From author Rachel McMillan comes a richly researched historical romance that takes place in post-World War II London and features a strong female lead. Determined to save their marriage and the city they love, two people divided by World War II’s secrets rebuild their lives, their love, and their world. London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at … a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.
Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.
Featuring a timeless love story bolstered by flashbacks and the excavation of a priceless Roman artifact, The London Restoration is a richly atmospheric look at post-war London as two people changed by war rebuild amidst the city’s reconstruction.
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Such a delightful read from start to finish. I’ve been to London on three separate occasions and this book makes me realize just how much of it I’ve missed by not taking the time/having the opportunity to visit it’s churches. Which gives me one more reason to go back. Rachel has done a beautiful job weaving the restoration of a city and a marriage in this book. Also, I cannot wait for more Simon Barre. Well done!
A beautiful, character-driven novel about a marriage on the rocks after the close of WWII. Diana has needed to keep her clandestine spying during the war under wraps from her husband, Brent, a soldier home from the war that injured both his body and his mind. He knows his wife is keeping secrets, but it’s the many years apart after having just a few weeks or so of marriage before Brent went to war that is keeping them dancing around intimacy and their old love. While espionage was what kept the action element up for this novel and kept it moving, this was really a journey of love–and how it can withstand hardships and change–for Diana and Brent. Though at times slow moving, I really liked and appreciated all the atmospheric descriptions and knowledge about London’s churches. Well done!
I’m not a big audiobook listener, but NetGalley has recently started making audiobooks available so I thought I’d give The London Restoration a go as an audiobook. Long story short, I’m still not a fan of audiobooks.
The London Restoration is romantic suspense with a twist—Diana and Brent are already married when we meet them a few weeks after the end of World War II. But they’ve been separated by war for years, and it’s almost as though they are strangers. And there’s the matter of what Diana did during the war. Brent thinks she was a translator, but she actually worked at Bletchley Park.
As such, I should have loved this story. It’s got London and churches and spies and codes—all things I love in fiction. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it, and I think that’s mostly because of the audiobook experience.
The narrator had an English accent, which was a plus (although there were a handful of words I don’t know if she pronounced correctly i.e. in London English). She also did a great job using her voice to show the difference between the two viewpoint characters, and between the multiple speaking characters (although I didn’t work out until the very end that Fisher and Carne were the same person—I thought Fisher was a surname, not a first name. Oops).
Yes, the audiobook had the problems I always have with audiobooks. It felt slow, because it takes longer to listen than to read, even at 1.75 speed. Yes, I’m a fast reader. Listening is much more stop-and-start than a novel, because I tend to listen while I’m driving, and my commute is 15 to 25 minutes. It therefore takes a couple of weeks to listen to an 11-hour audiobook. It was interesting enough to keep me listening, but not so gripping that I wanted to listen at other times.
The writing was excellent. But that was also a problem: you can’t highlight favourite quotes in an audiobook. I couldn’t even write them down, as I was listening while driving. So while I could appreciate the writing, I can’t share it with you. I do recall a couple of oddities—they ate a lot of eggs, considering the ration was one per week (or less).
The descriptions of wartime London were excellent, and I could feel Diana’s passion for the Wren churches (the churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren following The Great Fire of London in 1666). I lived in London for ten years, and felt the city coming to life as I listened. It reminded me of friends and family telling me about their experiences in wartime London, and got me wondering what lies behind the stories they didn’t tell. It was obvious Rachel McMillan has a real passion for her story, and that she’s done her research.
There were a lot of flashbacks. The flashbacks were to before and during the war—to when Diana and Brent met and married, and to some of Diana’s experiences during the war. That made the story harder to follow, as it wasn’t always clear where a flashback fit in the overall timeline. And that’s my overall problem. I pay more attention when I’m reading than when I’m listening, and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I’d read it.
Fans of Roseanna M White and Carrie Turansky will enjoy The London Restoration. But I wish I’d read it rather than listening to it.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free audiobook for review.
“While some adjusted to air-raid sirens and others to the lost light of blackouts, Diana Somerville never recovered from the absence of church bells.”
London’s grand churches, whose spires graced the city’s classic skyline, were Diana Somerville’s lifeblood; she cherished them, she inhaled their presence, they exhilarated her, they introduced her to the love of her life. “Diana Foyle. Like the bookshop on Charing Cross Road.” . . . became Mrs. Brent Somerville within the ruins of one of those magnificent houses of worship, for the Second World War had only just begun to unleash its fury from the skies.
