Diary of a War Bride

by Lauri Robinson

The land girl and the US officer

July 1942

Dear diary, despite the war raging around me, I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson. I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together. Now fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle…

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Harlequin, Historical Fiction, World War II, Clean Romance, Fiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2018

About the author

Lauri Robinson's chosen genre to write is Western historical, and when asked why, she says, "Because I know I wasn't the only girl who wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright."

With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.

Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.

Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.


For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

With the 75th anniversary of VE Day pretty much grounded thanks to the pandemic, I opted to acknowledge the date by reading this. And filled with hope and emotion, it warmed the cockles of my heart too.

We happened.”

[Liina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathryn was sent away from London to live with Norman and Charlotte. Her father thought it's safer there, because of the war. Cathryn helps to take care of the other children, who were also sent to the same household. Sergeant Dale Johnson is stationed at the base close to Kathryn and their first meeting is not so pleasant, but Dale is determined to make it up to her. Kathryn and Dale both have their own problems and worries, but their love is stronger than any obstacle during the horrible war time.
It was my first WW II book and I absolutely loved it! The writing, the plot and the characters were all so well done that I enjoyed every page and didn't want the book to end. What I also enjoyed reading about were the diary entries by Kathryn, it gave you the realistic feeling to the story, like you were really reading someone's thoughts and feelings. I definitely recommend this book for everyone, who likes romance books, particularly historical romances. 

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauri Robinson’s Diary of a War Bride is an excellent WWII romance that is both sweet and well-researched. This book was a delight to read.

The novel opens with Kathryn riding her bike into town in order to deliver some fresh eggs to the local pub. The US Army has set up an air base nearby, and one of the B-17s stationed there flies directly overhead, scaring the bejeezus out of Kathryn and causing her to break her eggs. Sergeant Dale Johnson observes the incident, and a spitting mad Kathryn gives him a large piece of her mind. Kathryn and Dale don’t seem to get along, but over the next few months, they become fast friends. Robinson then follows her characters to London and eventually the United States over the course of 1942.

If I’m to be perfectly honest, WWII books don’t quite tend to be my cup of tea. As a kid, I was only ever allowed to read Christian romances, and WWII settings abound in that subgenre (even though they’re few and far between in secular historical romance). I suppose nowadays I just associate WWII romance with sickly-sweet Hallmark love scenes and often-sanctimonious preaching? It was nice to try to tackle the time period outside of that context, and I’m glad I did. To be fair, Diary of a War Bride is a completely “clean,” closed-door romance, but that doesn’t bother me.

I think that WWII is still present enough in our cultural mind’s eye that an author writing a WWII book could do so without doing much research or attempting to really develop this history of their story. (See also: Regency romances that, due to the popularity of the period, only sketch the barest historical context.) Yet Robinson chose not to go that route, and I think the historical research she did prior to writing the book shows. One of the major plot-points here is that, while stationed at the base in Kathryn’s town, Dale airdrops candy to the local billetted children who are obviously lonely and far from their parents. This is based on an actual US airman who dropped candy for German children.

Beyond that, the text of the book is full of interesting historical tidbits, about Land Girls and the Enigma Code and life in London during the Blitz. I felt very immersed in the period, and was confident that the author wasn’t merely paying lip service to an idealized war after the fact.

The relationship between Dale and Kathryn itself was also well-written. It takes some time to develop, and didn’t feel rushed or unnatural—even though in wartime, hasty marriages were probably the norm. I think maybe Robinson let things get a little too saccharine and sentimental, but that’s probably just her style of portraying a romantic relationship. It’s not my style, but it’s fine.

I also appreciated that much of the tension throughout the book comes not from Kathryn and Dale’s interpersonal issues, but from the very fact that they’re falling in love during a war. This was the right move, I think. WWII is dramatic enough without adding in unnecessary Dark Secrets or Hidden Pasts or what have you. As it was, Diary of a War Bride had plenty of action, and I think that the difficulty the protagonists had in getting to and staying in the same place for any length of time was a great way to highlight the confusion and difficulty of staying in touch (with anyone!) amidst an active war zone. Letters were lost, messages misdelivered, and rendezvous forgotten.

All in all, this was a pretty satisfying, enjoyable book. It certainly didn’t rock my world, but it didn’t need to. Diary of a War Bride was a quick, pleasant read that I have very little complaints about.

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[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word sums this book up for me; Magnificent! This is an incredible book, I have had my eye on this one as soon as I saw the cover – yes, I did base my wanting to read it on the cover first, but only because I have a real soft spot for this era and then when I read the blurb, I was completely hooked. I love war time romances and I was jumping around like a bit of a hyperactive two years old when I got offered the chance to read this one and I can honestly say that this fully lives up to all the hype, it is fabulous!

