What do you think?
Rate this book
Sentimental Journey
Praise for Jill Barnett's epic novel of love and war:
Sentimental Journey is everything the title promises—an epic love story and a riveting adventure--Kristin Hannah, bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone
An unforgettable novel that brings to life the Greatest Generation…Love stories don’t get any bigger, bolder, or better than this--Susan Elizabeth Phillips, bestselling author of This Heart of Mine
Passionate, poignant and masterfully told, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is a triumphant story of the choices made for love and country at a time when ordinary people become heroes.
Written with depth, power, and emotional insight, New York Times bestselling author Jill Barnett’s sweeping novel of World
War II delves deep into the lives of the women and men of war—young people driven by a sense of duty and honor, and sometimes of revenge, and who were once everyday people looking for happiness and love…until they must struggle to survive as the world around them is exploding.
Sentimental Journey is everything the title promises—an epic love story and a riveting adventure--Kristin Hannah, bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone
An unforgettable novel that brings to life the Greatest Generation…Love stories don’t get any bigger, bolder, or better than this--Susan Elizabeth Phillips, bestselling author of This Heart of Mine
Passionate, poignant and masterfully told, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is a triumphant story of the choices made for love and country at a time when ordinary people become heroes.
Written with depth, power, and emotional insight, New York Times bestselling author Jill Barnett’s sweeping novel of World
War II delves deep into the lives of the women and men of war—young people driven by a sense of duty and honor, and sometimes of revenge, and who were once everyday people looking for happiness and love…until they must struggle to survive as the world around them is exploding.
507 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
967 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Jill Barnett
47 books545 followersNew York Times Bestselling Author Jill Barnett is master storyteller known for her beautifully-written love stories rich with humor, emotion, and poignancy. She is the winner of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Love and Laughter and Historical Romance and is a six-time Romance Writers of America RITA nominee and winner of both a Persie Award for Literature and a Waldenbooks Award. Her books have been named Best of the Year by Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, and Kirkus Review and she was the first historical romance author to ever receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She stands alongside Judith McNaught as one of only two authors to ever receive a six-star review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine and her work has been published in 23 languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists. She lives in the PNW with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 27, 2012
Jill Barnett has done a marvelous job on her first mainstream novel. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is a lovely and lyrical journey to the past peopled with characters who are as genuine and relevant as our own friends and family. She uses a deft hand and fast pacing to intertwine the five stories of the main characters as their lives approach a collision course. To be honest, WWII fiction is a tough sell for me, but I couldn't turn the pages of this book fast enough. The writing itself is exquisite and she brings alive the era with details that enhance, but never overwhelm this passionate story of ordinary people who possess extraordinary courage. The final chapter made me want to smile, cry, and jump to my feet and yell, "Bravo!"
September 8, 2021
I absolutely LOVED Sentimental Journey for its memorable characters and the amazing knowledge of planes and piloting author Jill Barnett brought to her story telling. There are a zillion WW II novels published (including 2 of my own) and so I can say with authority this is one of the best ones you'll ever read. Truly. I finished it ages ago, but am just now getting to reviewing it here...don't YOU wait. Youll love it.
October 2, 2020
Love And War
This is a breathtaking novel of love and loss during WW II. The story of each main character begins separately, but throughout the story, the author weaves their lives together. For the reader, it is a highly emotional story that causes both sadness yet smiles. This is truly a wondrous story.
This is a breathtaking novel of love and loss during WW II. The story of each main character begins separately, but throughout the story, the author weaves their lives together. For the reader, it is a highly emotional story that causes both sadness yet smiles. This is truly a wondrous story.
July 4, 2010
This is a wonderful sweeping historical, beautifully written and engaging.
May 28, 2022
My first impression of Sentimental Journey (after a half dozen chapters or so) was "just how many characters is she going to introduce?" I was finding it difficult to keep track of everybody and their families in so many different locales. But after a bit more reading, they all became more and more familiar. This is a story of life during war. It isn't always pretty and there isn't always a happy ending. Parts of this book were sweet and endearing, parts very sad, parts very explicit sexually, and parts very detailed about war strategy, aerodynamics and various type of planes. Ms. Barnett is adept at expressing the very human reactions to tragedy as well as the joy of new love. I thought that overall it was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.
November 1, 2011
I really enjoyed this, it’s romance during a war so there are expected sad parts but I especially loved how she worked out the ending.
September 25, 2019
LOVED IT! Absolutely loved this book. I was hooked on the first page to the very last sentence. And what a sentence it was!