After being separated for four interminable years during the war, Diana and Brent finally manage to re-unite, finding that the words they cannot say shout above the ones that they barely manage to whisper. Secrets; they can bind or break, can they not? . . . . . exhibiting enough strength to topple a marriage just as surely as a cracked foundation dares to cripple the very building that depends on its stability. Diana’s work within British intelligence is a story that she cannot tell, while Brent relives the nightmares of his battlefield experiences each and every night. Can they dare to love, not who they were, but who they have become? Especially, and maybe because, Diana’s promise to another has not yet been fulfilled.
It’s a restoration story for the ages, for just like Diana’s beloved houses of worship, the cracks and repairs between these two lovers become part an integral part of their reconstructed unity, “for as long as a populous finds its heart in the the center of churches, so our nation will rise. Our churches are our heartbeat”.
Readers should ready themselves to sink hard and fast into McMillan’s lush descriptive prose, heartily admiring the author’s vast knowledge of history, architecture, and classical music while letting her book’s message tenderly imprint “pragma, philia, ludus, storge, agape” . . . . love, upon the pages of their hearts.
The physical rebuilding of London post WWII serves as a metaphor for the rebuilding of a marriage after a newlywed couple is separated by war. Rachel McMillian gives us a multi-layered love-story with Diane and Brent’s hauntingly romantic struggle to reconnect as each holds secrets and trauma from their service in the war. Against the background of Christopher Wren church steeples and the music of Mozart, The London Restoration is a unique and exquisite example of historical fiction at its best.
It had such good potential but the writing style was very professorial and stilted and I just couldn’t suspend reality enough to accept a few plot points.
WWII has always been an era that fascinates me. It was a time that brought out the best and the worst of people. This story is about Diana and Brent, two people that fought in the war in their own ways. Through this story you see their early story, their war experiences, and coming together after. What it is mostly about is the behind the scenes chess game that happened during and after the war. It is a story of codes and secrets, and most especially spies.
The shadow game in London that Brent and Diana are drawn into was written exquisitely and was well researched. There was suspense and intrigue with the romance hanging at the edges.
The story did bounce from one time period to the other but did give an indication of where the story was with a date and location at the beginning of a chapter. It explored the idea of lies and half truths within the relationship and the trust of the two
I really liked this story. I like to try to see if I can figure out what is going to happen before it does and this one definitely left me guessing which is a good thing for a mystery/suspense. This is the first book I have read by this author and I definitely enjoyed the experience.
I read this book over several sittings and at times found myself distracted though I blame me more than the book. I have a harder time sometimes when it bounces back and forth in time which can distract my attention. It worked for this book.
I received a copy via netgalley and this is my honest review.
This is not your typical historical romance! The story revolves around a married couple Diane and Brent Somerville. It is set amidst the devastation of post-World War II London which is in need of restoration as is their marriage. After a four year separation caused by the war, Diane and Brent are shrouded in secrets that impact their present as well as their future, and they encounter danger, betrayal, and espionage on their way to restoring their relationship and marriage which are damaged by the changes brought on by their war experiences. The characters are well-crafted and memorable. The intriguing plot twists and turns with history, romance, and suspense skillfully intertwined. Ms. McMillan has a remarkable “way with words”, and her vivid detailed descriptions and imagery bring the story and setting to life impacting the senses and emotions. The rich historical detail which she infuses into the fictional narrative is fascinating as well as informative and evidences extensive research. Although I prefer a chronological narrative, Ms. McMillan effectively executes the flashback element without stalling the flow of the story or creating confusion thus adding interest and depth to the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This isn’t just a story about London being restored, it’s about Diana and Brent Somerville’s marriage being restored. The ink was barely dry on their marriage certificate before Brent went off to war and Diana signed up to help with the war effort. Now it’s four years later, and instead of the reunited couple being like the newlyweds they basically are, they’re uncomfortable with each other and keeping secrets. Brent’s keeping his scars (physical and emotional) and stories secret because he would rather bury them than talk about them, but they come out in the form of nightmares. Diana’s secrets involve what kept her away another 5 weeks, when she was supposed to return home.
