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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Although many fictional books have been written about World War 2, this was one of the first books that I have read that discussed the recovery efforts. Putting things back together is often never as much fun as taking things apart. This was definitely true of the London churches that were destroyed during the War. Many of them were already on their second life as they had burned during the Great Fire of London. At that point, Christopher Wren was a key person in the process. Now part of the goal of reconstruction was to preserve his legacy. I think I bookmarked more pages in this book than in others because I wanted to be able to look up the churches that are mentioned. (Who knew that one London church tried to serve the media?) Determining which buildings needed repairs would have taken quite a bit of research.
This book is also about trying to restore relationships. Brent and Diana were married right before they started their war duties. They spent more time apart than together. Trying to figure out to connect again would have been trying. This book enlightened me even more to the sacrifices that were made because of the war.
Author Rachel McMillan also found a way to build intrigue into the story. Diana’s position had involved encryption. The need to discover secrets did not end at the cease fire. While I did guess a few details, there were still some surprises in the connections of those who were pursuing to do harm and not good.
I really enjoyed this book, and I am glad that there will be a sequel. McMillan developed a great cast of characters who have more stories to tell. I was able to preview a copy of this book through NetGalley. A big thank you to that platform and to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read this book. I greatly enjoyed it. All opinions expressed are my own and are under no obligation.
First there was Toronto then Vienna and Boston, and now in The London Restoration, Rachel McMillan immerses readers in post-World War II London and a love story interrupted by said war.
Diana and Brent Somerville have been separated by the war, and now that it’s over, they come back together as changed individuals. As they navigate their new relationship with their secrets and scars—both seen and unseen—they also must unravel a mystery centered around London’s Christopher Wren churches.
Impeccable research, excellent characterization, intriguing plot, and the theme of restoration woven through all of it made this a book I both savored and devoured. The history between Brent and Diana as well as their current situation add a refreshing twist to the typical historical romance genre, too.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This book is set during post World War II in London. Diana and Brent have been separated by the war for four years and both are suffering from physical and/or emotional problems. They find themselves, due to Diana’s previous work as a codebreaker, trying to help her old boss solve a new problem that may affect the world again while also trying to piece their marriage back together.
I loved finding out about the city and especially the churches of London particularly those designed by Christopher Wren. The war left the majority nearly totally demolished. The role they played in the suspense, along with the classical music, was quite interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, but found it hard to follow the shift in time back and forth on occasion. But, overall, this new-to-me author did a very good job.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Rachel MacMillan is one of the best! I can always hear her characters speaking. In The London Restoration she asks whether a marriage begun in the flames of war can survive the chaos and confusion of burgeoning peace. She also cautions that when a country is broken, sometimes it’s the loudest voices that draw us. But she exposes the trap, reminding us that whenever we’re lost, if we can just place our trust in those who love us best then we’ll be able to find our way once more.
What a beautiful book was this.
This is my first book by this author and definitely not the las one.
I love books setting in this time(WW11) or after and this author portrays a beautiful description of some of the churches and cities but what really caught me was the way she make us the readers get in the life’s and struggles of this couple.
Diana and Brent were separate for four years and those years left some scars, emotional and physical that is going to challenge their love and marriage.
The War may damage some architectural in this cities, and take the life’s of so many people, or sending many more with terrible wounds and emotional health nightmares, like the ones of Brent, but if there’s is something we learn is to fight for those we love and even when everything looks suspicious and mysterious I can be more happy for the strong and trusting of this brave couple.
This book has been a delightful to read, I wish I can do it without pauses but my work got in between and it took me so many days to finally finished. I encourage if you get your hands on this to read it when you have the time without pausing to much, I’m sure you would enjoy even more that way.
Happy reading.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the advanced copy, I voluntarily give my honest review.
#London Restoration# is a historical fiction novel by Rachel McMillan. This book takes place during post World War II in 1945 in London.. Diana Somerville is the main character. She is an architectural historian . She is also a codebreaker at Bletchley Park . She has studied and enjoyed the churches in London for years. After all the bombing and turmoil of World War II , the churches have a lot of damage. She is heart broken to see the damage and hopes to get the churches restored. After the war there is so much change and it is hard to get everything back to where it was before. The themes in the story are: lying, treason, honesty vs dishonesty, secrets, post traumatic stress,, change in the world and in the characters, romance.. This book is well written. . This book gives the reader insight into what life was like after World War II. This book was given to me by the publisher, author and netgalley for review purposes only. The opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, author for allowing me to read and review this book.
