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The Many Seas to Guernsey
In the last golden years before Europe erupts into WWII, a young English writer and a German Roman Catholic priest-in-training meet by chance on the small British island of Guernsey – and are drawn into a forbidden, all-consuming love. Then history and duty intrude, forcing them to choose between complicity and courage in a fight for truth, freedom – and each other. A sweeping, morally complex love story that will stay with you long after the last page, from Catherine Taylor, author of Amazon no. 1 best seller Beyond The Moon, shortlisted for the Orion/eHarmony Love Story Prize.
In 1936 Kitty Garland-Fry moves to Guernsey with her bohemian, artist parents and unruly siblings. Marooned amid her family’s chaotic lifestyle, Kitty, a passionate writer of fairy tales, fears she’ll die of boredom and frustration if she cannot find a life of her own. In Nazi Berlin, meanwhile, Lukas von Harnitz, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling that he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness.
Two fish out of water together, Kitty and Lukas are drawn together in their shared loneliness. Bonding over poetry and books, their days unfold like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced to make a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
Charting the road to war from both the British and German perspectives, The Many Seas to Guernsey is an emotional, character-driven epic grappling with themes of faith, conscience and the power of love in an age of extremes. Moving from the secluded turquoise coves of Guernsey to the towering Bavarian Alps, then the Gestapo cells of pre-war Berlin and finally the hellish beaches of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, The Many Seas to Guernsey is the first in a planned duology and will appeal to fans of novels like All the Light We Cannot See, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Nightingale, The Book Thief, The Bronze Horseman and Atonement.
Catherine Taylor is a former journalist, most recently for Dow Jones News and The Wall Street Journal Europe. She was born and brought up on Guernsey, then went on to study German history and language, giving rise to a lifelong passion for the history of the two world wars. She lives in West London with her husband, two children and five cats.
In 1936 Kitty Garland-Fry moves to Guernsey with her bohemian, artist parents and unruly siblings. Marooned amid her family’s chaotic lifestyle, Kitty, a passionate writer of fairy tales, fears she’ll die of boredom and frustration if she cannot find a life of her own. In Nazi Berlin, meanwhile, Lukas von Harnitz, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling that he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness.
Two fish out of water together, Kitty and Lukas are drawn together in their shared loneliness. Bonding over poetry and books, their days unfold like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced to make a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
Charting the road to war from both the British and German perspectives, The Many Seas to Guernsey is an emotional, character-driven epic grappling with themes of faith, conscience and the power of love in an age of extremes. Moving from the secluded turquoise coves of Guernsey to the towering Bavarian Alps, then the Gestapo cells of pre-war Berlin and finally the hellish beaches of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, The Many Seas to Guernsey is the first in a planned duology and will appeal to fans of novels like All the Light We Cannot See, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Nightingale, The Book Thief, The Bronze Horseman and Atonement.
Catherine Taylor is a former journalist, most recently for Dow Jones News and The Wall Street Journal Europe. She was born and brought up on Guernsey, then went on to study German history and language, giving rise to a lifelong passion for the history of the two world wars. She lives in West London with her husband, two children and five cats.
509 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2026
About the author
Catherine Taylor
2 books167 followersFollow me on Instagram at @catherine_taylor_author and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CatherineTay...
Nowadays I live in London with my husband, two children and five cats, but I was born and grew up on the small British island of Guernsey in the English Channel.
My mother was a professional landscape artist, who spent her life painting the beautiful beaches and countryside of Guernsey. And so, I grew up in an environment where it was a very normal thing to want to make a living from your art. Which is just as well, because I’m someone who always knew she wanted to be a writer, and if I’d had parents who’d harboured hopes of me becoming a tax accountant or a corporate lawyer, they’d have been sorely disappointed.
I’ve been obsessed with books and words since the day I first learned to read, and grew up on classic children’s authors like Enid Blyton and Edith Nesbit. As I got older I began to gravitate towards love stories with gripping plots, devouring novels like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Katharine, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, about clever, independent-minded women caught up in passionate affairs with complex, Byronic men. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, and my favourite novels are beautiful, intelligent love stories that combine a gripping plot with gorgeous prose and wonderful historical detail to lose yourself in.
I was a keen writer myself from an early age, penning copious stories and poems – as well as plays to be performed in the field behind our house, with parts for me and my younger brother and sister, but always with myself in the starring role (of course!). My love of language developed into an interest in foreign languages, and I went on to study French and German at university, then to live and study in Germany for several years afterwards. Most recently I worked as a journalist, starting my career at the Guernsey Evening Press and ending up at Dow Jones News writing for the newswire and The Wall Street Journal Europe.
Throughout university, I studied 1900-1945 European history and culture – a period that continues to fascinate me. I always knew that when I eventually wrote my first novel it would be a novel of historical fiction set during WW1 involving a shell-shocked soldier, and that it would be first and foremost a love story, which is what my first novel, Beyond the Moon evolved into.
Growing up on Guernsey, the evidence of the German Occupation of the island in WW2 lay all around us, and, as kids, exploring the dank old bunkers and gun emplacements was one of the main entertainments. But they always intrigued me beyond this. Who were these men, and what brought them to Guernsey? And why did my own family have to hurriedly evacuate to England in summer 1940 because of them? As I grew older I discovered that WW2 involved far more than the just the invasion of Guernsey, and that the war was in fact the most seismic and destructive event in human history.
And from my fascination with WW2 – rooted in my childhood in Guernsey and deepened by time spent in Germany – The Many Seas to Guernsey slowly began to take shape. From the start I wanted it to be a novel exploring both British and German experiences of the war, and I hope it offers something of that perspective.
I’ve already begun the next book in the duology, which continues Kitty and Lukas’ story, and will cover the Occupation of Guernsey and the war years. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I loved writing them. I love to hear from readers, so please do get in touch.
Nowadays I live in London with my husband, two children and five cats, but I was born and grew up on the small British island of Guernsey in the English Channel.
My mother was a professional landscape artist, who spent her life painting the beautiful beaches and countryside of Guernsey. And so, I grew up in an environment where it was a very normal thing to want to make a living from your art. Which is just as well, because I’m someone who always knew she wanted to be a writer, and if I’d had parents who’d harboured hopes of me becoming a tax accountant or a corporate lawyer, they’d have been sorely disappointed.
I’ve been obsessed with books and words since the day I first learned to read, and grew up on classic children’s authors like Enid Blyton and Edith Nesbit. As I got older I began to gravitate towards love stories with gripping plots, devouring novels like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Katharine, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, about clever, independent-minded women caught up in passionate affairs with complex, Byronic men. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, and my favourite novels are beautiful, intelligent love stories that combine a gripping plot with gorgeous prose and wonderful historical detail to lose yourself in.
I was a keen writer myself from an early age, penning copious stories and poems – as well as plays to be performed in the field behind our house, with parts for me and my younger brother and sister, but always with myself in the starring role (of course!). My love of language developed into an interest in foreign languages, and I went on to study French and German at university, then to live and study in Germany for several years afterwards. Most recently I worked as a journalist, starting my career at the Guernsey Evening Press and ending up at Dow Jones News writing for the newswire and The Wall Street Journal Europe.
Throughout university, I studied 1900-1945 European history and culture – a period that continues to fascinate me. I always knew that when I eventually wrote my first novel it would be a novel of historical fiction set during WW1 involving a shell-shocked soldier, and that it would be first and foremost a love story, which is what my first novel, Beyond the Moon evolved into.
Growing up on Guernsey, the evidence of the German Occupation of the island in WW2 lay all around us, and, as kids, exploring the dank old bunkers and gun emplacements was one of the main entertainments. But they always intrigued me beyond this. Who were these men, and what brought them to Guernsey? And why did my own family have to hurriedly evacuate to England in summer 1940 because of them? As I grew older I discovered that WW2 involved far more than the just the invasion of Guernsey, and that the war was in fact the most seismic and destructive event in human history.