We find out how Diana and Brent met and fell in love through flashbacks. There are also flashbacks of when they each served during the war mixed in with the present time. I got a little confused every now and then in Diana’s story because of all the intrigue she was involved with, but liked learning how the couple fell in love.
This is a story of choosing love. Diana and Brent chose each other before the war, and chose each other again after the war, when it might have been easier to say goodbye and start over with someone else, because they were different people than they were four years prior. Diana was an architectural historian so there’s a lot of information about churches being bombed during the war, and their restoration which I didn’t know before. It was very interesting.
Rachel McMillan has just gained a fan!
The London Restoration is beautifully written and I savoured every page.
It’s not only the story of the restoration of London after WW2 but it is also the story of Diana and Brent who also have to restore their marriage after being apart during the war and how could war not change who you are.
I felt like I was in post war London and loved the history of the churches.
There is also espionage , secrets the whole gambit.
I did not want the story to end .
Thanks to Net Galley and to the publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy of The London Restoration , all the opinions are my own
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is my first book by this author, and I absolutely loved it. This is a completely different WWII novel than I’ve ever read, but that’s what made it so interesting! Danger, secrets, mystery, romance, and history…this novel has it all! You will fall effortlessly into post-war London, walking it’s ravaged streets with Brent and Diana and feeling the gut-wrenching devastation of the city, its churches, and its inhabitants.
Rachel McMillan does a brilliant job of layering the many facets of this story–everything from war secrets to breath-taking architecture–the depth of this story will astound you.
I loved Diana–her enthusiasm over her love of Wren churches, her pride in the woman she became during the war, and her determination to heal her marriage. I would love to see London’s churches through her eyes, especially since she could see beyond the devastation to a brighter future.
I listened to most of this story on audiobook, which I have to say I LOVED. The narrator’s voice was perfect and made the scenes and London come to life. It was difficult to turn it off when I arrived at my destination! I wanted to listen for hours!
Any fan of Christian historical fiction will appreciate the history of this book, and I believe you will love the characters and their tales of survival through the war and beyond. It is a unique and interesting read with never a dull moment!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I can’t tell you how excited I was to see this book come out. So much so that I pre-ordered it in both e-book and paperback. My enthusiasm was well-founded. Rachel McMillan writes beautifully, and the story is fresh and original, just like her. If you love romance, there’s a double dose—flashbacks of before the Sommervilles were wed and again as they struggle to rebuild their marriage after the war. Add to that espionage, architecture, and London. Rachel excels at subtext and atmospheric descriptions, in addition to insights on love, marriage, and independence. You’re going to want to settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy this book in one sitting.
This is the first book that I have read or listened to by this author and I enjoyed it. The narrator did a good job and I could hear slight variations between certain characters’ voices as she read, which helped me follow along. The narrator also had a very pretty British accent, which set the stage nicely for this novel.
The story is a slow build and jumps back and forth through time. Sometimes the story is post war, which is definitely the main story line. In this time line, the reader follows along as Brent and Diana attempt to rebuild their lives as a married couple again after the war. To complicate matters, Diana is involved in some pretty dangerous activities and there are many secrets, which leads to frustration for Brent. And Brent brings his own complications to the marriage, as he is dealing with the aftermath of wartime trauma and injuries. Both Brent and Diana work throughout the novel to find a new normal. I really liked Brent and Diana and hoped for the best for them. It was clear that they truly loved each other, even though both had changed because of their experiences.
In the pre-war scenes, the reader gets to see the original courtship between Diana and Brent, which was sweet. And there were a few scenes that took place during the war years, where the reader learns what life was like for both Brent and Diana when they were apart for so many years.
I really enjoyed each scenario and the pace of this novel felt very much like watching the television series, Foyle’s War. Not that the plots are the same, they aren’t, but I am referring to the tone of mystery and uncertainty in the midst of war and rebuilding.
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book. All opinions are my own.
A wonderfully written historical of post war London. Complex and interesting characters and a moving intense story. Could not put this book down! A must read!
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
Oh boy. Where do I begin with this lovely, amazing, stupendous book? It absolutely checks off every single one of my boxes. The London Restoration has architecture, history, suspense, and above all a divine romance. Most people know that marriage of convenience stories are my jam, but there’s just something special about this devoted married couple working together to solve a mystery while fighting for the love that has evolved throughout the course of World War II. The backdrop of a city in turmoil is a perfect metaphor for Brent and Diana— damaged but with a sturdy foundation not beyond repair.
