Far Side of the Sea is written by Kate Breslin. It is a historical fiction book that takes place in England in 1918. Lieutenant Colin Mabry decodes messages for M18 for the war. He is decoding because he suffered a war injury .Jewel Reyer saved his life and He loved her.. He received a message by carrier pigeon telling him where she is . He thought that Jewel was dead and He yearned for her company.. The message told him where to go in Paris , France to meet her. When He arrived in Paris Jewel is not there but her half sister Johanna . , She works for dovecote in the French Army Intelligence. He had trouble trusting Johanna since there were German spies everywhere. He wondered if she was working for the German spies or could be on her side. The book takes lots of twists and turns constantly. Will Lieutenant Mabry find Jewel? What will become of his relationship with Johanna? This book gives the reader some good insights into what life was like during the war. It is well written and really draws the reader in . The setting and characters are well described. I appreciate netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend this book. I am not obligated to give a positive review . .

Kate Breslin's Far Side of the Sea was a much-anticipated addition to my to be read pile. I admit I put everything else in my life on hold to read it uninterrupted. I was not disappointed. There was one little character that showed up on the page that was adorable and fascinating, I won't spoil it for you. This book has us asking questions all the way through, first about Mabry and then Johanna. While the characters are figuring each other out, we are figuring them out too as well as the mystery surrounding Johanna's father. There are spies and secrets and Kate Breslin keeps you guessing all the way to the end. Although there is intrigue, the romance and the character development of Mabry is what kept me riveted. I mean who needs to sleep anyways, just one more chapter....right? Kate Breslin has a way of bringing history to life so that I felt like I was walking through the scenery with her characters. From Hastings to London, to Paris and beyond. Far Side of the Sea takes you on an adventure, and you'll love it. I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed reading this riveting WWII novel, each page is filled with amazing historical detail that really brings this story to life. With the perfect blend of romance, mystery, action and adventure. Highly recommend this one.

I will definitely be reading the other Kate Breslin books that I have on my TBR. This book was amazing and I want more! My only regret is not reading this book in one sitting. I guess I just need to re-read it soon! ;)

Everything about this book was amazing, the characters, the action, the plot, EVERYTHING. I am a sucker for WW1 & WW2 books so this book right up my alley. I loved every single thing that I read. The characters in this book were too die for.

I absolutely loved Colin. He was such a deep character, that you really sympathized. He had his strengths and his flaws. He suffered from PTSD yet trusted God and God helped transform his life for the greater good.

I also really loved Joanna's character. She was an unique, and down to earth female lead that I really enjoyed getting to know. I loved seeing her love for her sister and father throughout this book, that was really heartwarming.

I LOVED the aspect of spies in this book. This book took place in France and had spies, and many many plot twists throughout the whole thing. Yes please! This book had me so invested that I really want to re-read just to see how everything fits together with reading it all at once.

I also have to applaud the author for the clear time she took in researching everything. I felt like I was actually reading something that someone wrote while they were there in the 1900's. Everything was so accurate and the details were amazing about every little thing. I am a sucker for that kind of stuff. #historynerd

Overall, I am very pleased with this book and I cannot wait to read Kate Breslin's other books!!

*FTC Disclosure I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Netgallery. This review did not have to be positive.*

Kate Breslin became one of my favorite authors when I first read For Such A Time—her historical fiction is beautiful, heartfelt, and wonderful!

This lovely book is no exception, and there are so many things I enjoyed about it—flawed hero (one of my fave things ever! 😂), a heartrending mystery, and an impossible choice.

While I usually prefer WWII fiction, I thought this was a wonderful book, and I really enjoyed reading more about a time period I don’t usually visit! I also really enjoyed traveling along with the characters to several incredibly beautiful cities, and imagining them through their eyes!

However, there is just one part of this story that disappointed me....

At one point, one of the characters is witnessing to another, and they say, God doesn’t get angry....which doesn’t exactly line up with what the Scriptures say...

“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Ps. 7:11
“...ye provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry with you to have destroyed you.” Deut. 9:8
“And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him...” Deut. 9:20
“And the Lord was angry with Solomon...” 1 Kings 11:9
“Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight...” 2 Kings 17:18

Because of that one point in this wonderful story, I will have to take my rating down from what it would otherwise deserve.


I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for FREE, and a positive review was not required.

It was nice to catch up with some characters from an earlier book that Kate wrote. I kind of forgot about Colin and Grace.

I will say it took me quite a few chapters to really get into this story. There was a lot going on and my brain just wasn’t connecting with the story. But it finally did. Little hints were being dropped about possible issues that could arise and I had to keep reading to see what was going on and what would happen next.

