I love a good WWII historical fiction book and Tomorrow is for the Brave is just that

Violet St. Croix, a socialite in Nice, France in 1939, is engaged to be married. Violet feels stifled by the life that her parents and fiancé wish her to lead her into. She’s different than young ladies of her time - finding joy in driving, and cars (in interested that come from a random encounter as a child). When France is occupied by Germany, she volunteers with the Red Cross to be a nurse, only because the Red Cross would not allow her to be an ambulance driver. She finds herself recruited to be a driver for the French Foreign Legion, and is carried into danger and intrigue as there is possibly a spy amongst the troops that she is stationed with during the African Campaign.

This dramatic and griping story carries you from lavish parties on the south of France to the Middle East and onto Africa during the beginning of World War II. Although a novel, the character of Violet is loosely based on Susan Travers, a real woman who served with the French Red Cross and the story feels so very real

Another beautiful novel by Kelly Bowen

I loved the historical romance novels I read by Kelly Bowen, so I was desperate to read this book. I have been really interested in World Wars I and II fiction, so I was thrilled to get the chance to dive into this one. And once I dove in, I barely came up for air! This book was WONDERFUL! Ms. Bowen really made me feel I was in the car with our main character, dodging mines, bombs and guns. There was history, romance and suspense, and you won't want to put it down.

In 1939 Nice, France, Violet St. Croix fell in love...with cars. As she got older she seemingly had it all. She had a sports car, fancy clothes and a handsome fiance, yet something was definitely missing in her life. So when France fell to Germany, Violet decides to join the Red Cross, defying her (horrible) parents and ditching the (equally horrible) fiance. She's not much of a nurse, but when she proves her skill at driving under extreme pressure, she is sent to North Africa to drive a French Foreign Legion officer who carries important intelligence through perilous territory. Her commanding officer is murdered, and the Allies are suffering from various mishaps. Violet becomes convinced there is a spy among them. Will she be able to find anyone who believes her, or whom she trusts, in order to reveal the spy?

The character of Violet was based upon a woman named Susan Travers, the only woman to officially become a member of the French Foreign Legion. I had never heard of her before, and I am fascinated by her story. I must look up more information about Ms. Travers. Violet was a member of a family with money, and she had anything that money could buy. Yet there was something more that she needed. When she met Georgette "George" Chastain at a driving race she snuck in to watch, she fell in love with cars, and also made a friend for life. As she got older, she became engaged, but it didn't seem like a comfortable relationship. Tino told her what to wear and who her friends should be. Her parents expected her to obey them in all things. Violet spent as much time as she could with George, who was from a fishing family, and she also met Henri, George's brother. Violet and Henri were like chalk and cheese, so you just knew there would be some romance! When France fell to Germany, George decided to join the Red Cross as a nurse, and Violet also signed up; she wanted to drive, but was told women had to be nurses. Henri immediately signed up to fight for France. When Violet's family and fiance found out about her plans, her parents disowned her, and Tino was history. Violet was sent from Kuhmo, Finland to Damascus, Syria to Bir Hakeim, Libya. She was a horrible nurse - she had to scrub blood off the floors - but she was able to prove she was an incredibly skilled drive in Finland when she had to take control of an ambulance and bring the injured soldiers to the hospital. From that point on, she was a driver for the Free French Foreign Legion and became Adjutant St. Croix. Rumors of her spread, and she soon became referred to as "La Fleur" and was an inspiration to the soldiers. She began to believe there was a traitor, but couldn't convince anyone else. I absolutely loved Violet! She wasn't fearless, but she fought the fear to do her duty for the Allies. George was also a wonderful character. Unlike Violet, George was an excellent nurse. And Violet couldn't have asked for a better friend; she had total faith in Violet. I also adored Henri. Violet met him while she was still at home and almost killed him when she was driving while upset. Yet from that point on I knew romance would bloom. I loved that they shared books with each other, and I swooned when he gifted her a book. (Yes, I love books that much; it would make me swoon, too!) It was a lovely, slow-burning romance There was also a shadowy character who was only referred to as "the spy". The man caused such death and destruction. I totally knew who the spy really was...I was wrong. It was a shock when his identity was finally revealed! The battle scenes were incredibly realistic; apparently Ms. Bowen did her research. I was sitting on the edge of my seat every time Violet drove through battle. I learned much history from this book, too. I knew there was some action in North Africa in World War II, but I didn't know the extent and I was shocked. I was also unaware of fighting in Finland as the Allies fought off Russia. And I was clueless as to battles in Syria. I love a book where I can actually learn something, and the history was fascinating here. I cannot wait until Kelly Bowen writes another book of historical fiction. I'll be first in line to get it!

