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Goodnight from London
From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—author of Moonlight Over Paris and Somewhere in France—comes a lush historical novel that tells the fascinating story of Ruby Sutton, an ambitious American journalist who moves to London in 1940 to report on the Second World War, and to start a new life an ocean away from her past. In the summer of 1940, ambitious young American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big the chance to report on the European war as a staff writer for Picture Weekly newsmagazine in London. She jumps at the chance, for it's an opportunity not only to prove herself, but also to start fresh in a city and country that know nothing of her humble origins. But life in besieged Britain tests Ruby in ways she never imagined.Although most of Ruby's new colleagues welcome her, a few resent her presence, not only as an American but also as a woman. She is just beginning to find her feet, to feel at home in a country that is so familiar yet so foreign, when the bombs begin to fall. As the nightly horror of the Blitz stretches unbroken into weeks and months, Ruby must set aside her determination to remain an objective observer. When she loses everything but her life, and must depend upon the kindness of strangers, she learns for the first time the depth and measure of true friendship—and what it is to love a man who is burdened by secrets that aren’t his to share. Goodnight from London, inspired in part by the wartime experiences of the author’s own grandmother, is a captivating, heartfelt, and historically immersive story that readers are sure to embrace.
400 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 2, 2017
736 people are currently reading
9027 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Robson
12 books3,151 followersJennifer Robson first learned about the Great War from her father, acclaimed historian Stuart Robson, and later served as an official guide at the Canadian National War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France. A former copy editor, she holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from the University of Oxford. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and young children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 941 reviews
July 26, 2019
See full review and many others on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
As book lovers, I think we can all agree not all 400 pages in every book we read are created equally. Sometimes I can fly through 400 pages in a day and other times it may take me a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, Goodnight from London was one of the latter. I felt as if I was never going to finish this book. Not because it was bad per se, but because it instead began to feel rather tedious.
In the summer of 1940, Ruby Sutton is sent to London to report on the war from first-hand experience for Picture Weekly newsmagazine. Surprised and exhilarated by the opportunity, she sets out to be the honest and empathetic voice Americans and Brits alike need to hear. When the Blitz stretches out for months, night after night, Ruby finds herself in situations she never could have imagined. Remarkably, the dangers do nothing to make Ruby regret her decision to venture overseas. Instead, she manages to find home and family in unlikely places.
I love reading WWII Historical Fiction and I’m absolutely enamored by London, as many of you already know. However, this book somehow missed the mark for me. I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing, but it may be a mixture of a few things. I hate to say this story didn’t have heart, because there were some endearing and heartbreaking moments within these pages. Though, I didn’t feel them as much as I would have expected from a WWII period novel. It was such a devastating time in history, so while I’m reading, I truly want to experience that. I can’t say exactly what kept me feeling detached from this story, except for maybe the span of years and the novel covers. Instead of covering just a portion of the war, Goodnight from London spans the entire war in less than 400 pages. This fact possibly made the novel seem jumpy, instead of allowing full immersion in the events at hand. That’s five years covered in less than 100 pages each, which is a tough feat for any author.
I also hoped for a little more life from the characters. That’s not to say they were poorly written, but rather lacking some of the personal touches or quirks that should have made them stand out on the pages. I didn’t feel particularly drawn to any one of the characters, which also causes a gap in emotional attachment between the reader and the story. This was not as much of a romantic story as I expected based on the cover (I know, I shouldn’t judge the book by the cover). In fact, the romance was only a minor addition to the plot, in my opinion. I wished there had been a bit more love and less mystery with Bennett’s character overall.
One of the most impressive things about this novel was the research the author put in, allowing me to learn a few things I did not know previously. However, the way the information was presented felt a tad clunky at times, giving the story a Nonfiction feel.
Overall, I’d probably have to give this novel 2.5 stars rounding up to 3, because I simply expected more. I wasn’t excited or anxious to find out more as I was reading, but was ready to be finished as to move on to more captivating stories.
As book lovers, I think we can all agree not all 400 pages in every book we read are created equally. Sometimes I can fly through 400 pages in a day and other times it may take me a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, Goodnight from London was one of the latter. I felt as if I was never going to finish this book. Not because it was bad per se, but because it instead began to feel rather tedious.
In the summer of 1940, Ruby Sutton is sent to London to report on the war from first-hand experience for Picture Weekly newsmagazine. Surprised and exhilarated by the opportunity, she sets out to be the honest and empathetic voice Americans and Brits alike need to hear. When the Blitz stretches out for months, night after night, Ruby finds herself in situations she never could have imagined. Remarkably, the dangers do nothing to make Ruby regret her decision to venture overseas. Instead, she manages to find home and family in unlikely places.
I love reading WWII Historical Fiction and I’m absolutely enamored by London, as many of you already know. However, this book somehow missed the mark for me. I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing, but it may be a mixture of a few things. I hate to say this story didn’t have heart, because there were some endearing and heartbreaking moments within these pages. Though, I didn’t feel them as much as I would have expected from a WWII period novel. It was such a devastating time in history, so while I’m reading, I truly want to experience that. I can’t say exactly what kept me feeling detached from this story, except for maybe the span of years and the novel covers. Instead of covering just a portion of the war, Goodnight from London spans the entire war in less than 400 pages. This fact possibly made the novel seem jumpy, instead of allowing full immersion in the events at hand. That’s five years covered in less than 100 pages each, which is a tough feat for any author.
I also hoped for a little more life from the characters. That’s not to say they were poorly written, but rather lacking some of the personal touches or quirks that should have made them stand out on the pages. I didn’t feel particularly drawn to any one of the characters, which also causes a gap in emotional attachment between the reader and the story. This was not as much of a romantic story as I expected based on the cover (I know, I shouldn’t judge the book by the cover). In fact, the romance was only a minor addition to the plot, in my opinion. I wished there had been a bit more love and less mystery with Bennett’s character overall.
