A very well done book about finding meaning in your life. I loved every minute of Kate's story and delighted in the new best she found for herself.

Thank you @netgalley and Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity for my e-ARC of this book.

Kate was such a strong FMC and I loved the narration that revolved around her.

This was a different type of WWII novel than I tend to read, but it was good. It was nice hearing a background story of civilians going through the all of the struggles of war.

There are so many WWII novels appearing on our reading lists, and they range from OK to superlative, and this story is well up at the high end. Set in pre-war London and cleverly structured to ramp up the tension, it follows Kate, a girl with a dream of a singing career, as she and her family learn how to negotiate their changed world. The characters are three-dimensional, the historical research woven through the novel is thorough and believable in the story’s context, the writing is high-standard, and the themes are clear: when faced with the unthinkable, together a family or a nation can find the resilience, endurance, kindness and hope that will pull them through to the other side. Hard to put down. Thankyou to the author, She Writes Press (Hi!) and NetGalley for a digital ARC.

This book never picked up speed, nor did it dive deep. It is a just scratch-the-surface, shallow overview of a young woman in the early years of WW2. Based on the author’s note, it seemed she was personally focused on the torpedoing of the ship evacuating children, but that didn’t occur until very late in the novel, almost as an afterthought. The dialogue is awkward, and the prose is choppy. Many of the sentences were very short, and I think it is this that gives the entire book a shallow feel (not that every sentence needs to be nearly a run-on, but more numerous and descriptive words might help this book achieve a richer level of depth). With so many great books out there to be read, I’m sorry to say you should pass on this one.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I appreciated getting an advance copy of #KatesWar from NetGalley and She Writes Press. I love WW2 historical fiction and especially seeing a character’s development when thrown into the extreme conditions this time period presented.

What I liked:
• The family relationships. These seemed true to the time and were accurately represented. Kate’s growth with her mother and her mother’s individual character development I thought was well done.
• Coming of age. Kate is young, and this book takes a glimpse of her life over a little over a year at the start of Britain’s entrance into WW2 and how the war changes her trajectory in life.
• Speech impediment representation- I liked how Kate experiences the struggles with this and how it is a blockade to her singing career and one that she works to overcome with the help of various people she connects with in the book.

What I didn’t:
• The story had a very slow start to me, and I felt the entire pacing of the book could be improved. Almost half the online description of the book revolves around Kate helping a Jewish girl escape war-torn England after her parent’s deportation. This storyline really did not start taking shape until almost 70% of the way into the book. If it was to be such a big part of the novel, in my opinion it needed more attention and care to engage the reader.
• Playing off that last point- I felt there were maybe some timeline discrepancies in the story. One, in particular, was a headline of a chapter where it stated the time was “October”, but the opening paragraph stated it was “late September”. Nothing huge that takes away from the plot, but something I felt could have been caught in editing.
• While the book description does not state this is a romance book and does mention Kate’s “failed romance”- I did feel Barry deserved much better than what he experienced in this story. At least Kate being honest and telling him that she loved him at the end would have at least helped, in my opinion.
• I felt this book needed an epilogue. While Kate’s meeting with her friend Sybil at the end helped complete the coming-of-age story- I felt many of the bigger plot points were left a bit unfinished or rushed in the later part of the book.

Final thoughts:

As I read this book, I wondered if it would have benefited from being written from a first person perspective? The way some of Kate’s inner thoughts were described in the book didn’t flow in a third person voice as well as I think it would have otherwise.

All in all, it was an okay book about the time period and characters. I do wish more focus had been put on Kate and Hannah’s storyline but understand from the author’s afterword in the book why she had parts of that arc play out the way it did.

Thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the advance copy of Kate's War, a novel by Linda Stewart Henley. As war breaks out across Europe, young Kate is ready to leave home and begin her life with a singing career. When her younger brother is shipped out with the British program to remove children from the risk of bombs to the British countryside, Kate recognizes her plans must change so she can take care of her nervous mother. As the Nazi regime marches across Europe, Kate's life is full of unexpected joys followed with unspeakable pain. Throughout the twists and turns of her life, Kate learns who she really is and just how strong and capable she can be on her own. Linda Stewart Henely's story weaves a beautiful tapestry of love, fears, pain, courage, determination and the power of family ties.

#KatesWar #NetGalley #historicalfiction #WWII #LondonEngland

I might not be able to time travel in reality, but thanks to historical fiction books I can catch glimpses into the past. Historical fiction books tell a story based on reality but written with a creativity to keep the reader interested. Or in the case of Kate's War, pulling me into the story and encouraging me to seek out more truths.

Kate is struggling to find her place. She has finished school but university is not within her grasp. She wants to sing on a stage, but for now she teaches music at her old school. Like so many people at her age, she is at a crossroads. Her life is about to get much harder.

