Review: The Secrets of Latimer House

Title: The Secrets of Latimer House

Author: Jules Wake

Publisher: 30th August 2021 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction, world war II

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

In the war against Hitler every secret counts…

Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards is a skilled interrogator – her beauty making her a non-threat in the eyes of the prisoners.

Farm girl Betty Connors may not be able to type as she claimed, but her crack analytical skills soon find her unearthing covert connections.

German ex-pat Judith Stern never expected to find herself listening in to German POW’s whispered conversations, but the Nazis took her father from her so she will do whatever it takes to help the Allies end this war.

Billeted together in the attic of Latimer House – a place where secrets abound – Evelyn, Betty and Judith soon form a bond of friendship that carries them through the war. Because nothing is stronger than women united.

Tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, Latimer House, a grand country estate, stands proudly – a witness to some of the greatest secrets of WW2.

Used by the SOE to hold Nazi prisoners of war, this stunning historical novel is inspired by the untold story of the secret listeners of ‘M Room’ who worked day and night to help the Allies win the war.

My Thoughts

‘What an amazing place and what on earth did they do here? She couldn’t begin to imagine but she was glad that this other woman seemed as in the dark as she was.’

Okay … call me late to the party but I have only just realised that Jules Wake and Julie Caplin are one and the same! I love them both … or is that singular? Whatever it is … I can say that Julie/Jules is one talented lady! Whether it be her Romantic Escape series I am such a fan of or this, what I have discovered is her new foray into historical fiction, she is amazing and one author you are sure to want to check out!

‘Her soul had been left untended since her father had died. She’d allowed bitterness to twist her spirit, grief to dull her senses and loneliness to disconnect her from others.’

This book reminds me somewhat of ‘The Rose Code’ with three girls from different backgrounds working in support of the British war effort. Latimer House, a place where German POWs are interrogated is the place that brings them together - all based on fact and all incredibly interesting. Anyone invested in this time period is sure to want to learn more as the history of this book is fascinating. Jules' research in writing this during lockdown is truly commendable as she so easily brings it all to life. 

‘One always has to have hope.’ ‘In a sane world, yes, but war takes us into madness.’ ‘Only if you are led by a madman.’

Of course, this is also a tale of the strengths of female friendships through many trials and tribulations, laughter and joy - memories being made. Each girl brings something different to the tale and the supporting characters are also most engaging. The chapters are written from each of their individual viewpoints and it’s so varied as each comes from such differing backgrounds. How the war impacts upon them and the real glimpse Jules gives us of what working in such a location as Latimer House would have been like. 

‘What shall we make a toast to? I feel like we’re the three musketeers.’ Betty glanced at Judith and said, ‘To tomorrow, because today is done.’

Wonderfully researched and readily readable, this book is a must read for history connoisseurs with its perfect mix of daily life and the story of a friendship in challenging times. Jules expertly blends how cultural and social barriers were broken down and lasting relationships were forged. 

‘Friendship improves happiness and abates grief by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.’ ‘What a wonderful saying.’ ‘I can’t take the credit. It was Cicero, a Roman scholar.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Saturday Morning Park Run

Title: The Saturday Morning Park Run

Author: Jules Wake

Publisher: 1st May 2020 by One More Chapter

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: women’s fiction, romance

My Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

This is the story of two women.

One old, one young.

One looking for new adventures. One looking for a purpose.

Both needing a friend.

And this is how, along with two little girls in need of a family, a gorgeous stranger, and a scruffy dog, they bring the whole community together every Saturday morning for love, laughter and a little bit of running…(well, power walking).

Some people come into your life when you need them the most.

My Thoughts

‘Don’t you think you’re attributing quite a lot to … well, a run in the park?’

The infamous ‘Parkrun’! I was attracted to this book because my husband and daughter were doing the Parkrun before lockdown and I thought I could relate to the main theme. I have read Jules's books before, enjoying some romantic escapism, this one promised that and more. 

