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None Stood Taller: A gripping WWII story to make your heart soar.
This book is a window into Britain's secret wartime past, step through it and this inspirational story of life and love will make your heart soar.
It is March 1941, large swathes of the East End of London lie in ruins. Lily Heywood is just one more victim of the Blitz, lying beneath the rubble of her home. An unbreakable spirit, this is not the end for Lily, it is merely the beginning. Defying the expectations of her background and social class, she embarks upon an incredible journey that will take her from the ashes of the Blitz to the very top of the British wartime establishment.
This is Lily's inspirational story, her life in wartime London, the lifelong friends she makes in the Women's Land Army, and the two men that she is torn between. Heartbreaking one moment, and heartwarming the next, from the very first page right through to the wonderfully unexpected conclusion, you will be unable to put this book down.
Lily's life changes dramatically when she is employed by Edward the Earl of Middlebourne. Initially employed to manage His Lordship's stately home and estate, she is unaware of his connection to military intelligence. Lily is invited to partner Edward in the formation of a new section of the Special Operations Executive. Their role is to provide the crucial intelligence which will enable the D-Day landings. Don't just read about wartime Britain; experience it first hand!
It is March 1941, large swathes of the East End of London lie in ruins. Lily Heywood is just one more victim of the Blitz, lying beneath the rubble of her home. An unbreakable spirit, this is not the end for Lily, it is merely the beginning. Defying the expectations of her background and social class, she embarks upon an incredible journey that will take her from the ashes of the Blitz to the very top of the British wartime establishment.
This is Lily's inspirational story, her life in wartime London, the lifelong friends she makes in the Women's Land Army, and the two men that she is torn between. Heartbreaking one moment, and heartwarming the next, from the very first page right through to the wonderfully unexpected conclusion, you will be unable to put this book down.
Lily's life changes dramatically when she is employed by Edward the Earl of Middlebourne. Initially employed to manage His Lordship's stately home and estate, she is unaware of his connection to military intelligence. Lily is invited to partner Edward in the formation of a new section of the Special Operations Executive. Their role is to provide the crucial intelligence which will enable the D-Day landings. Don't just read about wartime Britain; experience it first hand!
442 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2020
1926 people are currently reading
2129 people want to read
About the author
Peter Turnham
9 books50 followersI took the rash decision to retire from my business at the age of 46 to self-build my own house on the top of the Cotswold Hills and to breed a few trout for our lakes. We've now lived in the house for well over 20 years and are still here! We're not really self-sufficient but my wife and I manage and maintain everything ourselves. I just wish I'd discovered the joy of writing sooner - it has become one of my greatest pleasures in life. After a ruptured Achilles tendon trapped me in a chair for some months, to keep my mind occupied I wrote my "Autumn Daffodils" series which is essentially a story in two halves. "Charlie's Story" ends dramatically, and "Joanna's Story" continues the roller-coaster ride to even greater heights.
Since then, I have published the "None Stood Taller" trilogy including "None Stood Taller The Final Year" and "None Stood Taller The Price of Freedom". "Freedom" can be read as the conclusion of the story or can introduce the series to new readers.
"Parallel Lives - a Story of the Greatest Generation" published late August 2024 has taken me two years to write. At 550 pages it seems long, but it is actually two books in one; I could find no sensible place to divide it into two separate books, as it depicts the lives of both Emma and Roger throughout WW2 from 1939 through to 1945.
My six books are all published on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle, with hardbacks of the None Stood Taller series and of Parallel Lives. Paperbacks are also available to order from High Street bookstores.
These days we let out one of our farm buildings as a holiday cottage, and we meet many interesting people from the UK and abroad.
In March 2022, I was shortlisted with "None Stood Taller" for the UK Selfies Award, a competition for self-published authors, with the winner being announced at the annual London Book Fair. Very exciting for a relatively new author at the time!
Since then, I have published the "None Stood Taller" trilogy including "None Stood Taller The Final Year" and "None Stood Taller The Price of Freedom". "Freedom" can be read as the conclusion of the story or can introduce the series to new readers.
"Parallel Lives - a Story of the Greatest Generation" published late August 2024 has taken me two years to write. At 550 pages it seems long, but it is actually two books in one; I could find no sensible place to divide it into two separate books, as it depicts the lives of both Emma and Roger throughout WW2 from 1939 through to 1945.