One of the most impressive things about this novel was the research the author put in, allowing me to learn a few things I did not know previously. However, the way the information was presented felt a tad clunky at times, giving the story a Nonfiction feel.
Overall, I’d probably have to give this novel 2.5 stars rounding up to 3, because I simply expected more. I wasn’t excited or anxious to find out more as I was reading, but was ready to be finished as to move on to more captivating stories.
May 28, 2017
3.5 stars
New York City: 1940. Ruby Sutton is an American journalist that has just received the "dream job", an opportunity to work as a journalist in London and carry the stories she finds there to the British and American public. While in London, Ruby meets a British officer named Bennett and through him she finds for the first time the family that she never had growing up. Jennifer Robson really knows how to transport readers or in the words of another reviewer "step into" the World War II era. The atmosphere matches the fear and the "stiff upper lip" of the British people during the Blitz. Goodnight from London is a very human story and Ruby is the perfect character to be our "eyes" and "ears" to tell it.
So why is this book not a 4 or 5 star? Well, I guess it's probably that I have been reading WWII era books for a long time and I just feel that in some instances this book falls into the glossy romanticism of that period.
Still a book I would recommend.
New York City: 1940. Ruby Sutton is an American journalist that has just received the "dream job", an opportunity to work as a journalist in London and carry the stories she finds there to the British and American public. While in London, Ruby meets a British officer named Bennett and through him she finds for the first time the family that she never had growing up. Jennifer Robson really knows how to transport readers or in the words of another reviewer "step into" the World War II era. The atmosphere matches the fear and the "stiff upper lip" of the British people during the Blitz. Goodnight from London is a very human story and Ruby is the perfect character to be our "eyes" and "ears" to tell it.
So why is this book not a 4 or 5 star? Well, I guess it's probably that I have been reading WWII era books for a long time and I just feel that in some instances this book falls into the glossy romanticism of that period.
Still a book I would recommend.
June 21, 2017
Effortless and eloquent! Heartwarming story about love, life and survival in war-time London.
Full review to follow shortly.
Full review to follow shortly.
November 29, 2017
After reading this book, I was intrigued by the author's background. She was pursuing her doctorate in British economic and social history from Saint Antony's College, University of Oxford and started researching this particular subject. Further background, her father Stuart Robson, is a (former) well known history professor at the University of Victoria (BC, Canada).
Ruby Sutton, American "journalist" has been tapped (by her American news organization) to cover the "war story" in London during the summer of 1940. Although, Ruby has a secret background, she is determined to be the best at writing for the newsmagazine she is assigned to, with dispatches sent to her American magazine. Ruby meets Bennett, a member of the military, whose position takes him away, mysteriously, for great periods of time. Ruby lives through the initial Blitz series, loses everything when the place she is living is destroyed, and must come to terms of having to depend on the mercy and kindness of strangers - who become her family.
Along the way, Ruby meets many people who have lost for more than she, her insight into gaining their trust in writing their stories, elevates her position at the news organization. When a fellow American journalist from her magazine in the States arrives - he manages to create animosity among some of her English co-workers, to the point of her being detained by the English authorities looking into her "secret background."
The bombing of Coventry and its 400 plus year old Cathedral is very graphic, yet historically accurate, this is what made me look further into her background.
I had bumped into a paperback edition at our local Friends of the Library book sale, while reading I noticed it was a signed First Edition.
Ruby Sutton, American "journalist" has been tapped (by her American news organization) to cover the "war story" in London during the summer of 1940. Although, Ruby has a secret background, she is determined to be the best at writing for the newsmagazine she is assigned to, with dispatches sent to her American magazine. Ruby meets Bennett, a member of the military, whose position takes him away, mysteriously, for great periods of time. Ruby lives through the initial Blitz series, loses everything when the place she is living is destroyed, and must come to terms of having to depend on the mercy and kindness of strangers - who become her family.
Along the way, Ruby meets many people who have lost for more than she, her insight into gaining their trust in writing their stories, elevates her position at the news organization. When a fellow American journalist from her magazine in the States arrives - he manages to create animosity among some of her English co-workers, to the point of her being detained by the English authorities looking into her "secret background."
The bombing of Coventry and its 400 plus year old Cathedral is very graphic, yet historically accurate, this is what made me look further into her background.
I had bumped into a paperback edition at our local Friends of the Library book sale, while reading I noticed it was a signed First Edition.
March 12, 2017
Loved this book. Review to come.
September 12, 2017
I read this and enjoyed it. That said, it is utterly predictable, complete with a dark secret that's obvious from nearly the opening chapter, a dashing love interest that is also obvious,AND pretty pat, an Every WWII Novel Needs A Minor Character Getting Killed Sequence, plus another plot point that enables an "American Girl" style let's-put-our-heroine-into-a-more -glamorous- situation. And did I mention the also ubiquitous Famous Person Cameo, in this book by Eleanor Roosevelt?
As I said, utterly predictable. But for an hour and a half on an evening when I needed brain candy, especially well researched historical fiction brain candy, this fit the bill.
As I said, utterly predictable. But for an hour and a half on an evening when I needed brain candy, especially well researched historical fiction brain candy, this fit the bill.
