I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher.

I have not previously read any Julia Kelly and picked this book due to the "reminiscent of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale..." While there are many similarities, they are not that similar of books. It has more of a romance vibe to it than I usually read--not off putting, but not what I was expecting.

I loved the method of story telling. Two narrators, two time eras and the diary that brings them together.

Cara, our current day narrator, is an antiquities dealer just outside of London. As a recent divorcee, she throws herself into her work, at an estate, she uncovers a diary written in World War II. As we follow Cara while she digs into the mystery of who the author is, we are allowed to read along in the diary with her.

Our second narrator is Louise, a nineteen year old living in the English countryside, living by the rules of her parents and society of the time.

As we follow both stories, we see how they are both breaking free from situations that have held them back and get to watch as they flourish under the lives of their own making.

I really enjoyed the backdrop of Louise's story--Imagine being a part of a select group of women who are the first to be in combat, and help dispel gender stereotypes. How brave and courageous.

There are few faults I found with this book. First I felt it could have been longer. I would have loved the author to have gone more in depth into Louise's life post war. And the storyline with the grandmother's secret. Well, it was built up so much and resolved with a quick blip--What??? no follow up discussion with Cara?