Cover Image: The Secrets of Latimer House

The Secrets of Latimer House

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Member Reviews

Latimer House in Buckinghamshire was used in WW2 secretly for interrogation of German prisoners of war.

It is 1943 three young women Evelyn, Betty and Judith who all come from different backgrounds are brought to Latimer House, to do their duty for the war. Each has their own role to play to get information from the German prisoners to help win the war. The girls can't even tell each other what they do.

Each of the three girls are determined to help win the war anyway they can. They all have their own problems, but the three girls become friends and help each other.

I love reading historical fiction and had to Google Latimer House after reading this amazing book.

I loved the three women's characters and how strong they had to be to carry out this work. A well written gripping read that kept me fully hooked throughout.

I hope to read more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Well written book and I read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the relationship between the three main characters and would have liked to read more about this.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me an early look at this book in exchange for an honest review.

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As a writer who likes to find parts which haven't been covered before, I was delighted by every word of this book. More please

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A very big 5 stars for this historical fiction book! It goes right into my top 10 favorites in the genre. The writing was phenomenal and the characters and their development was top notch. I am beginning to really love these books about different women coming together during the war. Between the dual time line books and this type I think I have found my historical fiction comfort zone. I cannot recommend this book enough! Cannot wait to see what is next!!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

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I love books about espionage during WWII, especially featuring strong female characters. Betty, Judith, and Evelyn are all fierce and relatable, and I loved their stories and their friendship. I also loved learning more about what went on at Latimer House. I would definitely recommend this book for historical fiction lovers and I look forward to reading more by this author! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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A World War Two historical drama based on a real place and events. The story telling was engaging, I loved the three female protagonists, German Jewish refugee, upper class naval officer and working class women's auxiliary sergeant and their blossoming friendship. The stately home setting was reminiscent of Bletchley Park and it's secretive, valuable work..

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I love reading historical fiction books that are based in WWII. This story will have you in awe at the three women … Evelyn who is a socialite, Betty who is essentially a farm girl, and Judith who is a Jewish expat. They are strong and dedicated. And though you could never imagine their joining together to fight against Hitler’s regime, they form a friendship and allegiance to be loyal to the cause. While the characters are fictitious, the Latimer House did exist as a top secret military establishment. I love learning something new about WWII with each book I devour.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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It’s the 1940’s and three very different, diverse girls come together to do their bit for the war effort. They are sent to Latimer House in Buckinghamshire where everything is secret and no one is supposed to know what anyone else is doing. The three of them, Evelyn, Judith and Betty share a bedroom and become firm friends. I liked the book and would have liked it a lot more without so much romance which seemed to take up a rather large chunk. It would have been more satisfying to have had more about the work the girls did rather than their love lives as this was obviously a very important place! The work aspect was very interesting. Liked the cover as well. A well written story with quite a few lively characters. Anyone with an interest in WW2 should enjoy this novel.

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OK, first off confession time; despite Jules Wake being on my radar for a while and having a couple of her books on my kindle, this is the first book I have sat down and read by her. So I was pretty happy to finally have the time to read one, and all I can say is I have been missing out on something rather special here as this is amazing!

The Secrets of Latimer House is incredibly well written, it instantly grabs your attention and pulls you into the story and the complicated lives of the three young women amid the story. I am a big fan of war fiction, especially when it shines a light on the hard and sometimes secret work which was going on behind the scenes and even more so when that is done by women.

I loved the setting, the house itself is like another character, there are oe many secrets swirling around and you never quite know what is happening and who can be trusted. the characters, the three women at the centre are each different and strong, they have their own stories to tell and will pull you into their own and their shared world at Latimer House.

There are some parts, mentions of things aren't the easiest of reading but it's hugely insightful and will keep you turning the pages.

This is a compelling, emotional and engaging story of friendship, truth, secrets and a few twists and turns. A definite must-read!!

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An unusual book from Jules Wake and unlike her others. There were parts I really enjoyed and other parts that seemed to drift a little. Overall a good read

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Great WWII with a similar ideal to the work at Bletchley.

Story covers three women from different backgrounds all whom speak German who go to work at Latimer House. All have different roles and must keep the secrets of Latimer house.

A great read from a different point of view.

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Betty, Judith and Evelyn are all from completely different backgrounds but end up sharing a room while billeted to Latimer House during the war, all three doing different jobs which they are unable to discuss form a beautiful friendship.
A great book I really loved it.

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This book was okay, but much more "women's fiction" than the hard-hitting WWII fiction that's delivered by Kate Quinn. I only got this book because it says fans of Kate Quinn will love it and while I did like it I didn't find many similarities at all. So be forewarned going in. Otherwise it was a good story. 3.5 stars.

