WWI books are hard to come by, so I was excited about this! Especially after I read some great reviews for it. All in all, though, I was rather bored. The first half of the book moves quite slowly, and once it picked up it was too little too late for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and there wasn't much excitement to keep me going. I'll definitely recommend it as a WWI option if someone asks me, but I most likely won't jump to this book as a recommendation otherwise.

World War I books aren't seen very often which is why I was so drawn to this one. I thought the main character would be a bit more of a strong female character than she was which made me disappointed.

I was looking forward to this book being about a fierce woman, cracking codes in the midst of a war.
However, I don't think this book delivered quite what I was expecting.
The plot developed rather slowly given the setting of a war and the stakes involved. And what did happen was predictable. I thought the story could have been so much more, but it just sort of fell flat for me.
If historical romance is your thing, this book might work really well for you. It just was not what I expected given the cover and synopsis.
Thank you so much to the publisher for this review copy!

This novel was a hard read for me. Normally, I love historical romances set during WWI. However, nothing really happens in the novel. The romance was also not developed, and I had a hard time getting into the characters. However, I do recommend this to those that like WWI romances.

All is Fair is equal parts historical fiction and adventure. It’s a bit predictable, and there are some pacing issues, but overall, it’s an enjoyable read.

All is Fair features a strong lead character and supporting actors. Forgive me for the Downton Abbey references, but the book takes place in the same time period as one of the seasons, so here you go. Mina is very much the Lady Sybil of the group. She’s independent, likes pushing the boundaries and is eager to make a difference. Andrew is more your Matthew Crawley type and Lucas, though American, strikes me as Tom Branson.

The setting is also reminiscent of the change we see in Downton Abbey as World War I changes societal norms at all levels.

The pacing at the beginning of All is Fair is a bit off, but picks up as the story unfolds. The book concludes in such a way that I can’t help but think that this is the first in a series. I hope that’s the case and that Garretson finds her groove in the second novel.

Okay. First things first. The male is named Crispin. I cannot. Onward. This is a great novel about the Great War and women wanting to do their part and not just stay home and wait. It was a nice perspective change.

It seems I'm on a run of 'it was fine???' books from Swoon Reads, which has always been a bit of a hit or miss line for me. I'm excited for more historical YA reads to go mainstream (and I love the WWI period in fiction when done well), but this was unfortunately clunky. The first half of All Is Fair drags interminably, and the plot 'twist' was something I called so early into the book I honestly thought it was a red herring. The prose itself is lovely, and I'd certainly give another book by Garretson a go, but I think this one is a 'borrow from the library' rather than a 'keepr shelf' read.

Thomasina may be cursed with an awful name, but I like her as a character. Despite being a teenager, Mina is well equipped by her father to adapt to strange circumstances. Receiving a strange note and deciphering the code is just a regular day for this girl. Set during war time (WWI), All is Fair gives a unique aspect for readers to explore.

Whenever Mina was suspicious, I instantly became so as well. Throughout the story I was trying to figure out the truth behind everyone’s deception, whether well intended or not. Sometimes I was too suspicious and someone I viewed to be a suspect was just an innocent minor character. Margaret, Mina’s sister, was someone I didn’t really care for, and I think the author could have drawn out their relationship better. It’s a bit dry and you never get any direct emotions Mina has towards her sister, except that she’s inconsiderate and shifty. Something that kind of annoyed me was how Mina emphasized how much she wanted to learn how to fly a plane and then later when given the chance to be a passenger is far from excited at the prospect of flying. The romance had a good build up but then there was a very abrupt jump in it that I didn’t like. There were a few other unrealistic aspects to this story, but easy to get over with the reminder that it’s a fictional novel.

I was drawn to this book because of my love for history and any World War II story (fiction or not). While I’ve definitely read my share of disappointing novels, this was not one of them. It also wasn’t a great one. I’d recommend Michael Grant’s Soldier Girls series any day over this book. Something that I enjoyed about this book showed a glimpse of the progress and destruction of the British aristocracy. After WWI, things couldn’t go back to normal. Large manors had to limit their staff and they needed to find modern ways to keep their estates alive. Like I said, only a glimpse is seen as the second half of the book changes setting.