May 2, 2017
Jennifer Robson's previous three books have focused on WWI and this is her first book about WWII. It's a wonderful book about London told from a woman's perspective. The main character, Ruby Sutton, is a strong woman who is trying to make a success of her life as a reporter despite the resistance from some of the male reporters. When she is first assigned to London, she is quite shy and unsure of herself but as she gets more familiar with city, she becomes the strong character that is seen in the rest of the book. The author did a fantastic job of describing the Blitz and the way that the people felt while the bombs were dropping every night. The reader can feel the characters' fear and despair during the bombings and the relief as they leave the shelters. Ruby's reporting assignments gave the author a chance to show us different parts of England during the war and provided some very interesting human interest stories. This novel has everything that I want in a good historical fiction book - a well written book that shows that the author did considerable research on the subject, a strong main character - extra bonus because this one is female, great friendships and a romance. This is my favorite book by this author so far and I look forward to whatever she writes in the future.
November 6, 2017
3 Stars
Pleasant but predictable with a nice romance. Good use of actual incidents from the Blitz; the author did plenty of research. Irritating errors in the narrative. Enjoyable but not particularly memorable.
Pleasant but predictable with a nice romance. Good use of actual incidents from the Blitz; the author did plenty of research. Irritating errors in the narrative. Enjoyable but not particularly memorable.
April 2, 2017
My friend and fellow writer, Lia Davis Munro, has a term for strong and determined female characters in literature. She calls them "gutsy heroines." Ruby Sutton, from Goodnight From London, is absolutely one of these gutsy heroines.
Ruby is a young American journalist. As WWII breaks out in Europe, Ruby is sent to London, England to work for a local magazine covering the war. Even during wartime, Ruby is excited about this new opportunity to start fresh across the ocean and leave the secrets of her past behind. In London she forms bonds with many new friends at her work, especially as they live through the nightly horrors of the Blitz. Ruby depends on the kindness of strangers to help her keep going both as she takes on new projects in her magazine and as she falls for a captain in the military who has his own secrets to hide.
Redbook described Goodnight From London as, "An enchanting historical fiction reading experience that will break your heart only to put it back together again, Goodnight From London is the ultimate trifecta of suspense, romance, and unputdownable prose." I couldn't agree more. I have been a Jennifer Robson fan for awhile, and Goodnight From London was just as wonderful as I had hoped it would be.
This book is a tribute to the entire generation of World War II. Whether they were on the battlefield or at home waiting for loved ones to return, men and women all over London fought to endure during a time when they were faced with darkness each and every day. Ruby's story is a story of hope, a story of friendship, and a story of love.
Finally, I always love learning about how authors are inspired for the different stories that they write. What is interesting to keep in mind while reading Goodnight From London is that parts of the story are inspired by the wartime experiences of Jennifer Robson's own grandmother.
Ruby is a young American journalist. As WWII breaks out in Europe, Ruby is sent to London, England to work for a local magazine covering the war. Even during wartime, Ruby is excited about this new opportunity to start fresh across the ocean and leave the secrets of her past behind. In London she forms bonds with many new friends at her work, especially as they live through the nightly horrors of the Blitz. Ruby depends on the kindness of strangers to help her keep going both as she takes on new projects in her magazine and as she falls for a captain in the military who has his own secrets to hide.
Redbook described Goodnight From London as, "An enchanting historical fiction reading experience that will break your heart only to put it back together again, Goodnight From London is the ultimate trifecta of suspense, romance, and unputdownable prose." I couldn't agree more. I have been a Jennifer Robson fan for awhile, and Goodnight From London was just as wonderful as I had hoped it would be.
This book is a tribute to the entire generation of World War II. Whether they were on the battlefield or at home waiting for loved ones to return, men and women all over London fought to endure during a time when they were faced with darkness each and every day. Ruby's story is a story of hope, a story of friendship, and a story of love.
Finally, I always love learning about how authors are inspired for the different stories that they write. What is interesting to keep in mind while reading Goodnight From London is that parts of the story are inspired by the wartime experiences of Jennifer Robson's own grandmother.
November 21, 2024
This is a powerful and evocative story of love, courage, and the strength of the human spirit that will dazzle readers who enjoy stories about World War II.
June 17, 2020
The summer of 1940, Ruby Sutton gets the chance of a life time to go to Europe and report on the war. Ruby got more than she bargained for.
She experienced first hand living through the blackouts, the blitz and the devastation of war. Ruby’s own hotel is bombed and she loses everything but her life. She is a very strong woman and with the help of Captain Bennett she goes on. Ruby learns to trust people even though she has secrets of her own.
She puts her faith in Captain Bennett, who has mysteries himself.
This book is very well researched and written. If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book.
She experienced first hand living through the blackouts, the blitz and the devastation of war. Ruby’s own hotel is bombed and she loses everything but her life. She is a very strong woman and with the help of Captain Bennett she goes on. Ruby learns to trust people even though she has secrets of her own.
She puts her faith in Captain Bennett, who has mysteries himself.
This book is very well researched and written. If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book.
June 11, 2017
Very much enjoyed this story of an American journalist in war torn London during WW2. Shows what ordinary people went through. Plus a story of kindness and friendship and women taking a step up in journalism. Excellent narration from Saskia Maarleveld
June 2, 2017
I really enjoyed Jennifer Robson’s trilogy set around the Great War (Somewhere in France, After the War Is Over, and Moonlight Over Paris), so when I saw that her next book was set during World War II, I knew I had to read it — and I was not disappointed! Goodnight from London is the story of American journalist Ruby Sutton, who arrives in London in 1940 to cover human interest stories for Picture Weekly. She left behind a lonely life in New York to pursue her career, and she soon comes into her own with the help of her new friends, editor Kaz, photographer Mary, and the secretive Captain Bennett.
Ruby believes she will bring an outsider’s perspective to her stories, which are being sent back to her New York weekly as “Dispatches from London,” but it’s not long before London feels like a real home to her. She endures the Blitz along with everyone else, finding comfort in Londoners’ ability to “keep on keeping on” even after they’ve lost everything but their lives. Robson follows Ruby over the course of the war as she finds love and friendship and matures as a writer and a person, forcing herself forward even as the war and her past catch up to her and threaten her newfound happiness.
