Thanks so mich for early access this was a tremendous read. An author that beings so much of history and living into the most compelling of stories. Highly recommend this book and will be watching for more thanks

*Many thanks to Simon Marshall, Unbound and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
I requested this title as I often read historical fiction, and this book's setting and period sounded fascinating to me. Unfortunately, I was not drawn to the characters, and the story did not keep me interested.

This is a tale of two brothers in the aftermath of World War I. One brother is in Vienna, which is struggling after the end of the Great War. The author's vivid depiction definitely demonstrates how Hitler could have been formed in such a crucible as post-war Austria plagued by starvation, inflation, and other trials. The other brother is in London, and his task to help bring about the better Europe envisioned by his higher-ups bring him and his brother together in a way that neither could have foreseen.

The author has chosen an interesting time in Europe's history to illuminate and show through the twin lenses of these brothers. This is not an easy read, for both the sometimes dense descriptions and what the story itself is actually about. Still, I found it a fascinating glimpse into the time between the two great wars of the last century.

I DNF-ed this one. It was just too verbose for me to follow the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Unbound publishers for this e-ARC in return of my honest review.

I love historical fiction, but this one wasn't for me. Unfortunately, I tried to like it and read more, but I have to put it in DNF pile when I reached the middle. I just didn't find it amusing enough. I had a hard time to connect with characters and the plot just seemed drugging without any foreseeable conclusion. I am so sorry, I really tried to like it but just couldn't.

Hope Wanes

Lieutenant Edward Wilson leads his section against an Austrian fort high in the snowbound Alps in the closing days of WW1. The danger of imminent death and sudden violence combine to make this an effective opening to a thoughtful and well written thriller. After the armistice Wilson finds himself in Vienna, responsible for organising food and supplies to a starving population, ignored by more senior British officers, criticised by magistrates of the new Austrian republic.

But Wilson has history in Vienna. A student there before the war, he has left behind political and romantic footprints. Commandeered by a rogue British officer, he finds himself involved in a plot to restore the Habsburg emperor, now exiled on a private estate.

I enjoyed this novel for the most part, despite what seems to be a rushed and unsatisfactory ending. What I did not realise until near the end is that A Passing Tribute is a belated sequel to a long novel published by the author some years ago. While it can be read in its own right, I suspect it would make more sense and pack a much bigger emotional punch had the earlier novel been read beforehand.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I really had a difficult time getting into this book. I appreciate the writing effort, but it was a bit verbose for me. I tried many times to try to get into the story, but felt like I couldn’t get behind any of the characters. Millie was the one character I felt investment in, and it was very little.
I think the book opening with the setting up for an invasion could’ve been interesting, but the dialogue was difficult to follow and didn’t grip me.

Ohhhh, nooooo - so sorry NetGalley and the publishers, Unbound, but thanks for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. The description sounded interesting. I started and got 28% of the way through before I simply gave up. Initially we were in the Alps with British soldiers and an awful lot of effing and blinding and not much else. Italians and Austrians were clearly in the picture somehow but other than that there was no indication of what was going on or when. After a few chapters of not much we moved to a hospital with one of the officers seemingly recovering from Spanish flue; ah ha, we're just after the First World War then. There was an exceedingly unlikely nurse, Milly and she, and the officer I think, had a few excursions into Vienna. Was it still setting the scene or what? I had had enough of complete bafflement by then that I said 'enough, life's too short for this and I'm heading out to dig some more of the kitchen garden'. The book cover gets it the one star.

I have to say this book was not for me. I usually love historical fiction. But this one just missed the mark.
I just felt like it tried way too hard. Sometimes books read like song lyrics, and I think this is what this book tried to do. But it didn’t manage it.
Also, the characters were so unrelatable, I had no emotional involvement with any of them. Although, the women in this book were the best thing about this book.
I’m sure they’ll be many people who enjoy this book. I just wasn’t one of them.

Extremely wordy. I love historical fiction but I couldn't get into this book. It was a struggle from start to finish for me.

I couldn't get into this book. It was mostly about men fighting in war, so men might like it better, Also, the pretentious prose was a bit over the top for me.

This book sounded intriguing to me when I read the description, but I felt confused and annoyed as I finished reading it. It wasn't organized well and so many important plot details weren't included.