Overall this book has many contemporary themes which lift it above your average ‘chick lit’ book. Physical and mental health are at the forefront here, especially when related to a work life that may be consuming. Then there are themes of family, loneliness and finding your purpose in life. So there is much on offer in this read. 

‘There’s a fear, isn’t there? Deep rooted, submerged, but it’s there. What if it isn’t worth it? What if the hours we put in aren’t worth the stress? What’s left?’

It all centres around the worldwide organisation of Saturday morning Parkruns (if you are unsure of what this is you must Google it!)  With life’s many demands  (and I can vouch for this as my family have been participants) it definitely creates that supportive community, making connections and working towards goals. It is both a personal and community spirited event. 

‘Running free felt so much better than being on a treadmill. It didn’t matter if I came last; no one was going to say that I’d failed. No one was going to judge me – not even me. The thought was immensely liberating.’

This is a fun read where people come together to overcome obstacles - there are lessons to be learned - for both the young and old - and a little romance as well. However, I felt that it was overly long and lost some interest in the logistics of setting up the Parkrun. I also felt that there was the cliched older generation wisdom, the workaholic singles who realise ultimately their simpler life purpose and of course, the mandatory happy ending. I felt terrible for the little girls who were abandoned and thought that was stretching it somewhat. 

All up this was quite a different Jules Wake book - credit to her for trying something different - in looking beyond a straight romance to the broader community, finding real meaning and the much sought after work life balance. 

The finish line loomed closer. I pushed my body harder, my lungs bursting. Then just before the finish, the woman slowed and turned. ‘We go over together.’ And, in an extraordinarily generous gesture, we crossed the line at exactly the same time. And that was the moment I fell in love with the Parkrun.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Covent Garden in the Snow

Title: Covent Garden in the Snow

Author: Jules Wake

Publisher: 20th  October 2017 by HarperCollins UK, HarperImpulse

Pages: 352 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: holiday-Christmas, fiction, romance

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Tilly Hunter has fabulous friends, her dream job as a make-up artist with a prestigious opera company and Felix, her kind and caring husband to be. It looks set to be the most perfect Christmas yet!

But when a monumental blunder forces her to work closely with new IT director Marcus Walker, it's not only the roast chestnut stalls on the cobbles of her beloved Covent Garden that cause sparks to fly…

Super serious and brooding, Marcus hasn’t got a creative bone in his sharp-suited body. For technophobe Tilly, it's a match made in hell.

And yet, when Tilly discovers her fiancé isn’t at all what he seems, it's Marcus who's there for her with a hot chocolate and a surprisingly strong shoulder to cry on … He might just be the best Christmas present she’s ever had.

My Thoughts

I am a fan of Jules Wake’s books and this one is right up there with the best of them. Always up for a Christmas read this time of year, this one was loads of fun without being over the top in any area. I like that this book incorporated more of a holiday feel, especially the wonderful Covent Garden descriptions and traditions, rather than full on commercialism. It was very relatable with all the family traditions, looking for gifts and sharing a meal - comfort reading at this time of year.

“Christmas back then, when we were young had been fun, when lunch was a long-laid back affair, in which Mum insisted we all wore our cracker crowns.”

One of the unexpected surprises about this book is learning all about the behind-the-scenes action of the opera. The main lead, Tilly,  works at the London Metropolitan Opera Company in the make-up department and loves her job except having to learn about updating stock etc on the computer. This makes for many an amusing situation. That aside, it was absolutely fascinating to learn about what goes on backstage for a production, things I had never really considered. A lot of research must have been done around everything from wig making, to costume design, to the frantic change overs - I learnt so much!

“Backstage we became shadows cocooned in a world between reality and fantasy. I loved these moments, tucked out of sight but so close to the action unfolding on stage. They held a special indefinable magic that I always wanted to hug close to me, a time when nothing else from the world intruded.”

