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Raj & Norah: A True Story of Love Lost and Found in World War II

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Far from a conventional war story, Raj & Norah is poised at the threshold of worlds colliding - East and West, duty and desire, love and sacrifice. It is richly readable, and a fitting homage to an extraordinary couple who lived through extraordinary times.' - Aanchal Malhotra

When World War II broke out in 1939, twenty-year-old Rajendra Kohli was studying chemistry at college in England. Soon, however, he decided to volunteer for the war effort against Germany and joined the army. After his heroic actions on the front left him severely injured, he found himself in Naples for treatment. There, he met Norah Elizabeth Eggleton, a nurse with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.

It was love at first sight, and in each other's company, the young couple forgot the devastation that surrounded them. But as quickly as their story began, it was over - Raj was sent to London, Norah was posted to a hospital in Rome, and they wondered if they would ever see each other again.

Raj & Norah is not only a thrilling account of love found, lost and reclaimed in the midst of war, it is also a story of two extraordinary individuals battling against their circumstances and what fate has in store for them - one that will captivate and move readers around the world.

420 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 2021

4 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Shaina Kohli Russo

2 books1 follower

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5 stars
20 (52%)
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11 (28%)
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6 (15%)
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1 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Shruthi Maniraj.
218 reviews5 followers
August 6, 2021
The book is well written. Very little coverage of Raj and Norah's love story.
A well detailed account of Indian soldiers fighting the World War 2.
Profile Image for Christeena  Thomas.
262 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2021
Can true love stand the test of time❓

YES!!! If still you are sceptical about it, it's because you haven't met Raj and Norah from @shainakrusso and @peterrkohli 's new book yet - the torch bearers of real love that transcends all difficulties and hardships in life and in their case, even different continents and cultures.

Wait. Wait. . before you decide to draw a conclusion by relegating it to the position of another love story, let me tell you what makes it standout.

The second World War dissolved the world into darkness. Future was a great unknown and uncertainties ruled the world. Just like now. Casualties flooded hospitals and people began desperate for a normal life. Just like now.

Raj, an Indian army officer, who got severally wounded in war meets Norah, a British Nurse with sparkling blue and kind eyes. Amidst all the difficult circumstances and hard to get through times, the story tells us how they found a little light at the end of the tunnel and sailed through this tough patch of time so brilliantly.
This epic love story not only makes us believe in the magic of love but also makes us confident and gives us strength and a ray of hope to think of a better tomorrow. In the face of horrors and brutality of the war, how they fought together gives us immense courage to face the current situation.

Just like Raj and Norah who stayed united in mind while nations were divided in war, the book throws light to look forward to good days and stand together for each other. Another important aspect of the novel was the brilliant narration, especially the fourth part of the novel was just WOW! The microscopic detailing to the characters as well as the incidents made it more charming as well❤

Besides everything the fact that it's the real life story of two amazing souls who lived in this world makes it extraordinary. Thank you so much @harpercollinsin for bringing this book to light ❤ Hope this book finds many hearts and live in it, just like it lives in mine!!
"Forever and Always"
Profile Image for Sabia khan.
72 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2021
Raj & Norah

It's a true story of courage, casualties, emotions , love lost and found from the era of World War II.

Rajendra Kohil (Raj) , a 20 year old boy from India, leaves to England to study Chemistry in the 'University of Cambridge'. Beginning with his first day in the 'Cambridge' he never felt he belonged there and after completing a year there he takes a transfer to 'Kings College, London'.

As the World War II breaks out, he decides to be on Service and joins in voluntarily against Germany.

He kept departing to postings from one place to another on the order's.Raj became one of the finest gun trainer's of 'Vickers Medium Machine Gun.

His bravery and courage soon earns him a 'Major' honor and leading a battalion in Italy he is severely injured losing his Left Ear.
He is transported to 'Naples' for treatment and there he meets 'Norah Eggleton' , a nurse on Military services and soon they fall in love.

