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The Last Night in London
New York Times bestselling author Karen White weaves a story of friendship past and present, love, and betrayal that moves between war-torn London during the Blitz and the present day.
A captivating story of friendship, love and betrayal – and finding hope in the darkness of war.
London, 1939. Beautiful and ambitious Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are trying to make their way as fashion models. When Eva falls in love with Graham St. John, an aristocrat and Royal Air Force pilot, she can’t believe her luck – she’s getting everything she ever wanted. Then the Blitz devastates her world, and Eva finds herself slipping into a web of intrigue, spies and secrets. As Eva struggles to protect everything she holds dear, all it takes is one unwary moment to change their lives forever.
London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life in pre-WWII London. Maddie, healing from past trauma and careful to close herself off to others, finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, Precious’ enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie gets closer to her, she begins to unravel Precious’ haunting past – and the secrets she swore she’d never reveal …
A captivating story of friendship, love and betrayal – and finding hope in the darkness of war.
London, 1939. Beautiful and ambitious Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are trying to make their way as fashion models. When Eva falls in love with Graham St. John, an aristocrat and Royal Air Force pilot, she can’t believe her luck – she’s getting everything she ever wanted. Then the Blitz devastates her world, and Eva finds herself slipping into a web of intrigue, spies and secrets. As Eva struggles to protect everything she holds dear, all it takes is one unwary moment to change their lives forever.
London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life in pre-WWII London. Maddie, healing from past trauma and careful to close herself off to others, finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, Precious’ enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie gets closer to her, she begins to unravel Precious’ haunting past – and the secrets she swore she’d never reveal …
480 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 2021
756 people are currently reading
19734 people want to read
About the author
Karen White
42 books7,525 followersWith more than 2 million books in print in fifteen different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,105 reviews
February 4, 2021
‘A life without rain is like the sun without shade.’
Loved, loved, loved from start to finish!
Karen White is by far my favorite southern fiction writer. In her latest novel she has woven a story set ‘acrossed the pond’ in London during WWII. Both past/present stories were engaging and included her sprinklings of that signature southern charm she’s so well known for. The last part of the story set in Walton, GA reminded me so much of Steel Magnolias... smiled to myself this entire part.
Reading her author notes I realized that this is not Whites first time writing about Madison. I will definitely be adding Falling Home and After the Rain to my reading list to see how her story begins. Even without having read these I still found this to be totally fulfilling on its own.
This novel has surpassed my expectations. I can not recommend a novel, or an author more highly. 5 stars.
‘Living with regret is like having a permanent stone inside your shoe.’
Loved, loved, loved from start to finish!
Karen White is by far my favorite southern fiction writer. In her latest novel she has woven a story set ‘acrossed the pond’ in London during WWII. Both past/present stories were engaging and included her sprinklings of that signature southern charm she’s so well known for. The last part of the story set in Walton, GA reminded me so much of Steel Magnolias... smiled to myself this entire part.
Reading her author notes I realized that this is not Whites first time writing about Madison. I will definitely be adding Falling Home and After the Rain to my reading list to see how her story begins. Even without having read these I still found this to be totally fulfilling on its own.
This novel has surpassed my expectations. I can not recommend a novel, or an author more highly. 5 stars.
‘Living with regret is like having a permanent stone inside your shoe.’
April 21, 2021
3.5 stars rounded down.
Here I am outside my comfort zone again with another historical fiction laced with romance! It wasn’t all history however, the story has two time lines. The history part is set before and during the early part of WWII, 1939 and 1940 and tells the story of Jeanne (all my friends call me Precious) Dubose and Ethel Maltby who re-invents herself as Eva Harlow. They are both in London to follow their dreams and are working as models for Madame Lushtak.
The present day story is of Madison (Maddie) who is a journalist writing a piece about the clothes and the fashion business during those years. She is a distant relative of Precious and has been invited to London to write the story and curate the associated museum exhibition of the wonderful gowns of the era. Precious is now 99 years old and has kept many of her glamorous outfits, shoes, hats and bags.
Eva and Precious share their lodgings and are like sisters and the models and other staff at Madame Lushtak’s are their family. Everything is great until Ethel meets Graham St John, she is immediately smitten but realises that Graham is way out of her league so she re-invents herself as Eva Harlow, a respectable doctor’s daughter who has been orphaned and resorted to modelling to survive (none of it true of course). Romance blossoms but danger is lurking in the wings. Eva becomes entrapped by Czech spy Alexander Grof. He knows Eva’s true background and threatens her with exposure if she doesn’t do a few small jobs for him. But of course she gets in deeper than she ever thought possible and her loved ones are threatened. This story has a tragic ending with an interesting twist (which I had guessed).
In the present Maddie has her own demons which I won’t explain. When Arabella contacts her about the proposed article she agrees straight away although she is not keen on seeing Colin again. Maddie, Arabella and Colin had been friends at Harrow although it seemed Colin was interested in more than friendship. Maddie is softening towards him but her demons....
I much preferred the historical part of the story, it really brought the era to life, particularly the glamorous lifestyles of the upper classes and included descriptions of the shelling during the London blitz. I did mostly enjoy the story, it was charmingly written, the language seemed spot on and the characters of Eva and Precious jumped off the pages. In contrast, Maddie seemed colourless and I didn’t like her insistence on not falling in love. It seemed silly. The book was a bit long too, it seemed to flag a little after the halfway mark. And I have zero interest in fashion! But, if you do have an interest in fashion or historical fiction and don’t mind a bit of romance (there was too much for my liking) you would likely really enjoy this. It really was beautifully written. Thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Australia and Karen White for providing an ARC to review. My opinions are my own.
Here I am outside my comfort zone again with another historical fiction laced with romance! It wasn’t all history however, the story has two time lines. The history part is set before and during the early part of WWII, 1939 and 1940 and tells the story of Jeanne (all my friends call me Precious) Dubose and Ethel Maltby who re-invents herself as Eva Harlow. They are both in London to follow their dreams and are working as models for Madame Lushtak.