Of course there is also some fun chick lit and the chemistry between the two leads was highly entertaining, frustrating, frivolous and rewarding.  To match the creative Tilly with the IT savvy Marcus was always going to produce some amusing encounters. You will quietly smirk or giggle with what Tilly frustratingly does to technology and how gently Marcus tries to coach her. Typically, you know what’s coming, but good writers like Jules make you enjoy every step of the journey.

All up I can highly recommend this book as there are many facets to it, not being a one dimensional chick lit read. So snuggle up this Christmas as this book is sure to put a smile on your face.

“Christmas brings out the fanciful in me. I can’t help myself. I loved this time of year and the infectious attitude in the streets.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

Review: From Italy With Love by Jules Wake

Title:  From Italy With Love

Author: Jules Wake

Publisher: 14^th May 2015 by Harper Collins UK, HarperImpulse

Pages: 300 pages

How I Read It: ARC ebook

Genre: ficiton; contemporary romance, chick lit, Europe vacation, vintage cars

My Rating:  four cups

Synopsis:

‘To my niece I leave the Ferrari GT250… On the proviso that she takes it across Europe to Maranello within the next three weeks. Only on successful completion of the journey to a prescribed route, will the car be hers…’

Home-loving Laurie thinks she’s happy – she has a safe, reliable boyfriend and working in her local library is what she thought she always wanted. That is until she inherits a vintage Ferrari from her eccentric Uncle Miles and the conditions of the inheritance are far from simple. To keep the car Laurie will have to drive across Europe with the gorgeous but unreliable Cameron Matthews as her guide… and Cam’s motives for helping are not all that altruistic.

Cam isn’t particularly thrilled about escorting his late pal Miles’ dull mouse of a niece on this wild goose chase but all he has to do is get Laurie safely to Italy and he’s sure the Ferrari is his.

But Uncle Miles had a few tricks up his sleeve and the route he’s planned takes Cam and Laurie on a road trip they’ll never forget. From sampling the delights of the Loire Valley to the breathtaking beauty of Lake Garda, this is one journey that has more twists and turns than either of them could ever have imagined…

My thoughts:

You know how it goes. Sometimes you just need that fun filled escapist book. This is it.  Whether you are basking in the sunshine, or curling up under a warm blanket, let yourself escape in this delightful read. The beauty of this read is that it’s not just ‘fluffy’ chick lit. There are various components and intricate twists that – although you know you will get your happy ending – it is more like the hairpin bends that the lead character, Laurie, drives around in her Italian Alps journey. It is not all smooth riding:

“When had her world become so grey and colourless? The piercing thought scored into her brain bringing with it physical pain at the recognition of its truth. What had happened to her?”

This is clever chick lit, that dives into why people marry, how to get the most from your life and how to deal with difficult family situations, just to name a few.

“And today she’d tasted something else. Not sensible. For a moment she’d glimpsed a different world, experienced a surge of exhilaration and felt a moment of soaring freedom”.

I loved this book with well-developed characters and wonderful romantic tension between Laurie and Cam. I really enjoyed watching the real Laurie unfold before my eyes. The contrast between the timid mouse at the beginning, to the quiet confidence exhibited at the end of the book, really resonated with me.

“If you stress about what will be, what might happen before we even get there, you won’t leave yourself any time to enjoy the moment and make the most of the opportunity”.

The only hiccup for me was Robert. Most definitely an unlikeable baddy, yet a little too over the top come the confrontation at the end of the novel. The book had been somewhat plausible until that major over reaction on his part. 

Wake has provided just about something for everyone – classic car enthusiasts, European road trips, wine tasting, shopping in Paris and a journey of self discovery, not to mention some yummy romance. Throw in a bit of humour and this stacks up as a fun romantic comedy read with substance.

This is a most entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages as you look forward to seeing what is around the next bend in the road. If there were a back seat in the infamous Ferrari, it would be as if you were sitting right there with them along for the ride. Do yourself a favour, escape to Europe with a fancy car and good looking love interest.

“Slightly romantic and foolish, but in the brilliant sunshine of the picture-perfect street, she allowed herself to give in to the fantasy”.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.