All in all, it was a cute and fun read. 3.5/5

What first intrigued me about All Is Fair was the setting. I love reading about different time periods and when I was reading the synopsis I added this book to my ever growing tbr list. The pace was a little slow at first but it did get faster. I loved the writing! Mina was a delight to read!  She is a whimsical and witty character. All is fair has plenty of action, romance and an air of mystery to it that will keep you hooked to the last page!

All is Fair by Dee Garretson promises an adventure.
The beginning of All is Fair promises a fun, action-packed adventure, set in World War I with badass females being involved in espionage. After Mina receives a telegram from her father at her boarding school and decrypts the message, she heads home to find her friend Andrew with an American named Lucas.

It’s a little predictable, but also fun.
All is Fair starts off great and I loved seeing Mina decrypting her father’s message at school. I also loved seeing this play a role later on when Mina has to join Lucas on his mission so he could succeed.

But Garretson’s novel is relatively predictable as I called some of the twists before they happened. While this may suck out of the fun for some people, I found myself letting the easy predictions slide as I enjoyed other aspects of the story.

Slow at the beginning.
After the promising intro and beginning when we are introduced to Mina and learn a little about her, the story dies down. All is Fair becomes slow and we focus a lot on the aristocratic life in the early 20th century before we get to the action-packed part of the story. I found myself stepping away frequently until then because I was just bored despite the character interactions.

Characters and interactions are great, romance unnecessary
I’m a huge character person – if there’s a character or two that I enjoy reading, I’ll likely let other problems (if any) I have slide. And I adored Mina. From the beginning, she’s wanted to go on an adventure but rarely gets the opportunity until something happens and she takes the chance. Her interactions with Lucas are amusing and there is quite the shade being thrown between the two (I love me some good shade).

But the romance wasn’t necessary to the story. It felt suddenly thrown in near the end just to have a romantic aspect of sorts. All is Fair would have been perfectly fine with the friendship and occasional shade being thrown about.

We have an open ending.
All is Fair leaves an open ending that promises of a possible sequel that could potentially happen. Even if there is no sequel, though, the story wrapped up nicely. My only issue aside from the unnecessary romantic aspect is the boring beginning readers will have to drag themselves through to get to the action-packed adventure.

This review was originally posted on my blog Trails of Tales.
There are times

When we need to be reminded

Reminded of how much pain and horror humanity has survived.

Knowing the Past is a necessity for this simple reason, it can inspire you to hope for a better future.

‘All is Fair’ by Dee Garretson does just that.

A story of love and hope amidst a time of war and destruction

War, when all understandings of right and wrong become void in favor of survival.

When All is Fair.

Dee Garretson sketches a memorable character for us in Lady Thomasina Tretheway.

A 16 year old spirited and mature girl who had been studying at the Winterbourne Academy to be a ‘proper lady’ ( which incidentally wasn’t working out really well for Thomasina. Could she ditch all this proper business and eat to her heart’s fill already?! Sheesh!) untill her father calls her back home to Lincolnshire.

These were after all, the strained times of the Great war in 1918. Britain was at war with Germany and it was not unusual for a young girl to be called back home from school.

What was unusual though, was that Thomasina/Mina’s father had sent her a telegram which to Mina, was absolutely gibberish.

Why would he call Mina citing a reason that did not make any sense whatsoever?

Though Mina might be a complete noob when it comes to handling needles and threads (she could perhaps stab someone with a needle…..maybe?) but she was excellent at something not a lot can boast off- Mina could solve cryptic codes.

After the initial bewilderment, Mina realized that her father’s letter was in code.

Why would he write in code to his own daughter?

Mina knew it could mean only one thing. She would finally be able to assist with the war efforts.