I loved Goodnight from London, especially its plucky heroine, Ruby (who was inspired by Robson’s grandmother), and her determination to make something of herself no matter what. Robson has created a strong supporting cast of characters as well, especially in the sweet but mysterious Bennett and his charming godmother, Vanessa. Robson beautifully sets the scene of London during the Blitz, making readers feel like they are truly accompanying Ruby as she seeks out the good in the midst of so much destruction and is brave enough to move closer to the action in order to understand the importance of sacrifice, not only by the soldiers, doctors, and nurses but the everyday person as well.
Robson is a true storyteller, whose passion for her subject matter shines through in every page of the novel. If I hadn’t been so busy and distracted lately, I likely would’ve devoured this book in one sitting. Goodnight from London is an emotional tale for sure, and while I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story, I’m glad Robson kept Ruby, her courage and determination, and her wartime experiences at the forefront. Definitely a contender for my Best of 2017 list!
Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Ruby believes she will bring an outsider’s perspective to her stories, which are being sent back to her New York weekly as “Dispatches from London,” but it’s not long before London feels like a real home to her. She endures the Blitz along with everyone else, finding comfort in Londoners’ ability to “keep on keeping on” even after they’ve lost everything but their lives. Robson follows Ruby over the course of the war as she finds love and friendship and matures as a writer and a person, forcing herself forward even as the war and her past catch up to her and threaten her newfound happiness.
I loved Goodnight from London, especially its plucky heroine, Ruby (who was inspired by Robson’s grandmother), and her determination to make something of herself no matter what. Robson has created a strong supporting cast of characters as well, especially in the sweet but mysterious Bennett and his charming godmother, Vanessa. Robson beautifully sets the scene of London during the Blitz, making readers feel like they are truly accompanying Ruby as she seeks out the good in the midst of so much destruction and is brave enough to move closer to the action in order to understand the importance of sacrifice, not only by the soldiers, doctors, and nurses but the everyday person as well.
Robson is a true storyteller, whose passion for her subject matter shines through in every page of the novel. If I hadn’t been so busy and distracted lately, I likely would’ve devoured this book in one sitting. Goodnight from London is an emotional tale for sure, and while I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story, I’m glad Robson kept Ruby, her courage and determination, and her wartime experiences at the forefront. Definitely a contender for my Best of 2017 list!
Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
September 8, 2022
Wonderful book about life in London during the Blitz! The reader will experience the sirens and scrambling for shelter (sometimes several times over the course of a night), the strangeness of wartime food, and the sorrow of seeing the results of the bombing. That reader will also feel his “upper lip stiffening”, along with all those brave souls who endured, night after night throughout the duration of WW2. The author’s notes at the end, about how she came to write this story, are also enthralling.
January 11, 2018
"GOODNIGHT FROM LONDON" is a tender-hearted, at turns adventurous and perilous account of the experiences of a young American journalist, Ruby Sutton, who is given the opportunity from her employer to undertake an assignment in Britain during the summer of 1940 to provide both American and British readers with stories highlighting life on the UK home front.
Ruby experiences a lot of what the war was about, endures loss, and much more. Any reader who savors a richly layered, well-told tale will enjoy reading "GOODNIGHT FROM LONDON."
Ruby experiences a lot of what the war was about, endures loss, and much more. Any reader who savors a richly layered, well-told tale will enjoy reading "GOODNIGHT FROM LONDON."
July 7, 2017
I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars for this one. This story was enough to keep me reading but not much more than that. Some of the scenic descriptions from the author were very well done but the characters and plot themselves were lacking. The romance that plays out literally made me gag. Tall dark handsome love at first sight. I just couldn't deal with it.
June 14, 2020
I really enjoy books by this author! I will probably read all her books.
Ruby is a journalist. She grew up in an orphanage in New Jersey and got a job as a journalist in New York. She gets tapped to work at a paper in London (while sending articles back to her original paper). She has never had friends/family before. Right from her first steps in London she makes friends with Bennet who is serving his country in a shady way. She makes friends and finds a place in the new paper she is at. She somehow makes enemies and she finds a family where she lives. She experiences the fear of the blitz, deaths of people she knows and people in stories she is reporting on. I don't know if I've read a book like it. There was something about it I didn't know, I can't remember the part where I was like...what?!?! A new view that I had never seen, I really enjoyed it. The friendships and relationships that Ruby builds and how she makes a new home for herself; I loved it. It was really touching. :D Mainly I really enjoyed it. Second book by this author and I liked it!
Quotes:
“'To accept that my life isn’t over and I have useful work to do. Not to mention friends who care for me and want me to be well.’
‘We do,’ she insisted. ‘I ought to have made that clearer to you. We all should have.’
He grimaced theatrically at this. ‘Remember that the rest of us are English, and we’d rather chew on broken glass than talk about our feelings.’”(p. 212).
“'If ever we do get a real toehold in Europe, we will have to fight for every yard, every inch of ground. The years to come will be drenched in blood, and we haven’t even begun to plumb the horrors of what is happening to civilians in Axis territory. That article you ran in PW about the Nazis’ euthanasia scheme was only the tip of the iceberg. If I told you all I know, you will never sleep again.’”(p. 232).
“'It’s not simply the case that I’m secretive, you know. I don’t want you to know such things because I don’t want you to be burdened by them.’
‘But that’s part of loving someone. Sharing the weight of the burdens they carry. If you want to tell me, then go ahead. I won’t break.’”(p. 345).
