During World War II Diana Foyle and Brent Sommerville are hastily married before Brent ships out as a stretcher bearer. While Brent is away, Diana wants to do anything to help bring him back safely. With her experience in architectural history and her specific love of Christopher Wren churches, Diana is recruited as a codebreaker for Bletchley Park M16. All of her work there is classified and when Diana discovers that Brent has returned from the war and is injured, she needs to put off their reunion for another five weeks while she completes a task. Finally reunited, Diana and Brent are both changed from their experiences during the war and neither of them can talk about it. Diana still has a special task to complete: to find an agent named Eternity who is using Diana's favorite churches as rendezvous points. Diana is determined to finish the job, but her involvement places Brent in danger alongside her.


Set in Post World War II London, The London Restoration explores the devastated churches that were bombed during the war as well as the effects of war on relationships. Through Diana's eyes and her unique love of architecture I was able to envision, not only what was left of the churches, but the beauty they still held. Diana's work at Bletchley Park opened my eyes to another important role that women held during World War II intercepting messages and breaking codes that were sent directly to the Allies. In addition, the women were not allowed to talk about their roles in any capacity. The writing bounces back and forth between Diana and Brent's experiences during the War and 1945, when they are both battling inner demons as well as Eternity. While understanding what each character went through during their time apart is pivotal to the story, the transitions in time felt a little clunky to me and sometimes I had to backtrack to see if I was reading about the character's past or present. Brent's experience during the War adds another layer to the secrets being kept as well as an important reminder of the mental health of Veterans. The hunt for Eternity, the artifacts and codes kept my interest level up and the suspense heightened. However, at the heart of the story is a marriage; and how secrets can change the marriage, but trust can make it stronger.

This was a unique and interesting read about a husband and wife trying to find their way back to each other emotionally and physically in a post-World War II London. Having been stationed apart from each other during the war, Diana and Brent reunite back in London having had wartime experiences that inevitably changed them. This story is as much about the damage of the physical surroundings as a result of the war, specifically with regard to destroyed and bombed-out churches, as it is the damage done to relationships between people and the rebuilding of both. This book started slow for me and it took some time to understand but eventually the story took off at a thrilling pace! The author clearly did an exceptional amount of research and it gave this story a distinct richness. Lovers of spy novels will also find this an enjoyable and exciting read! Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC in exchance for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The separation of husbands and wives during war is something I have not thought extensively about. Sure, as a student of history in Canada there's always discussion about life on the home front, but it was different in Canada during the war than it would have been in England. We had no bombs, first of all, no Bletchley Park. The women here made sacrifices, but nothing to the extent that women overseas did, and they were much more involved than we could ever imagine. That's one of the things about this book that I enjoyed reading the most. There's a passage near the end where Brent and Diana are sort of comparing their experiences. Diana knows that Brent is no longer the man she married, but Brent has just come to the realisation that Diana is also no longer the woman he married. Because she cannot talk about it, it puts strains on their relationship. While Diana was always worried about Brent while he was in France, he wasn't exclusively worried about her because her situation was nothing like his and hypothetically, she was in no danger. But she did things that changed her, made relationships that didn't involve him, and worked with people and information that he'd wasn't privy to. So when the war ends and they both are looking forward to being able to actually be properly married, they are relearning how to be with each other, how to fit back together as two entirely different people than when the relationship began.

I'm a big architecture geek, so that aspect of this book is what drew me to reading it in the first place. I adore Christopher Wren, just like Diana does, and could read books upon books filled with descriptions of the churches he designed. And that's why Diana and her passion are the greatest part of the book for me. Not to mention the fact that I also love stories about Bletchley Park and the women who worked there, but Diana is living the life that I would have wanted to live had I been around (and in England) during the war. Sure, I'm not keen on the Russian spies, the secrecy, or the being underutilized and underappreciated as a woman, but I really loved her story and the trajectory her life took. Even when she's struggling in her marriage and struggling to choose between the domestic life she initially wanted and the new, secret, Christopher Wren-filled existence she gained after the fact, I thought she was headstrong, confident, and knew her worth.