The reader is taken on a journey, experiencing the effects of WW2 from its onset. In many books, especially textbooks, they seem to snap their fingers and England is prepared to fight for freedom. Kate's War tells of the struggles. Kate's War gives images to the challenges. Kate's War brings the horrors to reality.

Kate's War brought out so many emotions. I gained a new respect for my relatives that never really talked about the war and their struggles. Admiration has grown for the sacrifices that were needed. Not everyone carried a rifle, but many were active in protecting the country. The losses gutted me. So many lost so much. Through Kate's eyes I saw all.

I saw gardens destroyed as Anderson Shelters were installed. I jumped over debris. I shook in the dark, waiting for a way home when blackouts were in full force. I quivered as bombs dropped, shaking the ground. Her bravery makes her one of the unsung heroes of WW2. Read Kate's War and be reminded of our past. A past that must not be repeated.

While World War II is swirling around her, Kate has her own challenges and inner turmoil to deal with. A coming of age story set in WWII, Kate finds the inner fortitude to become a strong woman with her own goals and opinions, often in opposition to what she was raised with. She finds inner strength within the horrors of the War.

Linda Stewart Henley, Kate's War, She Writes Press, April 2024.

Linda Stewart Henley was inspired by an event in which her father featured when she wrote Kate’s War. In 1940, CORB was one plan of evacuation in which children and their voluntary escorts were sent overseas to safety. It was short lived because the dangers proved too much. The SS Volendam on which Kate, the main character, travels with fifteen children under her care is a fictional representation of the one in which Stewart Henley’s father featured in a similar role. The book ends with that journey and a short aftermath in September 1940, just as the blitz begins. Leading up to this event is Kate’s life as a schoolgirl, a young woman with singing aspirations, a desire for freedom from her home, some romance and the early months of the second world war in a town close to London.

The diverse outcomes of evacuations to the country, the building of Anderson shelters and need for backouts and rationing provide the war time background to Kate’s personal story. This includes her battle with her mother, where she believes she is a second-best daughter; her work to overcome a nervous reaction when she sings in public; the impact of war on romance and decisions about marriage; and, a more public dilemma, where she becomes aware of the treatment of Jews in Britain and sympathy with Nazi Germany amongst the aristocracy.

This is a novel that provides well packaged detail about the early part of World War Two and characters that carry this story to its conclusion inspired by a real event to which Linda Stewart Henley wants to give recognition. There is a useful timeline, and an explanation about the inspiration for the novel at the end. The tension between Kate’s creativity and the domestic life her mother seemingly prefers, and the demands of war are well realised. The weaving together of Kate’s singing with the real event cleverly brings the two strands of Kate’s life together. However, I wanted more to become fully engaged with this novel.

History buffs and hopeless romantics, prepare to be swept away by Linda Stewart Henley's "Kate's War"! Set against the backdrop of WWII-era Britain, twenty-year-old Kate is a spirited dreamer poised for a life of song and independence, only to see her world shattered by the relentless drumbeat of war.

This isn't your average "Blitz and blackouts" tale. Kate navigates air raids, societal upheavals, and a forbidden romance with both unwavering determination and the vulnerability of a woman on the cusp of adulthood. When she unexpectedly becomes a guardian for a young Jewish refugee, Kate's journey morphs into a testament to courage, sacrifice, and the unyielding strength of the female spirit in the face of unimaginable darkness.

Henley's writing is a delicious paradox – both evocative and witty. One moment you'll feel the grit of London's streets under your fingernails, the next you'll chuckle at the wartime banter, and throughout you'll want desperately to lend Kate a shoulder (or perhaps a stiff drink!). "Kate's War" is a vivid and moving portrait of a generation defined by bravery in the face of relentless fear. It's a tale of defying expectations, finding purpose in chaos, and discovering that love can ignite even in the darkest of times.

Let "Kate's War" sweep you away!

A thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction, this book has more unique elements than others which I enjoyed. Kate’s speech impediment and her longing for independence really drove the narrative and I loved it. The writing was emotional and tense at times, and the entire novel read well and kept me entertained. The pacing was a little off in some parts, but not enough to ruin the story. A compelling read, from start to finish.

Set during the second World War, this is the story of several 'wars' being lived through by Kate within the historical context. There's Kate's war with her mother, the battle with her speech impediment, scarring from romantic involvements that are a minefield, and underlying it all, Kate's battle with herself and who and where she wants to be.
The book is a good read, and yet I didn't feel much sympathy for Kate. Many of her problems seem to be self-inflicted and for me she wasn't a particularly likeable character. The historical setting has been well-researched and if you like WWII settings then you may well enjoy this book. It's an easy read, although not a story that has particularly stayed with me. I enjoyed reading it but it's not a book I would re-read.
With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. All views are my own.

