every lie we believe, we can never outrun the truth, the past, or the grace of God.
Happy reading!
Morgan
January 2, 2023
4.5 stars
Okay - espionage, medicine, and Great Britain? You've got me on board already. This debut was beautifully done, filled with intricate plots, lovely settings, and so much history!
Characters: Let's just be upfront here. Thomas Lindsey got everything I've ever wanted in a character going for him. Doctor? Check. Spy? Check. British? Check. And then the guy goes and has to have dark, curly hair just to round out the perfect character for my very shallow self. But honestly, I loved this combination of traits/trades - I don't think I've ever read about someone like him! (And did I mention he even had several guns and several holsters? Anyway ...) Thomas definitely had that signature unhappy British guy mood, but as the book went on, he opened up more and more. As for Clara ... what a good quarry for Thomas! She stood right up to him and ended up serving beside him beautifully. She was extremely strong, but not in the brash sort of way some characters are. Instead, she was steady and resourceful and brave in so many ways. And then the wonderful side characters - too many to go into, but two of them in particular made me quite sad. There's an entire cast of interesting side characters - both within the MI5 circle and outside. Although I enjoyed all of the characters, I kept finding myself wanting more - there were times when I felt like I was just starting to get to know them, and then the scene would end. I really hope the next book in the series digs even more deeply into the characters.
Setting/Writing Style/Plot: The setting was gorgeous - I never really thought about people living so close to war-torn France in England, and it was just such a chilling description when a character would stand near the ocean and hear the guns roaring in France. I loved the small-town feel of Newhaven as well! As for the writing style ... it's very historical and fast-paced in its own way. Lots of time skips happen throughout the book (not huge, but hours or a day in a sentence). Although the writing took a bit for me to get used to, it works in this book, and this author has a lovely, distinct style! As for the plot ... wow. My mind was spinning, and I am so amazed at this author's ingenuity and brilliance. I honestly got a bit confused in some spots, but the overall intricacy of the plot was fitting for this espionage novel. So well done!
Theme: A lot of themes wove through this book; most prominently the difference between the lies we live (yep, you saw that), and the truth that actually exists. Clara's faith was commendable -she'd been through so much - and watching Thomas's arc was sweet. I would've like a bit more clarity on him - was he saved before the book? during? - but overall, a very clean book with Christian themes woven through it.
So if you're a fan of WWI, espionage, or medicine ... you've got to read this book. I'm impatiently awaiting book #2! And by the way, I think this book would make a brilliant TV series. Just saying. :)
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Okay - espionage, medicine, and Great Britain? You've got me on board already. This debut was beautifully done, filled with intricate plots, lovely settings, and so much history!
Characters: Let's just be upfront here. Thomas Lindsey got everything I've ever wanted in a character going for him. Doctor? Check. Spy? Check. British? Check. And then the guy goes and has to have dark, curly hair just to round out the perfect character for my very shallow self. But honestly, I loved this combination of traits/trades - I don't think I've ever read about someone like him! (And did I mention he even had several guns and several holsters? Anyway ...) Thomas definitely had that signature unhappy British guy mood, but as the book went on, he opened up more and more. As for Clara ... what a good quarry for Thomas! She stood right up to him and ended up serving beside him beautifully. She was extremely strong, but not in the brash sort of way some characters are. Instead, she was steady and resourceful and brave in so many ways. And then the wonderful side characters - too many to go into, but two of them in particular made me quite sad. There's an entire cast of interesting side characters - both within the MI5 circle and outside. Although I enjoyed all of the characters, I kept finding myself wanting more - there were times when I felt like I was just starting to get to know them, and then the scene would end. I really hope the next book in the series digs even more deeply into the characters.
Setting/Writing Style/Plot: The setting was gorgeous - I never really thought about people living so close to war-torn France in England, and it was just such a chilling description when a character would stand near the ocean and hear the guns roaring in France. I loved the small-town feel of Newhaven as well! As for the writing style ... it's very historical and fast-paced in its own way. Lots of time skips happen throughout the book (not huge, but hours or a day in a sentence). Although the writing took a bit for me to get used to, it works in this book, and this author has a lovely, distinct style! As for the plot ... wow. My mind was spinning, and I am so amazed at this author's ingenuity and brilliance. I honestly got a bit confused in some spots, but the overall intricacy of the plot was fitting for this espionage novel. So well done!