(4.5/5) A well-researched and beautifully written story that begins at the end of WWII. It is more a story about love and a couple, Brent and Diana Somerville, reuniting and getting to know and love each other again after being apart for four years because of the war. Beautiful and vivid descriptions of London and the destroyed churches that Brent and Diana visit. There is a bit of suspense and mystery in the story that I enjoyed, and the going back and forth to different time periods of the characters was well done. The narration by Hannah Curtis was beautifully executed. Even though this really didn’t take place during the war, I think many WWII historical fiction fans will love and enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the review audio copy.
Rachel McMillan offers an intricately woven story of two survivors of WWII who hastily marry prior to the war only to find themselves at odds as the war ends and they begin to try and restore their relationship. The story wanders through various stages of the war as their backstory is explored. Diana Foyle Somerville becomes a codebreaker during the war and an unofficial sleuth for MI6 after the war ends thus creating secrets and barriers between herself and her husband, Brent Somerville, a professor of theology at King’s College. Brent suffers in his own way as a result of his time on active duty during the war and his injuries.
Diana draws Brent into her undercover life as she explores the Christopher Wren churches of London, a passion she shared with him prior to their separation. They quickly discover that secrets, guns, and midnight visits from MI6 can drive an even bigger wedge in their life and threaten any hope of happiness.
Rich in historic detail, the book particularly offers a tribute to the Christopher Wren churches of London. The story also highlights the amazing work accomplished by ordinary citizens during WWII. This historical romance with some intrigue and suspense thrown in the mix will surely entertain and educate readers.
This ARC copy was received from Thomas Nelson Publishes and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheLondonRestoration #NetGalley
A fresh and richly layered plunge into the heart of a marriage strained by secrets and war, all while the reader is beautifully tucked within a well-researched world of church architecture and post WWII London. No one does settings like Rachel McMillan, nor characters quite as vivid. Highly recommended.
I cannot even begin to capture how much I enjoyed this rich historical fiction set in London, post-World War II. Rachel McMillan captures and expresses historical detail unlike any other. I learned so much about London’s Churches, artifacts and what rebuilding after the war may have looked like. Part of what made this even more enjoyable was the talented narrator, Hannah Curtis. Hannah’s soothing tones and voice fluctuations really captured the various characters and emotions being conveyed throughout the book. The characters have such a beautiful depth during such a traumatic time. The reader is invited to live and experience the personal lives of Diana and Brent living in the aftermath of giving everything to serve their country. Now, as the city is rebuilding, so is their love story. Breathtaking, moving, and gripping, I highly recommend this clean, historical fiction book. I received a complimentary copy of this audio book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
I adore this cover. Rachel McMillan has a fabulous cover. The red hat really shows up, but the picture of Big Ben and Parliament next to the River Thames really captures my eye. As someone who has been dying to visit London for a very long time, I enjoy reading stories that take me there and allow me to travel as I read the novel. With The London Restoration, McMillan does a fabulous job at allowing readers to see the ruins of the London churches before World War II, during World War II, and after World War II. The churches represent the pain and joys of the London people as they seek refuge, but tried to be strong under the Germany’s invasion on their soil. The characters told their story in 3 different time frames. They were telling us what happened when they met, right before the separation to fight in the war, and after they came home. Personally, there were many moments that I was confused as to what was actually going in the plot. Then I would have to flip back and reread the time period to try to set myself in the story. Not a lot of action. A little PTSD. What was the heroine, Diane actually doing during World War II? It took a long time to figure that out. I adore McMillan’s ability to use words to craft a delightful story; however, this one didn’t hold as much moving forward dynamics I needed to give it a higher rating.
I received a complimentary copy of The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
The author’s love for London, architecture and music is apparent in this tribute to Wren’s churches in London. Interwoven throughout is the love story of a couple who married and were separated by war. Unlike many stories, this one centers around their post-war relationship as they come to grips with their roles as husband and wife. Like many couples, Diana and Brent bear the scars and secrets of war. I loved the symbolism of rebuilding, that of the treasured churches and that of relationships. McMillan’s plot addresses the beginning of the Cold War, the one that was fought with intellect and spies, not the armies on the battlefields. Beautifully written love story that tugs at the heart!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Jaw-dropping research and a fascinating post-World War II plot, this book will capture the imagination and delight lovers or historical fiction.
Held back by cumbersome writing:
This book had great potential however it wasn’t as polished as her other works. Overall the pacing and flow felt stilted and off and I was disappointed that I couldn’t just relax and enjoy it. It was hard to get into as the writing was cumbersome and disjointed, yet I am glad that I persisted as I found the subject matter interesting.
I enjoyed the mystery and investigative aspects of the book and found myself curious as to how it would all play out. I appreciated that it took a unique perspective on that time period and highlighted what life was like after the war and the new threat that Soviet Russia presented. I also liked how it showed the main characters having to get to know one another again and having to adjust to them being in their lives again after so many years apart. Add to that Diana having to keep secrets from Brent due to the nature of what she was doing for the government and you can certainly understand the challenges that they faced as a couple.