I don’t know a lot about WWI so it is always interesting to read a story set in that time period.

This wasn’t my favorite Kate Breslin book but I did enjoy it overall.


A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley, this review is my honest and personal opinion

This is my first book by Kate Breslin, so I was not sure what to expect. Oh wow!. What a great book, from page one I knew this was a good one. We first find Colin an MI8 agent who is currently recovering from the injury he suffers during the war. I found interesting not only the acceptance of the missing limb but how he must adapt to normal life. I like that he is described not as a perfect man, but a man with flaws and is struggling.

On the other hand, we have Joanna, here the story is very inspiring. She is alone and looking for his sister and father. She had to runnaway from Irland and start works in France with pigeons. reading this book you feel like you are in a whirlwind of many emotions, and many unexpected situations. I like how the characters grow through the story, how Colin is finally free of the past and how Joanna meet God.

This book is well written, have a good historical background, an inspiring message, romance, suspense, and a wonderful end. So, if you like good Christian historical book, without a doubt, this book is a must-read.

Earlier this week, I finished reading "Far Side of the Sea" by Kate Breslin. This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I had been blown away by Breslin’s debut novel "For Such a Time," and was also very impressed by "High as the Heavens." However, I recently finished "Not by Sight," and was not nearly as enthralled as with the two previously mentioned books. Breslin’s novels tend to be very exciting – those page turners you simply can’t put down, and "Not by Sight" failed in that regard. It was almost like she hadn’t written it. Thankfully, "Far Side of the Sea" is back to Breslin’s signature writing style.

"Far Side of the Sea" is about Lieutenant Colin Mabry, twin brother of Grace Mabry, the heroine of "Not by Sight." Colin had been seriously wounded in action in Europe during WWI, but continues to serve in the British military as the war rages on. He lost his left hand, but works in military intelligence decoding messages that arrive in England from the front. One day, he decodes a message addressed directly to him – from a French woman (Jewel) in occupied France who had helped him over a year before when he had been wounded. She is begging him to come to Paris to help her.

When he arrives in Paris, however, he discovers that the message actually came from Jewel’s half-sister, Johanna (the note had been signed J. Reyer). Johanna informs him that Jewel is missing, and entreats him to help him on her mission to find her – and their missing father. Colin has no idea that he and Johanna are about to embark on a dangerous mission filled with spies and double agents.

This story is sooooo multi-layered! That’s all I’m going to include in a summary, because I don’t want to spoil anything. Needless to say, this was a REAL page-turner!! Absolutely fantastic storyline. I particularly liked how the author wove into the story historical facts about homing pigeons that were used to bring coded messages from France into England, and vice versa. That was a very intriguing sub-plot to the story. I also appreciated the faith and Christianity elements that the author tied in, and how she candidly discusses Colin’s struggle with his disability.

I highly, highly recommend this book! You won’t be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House (via Netgalley) for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Readers who enjoy a good dose of espionage with their historical fiction will definitely want to get their hands on this story. And good luck working out the truth of who’s who and what’s what, because it kept me suspicious and unsure who to trust until the very end. In fact, the mystery kept me glued to the pages even more firmly than the romance, sweet though that was.

The hero in this story will be familiar to those who have read this author’s previous novel Not By Sight, and although that book doesn’t need to be read prior to reading this one, it does contain a little of the backstory to Colin’s injury—including why heading back to France is just about the last thing he wants to do. But in Lieutenant Mabry, Breslin has created a hero who is prepared to fulfil his promises no matter the personal cost, and while he wasn’t the most charismatic hero I’ve met, he’s one you can’t help but enjoy spending time with.

If Colin Mabry has quiet determination, then Johanna Reyer has quiet spunk! According to Colin: “Johanna Reyer was the most outrageous woman he’d ever met. She carried pigeons in her purse, wore men’s clothes, and revered Britain’s old nemesis, Bonaparte. Now she planned to tell the American Secret Service how to run their operation.” If that doesn’t make you want to meet Johanna, then nothing will!

Although the quest to track down Jewel was what kept me most invested in this story, there was also a lovely mending of brokenness that happened along the way for both Colin and Johanna—Colin, in working through the emotions associated with his injury and the experience that caused it, and Johanna in finding resolution in relation to her family situation. If I say any more than that, it would be giving too much away.

In short, there’s plenty here to satisfy historical fiction lovers. And I’m hoping that there might be a story featuring Marcus coming our way in the future…

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Far Side of the Sea wraps up Kate Breslin's series of tales concerning the World War I era. Lieutenant Colin Mabry has returned from the frontlines a wounded man, not only missing one of his hands, but also plagued with nightmares that seem to have no end in sight!