And from my fascination with WW2 – rooted in my childhood in Guernsey and deepened by time spent in Germany – The Many Seas to Guernsey slowly began to take shape. From the start I wanted it to be a novel exploring both British and German experiences of the war, and I hope it offers something of that perspective.
I’ve already begun the next book in the duology, which continues Kitty and Lukas’ story, and will cover the Occupation of Guernsey and the war years. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I loved writing them. I love to hear from readers, so please do get in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 3, 2026
Kitty Garland-Fry is a seventeen year old writer of fairy tales, she’s not happy when her artistic parents move her and five siblings to a house her Dad inherited in Guernsey. Her father is a renowned painter and she’s concerned what the islanders will think of their unconventional lifestyle, and wishes they stayed in England.
Lukas von Harnitz lives in Berlin, of noble lineage and is a devout Roman Catholic and studying at the seminary and his mentor is Father Leopold. He and his widowed mother travel to Guernsey to see his English grandparents and here he meets Kitty.
They both like reading and poetry and exploring the picturesque beaches, rock pools and caves. Lukas and Kitty develop feelings for each other and he has to choose between love and continuing his religious studies and this causes a series of events they couldn’t have predicted.
The story focuses on the pressure put on an innocent young man to become priest, Lukas discovering he’s human and not immune to desire, being compliant and celibate is not easy, and he's never been tempted before. Being a teenage girl and falling in love with a man who wants to be a priest, could or would Kitty let him go, move on and someone else is waiting and will her feelings for Lukas ever end?
The historical novel looks at the life in Germany before and during the rise of Fascism and the Nazi party, did everyone agree and what happened if they didn’t, treatment of Jewish people, how risky and dangerous it was to help them, and the consequences if you did and being caught.
I received a copy of The Many Seas to Guernsey by Catherine Taylor from NetGalley and The Cameo Press Ltd in exchange for an unbiased review. The well written and meticulous researched story is set in Guernsey, the Bavarian Alps, Berlin and Dunkirk and over four years.
A long novel, due to the time frame and what happened in Germany and Europe during the lead up to and throughout the Second World War, and it has Lukas and many others questioning the god they believe in and their faith.
A narrative about complicated relationships, family, young love, morals, inequality, trust, violence, war and crimes, humanity, heartbreak and finding the courage to keep going during the darkest of hours. This is Guernsey and Germany’s version of The Thorn Birds.
The way The Many Seas to Guernsey ended, I assume there will be a second book, I really hope so, I highly recommend and five stars. I also read and enjoyed Ms Taylor’s previous novel Beyond The Moon.
Lukas von Harnitz lives in Berlin, of noble lineage and is a devout Roman Catholic and studying at the seminary and his mentor is Father Leopold. He and his widowed mother travel to Guernsey to see his English grandparents and here he meets Kitty.
They both like reading and poetry and exploring the picturesque beaches, rock pools and caves. Lukas and Kitty develop feelings for each other and he has to choose between love and continuing his religious studies and this causes a series of events they couldn’t have predicted.
The story focuses on the pressure put on an innocent young man to become priest, Lukas discovering he’s human and not immune to desire, being compliant and celibate is not easy, and he's never been tempted before. Being a teenage girl and falling in love with a man who wants to be a priest, could or would Kitty let him go, move on and someone else is waiting and will her feelings for Lukas ever end?
The historical novel looks at the life in Germany before and during the rise of Fascism and the Nazi party, did everyone agree and what happened if they didn’t, treatment of Jewish people, how risky and dangerous it was to help them, and the consequences if you did and being caught.
I received a copy of The Many Seas to Guernsey by Catherine Taylor from NetGalley and The Cameo Press Ltd in exchange for an unbiased review. The well written and meticulous researched story is set in Guernsey, the Bavarian Alps, Berlin and Dunkirk and over four years.
A long novel, due to the time frame and what happened in Germany and Europe during the lead up to and throughout the Second World War, and it has Lukas and many others questioning the god they believe in and their faith.
A narrative about complicated relationships, family, young love, morals, inequality, trust, violence, war and crimes, humanity, heartbreak and finding the courage to keep going during the darkest of hours. This is Guernsey and Germany’s version of The Thorn Birds.
The way The Many Seas to Guernsey ended, I assume there will be a second book, I really hope so, I highly recommend and five stars. I also read and enjoyed Ms Taylor’s previous novel Beyond The Moon.
June 17, 2026
First of all, huge apologies for the late review. I should have posted yesterday, 16th June.
Now onto the review.h
Set during the turbulent years leading up to WWII, it's a tale of forbidden love on the beautiful British island of Guernsey. But it also focuses on Nazi Berlin too, so you get a good insight into both sides.
I must admit, although this time period is one of my favourites to read about, it's certainly not my usual type of read. But I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible. And on this occasion, I'm glad I did. It was a refreshing change to read a love story and I really did enjoy it.
It's quite the hefty tome, at just over 500 pages, but it honestly didn't feel that long.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Now onto the review.h
Set during the turbulent years leading up to WWII, it's a tale of forbidden love on the beautiful British island of Guernsey. But it also focuses on Nazi Berlin too, so you get a good insight into both sides.
I must admit, although this time period is one of my favourites to read about, it's certainly not my usual type of read. But I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible. And on this occasion, I'm glad I did. It was a refreshing change to read a love story and I really did enjoy it.
It's quite the hefty tome, at just over 500 pages, but it honestly didn't feel that long.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
July 5, 2026
Really enjoyed!! Interesting to see the road to war from inside Germany and loved our two main characters. It was, perhaps, a little too long imo - the pacing of the story felt a little off to me. Would recommend if you’re into WWII historical fiction.
June 4, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Many Seas To Guernsey' by Catherine Taylor
'The Many Seas To Guernsey' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Catherine discusses/includes persecution, abuse, death of a child, death, cruelty, r@p3, $3xu@l @$$@ult, violence, antisemitism, abusive and threatening language, death of a parent, derogatory language, abuse of power (priest), miscarriage, and other events associated with war.
This may be the first book that I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!! I would love to see this story continued!!
I will start by admitting that this book is not my usual choice of book being historical based so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline but I was fascinated by the absolutely captivating cover and synopsis and was looking forward to trying it out!! Needless to say I am extremely pleased that I gave this book a go as I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Catherine has written this book. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read.
