What if after we lived our life and died we coud go back and try to fix the mistakes? What if in reliving and making different choices changes the outcome so much that you you lose the love of your life? Would you change it or do the right thing? That is such a decision that George is faced with in WW1. He and Marcelle live through multiple hardships that bring them together, but in the end they die young. George comes back and lives that same life at key moments he makes different choices hoping that he and Marcelle will live through it all to go to America when the war is over. Loved this book. i love romance and history, but this has a little sci-fi mixed in. Thank you netgalley.

How can a book be both extremely depressing, and stunningly beautiful at the same time? Midnight on the Marne certainly accomplished that A woman is given a box of memories when the man who saved her life dies. In it are the memories of the life they shared, a life she has no memory of. In fact, its a life that's impossible. Germans invading Paris, a marriage, a man who she'd never met but whom apparently was like a brother to her. It's not that her memory is failing, it's that this American seems to have lived an entire life, stemming from one conscious choice he made in battle.
George and Marcelle meet, and its like they were destined for each other. Then Marcelle is taken prisoner of the Germans and to save her sister makes a choice to damn her lover and a friend to death. In the aftermath, she finds George again. Thus begins their hard life and desperation to survive.
It's hard to review this book without giving much away. As so much was revealed in the synopsis that kind of ruined the experience for me. The way the story is actually told, knowing that there's an element of time travel really took away from the experience. I already knew what happened in the end, so it took away a lot of the stakes. Though some scenes I was on the edge of my seat.
It was overall a beautiful book, and at the same time absolutely horrific. There is reference to assaults and rape, but Adlakha never shows it, and never includes it for shock value. The fact it happened is shocking enough, she never finds a reason to include it on page which I greatly appreciated. The ending in particular really was perfect, and I was practically sobbing.
This is more of a bittersweet ending, so go in knowing that. And remember that war is horrific, and Adlakha never pretends otherwise. It was nice to see WWI for a change, with so many historical books focusing on WWII.

I enjoyed the storyline of this book - it was informative and interesting, set during a period of history that was fascinating and difficult. However, I did find the audiobook format a little challenging for me as I did find it hard to focus on some of the sequence of events.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advance copy of this audiobook.

First of all, the audio narration of this book is phenomenal. Very engaging and pulls you in, each voice expertly done.

This book was incredibly engaging. As the very elderly Marcelle and her daughter pore through journals sent to them from the USA from a man named George and a time long-forgotten, we get transported back into the life of Marcelle in the time of WWI. As a spy, Marcelle has gained quite a notorious reputation but it has put her in a dangerous position as well. We follow the story of Marcelle and George, a soldier, as a motley crew become family, some by DNA and some by circumstance.

How much of George's stories were true? How much made-up? How much is a bit of both? Marcelle's memories are spotty as she puts the pieces back together.

This book even has a little bit of a "Dream Daughter" flavor to it, if you know the book. I won't reveal what I mean by that, but it gives a lot of food for thought

I loved everything about this audiobook. The storyline kept me intrigued from the beginning till the very end. Definitely recommend this book to friends and family and cannot wait to read and or listen to more audiobooks from the author at a later date.

This was an really interesting story that I loved- right up until the ending which had a bit of fantasy. I am not a huge super natural person and do not think the ending really held up to the rest of the book

My interest was piqued when I saw the main narrator of this book was Saskia Maarleveld - I find myself looking for audiobooks narrated by her. This one did not disappoint. The story was enjoyable and I really enjoyed the complexity of the overlapping storylines. While I am usually not impressed by timeline switching in a book, this one was not distracting - it added to the understanding. I also appreciated the little-known facts about these events of history. The alternate reality that was presented gave me lots to think about. There are some parts of the book that paint a brutal and descriptive picture of the realities of war, which may put off some readers. If you like books that leave you thinking, with memorable characters and a storyline that will put you into the story, this is worth reading/listening to. I received this audiobook as an advanced copy from NetGalley.

Set during the heroism and heartbreak of World War I, and in an occupied France in an alternative timeline, Sarah Adlakha's MIDNIGHT ON THE MARNE explores the responsibilities love lays on us and the rippling impact of our choices.

France 1918; Nurse Marcelle Marchand has important secrets to keep. Her role as a spy has made her both feared and revered.

I loved listening to the story on audio, and thought that it made for an overall engaging experience.

*many thanks to Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review Midnight on the Marne.