The present day story is of Madison (Maddie) who is a journalist writing a piece about the clothes and the fashion business during those years. She is a distant relative of Precious and has been invited to London to write the story and curate the associated museum exhibition of the wonderful gowns of the era. Precious is now 99 years old and has kept many of her glamorous outfits, shoes, hats and bags.
Eva and Precious share their lodgings and are like sisters and the models and other staff at Madame Lushtak’s are their family. Everything is great until Ethel meets Graham St John, she is immediately smitten but realises that Graham is way out of her league so she re-invents herself as Eva Harlow, a respectable doctor’s daughter who has been orphaned and resorted to modelling to survive (none of it true of course). Romance blossoms but danger is lurking in the wings. Eva becomes entrapped by Czech spy Alexander Grof. He knows Eva’s true background and threatens her with exposure if she doesn’t do a few small jobs for him. But of course she gets in deeper than she ever thought possible and her loved ones are threatened. This story has a tragic ending with an interesting twist (which I had guessed).
In the present Maddie has her own demons which I won’t explain. When Arabella contacts her about the proposed article she agrees straight away although she is not keen on seeing Colin again. Maddie, Arabella and Colin had been friends at Harrow although it seemed Colin was interested in more than friendship. Maddie is softening towards him but her demons....
I much preferred the historical part of the story, it really brought the era to life, particularly the glamorous lifestyles of the upper classes and included descriptions of the shelling during the London blitz. I did mostly enjoy the story, it was charmingly written, the language seemed spot on and the characters of Eva and Precious jumped off the pages. In contrast, Maddie seemed colourless and I didn’t like her insistence on not falling in love. It seemed silly. The book was a bit long too, it seemed to flag a little after the halfway mark. And I have zero interest in fashion! But, if you do have an interest in fashion or historical fiction and don’t mind a bit of romance (there was too much for my liking) you would likely really enjoy this. It really was beautifully written. Thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Australia and Karen White for providing an ARC to review. My opinions are my own.
June 24, 2021
London, 1939. Eva Harlow and Precious Dubose are best friends, roommates and model gorgeous gowns for the House of Lushtak. Both are very beautiful, blond, and slender and share clothes. By chance, Eva meets handsome Graham St. John, he’s recently returned from Burma and he comes from an upper class family. Eva becomes friends with Graham’s sister Sophia, her fiancé David and they all go out together. When WW II starts Graham joins the Royal Air Force, the Blitz begins and London is a very dangerous place to live. Especially for Eva who wants to keep her true identity a secret, this makes her extremely vulnerable and she reluctantly becomes involved in web of intrigue and spies.
London, 2019. Madison Warner is an American journalist and she travels to London to interview ninety nine year old former model Precious Dubose. She has a large collection of clothes and accessories from the WW II era and Maddie plans to write an article about her wartime experiences. Maddie’s life hasn’t been easy, she moves around a lot and she finds all personal relationships hard. Much to her horror she discovers Colin Eliot is also staying with Precious, years ago they were friends and he’s like family to Precious. As Maddie delves into Precious past, she’s sure the elderly lady is hiding something and does her large vintage clothes collection contain any clues to what really happened during WW II?
The dual timeline seamlessly combines the past and the present and it binds the three women together. The Last Night In London's story is based around themes of friendship, family, love, intrigue, secrets, war, trust and betrayal. It also highlighted to me how important honesty is, being authentic to yourself and family ties.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I’m keen to read the first two books is the series now: Falling Home and After The Rain and four stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
London, 2019. Madison Warner is an American journalist and she travels to London to interview ninety nine year old former model Precious Dubose. She has a large collection of clothes and accessories from the WW II era and Maddie plans to write an article about her wartime experiences. Maddie’s life hasn’t been easy, she moves around a lot and she finds all personal relationships hard. Much to her horror she discovers Colin Eliot is also staying with Precious, years ago they were friends and he’s like family to Precious. As Maddie delves into Precious past, she’s sure the elderly lady is hiding something and does her large vintage clothes collection contain any clues to what really happened during WW II?
The dual timeline seamlessly combines the past and the present and it binds the three women together. The Last Night In London's story is based around themes of friendship, family, love, intrigue, secrets, war, trust and betrayal. It also highlighted to me how important honesty is, being authentic to yourself and family ties.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I’m keen to read the first two books is the series now: Falling Home and After The Rain and four stars from me. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
April 5, 2021
This is a captivating dual time novel. I could not put it down.
London 2019: Madison Warner an American journalist is sent to London to interview Precious Dubose about her life. Precious and her friend Eva Harlow were fashion models in 1939. Eva finds herself falling in love with Graham St. John. Graham is from a very highly regarded family. Graham does not know about Eva’s past. She has even changed her name and reinvented herself.
Eva becomes involved in espionage and falls deeper and deeper.
The Blitz devastates London. Whatever happened to Eva? Precious knows the truth, but is now 99 years old. Will Maddie uncover the truth in time?
Maddie finds out that Colin an old friend of hers from College is a family friend of Precious and is living in her home. Maddie has her own secrets and demons to contend with.
As Maddie looks at all the beautiful dresses and purses that belonged to Precious, she finds clues and secret messages. Maddie becomes distracted with Colin they have unfinished business from the past.
This is a very well written historical fiction novel filled with mystery and intrigue.
I highly recommend it.
I received an advanced copy of this book, through Goodreads.
London 2019: Madison Warner an American journalist is sent to London to interview Precious Dubose about her life. Precious and her friend Eva Harlow were fashion models in 1939. Eva finds herself falling in love with Graham St. John. Graham is from a very highly regarded family. Graham does not know about Eva’s past. She has even changed her name and reinvented herself.
Eva becomes involved in espionage and falls deeper and deeper.
The Blitz devastates London. Whatever happened to Eva? Precious knows the truth, but is now 99 years old. Will Maddie uncover the truth in time?
Maddie finds out that Colin an old friend of hers from College is a family friend of Precious and is living in her home. Maddie has her own secrets and demons to contend with.
As Maddie looks at all the beautiful dresses and purses that belonged to Precious, she finds clues and secret messages. Maddie becomes distracted with Colin they have unfinished business from the past.
This is a very well written historical fiction novel filled with mystery and intrigue.
