From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—author of Moonlight Over Paris and Somewhere in France—comes a lush historical novel that tells the fascinating story of Ruby Sutton, an ambitious American journalist who moves to London in 1940 to report on the Second World War, and to start a new life an ocean away from her past.
In the summer of 1940, ambitious young American journalist Ruby … ambitious young American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break: the chance to report on the European war as a staff writer for Picture Weekly newsmagazine in London. She jumps at the chance, for it’s an opportunity not only to prove herself, but also to start fresh in a city and country that know nothing of her humble origins. But life in besieged Britain tests Ruby in ways she never imagined.
Although most of Ruby’s new colleagues welcome her, a few resent her presence, not only as an American but also as a woman. She is just beginning to find her feet, to feel at home in a country that is so familiar yet so foreign, when the bombs begin to fall.
As the nightly horror of the Blitz stretches unbroken into weeks and months, Ruby must set aside her determination to remain an objective observer. When she loses everything but her life, and must depend upon the kindness of strangers, she learns for the first time the depth and measure of true friendship—and what it is to love a man who is burdened by secrets that aren’t his to share.
Goodnight from London, inspired in part by the wartime experiences of the author’s own grandmother, is a captivating, heartfelt, and historically immersive story that readers are sure to embrace.
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The action begins in 1940, when the American magazine is asked to send a female correspondent to work with PW mag in London. Ruby Sutton is chosen because she has the dubious honor of being the only woman who meets her boss’s qualifications: she has no one—no husband, no parents, no siblings, no extended family—who will care if anything happens to her. In London, Ruby experiences the Blitz firsthand. Soon a personal loss leads her to the folks who become her makeshift family and most loyal friends. During the remaining war years, our plucky, sympathetic Ruby blossoms as a writer, falls in love with a kind but enigmatic soldier, and learns much about true courage, sacrifice & being thankful for the small things in life. The story ends with the characters celebrating the Victory in Europe & looking to the future with hope.
I soooo enjoyed this novel. The writing & narrator’s performance (Saskia Marveland) transported me to London during the war years. Each morning, I was actually eager to hop in the car & start my long drive to school so I could listen. And I loved the ending!!!
This story will have you hooked from the beginning! I found this book so engrossing, a tale of a determined journalist in London during WWII, it was about survival and finding love amidst the troubling times. I was so glad I took this journey with Goodnight from London, a fascinating book from a very talented author. By far the best read for 2017.
I’ve read more than my share of WW II historical fiction, and Jennifer Robson’s GOODNIGHT FROM LONDON creates the world of wartime London as well as anyone you’re likely to read. Having been both a print and broadcast journalist myself, I greatly appreciated her “telling details” not only about the profession of journalism, but the author’s bringing to life the good-bad-&-ugly range of characters one is likely to meet in a news room–whatever the era. Plus…the novel is a compelling read in order to find out what ultimately happens to each and every person Robson brings to life.
5 stars
I love WW II historical fiction, and I love a good personal story. Jennifer Robson supplied both in Goodnight from London. Our protagonist, Ruby Sutton, was an orphan who lands a job as a beginning journalist at The American in New York. After six months, her boss calls her into his office. He tells Ruby he is sending her to London to write human interest stories about the war for Picture Weekly and to send a weekly story back to The American. She does have a glitch she needs to get over to go to London and this glitch might cause a problem later.
Ruby is met at the station by Captain Bennett who is a friend of her new boss, Walter Kaczmarek. They have dinner, and he delivers her to her new boss, Kaz. Ruby gets off to a good start, meets and likes almost all of her co-workers and gets to work. I thought the Blitz bombings in London were described very well, and Ruby does some very good human interest stories. All goes well until Ruby loses all of her belongings one night in the bombings including her passport. Bennett comes to the rescue and places her with the Tremaine family. Ruby needed a family to love, and they needed her. I loved watching the relationship grow with this family and Captain Bennett who has an elusive job that takes him away for different amounts of time.
This book marks off everything I like in a great book: Great historical fiction, a good love story, overcoming obstacles, a character you hate, and characters to love.