I think it would have been better to place the ‘historical note’ at the end of the book rather than at the beginning because I didn’t have a reference point for most of the information and clarifications that were provided.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
One of my favorite genres – historical fiction, and this one takes place just after World War II: espionage and battlefield memories; codes and secret agents; music and architecture; faith and trust. This is a love story (not a “romance”) between newly married Diana, architectural historian, and Brent, theology professor, set amid the rubble of war-torn London. Meticulously researched, the author connects architecture of the many London churches with classical music, blending these topics in a race to discover a suspenseful and clever conspiracy to break the code that will protect Europe from further threats to recent peace. This espionage thread is woven into the story of the rebuilding of Diana’s and Brent’s relationship, after being apart for four years during the war. Loved the authentic details of life after the war: the rationing, the clothes, the parties, the churches, and the tea. Also appreciated the author’s double meaning in the title – restoration of the city of London, as well as the restoration of Diana’s and Brent’s marriage. These characters were both likable and honest, and I am looking forward to reading about them in Vienna, in what I hope will be the next book.
Thanks to publisher Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a digital advance reader’s copy. All comments and opinions are my own.
Reading The London Restoration during the current social and political climate of shortages due to quarantine from Covid, allowed me to relate to the events in this story more than I would have otherwise (not having lived through rationing and shortages after WWII.)
I definitely liked Brent. He was a man worthy of admiration, but I just couldn’t like Diana. Yes, she was a kind and loving person, but her obsession with churches bordered on the narcissistic. Had she not been “so beautiful,” I wonder if everyone would have been so willing to admire her the way EVERYONE did.
I was fatigued by the number of times I read how beautiful she was and how wonderful the Wren churches were. This is saying a lot, because I am a huge fan of old buildings in London (churches and everything else), but this went far beyond that.
I also couldn’t understand where Simon’s obsession with the threat of communism came from. Possibly this was due to my not knowing enough about the time period, but I questioned his animosity (especially since Stalin’s terrorism against his own people was not known at this time). I wondered if his hatred came from his privileged background, but if this was the case, it was not emphasized enough in my thinking.
I found Simon’s requests strange, and yes that was explained in the story that Diana had a particular gift for finding patterns, but I couldn’t see how it was useful in her visits to the churches. And his requests kept putting Diana in danger, so I couldn’t like Simon’s character (at all), which made Diana’s mission tainted (in my view).
Finally, it was difficult to follow the dialogue, because it wasn’t always clear to me who was saying what.
All that said, I really did enjoy the book once I was about halfway through it. It has stayed with me and my mind goes back to the story periodically, but I felt I was missing something while I was reading it.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.” #TheHouseattheEndoftheMoor #NetGalley
“The London Restoration” by Rachel McMillan is an absolutely wonderful tale of rediscovery, first of one’s self, and then of the partners long separated by the effects of war. Brent and Diana are so very real that the reader is apt to forget that this is a work of fiction. World War II has changed London forever, but it has changed the people as well. Brent and Diana are the quintessential example of what so many couples experience during and after such a separation. This is romance. This is love.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is an excellent and riveting historical fiction/romance. The author even adds a dash of mystery to the deliciously intricate mix as well to make this truly a book that can appeal to a full range of readers.
Time and place: mainly post-war Vienna and London 1945. Everyone is dealing with the destruction and damage to their lives and towns after the end of WWII. Everyone is now trying to pick up the remaining pieces, trying to put everything back together again, however most are realizing that it just isn’t that easy. Many are finding themselves, their society, and their loved ones are different now and nothing is quite the same. Trying to find out who you are and where you go from here is a monumental task. Add that with the uncertainty of the post-war fears, instabilities, and healing wounds, one can imagine the difficulties that can present themselves. That is what we seem to find with the two main characters: Diana and Brent Somerville.
There are two main themes to this book: the wonderful architecture, descriptions, and descriptions of damages done to the historical structures in London, most specifically in this book, the structures designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The second theme is the nuclear relationship between the married couple. The two themes are explored extensively and both have overarching parallels: both tested, damaged, scuffed, wounded, separated, and tested during time of war and stress. Both however, held by a strong and formidable foundation, survive and remain strong. The author’s ability to find the beauty and resilience of both subjects and the hope that prevails in the end is amazing.
This book is beautiful and earnestly written. The architectural descriptions were so intricate and vivid that I literally felt as if I was sifting through the rubble and dust myself. The story told of Diana and Brent and their respective parts that were contributed to the war, who they are now, and where they go from here is just beautiful. The human spirit was perfectly expressed.
I loved the interweaving of the above themes, the concepts, pace, plot, and ending.
Just beautiful. 5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.