My six books are all published on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle, with hardbacks of the None Stood Taller series and of Parallel Lives. Paperbacks are also available to order from High Street bookstores.
These days we let out one of our farm buildings as a holiday cottage, and we meet many interesting people from the UK and abroad.
In March 2022, I was shortlisted with "None Stood Taller" for the UK Selfies Award, a competition for self-published authors, with the winner being announced at the annual London Book Fair. Very exciting for a relatively new author at the time!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
October 12, 2021
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has a touch of Downton Abbey in it and it tells about the Blitz and the secret preparations of D-Day. It had more romance in it than I had anticipated but it fitted in well. I took the book everywhere with me in hope of a few minutes of reading, which doesn't happen very often. The half a star less is because the main protagonist was a little too perfect to be true.
I'm looking forward to the next installment 'The final year' which is on its way to me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has a touch of Downton Abbey in it and it tells about the Blitz and the secret preparations of D-Day. It had more romance in it than I had anticipated but it fitted in well. I took the book everywhere with me in hope of a few minutes of reading, which doesn't happen very often. The half a star less is because the main protagonist was a little too perfect to be true.
I'm looking forward to the next installment 'The final year' which is on its way to me.
June 12, 2022
I was first attracted to this as I believed it to be a true-life account, discovering otherwise, I thought, 'in-for-a-penny, in-for-a-pound' and coughed up.
The prologue states, 'we only know this remarkable individual (the main protagonist - an incredibly intelligent, capable, and courageous woman) because in her later years she told all to her grandson'.
As a novel, why have a prologue that suggests this is all true?
Chapter One, starts with, ' I stepped outside the front door to see if there was any sign of Linda .....' From there we embark on a most detailed account of her life; the cake she prefers, the amount of biscuits she requires with her morning tea, the fact that she would prefer to wash her hair in rainwater, rather than good 'ol tapwater; and that is but the tip of the iceberg.
As a novel it may well deserve a little credit.
A working class gal, from the streets of London makes good whilst working for SOE. She was lucky enough to be allowed a decent, private, education and prior to the war she basically, single handed, ran a shipping company out of the London docks.
From toiling away as a land girl she becomes personal assistant to Lord Middlebourne (who is secretly a main player in forming the SOE) who happens to be best mates with Winnie. The working class gal takes on running his estate and inside but a few short weeks turns the place upside down and from a failing estate it becomes an efficient and profitable business.
All good so far ..... ?
At just under half-way through this woman's most amazing wartime exploits, we also find that she helps plan the D-Day invasions: a good deal of how and why things happened on that day, in the way that they did, was down to her.
Plausibility stretched to the point of snapping?
I'm afraid so .... I was becoming a mite tired with the detailed and far too drawn out descriptions of what ever this woman touched turned to gold, but it was at this point that I did lose all interest.
If you know absolutely 'nought' about World-War-Two-Britain then you might pick up a few snippets when reading this. However, if you do want to know anything at all about about World-War-Two-Britain, or the SOE, there are much better books available to you.
Maybe it is so, that nowadays we cannot bring ourselves to accept that a hero/heroine is anything but prefect, beautiful, handsome, cannot make mistakes, cannot fail in any way and what they aim for, they achieve with ease.
Real life ain't like that.
The prologue states, 'we only know this remarkable individual (the main protagonist - an incredibly intelligent, capable, and courageous woman) because in her later years she told all to her grandson'.
As a novel, why have a prologue that suggests this is all true?
Chapter One, starts with, ' I stepped outside the front door to see if there was any sign of Linda .....' From there we embark on a most detailed account of her life; the cake she prefers, the amount of biscuits she requires with her morning tea, the fact that she would prefer to wash her hair in rainwater, rather than good 'ol tapwater; and that is but the tip of the iceberg.
As a novel it may well deserve a little credit.
A working class gal, from the streets of London makes good whilst working for SOE. She was lucky enough to be allowed a decent, private, education and prior to the war she basically, single handed, ran a shipping company out of the London docks.
From toiling away as a land girl she becomes personal assistant to Lord Middlebourne (who is secretly a main player in forming the SOE) who happens to be best mates with Winnie. The working class gal takes on running his estate and inside but a few short weeks turns the place upside down and from a failing estate it becomes an efficient and profitable business.
All good so far ..... ?
At just under half-way through this woman's most amazing wartime exploits, we also find that she helps plan the D-Day invasions: a good deal of how and why things happened on that day, in the way that they did, was down to her.