Ruby is a journalist. She grew up in an orphanage in New Jersey and got a job as a journalist in New York. She gets tapped to work at a paper in London (while sending articles back to her original paper). She has never had friends/family before. Right from her first steps in London she makes friends with Bennet who is serving his country in a shady way. She makes friends and finds a place in the new paper she is at. She somehow makes enemies and she finds a family where she lives. She experiences the fear of the blitz, deaths of people she knows and people in stories she is reporting on. I don't know if I've read a book like it. There was something about it I didn't know, I can't remember the part where I was like...what?!?! A new view that I had never seen, I really enjoyed it. The friendships and relationships that Ruby builds and how she makes a new home for herself; I loved it. It was really touching. :D Mainly I really enjoyed it. Second book by this author and I liked it!
Quotes:
“'To accept that my life isn’t over and I have useful work to do. Not to mention friends who care for me and want me to be well.’
‘We do,’ she insisted. ‘I ought to have made that clearer to you. We all should have.’
He grimaced theatrically at this. ‘Remember that the rest of us are English, and we’d rather chew on broken glass than talk about our feelings.’”(p. 212).
“'If ever we do get a real toehold in Europe, we will have to fight for every yard, every inch of ground. The years to come will be drenched in blood, and we haven’t even begun to plumb the horrors of what is happening to civilians in Axis territory. That article you ran in PW about the Nazis’ euthanasia scheme was only the tip of the iceberg. If I told you all I know, you will never sleep again.’”(p. 232).
“'It’s not simply the case that I’m secretive, you know. I don’t want you to know such things because I don’t want you to be burdened by them.’
‘But that’s part of loving someone. Sharing the weight of the burdens they carry. If you want to tell me, then go ahead. I won’t break.’”(p. 345).
November 12, 2020
Goodnight from London does an amazing job of engulfing the reader in the atmosphere of WWII London/England, as well as bring you into the hectic and time-crunched environment of a newsroom. It provides a delightful read that spans the gamut of emotions, but always leaves you feeling good.
I loved the characters. Each one added something to the story and let you feel what they were living. Whether it was the good times or the horror of the Blitz. The night after night bombardment that shattered nerves and caused sleep deprivation as well as caused massive deaths, destruction, and devastation was palpable. When the characters were hungry, you knew it, and you could share what little they had to eat. I adored Vanessa for the familial love she created for all who were lucky enough to enter her sphere.
This is a wartime romance where everyone is in jeopardy. It covers love, loss, friendship, family that you make, betrayal, danger, and risk. The romance simmers for most of the book, but toward the very end, the reader is rewarded for their patience. I found one of the best love letters I’ve ever seen in this book.
It’s not just a romance, however. It’s a book of friendship and how it makes like worth living even in the bleakest of times. For Ruby, friendship after a life raised in a dismal orphanage is worth every minute of danger.
The writing of this book was wonderful. It was easy to read and help my interest. I never felt that it bogged down at all. It moved cleanly and clearly from one situation to another and melded them into a cohesive whole. I highly recommend this book.
I loved the characters. Each one added something to the story and let you feel what they were living. Whether it was the good times or the horror of the Blitz. The night after night bombardment that shattered nerves and caused sleep deprivation as well as caused massive deaths, destruction, and devastation was palpable. When the characters were hungry, you knew it, and you could share what little they had to eat. I adored Vanessa for the familial love she created for all who were lucky enough to enter her sphere.
This is a wartime romance where everyone is in jeopardy. It covers love, loss, friendship, family that you make, betrayal, danger, and risk. The romance simmers for most of the book, but toward the very end, the reader is rewarded for their patience. I found one of the best love letters I’ve ever seen in this book.
It’s not just a romance, however. It’s a book of friendship and how it makes like worth living even in the bleakest of times. For Ruby, friendship after a life raised in a dismal orphanage is worth every minute of danger.
The writing of this book was wonderful. It was easy to read and help my interest. I never felt that it bogged down at all. It moved cleanly and clearly from one situation to another and melded them into a cohesive whole. I highly recommend this book.
June 5, 2017
When she dated something September 31, I got too cranky
December 27, 2020
3.5 STARS (increased to 4 for this site): I'm an avid WWII Historical Fiction reader and although it sometimes feels like I've read it all, I had yet to read Goodnight From London, part of Canadian author Jennifer Robson's backlist. This book falls into the lighter realm of the genre and was a slower paced but enjoyable read. It is clearly well-researched as Robson, an academic, former editor and self-proclaimed lifelong history nerd, weaves real events that occurred during the Blitz with a fictional story that follows Ruby Sutton, a young female journalist who is sent to London to write about the war.
My favourite parts of the book were Robson's descriptions of day-to-day life in England during the intense 8-month long German bombing campaign against Britain and the small instances of humanity during this dangerous time. But despite the dangerous location, this remains a lighter read with the romance set in the background.
The story centres around Ruby and I liked her feisty spirit as she tries to prove her skills as a war correspondent. But she remains a bit of an enigma for the reader, keeping her emotions close to her chest. I would have loved to know more about her past and gotten to know the secondary characters, particularly Bennett's aunt better.
This is a heartwarming, lighter WWII fiction read that describes what life was like for average Brits during the Blitz. It has a lot going on but handles the romance, mystery, effects of war and complexity of its plot with a light hand. With its predictable story lines and lighter feel, it is a good choice for those who want a well-researched but less intense look at the war.
While this wasn't my favourite book by this author (that title currently goes to her book The Gown), this was an enjoyable read and I appreciated the amount of research involved. Jennifer Robson remains one of my go-to authors and I am currently eagerly awaiting my copy of Our Darkest Night that I have preordered for its January 2021 release.
My favourite parts of the book were Robson's descriptions of day-to-day life in England during the intense 8-month long German bombing campaign against Britain and the small instances of humanity during this dangerous time. But despite the dangerous location, this remains a lighter read with the romance set in the background.