August 3, 2020
I really loved this WW 2 historical romance! It hooked me from the start. I loved the polished prose and the characters stay with you even after you finish the book. I loved the personalities, and the plot is quite intricate. I felt the characters had depth, and showed their vulnerabilities. My only observation is that the character who is blind seems to be a little too heroic, and stereotypical, counting steps, able to tell at a moment's notice which cardinal direction a sound is coming from. However, despite this small flaw, I found the character delightful, as I did the other characters. Also, there was quite a bit of wisdom packed in this story. Don't miss out on a chance to read this book!
December 3, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read. One of the best!
For three days I could not tear myself away. The beginning grabbed me like a freight train. Totally caught up in the swift events so well described I could smell the smells and feel the sweat. The dialogue was clever, humorous and engaging. Everything about each individual came alive, not just from the description but including their unique reactions, conversations and inhibitions. The war was real, escapes were tense and revealing, emotions were just so familiar, not trite or shallow. The story rich with purpose and meaning. Loved it!
For three days I could not tear myself away. The beginning grabbed me like a freight train. Totally caught up in the swift events so well described I could smell the smells and feel the sweat. The dialogue was clever, humorous and engaging. Everything about each individual came alive, not just from the description but including their unique reactions, conversations and inhibitions. The war was real, escapes were tense and revealing, emotions were just so familiar, not trite or shallow. The story rich with purpose and meaning. Loved it!
November 27, 2019
Wow, I loved this book! It was set in my favourite time period (1938 to 1942) and involved 4 or 5 major characters whose lives meet in unusual ways before and during WWII. At first there was a lot of skipping from one character to another in the story and to different time periods and places. That can be very annoying but in this book, it worked so well! I loved the characters and the story line and was so sad to finish the book. I think I'll check out other books by this author to see is they are as wonderful as this book.
June 17, 2021
What a Journey!
Sentimental Journey is about the pilots who ran the bombing missions over the war zone during World War II, but also about the women pilots who ferried in replacement planes for the damaged ones. Understandably, the men and women pilots had some contact with one another and relationships developed among the men and women. This book gives a birds eye view of these interactions and the stories of the pilots.
I enjoyed this book. It gave a different perspective on the events and people involved in the war. I hope you enjoy it also.
Sentimental Journey is about the pilots who ran the bombing missions over the war zone during World War II, but also about the women pilots who ferried in replacement planes for the damaged ones. Understandably, the men and women pilots had some contact with one another and relationships developed among the men and women. This book gives a birds eye view of these interactions and the stories of the pilots.
I enjoyed this book. It gave a different perspective on the events and people involved in the war. I hope you enjoy it also.
November 24, 2019
Ms. Barnett weaves an unforgettable tale whose threads intertwine over three continents during WWII. I loved this so much that I read it on my kindle app on my phone during lunch breaks and stayed up until midnight on more than one occasion so I could finish “just one more chapter.”
So grab your favorite hot beverage and get ready to curl up with this book. You are about to meet a handful of characters that you will not want to say goodbye to when the story ends.
So grab your favorite hot beverage and get ready to curl up with this book. You are about to meet a handful of characters that you will not want to say goodbye to when the story ends.
August 21, 2020
Ok
I liked how the characters all intertwined to bring the story together, but I could have done without the graphic sex scenes. They seemed out of place and the story could have been told tastefully without such detail. You never know what you'll get in regards to such scenes when you read from an unfamiliar author, but now that I know, I won't be reading from this author again.
I liked how the characters all intertwined to bring the story together, but I could have done without the graphic sex scenes. They seemed out of place and the story could have been told tastefully without such detail. You never know what you'll get in regards to such scenes when you read from an unfamiliar author, but now that I know, I won't be reading from this author again.
October 20, 2020
I have found my new favorite author! The description in this novel is spot on and page after page invoked memories. I Was born and bred in Texas and lived in North Africa and in England — and I felt the atmosphere in my bones in this book. Her knowledge of the effect of blindness, her deep technical knowledge of aircraft and flight, her connection to wartime England and pre-war Texas Are amazing. Can’t wait to read the next book.
December 10, 2020
Sentimental Journey didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was a good story, but it had a strange flow. Chapters ended and began abruptly. The story jumped all over the place between characters. The sex scenes were a bit cringeworthy. It was an okay book.
I would have liked it better if it had been more focused - J.R. and Kitty or Red, Skip, and Charley.
Overall, it's not bad, but it's not great.
I would have liked it better if it had been more focused - J.R. and Kitty or Red, Skip, and Charley.
Overall, it's not bad, but it's not great.
April 25, 2024
I liked the story line - but within the first couple of chapters I ran into incorrect information about parachuting/special operations in WWII. Which is a shame because I then questioned the rest of the “historical” aspects.
As I said, the storyline is good, & this is actually the second time I’ve read the book. I am an avid reader of WWII historical novels & a student of history, I’m also the mother of a paratrooper so that discrepancy mentioned above was/is glaring.
