Review: Into the Darkest Day

Title: Into the Darkest Day

Author: Kate Hewitt

Publisher: 14th May 2020 by Bookouture

Pages: 350 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance, WWII 

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

She had to step outside and hold the paper up to the moonlight to read it, but when she was able to make out the words, her heart felt as if it would drop right out of her chest. Because the message was in German.

1944, London: When Lily meets enigmatic GI Matthew in war-torn London, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. While her sister starts a reckless affair with another GI, Lily tries to hide her growing feelings for Matthew.

But Matthew has a devastating secret. One that could change their lives forever.

Present day, USA: Abby lives a quiet life on an apple farm in Wisconsin. Tormented by survivor’s guilt after the tragic deaths of her mother and brother, Abby leaves the orchards as little as possible, keeping her life small, peaceful and safe… Until she is contacted by Englishman Simon Elliot, who arrives nursing a heartbreak of his own, and bearing a World War Two medal that he claims belonged to Abby’s grandfather.

Together they begin to piece together the heartbreaking story of their relatives’ war. But as the story brings Abby and Simon closer—tentatively beginning to lean on one another to heal—they uncover a dark secret from the past.

And like Lily and Matthew nearly eighty years before them, it will make Abby and Simon question whether you can ever truly trust someone, even when they have your heart…

My Thoughts

“I feel sad, and somehow ashamed by it, too. I’m not sure why. It’s just so hard to believe people are capable of such evil.”

I was excited to read Kate Hewitt’s book, Into the Darkest Day - her first venture into historical fiction - and what an interesting and intriguing story she has given her readers. The book had a title change even though I thought the previous title had suited it perfectly. It has everything I look for in a historical read - dual timeline, mystery to be solved and a heartfelt love story.

‘How strange, he thought, not for the first time, that so much has changed, and all because of people who will never know how they’ve affected me. Helped me. Helped us.’

I found that the switches between timelines to be smooth, however, the historical tale was definitely the stronger of the two. I did not fully appreciate the contemporary tale with the exception of it providing good solid links to the historical one - that was an added bonus. The connection between the two tales surrounding ‘survivors guilt’ was a good one though and Kate drew strong parallels in both timelines. 

‘He wanted this man—this paltry, pathetic little tool of the Fuhrer, a tiny cog in the vast machinery of the Nazi party—to know who he was. What he was.’

Into the Darkest Day is an emotional read with rich descriptions of London bombings and concentration camp liberations that are shocking in the telling. To balance this is an uplifting romance that gives a happy ending for some. Kate, a prolific writer, has done a fabulous job with her first foray into historical fiction - a story filled with strength and courage as the past must be laid to rest when the opportunity for new beginnings comes along. 

‘She didn’t want any more secrets. She didn’t want to keep them; she didn’t want to stay silent about yet another thing in her life, or someone’s else life. And she didn’t want to throw away the promise of something—someone—good...’

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: The Secrets We Keep

Title:  The Secrets We Keep

Author: Kate Hewitt

Publisher: 6th September 2018 by Bookouture

Pages: 336 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: womens fiction, contemporary

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

‘Is her life as easy and effortless as it seems from the outside? Or is she feeling lonely, all by herself in that big house, an evening stretching out in front of her just as it is for me?’

When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children Ben and Katherine, it is an escape. For all of them. Never mind that the rental house is a bit small – it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide…

Their isolation is disrupted when they meet the family from the big house next door. Three children Charlotte, Zoe and Max and their glamorous mother Rebecca – who seems absolutely determined to invite Tessa in to their lives.

But Rebecca is harbouring a dark secret of her own. One that will put not only her family at risk, but Tessa’s too. And when she discovers she has no option but to leave her children for several weeks, Tessa feels like the only person she can trust.

Suddenly Tessa finds herself living a life she could only have dreamed of. Wealth, a large brood of children, and Rebecca’s handsome husband Josh visiting at weekends.

But even as powerful bonds are forming between them, secrets have a way of catching up with people. And as the summer comes to an end, who will learn to love again and who will risk losing everything?

A gripping, twisty emotional page turner with a heartbreaking twist, for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emily Bleeker and Diane Chamberlain.

My Thoughts

“What kind of mother am I? That’s a question I try not to ask these days, much less answer”.

The Secrets We Keep is a deeply moving tale concerning two women who meet up over one summer but are from very different social circles. Both women have escaped to a summer lake, minus their husband, for a bit of a stocktake of their life. This is an engaging tale about how events evolve and how choices made have a dramatic and life changing impact for both women.

“Why is this world so hard, so brutal and unforgiving, that we can’t navigate it without hurting ourselves?”

I had been eager to try a Kate Hewitt book and did not really know what to expect. The chapters alternate between the two women - Rebecca and Tessa - and it is fascinating to see both perspectives to the same event. This is a slow build tale, thus allowing you to really form an opinion about the character of both these women, or more pointedly, who you find them to be. Of course there is a twist, with things not seemingly as they are and you never really understanding (at times) the reason for a person's actions. I did, however, find it a little slow and frustrating at times - the angst of both main characters and their inner dialogue.

“ I don’t have the energy to perform anymore today. But somehow I plow through the lessons, the meaningless chit chat”.

There are most certainly some serious and heavy issues broached here (not wanting to give anything away) and the title is therefore most apt. Let me state right now, this is not a light, whimsical read. One thing done well here is the prologue - it gives you a small taste of what is to come and not until the novel is done, will you find yourself revisiting it to read once more in an effort to ascertain whom it was referring to. From page one you are hooked.

“It all happened so quickly - a blur, the blood, screams and shock. So much shock. My mind is still spinning”.

This is a story full of emotion and will really capture the attention of readers who like to not only analyse characters but also work out what hidden secrets there may be. Despite being slow in places, it is well worth reaching the heartbreaking conclusion. I challenge anyone to guess the twist as the gripping end is so very tragic.

“I hate the thought that my little girl is hiding anything, that she has something to hide, just like I do. Too many secrets. Far, far too many secrets”.

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