The story centres around Ruby and I liked her feisty spirit as she tries to prove her skills as a war correspondent. But she remains a bit of an enigma for the reader, keeping her emotions close to her chest. I would have loved to know more about her past and gotten to know the secondary characters, particularly Bennett's aunt better.
This is a heartwarming, lighter WWII fiction read that describes what life was like for average Brits during the Blitz. It has a lot going on but handles the romance, mystery, effects of war and complexity of its plot with a light hand. With its predictable story lines and lighter feel, it is a good choice for those who want a well-researched but less intense look at the war.
While this wasn't my favourite book by this author (that title currently goes to her book The Gown), this was an enjoyable read and I appreciated the amount of research involved. Jennifer Robson remains one of my go-to authors and I am currently eagerly awaiting my copy of Our Darkest Night that I have preordered for its January 2021 release.
May 26, 2017
In "Goodnight from London," Ruby is initially thrilled when she lands a job that will take her to London reporting on the war in 1940. In the United States, the war still feels very far away and remote. Ruby is anxious to be where the action is and she knows that this will be a fantastic job to continue to hone her skills as a reporter for a weekly magazine. She doesn't know just how difficult the job will get! Based on stories from the author's own family history, this is a great historical fiction about London during World War II.
Reading fiction and non-fiction about war reporters seems to be becoming a favorite of mine. With characters like Ruby in this book, it is no wonder! Ruby is dedicated to her craft of writing a good story and capturing the facts. This lands her the job in London but Ruby is not prepared for how difficult living and working in a war torn city will be. We see a shift in her throughout the book. While she is a great reporter, she is a little naive at the beginning of the book. We see how she changes into someone who understands the reality of war a little more and just exactly what is at stake. I loved how the author was able to show this shift in the story!
Even though London was at the center of World War II for much of it, I don't feel like I have read about London during the Blitz, which this book centers on. I thought the author did a great job of capturing what it would have been like to be in London at the time. People still must try to go about their daily lives even with the threat of air strikes. They have to find a precarious balance, which is a theme throughout the book. I really liked the descriptions of what the city looked like at the time. This made the book feel real and the things that Ruby and the other characters were going through also added to that. This was a good book with a strong heroine and a good message!
Reading fiction and non-fiction about war reporters seems to be becoming a favorite of mine. With characters like Ruby in this book, it is no wonder! Ruby is dedicated to her craft of writing a good story and capturing the facts. This lands her the job in London but Ruby is not prepared for how difficult living and working in a war torn city will be. We see a shift in her throughout the book. While she is a great reporter, she is a little naive at the beginning of the book. We see how she changes into someone who understands the reality of war a little more and just exactly what is at stake. I loved how the author was able to show this shift in the story!
Even though London was at the center of World War II for much of it, I don't feel like I have read about London during the Blitz, which this book centers on. I thought the author did a great job of capturing what it would have been like to be in London at the time. People still must try to go about their daily lives even with the threat of air strikes. They have to find a precarious balance, which is a theme throughout the book. I really liked the descriptions of what the city looked like at the time. This made the book feel real and the things that Ruby and the other characters were going through also added to that. This was a good book with a strong heroine and a good message!
June 14, 2017
Ms. Robson historical fiction was inspired by the memoirs of her grandmother Myra Moir, a reporter, who worked on the women’s pages of the News-Herald. The author in her latest will transport us to London in the midst of the Blitzkrieg.
1940, American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break and moves to London to report on the Second World War as a staff member for Picture Weekly. But life in besieged Britain will test Ruby in ways unimaginable.
In a heartbeat I was immersed in a women’s fiction with strong romantic elements and fascinating accounts of life in England. The protagonist profession is a true part of the story I enjoyed particularly. It was much more than a simple filler, it was an excellent exploration of journalism as it was during that time: daring interviews nicely depicted. While in London, Ruby forms bonds with many friends and depends on their kindness to keep her going and since “Goodnight from London “is a mix of suspense and romance of course what else can we expect but to have Ruby fall for a captain in the military….. awe….Their romance was sweet and engaging as it slowly moved forward.
Ruby is one of those gutsy heroines that caught my interest from the first page, joining her is the slew of supporting cast that are equally captivating. It surely helps that they are likable characters. The authors’ prose and research shines through and it is easy to be pulled in especially when the ravished city is so expertly described. Closing each chapter are bits and pieces of articles that Ruby writes the words start by ”Dispatched from London by Miss Ruby Sutton” and her article is dated…..
This is a cozy and enjoyable read
I received a complimentary copy from HarperCollins through the Earlier Reviewer Program.
1940, American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break and moves to London to report on the Second World War as a staff member for Picture Weekly. But life in besieged Britain will test Ruby in ways unimaginable.
In a heartbeat I was immersed in a women’s fiction with strong romantic elements and fascinating accounts of life in England. The protagonist profession is a true part of the story I enjoyed particularly. It was much more than a simple filler, it was an excellent exploration of journalism as it was during that time: daring interviews nicely depicted. While in London, Ruby forms bonds with many friends and depends on their kindness to keep her going and since “Goodnight from London “is a mix of suspense and romance of course what else can we expect but to have Ruby fall for a captain in the military….. awe….Their romance was sweet and engaging as it slowly moved forward.
Ruby is one of those gutsy heroines that caught my interest from the first page, joining her is the slew of supporting cast that are equally captivating. It surely helps that they are likable characters. The authors’ prose and research shines through and it is easy to be pulled in especially when the ravished city is so expertly described. Closing each chapter are bits and pieces of articles that Ruby writes the words start by ”Dispatched from London by Miss Ruby Sutton” and her article is dated…..