As I said, the storyline is good, & this is actually the second time I’ve read the book. I am an avid reader of WWII historical novels & a student of history, I’m also the mother of a paratrooper so that discrepancy mentioned above was/is glaring.
December 22, 2020
What a wonderful story. I loved that the character's storys were told separately and then n
begin in come together toward the end. A very clever idea and very well written. Each character was interesting and very well detailed. I'll be recommending this book to my bookclub. A great read. Saratoga Star
begin in come together toward the end. A very clever idea and very well written. Each character was interesting and very well detailed. I'll be recommending this book to my bookclub. A great read. Saratoga Star
December 29, 2020
I usually enjoy books that swing between times and people, but some characters were called different names at different times so it was hard to keep track. Not crazy about explicit sex in books and so I didn't appreciate those scenes, but they seemed contrived not meaningful. Otherwise I did enjoy the pilot/airplanes angle of the story. The characters were likeable.
February 8, 2021
WW2 Historical Fiction
I especially enjoy reading books about WW2. This book could be somewhat confusing because it jumped from character to character but if you pay close attention to what is written its not hard follow. Not suitable for teens due to sex scenes but no ugly language.
I especially enjoy reading books about WW2. This book could be somewhat confusing because it jumped from character to character but if you pay close attention to what is written its not hard follow. Not suitable for teens due to sex scenes but no ugly language.
October 13, 2021
A truly enjoyable story...could have done without the explicit sexual content, but to others that may have been necessary to connect with the depth of feeling in the characters...that aside, a good read and a beautiful dramatic ending in spite of the sad undercurrent of events leading up to the conclusion.
July 3, 2025
Real rating 3
I loved the fact that there are multiple characters and multiple ways to approach the plot, the letters were marvelous, I hated the way a couple of the stories ended, it felt SOOO forced, the build up was wasted so much, I wished they wouldnt even include the poor kid, it left me an awful taste. Mixed feelings with this one for sure.
I loved the fact that there are multiple characters and multiple ways to approach the plot, the letters were marvelous, I hated the way a couple of the stories ended, it felt SOOO forced, the build up was wasted so much, I wished they wouldnt even include the poor kid, it left me an awful taste. Mixed feelings with this one for sure.
November 1, 2025
Normally, multiple POVs or more than one storyline in a book turn me off immediately. However, this one punched me in the gut multiple times and ties together so perfectly. It’s not only an amazing work of fiction, but it also offers nonfiction aspects through its portrayal of the army and how it really operated during World War II.
May 13, 2018
Really a "Goodread!"
A story of "normal" people from many different cultures living everything but normal lives in an abnormal world. A hard book to put down either actual or in memory!
A story of "normal" people from many different cultures living everything but normal lives in an abnormal world. A hard book to put down either actual or in memory!
September 2, 2020
A Really Good Book
This book was a bit difficult to get into. However, once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A well written WW2 historical fiction novel, it follows the war expert of 3 brave soldiers and the women they loved.
This book was a bit difficult to get into. However, once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A well written WW2 historical fiction novel, it follows the war expert of 3 brave soldiers and the women they loved.
September 2, 2020
Great read!
Beautifully written story of 6 persons who were brought together by the circumstances of war. The novel has everything you could want...suspense, romance, friendship...great characters...engaging story! I highly recommend this book!
Beautifully written story of 6 persons who were brought together by the circumstances of war. The novel has everything you could want...suspense, romance, friendship...great characters...engaging story! I highly recommend this book!
October 22, 2020
This book by Jill Barnett literally tore my heart out. It was a wonderful story, sympathetic characters, and a conclusion which I didn't expect. I was in tears at the end. I highly recommend this book.
November 18, 2020
Sentimental Journey
An entertaining novel with varied characters connected together thru their wartime experiences during world war two. Spanning several continents. An enjoyable read.
An entertaining novel with varied characters connected together thru their wartime experiences during world war two. Spanning several continents. An enjoyable read.
December 14, 2020
Strong characters women and men in WWIi
Individual stories that intertwine and develop throughout the book with WWII backdrop from several countries perspectives. Excellent information on aviation in fictional backdrop.
Individual stories that intertwine and develop throughout the book with WWII backdrop from several countries perspectives. Excellent information on aviation in fictional backdrop.
December 27, 2020
Just couldn't put it down, Outstanding
For anyone loves historical novels especially those set in England WWII, this is a jewel of a book that also includes strong independent women holding their own with courage, brilliance and determination to win the war
For anyone loves historical novels especially those set in England WWII, this is a jewel of a book that also includes strong independent women holding their own with courage, brilliance and determination to win the war
January 8, 2021
Sorry, it was a bit off mark for me. War time rationing in England with gourmet sandwiches would not happen. Military ranks incorrect. As for a kind hearted Nazi well ???. It was well written. but so far fetched had to put down. I may pick up in a few months.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews