The Rose Code is the story of three women who work at Bletchley Park as code breakers during WWII. This book has two timelines, one that follows the women through WWII and another seven years in the future in which the three best friends are no longer friends and a dark mystery is revealed.

This book shows the challenges that women faced breaking out of their gender roles during this period but also the great impact women had on the war efforts. I love the different characters and their internal motivations for choosing their paths. They felt so real and raw and I loved their flaws. The romance throughout was perfect for me, not too over the top but I also found myself swooning over it.

Tears were shed throughout the latter half of this book, the writing was beautiful, and the ending was satisfying. It was everything that I want from a WWII novel and I highly recommend it.

What an incredible story! This was an audiobook that I could not stop listening to!

The Rose Code is a historical fiction novel that takes place during WWII, but differs in such a magnificent way. Three different women became code breakers in 1940 at an English estate Bletchley Park. Osla, a debutante, trying to prove herself and her intelligence. Mab, a poor girl, trying to make a better life for herself. And Beth, a local village girl living at home with her parents. The three bond and form a close friendship, until they are torn apart when war, loss and secrets are discovered. After the war, the three friends are reunited to help uncover the traitor of Bletchley park, in order to save Beth, and their country.

The strength and detail of these three girls during a time when women were not considered as capable is mind boggling. Loss, pain, war and heartbreak can’t stop these girls from continuing their code breaking, during and after the war. Kate Quinn writes a magnificent story about WWII from the perspective of three struggling women - and their quiet power. A perspective of the time that we do not frequently get to read about, including how long after the war the life of women (and men) were affected. The details and research that went into this story are incredible and add to the beautiful novel.

You will want to read this book when it comes out!

Pub Date: March 9, 2021

Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Quinn and Harper Audio for my Advanced Copy.

Well written with good character development but very predictable to me. A historical fiction set up so beautifully about a group of women working on a historically coding mission. It honestly was a struggle to get through this. Too many twists and turns I was getting whiplash and confused. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a very interesting book. I guess I never realized what an important part of the war, the code breakers were. These men and women took their jobs very seriously. It was great seeing the different view points of how the workers felt about their job.. For example, the one man in the story, did not feel that he was an important part of the war, because of how he had to keep everything so secretive. It was amazing the families didn't know.
I also like how Kate Quinn described the fashion of the time, such as the way the women wore their hair. Also the personal issues they had because they are women. Many people leave out those details that women face and take it for granted.
The end of the story mentioned real code breakers and how some of the secrets will still not be given out even though the ladies are in their 90's. It is also great that the place was restored and Kate Middleton had part of that and how she had a family member that was a code breaker.
This was an audio book. I really hope to read the book soon. I feel there were some things that I may have missed (dates), so I really would like to read this book.

LOVE LOVE LOVE I thought this was just as wonderful if not more interesting than her previous WWII books. It had all the must haves of a good historical fiction tale: love, intrigue, spies, princes and actual historical events. If you liked any of Kates other books I highly recommend this!

The Rose Code: A Novel by Kate Quinn (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

This is my second audio historical novel in a row and both of them were riveting. I can't help wondering if I'd feel differently about an audiobook if I had read it instead. Sometimes the narrators are so good, it's hard to imagine not hearing all those character voices, if I had read the book. 

The Rose Code deals with two time periods, the first starting in 1940 and the second taking place in November 1947. In 1940 three women come together and become the closest of friends because of their work and because they board in the same house/room. These three women are recruited to work as female codebreakers at Bletchley Park and the women are tied together by the secrecy of their work, knowing the Official Secrets Act of 1939 prevents them from speaking to anyone of what they do. A 1942 security warning emphasized the importance of discretion even within Bletchley itself: "Do not talk at meals. Do not talk in the transport. Do not talk travelling. Do not talk in the billet. Do not talk by your own fireside. Be careful even in your hut." The very need for such secrecy throws these three women into friendship as nothing else could do. 

