Historical fiction set across the years of World War II has almost become a sub-genre in recent years. I’ve read a lot of it but, over the last two years, I’ve slowed down on my consumption and I’m at the point now where I’ll only read a WWII novel if it has something new to say about the history. I have no interest in revisiting the same stories over and over and I have a particular dislike of war being romanticised, so I do select my titles with care. I had come across glowing reviews of Diane Armstrong’s previous novel, The Collaborator, so I felt compelled to read this latest release, Dancing with the Enemy. I’m so glad I did. It was brilliant. A solid five stars from me, and for a novel that is near on five hundred pages long, I sped through it in only three days, no mean feat with the hours I’ve been working of late.

‘…war brings out the best and the worst in us, and it’s a pity that some people allow the worst to triumph.’

I’ve only read two novels about the occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII, one set in Guernsey (you know which one!) and one set in Jersey, both exceptionally good. So, for me, this was still new history, an aspect of WWII that I wanted to know more about. I’m so impressed with this novel. It shines in all areas: writing, character, story, historical scope, pacing, and that extra something that equates to ‘all the feels’.

‘…wondered if he was an evil man with a spark of conscience, or a good person who had made a pact with the devil in order to survive.’

The story unwinds from three perspectives: Dr. Hugh Jackson, whose perspective is conveyed via a war journal; Tom Gaskell, a young teenager caught between anger at his mother’s collaboration with the Germans and the ease with which they were able to occupy his homeland, both factors converging to lead him onto a pathway of resistance; and Xanthe, a burnt out young Australian doctor who is at a crossroads within her own life and travels to Jersey for an extended holiday, which ends up with her deep diving into Jersey’s wartime history. Each perspective offered a compelling and interlinked narrative, and I enjoyed each character equally. I particularly liked how they were linked, which becomes apparent further into the novel with an interesting reveal.

‘What I can’t understand, is how morons these days can deny the Holocaust when the Germans themselves, even the Commandant of Auschwitz, left such detailed records of their crimes.’

Dancing with the Enemy is a novel that is vast in scope and tells its history with empathy and intelligence. I really enjoyed it and admire this author immensely. I’ll definitely be reading more from her in the future. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

‘Jersey must seem like an island paradise. Surely not even in his wildest dreams did old Hitler envisage such an accommodating government with such acquiescent residents. This really had to be a model occupation.’

Having read and loved Diane’s, The Collaborator, I was eager to read her latest WWII historical fiction offering. Dancing with the Enemy, is based in Jersey, Channel Islands whilst under German occupation in WWII and is the story told by two characters from 1940 to 1945 and one from the present day.

‘Xanthe wonders about the girls who danced with the enemy. Why did they fraternise with the occupiers? What did their families and friends think of their behaviour?’

Diane includes interesting storyline’s - both past and present - including personal and community experiences. What I appreciated most about this story, however, was how Diane raised moral issues and what happens when people with differing values clash and the incredibly difficult and challenging outcomes. Through the lens of the various lead characters, readers are forced to consider how they would have faced the range of situations presented. There are many excellent reflective passages.

‘One day you’ll come to a crossroad that will test your moral fortitude, and the path you take then will affect the rest of your life.’

This book tried to pack in a lot - too much in my opinion. Undoubtedly, lots of quality research and information, some conveyed rather unconvincingly through touristy visits. There were cliched characters and situations for convenience ie. modern timeline. There were some definite unanswered questions. In my humble opinion, too many topics were being pursued and I feel the story suffered for it. I could have done without Xanthe’s personal dilemma, or Aiofe’s revelations, even Tom’s experiences in Germany - they were all valid issues yet I feel did not belong in the essence of this wartime drama set on a tiny island.

‘I thought about the fine line between survival and collusion. I wonder what I would do in his place.’

There’s much WWII historical fiction out there and whilst I enjoyed and appreciated the research and range of stories, I just felt that Dancing with the Enemy lost its way in trying to tackle too many themes. Still, a solid and interesting WWII tale.

‘It occurs to her that crises don’t create character; they reveal it … … hindsight is a great teacher. The trouble is, we have to live life forwards, and I don’t think we can ever know how we would behave in any situation until it arises.’