I received and ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Tomorrow Is for the Brave by Kelly Bowen is a remarkable story.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a beautifully done World War II novel with a great premise. I enjoyed the way Natasha Lester used the setting to add to the story and the characters within this story. The plot was what I was hoping for when I saw the description and it works great as a historical novel. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Lester.
A gripping World War II page‑turner about a courageous woman who risks it all for what is right.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 5/14/2024. What began as a coming-of-age story for a poor little rich girl quickly became something more as I read this book. Starting in 1934, Violet St. Croix has every luxury a teenager could have growing up in Southern France. Then she discovers cars and her first revelation (and deviation from her father's iron fist) happens. Five years later, she is still young and sheltered and newly engaged to a Very Suitable Man but she has managed to sneak more information into her life and further develop her passion for driving. With war on the horizon and France anticipating invasion from Hitler's Axis forces, she longs to help despite every roadblock thrown her way - her fiance's derision, being disowned by her father, the general dismissal of most men.

Violet has something to prove, though, and despite her fears and nerves she pushes through with her convictions, joining the Red Cross as a nurse with her working-class friend Georgette "George" Chastain. Let me just say this - these two ladies? Are dynamite!

Violet really grows as a character. Her determination stays a consistent flare of light in her and allows her to develop other aspects and depths. Not unrealistically, though, she always seems confused when she is admired. After an entire childhood and young adulthood of having praise for her mind and capabilities withheld, it clearly confuses her when others tell her that she is an inspiration and beloved and admired. Her modesty is unfeigned; she really does just see her impressive doggedness and abilities as "just doing her job." It takes time for her to come into herself but the wait is worth it and I found myself loving her all the more for Bowen's authentic way of slowly eroding Violet's psychological blocks.

George, on the other hand, has a lot shorter distance to go for confidence and capability, having lived her life "doing for herself" and helping her fishing family survive. However, Bowen still takes time and makes a point of showing how everyone can have layers and those who seem the most confident can just as easily have moments of doubt and vulnerability. Truly the friendship between Violet and George and their unselfish support of each other, each believing the other to be the bravest, is inspiring and one of the highlights of this book.

Another highlight is the obviously research effort Bowen put into this book, going beyond the original inspiration of Susan Travers and her adventures and digging deeper into the campaigns and circumstances of the warn in Northern Africa, the reality of the French Foreign Legion, and the duties of the Red Cross. You could feel the grit and the misery and the rumble of bombs. The book is wonderfully descriptive without turning flowery.

I also want to take my hat off to Bowen in regards to the spy subplot. While the chapters told from the spy's limited viewpoing and literally written as "The spy walked through the market" type of thing threw me a bit the first time it happened, she was careful not to overuse it. Bowen also did a fine job of planting red herrings without letting them to be obvious. I was genuinely upset when, by chapter 12, I thought I knew who the spy was... And genuinely relieved when later it was made clear, I didn't... And then immediately upset that it could have been someone else. Talk about whiplash! I almost dismissed the solution as utterly trite and obvious but that was a huge mistake. I am please to say I was too quick to judge and the actual twists and turns were far more deft than I suspected.

Overall, if you like historical fiction and strong women and derring-do and don't mind a bit of romance tossed in, you can't do wrong by reading Tomorrow Is For The Brave.

Now excuse me while I go find Susan Travers' autobiography. You know an author is good when she makes you go and read other books!

"Tomorrow Is for the Brave" is a captivating story about courage and strength. The protagonist, Violet, has always allowed her parents to make decisions for her, until one day she decides to speak up for herself and venture into the dangers of WWII.
I loved Violet's character evolution throughout the story, and the secondary characters like George and Henri were also intriguing. The plot was engrossing, with the mystery surrounding the spy, and even though some parts were predictable, the book was a real page-turner.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new book by Kelly Bowen, as much as I did with her previous works.