Wealthy debutante Osla is seriously flirting with Prince Philip of Greece, hard, bold Mab has pulled herself up by her bootstraps to give herself an education and the ability to support herself, her mother, and her little sister, and then there is brilliant but shy, cowed Beth, whose mother has demeaned her so much that she thinks she is dumb and worthless. These women are each doing jobs that are part of the entire network that decodes enemy messages, messages that can change the tide of the war, mean saving the lives of thousands, heading off more disastrous losses, and determining if our side has managed to mislead the enemy from the inside. 

Personal disaster tears these women apart several years after they meet and they would never speak to each other again except that one of the women gets a message to the other two women that there was and still is a spy in their former codebreaking group. Against almost impossible odds, the women need to get back together to break one last code. The tension was high during their codebreaking days, in an exhausting, tedious, mind numbing way and now they will have to condense their years of work into days or their chance to stop a spy will be gone. 

I'd known about this work from seeing The Imitation Game and from research I'd done on Bletchley Park and I'm glad I had that background because I know it helped me to enjoy this book better than I might if I'd come in with no understanding of the work. I was wrapped up in this long audiobook, interested in not only Osla, Mab, and Beth but the secondary characters, too. This story has me wanting to learn even more about this work and this time and I'm going to have a hard time letting go of the characters. 

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

Audiobook provided by NetGalley and Harper Audio in exchange for an honest review.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! While I've enjoyed previous novels by Kate Quinn, I was hesitant to jump back in to WWII because I feel like the market is flooded with WWII novels lately and did we really need another one? Guess what, we did. Just like THE ALICE NETWORK and THE HUNTRESS, Quinn expertly tells readers the story about historical badass women in such a way that you can't help but be hooked by the story and dying to know what happens next.

Bletchley Park and what happened there during the war is a truly fascinating piece of history and even more so when told through the eyes of some of the women who worked there. Women are often overlooked during war time, but their contributions are just as important (sometimes more so) than the boys who go off to war with weapons in hand.

Though I'm not quite sure I can ever forgive Quinn for the Coventry chapters. I'm still not over those events, they broke my heart.

Overall this was a book I couldn't put down and often times caught myself forgetting to breathe because I was so engrossed in the events unfolding.

Saskia Maarleveld does an absolutely brilliant job with the audiobook and I was excited to see that Maarleveld recorded THE ROSE CODE because her vocal talents pair so well with Quinn's writing.

I wanted to like this book but the character were so annoying at times. I did like the basis of the story and had no knowledge of some of the events.

Kate Quinn has done it again! The Rose Code is a delightful historical (non) fiction book which enthralled me from the very start. Like her other novels, this one takes place over two different time periods (during World War Two and post World War Two) and revolves around 3 strong women who break codes and ciphers for England during the war.

Beth, Mab, and Osla are three very interesting characters and I was so invested in their stories. I wanted to know what was going to happen to them. The Rose Code has me “turning pages” so quickly. I received this book as an advanced audio copy from Netgalley- this was my first audio book and I loved the experience. I was able to listen while driving and loved that about having an audiobook. The narrator Saskia Maarleveld had a great voice and kept me listening through all the pages of this beautiful story. Something I loved from the book was all the old English
slang. Some of the words I learned through this book were Slush, Deb, Blinking, Tarte and the expression Flick a wicket. It took some time to figure the meaning sometimes but that was my own little code breaking in the book.

Short Synopsis:
1940. As England prepares to fight the Germans, three very interesting women answer the mysterious call to work at Bletchley Park, where the best minds in England train to break War Codes and secret messages. Osla, Beth and Mab all take on different roles at Bletchley Park and work to prove themselves. War, loss and secrecy end up tearing these three best friends apart.

1947- A mysterious encrypted letter brings the three enemies back together as they fight to determine who the traitor from Bletchley Park was. They work to break the Rose Code and try to bring the traitor to justice before it is too late!