The writing was good and pretty standard for historical WWII novels. After initially picking it up and getting into it, it slogged a tiny bit and I found myself skimming or reading quite quickly in order to move things along faster. After the 50% mark however, I found myself slowing down again and wanting to take in every word to make sure I didn't miss a thing. There were a lot of back and forths in the chapters in this book, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't really mind at all - which is shocking, on my part, believe me. I am not usually a fan of flipping back and forth on a timeline, especially when the said timelines were so close together as these ones were. Another thing I also found I enjoyed was Brent's perspective, nearly as much as I enjoyed Diana's. While she's the one with the secrets that she cannot share, we also get to experience his perspective on the side of not knowing things, which certainly built sympathy for his character. Otherwise, I likely would have found myself siding with Diana most of the time.

Anyway, I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and would happily have it on my shelf to revisit later on. It's unique enough that I find it stands out amongst books of its kind, and there isn't just one plot given all of the attention, but rather a variety of underlying plots as well that you almost find yourself caring for and wondering about the conclusion of more. Diana Foyle, like the bookshop on Charing Cross Road, is probably my favorite character I've come across in the many WWII novels I've read. I'd happily read a sequel of her and Brent's life in Vienna should the author ever decide to write one (this is me saying the author should definitely write one).

I loved this book. I'm always up for a "use monuments from the past to solve a current mystery" plot and this one didn't disappoint. Architectural historian Diana Somerville spent the war at Bletchley Park while her husband, divinity professor Brent, served in an ambulance corps. When the war is over, he thinks they'll pick up where they left off. But Diana's extensive knowledge of Christopher Wren churches mean she's the best shot MI6 has in stopping rouge Soviet spy Eternity. I loved the mixture of character development and mystery plot and hope we get to see more of Diana and Brent!

I like reading about Bletchley Park, and the addition of the churches of Christopher Wren intrigued me. Diana Foyle and her soldier husband are reunited after WWII. But she is keeping secrets about her work during the war, which may be continuing, and he's suffering from PTSD. Throw in flashbacks to their courtship, mentions of Wren and the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire, and possible codes hidden in Mozart's music, and you end up with a bit of a mixed bag that doesn't quite jell. Unfortunately, it felt like there were too many bits that didn't fit well, namely an early scene in Vienna, and ended up confusing the plot, Readers who persevere may find the ending satisfying, but there are many threads to untangle..

This novel is not only about the restoration of London and it’s churches after WWII but also the restoration of a marriage after the war’s wounds, physically and mentally. It also has a mystery and secrets thrown in for good measure.
Rachel McMillan’s knowledge of London churches is outstanding. The information is fascinating but often too much for me to handle. And I felt the story could have been condensed for clarity and made easier to follow.
I loved the characters but wondered about their parents or siblings, if they had any or were alive? It seemed they both were alone with no explanation.
I loved the ending as it was exciting and hopeful.
This book is incredibly researched and would appeal to readers with interests in London, WWII, old churches, spies or architecture. I would recommend it to them.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley but the opinions are entirely my own.

This is one of those books that when I saw the cover, I simply said yes without even pausing to read the summary. As many of you know I am a huge sucker for historical fiction and this cover hit all the historical fiction eye catchers it possibly could!

I love the colors and the red hat just drew me right in and I couldn’t wait to check it out and see if the story lived up to the hype of the cover.

Basically I went into this one blind since I said yes without even reading the summary and sometimes that works out for me. I didn’t know what to expect and I loved discovering this story without the inhibitions of knowing what it was going to be about.

Summary
From author Rachel McMillan comes a richly researched historical romance that takes place in post-World War II London and features a strong female lead.

Determined to save their marriage and the city they love, two people divided by World War II’s secrets rebuild their lives, their love, and their world.

London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.

Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.

Featuring a timeless love story bolstered by flashbacks and the excavation of a priceless Roman artifact, The London Restoration is a richly atmospheric look at post-war London as two people changed by war rebuild amidst the city’s reconstruction.

Review
Right away I loved the time period. Set in post WWII London, it was a time of healing and reconstruction in England and that setting mirrors the relationship between the two main characters, Diana and Brent. So many historical fiction novels are set in WWII but having this one set in the post war era plus adding the strained relationship between husband and wife added a lot of drama to the story for me.