This is a cozy and enjoyable read
I received a complimentary copy from HarperCollins through the Earlier Reviewer Program.
June 7, 2017
Goodnight from London was a well research, well written historical fiction about WWII. The characters were realistic, likeable and well developed. As a reader, I became one with the characters as the author vividly describes the sleepless nights, the strength of character, the hunger, the rationing of food and gas, the fear and the loss of friends, family and homes.
June 2, 2017
It is 1940 and there is a war in Europe. Ruby Sutton, a journalist in New York City, is working for The American. After only six months on the job, she is called to her Editor’s office for a meeting. Concern and worry consume her as she waits to speak with Mr. Mitchell. She is however very surprised to be offered a placement as a war correspondent writing for Picture Weekly in London. She accepts the once in a lifetime opportunity, but is apprehensive about her humble upbringing surfacing. Upon her arrival in London she is met by Mr. Bennett; a soldier and a good friend of her new boss Kaz. Ruby easily settles in and enjoys writing for Picture Weekly. She also sends a column home to The American called Dispatches from London. She is extremely talented at humanizing the war and speaking to the families that have been affected by it. There are many endless nights spent in terror in air raid shelters during the Blitz. When Ruby looses everything except her life, she is forced to confront a past she had hoped to leave behind in America. With the kindness of strangers and one very handsome soldier, Ruby begins to heal and starts to move forward.
I have been struggling to write this review for days now. Not because I disliked the book I loved it, but because it is a classic World War Two love story. It has a strong female character who is independent, self sufficient and very, very likable. A woman you would be honored to have as your friend. There is a man, handsome and mysterious just out of reach. It is rich with bombings, death, air raid shelters and overall destruction at its heart. Sadness and hope spring from its depths. Collusion, lies, condemnation, dissent, love, faith, healing and friendship all abound throughout Goodnight from London. It is a story not to be missed.
If you enjoyed reading All the Light we cannot See, Everyone Brave If Forgiven and The Nightingale you will enjoy this book. The story of bringing a horrible war to life and the good that can come from it.
A 5 star book! Thank you to Nancy at Bestsellersworld and William Morrow for a copy of the book to review.
I have been struggling to write this review for days now. Not because I disliked the book I loved it, but because it is a classic World War Two love story. It has a strong female character who is independent, self sufficient and very, very likable. A woman you would be honored to have as your friend. There is a man, handsome and mysterious just out of reach. It is rich with bombings, death, air raid shelters and overall destruction at its heart. Sadness and hope spring from its depths. Collusion, lies, condemnation, dissent, love, faith, healing and friendship all abound throughout Goodnight from London. It is a story not to be missed.
If you enjoyed reading All the Light we cannot See, Everyone Brave If Forgiven and The Nightingale you will enjoy this book. The story of bringing a horrible war to life and the good that can come from it.
A 5 star book! Thank you to Nancy at Bestsellersworld and William Morrow for a copy of the book to review.
April 6, 2017
Here I go again! I'm on a role with this genre ;)
WWII stories and movies are my latest obsession. But not all are well researched, plotted and written as I'm finding out. Not this story though! I liked this one a lot and there was a _lot_ to like.
The heroine Ruby caught my interest from the first page, and the plot of an American woman reporter going to London as WWII approaches was intriguing, as much as our heroine's past. As our heroine get's to know her new surroundings, we are right beside her as author's wonderful prose and research shines through and sucks us in as Ruby tries to survive and at times thrive as her new life takes root.
The novel is well written and researched and the romance between Bennett and Ruby was sweet and relatable because it moved at a realistic pace, regardless of war and its horrors. I also liked a slew of supporting cast, from Kaz to Vanessa, but it's the descriptions of the ravished city that touched me the most.
"At ground level, near what once may have been a set of stairs, a group of men in steel helmets and boiler suits were pulling at the debris, shovels at the ready, their muttered instructions to one another barely audible above an undercurrent of noise that Ruby didn't at first recognize. It was sort of low, keening cry, reminiscent of an animal in distress, and it made the hair on her nape stand on end and her breath catch at her throat.
She turned her head this way and that, trying to discern what she heard, and then she realized it was coming from the people around her, men and women alike, some of them covering their mouths with their hands to contain their horror.
The sound rose and rose, and then the crowd parted before her, and she stood and watched mutely as two men shuffled past with a stretcher. On it was a blanket-draped body, far too small to be that of an adult, and as the men stepped free of the debris the blanket shifted, only to reveal a tiny shoe, its leather wizened and twisted by fire and water ...
The horror of that one shoe fell on her, a body blow that stole the breath from her lungs. She took a step back, closed her eyes, but the image would not flee, it was still there even in the darkness. She could see it, see the child's little foot, so still and cold. How was she ever to wipe such sight from her mind?"
This story is heart wrenching and heartwarming and I highly recommend it.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
WWII stories and movies are my latest obsession. But not all are well researched, plotted and written as I'm finding out. Not this story though! I liked this one a lot and there was a _lot_ to like.
The heroine Ruby caught my interest from the first page, and the plot of an American woman reporter going to London as WWII approaches was intriguing, as much as our heroine's past. As our heroine get's to know her new surroundings, we are right beside her as author's wonderful prose and research shines through and sucks us in as Ruby tries to survive and at times thrive as her new life takes root.
The novel is well written and researched and the romance between Bennett and Ruby was sweet and relatable because it moved at a realistic pace, regardless of war and its horrors. I also liked a slew of supporting cast, from Kaz to Vanessa, but it's the descriptions of the ravished city that touched me the most.