I highly recommend it.
I received an advanced copy of this book, through Goodreads.
April 5, 2021
Present day journalist, Maddy, interviews an elderly woman, Precious, about her life in London during World War II, while confronting her own tragic past and the potential for new love. As ever, Karen White shines! The Last Night in London will be out on April 20th!
March 26, 2021
This was a really enjoyable, two timeline, historical mystery mostly set in London.
The prologue is well done and drew me into the story immediately. A beautiful woman running through London streets during the blitz with a baby in a bag.
In 2019 Maddie Warner arrives in London to do an interview with Precious Dubose, a 99yo woman who had been a model.
In 1939 Precious and her friend Eva are models at a fashion house and share a flat. This storyline is definitely the more compelling especially being set in the prewar and early war period.
The modern storyline was held back for me by the less interesting love interest sideline but when the characters were involved in solving the mystery of what Precious had done during the war the book is hard to put down. The pace is excellent especially as the story gets closer to the events in the prologue.
Themes of friendship, betrayal, honesty and family, coping with grief and reinvention.
The prologue is well done and drew me into the story immediately. A beautiful woman running through London streets during the blitz with a baby in a bag.
In 2019 Maddie Warner arrives in London to do an interview with Precious Dubose, a 99yo woman who had been a model.
In 1939 Precious and her friend Eva are models at a fashion house and share a flat. This storyline is definitely the more compelling especially being set in the prewar and early war period.
The modern storyline was held back for me by the less interesting love interest sideline but when the characters were involved in solving the mystery of what Precious had done during the war the book is hard to put down. The pace is excellent especially as the story gets closer to the events in the prologue.
Themes of friendship, betrayal, honesty and family, coping with grief and reinvention.
April 21, 2021
A riveting novel of friendships, love, secrets and betrayal
SUMMARY
London, 1939. Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are models for a major fashion house. When Eva falls in love with the wealthy Graham St. John, she can’t believe her luck, that she’s getting everything she ever wanted. When the bombs start dropping over the United Kingdom Eva’s world begins to crumble. She slips into a mysterious web of intrigue, spies, and secrets.
London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life as a model in pre-WWII London. Precious owns a tremendous collection of beautiful gowns from that time. Maddie finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, her enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie interviews Precious, she begins unraveling a secrets from the past.
REVIEW
The Last Night in London is a riveting historical fiction novel of friendship, love and betrayal. Karen White’s beguiling writing keeps readers engaged with strong female characters, intriguing dialogue, and a multi-layered plot.
The two time frames of the story, 1939 and 2019, are creatively intertwined. Readers will appreciate finesse of the secrets and suspense throughout the book, This dramatic wartime story is simply impossible to put down.
White is a New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels. Her most recent standalone novels include Dreams of Falling (2018) and The Night the Lights Went Out (2017).
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
SUMMARY
London, 1939. Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are models for a major fashion house. When Eva falls in love with the wealthy Graham St. John, she can’t believe her luck, that she’s getting everything she ever wanted. When the bombs start dropping over the United Kingdom Eva’s world begins to crumble. She slips into a mysterious web of intrigue, spies, and secrets.
London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life as a model in pre-WWII London. Precious owns a tremendous collection of beautiful gowns from that time. Maddie finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, her enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie interviews Precious, she begins unraveling a secrets from the past.
REVIEW
The Last Night in London is a riveting historical fiction novel of friendship, love and betrayal. Karen White’s beguiling writing keeps readers engaged with strong female characters, intriguing dialogue, and a multi-layered plot.
The two time frames of the story, 1939 and 2019, are creatively intertwined. Readers will appreciate finesse of the secrets and suspense throughout the book, This dramatic wartime story is simply impossible to put down.
White is a New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels. Her most recent standalone novels include Dreams of Falling (2018) and The Night the Lights Went Out (2017).
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 9, 2020Wow! The prologue of The Last Night in London gripped me around the heart and I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished. A captivating story of two friends in war-torn London who share a love of fashion as well as more than a few secrets, secrets whose repercussions are felt decades later by a young woman trying to escape her own past. This book had everything I adore: interwoven storylines, a thrilling mystery, beautiful friendships and a little bit of love.
April 25, 2021
I like Karen White novels and have read many of them. She is usually a solid 4-5 stars for me. So this review pains me a little because even though I love this author, this one didn't work for me. It felt overworked and a little on the long side. Both of which I could overlook, but those weren't the only two things making my list.
Before I get into the deal breakers, I want to say I liked the espionage angle and I also liked the characters, especially Maddie, Colin and Precious. So that gets an extra star.
I will only mention the two major things that were the deal breakers for me. One was the predictability. Instead of bread crumbs leading to the truth, it was bright neon signs worthy of Vegas that led the way which didn't leave much to the imagination. Then believability was the other issue, especially when it came to the friendships, the love angle, and Maddie's job, as well as the cover-ups. The author told the reader about those things, but it would have been nice to see some of it. Overall it didn't ring true. So it pains me to only give out 2 stars here, but that's all I have for this one.
Before I get into the deal breakers, I want to say I liked the espionage angle and I also liked the characters, especially Maddie, Colin and Precious. So that gets an extra star.
I will only mention the two major things that were the deal breakers for me. One was the predictability. Instead of bread crumbs leading to the truth, it was bright neon signs worthy of Vegas that led the way which didn't leave much to the imagination. Then believability was the other issue, especially when it came to the friendships, the love angle, and Maddie's job, as well as the cover-ups. The author told the reader about those things, but it would have been nice to see some of it. Overall it didn't ring true. So it pains me to only give out 2 stars here, but that's all I have for this one.
May 15, 2021
I am fairly new to the historical fiction genre and still finding what I like. I thought I would love this one, set in London. But for me it was too heavy on the romance and I didn't warm to any of the characters. It felt a bit too much like a few other books that I have read with the fashion and war, and a character that doesn't want love but finds it...
Not for me but plenty of others have enjoyed it. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy of this book to read.
Not for me but plenty of others have enjoyed it. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy of this book to read.