I loved the Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen and was happy to see a new book by this author.

This WWII novel was based out of North Africa and it felt like a new premise. While I have read of female ambulance drivers in the war, this novel felt like a different storyline.

Violet comes from a wealthy family where protecting their image and family name is everything. She ends up befriending George and their friendship and bravery ensue. They both enlist in the war. Both are strong female characters which I will never tire of.

Violet’s passion for auto mechanics and driving fast cars lends her to shift focus from nursing to being a hero driving commanders through the war.

Highly recommend for historical fiction lovers. If you’re tired of the common WWII novel, this one is a new take. It also has mystery and romance elements, but is not over the top.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a historical novel with a strong female lead. Tomorrow is for the Brave is just that. Kelly Bowen has a way with making history come alive.

Tomorrow is for the Brave is a beautifully written, mesmerizing story of a young woman coming of age against the backdrop of WWII.

The blurb for this book provides information about events up to and including the forty-percent mark. Those wishing to avoid spoilers for such a large portion should probably not read this review or that blurb.

In 1934, Violet St. Croix attends her first car race. Though she doesn't yet know it, it will change her life in two crucial ways. The first is that she immediately falls in love with all things automotive. The second is that she meets a young woman named George, who kindly explains all about the racers and their vehicles. The two women part after their friendly encounter, but neither forgets the other.

Fast forward to June 1939. In the early dawn hours, Violet races her Alfa Romeo Spider down a shadowy street, dashing tears away from her eyes as she flees another intolerable celebration of an engagement she is beginning to regret. Her once charming fiancé has turned autocratic, and between him and her overbearing father, Violet can feel her life being slowly crushed. If she allows them to have their way, all that will be left is a shell of the woman she is and tatters of the dreams she has for her future. Her early morning drive is serendipitous. Violet almost runs over a man who turns out to be Henri, George’s brother. That encounter leads to Violet spending her free time helping his family keep their small shipping business afloat. Under the influence of her new friends, she finds the courage to ditch her fiancé, defy her parents’ wishes, and join the war effort with George via the Red Cross. She makes an abysmal nurse - the only position originally available to women - but a fortunate moment of crisis brings her driving skills to the notice of an important officer. He takes her to North Africa, where she chauffers French Foreign Legion personnel carrying valuable intelligence through the battle-heavy territory.

It’s a dangerous job, but Violet loves doing her part on the front lines. She also adores Commandant Lavigne, whom she regularly drives for. Her position as a Free French army adjunct comes with the benefit of regularly seeing George, a nurse working in the area, and Henri, a soldier, in the same arena.

When she is asked to liaise with an English officer on a confidential matter, Violet receives some disquieting information. Radio signals in the desert indicate there is a spy in their midst. Violet reads through the data, unsure what, if anything, to do about it. But when Commandant Lavigne is murdered shortly after they learn of the informer, she realizes the situation is more urgent than she had thought. Determined to ferret out the traitor, she tries to discuss it with her superiors to no avail. It will be up to Violet to find the Nazi agent working in their midst. But as suspicion seems to fall repeatedly on someone she cares about, will she trust her instincts that they are innocent or the evidence that points to their guilt?

This is an absolutely lovely story about hope, courage, and finding your niche in the world. Violet had never really belonged among the wealth and privilege her family enjoyed and feels far more at ease with George, Henri, and the rest of their family. Among them, she finds a practical use for her mechanical skills and a sense of camaraderie she never had at home. Once she joins up, working for/with the military intensifies the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction she feels from knowing she is contributing in a meaningful way. I loved how she gains strength from her friends and is able to become a source of hope and strength for many others as the story progresses.

Henri is our primary secondary character. Initially, he struggles with Violet. She, to him, is a representation of a class of people who take far more than they give and who exploit and endanger the people around them with little thought for those lives they consider ‘lesser’. Violet and his superior officers in the war show him how it is character rather than class that matters. It did bother me a bit that Violet has to prove herself to him at first, but I appreciated the beautiful friendship that builds between them as the narrative unfolds.