Plausibility stretched to the point of snapping?
I'm afraid so .... I was becoming a mite tired with the detailed and far too drawn out descriptions of what ever this woman touched turned to gold, but it was at this point that I did lose all interest.
If you know absolutely 'nought' about World-War-Two-Britain then you might pick up a few snippets when reading this. However, if you do want to know anything at all about about World-War-Two-Britain, or the SOE, there are much better books available to you.
Maybe it is so, that nowadays we cannot bring ourselves to accept that a hero/heroine is anything but prefect, beautiful, handsome, cannot make mistakes, cannot fail in any way and what they aim for, they achieve with ease.
Real life ain't like that.
December 6, 2021
Wonderful 2 book series
This second book is over the top. Such raw emotions, felt like you were right there with these characters. What the members of the "greatest generation"did against the greatest odds. I hope we never see this type of stuggle ever again.
This second book is over the top. Such raw emotions, felt like you were right there with these characters. What the members of the "greatest generation"did against the greatest odds. I hope we never see this type of stuggle ever again.
March 8, 2021
Firstly, I need to say that I read the paperback of this book, but according to Goodreads it is only available as an e-read, all very strange.
Secondly, I did enjoy the bbok, it was extremely well researched and factual in so many ways, and I learnt a lot about the SOE operations.
I am an avid reader of WWII historical fiction, and so am maybe a harsh critic. However, I found the storyline of Lily to be rather detached and written in a staid kind of way, so I found her a bit irritating.
I just didn't get the emotional attachment to the characters in the same way that the "class leaders" in this era managed. (The Nightingale, The things we cannot say, and The invisible Bridge). Others will disagree, and I note that so far I am in the minority.
I would still recommend it though.
Secondly, I did enjoy the bbok, it was extremely well researched and factual in so many ways, and I learnt a lot about the SOE operations.
I am an avid reader of WWII historical fiction, and so am maybe a harsh critic. However, I found the storyline of Lily to be rather detached and written in a staid kind of way, so I found her a bit irritating.
I just didn't get the emotional attachment to the characters in the same way that the "class leaders" in this era managed. (The Nightingale, The things we cannot say, and The invisible Bridge). Others will disagree, and I note that so far I am in the minority.
I would still recommend it though.
January 27, 2021
Great read
I was gripped by page 1of this story and 5hrs later, was saddened to finish it. Just a tip, don't start reading this, just before bed, as you won't want to put the book down.
You can feel the emotions of each character and also part of their lives.
I have read many many books, but this has got to be one of the best.
I was gripped by page 1of this story and 5hrs later, was saddened to finish it. Just a tip, don't start reading this, just before bed, as you won't want to put the book down.
You can feel the emotions of each character and also part of their lives.
I have read many many books, but this has got to be one of the best.
May 8, 2025
This book was enjoyable. It describes the blitz and the secret planning of the Normandy landing. It held my interest so much that I read it in less than a day.
July 9, 2021
One of the most inspirational and historically riveting books that I have read in a long, long time. An incredible look at the behind the scenes planning of D-Day but more importantly it was a tremendous motivational read.
December 19, 2022
Conflicted
I wanted to like this book. It had everything needed for a winning read, and obviously others liked it, but the writing was too pedantic, the main character often downright rude in how she talked to others and yet it was seen as - good? Anyway there was a lot of good info on the war. Most I'd read about before, but it was presented well. I couldn't like the plot (what there was) so much or the characters. The only interesting one was the Earl and his character was never developed. The romance was bland. I'm not sure why this got such high ratings except it is the difference between how Americans (I being a Yank) and the British see things. And there might be the crux of the matter. How we Americans saw the war (never having lived through what Britain did) and how the British saw and still see it. My hat's off to the nation that withstood Hitler's attack!
I wanted to like this book. It had everything needed for a winning read, and obviously others liked it, but the writing was too pedantic, the main character often downright rude in how she talked to others and yet it was seen as - good? Anyway there was a lot of good info on the war. Most I'd read about before, but it was presented well. I couldn't like the plot (what there was) so much or the characters. The only interesting one was the Earl and his character was never developed. The romance was bland. I'm not sure why this got such high ratings except it is the difference between how Americans (I being a Yank) and the British see things. And there might be the crux of the matter. How we Americans saw the war (never having lived through what Britain did) and how the British saw and still see it. My hat's off to the nation that withstood Hitler's attack!