Diana and Brent each had baggage in the story and it left the reader wondering how in the world they were going to make things work between them but somehow the author makes it happen and it left me feeling satisfied and happy about where they were at by the end. But the only thing that I struggled with a bit was Diana and Brent brought complexity together but independently I wanted to see a little more development on an individual basis if that makes sense. It’s a relatively minor thing and it didn’t really bother me in the overall story but there were times when I felt like they needed a little more development on their own but when they were together it wasn’t noticeable.

The secrets, lies, and espionage of the story was interesting to read about and well researched without being ‘too much’ and I thought the author did a great job balancing historical elements in the story while keeping it character driven. I loved reading about the architectural history of some of the buildings. I am normally not that into architecture but this author did a great job presenting it and explaining things that it didn’t feel boring and did not read like a textbook.

This book hit a lot of high notes for me. I loved the reconciliation process between the characters and the setting added drama and atmosphere. Overall I thought this was a good read and I am looking forward to more by this author!

Book Info and Rating
Paperback, 336 pages
Published August 18th 2020 by Thomas Nelson (first published August 2020)
ISBN 0785235027 (ISBN13: 9780785235026)
Free review copy provided by publisher, Thomas Nelson in partnership with HFVBT, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: historical fiction, war romance

A wonderfully written historical of post war London. Complex and interesting characters and a moving intense story. Could not put this book down! A must read!
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I love that Rachel McMillan is now writing in a genre she was born to write. Historical romance. It is a perfect fit.
She pens a story that reminds us all that marriage is a lot of work no matter what era and that sometimes you have to be willing to forgive even if you are not sure what to forgive.
McMillan also reminds us that England has a long road of recovery for a war that had battered them almost to their knees, but stand they did. Recover they did.
This is a great book for anyone who is a romantic at heart, but loves a good historical read.

This story has so much to love for readers who get excited about historical detail (including architecture) with some mystery and romance thrown into the mix. I've always appreciated Ms McMillan's elegant voice and in this story she brings her love for churches (I share the same) and historical London (and a bit of Vienna) to the fore in a story of secrets, amateur sleuthing and post war reconstruction.

The restoration involves the physical of buildings, landmarks and bodies plus the psychological and emotional of relationships reunited after 5 years of estrangement caused by the war. Ms McMillan does a tremendous job meshing all these elements into the one story.

I particularly appreciated the struggle Diana and Brent Somerville had in renewing and restoring their marriage. They only married days before Brent was shipped off to Italy to serve as an ambulance officer. Their communication for 5 years was limited to the occasional letter that was successfully delivered via the warfront. Diana, too, was employed in the war effort. Her role was highly secretive engaged in code-breaking. Both return home only to be limited in what they are able to share of their experiences: his, the trauma of witnessing death firsthand, Diana, the secrets of listening into the enemy. Unfortunately, the impact of their war efforts continues on their return: Brent, grappling with PTSD which limited the degree of intimacy he could share with Diana and the latter, who continued in a new secretive endeavour which placed her in continued danger.

It was interesting how Ms McMillan brought to the surface the roles and responsibilities in marriage and how both struggled in defining each of theirs in building a future together. Diana, the poor housekeeper and cook but independent and intelligent and tremendously smitten with her husband. Brent, the breadwinner who fell in love with Diana not just for her classical beauty and so desires to love her in a way that enables her to fly but doesn't understand her secretiveness and apparent fearlessness at the thought of danger.

And then there were the churches. Lots of them, They were really a character in themselves. It may not be everyone's cup of tea the detailed appreciation and reverence with which Diana has for these architectural marvels but I, for one, couldn't get enough of it. My only comment would be the inclusion of a lovely double page map of London showing the various locations mentioned in the story would be useful.

The mystery that Diana is engaged in takes a little while to understand. It didn't have the sophistication of the great mystery writers, it involving an underground movement of communists but I liked how I was kept on my toes as Diana and her employer (and friend) Simon Barre sought to uncover the perpetrators.

And all is set up nicely for the next story which can't come quick enough for my liking.

I received an early ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

As Brent and Diana reunited after four long years of separation, life didn't simply return to normal. Too many secrets hold them apart and prevent the return to the intimacy they just started to build as a newly married couple.

The imagery of a London blasted by Hitler's blitz was vividly depicted in The London Restoration. As Diana revisited the skeletons of the churches of the city seeking the traitor in the beginning of the Cold War, I was given a new sense of the devastation brought about by those raids. Somehow, I've pictured the bombing but never considered living in the aftermath and the amount of determination and effort it took to rebuild and restore this city.

