Another wonderful read by Erika Robuck. The Last Twelve Miles will definitely be on my best books of 2024 list. I was entranced by the characters and the action was nonstop. I was so happy to read a book not about WWI or WWII although I will be reading more about Elizebeth Smith Friedman and the part she played in WWII. Seeing the world from both characters point of view made for a interesting read. Very highly recommended!

Thank you Erika Robuck and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts in the review are my own.

Review: This was just an okay read for me…Positives: I loved that the main character and I had the same name and I loved the dual POVs. Negatives: The book couldn’t hold my attention most of the time. I felt myself drifting off and not able to concentrate on what was being said. I really hated Marie, but that is expected. And it’s hard to explain what didn’t hold my attention. I think just the storyline as a whole wasn’t for me. I am not really interested in the run running from the 1920s. But I can’t deny that it was written well. I’m appreciate @sourcebooks and @netgalley for my advanced copy!

Elizabeth Friedman and her husband helped break codes in WWII. Elizabeth is now working with the Coast Guard to intercept rumrunners in 1920's Prohibition era. Spanish Marie is smuggling booze into Florida. The point of view alternates perfectly.

Finished! Highly, highly, highly recommended! The Last Twelve Miles would be a great stand alone read. But I do think that reading The Woman Who Smashed Codes and Code Girls: The Untold Story of American Women Code Breakers of World War II really made The Last Twelve Miles much more "personal". Coincidently, I talked to a woman today who was reading (or just finished) Code Girls.

At 75% … loving this book. Usually I skip ahead to the authors note. I did read the extensive Bibliography and noticed two books that I had read (years ago) about “code breakers” in WWII, loving this historical fiction a decade later.

At 26% … strong female protagonists. Code breaking vs booze smugglers in the 1920’s. Wow. This is good historical fiction!

Will update progress daily.

Thank you to NetGalley (for yet once again) introducing me to a “new to me” author Erika Robuck. Thank you to NetGalley and the publish Sourcebooks Landmark Paperback for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Last Twelve Miles in exchange for an honest review. Approx 368 pages, publication date June 4, 2024.

Thank you Erika Robuck and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a new historical fiction author for me. I really enjoyed the story of these two smart and strong women on both sides of the law. I was also unaware of this part of prohibition history. I will definitely be reading the author’s previous novels.

Favorite quote:

“Elizabeth’s heart feels a pang of jealousy, followed by a burst of love at seeing her happy family. It’s both freeing and agonizing not to be needed.
That is the nature of motherhood, she thinks.”

Historical fiction from the days of Prohibition about two smart, strong women? Always, but from the synopsis alone, I wasn’t fully sold, however, I found the story was very engaging.

Told in a dual POV, with both stories equally interesting. I love smart, well written and plotted historical fiction, and this fit the bill nicely, and kept my interest - I had a difficult time putting this one down.

This one’s a recommendation.



Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

The stories of two women with separate lives and opposite - but similar - objectives are woven together in this incredible prohibition tale of adventure in "The Last Twelve Miles."

Elizebeth and Marie are brilliant women and working mothers who are dedicated to their professions and strive for excellence with every move. The only problem is that in order for one to succeed, the other must fail.

Even though they exist on opposite sides of the law, I could not stop rooting for both of these women with every turn of the page. I lost so much sleep because I could not put this book down and I do not regret it one wink! I found myself thinking about these women when I was away from the book and looking forward to diving back into their adventures as soon as possible.

Erika Robuck truly provided a gift to readers in this fast-paced, action-packed tale that will prove what bananas, boats, and a baby all have in common. Characters were well-developed and the plot action never lagged.

I raise my glass to Erika for this glorious, enthralling work that kept me hooked from beginning to end and inspired me to investigate the real lives and stories of these women! Cheers!

Thank you, NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Erika Robuck for this ARC! I anticipate "The Last Twelve Miles" will be a favorite book for many in 2024!

I loved The Last Twelve Miles! It told a different story than I have read before and I especially enjoyed learning the 2 main ladies personalities. Author did a great job with the character development and helping the reader fall in love with both. Highly recommend for a book you won't be able to put down!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so excited to review my first ever ARC, The Last Twelve Miles from the brilliant historical fiction author Erika Robuck. If you’ve read any of her other books, you know that Robuck specializes in bringing to life bold portraits of remarkable women, and her latest novel is no exception.

This story follows two women on opposite sides of the law in Prohibition-era Florida. Elizebeth is an expert codebreaker who is tasked with intercepting boats stocked with illegal booze trying to make landfall in the Keys. Marie is the smarter half of a husband and wife rumrunning duo seeking to make a name for herself. The two women become intertwined in a cat and mouse pursuit in which each is clearly a formidable opponent.

I love that Robuck writes about these women as whole people, considering both their professional and personal motivations that drive them to take extreme measures in their chosen careers. I also appreciated that she took us to a new time period rather than revisiting WWII (the era of her previous works), and 1920s Florida provided a rich backdrop that was brought to life within these pages.

Where I wished for more was around the rise of Elizebeth within the Coast Guard. I could have read an entire story that explored more deeply her code breaking expertise and how she successfully navigated the patriarchy of the US Military. Regardless, this was an engaging book that historical fiction lovers should definitely grab when it comes out on June 4th.

4.5 Stars

Many thanks to Erika Robuck & Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It did take me a while to read but as I read more of it I enjoyed it.

Completely captivating--the story, storytelling, narrative voice & characters! And even better, based on actual events!
How had I--a major historical fiction fan--never read this author before?! looking forward now to reading past titles.
One of those rare books that I could not wait to get back to, and now have a serious book hangover!
Adding to my pleasure was the Key West setting--a favorite family getaway, we had literally just returned two days before I started reading--what fun!

