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.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. Follows three women who are code breakers at Bletchley Park during WWll. An unlikely pairing from the start the trio become friends. Sworn to secrecy they must live two lives, one to their country and the other to their family. Years after the war the whispers of a traitor being at Bletchley Park reunites the girls in order to find out who. This was the first book I’ve read (listened) to by this author and I was not disappointed. She is such a great story teller with such descriptive passages that you felt like you were right there in the story. This book had me crying and laughing and sitting on the edge of my seat. I can’t say enough for how well written it was. If you’re looking for a historical fiction book about women this is a must read. As I said before I listened to the audio book read by Saskia Maarleveld. Such a good performance! I would recommend listening if you want that British accent to accompany this book. 5/5 stars, review written for Net Gallery.

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.

Kate Quinn has done it again! What an amazing book. I have long been a fan of Kate Quinns writing style, and this one fell right in line with her other masterpieces. The story behind the minds of WWII code breakers gripped me from the start. The main characters are easy to love and the dueling point of views made the story line complete. The audiobooks narrator was also fabulous. Her English accent made the story seem so real and made for easy listening. I know I will be grabbing a print copy in March when published! The only thing I would have liked to see different would be to ha e a character introduction at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes I was playing catch up for a few paragraphs while trying to figure out who was doing the talking. If the audiobook would say “Chapter 4, Beth” and then start reading, it’d be easier to follow along. Still, an easy 5 out of 5 stars for me. This one will be hard to beat for the best of 2021! Loved! Thanks Kate Quinn and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book with a fresh take on a WWII novel. Not only is the story enveloping, but the words and descriptions are exquisite. The story broke your heart and put it all back together in one fantastic novel.

The book follows Osla, Mab, and Beth throughout WWII as they work as code breakers. It’s wonderful to see a book with 3 female leads that all have distinct and fully developed personalities. I truly cared about each woman. I love reading a book where women are shown to be vital to historical events. Overall, one of the best works of historian fiction that I have read.

Cannot say I very much enjoyed this one as much as I dearly hoped I would as the start was pretty solid and strong but then it wavered in the middle and became too wordy and boring.

Let me preface this by saying I’ve read a LOT of World War 2 historical fiction. This one started a little slow - or perhaps that was me getting my bearings to the audiobook - but wow did it pick up quickly. There was so much that I liked about this book - the three women were so different and each with their flaws and tragedies, and I like that they remained flawed and imperfect throughout the book. I thought the author struck a good balance between character development and plot movement. In fact, there were moments I had to stop listening because I wasn’t sure I could handle what was coming next. The author also kept me on my toes a few times, with the plot going in a different direction than expected. I had one brief inkling of “I think I know who did it,” but then talked myself out of it (I’m proud to say I was right). Overall, highly recommend. In the beginning I thought this would be another 4 star WW2 book and I’m pleasantly surprised to be giving it 5. Specifically I also really enjoyed the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job of the many voices and accents of the characters.

WW2, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, family-dynamics, friendship, suspense, romantic, traitor, England*****

The work at Bletchley Park as a part of the WW2 codebreakers has become more familiar lately, but the stories of the women who worked there can do with a bit more imaginative stories. This one covers three such women of very different circumstances and even some interesting postscripts. The story is well written and engaging and with twists and suspense. It kept me up much too late!
Narrator Saskia Maarleveld did a wonderful job with all the voices and really acted out the story and did not just read it. Her voice brings the characters to life with her inflections entirely suited the situations and characters.
I requested and received a temporary audio copy from Harper Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!

I wish to express my thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this compelling historical novel in audio book format. Kate Quinn has written a vivid and gripping account set in wartime London. She uses her great storytelling talent and research to describe what the experience must have been like working under wartime secrecy in Bletchley Park where German codes were broken and translated. It has been estimated that the Enigma codebreakers shortened WW2 by as much as two years using early computers and the formidable skills of an inspiring group of people.

I listened to The Rose Code by the audio book version. It was enhanced by the superb narration of Saskia Maarleveld who voiced the conversations of all the characters. This was a lengthy audio book of over 16 hours. I felt more time was required than reading the print version.

The story revolves around three remarkable and different women during their employment at Bletchley Park during WW2. Three diverse personalities were brought together. They developed a close friendship which was shattered by the end of the war. It describes the causes for their broken friendship. It involves their family backgrounds, romantic loves gained or lost, deaths, betrayal, treachery, and a traitor in their midst. The women gained great satisfaction from their undercover role in defeating the Nazis. After the war ended their friendship was in tatters. One was unjustly punished by being locked up in an insane asylum.

The leading characters were; 1. Mab, with an impoverished working class background.She hides a personal secret and her goal is to marry a man who would raise her out of poverty and give her some social standing. She became highly skilled in working the codebreaking machines.

2. Osla, who was a beautiful debutante with wealthy family connections which gave her a place in high society. She is being courted by Prince Philip, but knows it must end due to her role in the war effort. She uses her fluent German to translate the decoded Nazi secrets.

3. These two women meet Beth, a shy, introverted spinster. She has little formal education, lacks self-esteem and confidence in social situations. She has been isolated under the domination of a cruel and deranged mother. Her skill with puzzles brings he to the notice of those in command at Bletchley Park. She soon asserts herself as one of the few female cryptanalysts. We also get glimpses of real life characters, such as Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Alan Turing, and Winston Churchill.

Two of the former friends reluctantly meet again in 1947 when the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip is approaching. They both have received a coded message from the woman confined in the mental institution begging for their help. She has been there for over three years and is desperate. She has learned she has been scheduled for a lobotomy. They must hurry to put aside their anger and suspicions and decode a difficult message with the purpose of determining who was a paid spy in their midst who passed on military secrets to the Germans and now the Russians. The conclusion is an exciting and frantic chase through the crowds lined up to witness the Royal Wedding procession.