Raj and Norah, were in love and as soon as their love story begins it comes to an abrupt end as raj reveals Norah with his past which leaves her with a broken heart. Raj is then posted to London and Norah to a hospital in Rome, wondering if they would meet ever after.....

🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

'Raj & Norah' was most anticipated read of 2021 for me. It's more than just a love story. It's an extraordinary account of the battles of World War II. A well told story of an exceptional couple and an emotional rollercoaster ride for the readers.
Profile Image for Aswathy.
185 reviews12 followers
March 11, 2021
A book that has a good plot and a pretty cover is indeed a wonderful thing and the book 'Raj and Norah' is one such book.

As the title indicates, it's the love story of Raj and Norah. Raj is an army officer and Norah works as a nurse in the Army. Destiny brings them into the lives of each other during the time of World War II. Even though both of them belonged to different countries, their love was pure and beautiful.

The whole book has been divided into 4 parts and tbh, I really enjoyed reading each and every page of this book. It was indeed interesting to know how destiny played a role in bringing them together even during those tough times. Even though this was my first book that deals with war and related scenarios, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was really interesting to read and know more about the stories, traditions and lifestyle that prevailed during the time period of World War II. 

There were some beautiful pictures along with this story which made the story even more enjoyable and those pictures made me feel like witnessing the whole story for real. Also, the struggles and hardship of officers, soldiers, nurses, doctors, etc in the army during the times of war was very well portrayed. Overall it was a very interesting read.
Profile Image for  Afreen  Khalil Inscribed Inklings.
862 reviews40 followers
March 22, 2021
Raj & Norah by Peter R. Kohli and Shaina Kohli Russo 📚



Wow. Just wow. The fact that this was a true story really hit me hard. It was beautiful in every way. Raj & Norah is the kind of book that just mesmerizes when you least expect it. I kept waiting for the moment Raj and Norah meet and it was a long wait. But it was worth it. Theirs was a whirlwind romance set in the war where they both served. While Nora was a nurse, Raj was a soldier, they were from completely different backgrounds. Yet love has a way to shine light in the unlikely of places. And that's what happened with them too.

The book is just an ode to a beautiful love story and is hearty and genuine. The writing style was articulate and emphatic. The tone of the book was formal and enchanting. The theme of the book was love. How do two people from completely different places unite? It was a lot of coincidences that happened. It almost felt like fate. In the times were people wrote letters and telegrams, what's the possibility of finding lost love?

I felt the book had a few unnecessary descriptions that was hindering the flow of the book. The book was divided into 4 parts and each showcased a different part of their life. The chapters about Norah and Raj's life was separate in the beginning until they eventually met. It was nice to know a lot about their past but I wanted to know more about their happily ever after. I wanted to hear about all the things they did after they were together which the book just didn't get into in detail.

If you love historical fiction and romance, you should definitely try this out and you will not regret it. It gives you the feels.

Read it / Skip it- My verdict- READ📖

Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐

-Afreen
Profile Image for Kiara.S.
9 reviews
June 30, 2021
𝐑𝐚𝐣 & 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐡🤎

There's no better way than to start this with Raj's "My, how lucky I am." Thank you so much @harpercollinsin for this timeless gift.

When I saw the book cover, I was so much in awe - the rustic vibe of the retro photo with the chained frame, the envelopes, my favorite - baby breath flowers and the antique bronze key adds so much value, reflects the mood and authenticity of the story told between the pages and it shows.

As the book opens, the story slides from current to flashback and then continues as it goes. The book is divided in four parts and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of it. It was one of the books you cannot keep down.

Raj being Indian, at so many points, I could relate to him and it was really fun reading about his time in India. As the story builds up, I got as excited as Raj to travel to England and explore. As war breaks out, He gets enrolled in the Army and Raj being the extraordinary person that he is, aces every bit of it and gets promoted time and again - his integrity and commitment is something so very remarkable.

Norah, grew up in Kiddlington - being a very responsible person since a young age, taking care of the house and her siblings is a very strong character. She decides to join the army with her friend and her life changes. Her life innately reflects love, sacrifice, softness, compassion, & much more.

