I have read Emily Bleeker in the past and enjoyed her books. This one is no different. It did take me a bit to get into but settled in quickly enough and enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"When We Were Enemies" by Emily Bleeker was an addictive & interesting story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page.
I enjoyed the characters, storyline & the author's writing style.
I liked how the author told the story by alternating between Elise in the present & Vivian in the 1940's.
I would definitely read another book by Ms. Bleeker.

When We Were Enemies had a slow start initially, but it became intriguing towards the middle section. I liked the short, easy-to-read chapters and even though it was initially stressful alternating between Vivian and Elise's story, it later became quite enjoyable.

I also liked the parallels drawn between Elise and Vivian's life, and I like the roles played by the two priests. Even though the book had religious undertones, the author balanced it so the book wasn't preachy or overwhelming.

Tom's aspect was rather tragic and I think there should be a trigger warning in the book due to the violent scene depicted towards the end. Overall, it was a very good read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Emily Bleeker - 4.5 stars!

Elise Branson is somewhat of an anomaly in her family. Both her mother and grandmother were famous actors in their time, but Elise prefers to be more anonymous and definitely not in front of the camera. But when her mother's latest boyfriend wants to do a documentary about her grandmother's time working at a POW camp in Indiana, she gets forced into having her wedding there at a small chapel on the base. But secrets may come out that no one wants made public.

This book is set in two different time periods. Vivian is Elise's grandmother, and we learn of her time working at the camp where Italian prisoners are being held. She ends up being an interpreter and also singing and hostessing at the local USO club. I had no clue that there was a POW camp in Indiana, so this was very interesting. Both timelines had similar threads and were both intriguing - I also liked the Catholic ties going throughout the family in different ways. Great book!

3.5 Stars

Current day, Elise is a PR powerhouse. She is also the daughter of a famous actress and the granddaughter of a beloved Hollywood icon. Newly engaged, she is talked into combining her wedding planning with a documentary about her famous grandmother’s early years, against her better judgement. It’s 1943 and Vivian needs a way to help support her injured father, mother who is in a psychiatric hospital and younger sister, still at home. She secures a job at a POW camp translating for the military and the Italian Prisoners. Vivian moonlights as both a dancer and a singer at the local USO.

The book follows both stories, easily switching between the two. The author gives us a look into the prisoners, military and the local USO club, not to mention film making. Vivian’s dedication to both family and job are admirable, always putting her own wants and needs secondary, totally realistic to the time. Storylines flow nicely and the cast of characters is easy to follow. Characters are transparent, there are no surprises into their nature. The stories come together nicely, but there were a few gaps I would have liked filled in. The story could have been a little longer to really bring it to a more complete close. The war takes a backseat to the family drama unfolding. I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous thrillers and look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Nice story , but this story just did not reel me in. It might
Have been me but I got a bit bored. Ive read other stuff and enjoyed it

I've read previous titles by Emily Bleeker, and I was happy to have the opportunity to read the latest. This was a great addition to her efforts. This story is set with Elisa in the present and Vivian in the 1940s. This is a family story that shows there is more to people and their histories than we often realize. The characters were well thought out, and the plot was a good one (which I've come to expect from this author.) I enjoyed it a great deal. Thank you for Lake Union Publishing (I love everything they put out!) and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Loved it!! I enjoyed Vivian's story more than Elise's. Elise allowed her mom, Mac and Hunter to walk all over her. She never stood up to them. Elise went along with the wedding even though she didn't want to be filmed. She should have seen all the red flags flashing in her face about the documentary. Her dad was the only one to tell her not to do it and she didn't listen. Between the paparazzi photo and the hidden cameras at the hotel, I'm surprised Elise still speaks to her mom. Mac's documentary didn't seem to be focusing on Vivian or her life, instead he was looking for something scandalous. Everyone could see what type of man Tom Highward really was, except for Vivian. She ignored all the extremely large red flags that were hitting her in the face. Vivian realized Tom had two sides to him and completely ignored the horrible one. I can't imagine what would have happened to her if the men from the chapel construction crew weren't' there that night. I would have loved to read more about Vivian. Luckily, Elise is more like her grandmother than her mom.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I enjoyed how the book alternated between Elise in the present and Vivian in the 1940s. I couldn't put the book down, but was sad when I got to the end because I wanted to keep reading about Elise and Vivian. Vivian lived such an interesting life, there had to be more to her story. What happened to her sister and father? Did she keep in contact with them? I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this book
This author has always had a beautiful style of writing, and this book was no different
I read it covered to cover nonstop, and honestly cannot say enough about it
I will not be giving any spoilers, but a wonderful story

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I always enjoy dual time period pieces and this story did not disappoint, the story about Vivian Snow a translator , clerk and USO singer who ultimately becomes a Hollywood legend during World War II and her granddaughter Elise a owner of her own PR firm in the present day is an interesting, informative read. Elise is recruited to go to Indiana at the urging of her mother Gracelyn, a famous Hollywood actress in her own right, to participate in a documentary to be made about her famous grandmother and to coincide with her upcoming wedding to Hunter a rich, famous executive from NYC. The story alternates between Vivian’s story of living in Indiana in the 1940’s and working at a POW camp and Elise ‘s story about her visit to Indiana and her discovery of secrets about her grandmother that shatters her . I don’t want to give away too much info, but suffice to say, this was a good, enjoyable read. I was unaware of the POW camps here in America during the war, that was interesting and I found that to be very interesting . I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction about dynamic women.