Theme: A lot of themes wove through this book; most prominently the difference between the lies we live (yep, you saw that), and the truth that actually exists. Clara's faith was commendable -she'd been through so much - and watching Thomas's arc was sweet. I would've like a bit more clarity on him - was he saved before the book? during? - but overall, a very clean book with Christian themes woven through it.
So if you're a fan of WWI, espionage, or medicine ... you've got to read this book. I'm impatiently awaiting book #2! And by the way, I think this book would make a brilliant TV series. Just saying. :)
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 14, 2022
As soon as I read the blurb for this book, I texted the author and told her, “This is totally giving me Roseanne M. White vibes.” And I was 100% right. Sometimes I honestly thought I was reading one of White’s books because it was so masterfully crafted, beautifully written, and touching.
Morgan is an amazing writer, and I’m just blown away by her debut novel. This book was so good, and I just adored how she wrote Thomas’ and Clara’s story together—not to give away spoilers, but there were some really touching scenes between them and ahh, it was so good 🥲
If you love books centered on WW1, that take place on the medical field, have spies and a thread of mystery and romance, this book is for you.
Morgan, well done. So very proud of you 💛
Morgan is an amazing writer, and I’m just blown away by her debut novel. This book was so good, and I just adored how she wrote Thomas’ and Clara’s story together—not to give away spoilers, but there were some really touching scenes between them and ahh, it was so good 🥲
If you love books centered on WW1, that take place on the medical field, have spies and a thread of mystery and romance, this book is for you.
Morgan, well done. So very proud of you 💛
November 5, 2024
5 stars. What a delightful historical fiction and an enjoyable book! I loved how it was spanned November 1917 to December 1918—it really highlighted the amount of events that could occur in one year and gave the book a different impact than most war books I’ve read, which tend to span a couple years. I loved the setting: Newhaven, an English town on the south coast—such a lovely little place—and the little bit of Wales was delightful too. The descriptions were really excellent, too… I’ve seldom read such well-done nature descriptions in a modern book.
The characters were all very unique and enjoyable. Clara was such a sweet, brave girl and I loved her gentle spiritedness. Thomas, emotional and intelligent, set in his ways but highly unpredictable, was a fun character and the perfect opposite to Clara. Jennings was a splendid mentor character, as well as Kasey (such a wonderful old man). Alaina and Chantelle were very enjoyable sidekicks, and flirty Lena, shadowy Richard, steady Kavan, sweet Emily, loveable Robbie, fiery Elizabeth, and the delightful Byrnes rounded out the side character list very well. The host of minor characters were also quite alive and well done.
The plot was quite the rollercoaster, and nothing like what I expected, but good. I loved the mixture of mystery and adventure, spies and heroics; and the medical angle was unusual and very well done. The beginning was slow but a great hook; the Spanish Flu made for a very difficult few chapters; and the ending was enjoyably climatic. I loved the way things were slowly revealed, and how poignantly the war was shown… The humour was good, and the emotions were relatable. And I appreciated the platonic relationships mixed with the tiny thread of romance! The theme/message was well done: a timely reminder that we cannot control (our) life or bear the burdens of the world on our shoulders, but that God can and He is faithful to do so. It was brief, but powerful.
In short, this is a solid, enjoyable WWI historical fiction, unique and well done.
Content: a slight graphic description of a burned arm.
Quotes to come. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
The characters were all very unique and enjoyable. Clara was such a sweet, brave girl and I loved her gentle spiritedness. Thomas, emotional and intelligent, set in his ways but highly unpredictable, was a fun character and the perfect opposite to Clara. Jennings was a splendid mentor character, as well as Kasey (such a wonderful old man). Alaina and Chantelle were very enjoyable sidekicks, and flirty Lena, shadowy Richard, steady Kavan, sweet Emily, loveable Robbie, fiery Elizabeth, and the delightful Byrnes rounded out the side character list very well. The host of minor characters were also quite alive and well done.
The plot was quite the rollercoaster, and nothing like what I expected, but good. I loved the mixture of mystery and adventure, spies and heroics; and the medical angle was unusual and very well done. The beginning was slow but a great hook; the Spanish Flu made for a very difficult few chapters; and the ending was enjoyably climatic. I loved the way things were slowly revealed, and how poignantly the war was shown… The humour was good, and the emotions were relatable. And I appreciated the platonic relationships mixed with the tiny thread of romance! The theme/message was well done: a timely reminder that we cannot control (our) life or bear the burdens of the world on our shoulders, but that God can and He is faithful to do so. It was brief, but powerful.
