This book was the perfect combination of history, romance, and mystery. It didn't take me many pages into this book before I realized that I wasn't going to figure out any of the story before Breslin wanted me to. In fact, almost every bit of the second half of the book kept me guessing and some parts left me completely surprised.

One of the things I love most about Breslin's books is her attention to historical detail and accuracy. Her research into carrier pigeons was not only flawless, but it was also very interesting and gave the story a great angle. I also love her use of native languages in this book. Not many authors would have gone to the lengths of using Catalan instead of Spanish in their book, but Breslin did when it was necessary.

I really loved everything about this book, but I have to admit I loved Mabry the most. His character was such a gentleman and always did what was right. I loved his integrity. I really appreciated his flaws too. I won't give anything away, but Breslin's depictions of him were so realistic both physically and emotionally. I cannot imagine surviving the parts of war that he lived through.

I also deeply appreciated the spiritual thread in this book. Some authors are starting to leave this part out in order to reach a broader audience and I'm glad that Breslin still includes it. I loved how seamlessly the message of faith and salvation were woven into conversations in this book. I also loved how prayer was never a thing to be taken lightly, but instead the main focus.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

Set against the backdrop of World War I, this is a love story set amongst a mystery and espionage. After receiving a communication from (presumably) the woman he loves, Colin ends up working with her sister, Johanna, to try and save her. As is the case with war-time romances, the best laid plans fall to the wayside and the pair ends up building a relationship and a deep trust and love while surrounded by an air of distrust. I won’t say how the story ends, or which girl it ends with as the final love interest, but it does have a lot of mystery and twists and turns tucked into these pages! Breslin does an amazing job of bringing WWI to life. Similar to in High as the Heavens, she writes with such a vivid blending of the fiction and historical events that it feels like you’re really in the era!

What a treat to read another Kate Breslin book! I've really struggled this year to read any ebooks, but this one was a quick and absorbing read and kept me flipping pages despite that difficulty. While there isn't a lot about faith, it's clear they are steadied by their belief in God.

The twists and turns in the plot left me reeling. We met Colin in [book:Not by Sight|23411528] very briefly, but this book stands alone. I loved seeing more of Marcus in this one! Colin is an interesting young man from the very beginning, and I found it easy to care about him and Johanna from the very beginning. I guessed one plot facet at 53% and thought "there--I got it--that's the big reveal!" only to have it told to me at 62% and have plenty of book left to read. :) So the plotting was extremely well done and very absorbing.

I do love a good spy story and this one is one I'd easily recommend.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for a free copy. A favorable review was not required.

Rich with historical detail of WWI and the backdrop of Paris & Barcelona, Kate Breslin gives us a fictional account of Lieutenant Colin Mabry, wounded in war and trying to find his way in a new life. Decoding a personal message delivered by a carrier pigeon, he ventures on a quest that will test the limits of his heart, his faith and his strength. Full of adventure, danger, espionage, spies, and in a world plunged in war, will he find love among the chaos?

“For a moment, he gazed at the woman beside him, considering how little he really knew about Johanna Ryer. And then a sudden, disquieting thought…How much more he still wanted to learn.”

I've only read a couple of books set in WWI and I felt Breslin did a wonderful job portraying what it must have been like for her characters to live in that time. The idea of sending messages via carrier pigeon was fascinating to me, a piece of history I didn't know about. They had to travel many miles in dangerous conditions to deliver sensitive information to the front lines. It was so interesting to read about! In reality, the whole story was very enjoyable, one that was meaty and had lots to discover in it. I could probably re-read this and find something new within the pages each time! I also loved getting to know both Colin and Johanna, two people thrown together by happenstance for one mission and finding their inner worth along the way.

“Johanna’s illegitimacy had made her growing-up years difficult, subjected to ignorance and the prejudice of others. It bothered him to think she believed herself beneath God’s love and His miracles.”

Breslin mixed up a remarkable tale of love, faith, romance, and wartime & made it all work for this reader, leaving me fully satisfied at the end. A stunning example from an extraordinary author.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

With Far Side of the Sea, Kate Breslin masterfully crafted a wonderful story of spies, espionage, and romance. Breslin took the idea of carrier pigeons and made them a part of the action. She captured my attention pretty early on and didn't let go. The actions started right from the first page and allowed me to stay engrossed in the lives of Colin and Johanna. The romance fizzed and sparkled all through the story. It wasn't too sappy. It grew organically, allowing me to see their trust in each other grow while trying to hunt for Johanna's sister. The historical plot flowed well mixing with a hint of mystery, which really captured my suspense loving side. The story was original and well-written. I can't wait to re-read it and feel lost in the words again. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far. Far Side of the Sea is an informative and entertaining read. I definitely recommend reading this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.