Author: Sarah Adlakha
Narrators: John Pirhalla; Saskia Maarleveld
Published: 08/09/22
Genre: Historical Fiction -- Women's Fiction

I had to let this resonate for several days. There were so many things I liked and a just a few that I didn't. I'm not going to spoil. So, I couldn't get into the book right away, and if I had not requested to read from NetGalley, I would have DNFd. Note, after reading, I can tell you, I would have been okay DNFing the book.

There are scenes incredibly well-written. I felt the pain, the blows, and wanted to check my own teeth. There are scenes where I wondered how she would ever trust another human being. These scenes are bone chilling. They shook me through my core. Then there are the parts where I wondered who was writing. Did the same person write the whole book? Was I unrealistic in my suspicion?

The narration was good.

Bottomline, the writing confused me, it was all over. I loved the main character. The ending left me aggravated. I will never forget that real people suffer with or without an active war as Marcelle did, and the scenes haunt me. Time travel is tricky, and I think Adlakha did her job. 3.5 stars and I'm rounding up.

If you had to do it all over again, would you take the chance to change the outcome of the future if you remember what happened before.
Every action taken has consequences. Some good others bad. Your will not know the final results until you are in the future.
The setting is World War I, France. The encounter between a French nurse and an American soldier.
The second timeline is when the now elderly woman in France is reading a journal send to her from America.
I can’t say to much without spoiling the story for somebody to read.
All I can say it is a page turner. A lot of unexpected twist. The fiction is nicely woven in with some historical facts. The two narrators did a great job in presenting the Audio version of the story.

A beautifully crafted fiction about spies, love and memories.

Thank you #NetGaelly and Macmillan Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this.

This was an interesting WWI novel with a twist. The time travel made it a little hard to follow in the audiobook format. I might have enjoyed it more to read in person.

I was given an audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Never have I ever read a book that centered around WWI. this book opens with in 1918. It revolves around the love story of Marcelle and George. George, an American soldier, and Marcelle, a front line Nurse who happens to also be a spy. This has a very complicated storyline because it is based on the what if’s one faces in life. This theory is put to the test.. No I can’t go any further. Thanks to #NetGalley, #MacmillanAudi, #SarahAdlakha, #MidnightontheMarne for the opportunity to review early. Even though I have been remiss in submitting my review in a timely manner,I will be recommending this book. I enjoyed the audiobook but think it would be easier to read so you can flip back an forth.

The story takes place during World War I and was definitely a historical fiction and time travel. I know lots of readers steer clear of time travel in a story like this, but it is really well done, and I think you would enjoy it. The story of Marcelle and George is such an epic story because they survive so much through a war- starvation, loss, traumatic treatment but always moving forward to survive. There are many other characters that weave in and out of their story. I enjoyed the audio version.

I received an audio of Midnight on the Marne from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.

Midnight on the Marne is set in Franceduring WWI. Marcelle is the French nurse who is also a spy. George along with his fellow American soldier Philip are fighting in the the Second Battle of the Marne. But the Germans are victorious.

The alternate timeline is interesting. I think if I had read the book I would’ve had an easier time keeping events straight. I like the premise and was happy with the ending. 3 stars.

Midnight on the Marne by Sarah Adlakha was set during the heroism and heartbreak of World War 1 in occupied France. The story starts in 1918 with Nurse Marcelle Marchard her role as a spy, put her in extreme danger of the approaching German army. She meets an American soldier George Mountcastle.
There is an alternative timeline, which makes the story confusing at times, but just keep going its worth it in the end. This story left me thinking about the question long after I finished the book. If you could go back in time to change an event that would help someone you loved, not knowing what the outcome would be. Would you still do it?
I gave this book 5 stars I loved how Sarah used the diary to help tell the story. Warning brought tears to me throughout the book. Published 8/9/2022

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* was a pretty good read but just not my cup of tea character wise? unsure can't out my finger on it but would reread

I hardly know where to begin for this one...!

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Sarah Adlakha takes us back to 1918, to the first World War that was supposed to end all wars. But of course, it didn't, because we humans never learn....

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Have I mentioned that I am an ardent pacifist? That I believe we foolish humans need to find alternative ways to resolve disputes that do not involve the loss of life? Force and violence can never be the answer.

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I listened to the excellent audiobook version. I have to admit that during the torture and overly-descriptive battle scenes, I revved up the speed to chipmunk-sounding proportions. I do not enjoy listening to or watching depictions of war and cruelty. I stopped watching TV years ago because of the escalating violence. I get that WWI was brutal: I was riveted by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's brilliant film adaptation of Sebastien Japrisot's novel, <u>A Very Long Engagement.</u> In this instance, Jeunet elevated the book on which it was based and created a cinematic masterpiece. After watching that incredible movie, as well as the film adaptations of Sebastian Faulk's <u>Birdsong</u> and Ford Maddox Ford's <u>Parade's End</u>, I really didn't need convincing that the first world war transcended every definition of hell on earth.