In short, this is a solid, enjoyable WWI historical fiction, unique and well done.
Content: a slight graphic description of a burned arm.
Quotes to come. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 6, 2023
4.5 Stars
I went into this book with high expectations and was not disappointed! I was drawn in right away and held there the entire way.
An easy, slow-paced read, The Lies We Live is a beautifully written and comforting story despite the backdrop. The characters were all lovable in their own ways. The faith elements were woven in a sweet way that felt natural.
I can’t wait to see what you put out in the future, Morgan! 💛
Favorite Quote:
“But that’s why we have hope. Hope that this world isn’t our final home. Hope that there is more to this life than tears and darkness. Hope isn’t a thing. Hope is Jesus. As for His purpose, there are some things we will never understand this side of eternity.”
I went into this book with high expectations and was not disappointed! I was drawn in right away and held there the entire way.
An easy, slow-paced read, The Lies We Live is a beautifully written and comforting story despite the backdrop. The characters were all lovable in their own ways. The faith elements were woven in a sweet way that felt natural.
I can’t wait to see what you put out in the future, Morgan! 💛
Favorite Quote:
“But that’s why we have hope. Hope that this world isn’t our final home. Hope that there is more to this life than tears and darkness. Hope isn’t a thing. Hope is Jesus. As for His purpose, there are some things we will never understand this side of eternity.”
December 14, 2022
Wow. What an amazing book.
From the moment I first heard about The Lies We Live, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. WW1 fiction is something I'm always looking out for, because it's a genre you just don't get enough of. And world war fiction set in England is always a bonus. Only afterwards, I realised it has two other favourite elements: doctors/nurses, and secret service. So when I saw that it was available for ARC reads, I jumped at the chance.
I fully expected to love it, but it ended up even better than what I'd been expecting on so many levels.
The first thing that struck me about it was the accuracy to the times and the realistic feel. I was very impressed with how well the author wrote it and how much research she had obviously done. The dialogue felt authentically 1917 English - a very rare thing to find in most historical fiction written today. And the way the characters acted and thought was accurate too, for the most part. There were a few very small things, yes (for instance, the characters did a lot of eye rolling, which is a modern thing and felt rather jarring whenever they did it) but mostly, it was very very good. I also appreciate it that while Clara was naturally independent, she wasn't trying to push the boundaries of her times or prove herself in that way, but was a gentlewoman. Really, this book eliminated much of the issues that irritate me in modern historical fiction.
As to the characters, they were all so perfect. I loved Clara and even though I never guessed at her true story, she made me wish she could get beyond her past. Thomas grew on me despite everything, and by the end I loved him. The side characters were great. Robbie... I loved Robbie. And Alaina and Thomas were so much fun together. Kasey was such a sweet father figure to both Clara and Thomas. I must admit I never fully made up my mind about one character, and though I didn't directly suspect said character the twist at the end didn't come as such a shock as it normally would have - even though it was terribly sad.
The story was full of twists and turns. I never was completely sure about any character and even began to wonder if Thomas was right about Clara. There was one character I very much suspected who ended up being innocent, which did come as a surprise. And the backstories of the characters (especially Clara) were...wow.
The Lies We Live is an amazing blend of mystery, war, compelling characters and beautiful arcs. It made me laugh in places and almost cry in others. It made me see England as it was in World War One, including the medical side, even during the Spanish flu pandemic. It made me fall in love with the characters and the story until I found I just couldn't put it down.
The author's style is beautiful, compelling, and the sort that pulls you right in and makes you feel as if you're there with the characters. The POV switches pretty often, but I didn't mind that. Even the narration outside of the dialogue just feels so authentic, pulling you straight into the era. I loved it so much.
One slightly more random thing - I just wanted to take a moment to give a shoutout to the cover. I read the book before I saw that beautiful cover, and I must say it's almost exactly what I'd pictured for the book. It just fits exactly. Just thought I'd mention that because I really do think that the cover is such an important part of a book, and this one is so stunning!
The Lies We Live is a book I would recommend to every historical fiction lover and readers like me who are always looking for WW1 fiction. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future. A really lovely book!
Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
From the moment I first heard about The Lies We Live, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. WW1 fiction is something I'm always looking out for, because it's a genre you just don't get enough of. And world war fiction set in England is always a bonus. Only afterwards, I realised it has two other favourite elements: doctors/nurses, and secret service. So when I saw that it was available for ARC reads, I jumped at the chance.