I may have never read any of this authors books prior to this one but after reading this beauty I cannot wait to get stuck into Catherine's previous and future books! Catherine's amazing, stunning, immersive and evocative writing skills really brought everything to life all throughout the story ensuring I could see the characters, the surroundings and feel everything the characters were feeling. It is a longer book than I would normally decide to read with the kindle version being 531 pages and the paperback 516 pages but it is definitely worth taking the time to delve into it. I must admit that I did struggle at times with the storyline but once I got over that "hump" I just could not put it down. I would liken it very much to a rollercoaster ride with it starting off slow as Catherine builds the picture and characters then once it has hit the top it takes you on a ride of twists and turns speeding right up until the end!! The storyline itself is absolutely ram packed with love, history, war, romance, family, betrayal, heartache, drama, complicated and flawed characters, beautiful settings, tragedy, morals, courage, faith, hope and so very much more!! The book itself is in three parts with the Part One being set in 1936-1937, Part Two in 1938-1939 and the third and final part taking us into 140. Catherine's stunning writing skills will take the reader back in time to the years 1936 until 1940 in the pre-war years and transport them to Guernsey, Berlin and the Bavarian Alps where they will follow Kitty Garland-Fry and Lukas Von Harnitz. It is an extremely powerful, captivating, eye opening and intriguing fictional romance historical novel that will stay with the readers for a very long time. Kitty lives with her parents, who are bohemian artists and not very conventional, and several siblings. Kitty meets Lukas who is a handsome man who is studying to be a priest and who has brought his Mum to Guernsey in the hope that it will aid her health. They start meeting up and along with bonding over their love of poetry and books they start to develop feelings for each other. However, when she discovers that he is determined to become a Priest she realises that they cannot go any further as his heart belongs to God. Lukas's cousin Caspar comes over to Guernsey and while Lukas is busy Kitty ends up spending time with him. She loves Lukas but knowing he will never be hers ends up getting closer to Caspar. When their meeting ends up with Kitty becoming pregnant she ends up marrying Caspar and moving in with him and his family in Germany. However, while Lukas and Kitty despise Hitler and what he is doing Caspar is a soldier for him and in Germany she sees the true horror of what is going on under Hitler's orders. I wont go any deeper into the storyline as I do no want to risk spoiling it for future readers so if you want to find out more you will just have to grab a copy yourself. I can promise that it is well worth a read and that you will not regret it. With danger, challenges, complications, terror and hate in Germany will hope, love and faith be enough? I absolutely adored getting to know Kitty and Lukas and seeing them develop as individuals as well as seeing their friendships, bonds and relationships begin, grow and change with each other along with other people. Catherine does an absolutely wonderful job of weaving the storyline from not only the multiple protagonist perspectives of both Kitty and Lukas but also multiple timelines and does so without causing any confusion. It truly is beautifully written and really does open the readers eyes and shows them what it was like to live, love and the complications and worry of life in the years 1936 to 1940 and shows us what was going on in the different areas of the world. As with all books set in the era of War there are difficult themes, subjects and topics discussed as well as the death of a child so readers need to be made aware of these. . I absolutely LOVED meeting and getting to know all these amazing and realistic characters who had a mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. Each and every character is realistic, well defined and leapt out of the pages at me every turn of a page!! I absolutely loved getting to know many of these characters and Catherine's vivid and evocative descriptions makes it feels like the reader is standing next to Kitty and Lukas and meeting them and the other characters for yourself. I would like to meet many more of them again in the future as I would love to know how their lives turn out after the war. I loved watching the way they all interacted with each other and seeing them change as individuals as well as relationships between characters throughout the storyline. Catherine ensures that you really get close to them feeling everything that they are feeling and seeing everything that they are! Congratulations Catherine on creating a fantastic collection of unique, varied, realistic and memorable characters and a beautiful, heart wrenching, emotive and immersive storyline.
Congratulations Catherine on an absolutely emotional, memorable and successful historical romance and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books!
Overall an emotive, immersive, beautiful and unforgettable read.
@Catherine_Taylor_Author @TandeomCollective @TheCameoPress
#TheManySeasToGuernsey #Readalong #TandamReadalong #TMSTGReadalong
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Review for 'The Many Seas To Guernsey' by Catherine Taylor
'The Many Seas To Guernsey' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Catherine discusses/includes persecution, abuse, death of a child, death, cruelty, r@p3, $3xu@l @$$@ult, violence, antisemitism, abusive and threatening language, death of a parent, derogatory language, abuse of power (priest), miscarriage, and other events associated with war.
This may be the first book that I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!! I would love to see this story continued!!
I will start by admitting that this book is not my usual choice of book being historical based so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline but I was fascinated by the absolutely captivating cover and synopsis and was looking forward to trying it out!! Needless to say I am extremely pleased that I gave this book a go as I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Catherine has written this book. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read.
I may have never read any of this authors books prior to this one but after reading this beauty I cannot wait to get stuck into Catherine's previous and future books! Catherine's amazing, stunning, immersive and evocative writing skills really brought everything to life all throughout the story ensuring I could see the characters, the surroundings and feel everything the characters were feeling. It is a longer book than I would normally decide to read with the kindle version being 531 pages and the paperback 516 pages but it is definitely worth taking the time to delve into it. I must admit that I did struggle at times with the storyline but once I got over that "hump" I just could not put it down. I would liken it very much to a rollercoaster ride with it starting off slow as Catherine builds the picture and characters then once it has hit the top it takes you on a ride of twists and turns speeding right up until the end!! The storyline itself is absolutely ram packed with love, history, war, romance, family, betrayal, heartache, drama, complicated and flawed characters, beautiful settings, tragedy, morals, courage, faith, hope and so very much more!! The book itself is in three parts with the Part One being set in 1936-1937, Part Two in 1938-1939 and the third and final part taking us into 140. Catherine's stunning writing skills will take the reader back in time to the years 1936 until 1940 in the pre-war years and transport them to Guernsey, Berlin and the Bavarian Alps where they will follow Kitty Garland-Fry and Lukas Von Harnitz. It is an extremely powerful, captivating, eye opening and intriguing fictional romance historical novel that will stay with the readers for a very long time. Kitty lives with her parents, who are bohemian artists and not very conventional, and several siblings. Kitty meets Lukas who is a handsome man who is studying to be a priest and who has brought his Mum to Guernsey in the hope that it will aid her health. They start meeting up and along with bonding over their love of poetry and books they start to develop feelings for each other. However, when she discovers that he is determined to become a Priest she realises that they cannot go any further as his heart belongs to God. Lukas's cousin Caspar comes over to Guernsey and while Lukas is busy Kitty ends up spending time with him. She loves Lukas but knowing he will never be hers ends up getting closer to Caspar. When their meeting ends up with Kitty becoming pregnant she ends up marrying Caspar and moving in with him and his family in Germany. However, while Lukas and Kitty despise Hitler and what he is doing Caspar is a soldier for him and in Germany she sees the true horror of what is going on under Hitler's orders. I wont go any deeper into the storyline as I do no want to risk spoiling it for future readers so if you want to find out more you will just have to grab a copy yourself. I can promise that it is well worth a read and that you will not regret it. With danger, challenges, complications, terror and hate in Germany will hope, love and faith be enough? I absolutely adored getting to know Kitty and Lukas and seeing them develop as individuals as well as seeing their friendships, bonds and relationships begin, grow and change with each other along with other people. Catherine does an absolutely wonderful job of weaving the storyline from not only the multiple protagonist perspectives of both Kitty and Lukas but also multiple timelines and does so without causing any confusion. It truly is beautifully written and really does open the readers eyes and shows them what it was like to live, love and the complications and worry of life in the years 1936 to 1940 and shows us what was going on in the different areas of the world. As with all books set in the era of War there are difficult themes, subjects and topics discussed as well as the death of a child so readers need to be made aware of these. . I absolutely LOVED meeting and getting to know all these amazing and realistic characters who had a mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. Each and every character is realistic, well defined and leapt out of the pages at me every turn of a page!! I absolutely loved getting to know many of these characters and Catherine's vivid and evocative descriptions makes it feels like the reader is standing next to Kitty and Lukas and meeting them and the other characters for yourself. I would like to meet many more of them again in the future as I would love to know how their lives turn out after the war. I loved watching the way they all interacted with each other and seeing them change as individuals as well as relationships between characters throughout the storyline. Catherine ensures that you really get close to them feeling everything that they are feeling and seeing everything that they are! Congratulations Catherine on creating a fantastic collection of unique, varied, realistic and memorable characters and a beautiful, heart wrenching, emotive and immersive storyline.
Congratulations Catherine on an absolutely emotional, memorable and successful historical romance and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books!
Overall an emotive, immersive, beautiful and unforgettable read.