Diana was very intelligent in a quirky manner. Her propensity to sing rhymes, off-key, when she was uncertain or afraid was fun! She was fascinated with the churches of London, especially Christopher Wren's churches, having been introduced to them by her father. They were a link to the past, both of her city and her dad and as they were destroyed, it was like reliving her father's death.

Brent was my favorite character. Scarred from his years of serving in the war, he suffered from nightmares and struggled to trust Diana. Yet his love for her was strong and allowed him to keep his insecurities at bay. I especially loved the fact that her ineptitude in the kitchen and housework in general, while slightly annoying to him, were worth enduring because he loved her so much.

Brent and Diana's relationship is the primary focus of The London Restoration, though codebreaking, spies, and the Cold War figured in as well. The third-person narrative jumps back and forth between various time periods - this did get a little confusing at places with the way it was done.

The story started very slowly and dragged for a bit. There was a lot of "telling" the story and not "showing" what was happening. At one point, I stopped reading on one page and began to examine the sentences to see what it was that was bothering me about them. On that page, every sentence started with "she" or "Diana"! Rich descriptions filled the pages and yet it felt a little flat.

Overall the story was good. It was not my favorite style of writing but if you enjoy romantic stories that include intrigue, this is one to consider.

The London Restoration is a WWII historical fiction focusing on a couple who have both returned from war to their home in London. The characters are trying to come back together after the war separated and changed each other in very fundamental ways.

This is a beautiful story about two people who love each other but no longer know each other as war tore their lives apart. The London Restoration is a love story at first glance, but at its core is a spy mystery with some seriously unexpected twists.

I loved the characters and the setting immensely, and really enjoyed the writing style, though I did feel like the beginning part of the book was a slow build. I tend to think this a lot in the spy genre, though, because almost all plots based on secret government work require a lot of secrecy and development.

Would easily recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Fun to read and kept me engaged.

I was excited to read this book, but the story just didn’t grab me. It was like reading an architectural book on London churches. Diana didn’t have much appeal to me.
She and Brent got married the day before Brent left for war, so they weren’t well acquainted. That bothered her, but she seemed more concerned about the man she worked for. It was hard to tell if Simon was officially searching for a spy, Eternity, or if he was off on his own tangent.
After a while, I started skimming. Disappointed. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Stunning! The words read like poetry,so beautifully written! The characters are well developed and the book is heavily researched. It took a while to get into, as I'm used to fast paced novels but it was well worth persevering!

I really enjoyed Rachel McMillan's The London Restoration! It was a smart book full of spies, intrigue, mystery, and history. The main characters - Diana and Brent - are interesting and both grapple with their own losses from World War II. I enjoyed how they were both their own people but also united as a couple by the end. The setting of post-war London was fascinating. It felt like I was traveling even though that's not possible right now! Well done - this book was masterful.

The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is an illustrative historical novel. Diana Somerville spent the war breaking code at Bletchley Park while her husband, Brent was a stretcher bearer in France. Brent has no clue as to the type of work Diana accomplished, nor can she tell him thanks to the Official Secrets Act. Brent saw terrible tragedies while serving in Europe. He is suffering from PTSD as well as a scar on his face and finger damage. Brent has nightmares, but he does not want to share his traumatic experiences with Diana. They married just before Brent shipped out and have been apart the last four years. This makes for an awkward reunion especially since Diana was gone for five weeks while Brent recovered and only told him she was doing a favor for a friend. Rachel McMillan is a detail-oriented writer. Her word imagery allows readers to visualize the scenes especially the beautiful churches plus I could felt I could hear the music. I did feel, though, that this slowed down the pace of the book. The story progressed at a snail’s pace (it is like walking through quicksand—you get no where fast). There is a slight uptick in the second half. I never did understand Simon Barre’s obsession with Eternity. I thought the characters lacked development. From the beginning, it felt like I was dropped into the middle of an ongoing story. There was more information on churches than the main characters. Diana seems to care more for the churches than her husband and seems oblivious to what he is experiencing. Brent comments often on Diana’s beauty (it got tiring). I can tell the author did her research on churches, music, and Christopher Wren. The history and architecture of the churches is interesting, but it was overwhelming. A little is good, too much has my attention wandering. The book is set in 1945, but it also goes back in time to show us what Brent and Diana did during the war. It could be confusing as to who was speaking and where they were at. They visited many sites and they all started to blend together. I would sit down my book and come back, and I would be completely lost. I ended up skimming through the second half so I could see how The London Restoration ended. I was unable to connect with this book despite my numerous attempts. I did not feel that the author was successful with the meshing of history and mystery. Those readers who like detail oriented historical fiction will enjoy The London Restoration.