Rachel McMillan is a star at penning flawed and multi-faceted humans. Anxiety, PTSD, jealousy, fear, as well as unflagging devotion, loyalty, and wisdom are some things that many of her characters bring to the table. This gives them an authenticity that is unprecedented in the genre. I applaud McMillan for not shying away from the tough stuff. It doesn’t hurt that there’s still a little bit of that romance fluff thrown in the mix too. Her heroes always end up being book boyfriends of mine and Brent Somerville is no exception. I could use a handsome, red haired man with broad shoulders and a beautiful voice! That dry sense of humor gives me life!
The London Restoration is, to use a literary cliche, compulsively readable. I intended to pace myself and ended up reading the entire book in a night. My laundry languished in the dryer, but I say, “What’s a few wrinkled shirts when there’s suspense and romance to be had?”
With painstakingly researched detail, The London Restoration spins a story of romance and reconciliation. A twofold love story is exquisitely told, initially through smartly placed flashback sequences and an ongoing one as Brent and Diana confront the changes a world war has wrought in the architecture of their relationship. This is a romance of two imperfect people whose roles in the war efforts have left scars both mental and physical, whose friendships have flourished and complicated the present with new loyalties, and whose amplified insecurities and secrets propel them to work toward restoration with patience and trust. Also, tea. Lots of tea.
I love how Brent and Diana both choose to make selfless sacrifices for one another while still not fully understanding the depth of each other’s time during the war. The secrets Diana keeps, under obligation to both friendship and government order, are for the betterment of the nation, yet are driven by her love for Brent and his well being. Brent, too, makes choices out of his motivation to protect Diana, but he steals the heart of the reader when he goes a step further and acknowledges Diana’s own strength and assertiveness. I think I really fell for him as a reader in the flashback scene when he ships off to war and has a delightful conversation with Di, showing how he truly knows her and wants her to feel comfortable in her own skin. Even as they try to restore their relationship in the present, this knowing and connection is threaded through their new maturity and colors their hesitant connection.
Author Rachel McMillan’s forte is historical romance! Her signature wit and authentic character development are ever present, as are her penchant for portraying deep friendships and a love for classical music. The romance sparks with both physical and intellectual attraction, and the London setting comes to life with its winding streets, WWII aftermath, and historical architecture. Readers will turn the final page with poignant satisfaction, a new love for London (and its churches), and a special place in their hearts for two wonderfully imperfect new (fictional) friends, the Somervilles.
After reading The London Restoration and making a TON of highlights and notes, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version for a “reread” (Thanks, NetGalley!). I liked the accents and pronunciations the narrator employed, as well as her easy to listen to voice. Sometimes, though, the sentence structure came across as a little hesitant. This is a narration issue, not reflective of the smart dialogue and cadence of the writing. I would recommend reading a print or ebook version first, then listening to the audio for a more immersive “English” experience.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
There is a rare convergence of characters, storyline, history, research, and talent that results in a pitch-perfect work of fiction. This is one. The London Restoration is a love story, the story of a new marriage put on hold by four years of war and a reunion disrupted by secrets and a five week delay. It is also a veritable love letter to London and it’s churches, Thomas Wren’s churches in particular.
Impeccable research, charmingly rambled by Diana Foyle in times of stress, helps to bring this story and the decimated churches of post-World War II London to life. With their meeting, courtship, one day marriage and wartime experiences, hers at Bletchley Park and his at the Front, are interspersed with Diana’s post-war reunion with her husband Brent Somerville, this is a multi-layered story that unfolds around the pursuit of artifacts and Russian agents in the early days of the Cold War. Along with Brent and Diana’s breathtaking romance, this is a tale of secrets, spies, academia, and the difficulties of restarting a marriage after four years when both have been irrevocably changed by their experiences.
In addition to the churches Diana loves and among all of the romance, misunderstandings, danger, and intrigue, it is first meetings that stand out as some of the pivotal moments. When Brent first sees Diana, when Diana meets Sophia Villiers, when Brent meets Simon Barre.
To say that this was a much anticipated book would be an understatement. I had very high expectations, which were exceeded. This is a story to reread, savor, and anticipate reading again. This first reading, however, also leaves me anxiously anticipating Villiers and Simon’s story as well as thinking I might need Rachel McMillan’s travel book Dream, Plan, and Go to plan a someday tour of Wren churches.