This is a wartime story, and Violet is caught up in one of the most dangerous spheres of combat, so we hear of hardship, death, and fighting quite a bit. The descriptions are well done, with the author striking a nice balance between giving us a taste of the horrors happening without overwhelming us with gore.

There is a romance here, but it develops towards the end of the book. Suffice it to say it is no surprise when it appears and in spite of its brevity of page space, I found it charming.

If I have a quibble, it is with the segments dealing with the spy. I didn’t like that we receive PoV pages from this character, and I found the storyline surrounding them a wee bit melodramatic. That didn’t in any way affect how much I enjoyed the story, but it did take a smidge of the shine off.

That said, Tomorrow is for the Brave is easily one of my favorite books of 2024 thus far. I recommend it to fans of WWII novels, fans of the author, fans of women’s fiction, and pretty much anyone who enjoys a good book.

Rich young French socialite Violet wants to learn to drive and fix cars, something that is frowned on in the 1930’s. When the war comes she signs on to become a nurse and an ambulance driver. Her family disowns her and she goes on to be an infamous driver of military officers in Africa. An excellent read! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

This was a great book! It follows Violet who grows up in a world of privilege and comes to realize that might not be where she wants to be. After meeting her friend George and her brother Henri she decides to volunteer for the French Legion. She has always loved cars and ends becoming one of the only female ambulance drivers in the war. This was such a new and interesting take on World War 2 that I haven’t really seen. It takes place in Africa and I wasn’t familiar with that part of the fighting. I love how brave Violet is and her friendship with George and growing relationship with Henri. Overall I really enjoyed this new take on the war.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable and fun historical fiction novel which would be perfect to tuck in to your beach bag and devour on a nice summer day. I enjoyed the characters and found this story to be very fast paced and fun. I also learned a little about historical events that occured, which is always a plus. I am definitely adding Kelly Bowen to my must-read authors list!


Read if you like Fiona Davis, Beatriz Williams

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:

https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Tomorrow is for the Brave is the story of a young socialite named Violet St Croix. Violet comes from a wealthy and controlling family. She was allowed to learn to drive and fix cars at a young age but now that she is of that age she finds herself engaged to an awful man and not sure what to do except be the good, well behaved daughter she was raised to be. When WWII started she found herself compelled to help against her family’s wishes and volunteered as a nurse for the Red Cross. Without going into any spoilers, this story follows Violet as she finds herself during the war. I absolutely love a good story of a young woman fighting against those who tell her she can’t by showing them that she can. It was also interesting to find out that the character of Violet was based on a real woman named Susan Tavers who became an ambulance driver during WWII. As with any great historical fiction novel I read I always leave it with homework to go learn more about the real life events it was based on.

Tomorrow is for the Brave tells the story of Violet St. Croix, who is born to a wealthy and controlling family. She learned to drive and fix cars at a young age and tried to be a good daughter, doing as her parents wanted, to the point of agreeing to marry an awful man that she did not love. Once WWII began, she stood up to her parents, dumped the fiance, and signed up to become a war nurse, although she was not particularly good at nursing, with the hope that she would be allowed to be a driver, which she eventually was. There is so much going on in this amazing coming of age story with WWII as the backdrop. Kelly Bowen's writing style is easy to read and I was drawn into the story right away with its likeable characters and descriptions that made me feel like I was right there with Violet. No spoilers - but just a recommendation to read this novel. I was surprised to learn that Violet was based on a real person called Susan Travers who became an ambulance driver during WWII.

Tomorrow is for the Brave is the newest offering from Kelly Bowen, the author of "The Paris Apartment."

Violet St. Croix is a socialite in Nice, France in 1939. She is engaged to be married, and feels stifled by the life that her parents and fiance wish her to lead. Her one joy is driving, and cars. When France is occupied by Germany, she volunteers with the Red Cross to be a nurse, only because the Red Cross won't allow her to be an ambulance driver. She finds herself recruited to be a driver for the French Foreign Legion, and is carried into danger and intrigue as there is possibly a spy amongst the troops that she is stationed with during the Afrikan Campaign.

This dramatic story carries you from lavish parties on the south of France to the Middle East and Africa during the beginning of World War II. Although a novel, the character of Violet is loosely based on Susan Travers, a real woman who served with the French Red Cross.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an Advance Reader Copy of this phenomenal book!