I enjoyed this dual story line work of historical fiction. I think way of telling this story works for this. The relationships between the characters, especially the mother and the daughter were well crafted. The way that religion was addressed in the story was believable and interesting. I also learned some Italian along the way. I think the one thing that the book could have used perhaps was a little editing because the first half of the book was really engaging as was the ending and in that third quarter, it lost me a little. However, I would definitely read another work of this author and look forward to future works.

Told in two timelines, this book details parts of the lives of Vivian and Elise. Both of these women in the same family share many traits. When Elise reluctantly sets about to work on a documentary about her family’s lives, the truth will come out. This was an enjoyable read!

Another stunning read by Emeliy Bleeker, published by Lake Union Publishing is When We Were Enemies.
Camera-shy Elise Branson is different from the other women in her matriline. Her mother is an award-winning actress. Her late grandmother, Vivian Snow, is a beloved Hollywood icon. But when Elise’s upcoming wedding coincides with a documentary being made about Vivian, Elise can’t escape the camera’s gaze. And even in death, neither can her grandmother.

It’s 1943 when Vivian, a small-town Indiana girl, lends her home front support to the war effort. As a translator in the nearby Italian POW camp, she’s invaluable. As a celebrated singer for the USO, she lifts men’s spirits and falls in love with a soldier. But behind this all-American love story is a shocking secret—one vital to keep buried if Vivian is to achieve the fame and fortune she covets.

For Elise and Vivian, what’s hidden—and what’s exposed—threatens to unravel their lives. The heart-wrenching choices they must make will change them both forever.

I generally liked this book, but I felt unsatisfied by the lack of ending for Vivian's character. Did Tom rebury the bones? Why did no one appraise the Tiffany ring? Other than those outstanding questions, I loved the character growth for Elise and Father Patrick and enjoyed this read.

This story follows Elise and a documentary being made about her famous grandmother while simultaneously planning her wedding to a wealthy, successful business man. We also get to learn of her grandmother’s life prior to reaching fame during WWII at Camp Atterbury with POWs.

This story of family secrets and learning what love truly is was honestly excellent. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A truly powerful story which had me glued to the story from beginning to end.
This story is told in dual timelines. For Vivian and Elise, the author has created relatable and interesting characters who are both strong women.

My only issue was that i was more interested in the historic part and not the documentary part but otherwise its a wonderful story.

Thanks Lake Union publishing and Netgalley

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Well written, this dual timeline novel pulled me right in and kept me turning the pages.

Both timelines are compelling (although I personally found Elise’s timeline to be very frustrating in many parts), and grandmother and granddaughter both are sympathetic characters.

Regarding Vivian’s timeline - the setting of a POW camp for Italian soldiers during WWII on US grounds certainly added a new perspective to WWII historical fiction.

I read this one with continued curiosity about what would happen. It was my first time reading a story by Ms Bleeker and it definitely won’t be the last.

Recommended!



Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

Well done dual time line tale of secrets and lies. Elise discovers there's more to her grandmother Vivian than she knew -and there are several surprises for the reader as well. This offers a bit of insight into the WWII homefront in the US as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Emily Bleeker, When We Were Enemies, Lake Union Publishing December 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

When We Were Enemies is an engrossing novel, with its plausible mystery story line and characters who range from the sympathetic to the flawed, unappealing and undeniably nasty. It is set in the past and present, with two commentators, Elise and her grandmother, Vivian. Vivian’s story revolves around the internment of Italian prisoners in World War 2 and civilian and military relationships with them and each other. Vivian’s mother is in a care facility, and the family rely on Vivian’s wages. Her work as a dance hostess in a voluntary capacity, paid singer, and paid clerical worker is fraught with rules imposed by the military and her father. Elise’s story is that of her new romance following the death of her former fiancé. Her marriage plans are the subject of a documentary in which history impacts the present.

Elise’s mother, the Hollywood star Gracelyn Branson, has engineered Elise’s participation in the documentary, at the behest of her current boyfriend. The family’s history begins to unravel as the documentary proceeds, and Elise become suspicious of those involved in its production. She recognises that for it to be successful, the documentary must include drama, and is cautious about her family providing this to their detriment. The producer is keen to use Vivian’s friendship with a priest amongst the incarcerated Italians and Elise’s similar friendship in the present to achieve this aim.

Both story lines present strong social commentary. The relationships between prisoners of war and civilian and military personnel associated with their incarceration raises the topic of Italian prisoners and Italian civilians, of whom Vivian is one. The unequal power between women and men and various types of abuse are also explored in both story lines. Particularly disturbing is the similarity between Vivian and modern-day Elise in their reaction to powerful men. The role of documentary makers in possible manipulation of their subjects and information also features. When Elise airs her suspicions of her fiancé, mother and the producers of the documentary she is charged with the accusation that her PR company is also a manipulator of facts.

The ending is satisfying, with Elise finding her a way in which to use her skills in a different and more socially positive, and the mystery is solved. This is all undertaken in a manner that, rather than producing a glib and happy ending, is a thoughtful conclusion to two stories that raise important issues. That the novel ends on a positive note, including romance, adds to the stories while maintaining the reflective features that are an important part of this novel’s impact.

A fascinating story that completely captured my attention throughout. The drama of a granddaughter with an egocentric star mother is related when the early life of her grandmother, also a star, is the topic of a documentary. The struggles they both experience mimic each other. Granddaughter Elise fights an overbearing director. Grandmother Vivian, deceased, fights the bigoted acts of her boyfriend.Both women find peace and comfort from kindly, young priests. Their stories unfold chapter by chapter. drawing you in with each page.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.