With great thanks to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for this e-ARC!

The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Robuck is a great historical fiction set in the 1920s that I really enjoyed.

I really liked this novel that gave a dual narrative of two equally interesting and complex main characters that were on opposing sides during the Prohibition era.

While both women were quite different, they still had similarities when it came down to it. It was interesting to learn more about the code breaking during this decade in the US.

Fascinating.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/4/24.

I had such high hopes for this one. A book about code-breaking and rum-running shouldn't be dry as dust, but this one is. This books reads like a textbook but offers little detail some how. The prose goes beyond telling instead of showing to actually beating the reader over the head with the obvious (ie, "Charlie wears only a sleeveless, white undershirt, pants, and suspenders to hold up his pants." What else do suspenders do?). The characters are cardboard. The code-breaker sure frets a lot about being pregnant. The rum-runner is bitter about growing up in poverty and reminds us of that constantly. There is very little detail about breaking codes (and why is Elizebeth working on such secret material in public, such as on a train?). The book takes place in glamorous locations such as Key West and Miami, and none of them are brought to life. The only allusions to suspense or emotions are the characters holding their breath a lot. And the ending really doesn't wrap things up. The author's note at the end was far more interesting than the preceeding novel and left me saying, "I'd rather read about that!"

I received a free advance copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

What a remarkable book of a subject I had no idea about! Based in the Prohibition Era, two women of opposite sides try to do what they can for their family. One is a rum runner and the other is a code breaker - both worlds usually a man’s world, and they stride to be the best in each. Although I would prefer to see more in depth of how to break a code, I liked seeing both sides as we get closer to the end. Ms. Robuck is such a wonderful historical fiction writer and this one does not disappoint.

A brilliant histfic novel about two gutsy women: a codebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard and a rumrunner using coded communication during Prohibition. Robuck gives us such a beautifully written portrait of each woman that we find ourselves cheering for both. Unputdownable!

I was able to read this ARC through NetGalley and I really enjoyed it! This is a historical fiction that takes place during the Prohibition Era. I loved the contrast between the two female MCs and reading the author’s note sharing how passionate she is about sharing these stories.

Hey Hollywood! This book should be made into a movie!
Absolutely loved this historical fiction novel of two intelligent, sly, tenacious, determined women on opposite sides of the law during Prohibition and the "Rum Wars".
Reading this book was such a joy! I loved learning about cryptanalysist, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who's extensive career puts her in a consulting position to assist the Coast Guard to intercept and crack communication codes of "rumrunners" in order to apprehend them within the 12 miles of US waters off the Florida Keys. Elizebeth (SIGNET) was responsible for deciphering coded messages between radio communication of smugglers and their fleet while they transported contraband from Cuba and the Bahamas into US waters. Elizebeth narrates from her perspectives of work, marriage, motherhood, and her archnemesis, "Spanish Marie",
It is Marie's perspective and narrative voice that makes this book a huge 5 stars for me. She is the Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde. Her humble beginnings, desire for change, poor choice in men, and scrappy antics, are fun to read and add layers to her character but it's her abundant ambition and fearless desire for wealth and status that makes her the perfect antihero.
The ending of the book was perfect.
Thank you Net Galley and Erika Robuck for the opportunity to read this story. I plan to buy copies for my reader friends after publication.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. It's about two different strong women during Prohibition: Spanish Marie, a rumrunner who wants to improve her children's lives financially and Elizebeth, a ground-breaking female codebreaker working with the Coast Guard. This historical fiction book was hard to put down as it goes back and forth between their equally-compelling lives in trying to balance family life with their careers.

Step back in time, with this compelling story of two women—both strong, intelligent, and gifted. One uses her gifts for good, the other for gain. Shining a light on their vulnerabilities, you'll find yourself rooting for both characters, somehow wanting each of them to come out on top—hoping the Queen of the Rumrunners will change her ways, let go of the darkness and live in the light.
With her in-depth knowledge of these two women in history, Erika Robuck does an amazing job of painting a picture of a bygone era, while taking creative liberties to make it sparkle.
And the cover...Swoon...

Summary: The legend of Spanish Marie lives on in Florida and Cuba. During the Prohibition Era, Marie and Charlie Waite ran a rum-running empire, transporting and wholesaling liquor from Cuba and Bahamas to the US. On the opposing side was the US Coastguard and a husband-and-wife team specialized in cryptanalysis, or the deciphering of secret codes and messages. Elizebeth and William Friedman worked as agents of the US government in cracking the codes used by smugglers to communicate and transport their goods. The title refers to the fact that there is a distance of 90 nautical miles from Cuba to Florida; for 78 of those miles their cargo was perfectly legal on the seas, but for the last 12 miles in US waters their cargo of liquor was a criminal offense.

Thoughts: This was a well-researched and conceived novel depicting the author’s vision of the battle of wits between Marie and Elizebeth. Marie is a fully developed character in this story, struggling with her alcoholic and temperamental husband, and aspiring to legendary status among the smugglers in the goal of providing herself and her children with all the trappings of the good life. Marie desperately wants to overcome the poverty and shame of her early life and to be important and memorable, however she has no intention of spending time in prison. Elizebeth is motivated by the sheer love of cracking a mystery which seems impenetrable to other people. This is a novel of historical fiction, in which the author acknowledges that not all the facts are known about Spanish Marie and much of what exists is legend and lore. However, she does an amazing job crafting a story which blends historical fact with her interpretation of events and personalities. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to any fan of historical fiction or anyone with an interest in the rum-running trade during Prohibition.