I read a complimentary digital copy of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I just love reading about this era in my historical fiction reads. And Rachel McMillan did this book justice. This was an incredible read I really enjoyed!
This story was centered around post World War II London – the time of “restoration”, and the main characters Diana Somerville and her husband Brent. Just as London was recovering from the devastating effects of the war, so were Diana and Brent. The mystery, secrets, espionage, and trying to put your life back together – a marriage, after the harrowing war was really quite the read.
McMillan transported me to the time with the rich detail and well-researched story. I learned a lot about the architectural history of one of my favorite cities to visit. This was a very exciting read for me because it had everything I wanted in a book. A historical fiction story with a touch of mystery and thrill. It was so beautifully written I really enjoyed this one. Well done Rachel McMillan, I am definitely a fan.
Will their secrets keep them apart?
My rating is 3.5 stars
As Brent and Diana reunited after four long years of separation, life didn’t simply return to normal. Too many secrets hold them apart and prevent the return to the intimacy they just started to build as a newly married couple.
The imagery of a London blasted by Hitler’s blitz was vividly depicted in The London Restoration. As Diana revisited the skeletons of the churches of the city seeking the traitor in the beginning of the Cold War, I was given a new sense of the devastation brought about by those raids. Somehow, I’ve pictured the bombing but never considered living in the aftermath and the amount of determination and effort it took to rebuild and restore this city.
Diana was very intelligent in a quirky manner. Her propensity to sing rhymes, off-key, when she was uncertain or afraid was fun! She was fascinated with the churches of London, especially Christopher Wren’s churches, having been introduced to them by her father. They were a link to the past, both of her city and her dad and as they were destroyed, it was like reliving her father’s death.
Brent was my favorite character. Scarred from his years of serving in the war, he suffered from nightmares and struggled to trust Diana. Yet his love for her was strong and allowed him to keep his insecurities at bay. I especially loved the fact that her ineptitude in the kitchen and housework in general, while slightly annoying to him, were worth enduring because he loved her so much.
Brent and Diana’s relationship is the primary focus of The London Restoration, though codebreaking, spies, and the Cold War figured in as well. The third-person narrative jumps back and forth between various time periods – this did get a little confusing at places with the way it was done.
The story started very slowly and dragged for a bit. There was a lot of “telling” the story and not “showing” what was happening. At one point, I stopped reading on one page and began to examine the sentences to see what it was that was bothering me about them. On that page, every sentence started with “she” or “Diana”! Rich descriptions filled the pages and yet it felt a little flat.
Overall the story was good. It was not my favorite style of writing but if you enjoy romantic stories that include intrigue, this is one to consider.
Read my review of The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary audio copy of London Restoration by Rachel McMillan for the purpose of listening and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.
London Restoration is an outstanding look at the start of the Cold War after WWII ends, and England’s effort to combat it. The characters hold secrets from their time during the war and both are afraid to tell the other. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspects of this amazing novel. I love old churches and the history behind them and have visited several mentioned in this book.
Diana Somerville’s character has many facets, one that prove fascinating. Since I too enjoy visiting historical places, I identified with her chosen path. I also became vested in her frustration over not being allowed to share why she wasn’t at her husband’s side when he received his injuries at the end of the war.
Brent Somerville is an intriguing character. I liked him a great deal and could understand his fear of sharing what happened to him at the end of the war. I also admired his patience with Diana when she’s doesn’t tell him why she didn’t rush to him while he laid in a hospital suffering from severe injuries.
The love story between the couple is built on a firm foundation, and even though they must deal with what happened during the war, both are determined to find the way back to each other.
I listened to the audio book of London Restoration and thoroughly became enmeshed once the story started. At first I wasn’t sure because it read like a documentary. Hannah Curtis is the narrator, and her lovely voice pulled me into the tale and kept me listening until the end. She brought the characters to life, and I could easily know which charter was speaking. There is richness and layers to her tone, and she read with just the right amount of emotion.
If you like historical fiction with strong romantic elements, and a narrator who adds to your listening enjoyment, then you want to grab your copy of this excellent novel. Whether you chose to read or listen to London Restoration, you are in for a treat. Happy reading and listening!