@Catherine_Taylor_Author @TandeomCollective @TheCameoPress
#TheManySeasToGuernsey #Readalong #TandamReadalong #TMSTGReadalong
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March 29, 2026
I loved that this novel was about the slow build up to WWII, and how quickly things changed even though the signs had been there for years. Kitty Garland-Fry and her unconventional family move to Guernsey. Her father is a well known artist and mother who does all she can to support her husband and a ragtag bunch of siblings that never feel they belong anywhere. She meets and quickly falls for Lucas, who has come to Guernsey in hopes that his mother can heal from her sickness. They soon become friends and often one is with the other. Kitty falls fast and hard, but learns that Lukas is in the process of becoming a priest and knows that she will never be able to claim his heart as it belongs to the church and God. Still she loves his company and the deep discussions they have, she finally feels she has found someone who sees her for who she is and doesn't judge her family or how she has been raised, he accepts her thoughts on religion, God and church. As the two enjoy their time on the island, war is brewing in Berlin. Lukas feels a calling to do something and heads back to Berlin to do what he can to help those in need and soon the Nazi's are after him. Kitty has gotten herself tangled up with Lukas cousin, and after one rash decision is now herself back in Germany, pregnant and the wife of a Nazi. Kitty and Lukas continue to cross paths and both have put their lives at risk to save others. Lukas is has come to the realization of what the church stands for and decides to do everything he can to protect the one he loves and to be with her again. Kitty risks her life to escape the situation she got herself in, and her only safety is to get back to the island she never wanted to be at. A promise is made in a time of war, and both know that any day could be their last. There was so much more to this storyline, and everything that happened. I just loved Kitty and Lukas and was rooting for them the whole time. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
June 10, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
😢 are looking for an emotional read
📖 love historical fiction
🏝️ wish you lived on an island
💕 believe in true love
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In 1936 Kitty Garland-Fry moves to Guernsey with her bohemian, artist parents and unruly siblings. Marooned amid her family’s chaotic lifestyle, Kitty, a passionate writer of fairy tales, fears she’ll die of frustration if she cannot find a life of her own. In Nazi Berlin, meanwhile, Lukas von Harnitz, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness.
Two fish out of water together, Kitty and Lukas are drawn together in their shared loneliness. Bonding over poetry and books, their days unfold like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced into a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a beautiful story! I love when an author does a deep dive into WWII and gives it the depth it needs to tell a moving story of faith, resilience, courage, and above all, love. Kitty and Lukas are such lovable characters, I couldn’t do anything but root for them as the story followed their friendship, love, breakup, and ultimate reunion. I enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful island (it made me miss Okinawa) and now I want to visit! These characters are put through the wringer in so many ways, yet they manage to come out stronger and wiser in the end. If you’re looking for a heartfelt and moving historical fiction romance, pick this one up asap!
😢 are looking for an emotional read
📖 love historical fiction
🏝️ wish you lived on an island
💕 believe in true love
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In 1936 Kitty Garland-Fry moves to Guernsey with her bohemian, artist parents and unruly siblings. Marooned amid her family’s chaotic lifestyle, Kitty, a passionate writer of fairy tales, fears she’ll die of frustration if she cannot find a life of her own. In Nazi Berlin, meanwhile, Lukas von Harnitz, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness.
Two fish out of water together, Kitty and Lukas are drawn together in their shared loneliness. Bonding over poetry and books, their days unfold like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced into a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a beautiful story! I love when an author does a deep dive into WWII and gives it the depth it needs to tell a moving story of faith, resilience, courage, and above all, love. Kitty and Lukas are such lovable characters, I couldn’t do anything but root for them as the story followed their friendship, love, breakup, and ultimate reunion. I enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful island (it made me miss Okinawa) and now I want to visit! These characters are put through the wringer in so many ways, yet they manage to come out stronger and wiser in the end. If you’re looking for a heartfelt and moving historical fiction romance, pick this one up asap!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Catherine Taylor, the Author of "The Many Seas to Guernsey" has written a powerful, captivating and intriguing Historical Fiction Novel. In this well written novel, there is a wealth of information and research about the time period just before the war in Europe, and then the actual war. The author vividly describes the landscape, the scenery, the plot and the dramatic, complex, complicated and flawed characters. In 1936, the female protagonist Kitty Garland-Fry moves to an inherited house in Guernsey with her artistic and bohemian parents. Kitty is a writer and uses her imagination to write fairy tales, but feels bored. She meets Lukas von Harnitz, a handsome young man studying to be a priest. His family lives in Germany, but he is taking his widowed English mother to England. Both Kitty and Lukas bond over books, poetry and the beautiful scenery. Kitty realizes that Lukas will be a Priest, and unavailable to her as a suitor. Lukas is torn between his ambition as a Priest, and his feelings for Kitty.
As Hitler and Germany get more aggressive, life becomes more dangerous, challenging, and complicated. Both Kitty and Lukas are strongly against Hitler and Nazism. The author does compare the British and German feelings towards the war. Kitty meets Lukas' s cousin, a German soldier, and his family. Lukas is surprised by things he sees in the church, and the feelings as Germany takes over. He questions his decisions, and is trying to be guided by his moral compass. The author discusses the tragedies and heartbreak, and destruction in war. The author takes us on a journey throughout Europe as the war starts to take hold. The author discusses the importance of courage, family, neighbors, friends, faith, hope and love. There will be an anticipated second book, which I look forward to reading. I highly recommend this book to others.
As Hitler and Germany get more aggressive, life becomes more dangerous, challenging, and complicated. Both Kitty and Lukas are strongly against Hitler and Nazism. The author does compare the British and German feelings towards the war. Kitty meets Lukas' s cousin, a German soldier, and his family. Lukas is surprised by things he sees in the church, and the feelings as Germany takes over. He questions his decisions, and is trying to be guided by his moral compass. The author discusses the tragedies and heartbreak, and destruction in war. The author takes us on a journey throughout Europe as the war starts to take hold. The author discusses the importance of courage, family, neighbors, friends, faith, hope and love. There will be an anticipated second book, which I look forward to reading. I highly recommend this book to others.
June 16, 2026
In 1936 Kitty Garland-Fry moves to Guernsey with her bohemian parents and siblings. Marooned amid her family’s chaotic lifestyle, Kitty fears she’ll die of boredom and frustration if she can't find a life of her own. In Nazi Berlin, meanwhile, Lukas von Harnitz, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling that he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness.
Kitty and Lukas are drawn together, bonding over poetry and books, their days unfolding like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced to make a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
A beautifully written WWII saga. Kitty and Lukas are drawn together despite their differences, and their feelings are tested when both his faith and the war sends their lives in different directions. The story covers aspects of WWII in detail and is clearly well-researched. While the story covers some difficult themes such as the unexpected death of a child and the horrendous treatment of people during war time, it is the stories of the well-drawn characters that are central to the narrative. The author's vivid descriptions of Guernsey made it easy to picture the island setting. While it's a long book, at over 500 pages, this engaging story about resilience, love and family was an enjoyable read which kept me interested from beginning to end.
Kitty and Lukas are drawn together, bonding over poetry and books, their days unfolding like a quiet, sunlit dream on white sand beaches beneath endless blue skies, sheltered from both the pull of responsibility and the gathering storm of war. But then friendship begins to deepen into something more, and Lukas is forced to make a devastating choice between God and the woman he loves, while fate also compels Kitty onto a path that will take her into the very heart of Nazi Germany.
A beautifully written WWII saga. Kitty and Lukas are drawn together despite their differences, and their feelings are tested when both his faith and the war sends their lives in different directions. The story covers aspects of WWII in detail and is clearly well-researched. While the story covers some difficult themes such as the unexpected death of a child and the horrendous treatment of people during war time, it is the stories of the well-drawn characters that are central to the narrative. The author's vivid descriptions of Guernsey made it easy to picture the island setting. While it's a long book, at over 500 pages, this engaging story about resilience, love and family was an enjoyable read which kept me interested from beginning to end.