This is an amazing story that is set during World War II. The story is told from multiple character point of views but is mainly focused on the experiences of Violet. The author keeps the plot engaging by keeping the reader guessing as to certain outcomes. Violet shows true heroism and selflessness throughout the story as she fights in her own quiet and unassuming way. Along the way she makes great friends and even finds love. This a wonderful story to be shared with others.

A wonderful historical fiction book based on the only female member of the French Foreign Legion.
Violet's family tries to get her married into society, but it becomes apparent to her that she doesn't like her fiance and will be miserable. She signs up for the Red Cross as a nurse but isn't great at it. Opportunity presents itself for Violet to demonstrate her driving skills, and she quickly becomes the famous "La Fleur," in demand for driving officers throughout North Africa. She's the only woman around, aside from the nurses. Her quick thinking, skills, and bravery save many lives.
Interspersed are probably 20 - 25% of chapters about The Spy. He's in the same places as Violet, and she (along with you as the reader) comes up with various theories about who it might be.
I loved this book, especially as it was a different take than many of the other WWII books I've read. I really enjoy the ones focused on women who defied their families' orders and chose to help, and Violet truly did find herself through her journey.

Tomorrow is for the Brave is a WWII historical fiction novel with a dash of romance and a pinch of mystery. We follow Violet, who goes from a wealthy socialite with a love of cars, to a fearless driver for the French Foreign Legion. The story focuses on the war against the Germans in North Africa, which was a part of WWII I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed the slow reveal of “the spy” even though the reveal itself wasn’t shocking.

What held me back from really loving this one was a lack of authenticity with the characters. I found her parents a little too rich and unloving, even after the war has ended. Violet herself goes from an overly sheltered girl with no confidence, to joining the frontlines of war and barely struggling with the hardships she faces.

I was very intrigued to learn that Violet’s character was based off the life of Susan Travers, the only female member of the French Foreign Legion. I enjoyed the story here, it was just lacking a bit of the depth and grit I look for in a war novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this digital ARC.

Toss out the dull and boring history books. Grab "Tomorrow is for the Brave" and let it suck you into a story filled with drama, suspense, espionage and romance. I was transported to a time where I was ducking bullets and running for your life. It felt that real thanks to Violet St Croix's adventures during World War 2.

Violet does not fit in with the upper class in France. She is the square peg being forced into a round hole. Meeting George (Georgia) along a route of a car race is a new beginning. She falls in love with--cars. As time passes she has less and less in common with her family. Finding out her upcoming marriage is not what it seems has he fleeing.

Violet escapes a stifling life in upper classes by volunteering as a Red Cross Nurse with George only because the military would not let her be a driver. Desperate times require desperate measures. Violet will find herself behind the wheel of an ambulance. It changed her life and takes the readers deep into the war.

I had never thought how horrible the war in the African desert would have been until this story. Struggling to survive was hard enough, but being a woman made it even more challenging. I lost count of how many times I lost it. The horrors of war fill the pages with graphic detail that we all need to realize. The losses gutted me. My respect grew for all of the allied forces that fought for freedom.

I blew up over the "spy." He was never named. Hints of his identity filled the story. The hints fit so many people. Violet tried to figure it out. Violet tried to convince others that there was a spy sabotaging equipment and leaking locations. They didn't want to admit that there might be such a person. I guessed who it was again and again. I was so tempted to read the ending to see who it was, but there was so much going on that I didn't want to miss. The ending was worth every tear. The ending was worth each turn of my stomach. The ending was worth the wait.

Nicely done WWII story thinly based on the life of Susan Travers, who served in the French Foreign Legion. This alternates chapters of Violet, a young socialite who gives it all up to join the fight against the Nazis and the spy, the nefarious man Violet will ultimately uncover. This tale has been told in other ways, with other heroines (note that it's good to see women get credit for their heroism) but this is distinguished by location- North Africa. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of the genre.

Joining the French Foreign Legion in Africa during WWII, Violet St. Croix finds herself challenged to be driving officers carrying intelligence. Finding there may be a spy in their midst forces her to put herself in potential danger to expose him. Well written historical fiction.