I fully expected to love it, but it ended up even better than what I'd been expecting on so many levels.
The first thing that struck me about it was the accuracy to the times and the realistic feel. I was very impressed with how well the author wrote it and how much research she had obviously done. The dialogue felt authentically 1917 English - a very rare thing to find in most historical fiction written today. And the way the characters acted and thought was accurate too, for the most part. There were a few very small things, yes (for instance, the characters did a lot of eye rolling, which is a modern thing and felt rather jarring whenever they did it) but mostly, it was very very good. I also appreciate it that while Clara was naturally independent, she wasn't trying to push the boundaries of her times or prove herself in that way, but was a gentlewoman. Really, this book eliminated much of the issues that irritate me in modern historical fiction.
As to the characters, they were all so perfect. I loved Clara and even though I never guessed at her true story, she made me wish she could get beyond her past. Thomas grew on me despite everything, and by the end I loved him. The side characters were great. Robbie... I loved Robbie. And Alaina and Thomas were so much fun together. Kasey was such a sweet father figure to both Clara and Thomas. I must admit I never fully made up my mind about one character, and though I didn't directly suspect said character the twist at the end didn't come as such a shock as it normally would have - even though it was terribly sad.
The story was full of twists and turns. I never was completely sure about any character and even began to wonder if Thomas was right about Clara. There was one character I very much suspected who ended up being innocent, which did come as a surprise. And the backstories of the characters (especially Clara) were...wow.
The Lies We Live is an amazing blend of mystery, war, compelling characters and beautiful arcs. It made me laugh in places and almost cry in others. It made me see England as it was in World War One, including the medical side, even during the Spanish flu pandemic. It made me fall in love with the characters and the story until I found I just couldn't put it down.
The author's style is beautiful, compelling, and the sort that pulls you right in and makes you feel as if you're there with the characters. The POV switches pretty often, but I didn't mind that. Even the narration outside of the dialogue just feels so authentic, pulling you straight into the era. I loved it so much.
One slightly more random thing - I just wanted to take a moment to give a shoutout to the cover. I read the book before I saw that beautiful cover, and I must say it's almost exactly what I'd pictured for the book. It just fits exactly. Just thought I'd mention that because I really do think that the cover is such an important part of a book, and this one is so stunning!
The Lies We Live is a book I would recommend to every historical fiction lover and readers like me who are always looking for WW1 fiction. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future. A really lovely book!
Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
December 29, 2022
The Lies We Live by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht was the very first WW1 novel I’ve ever read, and it was brilliant!
There is so much history in this story, and as a person who always gets the WWs mixed up, it was nice to finally get them straight.
On top of the history, the plot twists were amazing! I had several hunches as I was reading, and I ended up being very wrong. I also really liked how the plot twists were executed. I feel they were slowly and subtly brought to be, and not just thrown at you out of the blue. Well, except for a few towards the end, but the only reason why they surprised me was because it was the least thing I was expecting! (And I mean that in a very good way. I love it when a plot twist catches me off guard.)
I don’t think there was a character I disliked. But I will say Thomas was my favorite! At first he comes across as a little bit of a jerk, but you quickly see that he really isn’t. He just has a lot of emotional baggage. I loved Clara, and thought she was an excellent female protagonist. The banter between Thomas and Alaina was brilliant, and always made me smile.
The faith in this book was done very well. I liked how it was woven in subtly and wasn’t over the top and in your face. I’m super glad Thomas saw that he couldn’t be in control, and that God was.
If you like a mystery style story with plot twists, spies, hidden identities, and lots of character growth, then you’ll love The Lies We Live!
Thank you Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht for the ARC copy!
There is so much history in this story, and as a person who always gets the WWs mixed up, it was nice to finally get them straight.
On top of the history, the plot twists were amazing! I had several hunches as I was reading, and I ended up being very wrong. I also really liked how the plot twists were executed. I feel they were slowly and subtly brought to be, and not just thrown at you out of the blue. Well, except for a few towards the end, but the only reason why they surprised me was because it was the least thing I was expecting! (And I mean that in a very good way. I love it when a plot twist catches me off guard.)
I don’t think there was a character I disliked. But I will say Thomas was my favorite! At first he comes across as a little bit of a jerk, but you quickly see that he really isn’t. He just has a lot of emotional baggage. I loved Clara, and thought she was an excellent female protagonist. The banter between Thomas and Alaina was brilliant, and always made me smile.