May 18, 2021
I’m not sure what the worst part of this book was... but here are some of the things I hated about it:
1) the amount of southern cliches. As someone who has spent the better part of 38 years living in the south, I can honestly say I’ve never actually heard anyone speak the way Maddie does.
Not to mention the emphasis on southern style sweet tea, a picnic that included pimento cheese sandwiches on white bread, and the dinner that Maddie that made that included “lip smacking” fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, biscuits, cornbread, ambrosia salad. She had to instruct the British family on how to butter cornbread and eat fried chicken.
It’s insulting that this woman’s (who lives in New York and was educated at Oxford) entire identity is tied up in Southern cliches.
2) a lot of this storyline felt like a rip off of other WW2 novels, including the truth about Precious (and what kind of 99 year old woman goes by the nickname Precious, ffs). I felt like that “twist” was a total rip off of Kate Morton’s “The Secret Keeper”. One of the scenes in the last few chapters felt like it was straight out of Steel Magnolias.
3) The spy plot just wasn’t fleshed out enough. It was all over the place.
1) the amount of southern cliches. As someone who has spent the better part of 38 years living in the south, I can honestly say I’ve never actually heard anyone speak the way Maddie does.
Not to mention the emphasis on southern style sweet tea, a picnic that included pimento cheese sandwiches on white bread, and the dinner that Maddie that made that included “lip smacking” fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, biscuits, cornbread, ambrosia salad. She had to instruct the British family on how to butter cornbread and eat fried chicken.
It’s insulting that this woman’s (who lives in New York and was educated at Oxford) entire identity is tied up in Southern cliches.
2) a lot of this storyline felt like a rip off of other WW2 novels, including the truth about Precious (and what kind of 99 year old woman goes by the nickname Precious, ffs). I felt like that “twist” was a total rip off of Kate Morton’s “The Secret Keeper”. One of the scenes in the last few chapters felt like it was straight out of Steel Magnolias.
3) The spy plot just wasn’t fleshed out enough. It was all over the place.
March 8, 2021
I adore Karen White's stories, they are always so wonderfully done and told. They transport you back in time and truly make you feel for the characters, their situation and what is happening in the world around them.
It is no secret that this so happens to be one of my most favorite eras to read about, not to mention settings and White truly made this time, this place, and these characters shine. So vividly told I felt like I was right there with them but more than that, I felt like they were family and I couldn't get enough of their story. It was wonderfully done between the past and present and I truly devoured every single page. This story resonated with me because I just felt so much while reading it. I felt their joy, their love, their despair, their heartaches, I truly felt it all. This has been by far a story that not only has stuck with me but one of absolute favorites from this author. I can't recommend it enough.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
It is no secret that this so happens to be one of my most favorite eras to read about, not to mention settings and White truly made this time, this place, and these characters shine. So vividly told I felt like I was right there with them but more than that, I felt like they were family and I couldn't get enough of their story. It was wonderfully done between the past and present and I truly devoured every single page. This story resonated with me because I just felt so much while reading it. I felt their joy, their love, their despair, their heartaches, I truly felt it all. This has been by far a story that not only has stuck with me but one of absolute favorites from this author. I can't recommend it enough.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
May 4, 2021
2-1/2*
Yet another dual time-line novel.🙄 Sometimes it works and sometimes not.
London 1939/40 & 2019.
BTW: This is a romance story.
The Prologue was intriguing and certainly made me want to read on.
Eva and Precious, Graham, Alex, etc. were good enough characters to carry off this book by themselves. Even though before you are at the half way point you have probably figured out the entire plot. It was a good read anyway.
So, why Maddie?
I did not read the previous books in which Maddie Warner appeared and I don’t know why Maddie didn’t have a new book devoted to herself.
The tried and true romance formula of boy and girl don’t like each other. Boy and girl are thrown together (for whatever reason). Boy and girl fall in love. It’s just old.
This book did not need to be 462 pages.
Yet another dual time-line novel.🙄 Sometimes it works and sometimes not.
London 1939/40 & 2019.
BTW: This is a romance story.
The Prologue was intriguing and certainly made me want to read on.
Eva and Precious, Graham, Alex, etc. were good enough characters to carry off this book by themselves. Even though before you are at the half way point you have probably figured out the entire plot. It was a good read anyway.
So, why Maddie?
I did not read the previous books in which Maddie Warner appeared and I don’t know why Maddie didn’t have a new book devoted to herself.
The tried and true romance formula of boy and girl don’t like each other. Boy and girl are thrown together (for whatever reason). Boy and girl fall in love. It’s just old.
This book did not need to be 462 pages.
April 21, 2021
We meet Precious in 1939 as she and Eva are making their way to becoming famous models.
We meet Precious again in 2019 at ninety-nine years of age and willing to tell her story.
We meet Maddie in 2019 as she has been chosen to write Precious's story.
Going back and forth in time and seeing the characters come to life in both periods is marvelously done by Karen White.
I always enjoy dual timelines and especially when the earlier time has fashions from another era, WWII stories, endearing friendships, and characters you will love.
The friendship between Precious and Eva is the main focus of the story as we follow them as war breaks out and then when they lose touch.
I really enjoyed seeing the lives of Precious and Eva during the war and was looking forward to seeing what Maddie was able to find out about Eva since Precious said she just disappeared one day.
We live through the Blitz with them, and we get to share their lives, their happiness, their fears, and their sorrows. Of course there is an evil character to spoil things.
You won't want to stop reading because you will want to know what secrets Precious has as well as what secrets Maddie is keeping.
THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON has another wonderful story line written in Karen White's pull-you-in, won’t-let-you-go style.
Don’t miss this one. 5/5
This book was given to be by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Precious again in 2019 at ninety-nine years of age and willing to tell her story.
We meet Maddie in 2019 as she has been chosen to write Precious's story.
Going back and forth in time and seeing the characters come to life in both periods is marvelously done by Karen White.
I always enjoy dual timelines and especially when the earlier time has fashions from another era, WWII stories, endearing friendships, and characters you will love.
The friendship between Precious and Eva is the main focus of the story as we follow them as war breaks out and then when they lose touch.