It had been a source of constant frustration to her, that while both her Father and Brother were fighting in the war, she had to stay locked up in a school, oblivious to the outside world,pretending as if all was absolutely normal.

Mina found it ridiculous, learning to be a ‘proper lady’ while the world as she knew it, was crumbling under the weight of the War.

A girl after my own heart. I imagine if I were a woman living in those times I would be exactly like Mina. Except that I can use a needle sufficiently well. Both for sewing and stabbing purposes.

Mina was expecting adventure, yes. But she got far, FAR more than she bargained for. Straddled with a responsibility too heavy, she embarks on a journey in the company of Lucas Miller (not someone Mina expected to particularly like but then…..I’m not saying any more. Read the book!)

And what a staggering adventure it was!

‘All is Fair’ is a journey that shows Mina and the reader what War can do to all that you take for granted…..

A testimony to how strife amd misery are strangely capable of of bringing out the best and worst in people.

Dee Garretson creates an acutely perceptive environment of fear, insecurity and desperate pursuit of hope.

‘All is Fair’ explores the extent to which we humans can change when the need to survive does not leave room for the zest of living.

But even at the zenith of inconceivable suffering, the human potential for hope glimmers through the rubbles of destruction.

Isn’t that astounding?

An Aristocratic English Schoolgirl is Caught up in WWI

Lady Mina Thretheway is bored with being at boarding school when the country is at war. Mina’s father has a high level position in the government, and her brother, Crispin has been in the military, although now he is missing.

Mina is worried when she receives a telegram from her father asking her to return home. However, getting away from school is a plus. On the train she meets a friend of her old friend Lord Andrew Graham. Lucas Mueller is an American who designs planes, but according to Andrew can’t fly them. Mina is captivated by him.

It soon becomes apparent that Lucas and Andrew are preparing for a secret mission. Mina is desperate to help, go along if possible, but she’s only a school girl, although one good at solving codes and well versed in languages. When Andrew meets with an accident, Mina sees her chance and takes it.

This young adult book describes the English countryside during the early days of WWI. It moves slowly, but the pace right for the time. I enjoyed Mina. She’s a captivating character, mature for her years who is bright and wants to be where the action is.

The end of the book is much faster paced than the beginning. It’s a welcome contrast to the rather slow start. If you enjoy romance with an authentic historical background, this is a good choice.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

All is Fair is a fictional story of love and war set in England during the first world war. What makes this story fascinating and that sets it apart from other historical ya fiction is indeed it setting. World War I books are rare stories even rarer in the YA genre, so you can just imagine my immense fascination and love for the topic to be brought up in this story.
The plot follows Thomasina in her detective journey to finding out certain secrets about the war which aids her in helping her brother and love interest for the war effort. A story of war and love with an air of suspense accompanied by a smart cookie of a character, Thomasina, who made the story entertaining as the fact that she does not act like a lady should in her times making her stand out interestingly.
Indeed there is nothing original about the concept, but keep in mind that just because something is unoriginal does not mean it isn't good. And, this story is resounding proof of this.
Negative: As much as it pains me to find fault with this story or any story, The story did indeed take its time to build up and get my attention which caused me to procrastinate on reading it for quite some time. Another thing is that though I may not read many war-related stories, I felt that the story lacked the intensity that is needed when it comes to talks of war.

Mina Tretheway receives an urgent telegram at her boarding school. She fears the worst as the War rages on. Mina discovers that the telegram from her father is in code and tells her to come home. Upon her return home to Hallington Manor, Mina finds an old friend- Lord Andrew Graham and an American- Lucas Mueller. They need Mina's help in order to complete a dangerous mission in Germany. Before Andrew and Lucas set off on their mission, an accident happens and Andrew is incapacitated. Mina is determined to help Lucas see the mission through, although Lucas believes she is too frail and spoiled. Before Lucas can convince Mina to return home, they are thrown together to complete the mission and survive.



