really interesting setting, wonderful story overall and defiantly worth a read if you want to not only read a good book but also learn a bit of historical information about spain and the spanish civil war.

I have come to the conclusion that John Simmons is a natural storyteller; his books are intricate and meaningful and he continues to amaze me with his latest novel, Spanish Crossings. His previous novel, Leaves, was one of the first books I reviewed when I first started my blog in 2015 and I consider it to be among my favourite books of the 21st Century. Spanish Crossings is completely different to Leaves, in that it is based on real events: The Spanish Civil War, however, John Simmons has woven a beautiful and intricate story around this true event.

When Lorna met Harry it was love at first sight but, before their life together even begins, Harry is cruelly taken away from Lorna when he is killed fighting in Spain for what he believes in. When England takes in Spanish child refugees, Lorna sponsors a child, Pepe, and she is able to channel her grief for Harry into love for Pepe. Even from a young age and many miles from home, Pepe has strong political beliefs and he and Lorna seem well matched.

When Lorna and Pepe naturally fell in love, I felt that Pepe changed. He became secretive, suspicious and jealous and my feelings towards him changed. I was disappointed in Lorna for not standing up to him, then I remembered that this was pre-war England and men ruled the roost. When Lorna has their son, Jimmy, to think of she does get a bit tougher and makes a difficult decision that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

There's something so very special about John Simmons' writing. Take the passage about the doodlebug attack in London: I had goosebumps, it was so vivid that I could smell smoke in my nose and had a ringing in my ears as the dust settled. It must have been terrifying and for John Simmons to portray that terror through his writing is no mean feat. As greedy as I am for books, I don't want John Simmons to churn out a book every year; quality such as this is definitely worth waiting for.

Based on real events, Spanish Crossings, is a wonderful historical novel that both educated and delighted me. A recommended read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Powerful story of love and hope set around the Spanish Civil War and later

Lorna is the main character, a strong young woman who falls in love with Harry, a member of the International Brigade scarred by his experience of the bombing of Guernica. Harry is then killed and Lorna is bereft and throws herself into helping children evacuated from Spain to the UK.

The author’s research is impeccable with much detail on the civil war itself, but also the support and political groupings back in the UK.

The story continues into World War 2 and beyond as Lorna seeks a justify a meaning to Harry’s death through her work with a law firm and in civil defence.

A poignant story that continues to resonate after reading.