I was very pleased to be able to read a copy of this book via #NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own unbiased ones.

I am a big fan of historical novels set during the time of the second world war and this one particularly caught my eye because it was set in Guernsey. I read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society some years ago when it first came out. I had also discovered in my Dad's collection of books about the war several that focused on the events which took place in Guernsey and Jersey under the Nazi occupation. All of this inspired my husband and I to plan a trip to Guernsey about three years ago. Both islands show ample evidence of the presence of the Germans and it is easy to use the local buses to tour the island and visit the many places of interest all while enjoying the natural beauty of the islands.

Two experiences on our trip really stand out in our memories. The first was during a visit to a church which was hosting a floral festival which focused on the evacuations which took place just before the Germans arrived. We had the privilege to talk to one woman who had been evacuated from her family at the age of 5. She shared her memories with us including the long term effects it had on her relationship with her father who was interned by the Germans. The second experience that really stood out for us came during our visit to Castle Cornet when our Guide told us how he had stayed behind with his family and would have starved to death had it not been for the Red Cross parcels delivered to them.

All this leads me to tell you just how much I enjoyed this novelized version of the story of Laurence, Lily and their family in the days leading up to the arrival of the Germans. The author did an excellent job of bringing them all to life for me and once started I didn't want to put the book down.

Aside from focusing on the story of his family, the author also included the story of a young German pilot stationed not far from the Channel Islands. I don't know how much of his story was based on truth and how much on fiction, but it drew me in as well and showcased his humanity rather than just the fact that he was one of the "enemy".

The stories told in this book matched closely with everything we learned when we were in Guernsey. The book is written in such a way that it is suitable for young adults as well as the older reader.

The only small flaw that I noticed while reading was in the format. There were quite a number of spots where words would run together or be split in the middle. It was just a small thing and didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story. Did Laurence and his wife make the right choices? I believe that history shows that they did.

I was fortunate enough to read this novel through Net Galley for my honest opinion. This book covers a short period of time during WWII on a small British island and written by a family descendant. The story hooks you immediately and won't let go until long after you finish reading! You will need a few tissues but remember this is written by a family member! I strongly recommend this novel!!

This book captures the mood on the British Channel Island of Guernsey at a moment in time. It was the summer of 1940. The Nazis had overrun Holland, Belgium and France. England was surely next. The Channel Islands stood in full view of Occupied France. To some Islanders, it seemed inevitable that the Germans would invade. Others hoped the demilitarized Islands would be left in peace.
Tony Brassell tells the story of his grandparents--maybe some of the conversations are fictionalized but the account is true. It was told to Brassells by his "Grumps and Nan."
Although history has told us the outcome of WWII and we know that the Germans did, indeed, occupy the Channel Islands from 1940 until 1945. Still, Brassell tells the story in such a way that we live day by day, knowing only what the residents know. What their hear on the wireless, read in the paper or in back-fence conversations.
Woven throughout is the story of a "good" German--a flying ace with a conscience who is demoted when he suggests that the trucks that German reconnaissance has identified as military targets are farm vehicles.
It is a well-told story--much in the wistful, nostalgic of the 1971 film Summer of '42.