July 12, 2021
Reviews I read about this book were extremely misleading.
First disappointment was the lack of history, as one is lead to believe. A lot of time was spent on unnecessary details about silly things and key parts were skipped entirely. Everyone is attractive and dressed well, which is unrealistic. Almost everyone who is married is unhappy and seeing someone else or open to it.
The main character, Lily, is often referred to having demons she needs to overcome and had a not so good upbringing,l. Neither of these explained or supported. Her parents seem happily married and love her. What’s not great about that? She also has self confidence issues, which are brought up time and again, yet she comes across extremely self confidence and at times, annoyingly so.
A wonderful story is here to be told, but this book is a poor attempt.
A portion of the book has the main character torn between two love interests. In the end we learn how things pan out but there is no bridge as to how it happened. Why spend so much time developing the “torment” of which man the main character loves more, to simply conclude with a loose reference to who is in her life in the end? If that’s the author’s choice of an ending, then less time should have been spend dramatizing something for nothing.
The ending was terrible. It continued the author’s style of too many details on all the wrong things. A new character is introduced, which is fine, but his conversation with the main character about having an affair with a model, has absolutely nothing to do with anything. It took away from the story’s ending and main purpose of the book. Completely unnecessary.
This book will NOT make your heart soar. Quite the opposite. The inspirational story is terribly watered down by uninteresting things.
Would not recommend.
First disappointment was the lack of history, as one is lead to believe. A lot of time was spent on unnecessary details about silly things and key parts were skipped entirely. Everyone is attractive and dressed well, which is unrealistic. Almost everyone who is married is unhappy and seeing someone else or open to it.
The main character, Lily, is often referred to having demons she needs to overcome and had a not so good upbringing,l. Neither of these explained or supported. Her parents seem happily married and love her. What’s not great about that? She also has self confidence issues, which are brought up time and again, yet she comes across extremely self confidence and at times, annoyingly so.
A wonderful story is here to be told, but this book is a poor attempt.
A portion of the book has the main character torn between two love interests. In the end we learn how things pan out but there is no bridge as to how it happened. Why spend so much time developing the “torment” of which man the main character loves more, to simply conclude with a loose reference to who is in her life in the end? If that’s the author’s choice of an ending, then less time should have been spend dramatizing something for nothing.
The ending was terrible. It continued the author’s style of too many details on all the wrong things. A new character is introduced, which is fine, but his conversation with the main character about having an affair with a model, has absolutely nothing to do with anything. It took away from the story’s ending and main purpose of the book. Completely unnecessary.
This book will NOT make your heart soar. Quite the opposite. The inspirational story is terribly watered down by uninteresting things.
Would not recommend.
November 8, 2021
I have ABSOLUTELY no idea how this book is rated 4.49 stars. None. Perhaps the ratings are not real, or perhaps those who rated this so high have little experience with historical fiction. The writing is poor; weak; flat. The characters are not well developed, and the main character is too perfect. So many things are completely unrealistic- she manages a shipping office? Seriously, a young woman with seemingly zero qualifications? Many secrets are alluded to at the beginning but don’t seem to connect or be explained. The writing was very “telling”, not “showing”. I cannot comment much more, because honestly it was a DNF (very rare for me) ten percent in… at chapter 5.
There are many, many much better historical fi books out there about women during WWII. Check out Kate Quinn, Jennifer Chiaverini, just to name TWO.
There are many, many much better historical fi books out there about women during WWII. Check out Kate Quinn, Jennifer Chiaverini, just to name TWO.
July 18, 2021
History part is interesting but...
The history part is interesting, but just not enough of it.
The main character is brilliant, a tremendous singer, and every personnel decision she makes is absolutely perfect . And the two friends she makes at a farm are both absolutely brilliant.
The story was over the top to the nth degree and completely distracted from the real story.
And at the end of the book her godson's story had no reason being told.
Kind a waste of time and wish I did not finish it.
The history part is interesting, but just not enough of it.
The main character is brilliant, a tremendous singer, and every personnel decision she makes is absolutely perfect . And the two friends she makes at a farm are both absolutely brilliant.
The story was over the top to the nth degree and completely distracted from the real story.
And at the end of the book her godson's story had no reason being told.
Kind a waste of time and wish I did not finish it.
March 31, 2021
A war to remember
I absolutely loved this book. I read it all night, unable to put it down. The characters were wonderful and the writing crisp. I hated to see it end.
