Well that was interesting… disturbing on many levels, though. If a town could have as many psychos in it as possible, this would apparently be it. It felt like a little too far fetched at times and hard to believe, the way it ended up, and not a little like the worst of humanity ended up in the same place. But it had me guessing nonetheless.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions are mine.

It was a nice easy romance with the camaraderie of family and women supporting each other, taken from 4 women’s perspectives surrounding their relationships, a wedding veil and the Biltmore. I enjoyed the references to Asheville, the Biltmore and other NC landmarks since they are all familiar, along with the history about the Vanderbilts in Asheville.

Loved the story of friendships with women and their resourcefulness and care of each other during WW2. I think if there’s one thing women always excel at, it’s making the best of things and making those things better. This story about wedding dresses being mended and shared around the community and inspiring it to be widespread is such a great example of that. So interesting learning about the rationing of clothing as well.

I also loved the 3 main characters. They each had flaws but also had courage. I loved their stories, how they grew thru the story with each other and in their relationships with the men thru grew to love.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved reading about MI9 and the ingenuity and resourcefulness that team had to have to smuggle things into the hands of officers and enlisted men during WW2. I’ve never heard about but it really is incredible what they came up with and I think I could have read a whole book on it. This book only dealt with a little of that in detail but I did enjoy what I read, and it’s the first to introduce it to me.

There were parts of the book that were a little slow, especially in the 1928 portion, and I sort of had to tread thru but for the most part it was interesting and well written. I also enjoyed hearing more about WW2 in the Netherlands. I’m finding more and more books start to focus their stories around that area while previously the majority of the focus has been only on the mainland of Europe.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. Opinions are mine alone.

Both heart wrenching and inspiring. Such a great story about courage, resilience and figuring out how and when to fight with both wisdom and determination. Really well written.

Really enjoyed this book and the down to earth, intriguing and thought provoking way it was written. I enjoyed the mystery and relationships in it for one. But there was so much that was conveyed brilliantly in Ray’s struggle with discrimination as a black musician, and made me consider even ignorant and careless stigmas, let alone intentional ones that are unfortunately applied to African Americans.

Mr Slocumb does such an incredible job at letting you see thru Ray’s eyes and relate on a heartfelt level. It definitely has me second guessing my own outlook in the future as well, as I have no wish to repeat that unfair behavior myself as a white person, or stand by when I see it. And while I get that this is a fictional character, the grace that Ray had not only with those who looked down on him, but his dysfunctional family was inspiring also.

Heartfelt story, and I really liked the main characters of Michael and Dani and how they learned how to live and risk. Crazy how the events were based on a real historical murder mystery of the Kingsbury Run Butcher, with so many real details.

I loved so many of the statements of how difficult it is to be known - vulnerability is such hard and frightening thing and the relationship between Michael and Dani portrayed that excellently. I loved how Dani said what she felt without any manipulating, hiding or fear, and how Michael had to learn to do the same. The sixth-sense/science fiction aspect was a little odd for me but I didn’t hate it. It added some layers to the book of what ifs to how things are seen and felt.

Great historical fiction makes you go and learn more about it from other accounts, and this book did exactly that. I stopped multiple times to Google and read the real accounts and details because I’d never heard of it. Ms Harmon did an excellent job at wrapping up the unknown ending with a plausible outcome.

Thanks to Netgalley for and advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.