I really enjoyed seeing the lives of Precious and Eva during the war and was looking forward to seeing what Maddie was able to find out about Eva since Precious said she just disappeared one day.
We live through the Blitz with them, and we get to share their lives, their happiness, their fears, and their sorrows. Of course there is an evil character to spoil things.
You won't want to stop reading because you will want to know what secrets Precious has as well as what secrets Maddie is keeping.
THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON has another wonderful story line written in Karen White's pull-you-in, won’t-let-you-go style.
Don’t miss this one. 5/5
This book was given to be by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2021
Calling all Karen White fans--this book has everything you could ask for in a page-turning, unforgettable novel. There's romance, mystery, suspense, WWII and lots of White's Southern charm. I didn't want it to end!!!
February 1, 2022
Rounding up to 5 stars (docked a smidge for the length), but WOWOWOW! This HF snuck by undetected and it needs to be on the top of everyones list. Such an incredibly beautiful story. I enjoyed that it was a different look of WW2 and focused on some of the lives during this time period that were effected during the London Blitz. I loved the fashion aspect and the development of characters is signature Karen White.
May 3, 2021
This book! This book! Uughhhh!!! I wanted to put this down a million times but my love of Karen White novels kept me going. It’s rare that I have the feelings that I had for characters in her books. Maddison drove me nuts. She was weak and evasive every chance she got. I struggle with over insecurity, lies and cheating. Ava was another one that made me crazy. I just didn’t like them and I wasn’t invested.
I will say that I did finish it and was happy about the ending. Whew!
Thanks to my local library for this audiobook. The narrator was ok. Not a favorite but doable.
I will say that I did finish it and was happy about the ending. Whew!
Thanks to my local library for this audiobook. The narrator was ok. Not a favorite but doable.
March 4, 2022
This time split novel charmingly and effortlessly combines modern and WWII time periods.
The writing style shines and we see such character development throughout the story.
The Last Night In London is a beautiful story that will hold you spellbound reading it.
Precious and Eva are best friends and models who lived through the Blitz in World War II London. The contemporary side has American journalist traveling to London to interview Precious in London about fashions from before the war. We all have secrets and many come to light during this time. Some that have left scars on the lives of the keepers. Deep,emotional,compelling,poignant.
This really is worth the read. I recommend it!
Pub Date: 20 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The writing style shines and we see such character development throughout the story.
The Last Night In London is a beautiful story that will hold you spellbound reading it.
Precious and Eva are best friends and models who lived through the Blitz in World War II London. The contemporary side has American journalist traveling to London to interview Precious in London about fashions from before the war. We all have secrets and many come to light during this time. Some that have left scars on the lives of the keepers. Deep,emotional,compelling,poignant.
This really is worth the read. I recommend it!
Pub Date: 20 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
April 30, 2021
In 2019, Maddie Warner, who had spent a year studying at Oxford, travels back to London from the United States to write a freelance article for her friend Arabella who is a fashion editor at British Vogue. It is a feature on fashions during the war years. She’s to interview 99-year-old Jeanne “Precious” Dubose, who has an extensive collection of vintage clothing and is also a woman she recently learned is a distant relative. This assignment proves to be much more than expected as Precious is ready to reveal her wartime secrets. She asks Maddie to find her friend Eva.
In this dual timeline story, author Karen White takes us back to London in 1939 where Precious and her best friend Eva Harlow are fashion models working at the House of Lushtak. While modeling fashions for a future bride, they become fast friends with Sophie St. John and Eva soon falls in love with the dashing Graham St. John, brother of the bride. Eva, who has changed her identity, hides her lower-class background from the St. Johns as she would be deemed unsuitable for Graham. Once England declares war on Germany and the bombings begin, it becomes hard to determine who is on which side. And Eva’s lies put her life in jeopardy. In the present, as Maddie is trying to put together the mystery of Precious and Eva’s story, a bond develops between the two woman and it appears that Maddie is also has her own secrets. Maddie is reunited with Colin Eliot from her time at Oxford. His family has been very close to Precious and help with her care. Colin still resents Maggie’s abrupt departure from his life.
The Last Night in London is an engaging wartime story which connects the past to the present. The creative way in which the story unfolds will satisfy. I first discovered Karen White through the books she has written with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig and have gone on to read several of her individual works as well. In addition to bringing back the character of Maddie, who appears in two of White’s earlier books, I enjoyed the return of Precious Dubois from All the Ways We Said Goodbye, which is a wonderful collaboration with Williams and Willig.
Many thanks to Berkley / Penguin Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In this dual timeline story, author Karen White takes us back to London in 1939 where Precious and her best friend Eva Harlow are fashion models working at the House of Lushtak. While modeling fashions for a future bride, they become fast friends with Sophie St. John and Eva soon falls in love with the dashing Graham St. John, brother of the bride. Eva, who has changed her identity, hides her lower-class background from the St. Johns as she would be deemed unsuitable for Graham. Once England declares war on Germany and the bombings begin, it becomes hard to determine who is on which side. And Eva’s lies put her life in jeopardy. In the present, as Maddie is trying to put together the mystery of Precious and Eva’s story, a bond develops between the two woman and it appears that Maddie is also has her own secrets. Maddie is reunited with Colin Eliot from her time at Oxford. His family has been very close to Precious and help with her care. Colin still resents Maggie’s abrupt departure from his life.
The Last Night in London is an engaging wartime story which connects the past to the present. The creative way in which the story unfolds will satisfy. I first discovered Karen White through the books she has written with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig and have gone on to read several of her individual works as well. In addition to bringing back the character of Maddie, who appears in two of White’s earlier books, I enjoyed the return of Precious Dubois from All the Ways We Said Goodbye, which is a wonderful collaboration with Williams and Willig.
Many thanks to Berkley / Penguin Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
April 20, 2021
Thank you Berkley Books / UplitReads for the gifted copy.
I'm a fan of Karen White's writing, especially when she partners with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. I haven't read too many of the books she's written by herself, though the ones I have read I did enjoy. And once I saw this book, it definitely became an anticipated read...and it absolutely delivers in every way!