In post-war London, a couple attempts to restore their love story as the city around them slowly rebuilds.

Where do I even begin with this review? The London Restoration really is the best thing I’ve read this year. This book is truly wonderful on so many levels. I think it just might be McMillan at her best. And when I consider how lovely her previous novels have been, that’s really saying something.

Let me start with gushing about the main attraction: the Somervilles. I loved Brent and Diana. I will always love reading about strong and smart heroines and Diana Somerville fits the bill to a “T”. How could you not want to read about a woman who was a codebreaker during the war, knows the entire history of some of London’s most famous churches, and has an affinity for red lipstick and nail polish? She’s definitely the sort of character I would want to be buddies with. Readers will also swoon for Brent, the theology professor who is haunted by memories of war and would do anything to protect his wife and win back her trust. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered another couple, real or fictional, that were so well suited to one another. I truly could not imagine Brent without Diana, and vice versa. The image of the two traipsing through London arm and arm is so charming and vividly portrayed throughout the book. That’s not to say that they lose themselves in one another; both are very much individuals with their own interests and goals and dreams. Yet each highlights the other’s respective loves. Diana’s love of churches goes hand-in-hand with Brent’s passion for theology. I love that we’re offered flashbacks of Diana and Brent’s courtship interspersed read about them rebuilding their love story.

While Diana and Brent are very much the center of this story, the other aspects are a delight, as well. Reading about post-war London is at turns heartbreaking and hopeful. McMillan’s passion for the city and its historic churches shines throughout the book and draws the reader in, making one feel as though they themselves have wandered the cobblestone streets even if they’ve never set foot in London. Though this is very much a historical romance, there is a thread of suspense that keeps the reader guessing.

The London Restoration is historical romance magic, making it a book that I would recommend to every reader. Bravo, Ms. McMillan!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is an astounding and breathlessly moving novel set in a fascinating and dark period of our history, I absolutely loved so much about this from Diana’s career as a historian to her secret work at Bletchley – which is easily one of the most fascinating and mind-blowing places ever to come out of the war, that place has been on my to-see wish list for many years, one day I will finally manage a visit – I loved that Diana and her husband Brent just want to discover their love for each other, which is what so many wanted.
The author has really captured their genuine love for each other so beautifully, the frustration that there are still secrets between them. She can’t tell him about her latest job and she certainly can’t tell him about what she did during the war at Bletchley – something which in certain families and places is still a secret today. Then we have Brent, honestly, as much as I really liked Diana, my heart broke for Brent he just wants to live a normal happy life with his wife. He wants to reacquaint himself with the woman he loves, yet it’s not just her secrets clouding his fractured mind it’s his own terrible memories and experiences during the war. Personally, I think he may have a touch of PTSD something which has been handled with such sensitivity.
I love that one of the reasons Diana is called up again is not because of her expertise during her time at Bletchley but because of her day job as an architectural historian and that she knows an awful lot about Christopher Wren whose architectural masterpieces are an integral part of the overall plot especially where this secret agent; Eternity is concerned. I love that, it’s so cleverly interwoven with hers and Brent’s dilemma’s and really keeps you guessing as to who is who and what is going on.
As most of you probably know by now I am a big fan of WW2 fiction and also stories set just after, there was so much uncertainty and still so much darkness and this book really grab’s hold of those two key items; uncertainty and darkness, and sails with it dragging you along on a cracking journey through post-war London which is full of secrets and lies, where the people after so many years of fighting want nothing more than to settle down, but for the likes of Diana and Brent that is easier said than done as they still must fight in one way or another, mainly as both are holding secrets.
The London Restoration is a dramatic, beautifully written, thrilling, sensitive, passionate and intelligent novel from the first page. The cold war, spying element will keep you hooked and the romance will melt your heart. If you love your historical fiction then this is a must. I Loved it!