The faith in this book was done very well. I liked how it was woven in subtly and wasn’t over the top and in your face. I’m super glad Thomas saw that he couldn’t be in control, and that God was.
If you like a mystery style story with plot twists, spies, hidden identities, and lots of character growth, then you’ll love The Lies We Live!
Thank you Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht for the ARC copy!
January 24, 2023
“Some secrets hold the fate of nations.”
*4.5 stars
What I liked: I LOVED the history! It was really well-researched. And the characters and the theme were also amazing! This book made me feel so much—it practically broke my heart.
All I can say is I am super impressed with this novel and I cannot wait for the next book!!
What I didn’t like: I would have liked more British culture and language. A lot of it sounded American, and some of the dialogue didn’t seem very realistic. And for a few chapters, this book just made me really hopeless and stressed.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. :)
*4.5 stars
What I liked: I LOVED the history! It was really well-researched. And the characters and the theme were also amazing! This book made me feel so much—it practically broke my heart.
All I can say is I am super impressed with this novel and I cannot wait for the next book!!
What I didn’t like: I would have liked more British culture and language. A lot of it sounded American, and some of the dialogue didn’t seem very realistic. And for a few chapters, this book just made me really hopeless and stressed.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. :)
November 29, 2025
Review to come! 🤩
January 25, 2023
I’ve take a few days to decide what to write in my review. But perhaps I don’t need to write as much as I thought. Perhaps my best sales pitch for this book is that I, a person who never cries in a movie or over a book if she can at all help it, was brought to tears over this book. Yes, I cried. And it was on my 2nd read too.
I had the privilege a year ago of reading this story in its Beta form and have since read it again as an eARC. It is still just as marvellous as I remembered.
The historical setting, the suspense, the mystery, the characters, all of it has stuck with me since my first read and I’ve excitedly been waiting to be able to share this story with friends.
This is a beautiful story that shows the desperation and heartbreak of WWI, while also showing the resilience and strength of the people who lived through the times. So, if you’re looking for your next read, give this one a go and get swept off to 1917 Newhaven, England.
I had the privilege a year ago of reading this story in its Beta form and have since read it again as an eARC. It is still just as marvellous as I remembered.
The historical setting, the suspense, the mystery, the characters, all of it has stuck with me since my first read and I’ve excitedly been waiting to be able to share this story with friends.
This is a beautiful story that shows the desperation and heartbreak of WWI, while also showing the resilience and strength of the people who lived through the times. So, if you’re looking for your next read, give this one a go and get swept off to 1917 Newhaven, England.
October 9, 2023
I...was lost. :P Granted, I'm not the world's most astute mystery reader, so some of it could easily be on me. But my experience was about 75% of the book just question after question, and then all of a sudden, a bunch of answers and twists and people we'd never heard of coming out of nowhere, and I just couldn't keep up. I ended with a distinct feeling of, "Wait, who? Wait, what? Wait, why?"
Overall, I felt like it took too long to start getting answers, and then they all came so fast that I couldn’t keep track of them. It all just ended up kind of a blur, and I'm still not sure I've got it all untangled. There were also some questions I wasn't sure we got answers to and not knowing so much for so long made it hard for me to get deep into the characters' heads, because I didn't understand what was motivating them for such a long time.
All that said, the suspense and spy stuff was quite intriguing and exciting (although some of those twists broke my heart! <\3), and I loved a bunch of the characters, even if I had a hard time understanding them at some points. Alaina and Robbie were some of my favorites. <3
Overall, I would say this one wasn't quite my cup of tea, but if you enjoy historical suspense and don't mind a bunch of reveals and twists coming back to back, it might be right up your alley! ;)
Content--mentions of deaths, including murders; mentions of threats and other danger; mentions of various crimes
Overall, I felt like it took too long to start getting answers, and then they all came so fast that I couldn’t keep track of them. It all just ended up kind of a blur, and I'm still not sure I've got it all untangled. There were also some questions I wasn't sure we got answers to and not knowing so much for so long made it hard for me to get deep into the characters' heads, because I didn't understand what was motivating them for such a long time.
All that said, the suspense and spy stuff was quite intriguing and exciting (although some of those twists broke my heart! <\3), and I loved a bunch of the characters, even if I had a hard time understanding them at some points. Alaina and Robbie were some of my favorites. <3
Overall, I would say this one wasn't quite my cup of tea, but if you enjoy historical suspense and don't mind a bunch of reveals and twists coming back to back, it might be right up your alley! ;)
Content--mentions of deaths, including murders; mentions of threats and other danger; mentions of various crimes
February 6, 2023
Whoa! I don't know how this author managed to keep everything straight. The plot line was amazing!!