Historical fiction has become my favorite type of read lately. There have just been so many fantastic books released in this genre this year and this book is definitely one of them. I was so lucky to have gotten a copy and once I started reading it, I really had a hard time putting it down. I'm such a fan of the dual timeline and both timeframes equally captured my interest here. Sometimes I find I'm more drawn to one over the over but that was definitely not the case here.
Starting with a very intriguing prologue that sets up a little bit of a mystery, this book just keeps dropping little hints and insinuating that our characters have some pretty hefty secrets that need to be revealed. I love books that involve secrets - it's always so interesting finding out why something was held back and how it ends up being discovered and what the ramifications will be.
The characters in both timelines really come to life in the story and I had such a hard time walking away from them in the end. This was definitely a story where I wanted to get to the end to find out all the secrets and how it all comes together, but at the same time, I also wanted to savor every last second with this story and the characters.
Historical mysteries are becoming my favorite sub-genre and this one easily fits into this category. But it's not just that. It's also a story about strong women. It's about redemption and reinvention. This book is definitely not one to be missed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com
I'm a fan of Karen White's writing, especially when she partners with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. I haven't read too many of the books she's written by herself, though the ones I have read I did enjoy. And once I saw this book, it definitely became an anticipated read...and it absolutely delivers in every way!
Historical fiction has become my favorite type of read lately. There have just been so many fantastic books released in this genre this year and this book is definitely one of them. I was so lucky to have gotten a copy and once I started reading it, I really had a hard time putting it down. I'm such a fan of the dual timeline and both timeframes equally captured my interest here. Sometimes I find I'm more drawn to one over the over but that was definitely not the case here.
Starting with a very intriguing prologue that sets up a little bit of a mystery, this book just keeps dropping little hints and insinuating that our characters have some pretty hefty secrets that need to be revealed. I love books that involve secrets - it's always so interesting finding out why something was held back and how it ends up being discovered and what the ramifications will be.
The characters in both timelines really come to life in the story and I had such a hard time walking away from them in the end. This was definitely a story where I wanted to get to the end to find out all the secrets and how it all comes together, but at the same time, I also wanted to savor every last second with this story and the characters.
Historical mysteries are becoming my favorite sub-genre and this one easily fits into this category. But it's not just that. It's also a story about strong women. It's about redemption and reinvention. This book is definitely not one to be missed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com
March 30, 2021
Thank you as always to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced arc of this novel.
This was very jarring to read, as all throughout the book, dashes were in the wrong place, for exam-ple, this hap-pened through-out.
I didn't enjoy this at all. I don’t think the author has the faintest clue what London was like during the Blitz, let alone posh London. Names are pulled from The Peerage (look em up) which was bizarre. Plot unlikely. I saw the plot twist at 25%. Occasional flashes of brilliances in the modern dialogue, for example, Arabella, Colin and Maddie talking about her ring tones was HILARIOUS and rang completely true. But the dialogue in general was stiff and trite.
Needs a complete re-edit and re-write and remove those dashes!!!
#TheLastNightInLondon #NetGalley
Was this review helpful?
This was very jarring to read, as all throughout the book, dashes were in the wrong place, for exam-ple, this hap-pened through-out.
I didn't enjoy this at all. I don’t think the author has the faintest clue what London was like during the Blitz, let alone posh London. Names are pulled from The Peerage (look em up) which was bizarre. Plot unlikely. I saw the plot twist at 25%. Occasional flashes of brilliances in the modern dialogue, for example, Arabella, Colin and Maddie talking about her ring tones was HILARIOUS and rang completely true. But the dialogue in general was stiff and trite.
Needs a complete re-edit and re-write and remove those dashes!!!
#TheLastNightInLondon #NetGalley
Was this review helpful?
February 8, 2023
In 1939 the story follows Eva Harlow and Precious Dubose trying to make their way as models. Once WWII starts, life changes forever and that includes their friendship. While Eva falls in love with someone higher than her station, she also gets mixed up in a web of spies and secrets.
In 2019, American journalist Maddie discovers that she is a distant relation to Precious Dubose which is the only reason Precious has agreed to be interviewed by her. What initially was supposed to be a story about fashion and being a model during the war quickly turns into much more.
This is told in a dual timeline in London in 1939 and London in 2019 and seamlessly combines the past and the present. I enjoyed both timelines equally. There is a big twist which I kind of saw coming but still enjoyed. If you enjoy a carefully plotted story with strong female characters about family, friendships, and forgiveness then give this a read.
In 2019, American journalist Maddie discovers that she is a distant relation to Precious Dubose which is the only reason Precious has agreed to be interviewed by her. What initially was supposed to be a story about fashion and being a model during the war quickly turns into much more.
This is told in a dual timeline in London in 1939 and London in 2019 and seamlessly combines the past and the present. I enjoyed both timelines equally. There is a big twist which I kind of saw coming but still enjoyed. If you enjoy a carefully plotted story with strong female characters about family, friendships, and forgiveness then give this a read.
May 19, 2021
The Last Night in London by Karen White tells a very poignant story of two women during World War 11 in London, as well as a 2019 link with one o the women. It is one of the best dual time lines that I have read, it goes together so seamlessly.
The story has mystery - what happened back in those early war times. What happened to some of the people who seem to have been wiped from the face of the earth. And in 2019 Cassie seems to be hiding something, there is an air of mystery to her as well. It wasn't until I had finished this book that I discovered Cassie had been a part of two previous books, and I had read the first one. I intend going back and reading that, then the second and then this one again! This one is a standalone book, but will be the richer for reading the three I do believe!
For readers who are fascinated by the fashion industry back just before the war and on into it. And if you love old houses and London that will help too. As the story develops, the clues emerge slowly. There are a couple of twists that make this so worth hanging in with.
The characters are well developed and I really felt for them. I felt saddened by some of the war events, and chuckled at some of the gentle humour at other times. There are secrets, some betrayal, love that endures and heartbreak. Well really this book has so much to offer.