Read
July 2, 2026"The Many Seas to Guernsey" is a chunky book; more than 600 pages. But it never drags or gets bogged down. Beginning in the two years where war is immanent, Lukas is a German seminarian taking time to escort his English born mother back to her parents on Guernsey. There he meets Kitty, a young woman who is part of an unconventional English family living on the island. Their friendship develops over the next few months but Lukas's commitment to become a Catholic priest stunts the growth of their relationship. Their story, however, continues and there is much about the early development of WWII and how it affects each of them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am a sucker for a WWII story and this one drew me in immediately. The star-crossed lovers, the resistance of Germans even as their leaders moved forward to bringing the world to war, a man grappling with his faith, a woman grappling with her emotions. Even the secondary stories are compelling as Kitty's bohemian family become too unconventional even for her. Our protagonists are young and, sometimes, foolish; but we learn to love them as they grow.
The history revealed in this story was obviously well researched and woven in very well. Each of the milestones leading to Britain finally declaring war is treated subtly, not in a face smacking way. Lukas's adventures during Dunkirk give insight I had not seen before. There are some gut-wrenching descriptions of battle and torture. The characters are drawn well from the beginning and we are privy to their anguish, grief, and growth. We are rooting for them individually and collectively. And there are some we just want to slap. We want a happy ending, but it is not guaranteed; it could go in any of several ways. We don't know until almost the very end. Just the way I like it. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am a sucker for a WWII story and this one drew me in immediately. The star-crossed lovers, the resistance of Germans even as their leaders moved forward to bringing the world to war, a man grappling with his faith, a woman grappling with her emotions. Even the secondary stories are compelling as Kitty's bohemian family become too unconventional even for her. Our protagonists are young and, sometimes, foolish; but we learn to love them as they grow.
The history revealed in this story was obviously well researched and woven in very well. Each of the milestones leading to Britain finally declaring war is treated subtly, not in a face smacking way. Lukas's adventures during Dunkirk give insight I had not seen before. There are some gut-wrenching descriptions of battle and torture. The characters are drawn well from the beginning and we are privy to their anguish, grief, and growth. We are rooting for them individually and collectively. And there are some we just want to slap. We want a happy ending, but it is not guaranteed; it could go in any of several ways. We don't know until almost the very end. Just the way I like it. Highly recommend.
June 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and The Cameo Press Ltd for the ARC.
I’ve read a number of books recently that are set just before or during WWII, but none that are set (partially) in Germany. This beautifully written story by Catherine Taylor has introduced me to a new author (I’ll be sure to watch out for) and a new perspective behind enemy lines, so to speak.
I loved the first part of the book, where our female protagonist, Kitty, lived a carefree lifestyle with her Bohemian parents and tribe of siblings, in an inherited house on the idyllic coast of Guernsey. Enter our male Protagonist, the half English, half German, Lukas visiting his maternal grandparents with his ill mother.
The longing of first love clashing with his chosen path to enter the Priesthood and return to a Country he wants to save from the growing unrest of Nazism lends to a paradox of innocence and tragedy.
The next part of the book sees Lukas return to Berlin to enter the Seminary and Kitty finding herself in the midst of unease in pre-war Bavaria and Berlin.
This is where the book became hard going for me personally. Seeing a country in the thralls of facism; turning on neighbours, idolising a Supreme leader, hating someone because of their race. I was really uncomfortable because the USA is treading the same path as I type. The issues dealt with in the rest of the book are both harrowing and many. The brutality, the losses, the cruelty - it was all painted so brilliantly by the author. The characters, the settings, the houses, even the lesser characters are all so well crafted that you’ll feel like you’ve watched this rather than read it.
The ending was too sudden for me. I really believe there needs to be a second book to finish the story of our star crossed lovers.
I’ve read a number of books recently that are set just before or during WWII, but none that are set (partially) in Germany. This beautifully written story by Catherine Taylor has introduced me to a new author (I’ll be sure to watch out for) and a new perspective behind enemy lines, so to speak.
I loved the first part of the book, where our female protagonist, Kitty, lived a carefree lifestyle with her Bohemian parents and tribe of siblings, in an inherited house on the idyllic coast of Guernsey. Enter our male Protagonist, the half English, half German, Lukas visiting his maternal grandparents with his ill mother.
The longing of first love clashing with his chosen path to enter the Priesthood and return to a Country he wants to save from the growing unrest of Nazism lends to a paradox of innocence and tragedy.
The next part of the book sees Lukas return to Berlin to enter the Seminary and Kitty finding herself in the midst of unease in pre-war Bavaria and Berlin.
This is where the book became hard going for me personally. Seeing a country in the thralls of facism; turning on neighbours, idolising a Supreme leader, hating someone because of their race. I was really uncomfortable because the USA is treading the same path as I type. The issues dealt with in the rest of the book are both harrowing and many. The brutality, the losses, the cruelty - it was all painted so brilliantly by the author. The characters, the settings, the houses, even the lesser characters are all so well crafted that you’ll feel like you’ve watched this rather than read it.
The ending was too sudden for me. I really believe there needs to be a second book to finish the story of our star crossed lovers.
May 5, 2026
It's never easy to read books set in this period but I think it's important to be reminded of events in Nazi Germany leading up to the start of World War II. The Many Seas to Guernsey leads us in gently starting with a idyllic island setting that is a stark contrast to the brutality and violence of pre-war Germany.
This is the story of Kitty and Lukas but it's not a traditional love story as Lukas is training to be priest. It is clear that they are drawn to one another though and Lukas has to make a difficult choice between Kitty and God. Kitty is part of a very unconventional family, which perhaps explains her willingness to take risks and travel so far from home and fate sees her crossing paths with Lukas once again.
The story is told in three parts covering 1936-1937, 1938-1939 and 1939-1940. There is such a lot going on in such a short period of time and it's only the start of the war so there is worse to come. It's good to have such relatable main characters to add some light and hope to the darkness of the storyline.
It's a very emotional story with shocking and devastating moments that really hit me where it hurts. Catherine Taylor vividly recreates some of the horrific events leading up to the outbreak of war and it gave me chills when I was reading. I was invested in the characters from the start so I felt every emotion with them and I admit to shedding a tear or two over the course of the book.
Haunting, poignant and powerful, The Many Seas to Guernsey is a vivid and emotional historical fiction novel that pulled at my heartstrings and kept me captivated. I'm delighted that it's part of a duology and can't wait to read what happens next.
This is the story of Kitty and Lukas but it's not a traditional love story as Lukas is training to be priest. It is clear that they are drawn to one another though and Lukas has to make a difficult choice between Kitty and God. Kitty is part of a very unconventional family, which perhaps explains her willingness to take risks and travel so far from home and fate sees her crossing paths with Lukas once again.
The story is told in three parts covering 1936-1937, 1938-1939 and 1939-1940. There is such a lot going on in such a short period of time and it's only the start of the war so there is worse to come. It's good to have such relatable main characters to add some light and hope to the darkness of the storyline.
It's a very emotional story with shocking and devastating moments that really hit me where it hurts. Catherine Taylor vividly recreates some of the horrific events leading up to the outbreak of war and it gave me chills when I was reading. I was invested in the characters from the start so I felt every emotion with them and I admit to shedding a tear or two over the course of the book.
Haunting, poignant and powerful, The Many Seas to Guernsey is a vivid and emotional historical fiction novel that pulled at my heartstrings and kept me captivated. I'm delighted that it's part of a duology and can't wait to read what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first book by Catherine Taylor but it certainly won’t be my last- in fact if there were a sequel to “The Many Seas to Guernsey” I would be first in the line to read it!
This wonderful novel is a romance, a historical novel set in WorldWar 2 and also an adventure story as the main protagonists try and stay one step ahead of their enemies in 1930s Germany.
Kitty and her bohemian family move to an inherited house in Guernsey and Lukas, a trainee Catholic priest, half English and half German spends a year there with his mother’s family.
When he meets Kitty they begin to fall in love, but human love is forbidden if he is to carry on at the seminary and become ordained. Shades of a favourite book of mine “The Thornbirds” !