It was a delight to read this debut novel and I'll definitely be following the author closely for future releases.
While it did take me a little to get into the story, once I did I was completely invested and had to know how things were going to turn out. I liked how it was more intriguing and mysterious rather than scary and suspenseful. The undercover spies aspect really made it interesting for me. I enjoyed the banter between Thomas and Clara, and Thomas' bent toward being grumpy paired with Clara's spunkinness and gumption. I fell in love with them...and even many of the side characters too. They all just found a way into my heart.
While there is an attraction that develops and is realized by Thomas and Clara by the end, I wouldn't label this as a romance. There is no kissing or anything like that, so it's great for those who steer away from romance.
The medical aspects of this story fascinated me and I found it really unique how the author used British spelling throughout, although it did trip me up for a while until I got used to seeing the different spelling of words. It really made this feel authentic and took it to another level!
I also really liked the openness the author has with the reader in her notes at the end. It made me feel connected with her in a way and added to my love for her work even more.
Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book! I think it'll be on my re-read list for one day in the future.
It was a delight to read this debut novel and I'll definitely be following the author closely for future releases.
While it did take me a little to get into the story, once I did I was completely invested and had to know how things were going to turn out. I liked how it was more intriguing and mysterious rather than scary and suspenseful. The undercover spies aspect really made it interesting for me. I enjoyed the banter between Thomas and Clara, and Thomas' bent toward being grumpy paired with Clara's spunkinness and gumption. I fell in love with them...and even many of the side characters too. They all just found a way into my heart.
While there is an attraction that develops and is realized by Thomas and Clara by the end, I wouldn't label this as a romance. There is no kissing or anything like that, so it's great for those who steer away from romance.
The medical aspects of this story fascinated me and I found it really unique how the author used British spelling throughout, although it did trip me up for a while until I got used to seeing the different spelling of words. It really made this feel authentic and took it to another level!
I also really liked the openness the author has with the reader in her notes at the end. It made me feel connected with her in a way and added to my love for her work even more.
Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book! I think it'll be on my re-read list for one day in the future.
January 26, 2023
By page 5, I already LOVED this book. I mean, secrets, spies, and a small coastal town; what's not to love? And it only added that I read it on a rainy day!
The characters were super well developed, and the side characters added to everything. I thought Clara and Thomas's relationship and banter hilarious! Also... I have always wanted a pearl-handled derringer like Clara's *sigh*
The plot kept me hooked! There was a lot going on, but also not? It was just enough. And the plot twists were amazing!!
I loved the faith woven in as well. It felt really natural. And the historical elements felt well researched, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know!
I definitely recommend this book to all lovers of WW1 fiction!
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
The characters were super well developed, and the side characters added to everything. I thought Clara and Thomas's relationship and banter hilarious! Also... I have always wanted a pearl-handled derringer like Clara's *sigh*
The plot kept me hooked! There was a lot going on, but also not? It was just enough. And the plot twists were amazing!!
I loved the faith woven in as well. It felt really natural. And the historical elements felt well researched, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know!
I definitely recommend this book to all lovers of WW1 fiction!
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
April 29, 2025
A delightful gift from my bestie, this was a delightfully unexpected gem. Great character development, plot, suspense and intrigue, and enough romance to be cute, but not gag worthy and predictable. Surprises abound, and the grace of God weaves its path through all the characters.
did-not-finish
September 21, 2025DNF because I think I added it after buying it because I thought I was going to start it, but now I'm going to set it aside for a bit. I do still own it and am excited to pick it up again soon! I've heard wonderful things about this book.
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August 21, 2025
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Oh my goodness! This book ripped my heart out and smashed it into pieces! I think I had tears in my eyes from page 201 and onward! It had me hooked from the first page! First, the cover is so pretty! Second, I don’t normally read WW1 fiction, but this was so worth it! The characters are so well thought out and detailed! I fell in love with them! There are a lot of characters so it might be a bit hard to keep up with all of them. I loved Clara and Thomas and their banter! It was so good! I loved how much they changed and it was beautiful! I wanted more of them getting together and more of their love story! Alaina and Chantelle were both awesome! The faith content was wonderful and I absolutely loved it! More books need to have faith content like that! The mystery kept me hooked and guessing and wanting to read until the end to see what happened! The medical aspects of this book was fascinating! This is a heartbreakingly beautiful book! I need Book 2!