All Is Fair is an exciting and adventurous Young Adult novel set during World War I. Mina's character was charming and invigorating as a young woman good with codes, ciphers and languages. The writing did have a slow build in the beginning, but did build up the dreadful feeling of wartime and the suspense that not all was right at Hallington Manor. About halfway through, when Mina became part of the mission with Luke, the pace picked up and I couldn't stop reading. Their spy mission was intriguing and added a dash of sweet romance. I liked that she proved her worth during the mission as a woman and because she was a woman. Through Mina's and Lucas' eyes we see bits of the harsh realities of war and also learn about the Dame Blanche Resistance movement of France and Belgium which was primarily comprised of female members. Overall, an exhilarating young adult spy thriller.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

All is Fair is a historical fiction YA novel written by Dee Garretson. This book is set during World War I, and while there have been a few titles in recent years, it’s not a very common setting. So right away, my interest was piqued.

When Mina receives a telegram at boarding school, she is initially confused by the odd message contained within. She quickly realizes that the message is actually a code, and returns home. The war has already taken a toll on her family; her brother Crispin is already missing in action, and Mina wants to do whatever she can to help.

She reunites with family friend Lord Andrew and meets Lucas, a handsome American. The young men are participating in flight training at a neighboring manor, but there’s something more going on- something they can’t talk about. Can Mina prove to them that she is capable of helping them?

This was an exciting book with a steady pace. There were many secrets and revelations, and there was always something going on. Some of the elements were predictable, but there were plenty of other things that came as a surprise. Mina is a delightful heroine; she’s intelligent, and she’s resourceful, and she wants to do her part for the war effort. She is somewhat confined by societal roles, but she doesn’t let that stop her from asserting herself.

I was a little concerned when I noticed the situation with the two young men: it seemed like it was going to be the stereotypical setup for a YA love triangle. You know, the old and trusted family friend and then the sweet talkin’ New Guy. I can’t say that there are no feelings whatsoever, but Mina is not here to moon over boys. She’s here to crack codes and jump into new adventures- even if they’re beyond anything she’s done before.

I would recommend All is Fair to YA readers. There’s a nice blend of mystery and action to hold the reader’s interest. I enjoyed my reading experience, and I’m interested in checking out more of Garretson’s books in the future.

All Is Fair is a glimpse at life during World War I in England that will hook readers with a suspenseful plot and a touch of romance. The novel features Thomasina, called Mina by her friends and family, a teen student at a boarding school who is called home unexpectedly by her father in a coded message. The novel gets off to a fast start with secret messages and a special assignment to help the war effort.

Though the novel doesn’t provide much background on World War I, there is enough information for readers to have a basic idea of how her family and country is involved. By the time the novel begins in 1918, the war is raging and many lives have been lost. Mina’s own brother is missing and presumed dead. Right off the bat, Mina has some adventures on the train and learns that her home will be hosting some members of the war effort. Mina’s father is heavily involved in the war and immediately the reader realizes that there’s more going on at Mina’s home than she knows. Garretson successfully hooks the reader within the first few chapters.

Mina and the supporting cast of characters, including her sister Margaret, Lord Andrew, and a young American named Lucas, are all interesting and dynamic characters. Mina is used to getting failing marks in school for her manners and sometimes “unladylike” behavior. She is curious, funny, and not afraid to seek out adventure. Her sister seems like a background character at first but a reveal midway through the novel brings her to the foreground. Mina has fast banter with Andrew and Lucas and quickly makes herself useful to the secret mission they’re working on for the British government. Mina even manages to find a little bit of romance along the way and Garretson’s writing perfectly sets up the love interest. Though the book is told solely from Mina’s perspective, the reader gets to know several other characters as well.