Kathryn is an evacuee, she was sent away from the city by her a powerful man in the British army/government she is sent to live wit Norman and Charlotte in the country, where she helps on their farm and looks after the other evacuee children. All is fine until the American’s move in, swanning around like they own the place. Kathryn has definitely got a chip on her shoulder when it comes to the GI’s she, her frosty and hostile attitude towards them makes me think of that old saying what used to be said and what is in a lot of war time films “Over paid, over sexed and over here.” And when she meets engineer Dale her animosity blows up at him, poor gorgeous Dale he becomes the one who she lashes her fury and irritation out on, unfairly if you ask me.

As I was reading this it made me think of that episode of Foyles War when Hastings is, as the locals say being ‘invaded’ by American’s This has that same charm and wit about it that, it is comforting as well as exciting. I was gripped by it, while reading it you go through so many emotion’s as you are plunged into that dangerous time where life is so uncertain. Ms Robinson has done an astounding job at bringing to life the real emotion of the time, with absolute clarity. I particularly love that each chapter starts off with a page from Kathryn’s diary, her thoughts, feelings, happiness and fears are all there you the reader to bare witness to what is going on. I love that touch, it is like dipping into her life through those secretive word’s and it connects you to her and makes you care about her that much more – if that was possible!

This is the first book I have read by Lauri Robinson and what an introduction into this author’s work, and I will definitely be reading more from this talented author. She has captured the readers attention with her way with words and her knowledge of the era. I got a real sense of how much this story meant to Ms Robinson, every page has feels very personal. I do like historicals that have accurate details in them which brings the story to life, and this is wonderfully detailed.

This is astounding! I am so pleased that more people are reading this era as it is fraught with absolute love and danger and this is right up there with the best war romances I have read. For those that have read and love the likes of Pam Jenoff then this is the book to read, it is fabulous and one of the best of the year. I cannot recommend this enough!

[fulano · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW/CW:
war and its effects, rationing, violence, death, internalized ableism.

A very quick and cute world war 2 romance that is equal parts informative about the interesting realities that happened during the war. I didn't have much of an issue with this book, besides my ebook copy having a handful of grammar errors. As for the actual romance, I did like it, but I was hoping more from it by the ending. Specifically, there is a point in which the hero "gives up", which is realistic given the circumstances, but since it was a romance book, I was expecting a grand romantic gesture from him. I'm not sure if this is something that could've worked but I would've adored something like it in this book. It's still a good book, nonetheless.

[Tracey Cramer-Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet love story with two strong characters. One that has the heroine going from complete disdain for the hero, to getting her well-connected father to fake papers for her, to crossing continents to get to the hero. I love a strong heroine! And I enjoyed watching Kathryn and Dale’s feelings/emotions for each other grow. It’s been awhile since I read a Harlequin title, and I was a little surprised by the number of typos. Also, and this might be a small thing but it bugged me: the book blurb and tagline use “officer” but Dale is a Sergeant. A sergeant is enlisted, not officer. You’d think a huge publisher like Harlequin would get that right.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

WE HAPPENED

What an amazing story that takes place in 1942 England, during World War II where now United States forces have entered to help their allies. It will be a story that brings out the reality and harshness of war, including death and separation, but it will also forge friendships and even romance.

Kathryn Winslow will be sent away from London, by her father, Brigadier Hubbel Winslow, to live with the Norman and Charlotte Harris and help take care of children sent to a safer location. Kathrynn’s mother has warned her about American soldiers and has spewed hatred of them after an incident from the first war. Kathryn is a young woman who usually accepts and dutifully follows what she is told.

Sergeant Dale Johnson is stationed at the local base where he is a mechanic but also must perform engineer jobs on the planes in flight. He is from North Dakota and after his brother, Ralph, joined the military, he followed suit a few months later. The family has yet to hear from Ralph and Dale has made it his mission to learn more about his brother, a promise he made to his mother.

The story will have Dale and Kathryn meeting under less than pleasant circumstances, not that he was at fault, but Kathryn has a dislike of Americans, and he will take the brunt of her anger. What starts out as him trying to make amends, will end up instead being a mission of goodwill. The saying that ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ seems to be true with these two. Dropping candy from the sky is interrupted as shrapnel by Kathryn.

Eventually, these two seem to draw a truce when Kathryn understands he is trying to make things better for all the children separated from their families. The sweets brought such joy to all the children, that they work on a better way, together. A friendship is forged, new understandings, and in the process, these two are developing feelings for each other, but words of that nature are left unspoken.

“Relationships forged during wartime never last.”