Goodnight from London does an amazing job of engulfing the reader in the atmosphere of WWII London/England, as well as bring you into the hectic and time-crunched environment of a newsroom. It provides a delightful read that spans the gamut of emotions, but always leaves you feeling good.
I loved the characters. Each one added something to the story and let you feel what they were living. Whether it was the good times or the horror of the Blitz. The night after night bombardment that shattered nerves and caused sleep deprivation as well as caused massive deaths, destruction, and devastation was palpable. When the characters were hungry, you knew it, and you could share what little they had to eat. I adored Vanessa for the familial love she created for all who were lucky enough to enter her sphere.
This is a wartime romance where everyone is in jeopardy. It covers love, loss, friendship, family that you make, betrayal, danger, and risk. The romance simmers for most of the book, but toward the very end, the reader is rewarded for their patience. I found one of the best love letters I’ve ever seen in this book.
It’s not just a romance, however. It’s a book of friendship and how it makes like worth living even in the bleakest of times. For Ruby, friendship after a life raised in a dismal orphanage is worth every minute of danger.
The writing of this book was wonderful. It was easy to read and help my interest. I never felt that it bogged down at all. It moved cleanly and clearly from one situation to another and melded them into a cohesive whole. I highly recommend this book.
Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson is a book about a young, female American reporter in London for most of World War II. In many ways it is totally authentic but probably not as bad as it really was during that time. She glosses over 57 straight nights of the Blitz, but it is there. She falls in love and then loses track of her lover, several times. She meets people. She gets in trouble with the authorities, possibly accused of being a spy. It is really a rather charming book. Not full of misery, but not exempt from it either. It is not your typical WWII book, which are largely Holocaust stories. There was misery everywhere in Europe during this time.
Ruby was a really interesting character that was an orphan, worked for years while putting herself through secretarial school at night, lies on her application, but was fearless in living her life. She was friendly and open although there were people she didn’t like. She saw and reported the bravery and goodwill of the English people. She felt deeply for her friends and was always there to assist them whenever they needed her. This was pretty much a slice-of-life story, about the four plus years of the war. Many people came through Ruby’s life, famous and not so famous. It was a little bit of history that didn’t shy away from the truth but didn’t glorify the violence, either. I totally recommend this lovely novel.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Goodnight From London by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #goodnightfromlondon
I loved following the characters through the extreme difficulties Londoners face during WWII. The books blends realistic accounts with heartwarming details.
I loved the book until right at the finish when the language was bad. I realize it was depicting the circumstances of the war and what they had to deal with but it aggravated me.
Great book, interesting and informative.
An enjoyable book.
I enjoy the author and have read all her books. This story intrigued me with the resilience of the British during the air raids. The sense of loss and the ability to find love while continuing to work and contribute to the war effort was engaging.
Thank you NetGalley for this ebook copy. Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson is the story of a young female journalist from the United States who accepts an assignment in London to report on the early days of WWII just before Blitz. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction based on WWII and what I liked about this story was that it was told from a journalist’s perspective, the characters were all well developed as was the plot. History, romance and dramatic suspense. I would recommend this book. 5 stars.!
Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson is an excellent historical fiction.
This is my first book of Ms. Robson’s and I loved it. The prose were easy, yet interesting. The story line was great and I loved all the characters. I am excited to read the rest of her books that I own.
I enjoyed the romance, the pace, plot, and ending. It kept me engaged throughout.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow/HC for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, and B&N accounts immediately.
Wonderful reading
Along with her wonderful WWII books Somewhere in France and Moonlight Over Paris, Goodnight from London tells the story of a young female journalist living in London during The Blitz.
I adored all three of Robson’s WWII books.
Winner
Great book! Wonderful characters and a well-researched look into the past.
Very sweet read, and somehow on a WWII bender without knowing it, but this continues the theme nicely for me, not too heavy despite giving great detail and perspective. Great build on the romance, subtle and light with a lot more story, and done well. Lovely, easy read!
Enjoyable read from beginning to end.
I liked her writing. Good story. I would definitely recommend it