Although Raj and Norah meet very later in the book, their individual stories are so thrilling - you almost forget that they haven't met yet. I really wished, I could get to read more about their lovestory as it keeps you wanting to see more of them. Raj and Norah, their individual lives or after their stories became one - both keep growing on you. The fact that it is not just a war story where two extraordinary people meet and fall in love but A True Story of Love Lost and Found in World War II makes it extraordinary.

This being my very first read set in the age of World War II, gave me a peep into what that time had been like - the horrors of the war, the quick crucial decisions made, the victories won, the loved ones lost & so much.

Hands down it is~
Exceptionally, an extraordinary read. 💕
222 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2021
I always believe that novels and biographies are one of the most attractive and interesting way of transmitting knowledge and experience..This book have made me believe in it,a bit more.
When i began taking a look at the book,i thought this would be a secluded romance, somewhat away from actual world..But it came out that,this is full of reality
This book is a book of hope,love and cruelty of humans during wars.It is a piece of reality from the world war two, somewhere in between late half of 1930s to early half of 1940s.The major part of book is narrated parallelly.One from Raj's Point of view and another from that of Norah's.Raj and Norah are completely in contrast with each other.One is blessed with opportunity to learn whatever pleases him whereas other couldn't do the same due to pressure to please the family members.The only string that was common was that,they both were affected by the war and had different roles in it.It is clearly a multi-genre book where the first part is related to the life of a student or a youngster during that period,the second part gives you a brief yet clear idea of war, mainly the deaths and the sorrow and the last part is very much romantic with the traces of hopefulness and hopelessness moving together.Making romance look so pure and aesthetic.In short there is everything you could ask for to make the book best.I am completely pleased with the way authors have described the war time.It gives us a clear view of the situation during that period, mostly in places like England,France and Italy.The holocaust that killed thousands of army men or "volunteer" is vividly explained through characters.
The language used is easy and style of writing is something really attractive.Thank you Peter Kohli and Shaina Kohli Russo for writing this book about your parents and grandparents respectively that will surely inspire everyone who shall read it. Specially those who would love to join the armed forces and/or who would love to serve in medical services.
I'll definitely remember this book for very long.This was undoubtedly one of my best read ever.Sooo happy to come across this one.
Profile Image for Preethi Joseph.
445 reviews20 followers
December 29, 2021
First things first thanks to @harpercollinsin for this review copy ❤️💕
If you guys have been following me for a while you probably know that historical fiction is my go-to genre and am a sucker for WWII stories. How much more amazing can things get if the icing on the cake is that its inspired by the real life story of the author @shainakrusso grandparents eventually the co-author @peterrkohli parents. Yes, Its them you see on the dust jacket 🌸

This is the story of Raj a soldier in the Indian army and Norah a British nurse. If this was a review I was reading and not writing , I would have been sold right here, at this point. Wartime love stories fuel my body , mind and soul ❤️ This is a genuinely heart warming story, trust me when I say this. Its the kind of book one sits with near the fireplace with a hot drink with mild soothing music playing in the background.

Raj meets Norah when he is admitted to the hospital she works in and instantly falls in love soon afterwards they part ways Norah to Rome and Raj to London. Written in four parts the author takes us on a journey to the different phases of their life. When fate and destiny brings two people from different paths of life to cross not once but twice the result is a love story this beautiful . It reminded me of my favourite 70+ yr old dutch couple with a similar lost and found love with their distant relationship and relentless letters they posted to each other in the 60s.

This book came in like a dream meal in a period of extreme hunger. If that does not tell you how enchanting this love story is then I don’t know what will 🤗🥰
🤩🤩🤩🤩
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Williamson.
89 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2021
Raj & Norah is a beautiful, compelling story and historical account of two very different people drawn together by happenstance amidst one of history’s darkest times.