As the war advances, the need for Dale and his team of mechanics will move him closer to the water and away from Kathryn. One reunion will have Kathryn wanting her father to pull strings to take her closer to Dale’s new base, but Dale and her father refuse. Then the unthinkable happens, Germany is advancing, and Dale is called into action in the air. But what happens when his plane is hit, and they are going down? While they may survive, it doesn’t come without injuries and on a ship back to the USA.

Kathryn and Dale never did speak words from their hearts, neither one telling the other they loved them. Now, he is going home, but what about Kathryn, if they had married, he could have sent for her. Don’t rule out love and a father with connections.

“There’s a war happening, one that’s brought us together in a unique way, but one that will also separate us. We don’t know when, or how, but we know it will happen. We aren’t sure what to do about that because we both have commitments we need to fulfill.”

The story is a clean wartime romance that brings two people together and forges a friendship that develops into love. Love is so powerful that now even down planes can stop. Where there is a will, there is a way. The story has kissing scenes, but no intimacy. It is a beautiful journey told through the pages of a diary and two special people with a happily ever after ending.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance between an American GI and an English woman during WW2. Kathryn is a young woman who was sent out of London by her parents to keep her safe. She has been helping with the evacuated children and anything else that is needed. The Americans have just built an airbase nearby, which disturbs her very much. She is afraid that the base will draw German attention, putting everyone in danger.

Dale is a young man who joined the war effort shortly after his older brother did. The family hasn’t heard from Ralph since he left and they are worried. Dale plans to use his spare time to search for his brother. He is a mechanic who works on the planes and is also a flight engineer who sometimes participates in missions.

I liked both Kathryn and Dale. Kathryn grew up in an upper-class family and had little to worry about. At the beginning of the war, she fell for a man who was only using her to get to her Brigadier father, leaving her determined to stay away from men. Since her arrival in the countryside, she has matured a great deal and learned the pleasures of independence. She also has a bit of a blind spot regarding Americans, thanks to a family scandal and her mother’s reaction to it. I liked how good Kathryn was with the children and how much she cared about the people around her.

Dale is a kindhearted and honorable man. He watches out for the men under his command and does his best to do the right thing. He’s moved by circumstances of the evacuated children and wants to do something to make their lives better. He is also determined to find out what has happened to his brother to bring peace of mind to his mother.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dale and Kathryn. They met under difficult circumstances when a pilot did a low-level buzz on Dale and a friend as a joke, but it also frightened Kathryn. I liked how Dale tried to make amends, even though Kathryn was pretty rude to him. Her stubbornness only increased his determination. I loved the solution he came up with and the way it led to a growing friendship between Dale and Kathryn.

The more time they spent together, the closer they grew. Dale was conflicted because he really liked her, but the Americans were also discouraged from forming relationships with the locals. A run-in with one of his superiors emphasized this and caused him to pull back. Kathryn was also wary because she knew that Dale could be transferred at any time, or lose his life during one of the missions. I ached for them both when that separation came and the truth of their feelings became obvious to each of them. I loved Kathryn’s decision to step outside her comfort zone and the determination with which she pursued her goal. There was a great scene involving Dale and Kathryn’s father that emphasized Dale’s sense of honor and also showed the depth of his feelings for her.

There were some heart-pounding moments during one of Dale’s missions that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved Kathryn’s determination to join him after he was transferred. There were a lot of twists and turns involved in making that happen, including some surprising actions by Kathryn’s father. I loved the ending and Dale’s reaction to everything he found. I would have liked an epilogue from a couple of years into their lives to see how they are doing.

A theme throughout the book was Dale’s search for his brother. I really liked how it showed the love that Dale had for his family. I loved how Kathryn used the search for Ralph as a way to feel closer to Dale during his absence. The resolution of that search was fun and showed the ripples caused by one small action. I enjoyed the way that Kathryn found Ralph and the effect it had on her actions. The ending was terrific and made me smile and cry at the same time.

I loved the World War Two setting, which is rarely seen in historical romances. There was a realistic look at what life was like, especially regarding Kathryn’s initial fears. I ached for the children who had been evacuated for their safety and loved seeing the various ways that Dale and Kathryn tried to make their lives easier. I also liked the glimpses of Dale’s activities, from his downtime to the intensity of his missions.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fabulous story by author Lauri Robinson. This is the first story I’ve read based in England during World War II and must say it captured my attention from the first page to the very last. Nice to see a story based during this time period.

Sergeant Dale Johnson is stationed in England in 1942 when he meets Kathryn Winslow the daughter of the head of British Intelligence. Their first meeting is not on the best of terms but over time they become friends. Can this couple forge a lasting relationship with war and death all around them?