This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

In a market flooded with WWII stories, it’s a challenge for authors to find a fresh take, but in Dancing With The Enemy, author Dianne Armstrong has succeeded. This dual timeline story set on the Channel island of Jersey is told through the eyes of three main protagonists, Dr Hugh Jackson and teenager Tom Gaskell during the war, and Dr Xanthe Maxwell in 2019. The exceptionally detailed research that has gone into creating a believable setting for this story is evident on every page. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a history text. It’s a superb story woven around historic facts with marvellous characters added in, leading readers through the events that impact on their existence. I felt as though I was there living the appalling impacts of war one minute and Xanthe’s 21st century visit to Jersey the next. I could wax lyrical forever about this book but suffice to say I found it a wonderful read and can’t recommend it highly enough.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Interesting read about the German occupation of Jersey told from 3 main perspectives; the islands doctor Hugh Jackson, young local Tom Gaskill and modern day doctor Xanthe who finds a journal from during the occupation as well as meeting some surviving locals. Compelling reading, trying to fit the pieces together. Loses a star fun me because of the questions left unanswered at the end, particularly around Xanthe.

Channel Islands, 1940. Britain has abandoned the Islands, war is about to break out. Germans begin to invade, the lives of 3 people are about to be intertwined throughout history.

Dr Jackson decides to send his pregnant wife away as the Germans invade, while he stays he documents life under occupation.

Tom is a young lad who just wants a future, but can't stand the German invaders. He comes up with an idea that will either be the adventure of a lifetime, or a deadly mistake.

Xanthe, traumatised from her colleague's suicide, and burnt out from a demanding medical job, explores St Helier and it's history under Occupation as she finds Dr Jackson's journal. Eventually finding a connection to the past, she can find a way to move forward.

Dancing With the Enemy was a really good read, great storyline, focused more on the characters and their lives rather than the heaviness of the Germans and war.

This was my first Diane Armstrong book but it won’t be the last, this is a beautifully written story told over two time lines, it pulled me in as I got to know the people who lived on Jersey in The Channel Islands during the German occupation in World War two and then in 2019 a young Australian doctor who discovers more than she ever thought she would on her trip.

It is June 1940 and Dr Hugh Jackson and life as he knew is about to change when England abandons The Channel Islands and Hugh makes a decision to stay for his patients as his pregnant wife leaves for England, Hugh starts a journal that opens up life in these trying times.

In May 1942 young Tom Gaskell is decidedly very angry with what is going on, on the island with Germans taking over everything and even his own mother fraternizing with the Germans he decides that he needs to escape and sets up a plan with his best mates Harry and Frank to do so but what happens will leave him shattered and very guilty.

April 2019 and you Australian Doctor Xanthe Maxwell has come to the end of her tether with the stress and pressure she is under in the hospital when she finds he best friend has committed suicide it is time for her to take a break and she decides on Jersey. At the house she rents she finds and old journal that was written during the occupation in WW11 Dr Hugh Jackson this takes her on a journey back in time to what things were really like on the island the collaboration from some of the residents and the pure strength and caring of others the passion they showed with what they were going through. She also meets another Australian Daniel while he is there studying for his thesis and together they uncover so much about the past.

This is a fabulous story that I would highly recommend, heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time it is written with honesty and caring and my feelings came to the surface as I got to know Hugh, Tom and Xanthe, a must read for any lover of historical fiction and stories about World War 2 the Chanel Islands and Jersey are a beautiful setting.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review

1940: The citizens of the Channel Islands are shocked when Mr. Churchill decides to demilitarize the island and leave them defenseless against the German army. In St Helier Dr. Hugh Jackson has to make the difficult decision whether to leave with his pregnant wife Margaret or stay? He decides to remain, he’s worried about his patients and his wife isn't happy with his choice.

1942: Tom Gaskell is a teenager, he and his friends Frank and Harry are furious when the Germans arrive and take the island without out any resistance. Soon Germans are everywhere, imposing their rules and taking what they want. The remaining residents have no idea they will be cut off from the mainland for five years, supplies of essential items will run out, including food, clothes, medicine, fire wood, petrol, soap and even bicycle tires. With over 27,000 German troops stationed on the beautiful islands, at first it’s like a holiday for them and this changes as time goes on. Tom is mad at his parents, especially his mother for inviting the enemy over for drinks and along with his friends the come up with an idea to escape.

2019: Xanthe Maxwell leaves Sydney, she travels to St Helier and she has no idea the house she's rented once belonged to Dr. Jackson. Xanthe is a doctor, she’s suffering from burnt out, a distant relative lived in Jersey and it's the perfect excuse to take a much needed break. She discovers a hidden journal written by Dr. Jackson, she didn't know Jersey was occupied by the Germans during the war and she’s intrigued.