Eventually he returns to pre War Germany and his education, leaving Kitty bereft. When she ends up in Germany and they meet again in difficult circumstances, the reader hopes their love can be rekindled. However things have changed and Kitty makes a decision that will affect her future as does Lucas when their lives become more and more dark.
This is an amazingly well researched WW2 novel and will appeal to many sorts of readers. I was really rooting for Lukas and Kitty but the world seemed to throw so many obstacles in their way.
The descriptions of life in Germany at this time period were extremely believable and of course, incredibly chilling.
I did get the feeling on the last page that there was more of this story to be revealed…….. hopefully I will meet Kitty and Lukas again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
This wonderful novel is a romance, a historical novel set in WorldWar 2 and also an adventure story as the main protagonists try and stay one step ahead of their enemies in 1930s Germany.
Kitty and her bohemian family move to an inherited house in Guernsey and Lukas, a trainee Catholic priest, half English and half German spends a year there with his mother’s family.
When he meets Kitty they begin to fall in love, but human love is forbidden if he is to carry on at the seminary and become ordained. Shades of a favourite book of mine “The Thornbirds” !
Eventually he returns to pre War Germany and his education, leaving Kitty bereft. When she ends up in Germany and they meet again in difficult circumstances, the reader hopes their love can be rekindled. However things have changed and Kitty makes a decision that will affect her future as does Lucas when their lives become more and more dark.
This is an amazingly well researched WW2 novel and will appeal to many sorts of readers. I was really rooting for Lukas and Kitty but the world seemed to throw so many obstacles in their way.
The descriptions of life in Germany at this time period were extremely believable and of course, incredibly chilling.
I did get the feeling on the last page that there was more of this story to be revealed…….. hopefully I will meet Kitty and Lukas again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
May 7, 2026
Usually, if you'd mention a wartime vintage romance between a defector aspiring priest and an artsy recluse, I'd tell you that doesn't really sound like my thing. But this book was kindly sent to me by my friends at Tandem Collective so I thought I'd give it a read anyway, and found myself pleasantly surprised. It wasn't my cup of my tea, but it was a beautifully written, highly emotive story brimming with personality and atmosphere.
It delves into crises of faith, romance that spans nations and political lines, the difficulties of speaking out against your own home even when they're doing something wrong, or even how hard it can be to see it sometimes - all wrapped up within a poetic, yearning love story. It was a slow moving story, but with plenty of world building.
The characters are what really drive this book - Lukaz's inner conflicts are a key inner conflict within this book; struggling with his faith in the Church compared to everything he sees in the world, wondering if he failed his country by fleeing. Kitty was his balance, opposite side but the same: removed from everything he witnessed under the regime, but watching the shadow of war fall over the world.
I was sent a free copy of this title
It delves into crises of faith, romance that spans nations and political lines, the difficulties of speaking out against your own home even when they're doing something wrong, or even how hard it can be to see it sometimes - all wrapped up within a poetic, yearning love story. It was a slow moving story, but with plenty of world building.
The characters are what really drive this book - Lukaz's inner conflicts are a key inner conflict within this book; struggling with his faith in the Church compared to everything he sees in the world, wondering if he failed his country by fleeing. Kitty was his balance, opposite side but the same: removed from everything he witnessed under the regime, but watching the shadow of war fall over the world.
I was sent a free copy of this title
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Many Seas to Guernsey is a sweeping historical romance following Kitty, a young writer and Lukas, a German seminarian in the years leading up to and after the start of WW2. Kitty is from a nontraditional English artisan family and Lukas comes from former German royalty. They meet after Kitty's family moves to Guernsey. There are so many obstacles that come to Kitty and Lukas- some due to external forces and some due to them learning and growing.
This is a wonderfully written story. I have read a LOT of WW2 historical fiction and I really felt like this book provided a fresh take(or far less taken viewpoint) of Germans who loved Germany but were not Nazis and how divided The Church was during this time. I also loved the way that Lucas' prayer and calling were discussed while he was a seminarian. Kitty and Lucas are definitely star crossed and this book is an odyssey! This is not a light read, but a WORTHWHILE one. It will make you so thankful for your freedoms and why freedom of speech is so important.
I loved ready Kitty and Lucas' story! I just wish they had an epilogue or a more final ending!
Thank you NetGalley and The Cameo Press LTD for the ARC!
This is a wonderfully written story. I have read a LOT of WW2 historical fiction and I really felt like this book provided a fresh take(or far less taken viewpoint) of Germans who loved Germany but were not Nazis and how divided The Church was during this time. I also loved the way that Lucas' prayer and calling were discussed while he was a seminarian. Kitty and Lucas are definitely star crossed and this book is an odyssey! This is not a light read, but a WORTHWHILE one. It will make you so thankful for your freedoms and why freedom of speech is so important.
I loved ready Kitty and Lucas' story! I just wish they had an epilogue or a more final ending!
Thank you NetGalley and The Cameo Press LTD for the ARC!
June 18, 2026
I always enjoy historical fiction and have read many books based around the Second World War. This book, for me, is up there as one of the most compelling and epic depictions of the period. Set between the turquoise waters and white sands of Guernsey and Germany, a country preparing for and then at war, a chance encounter brings Kitty Garland and Lukas von Harnitz together. Kitty has moved to Guernsey with her disordered and riotous family and Lukas has arrived on the island to bring his mum home, interrupting his studies of becoming a Catholic priest. The pair have an affinity and connection immediately but Lukas is bound to his studies, his beliefs and his love of God. What ensues is a story of forbidden love, choices, the shocking and hard hitting realties of war, bravery, courage and loyalty. I shed tears at several points in the book. I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the setting of Guernsey, the cover and the fact that this book is a duology. I can’t wait for the second book. I also love a tome, I devoured the just over 500 pages which, did not for one moment, feel too many. This is my favourite read of 2026 so far.
June 23, 2026
This an emotional love story set in the late 1930s amongst the growing shadow of World War II.
Set between Guernsey and Nazi Germany, it follows Kitty Garland-Fry, a young aspiring writer from a bohemian English family, and Lukas von Harnitz, a German seminarian training for the Catholic priesthood. When they meet on Guernsey in 1936, they form a deep connection through their shared love of books and poetry, but their relationship is complicated by Lukas’s religious calling and the political turmoil unfolding across Europe. As war approaches, Kitty finds herself drawn into Germany and confronted with the brutal realities of the Nazi regime, while both she and Lukas are forced to make impossible choices. 
Loved the vivid settings, from the idyllic beaches of Guernsey to the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of pre-war Germany. Really well researched with rich detail and tense, compelling moral dilemmas faced by both main characters . I was really invested in Kitty and Lukas’s relationship and the way their personal struggles mirrored the wider conflict engulfing Europe. Really rooted for Kitty especially.
A good pre war love saga with great characters. Enjoyed!
Set between Guernsey and Nazi Germany, it follows Kitty Garland-Fry, a young aspiring writer from a bohemian English family, and Lukas von Harnitz, a German seminarian training for the Catholic priesthood. When they meet on Guernsey in 1936, they form a deep connection through their shared love of books and poetry, but their relationship is complicated by Lukas’s religious calling and the political turmoil unfolding across Europe. As war approaches, Kitty finds herself drawn into Germany and confronted with the brutal realities of the Nazi regime, while both she and Lukas are forced to make impossible choices. 
Loved the vivid settings, from the idyllic beaches of Guernsey to the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of pre-war Germany. Really well researched with rich detail and tense, compelling moral dilemmas faced by both main characters . I was really invested in Kitty and Lukas’s relationship and the way their personal struggles mirrored the wider conflict engulfing Europe. Really rooted for Kitty especially.
A good pre war love saga with great characters. Enjoyed!