Recommended to readers who enjoy historical novels set in London during the war and are interested in the codebreaking that helped to end the war. The characters are well developed and intriguing.

This book was a slow in the beginning and could have been a few hundred pages shorter, but I thought this historical fiction book about women codebreakers during WWI in the UK was very interesting. I loved the epilogue of the true history of those codebreakers of Bletchley Park and the links to Duchess Kate Middleton. Thanks Harper Audio & NetGalley for the advance copy.

This audiobook started off slow for me but I’m so glad I kept with it, What a fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat and gave me a glimpse into such an interesting time. Great narration as well!

This book had me captured at first, but I'll be honest, it's so long, I lost interest around hour 6 of the audiobook. There were times I couldn't wait to continue listening, and times that I dreaded going back. I found myself a little confused with the changing timelines and characters, and think that maybe reading it would have been better for this purpose. However, as a hearing impaired person, I found the change of accents still understandable and enjoyable. I often have trouble with "accents" in audiobooks. but I never had trouble understanding the narrator for this one.
While the book itself was long, the characters were incredibly inspiring! I absolutely adored the female empowerment and determination all three characters displayed. I loved the raw honesty and uncertainty displayed by them all. Listening to their stories was inspiring, and made me feel strong, especially knowing this book takes place years ago when women didn't have as many rights or "purposes."
The mysterious nature of parts of the novel were very well done; however, the length made me lose interest in the suspense a little bit. I'm not sure the book could have been shorter, though, as each portion seemed significant to the plot. Overall, this book wasn't my cup of tea (I'm not a history fan), but I firmly believe any fan of historical fiction will fall in love completely.

The Rose Code is a historical novel of Bletchley Park and the code breakers of WWII. It is important to note the difference between historical fiction and a historical novel, because for those seeking people like Alan Touring, Stanley Armitage, Pamela Ascherson, or even the infamous Russian spy John Cairncross, you won't find more than a mention, if that, of these historical heroes. What you will find is a story of fictional characters based at Bletchley Park during WWII.
#TheRoseCode is a well written book about things that could have happened at the time. The characters are well developed and you feel like you are riding their roller coaster lives along with them. There is a bit of a dual timeline to the plot. There is of course, the war years, and the other timeline is just before the Royal Wedding of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth. It isn't hard to follow, and it all comes together nicely in the end. I was granted the audio version by #NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Both the book and the narrator were enjoyable. I really didn't want to step away from this one.

Thank you Harper Audio, NetGalley and Kate Quinn for the advance audio copy of "The Rose Code" for my honest review.

The Rose Code was my third book authored by Kate Quinn. I have loved Alice Network and the Huntress and was really looking forward to listening to this book. The narration was quite good and made the book come to life. The book is long, almost 17 hours of listening and the first section went into great detailing of actual codebreaking. The WWII historical fiction takes place in the UK during the years of 1940-1947. Bletchley Park is where the hidden history of the codebreakers three women Osla, Mab and Beth. These three women and numerous other men and women sworn to secrecy are all working to break Nazi codes and help win the war. The secrecy tears the gals apart and brings them back together. The book starts and ends with the excitement of the Queens wedding. Once again, Ms. Quinn has produced a well researched and written book.

The Rose Code by New York Times best-selling author Kate Quinn is a fascinating look at the dedication and brilliance of the British Code Breakers during World War II. The Bletchley Park mansion housed the top-secret Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) whose employees were able to break the German Enigma codes, as well as several other code types. These employees endured six-day-a week rotating schedules that were often grueling.

The story focuses on three unlikely friends. First, there is the socialite Osla, who happens to be dating Prince Philip. Next, there is Mab, a hardworking commoner who is looking for a husband and also hiding a secret. Finally, there is Beth, a socially inept but highly intelligent young woman.

The story starts in 1947, shortly before the wedding of Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth. Osla and Mabe each receive a coded message from Beth demanding their help. Beth was forcefully put into an insane asylum three years earlier after she was able to decode part of a message known as The Rose Code. Beth knows there was a traitor at Bletchley Park, but doesn’t know who it was. The three women had stopped being friends after a tragic incident, and now need to decide if they will come together to solve the mystery.

The story travels back and forth between the women’s time at Bletchley Park beginning in 1940 to the days leading up to the Royal Wedding. The back-stories of the three main characters are interwoven with both real and other fictional characters who worked in the war effort. The ending of the book is pure Hollywood with a heart-stopping chase scene at the end that takes place among the throngs of people who have lined the streets for the wedding festivities. I loved it!

Kate Quinn is one of my favorite authors. She really shines with this story that has well-researched history blended seamlessly with romance, friendship, and intrigue.

This is a LONG book. I listened to the audio which was 15 hours and 40 minutes long. The hardback is 656 pages. While I am not typically a fan of big books, I enjoyed every minute of this one. The audio is read by Saskia Maarleveld who also narrated Kate’s Quinn’s The Huntress and The Alice Network.

5-plus stars. Book Club recommended. This novel will be released on March 9, 2021. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for my Advance copy of this fabulous book.

So excited to get an audio ARC of Kate Quinn’s newest hf novel, THE ROSE CODE! I adore her elegant prose, beautifully plotted narratives and in-depth characters. She makes history come vividly alive, as she does here in this riveting tale of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park during and after WWII. The audio experience was mixed for me solely due to length (15 hours and 40 minutes.) I’m a visual learner and skim-read with ease. But I’ll try audio again buoyed by Kate’s magnificent tale — a must-listen for all Quinn fans and hf buffs!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 09 Mar 2021
#TheRoseCode #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.