I absolutely loved this book. I read it all night, unable to put it down. The characters were wonderful and the writing crisp. I hated to see it end.
July 7, 2021
Backstage to D-Day
Have you ever wondered how the Allies chose the Normandy beaches they used to execute the landing of over 150,000 men and equipment?
The author takes you backstage to this dramatic event, with meticulous research and riveting details. In the midst of top secret exploits, there is the story of a beautiful friendship between three young women. Despite the pressures of the war, they each fall in love, but for Lily it is not straightforward. She falls in love with two men. The one who holds the biggest claim to her heart belongs to the aristocracy. Would such a man ever marry a girl from the East End of London? This probably is the reason she gives in to Greg, the estate manager. The author paints a vivid picture of life in the East End of London, as well as an incisive view of aristocratic society.
What shines throughout the book is the spirit and dedication of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and the vitality and resilience of human beings. One character’s insight resonated with me as we emerge from a devastating pandemic and face an uncertain future: “We tried to continue as normal during the Blitz. That perception of normality was an illusion which shattered the moment I heard the first sounds of distant explosions.”
An excellent read for fans of WWII fiction.
Have you ever wondered how the Allies chose the Normandy beaches they used to execute the landing of over 150,000 men and equipment?
The author takes you backstage to this dramatic event, with meticulous research and riveting details. In the midst of top secret exploits, there is the story of a beautiful friendship between three young women. Despite the pressures of the war, they each fall in love, but for Lily it is not straightforward. She falls in love with two men. The one who holds the biggest claim to her heart belongs to the aristocracy. Would such a man ever marry a girl from the East End of London? This probably is the reason she gives in to Greg, the estate manager. The author paints a vivid picture of life in the East End of London, as well as an incisive view of aristocratic society.
What shines throughout the book is the spirit and dedication of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and the vitality and resilience of human beings. One character’s insight resonated with me as we emerge from a devastating pandemic and face an uncertain future: “We tried to continue as normal during the Blitz. That perception of normality was an illusion which shattered the moment I heard the first sounds of distant explosions.”
An excellent read for fans of WWII fiction.
December 23, 2025
A thoroughly interesting story of D Day preparations with many interesting characters. I’d give it a 4.5 because, like other reviewers, the main character Lily was a little too brilliant and gorgeous and could sing like an opera singer. I have already bought the second book in the series.
July 1, 2023
.... onto part 2....
August 23, 2025
It was good but wasn’t like a wow historical fiction that I think would last with me. Also lots of random exclamation points used that often didn’t make sense
July 13, 2021
One of the best WW 2 books I have ever read
Lily, Fi and Dotty are hero’s. I don’t want to give much away but the spirit of Britain and those who served deserves medals every single one of them. From the East Endof London and the blitz’s that took so many life went on.
From doing ones but to serving in a secret operation where you will never be recognized. This was a story of courage, friendship, love, war strategy and so much more.
Lily, Fi and Dotty are hero’s. I don’t want to give much away but the spirit of Britain and those who served deserves medals every single one of them. From the East Endof London and the blitz’s that took so many life went on.
From doing ones but to serving in a secret operation where you will never be recognized. This was a story of courage, friendship, love, war strategy and so much more.
July 6, 2021
I have always had an interest in Bletchley Park and the codebreakers and designers of D-day. My dad was a codebreaker in WWII so my interest comes naturally. The way this book was put together and the facts that it revealed are outstanding. Author Turnham did some serious research for this great read. Many kudos from one author to another. I know what it takes to get the words right.
September 28, 2021
Excellent novel! Thanks to Goodreads, I won a copy of this mesmerizing WWII novel. Beginning with a Blitz bombing, Lily experiences a devastating loss and from that loss grows a will to keep going. Lily has a natural talent for office management which is recognized by her shipping company boss. He and her roommates encourage her to interview as the assistant to the local lord. From there she finds that the job is not what it seems and she is integrated into a top secret branch of the SOE who change the course of the war.
This is the third novel but can be read independently, which is what I did. Happily another is coming which I am eager to pick up once it is done.
This is highly recommended by me!
This is the third novel but can be read independently, which is what I did. Happily another is coming which I am eager to pick up once it is done.
This is highly recommended by me!
June 25, 2021
Truly a worthwhile, lovely book. The sacrifices of so many during WWII, and what it took to make D-Day happen is both awesome , sobering, and worthy of so much gratitude. This wonderful book is exciting and detailed in the realities of the times. I loved this book and the humbling history lesson built within it for anyone who decides to read it. Just a great book!