Colin continues to work on the war effort, as he translates messages in a MI8 office. Colin is surprised when he suddenly receives a message from Jewel Reyer, a woman he loved and promised to return for. However, when Colin makes his way to France, he does not find Jewel waiting, but instead her sister Johanna!

This tale is full of intrigue and action, as you follow Colin and Johanna throughout the French countryside as they attempt to locate Jewel and discover what is happening with the war effort!

I loved this historical tale! It was a fun look at WWI and some of the mystery and espionage that went with that war. I loved the historical details!

I haven’t read many books set in WWI so my frame of reference for Kate Breslin’s newest novel, Far Side of The Sea, was very much limited. But the author’s meticulous research filled the gaps and opened my imagination to the turbulent time. Set in England, France, and Spain, this romantic historical novel is all about spies! With agents and double agents, the main characters (and the reader) don’t know whom to trust. It is an adventure back to a time of romance, danger, and courage. Recommended.

The two main characters, Colin and Johanna, struggle with the circumstances life has handed them. Colin’s war wounds are both physical and emotional, and Johanna’s past impacts her present identity. I loved how the two together learned to face their demons, as they banded together to search for Johanna’s sister and father. Their romance begins tentatively, yet strengthens as they face adversity. The historical setting is very interesting, and I found myself saying I didn’t know that! over and over. This book sent me to Google for info on carrier pigeons and Mata Hari, two fascinating rabbit trails. The book certainly made me want to broaden my scant knowledge of WWI. The book started somewhat slowly for me, but as Colin and Johanna’s search heated up, so did my reading pace. I found myself unwilling to put the book down until I found out just what was going on. As you can guess with a book heavily populated with spies there was plenty of mystery and intrigue woven throughout. Faith is also an important part of the characters’ lives and growth and was presented naturally.

Far Side of The Sea is a good choice for fans of historical romance. And if you like an adventure fraught with danger, you’ll enjoy this novel even more.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

I didn't realize that this book was a sequel to Kate's book Not by Sight  until I was several pages in. I always enjoy books that are sequels that don't necessarily require you to read the first book. (Does that make sense?)Colin Mabry has suffered for his nation, and bears the marks to prove it. He now works for his future brother-in-law to decode secret messages from France and Germany. He's surprised to receive a message addressed to him, claiming to be from Jewel Reyer, a Frenchwoman who saved his life a year earlier.Upon arriving in France to meet Jewel, he discovers that it was not Jewel who contacted him, but her sister Joanna. Joanna convinces Colin to help her search for her sister. But things are not what they seem. In a world of intrigue and spies, Colin doesn't know who to trust. But he does know about his growing feelings for Joanna, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect her. Joanna only wants to find her sister and her father. She doesn't mean to all for Colin, and she certainly doesn't want to betray her sister. But the biggest challenge will be when she must tell Colin the truth about her past, knowing he'll never forgive her. I love books where people overcome hardship. I also enjoy reading stories where two imperfect people fall in love. My favorite part of this book was how Joanna helped Colin learn that his disability didn't make him less of a man, and she loved him in spite of it. That's the stuff of real life!Kate Breslin writes truly compelling WWII fiction, and this latest book is just as good as the first two. Add it to your summer reading list!

Far Side of the Sea by Katie Breslin


What can I say about this book? The first thing that come to mind is perfection! If you like a good love story, mystery, and a book written in the WW1 time period this is for you!

This is the first book that I have read of Katie Breslin and it will not be he last.

The story begins with Colin Mabrey, whom is a Luietenant in the British military. After Colin was injuried in a tunnel accident, which he lost his hand, he was working with the M18 receiving messages through a pigeon program. It was during his work that he received a message from a person in this past Jewel Reyer. Jewel helped to hide him from the German's when his plane went down. It was during this time that he feel in love with her. When he was well enough to leave he leaves Jewel's with the promise of returning one day. It was after that he thought she died in the invation of her small town. The message will lead Colin to Paris, where he is met by Jewel's half sister Johanna. As they search for Jewels they travel to Spain and other locations.


This book is full of adventure, intrigue and romance. The author puts you in the middle of the war and helps you see the importance of the Pigeon program in the winning of the war. I would highly recommend his book by giving it 5 star's.



Disclaimer - In accordance with the FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, not was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own

A tale of war, pride, romance, and deceit told by the pen of a master.

Lt. Colin Mabry has had a tough go of his service in World War I. After losing his hand in combat, he took some time away at a family farm before returning to duty. Now stationed only a stone’s throw across the water to Paris, he is constantly reminded of the horrors of war when he hears the bombs. As a code breaker, he deciphers messages all day long. One day he comes across a message that is addressed to him. A letter asking him to remember his promise and to meet at a café in Paris followed by the salutations of JR. This could only be Jewel Reyer, the woman who saved his life and he promised to return for and gets permission to undertake this personal mission to Paris.