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Lovely characters and plot. I loved every page of this book. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

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I read a lot of WWII books and oftentimes, they tend to sound the same. The Secrets of Latimer House is different than most I have read.

The story of these three tremendously brave women really moved me.

At the end, you learn that although the characters and the story are fiction, the Latimer House was actually real. I thought that just made it all even more interesting, to be honest.

I won't say much because I really think you should go into this one blind.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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What a beautifully written and uplifting book. I absolutely loved the storyline and the wonderful characters. A very easy read with some real feel good moments. Very informative too with a wonderful insight into the hidden war efforts. Highly recommended and definitely deserving of the 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley.

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Latimer House is full of secrets. Secrets that could help win the war. Evelyn, a society girl, Betty, a local girl, and Judith who escaped from Germany all come here with their individuals skills to do their bit to help. They find an environment that allows women to shine, be judged on merit, and along the way, to discover friendship and love. Warm and rich, well told stories

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The Secrets Of Latimer House by Jules Wake is a marvellous historical novel that enthralled me from the start.
The novel is set in 1943 in the Buckingham countryside. It is based on factual evidence but the story is fictional. What happens in Latimer House stays in Latimer House.
Whilst World War II was absolutely dreadful, it did enable women to break out of their traditional roles as they stepped into the shoes vacated by men. “All her life she’d been constrained by what she could do as a woman… The advent of war changed all that.” Women who had previously had little value placed on them, suddenly discovered hidden talents and found themselves in jobs they were talented at. Their roles were vital in winning the war.
The three main characters came from very different backgrounds and life experiences but had new found friendships as they supported each other. They had very different skill sets but perfectly complemented each other.
One of the leading characters fled Nazi Germany to escape persecution. When she hears of the atrocities she sinks into despair. “Your father would not want you to lose yourself in bitterness.” The important thing is to keep track of the evil and bring the perpetrators to justice. Losing oneself in bitterness would destroy you from the inside out.
It is easy to feel guilty for surviving but we need to live in memory of all those who perished, and tell their story.
I really enjoyed The Secrets Of Latimer House. It was a powerful and inspiring read.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

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This was an engrossing story about three women assigned to work at Latimer House during World War 2. Evelyn is a high-society Englishwoman and an officer, who speaks fluent German and is used to question German POWs. Prior to the war, she was engaged to a German, and her brother is a POW in Germany, so she has a lot of worries.

Judith is a Jew who escaped from Germany at the beginning of the War. She has lost much, and is bitter towards the Germans and grieving for her past life.

Betty grew up in a cottage in a small village. She's beautiful, and bubbly, but worries about her mother and sister.

The three women are competent, patriotic, and very real. I loved watching their friendship grow. And it was interesting seeing that facet of the war effort. I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction about World War 2 - this gives a different view than what I've typically read.

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Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Secrets of Latimer House is Jules Wakes’ emotional, evocative and enthralling historical debut sure to go down a treat with fans of Elaine Everest and Nancy Revell.

Latimer House is a grand estate tucked away deep in the Buckingham countryside and home to three different women united by friendship and by a strong desire to do whatever it takes to help their country defeat the enemy. Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards leaves a trail of broken hearts wherever she goes yet people underestimate her at their own peril. Beneath her sophisticated and beautiful exterior resides a strong, intelligent and skilled interrogator able to uncover the deepest and darkest secrets of dangerous prisoners. Meanwhile, farm girl Betty Connors might not exactly proficient at typing, but there isn’t a code she cannot crack. Her analytical skills are second to none and her ability to unearth covert connections has made her a most valuable asset. Latimer House has also provided German ex-pat Judith Stern with a place of refuge after the Nazis had taken her father away. Listening in to the German’s conversations has helped the allies to come ever closer to winning this war and provided her with the distraction she so desperately seeks.

As these three women find themselves bonding in the M Room at Latimer House, a fast friendship soon develops and with this horrible war showing no sign of ending anytime soon, Evelyn, Betty and Judith will find themselves relying on each other through the good times and the bad, hoping against hope that there will come a day when the world is no longer at war.

Having read and enjoyed Jules Wake’s delightful contemporary romantic comedies, my expectations were high for her debut historical novel and she managed to exceed every single one of them with The Secrets of Latimer House. A beautifully told wartime tale, The Secrets of Latimer House shines a very bright light on the many sacrifices women made during the war, the friendship that saw them through this difficult period of their lives and the endless reserves of strength and courage that kept them going, even when everything seemed lost and hopeless.

Full of wonderful period detail that brings the past to life, heart-pounding emotional drama and characters that will linger in the mind long after the last page is turned, The Secrets of Latimer House will satisfy Jules Wake’s legion of fans and win her a whole host of new admirers, who will find themselves completely gripped by her fantastic historical debut.

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