June 21, 2021
Ordinary People Performing Extraordinary Feats
I rarely enjoy fiction. This is an unusual exception. I felt like it was true and non fiction. The romantic thread running through was delicious and believable. I have read 1000's of books about the years of World War all. I was born in 1939 and never told anything about the war except that my father admired Hitler and was of the pure Aryan race and l was revolted as l grew to know the horrors of those years and what the Nazi leadership created to destroy so many people. I was obsessed for many years. I could not distance myself from the reality of the war. I cannot believe the torment the Nazi's forced on the world , nor that those types of thinking are still alive in society. This story was fascinating to me and featured normal people performing amazing feats. Thank goodness such types of people existed and thrived and defeated the plans of a man like Hitler.
I rarely enjoy fiction. This is an unusual exception. I felt like it was true and non fiction. The romantic thread running through was delicious and believable. I have read 1000's of books about the years of World War all. I was born in 1939 and never told anything about the war except that my father admired Hitler and was of the pure Aryan race and l was revolted as l grew to know the horrors of those years and what the Nazi leadership created to destroy so many people. I was obsessed for many years. I could not distance myself from the reality of the war. I cannot believe the torment the Nazi's forced on the world , nor that those types of thinking are still alive in society. This story was fascinating to me and featured normal people performing amazing feats. Thank goodness such types of people existed and thrived and defeated the plans of a man like Hitler.
June 30, 2021
Look out Wonder Woman
This novel is anything but gripping. Starts with a young woman who worked at a shipping office barely surviving the Blitzkrieg. For some reason, and I guess it's a secret, the dude who owned the office had taken her under his wing and transformed her into a super being that can be anything she puts her mind to. She ends up as manager of a large estate within a month of leaving London. Are we to believe landed aristocracy would hire a woman in her 20s, born and raised in East End with no social background, to run a huge estate? I guess that is her super power, able to leap large socio-economic gaps in a single bound. I got half way through and just could not take it any more. The whole story line becomes unrealistic. I love good novels that tell of the heart and strength of those that lived in the Hell of WWII in Europe, England, Ireland, etc. This is trite. I'm sorry that it lost me, wanted to like it.
This novel is anything but gripping. Starts with a young woman who worked at a shipping office barely surviving the Blitzkrieg. For some reason, and I guess it's a secret, the dude who owned the office had taken her under his wing and transformed her into a super being that can be anything she puts her mind to. She ends up as manager of a large estate within a month of leaving London. Are we to believe landed aristocracy would hire a woman in her 20s, born and raised in East End with no social background, to run a huge estate? I guess that is her super power, able to leap large socio-economic gaps in a single bound. I got half way through and just could not take it any more. The whole story line becomes unrealistic. I love good novels that tell of the heart and strength of those that lived in the Hell of WWII in Europe, England, Ireland, etc. This is trite. I'm sorry that it lost me, wanted to like it.
April 19, 2021
Much more than I expected. I think one of the best World War 11 books I have read. Definitely a page turner. It is fiction but factual too. Very interesting and romantic also. Lily is the heroine and actually saved by being needed because of her work ethic and determination, she accomplishes unbelievable problems and always has the right answers for everything. Can anyone be that smart? I guess so. I did find that a bit over the top but that might be the only thing I didn't like. She fluctuated from being an emotional mess to superior to all.
I did read the entire book though and I have to say I did enjoy it. I would read him again.
I did read the entire book though and I have to say I did enjoy it. I would read him again.
September 10, 2021
Our Silent Heroes
An eye opening insight of the bravery of Churchill’s Secret Army the S.O.E. Delivered via believable characters easily taken to one’s heart! I inhabited their world in Britain during WW2 and felt at home there. I didn’t want to leave these friends behind when the book came to an end. You will be amazed at the courage of these seemingly everyday people and the impact that bravery had in bringing the war to a faster conclusion in our favour. I stood among Giants throughout this amazing account, became invested in their lives and was left inspired. God bless them all!
An eye opening insight of the bravery of Churchill’s Secret Army the S.O.E. Delivered via believable characters easily taken to one’s heart! I inhabited their world in Britain during WW2 and felt at home there. I didn’t want to leave these friends behind when the book came to an end. You will be amazed at the courage of these seemingly everyday people and the impact that bravery had in bringing the war to a faster conclusion in our favour. I stood among Giants throughout this amazing account, became invested in their lives and was left inspired. God bless them all!