The story has mystery - what happened back in those early war times. What happened to some of the people who seem to have been wiped from the face of the earth. And in 2019 Cassie seems to be hiding something, there is an air of mystery to her as well. It wasn't until I had finished this book that I discovered Cassie had been a part of two previous books, and I had read the first one. I intend going back and reading that, then the second and then this one again! This one is a standalone book, but will be the richer for reading the three I do believe!
For readers who are fascinated by the fashion industry back just before the war and on into it. And if you love old houses and London that will help too. As the story develops, the clues emerge slowly. There are a couple of twists that make this so worth hanging in with.
The characters are well developed and I really felt for them. I felt saddened by some of the war events, and chuckled at some of the gentle humour at other times. There are secrets, some betrayal, love that endures and heartbreak. Well really this book has so much to offer.
May 20, 2021
This plot is overplayed. Young generation is tasked to uncover a WW2 mystery. They piece together the story with photos and possessions. The mystery is finally solved. They learn a life lesson and fall in love! There is nothing original or exciting about this story.
Who is Maddie? Her character is a contradiction. At the beginning she seems annoyed about the assignment. The author says she is strong, but she refuses to go home and be part of her sister’s wedding? My goodness, she won’t even respond to texts from her aunt and sister. And, she doesn’t want to get involved with Colin because of her health? This felt like a desperate and deceitful attempt to garner sympathy. Her “southern” comments felt very disingenuous. Butter my butt and call me a biscuit….is something my southern family would never say.
Who is Eva? Well she is dumb. She is smart enough to reinvent herself and make it in the modeling world. But she is stupid enough to be blackmailed, accept opulent gifts and pass intel to the Nazis…over and over again. Girl, no. You know better.
The big mystery was written just as terribly as the appalling characters. You know who and where Eva is pretty quickly and the rest was just cringey. And it’s not really the “last night” in London….as they all come back to live in London. Hard pass.
Who is Maddie? Her character is a contradiction. At the beginning she seems annoyed about the assignment. The author says she is strong, but she refuses to go home and be part of her sister’s wedding? My goodness, she won’t even respond to texts from her aunt and sister. And, she doesn’t want to get involved with Colin because of her health? This felt like a desperate and deceitful attempt to garner sympathy. Her “southern” comments felt very disingenuous. Butter my butt and call me a biscuit….is something my southern family would never say.
Who is Eva? Well she is dumb. She is smart enough to reinvent herself and make it in the modeling world. But she is stupid enough to be blackmailed, accept opulent gifts and pass intel to the Nazis…over and over again. Girl, no. You know better.
The big mystery was written just as terribly as the appalling characters. You know who and where Eva is pretty quickly and the rest was just cringey. And it’s not really the “last night” in London….as they all come back to live in London. Hard pass.
July 4, 2023
One of the better World War 2 books I've read actually. Full of intrigue, romance, mystery and tough choices. I really enjoyed it!!
August 10, 2021
E superba, mi-a părut asa rau ca s-a terminat…
February 11, 2025
This was a hard book to rate. There were some things I really enjoyed. The light, playful chemistry between Colin and Maddy in the present was effectively balanced with the tragic romance between Graham and Eva in the past. The sinister spy Alex and his hypnotic hold over Eva really had me hoping for something between them, too. But like a lot of books, this one starts strong and grows weaker and weaker over time. Karen White is great at setting up real predicaments for her heroines, but the resolution at the end feels like something she threw together in a careless rush. Villains who are set up to be bold and unstoppable walk right into the most obvious traps imaginable. Heroines who betray and lie and steal and hurt the innocent are forgiven with barely a word of reproach, not only by the people they love, but by complete strangers. It even snows in Georgia!
I understand, as I get older, that forgiving yourself is a vital part of connecting with others. I also understand that family is important, whether it's the family you were born with or the family you create. The contrast between the tragedy of Eva and the happy ending for Maddy neatly illustrates the value of family. But while this overarching theme is handled well, the rest of the book is a mess. I never felt the love between Eva and Precious. Eva and Graham don't really communicate either. Eva is so vain, shallow, weak-willed and easily tempted that she makes Lily Bart look like Dorothea Brooke. And Maddie in the present is just as bad. She's cute and funny, but she doesn't seem to be a day over fifteen. Never for one minute do you believe that she's a grown up woman with a grown up job, or that she ever went to any college, much less Oxford. She and Colin have great chemistry, but it's the kind you would find in a Young Adult book like Pants On Fire by Meg Cabot!
Last but not least, while the London Blitz forms the backdrop of this story, Karen White seems determined not to confront the moral implications of the war or what Nazism was all about. There's no mention of any Jews living in London in 1940, just as there's no mention of any Blacks living in Walton, Georgia in 2019. (There is a Confederate monument in the middle of town, however. Cute!) Even more extraordinary, Madison the empty-headed modern journalist never bothers to mention that in 2019 almost forty percent of the London population was Asian, African, or Muslim. In real life she'd have met plenty of people like that at Oxford, on the street, in the tube, you name it. But in this book they're absolutely invisible. Because in Walton, everybody is somebody!
Now I don't think Karen White is stupid. I think she gets the connection between the Confederacy and Nazi Germany. Between Jim Crow and the Nuremberg Laws. There's a reason the southern women in this book keep talking about "reinvention" and why they both want to erase the past. But you can't escape the past by erasing it. Madison can chirp about how much she loves old-time black and white movies, where the heroines wear lots of lipstick and smoke lots of cigarettes and always save the day. But some of those movies were brutally frank about truths Karen White still hasn't faced. In Casablanca there's a moment where one of the bad guys offers to buy Rick's Cafe, and Humphrey Bogart says "not for sale." Then the bad guy offers to buy the Black piano player, Sam! And Bogart says, "I don't buy or sell human beings." The war against the Nazis and the war against the Confederacy was really the same war because, as Abraham Lincoln said, all of human history is a struggle between the divine right of kings and the common rights of humanity.
Kamala Harris was a third-rate candidate at best, a soulless sister who never took off the mask, never connected with voters and never understood where America was heading. She went down to defeat screeching "we're not going back." But what she never figured out is that down in Karen White's America they can't go back. Because they never left. And it's snowing in Georgia!