Quotes that I liked:
🩺 Love in its truest form involves sacrifice.
🩺 "There's a powerful amount of evil in this world, and it breaks the Good Lord's heart even more than it breaks ours. But that's why we have hope. Hope that this world isn't our final home. Hope that there is more to this ife than tears and darkness. Hope isn't a thing. Hope is Jesus.
As for His purpose, there are some things we will never under stand this side of eternity.”
🩺 "You'll know when the time comes. Sometimes our worst enemies aren't the ones we expect to see, but the ones we don't." Chantelle held Clara's questioning gaze. "The lies we live and the secrets we hide."
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Oh my goodness! This book ripped my heart out and smashed it into pieces! I think I had tears in my eyes from page 201 and onward! It had me hooked from the first page! First, the cover is so pretty! Second, I don’t normally read WW1 fiction, but this was so worth it! The characters are so well thought out and detailed! I fell in love with them! There are a lot of characters so it might be a bit hard to keep up with all of them. I loved Clara and Thomas and their banter! It was so good! I loved how much they changed and it was beautiful! I wanted more of them getting together and more of their love story! Alaina and Chantelle were both awesome! The faith content was wonderful and I absolutely loved it! More books need to have faith content like that! The mystery kept me hooked and guessing and wanting to read until the end to see what happened! The medical aspects of this book was fascinating! This is a heartbreakingly beautiful book! I need Book 2!
Quotes that I liked:
🩺 Love in its truest form involves sacrifice.
🩺 "There's a powerful amount of evil in this world, and it breaks the Good Lord's heart even more than it breaks ours. But that's why we have hope. Hope that this world isn't our final home. Hope that there is more to this ife than tears and darkness. Hope isn't a thing. Hope is Jesus.
As for His purpose, there are some things we will never under stand this side of eternity.”
🩺 "You'll know when the time comes. Sometimes our worst enemies aren't the ones we expect to see, but the ones we don't." Chantelle held Clara's questioning gaze. "The lies we live and the secrets we hide."
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December 1, 2024
It was a good book. It was intruiging Enjoyed the medical side of the story and the undercover spy part. In places it felt like the plot wasn't really going anywhere, like life was happening for the characters but the plot itself was making no progress at advancing story-wise. Pushed past it and it was a good book. I think I just felt the whole time like it could have been a absolutely terrific book, but was instead an averagely good book. The plot and characters have so much potential...it just doesn't take very good advantage of the suspense and the pacing kind of kills the anticipation and unweaving of the web. And earlier/more foreshadowing could have really made the final climax so much more powerful and mind-blowing. I feel like it could be a masterpiece, and it's not quite, but it is a really good story and I recommend for lovers of WWI fiction, historical nurse/doctor/medical fiction, Christian fiction, and spy fiction. Or just if you like a good story and characters with an intriguing plot.
December 16, 2024
Allow me to first say that The Lies We Live was an outside-the-box pick for me; I could probably count the list of books I've read that classify as mystery on one hand. Also, I've read so few books (fiction and non-fiction) from this time period, especially off the WWI front lines. This book was deeply immersive. The settings are described in intricate detail that make you feel present. Even writing this review a year later, I can picture the dock sides, the warm homes of Newhaven, and the classic early 20th-century British feel. Clara was a likable and interesting main character, and I'd be happy to read more of her continuing story.
The plot's steady, methodical pace definitely forced me to read slowly. Though there were moments of fast-moving action, most of The Lies We Live was a slowly-dripped mystery. My enjoyment level wasn't as high in this genre as others, and I would even say the same about Agatha Christie. So if you enjoy immersive mysteries, you'll find your place with this book too.
The plot's steady, methodical pace definitely forced me to read slowly. Though there were moments of fast-moving action, most of The Lies We Live was a slowly-dripped mystery. My enjoyment level wasn't as high in this genre as others, and I would even say the same about Agatha Christie. So if you enjoy immersive mysteries, you'll find your place with this book too.
August 17, 2023
There were a lot of things I liked or found interesting about this book, particularly that it was set in WW1, as most of the books I’ve read are based in WW2.
I feel like the beginning and end of the book were trying too hard. What I mean by that is that I thought the beginning was using way too much descriptive language. I know the author was trying to set the scene and introduce characters, but it seemed like just about every word that could have an adjective or adverb added to it, did. For the end of the book, I thought some of the things that were revealed got a bit much. I found the information shared at the end unrealistic and, at a few points, ridiculous.
Overall, although the book was interesting, I didn’t find there was a strong plot other than surviving a war and then a pandemic. And there is nothing wrong with that! But with the addition of The Piper, I think that plot line was not well developed. I am not sure I cared whether they would find him or not.
I feel like the beginning and end of the book were trying too hard. What I mean by that is that I thought the beginning was using way too much descriptive language. I know the author was trying to set the scene and introduce characters, but it seemed like just about every word that could have an adjective or adverb added to it, did. For the end of the book, I thought some of the things that were revealed got a bit much. I found the information shared at the end unrealistic and, at a few points, ridiculous.
Overall, although the book was interesting, I didn’t find there was a strong plot other than surviving a war and then a pandemic. And there is nothing wrong with that! But with the addition of The Piper, I think that plot line was not well developed. I am not sure I cared whether they would find him or not.
November 19, 2024
This was wonderfully written. Near the beginning it felt a little slow, but in a gentle, vintage, and enjoyable sort of way.
I enjoyed this intriguing story full of twists and turns and lots of mystery. In fact, there was so much mystery that I felt a little lost at times.
I enjoyed Clara and took a little while to like Thomas. There were so many wonderful characters throughout the story.
I will say, war books are not my favorite considering they tend to be a little depressing and sad with a lot of death. This one had a lot of that which did make it hard to read at times but thankfully there was hope too.
I was hoping for a little something more between two characters, but maybe in the next book, yes?
Overall, a great read. Well written and I look forward to more by Giesbrecht.
I enjoyed this intriguing story full of twists and turns and lots of mystery. In fact, there was so much mystery that I felt a little lost at times.
I enjoyed Clara and took a little while to like Thomas. There were so many wonderful characters throughout the story.
I will say, war books are not my favorite considering they tend to be a little depressing and sad with a lot of death. This one had a lot of that which did make it hard to read at times but thankfully there was hope too.
I was hoping for a little something more between two characters, but maybe in the next book, yes?
Overall, a great read. Well written and I look forward to more by Giesbrecht.
November 2, 2025
I loved this.
It took me a little longer than usual to read because there were so many pieces I didn’t want to miss. Take it slow as you read, because this story is written with many secrets, twists, and turns.
I loved both Thomas and Clara. And I fell in love with so many of the other characters that surrounded them.
Reading a historical fiction based in WWI was new and intriguing to me. Many of the novels I have read in the past have been WWII. I loved getting a chance to pick up on pieces of history throughout that I don’t know as much about.
Above all else, though, I loved the Truth woven into the storyline. The truth of where our identities are found. And the reminders God’s faithfulness in the midst of the war - even the wars within our own hearts.
It took me a little longer than usual to read because there were so many pieces I didn’t want to miss. Take it slow as you read, because this story is written with many secrets, twists, and turns.
I loved both Thomas and Clara. And I fell in love with so many of the other characters that surrounded them.
Reading a historical fiction based in WWI was new and intriguing to me. Many of the novels I have read in the past have been WWII. I loved getting a chance to pick up on pieces of history throughout that I don’t know as much about.
Above all else, though, I loved the Truth woven into the storyline. The truth of where our identities are found. And the reminders God’s faithfulness in the midst of the war - even the wars within our own hearts.
February 5, 2025
Secrets and Spies, Betrayal and Love
WWI perspective from English spy masters is the thumbnail for this novel but it is truly so much more. I appreciated the perspective and the depth of the characters Morgan T Giesbrecht developed. In places I felt the joy of loving family and friend and cried over the senseless death of war. I felt intense anger as well as anxiety while waiting to see what might happen next.
I had some trouble.keeping up with some of the complexity but I feel like that's more my lack of knowledge of the times and circumstances than of the book.
I would.recommend This boom for anyone that enjoys a reading war time spy novels of this era.
WWI perspective from English spy masters is the thumbnail for this novel but it is truly so much more. I appreciated the perspective and the depth of the characters Morgan T Giesbrecht developed. In places I felt the joy of loving family and friend and cried over the senseless death of war. I felt intense anger as well as anxiety while waiting to see what might happen next.
I had some trouble.keeping up with some of the complexity but I feel like that's more my lack of knowledge of the times and circumstances than of the book.
I would.recommend This boom for anyone that enjoys a reading war time spy novels of this era.
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