The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan is an excellent and riveting historical fiction/romance. The author even adds a dash of mystery to the deliciously intricate mix as well to make this truly a book that can appeal to a full range of readers.

Time and place: mainly post-war Vienna and London 1945. Everyone is dealing with the destruction and damage to their lives and towns after the end of WWII. Everyone is now trying to pick up the remaining pieces, trying to put everything back together again, however most are realizing that it just isn’t that easy. Many are finding themselves, their society, and their loved ones are different now and nothing is quite the same. Trying to find out who you are and where you go from here is a monumental task. Add that with the uncertainty of the post-war fears, instabilities, and healing wounds, one can imagine the difficulties that can present themselves. That is what we seem to find with the two main characters: Diana and Brent Somerville.

There are two main themes to this book: the wonderful architecture, descriptions, and descriptions of damages done to the historical structures in London, most specifically in this book, the structures designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The second theme is the nuclear relationship between the married couple. The two themes are explored extensively and both have overarching parallels: both tested, damaged, scuffed, wounded, separated, and tested during time of war and stress. Both however, held by a strong and formidable foundation, survive and remain strong. The author’s ability to find the beauty and resilience of both subjects and the hope that prevails in the end is amazing.

This book is beautiful and earnestly written. The architectural descriptions were so intricate and vivid that I literally felt as if I was sifting through the rubble and dust myself. The story told of Diana and Brent and their respective parts that were contributed to the war, who they are now, and where they go from here is just beautiful. The human spirit was perfectly expressed.

I loved the interweaving of the above themes, the concepts, pace, plot, and ending.

Just beautiful. 5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

THE LONDON RESTORATION by RACHEL McMILLAN is an historical WWII based romance novel which takes place between London and Vienna in 1945. The war is over, leaving London's beautiful old churches in a very bad state, church bells silent, and Diana and Brent Somerville's marriage also badly in need of restoration. In both cases we see the importance of a strong foundation on which to rebuild that which has been damaged.
I love the way Diana's architectural knowledge and passion for Christopher Wren and church history, together with Brent's professorship in Pauline biblical studies, form the basis of their marriage and the story in general. It is a very cleverly written book, backed by an incredible amount of research.
Diana and Brent both have secrets and are hurting having put all their energy into the war effort, and when Brent is faced with Diana's involvement in unearthing communist activists, it is almost too much.
I am not going to tell you any more excepting to say that it is a really good read and one that I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The London Restoration is a love story, a spy story, a friendship story and most of all an addictive story of secrets...during WWII and afterward. Wrapped up in the restoration of bombed Christopher Wren designed churches is the search for an elusive Soviet spy called Eternity and one man’s desire to thwart the rise of another abusive ideology. Poetic in places this well researched book will educate as well as entertain. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.