I was hesitant about listening to this audiobook, because I was already stressed out by work, my various muscle strain injuries, and the sudden loss of my car, to want to plunge myself into more strife. But Adlakha is such a gifted writer, and you can see that she is passionate about this era - and time travel as well!

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Once again her characters are provided with a dilemma: alter the course of history by changing one crucial event, all the while knowing that the life and love you once knew would be lost to you forever. This Casablanca type theme of noble self-sacrifice never sat well with me, but Adlakha managed to convince me that Marcelle and George - such upstanding star-crossed lovers! - did not fair too badly and managed to have loving, fulfilling "alternate" lives despite their heart-rending sacrifice.

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What a very dismal picture indeed that Adlakha painted in the version of the world where Germany had won this crucial war. And, as in that fateful final scene in Casablanca between Rick and Ilsa, "the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world...."

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I am intrigued by Adlakha's recurring theme/hypothesis in her novels thus far: that we are capable of having more than one soul mate in our various incarnations in this world. I'm very intrigued to read her NEXT time travel - or should we call it a time UNRAVEL - novel!

Well done - but I had to deduct a point because there were too many descriptions of epic battles for my liking. My thanks to the author, narrators, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Marcelle is a nurse during the war but she is also a spy. She ends up meeting an American soldier, George. These two create a life together but as the war moves along thing change drastically and tragedy strikes.

This novel is told in several different time periods. It begins with Marcelle as an older woman and she comes across a diary and this takes her back to a past she thought long forgotten.

I have not read too many WWI books so this was a nice change of pace. I loved Marcelle. Talk about someone who can keep a secret and never gives up…It is this woman right here! When she meets her American soldier, George, he is immediately taken with her. These two really change the course of many lives. And yes! You will need to read this to find out exactly what I am talking about. It is a twist in this novel I never saw coming!

Need a great story about WWI…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction. I love anything set far enough in the past that it feels like a whole different world. Sometimes I just want to experience something different without it being completely fiction. I generally am all about regency, WW1, WW2, or really just anything historical, so when this book got handed to me, I was really excited to see what it was about.

A Quick Overview

We start with Marcelle, old and gray, and not able to remember if a version of her life is true or not. She clearly has some secrets, but how much of this man’s story could be true? As her daughter reads her this diary sent to her by an American man, we are taken through her tragic life during WW1. It seems like the story just keeps getting more and more tragic as things go on, but Marcelle and her little family keep pushing through. There is an obvious theme of “what if’s” throughout the novel, which is pretty much the whole point. At some point in the story, something happens that allows George a chance to change the past. The book description even says that the story “explores the responsibilities love lays on us and the rippling impact of our choices.”

My Main Thought

I think that a novel with a deeper meaning can go one of two ways. It is either really cool, or it just misses the mark a little. The idea that our decisions can have a rippling effect isn’t groundbreaking, but it is a really cool concept to form a whole novel around. However, I was kind of frustrated with this ending. A huge chunk of this story was focused on one path that Marcelle and George took, but when George gets a chance to fix things, everything the story had already set up completely fell apart. It felt like I had just sat through an entire book for no reason.

Loved the Story, Hated the Ending

It is safe to say that most of us have likely run into this issue. It isn’t the first time for me, and it certainly isn’t the last. I thought this book was extremely well written, interesting, and certainly unique. I just wish it had a more satisfying ending. I just cannot shake this feeling that I got attached to all of these characters, felt all of this heartbreak, and listened to multiple hours of a book just for none of it to mean anything, because the story changed at the last minute. I think this is definitely the kind of book you will either absolutely love, or it will leave you questioning things. Either way, I would still recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction!

Narration
This book was narrated by Saskia Maaleveld and John Pirhalla. I though both narrators did a pretty good job, but I just want to know who decided to have each narrator read in American accents, have them say French places or names in French accents, and use a French or German accent when the characters are meant to be speaking that language. I get that it was third person narration, but it felt really odd that the accents kept shifting. It pulled me out of the story at times since I kept trying to figure out why someone thought that was a good plan, instead of having Marcelle’s story told in a French accent and George’s in an American accent. Even with it being third person narration, I think it would have been less odd.