Lauri wrote an absolutely beautiful story for this couple and I absolutely loved the journey she took us on to get to this couples well deserved HEA! One of my favorite parts of this book was Kathryn’s diary entries at the beginning of each chapter. They truly added that special touch and gave us a more intimate look at Kathryn's true feelings. Highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Lauri Robinson's books in the future!
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[Nightwitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the fact that Lauri Robinson is one of the few authors writing category romances in non-traditional time periods, but her work is very hit or miss for me and this was definitely a miss. I wasn't attached to any of the characters and the plot, involving as it did some sort of mystery (tracking down a missing soldier), felt like it was trying too hard. I wasn't enjoying myself so I stopped trying to force myself through it.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good historical romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable, and quick romance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christianne McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to finally see novels about the WWII era! I am in love with this!

[Livia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the July 1942 and England is at war. The word is the US Army is on it's way and is set to occupy an Air Field a few miles down the road from where Kathryn is assigned as a Land Girl.

In England everyone is a part of the war effort and the living is not easy. There is a food shortage because most food is confiscated for the British Army. Farmers and their helpers are working long and hard. When the the US Bomber Command arrives in the town of High Wycombe, life gets a little easier for the residents. Kathryn is not big on the US Army and the planes flying overhead wrecks havoc with the noise and activities. The little kids love it, the American GIs have candy and lots of it that they are willing to share.

Whether Kathryn likes it or not, having the Army so near has benefits and there is Sergeant Dale Johnson who she is convinced was sent to make her life miserable. DIARY OF A WAR BRIDE had the potential to be an outstanding story but in my opinion came up short. One thing that bothered me a lot is the fact that the author couldn't get her military ranks in proper perspective. Dale was never a Army officer. He was an enlisted man, a sergeant, non-commissioned. He took orders from officers. Her background information on wartime England was not thorough, much too sketchy for a wartime novel. Still, the love story is very sweet and worth the read.

[Readsandeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I don't normally read historicals bu this one had my attention from the beginning.
Kathryn is an evacuee and is helping the couple she has been sent to help with caring for the other evacuees they are looking after and the farm. She has a chip on her shoulder about American GI's and when she encounters one she is very frosty. Dale is tryign to make ammneds for an incident when one of his friends flew too low and Kathryn came off her bike. She is haivng nothing to do with him, slowly but surely he gains her trust and they become friends.
Dale ends up being reassigned bases in the UK and Kathryn asks her Dad to help her get somewhere closer to Dale. Instead her father gets Dale to come to get her to stay where she is. During that meeting her is called away quickly and something happens.
Kathryn then has to make a very important decision.
We see Kathryn grow during this book and become a young lady who can be relied upon and who wants to help.
A really good read.

[KR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this,; but three stars is generous for this book, it's more like 2.25. The H and the h don't really have much personality and nothing really happens until the last two chapters. There's very little romance and the couple never really do anything; they don't even go on a date! It's the 1940s, not the 1840s! The ending is so far fetched that I did a lot of eye rolling, plus I'm not a fan of all the law breaking and entitlement that occurred to make it happen. Not to mention, the couple didn't even get to have a wedding day to themselves, they had to share it with the H's brother and his bride. I could have done without the "dear diary" aspect as well. I'm kind of surprised by all the positive reviews. Not to knitpick, but the cover photo of the American edition has obviously been flipped because the guy's ribbon rack is on the wrong side. Why would they do that? The Mills & Boon edition has it correct.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet , emotion filled historical romance between Kathryn and Dale. The author does a fantastic job bringing a heartfelt war time romance with all the feels. She brings the story to life with her descriptive writing and paints her scenes in vivid detail. She takes you back in time and makes you feel as if you're there. It's a beautiful slow burning,clean romance showing two people coming to love each other despite everything along the way. I loved reading and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauri Robinson's Diary of a War Bride was an enjoyable read. Kathryn Winslow was a sheltered young woman. Her father, Brigadier Hubbel Winslow, Head of British Intelligence, sent her as a Land Girl to stay with Norman and Charlotte Harris for her safety when war broke out. While there, helping care for the children and the garden, she met an American GI, Sergeant Dale Johnson. Sparks fly in the beginning. There were times of joy, times of fear, kind and rotten individuals, emotions of all sorts where felt while reading this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story that is more about a Diary than the people, as it holds all Kathryn Rose Winslow's dreams. She meets American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson who she falls in love with. This story also tells how much Kathryn has to go through to be with Dale. I really enjoyed reading this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s war

Kathryn did not have a good first meeting with Dale Johnson, an American GI in England. She’s not like other girls he’s met there.

But it’s war.
And Kathryn is keeping a journal of her thoughts. Especially about her changing feels for a man in uniform.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Lovely

So good a classic short WW2 romance story. Between Dale an American plane mechanic/pilot and Kathryn whose parents send her to the countryside, to protect her from the horrors of the war. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn't read a WW2 romance before.

[Berna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
The book had good sweet moments but could have been shorter.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

Sweet!