However, Colin is surprised to meet another young woman that is not Jewel, but rather her self-proclaimed sister Johanna. She found Jewel’s diary and believes that she is being held against her will by a German officer. After convincing Colin to help, they set out to find Jewel and bring her to safety. As their trust within one another grows, so do their feelings toward each other. But as they will discover, not everything is as it seems. The danger they are heading into is not only treacherous but filled with espionage. Can they really trust each other’s intentions and find Jewel safely?

Kate Breslin has a way of weaving readers into her stories so that they are not just observing the story but living it out. I felt that I was right there with the characters for the entire journey. I could feel what was unfolding and at times felt just a surprised at what the main characters uncovered. Colin was flawed not just physically, but also with his pride. This kept a tension between he and Johanna through much of the story. Johanna was a broken person based on her past and always longed for a father figure. She looked for the best in people and it wasn’t hard for her to find it in Colin. This made the romance much more believable as it played out naturally instead of forced.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

What a fantastic book! Kate Breslin is a detail oriented author so one might think her characters are an afterthought, but they aren't. The setting and the characters are all so charming, captivating, and real. I care about them all! Breslin makes history come alive. Colin and Johanna's individual stories--and their work together--were fantastic! I also enjoyed the subplot of carrier pigeons. While I'm not a bird person, I am a history person so learning about their usage during WWI was interesting. I loved the twist and turns in this WWI spy novel. I haven't read tons of WWI fiction, but was utterly intrigued by this book and couldn't put it down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for the complimentary ebook copy of this book. I was not required to share a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin is by far the best historical fiction I've read this year. I loved this World War I story and the beautiful way Ms. Breslin wrapped romance and mystery around the tale.

Lieutenant Colin Mabry has made a promise, and he is set on fulfilling it. When he receives a message by carrier pigeon from the woman who saved his life, he sets out to find the girl he left behind and bring her back to England. Who he finds in Paris is Jewel Reyer's half sister Johanna. After finding Jewel's diary, Johanna is convinced she is alive and equally seeks to find her sister. And will not be dissuaded otherwise.

I loved this story of espionage and adventure. Kate Breslin weaves such a beautiful romance in the midst of suspicion and trust. The historical element was equally fascinating. I would give this a 5+ rating.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

The Far Side of the Sea is an intriguing and romantic story filled with the historical drama, danger, and flavor of WWI.

I love it when a story pulls me into the scene without loading me with mounds of backstory. The first chapter pulled me into action and I easily connected with Colin. I’d previously read about the carrier pigeons that carried encoded messages during the war and was thrilled to have them included in this story.

A surprise awaited Colin when he arrived in Paris and that is when I became fully immersed. I enjoyed Colin and Johanna’s quest for truth, hope for trust, and journey of faith. And I loved that the romance wasn’t overdone, and the danger felt authentic.

Other than a brief lag during the middle of the story, I enjoyed the pacing, and the characters feel like old friends. I really didn’t want this story to end, and I’m already looking forward to Kate Breslin’s next book!

#TheFarSideOfTheSea

Author: Kate Breslin
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 384
First Line: He was suffocating.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

I love when I find a new author whose book I enjoy so much that quickly add all of her books to my to read pile. Well, I just found an author like that. What is her name? Kate Breslin. And the book? Far Side of the Sea.  After finishing Far Side of the Sea, I now have all of her other books on my list of books to read soon!  So, what did I absolutely love about this book? Well, I'm glad you asked! I loved the historical details. The book was full of them and I appreciated every last one of them. Whether it was a description of the dress that Jo was wearing, or descriptions of different locations the characters visited, the details were so clear that I felt as if I were standing there seeing everything myself. I also loved the twists in the story that I was not expecting. Maybe, I was just focused on the wonderful details too much, but I really didn't see some parts of the story coming! Mrs. Breslin did a wonderful job of keeping my attention so much on the current page that I was not thinking ahead, speculating on what might happen later. I really enjoyed Far Side of the Sea and cannot wait to read more by Kate Breslin!

I recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction, books set during World War I, and books that are very well written!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What an enjoyable book about WWI France and Britain! I enjoyed learning about the role of carrier pigeons. I always wondered how they were trained. Colin must travel to France to see if a message he received is from a woman who saved his life Jewel Reyer. He finds out it is Jewel’s half sister Johanna. They embark on a journey searching for Jewel through occupied France. Overcoming obstacles along the way. It kept me wanting to read and find moments to do so during a busy time in life. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher. All opinions stated here are my own.