September 13, 2021
I thought the book was well written and that the author did a superb job of developing his characters while involving them in the true life challenges experienced in WW II. My real disappointment was that I was not warned that there was a sequel to the story so the End didn't End!! It was confusing; did Lily marry Edward or Greg? An educated guess is that because the house folks were calling Lily, My Lady, that Lily married Edward, but...The list of characters left dangling goes on!! Unacceptable, particularly given that the reader was not warned that he or she will need to read the sequel to satisfy curiosity and to end the story!
February 8, 2022
One of the best WWII fiction books I have ever read!
I read a great deal of historical fiction and I have never come across such an engrossing account of the D-Day invasion. Though I knew the eventual outcome, I was mesmerized by each character's role in the event.
I loved Lily, the protagonist, who struggles with the twin demons of low self esteem and the shadow of death, but rises to unprecedented heights.
Lord M is a stickler for social protocol, but his brilliant mind separates him from his expected path and plunges him into the thick of war.
Taut tension, compelling characters, endearing romance. Wonderful story.
I read a great deal of historical fiction and I have never come across such an engrossing account of the D-Day invasion. Though I knew the eventual outcome, I was mesmerized by each character's role in the event.
I loved Lily, the protagonist, who struggles with the twin demons of low self esteem and the shadow of death, but rises to unprecedented heights.
Lord M is a stickler for social protocol, but his brilliant mind separates him from his expected path and plunges him into the thick of war.
Taut tension, compelling characters, endearing romance. Wonderful story.
February 22, 2021
Another Day in War
This book takes you on a fast journey. It captures you heart and touches your soul. War changes everything for Lily. She was to become a force that was hard to best. She shows us what every women should do...the best they can and be proud of their accomplishments. She traveles to her grandmothers to recover from the bomb blast that killed her neighbor and twin boys. Finding two women staying in her grandmothers home become closer to her than sisters. Becoming part of the SOE, changes her life. Loving two men is tearing her heart apart.
This book takes you on a fast journey. It captures you heart and touches your soul. War changes everything for Lily. She was to become a force that was hard to best. She shows us what every women should do...the best they can and be proud of their accomplishments. She traveles to her grandmothers to recover from the bomb blast that killed her neighbor and twin boys. Finding two women staying in her grandmothers home become closer to her than sisters. Becoming part of the SOE, changes her life. Loving two men is tearing her heart apart.
June 12, 2023
I wish I could have given this one many more stars than just 5
The story starts out very differently than it ends so don’t get discouraged. So much history about D-Day gets woven into the story. I’ve read a few factual accounts about the preparation for D-Day and those facts are well established in this book but with a wonderful personalization of the people involved woven in. It also weaves in the life of British aristocracy prior to the war and how things could change. All in all, this is a book not to miss.
The story starts out very differently than it ends so don’t get discouraged. So much history about D-Day gets woven into the story. I’ve read a few factual accounts about the preparation for D-Day and those facts are well established in this book but with a wonderful personalization of the people involved woven in. It also weaves in the life of British aristocracy prior to the war and how things could change. All in all, this is a book not to miss.
April 17, 2021
Heroic!
I was 9 years old when this happened! Old enough to be excited because it was a turning point in the war in Europe. I turned 10 a few weeks after the war ended in the South Pacific and along with others, beat on pans and celebrated. No one was aware at that time of the people in the background who helped make it happen!
Read this and a appreciate the freedom we have today!
I was 9 years old when this happened! Old enough to be excited because it was a turning point in the war in Europe. I turned 10 a few weeks after the war ended in the South Pacific and along with others, beat on pans and celebrated. No one was aware at that time of the people in the background who helped make it happen!
Read this and a appreciate the freedom we have today!
May 5, 2021
Started slow, but ended up being a beautifully written story.
At first this book felt like it was taking forever to get to the story. But once it got to it, I realized why the author lead up to it the way he did. The back story of Lily helped me understand her character and who she was. This book was a beautiful story of friendship and love, it reminds the reader of sacrifices generations before us have taken for our present and future.
At first this book felt like it was taking forever to get to the story. But once it got to it, I realized why the author lead up to it the way he did. The back story of Lily helped me understand her character and who she was. This book was a beautiful story of friendship and love, it reminds the reader of sacrifices generations before us have taken for our present and future.
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