Carefully and eloquently written, Raj & Norah highlights the brave and resilient efforts of the First Punjab Regiment of India in World War II; as well as the heroic nurses of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.

As someone who loves learning the stories which are often left out or decentered from historical narratives, Raj & Norah brings those stories to life that need to be heard around the globe. And the love story of Raj & Norah is one that draws the reader deep into its pages, and gives them renewed belief in love, hope, and survival.

P.S. It’s also completely humbling and amazing to read a book written by one of your dearest friends. SO DANG proud of you Shaina Kohli Russo!
Profile Image for Muskan Gupta.
137 reviews6 followers
May 13, 2021
It Is such a pretty book. The best part is, it's a real story of the time of World war and there are not many stories that you get to read and know more about. So, I am glad that this story came out in front of the world.

Their struggles , those emotions like the differences, the distance and everything is summed up in words so beautifully that you can feel pain and real love. I didn't knew there was so so much that happened during the World war.
My emotions are a mess by it's wonder at the end and my words are all lost.
But what I know is - Do read it. No matter what.
You will know the definition of love all over again.

Definitely Recommend to all.
Profile Image for Lisa Leweke.
1 review
June 20, 2021
This is a must read. With each page I found myself wanting more. Much more than a love story, Raj and Norah is novel rich in heroism, insight into life during World War Two, and the lives of two remarkable individuals. I enjoyed learning about the journey that both Raj and Norah took in the years before meeting and the suspense of wanting to learn when their paths would cross, kept me turning the page. The end left me in chills and with a renewed faith that things truly work out as they are meant to. Beautifully written and with an important story and message to share, this easily has become one of my favorites.
Profile Image for Dilmeet Matta.
83 reviews4 followers
March 26, 2021
Raj and Norah is true story of love lost and found during WW ll. It’s a beautiful account of hardships faced and overcome by Raj during his days in England, as a student in a foreign country in times when it wasn’t a common occurrence. Of Norah who gave everything for her family, even her dreams and how they found love in such extraordinary circumstances and how fate played its little trick to unite the two.

I just loved the plot and characters, how well the story is penned with the accurate dates, events and true accounts. It’s definitely a page turner. I couldn’t put it down and well since I read the blurb I was waiting for the part where the two characters finally meet, all along rooting for them to meet 😅

I loved every second of it ❤️ I was a little upset though when it ended as I wanted to know more about Raj and Norah’s life after the war too. Oh and the beautiful description of Italy 😍 I wish to go there someday.

A beautiful love story, with happy, sad, emotional and some heartbreaking moments. I definitely recommend!!
Profile Image for Ayati Choudhary.
68 reviews5 followers
April 15, 2021
Ah, what a beautiful book this was! To think that such a spectacular story is real. Raj & Norah, as the title suggests, is the story of Raj and Norah. Much more than just a love story, it tells us about Raj and Norah's life before they met each other in Naples. The love story part actually starts much later in the book and because of that, we get to peek into their lives and thus get to know what they were and why they were the way they were. The story is centred around Raj, who decided to volunteer for the war effort against Germany and joined the army and Norah, who was a nurse in the military nursing service in one of the worst times of history, during World War 2.

It was such a beautiful and heartwarming book that I underlined so many lines and paragraphs to revisit. This book is much more beautiful than just the gorgeous cover. It was for the first time that I read a book centred around the World War and the horrors of the war clutched at my heart. There are so many things to talk about in this book but in that way I'll give out spoilers, so let's just leave it at that. This beautiful story of heart-touching love will leave a mark on every reader's heart!

Reading this book was a beautiful experience and it'll always be in my all-time favourite books list!
1 review
September 30, 2021
What a wonderfully written and heartwarming story. Raj and Norah come to life, and you are quickly engrossed in their journeys. You are present in the story and feel the emotions, challenges, and desires of them both. 5 plus stars!
Profile Image for Pankaj Wagh.
95 reviews
September 20, 2021
I was in love with this book from the page 1. A True Story of Love , lost and then found once again. ❤️
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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