Upon completing the book (and listening to the epilogue) I learned that this whole book was based on true events. Which elevates my love for this novel even more! Bletchley Park was a real code breaking establishment and many of the characters mentioned in the story actually worked there in real life! I highly highly recommend The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. My rating for this one is an easy * * * * * She has very quickly become one of my go to authors and I am grateful to have received this ARC from Netgalley. If historical fiction, mystery and female protagonists are your thing then this book should be a definite for you! If you read it, let me know what you think! This one hits the shelves in Canada on March 9th 2021. Put it on your list!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. I have never heard of the author but I have read many things surrounding Bletchley Park during WWII and the description sounded interesting. The story follows three young women who would never have met and become friends if not for being hired to work at Bletchley Park. All three were smart and had no desire to stay home when they could do something to help the war effort. We follow these women from 1939 to the end of 1947 just after Queen Elizabeth's marriage. Quinn develops all three characters into richly drawn, deeply interesting people who are surrounded by friends and acquaintances. From Osla who was born into the Upper Classes of English society to Mable from the east side of London and Beth, whose mother virtually kept her prisoner by "needing'' her as a caretaker while berating her for every little thing she did.

The Narration slips seamlessly between the present, 1947, to the past, 1939, and forwards. We know some of what will happen to the young women even as the book begins. But we don't know why. At 656 pages, the novel takes its time painting an atmosphere of togetherness and fun while doing extremely serious work that they cannot breathe a word of outside BP. I wish I could tell you more but they might find me and put me in jail. Just kidding. But it was many years later, into the 60s I believe when the truth could be told about the code breaking work that these brave women did.

I loved every moment of this book. I loved the narration and I will look for another book by Ms Quinn

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021 and it did not disappoint! Immediately I was swept into this incredible story of Bletchley Park and three women working as code breakers during WWII (think The Imitation Game movie or the story of Alan Turing breaking Enigma). The writing was brilliant and the characters were so complex and amazing. I absolutely recommend this book especially if you’re a historical fiction lover like myself.

Kate Quinn has made historical fiction my favorite genre. Her use of detail, emotion, and imagery make her stories and characters come to life! This story follows three women who become involved in the world of code breaking for the British government. Osla Kendall, a Canadian debutante whose godfather is Lord Mountbatten, has a close relationship with Prince Phillip of Greece (the future Consort). She is contacted by an anonymous source to take a train to Bletchley Park. She has no idea what she will be doing, but she wants to help the war effort. Mab Churt, a fierce young woman from London who is close to her mother and sister, also gets this summons. She wants to do this so that she can provide for her family. These two women find out that they will be working with state secrets that they are sworn not to give away. The two women move in with a local family, the Finches. The spinster daughter, Beth, needs to break away from her bullying mother. Osla and Mab get Beth a job at Bletchley Park and she becomes the best code breaker there. The code breakers learn so many secrets that help the British government in the war. Later in 1947, Osla and Mab are contacted by a patient in an asylum who blames them for her unfortunate situation. This story was full of emotion and showed the determination that women felt to help with the war effort. If you liked The Alice Network, you will love this one. This is a story that will stay with me for a very long time!

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I loved the narration. The narrator read in a British accent, which I loved because the book is set in Britain. I thought this added authenticity to the book.

Well, I am 3/3 on Kate Quinn books. I have loved all 3 that I've read so far (The Alice Network & The Huntress), but I think might be my favorite.

There is a little bit of everything in this. There is drama, romance, mystery, and female strength.

I think I was especially fascinated by the work in this book - code-breaking seems like the most frustrating and exciting thing in the world in terms of work, but I think this book really illuminates that people had to pay an emotional price for the work they did.

I have already put Bletchley Park on my list of places to visit when I am finally able to travel again. Not only would I like to see some of the machines that were used, but I would also like to pay tribute to the people who gave a lot of themselves during the war.

I love that a book can keep me interested, teach me something, and make me feel something all at the same time.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Kate Quinn for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for ALC of The Rose Code. As a fan or Kate Quinn’s books, I was excited for this. This is a meaty book and the first half was a lot of build up. The second half picked up the pace. I love the exploration of friendship, love and loyalty to your country. Saskia Maarleveld did an amazing job on narration and kept me interested the whole time.

I just finished listening to Kate Quinn's, "The Rose Code", and sadly find myself back in boring old pandemic America. I was so immersed in this world of WWII code breakers at Bletchley Park that I escaped for awhile. I loved Ms. Quinn's previous books, "The Huntress" and "The Alice Network", which all approached the WWII period from different countries and perspectives, so I anticipated her next, and I am not disappointed!