Mina, a teen girl during the Great War, knows that women and girls aren’t considered a great asset to the war effort but Mina is determined to help however she can. She’s called out for being a spoiled rich girl and she acknowledges the privileges she’s had in her life that others have not. She doesn’t like the assumption that she is not affected or interested in the war or well-being of others. She decides to use her privilege to make a difference where she can. Doing all you can to make even the smallest difference is a theme that is repeated throughout the novel. While on their secret mission, the characters meet many other ordinary citizens doing their best to help. Even people who have been devastated by the impacts of the war are helping to hide others and care for the hurt. This story will resonate with contemporary teens who are also yearning to make a difference and get involved.

Overall, All is Fair is a light, suspenseful spy novel with a few fun reveals and twists throughout the book. This novel is great for younger teen readers who are interested in historical fiction and adventure. Garretson includes plenty of fast-paced action packed scenes during the secret mission that adventure readers will love. It will also inspire them to seek out more information about the war while reading. There is a light romance in the novel but it is not the main focus of the story. The author provides an open ending that makes way for a possible sequel. This is a quick read that will pair well with another book about women’s contributions during war.

Lady Mina Tretheway is trapped at her fancy boarding school as war rages across Europe. While she tries figuring out which fork to use when, her father and brother are working to save Britain from the Germans. Finally, she receives a telegram from her father ordering her to her family’s country home although she has no idea why because the telegram is written in a code that she has to figure out before she can know why her father needs her home. While she’s trying to figure what she’s supposed to do, she’s just happy to be away from school. On the train home, she meets a chum of her childhood friend Andrew who, according to Andrew, design airplanes, but doesn’t know how to fly one. Andrew himself is being quite mysterious.

This is a slow moving book, the author carefully lays out the lie of the land building the tension a little bit at a time. Mina is a well-drawn young woman, who, although, not the woman she will become is already showing signs of her.

The author captures the early days of WWI quite well, from the growing number of shortages, i.e., foods and petrol, to the military taking over the large country homes of the aristocracy to be used as convalescent homes for the wounded returning from the fields of war. She was also adept at capturing the slower pace of things in the countryside and didn’t let the frenetic pace of wartime London invade her setting in the country.

This is a YA historical, but suitable for adults, too. So if you like your cozies to unfold slowly and to move inexorably toward the ending, this is a book you’ll love to read. If you like historicals, this, too, is a book you’ll want to pick up for your to-be-read pile.

3.5 stars. What originally made me interested in this book was the cover and the synopsis. I was imagining a YA historical fiction novel about World War 1. What I discovered is this would probably make a good middle-grade book, but it doesn't fit into the YA genre as much with its simple fixes. Seeing as it is set in World War 1, I expected more conflict and a darker atmosphere. Instead the first half of the book is pretty lighthearted. Mina leaves school anticipating playing a great role in the war effort, and is disappointed when she is asked to do one small thing. The town busybody bullies her and her older sister into hosting a play for the soldiers in town, which takes up a lot of page time but doesn't add much to the plot. Then, in the span of one scene, the pace picks up - a gun, a spy, a romantic discovery, and a foolish boy thinking he can go on a mission alone. At this point we are already halfway through the book, so as the main characters set out on their journey, withstanding many near misses (of course) along the way, I begin thinking this is either a series, or the ending is going to be very simple or abrupt. Consequently, it was a little of both.

It's not as if I wanted anything tragic to happen to the main characters, but the fact that they suffer no consequences to their persons despite their inexperience and age is ludicrous. Mina disappeared from her home, and it's as if no one bothered to notice. Her parents were both conveniently in other locations for the entirety of the story so she had no one to answer to. Her older sister was too engaged in her own affairs to care. The sister's friend and her story were an unnecessary addition to the plot, unless this is going to be a series in which we will see more of her.

Because of the simplicity with which the events are presented, I think this book would make a good middle-grade read because it shows an event that isn't often seen in the historical fiction genre, especially for younger readers.

This book sat forever and I've given up on finishing it. It's not you, it's me. I couldn't get into the story, but I might try again later on.

Rating 4/5

An excellent resource of historical fiction that transports a young reader’s naive view on war and transforms it into a realization they never expected.