I understand, as I get older, that forgiving yourself is a vital part of connecting with others. I also understand that family is important, whether it's the family you were born with or the family you create. The contrast between the tragedy of Eva and the happy ending for Maddy neatly illustrates the value of family. But while this overarching theme is handled well, the rest of the book is a mess. I never felt the love between Eva and Precious. Eva and Graham don't really communicate either. Eva is so vain, shallow, weak-willed and easily tempted that she makes Lily Bart look like Dorothea Brooke. And Maddie in the present is just as bad. She's cute and funny, but she doesn't seem to be a day over fifteen. Never for one minute do you believe that she's a grown up woman with a grown up job, or that she ever went to any college, much less Oxford. She and Colin have great chemistry, but it's the kind you would find in a Young Adult book like Pants On Fire by Meg Cabot!
Last but not least, while the London Blitz forms the backdrop of this story, Karen White seems determined not to confront the moral implications of the war or what Nazism was all about. There's no mention of any Jews living in London in 1940, just as there's no mention of any Blacks living in Walton, Georgia in 2019. (There is a Confederate monument in the middle of town, however. Cute!) Even more extraordinary, Madison the empty-headed modern journalist never bothers to mention that in 2019 almost forty percent of the London population was Asian, African, or Muslim. In real life she'd have met plenty of people like that at Oxford, on the street, in the tube, you name it. But in this book they're absolutely invisible. Because in Walton, everybody is somebody!
Now I don't think Karen White is stupid. I think she gets the connection between the Confederacy and Nazi Germany. Between Jim Crow and the Nuremberg Laws. There's a reason the southern women in this book keep talking about "reinvention" and why they both want to erase the past. But you can't escape the past by erasing it. Madison can chirp about how much she loves old-time black and white movies, where the heroines wear lots of lipstick and smoke lots of cigarettes and always save the day. But some of those movies were brutally frank about truths Karen White still hasn't faced. In Casablanca there's a moment where one of the bad guys offers to buy Rick's Cafe, and Humphrey Bogart says "not for sale." Then the bad guy offers to buy the Black piano player, Sam! And Bogart says, "I don't buy or sell human beings." The war against the Nazis and the war against the Confederacy was really the same war because, as Abraham Lincoln said, all of human history is a struggle between the divine right of kings and the common rights of humanity.
Kamala Harris was a third-rate candidate at best, a soulless sister who never took off the mask, never connected with voters and never understood where America was heading. She went down to defeat screeching "we're not going back." But what she never figured out is that down in Karen White's America they can't go back. Because they never left. And it's snowing in Georgia!
August 27, 2020
I was totally charmed by this story of women dealing with the past and future in London and Georgia. Maddie believes she is in London to write a fashion story about women’s clothing during WW II, instead she becomes engrossed in the life of Precious Dubose, a very distant relative with many secrets. As we read further, we learn that Maddie also lives with secrets, so compelling, that she has put her life and emotions on hold.
White transports the reader back to London at the start of the war using descriptions that are incredibly vivid which careful research made flawless. This book has the best elements of historical fiction and romance. Maddie is a likable protagonist, surrounded by a group of other interesting and well formed characters. Of course it is Eva, a mysterious woman who has transformed herself, that propels the plot forward. It is she who captured my attention.
.I am an Anglophile so I loved being transported to 1940’s London. I loved the beautiful descriptions of fashions and the intrigue that surrounded Precious and her best friend Eva.
Maddie resists emotional attachment because of her own secrets and fears, but women will find these references interesting. It is the relationship between the two women that bring Maddie to a point where she can imagine her own future.
Thank you Netgalley for this terrific novel. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to recommending it to book groups.
White transports the reader back to London at the start of the war using descriptions that are incredibly vivid which careful research made flawless. This book has the best elements of historical fiction and romance. Maddie is a likable protagonist, surrounded by a group of other interesting and well formed characters. Of course it is Eva, a mysterious woman who has transformed herself, that propels the plot forward. It is she who captured my attention.
.I am an Anglophile so I loved being transported to 1940’s London. I loved the beautiful descriptions of fashions and the intrigue that surrounded Precious and her best friend Eva.
Maddie resists emotional attachment because of her own secrets and fears, but women will find these references interesting. It is the relationship between the two women that bring Maddie to a point where she can imagine her own future.
Thank you Netgalley for this terrific novel. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to recommending it to book groups.
December 11, 2020
really wanted to go with a 4 star rating on this book, but something held me back. Karen White is one of my favorite authors, and I love the way she can weave a tale, yet, in this piece of historical fiction I felt some of the storyline to be forced. The plot rotates between present day and WW2 London. The historical aspects of the storyline were fascinating and new to me. The fashion world in London before the Blitz was so interesting to read about. The romance that was set in the present day bothered me. I feel the whole "they hate each other and play hard to get the whole time until the end" plot has been played out to the extreme. It's just not quite believable to me even though Maddie's character had her reasons. I found myself wanting to skip the present day chapters. However, the ending was nice and all in all I would recommend, especially those who like WW2 history. #netgalley #thelastnightinlondon #karenwhite
April 17, 2021
In this dual time framed novel we follow Precious and Eva while they navigate life in London during WWII. In 2019 we follow Maddie and her friends as she pulls together an exhibition to show case Precious life as a model in 1940's London, only to stumble on a much bigger story.
The Prologue of this book had me totally hooked and left me with a desperate need to find out what happened and why. As it turns out I was half right in my guess but I did not guess the full reveal, I was stumbling around with Maddie and her friends trying to work it out.
Karen White does an amazing job of transporting you back in time to London on the brink of war. You could feel the tension radiating off the pages. Part romance part historic fiction this novel is about friendship, love, loss and finding oneself when all else fails you.
Many thanks to Netgalley the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Prologue of this book had me totally hooked and left me with a desperate need to find out what happened and why. As it turns out I was half right in my guess but I did not guess the full reveal, I was stumbling around with Maddie and her friends trying to work it out.
Karen White does an amazing job of transporting you back in time to London on the brink of war. You could feel the tension radiating off the pages. Part romance part historic fiction this novel is about friendship, love, loss and finding oneself when all else fails you.
Many thanks to Netgalley the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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