I would do four or five stars however there was no faith content outside of a character knowing the Bible well because he is a theology professor. <spoiler> And, there were mentions of lovemaking... Kinda a little kissy. </spoiler>

"The London Restoration" is my first book from Rachel McMillan, and I am quite pleased with how it turned out, the historical facts were woven in such a way that you could see the scenes as they happened in the book. I have not read many books that take place right after War World Two with flashbacks to during the war, and I found that I want to read more books in this era... It just pulled me in so deeply.

I at first read this for the cover alone and now I want a copy for the story ... It was so good!

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher/review company. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I picked this one for two reasons. One was the time period. It’s starting to look like the early Cold War era is the new big thing in historical fiction, and so far the books have been excellent – and this one was no exception. Reason number two was that I enjoyed the first two books in this author’s Van Buren and DeLuca series (Murder at the Flamingo and Murder in the City of Liberty) and hoped that this book would be as good if not better.

That hope was definitely realized.

The story begins late in 1945, and the shooting war is over. Diana and Brent Somerville, like so many who married during the war, have to figure out whether the love that sustained their spirits during the war’s separation and all its horrors, can survive in its aftermath. They both carry secrets from those long years, and those secrets form a barrier between them that both are afraid to bridge.

Brent wants to protect Diana from the horrors of his war and the extent of his wounds, both physical and emotional.

Diana needs to protect both Brent and herself from the consequences of her work at Bletchley Park as one of the codebreakers. She signed the Official Secrets Act. She literally CANNOT tell him about her wartime service under threat of imprisonment. That she is still continuing that wartime “secret” service unofficially, as a favor to a friend, adds to the weight of the secrets that fester between them.

Unless she can bring him into the world of shadows that she now inhabits. Before the new “Cold War” claims their marriage as one of its early victims. Or takes both of their lives.

Escape Rating A-: The deeper I got into this story, the more that the multiple interpretations of the title ensnared me.

There’s the obvious one, that this story takes place during the restoration of London after the war is over. But it’s also about the restoration of their marriage, which takes place in London. That would be enough to be going on with. But there’s that third interpretation, the way that Diana’s love of the architecture of the Christopher Wren churches of London loops back to history, to the restoration of London after the Great Fire of 1666.

It was also fascinating to read a romance that is very different from any of the standard tropes, at least in the story’s “present”. The original romance between Diana and Brent is a classic. Lovers meet, discover their other half, fall instantly and completely, have a quirky but romantic wedding and live happily ever after. And maybe they will, but they certainly don’t in the immediate term, because the Blitz rains down on their wedding night, then both of them are off to war.

What makes the romance part of this story so marvelously different from the usual is that it’s a romance between two people who are already married, and yet they are strangers to each other after four years of war. In order for their wartime marriage to survive where so many did not they have to get to know the people they are now and fall in love with each other all over again.

And it’s lovely.

One of the things that this story also does well is the way that it portrays the consequences of the abrupt change to both their lives, but particularly Diana’s, after the war is over and life is supposed to go back to “normal”. The problem is that the aftermath of any catastrophic change is never easy, and that whatever normal is will not be and cannot be the exact same as it was before the catastrophe.

(This is just as true in our own now as ever. The world post-pandemic will be different from the pre-pandemic world, we just don’t know exactly how yet.)

Diana is supposed to become a housewife, taking care of her husband and any children they have. But Diana is one of the most rubbish housewives ever to grace a page. And she’s not going to change. Because she has already changed. Her service at Bletchley Park opened a world for her that she wants to continue to inhabit, just with her husband at her side. For four years she lived a life of purpose and challenge, and she just isn’t willing to give that up. She’s not made to give that up.

Finding a way to bridge the minefield between herself and her husband so that she can continue to serve her country and especially continue to feed her brilliant mind is what really sets her on her course to unofficially help her friend, fellow codebreaker and MI-6 agent uncover the first agents of that Cold War – and nearly gets both her and Brent killed in the process.

Summing up, the history is fascinating, the hunt for the spies is thrilling and the romance is lovely. Come to this book for whichever appeals to you the most. But definitely do come! The London Restoration is a marvelous story from its lonely beginning to its friendship and love-filled end.