July 8, 2026
I loved everything about this book!
To start off, I was originally intrigued with this book because I found out it was a historical romance as well as the specific time period, and I am just a sucker for historical romance! However, when I started the book, I began to love every single detail about the story, not just because of the historical romance genre itself! To specify, I loved the plot, setting, world building, and character development. The setting was perfect; it made me feel tranquil and peaceful. To add, the author's vivid descriptions and lyrical prose made me visualize the location so clearly that I could feel my five senses experiencing the story!
Moreover, I appreciate how the book added the difficulties of the past such as what people experienced during WW2 and the great significance of the event. I cherish learning new information and acquiring more knowledge about history and their fundamental impact on the world. Also, the forbidden romance made me feel the extreme tension and chemistry between the characters, and had me swooning over the inevitable attractions!
Thank you so much for this book Catherine! It's truly a work of art💖
To start off, I was originally intrigued with this book because I found out it was a historical romance as well as the specific time period, and I am just a sucker for historical romance! However, when I started the book, I began to love every single detail about the story, not just because of the historical romance genre itself! To specify, I loved the plot, setting, world building, and character development. The setting was perfect; it made me feel tranquil and peaceful. To add, the author's vivid descriptions and lyrical prose made me visualize the location so clearly that I could feel my five senses experiencing the story!
Moreover, I appreciate how the book added the difficulties of the past such as what people experienced during WW2 and the great significance of the event. I cherish learning new information and acquiring more knowledge about history and their fundamental impact on the world. Also, the forbidden romance made me feel the extreme tension and chemistry between the characters, and had me swooning over the inevitable attractions!
Thank you so much for this book Catherine! It's truly a work of art💖
April 11, 2026
This is such a beautifully written story, where darkness and light collide.
The atmosphere and landscape are vividly depicted, from the windswept coves and sparkling seas of Guernsey to heightened fear and violence within the city of Berlin, to the terrors of war. But what truly made this story so captivating was the characters and their heartbreaking love story.
Kitty and Lukas are two young people with hopes, dreams, and convictions who meet on the idyllic island of Guernsey. When their friendship turns to something more, Lukas must choose between the priesthood and the woman he loves. War is on the horizon, and eventually, both will become caught in the atrocities, and their journeys will have you breathless.
This is a stark reminder of the devastation war causes to families and the dark stain on history left by heinous acts, while also being a complex love story that explores duty, faith, and conscience.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @catherine_taylor_author for this gifted book.
The atmosphere and landscape are vividly depicted, from the windswept coves and sparkling seas of Guernsey to heightened fear and violence within the city of Berlin, to the terrors of war. But what truly made this story so captivating was the characters and their heartbreaking love story.
Kitty and Lukas are two young people with hopes, dreams, and convictions who meet on the idyllic island of Guernsey. When their friendship turns to something more, Lukas must choose between the priesthood and the woman he loves. War is on the horizon, and eventually, both will become caught in the atrocities, and their journeys will have you breathless.
This is a stark reminder of the devastation war causes to families and the dark stain on history left by heinous acts, while also being a complex love story that explores duty, faith, and conscience.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @catherine_taylor_author for this gifted book.
May 1, 2026
Wow. What a well-written story. The story is a slow build-up until the eve of World War II but I didn’t mind because it gave the characters depth and layers. The author gave us an opportunity to watch Kitty and Lukas grow up and at the same time witness their loss of innocence. In the first half of the book, we were led into the world of Kitty and her eccentric, boisterous family in Guernsey and seeing the way Lukas and Kitty were brought up, we begin to understand their ways of thinking.
By the second half of the novel, we watch them grow up against the backdrop of the Second World War. It turns increasingly dark and heavy, and I found myself clutching my chest because of the emotions and circumstances that surrounded them. It was painful, and even though this was a work of fiction, Kitty and Lukas’ story is a true reflection of the plight of many people in an era of fascism and total loss of human rights.
I was blown away by this book. It destroyed me. There should be no room for war in this world—but apparently humans will never learn from history.
By the second half of the novel, we watch them grow up against the backdrop of the Second World War. It turns increasingly dark and heavy, and I found myself clutching my chest because of the emotions and circumstances that surrounded them. It was painful, and even though this was a work of fiction, Kitty and Lukas’ story is a true reflection of the plight of many people in an era of fascism and total loss of human rights.
I was blown away by this book. It destroyed me. There should be no room for war in this world—but apparently humans will never learn from history.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a well written story. This is my first book by this author and I definitely enjoyed it. In 1936, Kitty moves to Guernsey with her parents and siblings. In Nazi Berlin, Lukas, an idealistic and devout Roman Catholic seminarian, is reluctantly leaving for Guernsey, too, forced to interrupt his priestly studies for a year to take his newly widowed English-born mother back home to safety. Fiercely anti-Nazi, he can’t help feeling that he’s abandoning both his country and his calling at a moment of gathering darkness. Kitty and Lukas create a bond together, but as the war is progressing, things get more dangerous for them. The author did such a fantastic job of depicting the war and how scary those times were. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the island and reading their love story.such a gripping book.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
April 30, 2026
The Many Seas to Guernsey is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted historical novel that explores love, faith, and moral courage against the backdrop of a world on the brink of war. Catherine Taylor weaves an emotionally rich narrative that lingers long after the final page.
What makes the book stand out is its emotional depth. The relationship at its core is shaped by complex choices and conflicting loyalties, creating a story that feels both intimate and profound.
The historical setting is vividly realized, capturing both the quiet beauty of Guernsey and the growing tension of pre-war Europe. This contrast enhances the emotional stakes and draws readers fully into the world of the novel.
A powerful and immersive read for fans of historical fiction that combines sweeping scope with deeply personal storytelling.
What makes the book stand out is its emotional depth. The relationship at its core is shaped by complex choices and conflicting loyalties, creating a story that feels both intimate and profound.
The historical setting is vividly realized, capturing both the quiet beauty of Guernsey and the growing tension of pre-war Europe. This contrast enhances the emotional stakes and draws readers fully into the world of the novel.
A powerful and immersive read for fans of historical fiction that combines sweeping scope with deeply personal storytelling.
June 12, 2026
First of all, this is my first time reading this author, and I have already added her other book to my wishlist. I instantly became a fan of her writing style. It was smooth, flawless, and addictive. I did not even realize when I finished the book because I was so lost in it.
Second of all, this was an excellent read. The story felt as if it was actually written during the WWII period. The way the context was written felt realistic and naturally immersive. It was very much a "right person, wrong time" then "wrong person, right time" and finally "right person, right time" kind of story.
Apart from the romance, the book explores themes like family, religion, ambiguity, racism, and toxicity within relationships. Because of that, it was a very contemplative and reflective read.
I highly recommend this.
Second of all, this was an excellent read. The story felt as if it was actually written during the WWII period. The way the context was written felt realistic and naturally immersive. It was very much a "right person, wrong time" then "wrong person, right time" and finally "right person, right time" kind of story.
Apart from the romance, the book explores themes like family, religion, ambiguity, racism, and toxicity within relationships. Because of that, it was a very contemplative and reflective read.
I highly recommend this.
July 13, 2026
The Many Seas to Guernsey is a beautifully reflective novel that explores family, identity, and the lasting pull of the past. I enjoyed how the story gradually unfolded, revealing connections between generations instead of rushing to the answers. The island of Guernsey isn't simply a setting. It becomes part of the story itself, shaping the characters and the choices they make along the way.