I recently delved into Linda Henley's captivating novel, a poignant tale that unfolds against the backdrop of pre-WWII London. The narrative follows Kate, an ordinary girl with dreams of a singing career, only to have her aspirations shattered by the looming war. Henley skillfully navigates Kate's coming-of-age journey, weaving a tapestry of timeless lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the profound impact of sacrifices.

What sets this novel apart from others centered around WWII is the authenticity of the characters. Kate's earnest desire to pursue her dreams and the subsequent challenges she faces resonate deeply. The ensemble cast forms a tapestry of humanity, each character contributing to the collective struggle for survival.

Linda Henley's storytelling prowess shines as she transports readers to a bygone era, vividly capturing the essence of pre-war London. The narrative is not merely a historical account but a heartfelt exploration of human strength and endurance in the face of adversity.

The characters in this novel aren't just names on a page; they become friends, and their struggles tug at your heartstrings. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself immersed in the collective determination of these characters to weather the storm of wartime challenges.

Shelving this novel as a "must-read" in my collection. Linda Henley's work stands out in the realm of WWII novels, offering a compelling narrative that will resonate with anyone who appreciates a story of resilience, camaraderie, and the indomitable human spirit. Thoroughly enjoyed every page!

Kates war is about 20year old kate struggling to gain independance ,when war is declared the same day she deciedes to inform her parents shes leaving home,war throws a spanner in the works and she stays home .the story covers her struggling relationship with her mother and her want to become a singer .through trials and tribulations kate must find her own way .this is a really nice book and worthy of 5 stars .

There is so much to love about this book. It is both a deeply researched historical novel and a social commentary on wartime Britain. All of this is viewed through the eyes of 20-year-old Kate and her family who live just outside of London. This story begins in September 1939 with the declaration of war and ends in September 1940 with the London Blitz.

The structure of this book is brilliant. Each chapter is one month allowing the reader to feel the steps of the mounting, serious life changes faced in preparation for the anticipated German invasion. Genuine characters made it easy to imagine the emotional stress faced. Kate, whose plans for the future must be put on hold. Her mom, who is struggling with the changes for her family and her fears of what's coming. (I felt her pain when rationing on tea was only 2 ounces a week!) Thirteen-year-old Ryan, the little brother who is excited by the war, feels completely authentic.

I love historical fiction because there is always the opportunity to learn something new and this one didn't disappoint! It is a fast-paced read and the author beautifully weaves the historical events of this first year of WW II with Kate's personal story. I hated for it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This historical fiction novel takes place in England at the beginning of World War II and focuses on a young woman , Kate and her family. This book focuses on the “ coming of age “ of Kate, her family life, her own conflicts and insecurities, and her hopes and dreams for the future. This book was beautifully written, the author spent “ a lot of love” in each and every word and in the character development. In reading this book I could tell that author did her research in the historical facts for the story, was very descriptive in certain aspects of the story.. I would highly recommend this book, it is not a book that goes into great detail about the horrors of the war but more of a character study that shows the true spirit and grit and determination of the British people.

Kate’s War by Linda Stewart Henley is about a 20-year-old woman (at the start of the book) in England and her experience going through WWII. Kate is a part-time music teacher at an all-girl’s school, St. Bridget’s, in London. In the first portion of the book, she learns of the Mass Observation Project that is occurring so that data can be obtained regarding how people are impacted by the war. It is one way that women felt they could contribute to the war effort. At first, Kate was hesitant and not interested in participating. She starts to tutor one of her student’s, Hannah, who loves to sing. About half-way through the book, we get confirmation that Hannah and her family are Jewish, and her mother asks Kate to watch out for Hannah if something happens to her or her husband, stating that their visa is up and they may be deported or arrested any day due to their religious status. Kate agrees to watch out for Hannah. She also develops a relationship with a young man named Barry, who is going to be deployed to Belgium, and agrees to marry him when he asks her in 1940. After this point in the story, I don’t want to delve further as there would be spoiler’s ahead. But this book was able to draw me right into the story. I have always loved WWII historical fiction, I have read a lot of it. I am definitely adding this to the recommended reading pile for my friends! You really connect with Kate and feel for her and her family. I feel that this book did a wonderful job at depicting the history and drawing the reader in. 4.5/5 stars!!

What a beautiful book! I rarely read historical fiction but it is something for our library that is very popular and what we try to keep new releases in stock but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It isn’t just a WWII novel but really a journey of our FMC Kate. It felt part coming of age and part exploration of what it was like living in London during this time. The writing was really beautiful and I was way more connected to it then I thought. I would for sure recommend especially for people who enjoy historical fiction.