"At ground level, near what once may have been a set of stairs, a group of men in steel helmets and boiler suits were pulling at the debris, shovels at the ready, their muttered instructions to one another barely audible above an undercurrent of noise that Ruby didn't at first recognize. It was sort of low, keening cry, reminiscent of an animal in distress, and it made the hair on her nape stand on end and her breath catch at her throat.
She turned her head this way and that, trying to discern what she heard, and then she realized it was coming from the people around her, men and women alike, some of them covering their mouths with their hands to contain their horror.
The sound rose and rose, and then the crowd parted before her, and she stood and watched mutely as two men shuffled past with a stretcher. On it was a blanket-draped body, far too small to be that of an adult, and as the men stepped free of the debris the blanket shifted, only to reveal a tiny shoe, its leather wizened and twisted by fire and water ...
The horror of that one shoe fell on her, a body blow that stole the breath from her lungs. She took a step back, closed her eyes, but the image would not flee, it was still there even in the darkness. She could see it, see the child's little foot, so still and cold. How was she ever to wipe such sight from her mind?"
This story is heart wrenching and heartwarming and I highly recommend it.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
September 2, 2017
The first Jennifer Robson I read was Somewhere in France, which is still my favorite of hers, but this was the most similar to that one, in that the book centers around a woman in a field of work during a major war. In SIF Elizabeth becomes an ambulance drive for WAC during WWI. In this book, Ruby is a journalist during WWII.
What I loved about this one was that there was a focus on Ruby’s life in London during the war, specifically all of the things that Londoners experienced being on the front lines of a world war. As an American, I knew that London suffered during the war, but not a whole lot of specifics to be honest. (My) American education focused more on Hitler and the Holocaust in any discussion on WWII. So this was a refreshing and educational perspective for me. The blitz and its devastation on England, the everyday deprivations the English were forced to endure for five years, etc., were wonderfully depicted details of life in London during WWII and Ruby was a great character to experience them through.
I feel like this could have been a 5 if I had liked Bennett more. I understand that Robson was using Bennett to try and convey the horrors and barbarity of WWII with the whole ‘tortured soul’ thing he had going on, but maybe because of the limited interactions with Bennett, his full personality didn’t exactly come through. And I couldn’t really see Ruby falling for him in their limited interactions when he shut down all the time.
Just a final thought/sidenote. The cover implies that this is a romance, but I think that’s misleading. but relatively little time is spent on them. The majority of the book is about Ruby and her life over many years as a journalist in a country at war. It’s pretty straight forward historical fiction.
What I loved about this one was that there was a focus on Ruby’s life in London during the war, specifically all of the things that Londoners experienced being on the front lines of a world war. As an American, I knew that London suffered during the war, but not a whole lot of specifics to be honest. (My) American education focused more on Hitler and the Holocaust in any discussion on WWII. So this was a refreshing and educational perspective for me. The blitz and its devastation on England, the everyday deprivations the English were forced to endure for five years, etc., were wonderfully depicted details of life in London during WWII and Ruby was a great character to experience them through.
I feel like this could have been a 5 if I had liked Bennett more. I understand that Robson was using Bennett to try and convey the horrors and barbarity of WWII with the whole ‘tortured soul’ thing he had going on, but maybe because of the limited interactions with Bennett, his full personality didn’t exactly come through. And I couldn’t really see Ruby falling for him in their limited interactions when he shut down all the time.
Just a final thought/sidenote. The cover implies that this is a romance, but I think that’s misleading. but relatively little time is spent on them. The majority of the book is about Ruby and her life over many years as a journalist in a country at war. It’s pretty straight forward historical fiction.
January 25, 2018
The action begins in 194o, when the American magazine is asked to send a female correspondent to work with PW mag in London. Ruby Sutton is chosen because she has the dubious honor of being the only woman who meets her boss’s qualifications: she has no one—no husband, no parents, no siblings, no extended family—who will care if anything happens to her. In London, Ruby experiences the Blitz firsthand. Soon a personal loss leads her to the folks who become her makeshift family and most loyal friends. During the remaining war years, our plucky, sympathetic Ruby blossoms as a writer, falls in love with a kind but enigmatic soldier, and learns much about true courage, sacrifice & being thankful for the small things in life. The story ends with the characters celebrating the Victory in Europe & looking to the future with hope.
I soooo enjoyed this novel. The writing & narrator’s performance (Saskia Marveland) transported me to London during the war years. Each morning, I was actually eager to hop in the car & start my long drive to school so I could listen. And I loved the ending!!!
I soooo enjoyed this novel. The writing & narrator’s performance (Saskia Marveland) transported me to London during the war years. Each morning, I was actually eager to hop in the car & start my long drive to school so I could listen. And I loved the ending!!!
February 25, 2020
Not the most captivating historical fiction novel I have read, but I still enjoyed this story. This book tells the story of an American journalist that moves to London during Word War Two. It reflects on how scary it was living through frequent bombings to the city, and how the British found the courage to keep their heads up and move on. The main character, Ruby, also travels to France to see the horrors of injured men and those imprisoned. I had higher expectations for this book because of the ratings, but I didn't get a sense of excitement to find out what happens/how it ends. That said, I always love historical fiction reads and learning about what is was like living in a different times. An over good story, but not the most gripping and compelling read compared to other historical fiction novels.
July 30, 2019
Finally finished this perfect "London" book on audio. Not sure I liked it, but it grew on me. Lovely fiesta lonely American Ruby Sutton who grew up in an orphanage, and had to clamor her way to a career, gets thrust into the London WWII correspondent scene - where there is a mysterious love interest caught up in the war, she makes incisive observations and tells the story overseas, and finally finds family like she has never before experienced. There were moments I was moved, others where the London/British manner and writing was distancing. Liked that Ruby was a lost American finding a home and family amidst war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2018
This was okay. Basically the entire novel is summed up on the cover. No surprises here!
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