By reading the dual timeline story you discover what happened in Jersey during the war and the link between the present day characters. What it was like for the people living on the island during the occupation, the hardships they endured and how they felt abandoned by England, how some locals collaborated with the German's, how badly the Jewish residents were treated and the Russian slave laborers. Xanthe becomes interested in the history of the island, she visits the War Tunnels and Edward de Courcy and meets Bob Blampied who lived on the island during the occupation, she feels a connection to Dr. Jackson and to medicine.

I received a copy of Dancing with the Enemy from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Through visiting Jersey and her thorough research Diane Armstrong has written a fascinating novel, a must read for those who enjoy WW II historical fiction and five stars from me.

The first thing I want to say is this is such a long book and although I love the story and the historical aspect of it I always find books this long a bit tedious.
But having said that I did find the story intriguing and well written, well researched and a story I could easily follow. The characters (Hugh Jackson, Tom Gaskell and Xanthe Maxwell) all have a story to tell, emotional, heartbreaking and at times terrifying.
Each character brings life to the story in different timelines but eventually all of their stories come together. It was a bit different to other historical periods of the time as it was about the effects of war in Jersey, the betrayal, terror and heartbreak of the decisions made.
This is a very well written book with a story and characters that really draw you in to their stories, it grabs your attention and makes you want to read more and to really feel the story.
I highly recommend this book but must reiterate that you need time to read it as it is quite a long book.

Jersey, part of Britain’s Channel Islands, was a peaceful, tranquil place until June in 1940, when, to all intents and purposes, Britain abandoned its island, while German forces took it over without a shot being fired. There were a few days warning when people were advised to evacuate to England, but Hugh Jackson was a doctor, the only one on the island, who had a bevy of patients, including pregnant mothers, and couldn’t see his way clear to leave them. But he encouraged his wife Margaret to leave, sure the war would be over soon, and they could be reunited. Margaret was pregnant with their first child and he felt she’d be safer away from Jersey.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Gaskell was filled with hatred and humiliation at the German invasion, his mother accused of collaboration, while his father did nothing. Two years had passed since the Germans had arrived and their brutality and cruelness, their rationing of food and medicines, which meant the locals were always hungry, always cold, always sick. Tom and two of his best friends, Frank and Harry, decided to escape to England in a small rowboat, not having any idea of what the outcome would be to this foolhardy plan.

2019 and Xanthe Maxwell of Sydney had arrived in St Helier on the island of Jersey after a traumatic event in her hospital where she worked. She needed some time to evaluate her life, to work out if her life as a doctor was really what she wanted. The house she stayed in had a long ago past and when Xanthe inadvertently came across a hidden diary of the occupation of the island, written in the hand of Dr Jackson, Xanthe was fascinated and horrified to read the story – the day-to-day events – of the lives of Hugh, Tom Gaskell, Bob Blampied and many others.

Dancing With the Enemy by Aussie author Diane Armstrong is another excellent historical novel by this author, set in an obscure place where no one seemed to acknowledge the horrors of those five years. Jersey’s history of those WWII years was traumatic, terrifying and brutal, but its long-ago beauty returned, and its people were happy once again. The author’s note at the end of the novel is interesting, and she says there’s factual information along with the mostly fictional story of the novel. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a story! I read this book in one sitting (lucky it was Easter!). I literally could not put it down.

Three characters stories entwined into one riveting narrative about how the effects of war impact not only one generation but the lives that come after.

It is 1940 in St Helier, Jersey and Dr Hugh Jackson decides not to evacuate from the island with his pregnant wife when he has the opportunity but sees that his duty is to stay with his patients. Does he make the right decision? Tom Gaskell, a spirited young boy can’t believe the island has just surrendered to the Germans without even a fight . His disbelief in the cowardly way his parents react to the takeover appalls him and he decides to act on his strong belief that no English person should have to succumb to the German ways. This decision changes his life forever.
It is 2019 and Xanthe arrives in St Helier needing a holiday and time to reassess her future medical career. She stays in Dr Jackson’s cottage and finds a journal he has written during the War. This peaks her interest and sets her on a journey to find out more about the people, the islands history and herself.
I loved how the characters lives intersected in a seamless yet haunting way. Their lives, even though they lived decades apart had strong connections.
I did not know that the Island of Jersey or the Channel Islands were taken over by Germany in WWII after Britain abandoned them. This book provides a well researched account of what it would have been like for those residents of the Islands who lived during this period of time.
Such a riveting read! Can’t wait for the next Diane Armstrong book.