I especially liked the way memories and family history were woven into the narrative. As more pieces fell into place, I found myself becoming more invested in the characters and wanting to understand how their journeys would intersect. It's a thoughtful novel that balances emotion with a strong sense of place, and I was still thinking about it after I finished the final chapter. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I especially liked the way memories and family history were woven into the narrative. As more pieces fell into place, I found myself becoming more invested in the characters and wanting to understand how their journeys would intersect. It's a thoughtful novel that balances emotion with a strong sense of place, and I was still thinking about it after I finished the final chapter. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just wow! There is a lot to unpack in this book as it’s dark throughout., it starts in the late 1930’s when Kitty and her unconventional family move to the island of Guernsey. Lukas a priest in training has moved from Nazi Germany to Guernsey with his sick mother. The story revolves around Kitty and Lukas and their blossoming relationship and then the move into WW2. This book won’t be for everyone as it contains polygamy, sexual abuse, war crimes etc. I found it hard hitting but I enjoyed it. It was sensitively and well written. This is my first book by Catherine Taylor and I would definitely look up more of her books.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 20 March 2026.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 20 March 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
I’m having serious “book hangover” after finishing this; review forthcoming…
A young woman, set on becoming an author, finds her life before and during the 2nd World War to be a series of surprising twists, turns, and difficult decisions.
A young man, who plans to humble himself before God by becoming a priest, has his faith continually challenged by his yearnings of manhood, and also by the atrocities that he witnesses being committed by none other than some of the Church leaders themselves.
Sadly, many of the attitudes of anti-semitism and acts of violence that were detailed would also be relevant in a book set in modern times…
A must-read for historical fiction lovers.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
I’m having serious “book hangover” after finishing this; review forthcoming…
A young woman, set on becoming an author, finds her life before and during the 2nd World War to be a series of surprising twists, turns, and difficult decisions.
A young man, who plans to humble himself before God by becoming a priest, has his faith continually challenged by his yearnings of manhood, and also by the atrocities that he witnesses being committed by none other than some of the Church leaders themselves.
Sadly, many of the attitudes of anti-semitism and acts of violence that were detailed would also be relevant in a book set in modern times…
A must-read for historical fiction lovers.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
April 13, 2026
A German Catholic seminarian meets and falls in love with an English girl and her artistic, bohemian family on the island of Guernsey in the 1930s. The continued rise of Nazism in Germany, his German family and his faith tear them apart. They meet up again in Berlin, but can they survive all of the things that are keeping them apart.
Throughout the book several of the characters change significantly as a result of the events happening around them and to them. Knowing the history of WW2 and where these characters were left off, the ending felt unfinished to me. Will there be a book two? If so, I look forward to it.
Thank you NetGalley and Cameo Press Ltd for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Throughout the book several of the characters change significantly as a result of the events happening around them and to them. Knowing the history of WW2 and where these characters were left off, the ending felt unfinished to me. Will there be a book two? If so, I look forward to it.
Thank you NetGalley and Cameo Press Ltd for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2026
The Many Seas to Guernsey is a wonderfully mighty story that drew me in.
In 1936, Kitty, an aspiring young writer, moves to the island of Guernsey with her family. Both her parents are artists, somewhat bohemian in their lifestyle, and I found them rather charming. Kitty’s mother, Clara, was a particular favourite character of mine; she made me smile with her expressions and wit; a very considerate lady but quite amusing.
By chance, Kitty meets Lukas, a German trainee Catholic priest. Their friendship blossoms into a deep love but Lukas’ heart belongs to God and the Catholic church. Whilst their lives are pulled in different directions because of the war and Lukas’ calling to the priesthood, this is not the end of their story.
This richly detailed, immense tale spans across 1936 to 1940, from the Guernsey shores to the Bavarian mountains, then onto the perilous streets of Berlin.
I was completely rapt in the following of Lukas and Kitty’s journeys; they were both forced to ‘grow up’ amidst the changing, very difficult and chaotic circumstances they found themselves in. Lukas faces an internal battle in determining and accepting what it means to do God’s will. Kitty regrettably finds herself ‘stuck’ where she does not want to be and struggles with her conscience. The inhumane Nazi cruelty and torture described in the story form some really hard, emotive scenes. The risky decisions made by both Lukas and Kitty made this book really feel like a ‘knots in the stomach’ page-turner.
A truly amazing work of historical fiction; it’s deep, it’s human, it’s powerful. I could easily have carried on reading more of Lukas and Kitty’s tale beyond the final page of this book.
In 1936, Kitty, an aspiring young writer, moves to the island of Guernsey with her family. Both her parents are artists, somewhat bohemian in their lifestyle, and I found them rather charming. Kitty’s mother, Clara, was a particular favourite character of mine; she made me smile with her expressions and wit; a very considerate lady but quite amusing.
By chance, Kitty meets Lukas, a German trainee Catholic priest. Their friendship blossoms into a deep love but Lukas’ heart belongs to God and the Catholic church. Whilst their lives are pulled in different directions because of the war and Lukas’ calling to the priesthood, this is not the end of their story.
This richly detailed, immense tale spans across 1936 to 1940, from the Guernsey shores to the Bavarian mountains, then onto the perilous streets of Berlin.
I was completely rapt in the following of Lukas and Kitty’s journeys; they were both forced to ‘grow up’ amidst the changing, very difficult and chaotic circumstances they found themselves in. Lukas faces an internal battle in determining and accepting what it means to do God’s will. Kitty regrettably finds herself ‘stuck’ where she does not want to be and struggles with her conscience. The inhumane Nazi cruelty and torture described in the story form some really hard, emotive scenes. The risky decisions made by both Lukas and Kitty made this book really feel like a ‘knots in the stomach’ page-turner.
A truly amazing work of historical fiction; it’s deep, it’s human, it’s powerful. I could easily have carried on reading more of Lukas and Kitty’s tale beyond the final page of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Many Seas to Guernsey by Catherine Taylor is an excellent historical fiction novel set during WW2.
The novel begins in the later part of the 1930's.
Kitty and her family move to Guernsey, an island.
Lukas is training to be a priest and has left Nazi Germany to move to the island of Guernsey. He has brought his sick mother.
The story is about Kitty and Lukas and their relationship.
The story is pretty dark. There are a lot of very heavy topics covered.
I really enjoyed this book and reading about the journey Kitty and Lukas's lives took as WW2 began.
The story is excellent and thoughtful.
Highly recommend this novel for lovers of historical fiction.
The novel begins in the later part of the 1930's.
Kitty and her family move to Guernsey, an island.
Lukas is training to be a priest and has left Nazi Germany to move to the island of Guernsey. He has brought his sick mother.
The story is about Kitty and Lukas and their relationship.
The story is pretty dark. There are a lot of very heavy topics covered.
I really enjoyed this book and reading about the journey Kitty and Lukas's lives took as WW2 began.
The story is excellent and thoughtful.
Highly recommend this novel for lovers of historical fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first time reading a book by this author and I intend to read more of her books in the future. This was very well written and had such great atmospheric descriptions of the island of Guernsey. I would love to travel there and see it for myself. Kitty and Lukas had such great chemistry and I loved reading about their heartbreaking love story. I look forward to continuing the story in the second book. This is the type of story that will stay with you long after you have finished the last page. If you enjoy historical fiction then give this one a read.
Thank you Netgalley and The Cameo Press LTD for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and The Cameo Press LTD for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2026
I love history and historical fiction, and while this story touches on some very hard subjects, when a book is well written it really pulls me in, and this one absolutely did.
Set in the years before WWII, the story follows Kitty and Lukas, whose unexpected connection slowly grows into something deeper.
This book explores love, conscience, and impossible choices during a very dark moment in history. Some parts are difficult to read because of the themes involved, but they’re handled in a thoughtful and powerful way.
This was my first book by Catherine Taylor, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Set in the years before WWII, the story follows Kitty and Lukas, whose unexpected connection slowly grows into something deeper.
This book explores love, conscience, and impossible choices during a very dark moment in history. Some parts are difficult to read because of the themes involved, but they’re handled in a thoughtful and powerful way.
This was my first book by Catherine Taylor, but it definitely won’t be my last.
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