When the book starts we realize that three women, former friends, have become alienated from one another. Then we go back in the past to when they first met, working at Bletchley Park. The three are very different. Glittery socialite Osla, who has a fabulous side story dating Prince Phillip, prior to him becoming engaged to his cousin, Elizabeth. Mab is from a poor background but with her statuesque height and commanding presence, she is determined to make her place in the world. Beth is under her domineering mother's thumb, until she meets the other two women who give her the confidence to assert herself.

There must have been much meticulous research to write this because it all feels very authentic and one feels the excitement of working at a place so vital to Britian's war efforts, but at the same time so frustrating because no one can know what you are doing or that you have an important job. It was so refreshing to read about a time when the people of a country worked together as one, for the love of their country.

There is a spy in their midst, though, and this will have devastating consequences for one of the girls. And what is it that could pull these three staunch friends apart and destroy their friendship? These are some of the questions that will have you reading this book long into the night.

This is the easiest book I've rated in a while. Five stars! And let me add that the audio rendition was excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for permission to listen to this book, and to Kate Quinn for once again knocking it out of the park.

Such a great book! thank you Netgalley for my advance kindle copy in return for an honest review.
This was an engrossing read with three wonderful, well-drawn main characters.
Reading more about the world of code breakers in England during WW2 was such an awesome experience!
One I devoured in days! And couldn't stop!!!! I wanted more!
Absolutely an amazing read with such strong characters.

I am a huge Kate Quinn fan and The Rose Code did not disappoint. The book takes place in England during WWII and follows three cunningly smart female codebreakers. They form a friendship and we see the impact the war has across their lives. Filled with mystery, intrigue, and even a famous prince; in the end we find that "some codes will never be broken." The epilogue is not to be missed - there is a great tie-in to Kate Middleton and her grandmother who was one of the real life codebreakers at Bletchley Park. My favorite Kate Quinn novel to date!

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld was fantastic and really made the story come alive.

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for this advanced audio copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for an early copy of this audiobook!!

5 stars!! THIS BOOK!! I feel like I have so many things to say, I'm not even sure where to begin!

The Rose Code takes place during 1940-1947 and revolves around three women (Mab, Osla, and Beth) who come from very different backgrounds, but end-up working together to help break and translate secret codes from German communications that are intercepted by the British during WWII. They form a close friendship during the war years until D-Day, when everything falls apart and they separate for years to come.

This story is told in alternating timelines and my gosh, does SO MUCH happen. I don't want to give too much away because this book was a RIDE and I feel it best to go in somewhat blind, but if you've read any of Kate Quinn's novels before, I can promise that you will love this book! It's filled with female friendships, espionage, love, and heartbreak. I feel like my heart went through the ringer during this book - there were times when my heart was filled with so much joy, I felt it could burst, and then there were moments when I was brought to literal tears. I felt so much for these characters and the end is SO EXCITING AND TENSE and builds so well on the storylines we had been following throughout the book. My heart was racingggg during the last 1-2 hours of this audiobook.

If you are a fan of The Alice Network or The Huntress, I cannot recommend this book enough! Release Date is March 9, 2021.

This is an excellent book! It has it all, WWII, women in starring roles, spy things, danger, intrigue and I could go on and on...

Why 4 stars instead of 5? I struggled with the narrator. The accent of the narrator was just something that I could not get used to.

Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperAudio for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in March 2021.

Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network, is back with a engrossing work of historical WWII fiction. This time the focus is on female codebreakers. I have to say this niche area of WWII focus is one of interest for me, so I was delighted to get to listen to an early copy of this book.

Quinn is an expert at interweaving narratives, and she does it again through the stories of three unlikely friends - debutante Osla, bold Mab, and shy but brilliant Beth. These three women become archetypes of the types of women who worked behind the scenes to break codes and foil attacks from the enemy.

Saskia Maarleveld does a fabulous job with the narration of this audiobook, and the run time is 15 hours and 40 minutes.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.