This book arrived when I first started using NetGalley and was unfamiliar with the use of its system. I did not know what to do when the original download of digital file expired, so I missed the chance to review it in time. Since then I have been trying to get a copy of the book, with its not easy, as neither the print copy nor the digital copy exists in most libraries as well as bookstores both online and offline. Eventually I tracked down a secondhand copy and it is from it that this book review is composed.

The book tells the story of Grace, recently divorced, who accidentally discovers her grandfather Martin's diaries and decides to find out more about his past, especially his experiences as a soldier in the trench battles in France during the First World War. Alternating between 1991 and the early 1910s, and between Grace's and Martin's perspectives, we see how war can impact on the lives of individuals and their families, let along the lives of the generations to come. The trauma, the pain, the cynicism, the regret -- these are more than enough to destroy personal and collective spirits.

While the plot is not that original, the author should be commended for her intensive research and attention to detail, and her vivid and honest illustration of the cruelty of the trench wars. The transition between different times and perspectives can sometimes be confusing, but those readers who persevere would be rewarded in the end by the rich emotions displayed. Furthermore, although Grace's is a journey of discovering the truths of her grandfather's past, it is also a journey of self-discovery as she negotiates between her past and present and ponders upon her future. In this sense, multiple threads of time intertwine, in the same way that our multiple identities join together to form our perceptions of ourselves.

Oooooh WWI. Such a bloody, bloody war. So many people lost their lives! I'm glad this story shared Martin's tale as well Grace's. It showed his journey as well as Grace's. The author did an amazing job with showing the true brutality of the war and the survivor's guilt. Beautiful job.

Normally I prefer one POV over the other, but for this one, I really liked both. Both had me hooked and I couldn't wait for the continuation of both. The author did a good job with the switching between WWI and the 1990s. Kuddos. It can be tough transitioning.

So many secrets and so many regrets on all sides! Lies, blackmail, secrets, stealing, killing, and so much more! Poor Grace! LOLLL

Poor Martin. :( He really did have a hard time. However, he was a clever man and taught Grace well on how to decipher the secrets he had.

Now, the culprit at the end surprised me for sure. Yes, I did suspect that person....but everyone was on my radar. However, as the story progressed I did have my money on someone else. The culprit did make me sad. I really had hoped it wouldn't be that person. Super bummer....but it did make a lot of sense honestly.

Why was Grandmama/Cynthia was such a B! But I don't understand it fully. Why would Martin stay with her or put up with her being so mean to Grace? You can't help who you love, but he should have put his foot down and told her off. I think she needed a reminder that you can't be a B whenever you wanted. Yes, it did make the story interesting and make it harder for Grace to solve the mystery....but yeah. Not cool.

My only real complaint was the ending after the reveal and whatnot. It did seem to drag on and on. It felt like it was never going to end and I expected more to be revealed, but nothing was.

Pierre was meh to me. He was nice and I'm glad Grace found him....but I guess I wasn't taken in by his charm.

I was utterly hooked from page one. The characters were interesting and I was very involved with both of their stories. I will admit...I teared up a couple of times during Martin's story! THE FEELS DAMMIT! THE FEELS! War is such a nasty, nasty thing especially WWI. WWI was the beginning of the shift of how warfare was done. It was a nasty transition that caused so many people to die on all sides. Super sad. The mystery was good and the culprit surprised me.

I also LOVE THE COVER! Beautiful.

In the end, I highly recommend this for everyone. Yes, there is some historical parts involved, but the author does a good job making it feel real and alive. The mystery and finding out all the secrets was for sure good. The ending did drag on a bit, but the rest of the of the story was fun. I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

This novel goes back and forth between 1991, when a recently divorced woman finds her grandfather's World War I diaries and a cryptic note and goes to France to retrace his steps, and her grandfather's story from World War I. Historical novels with parallel storylines are one of my favorite types of books, and this was a good one - interesting historical stuff, a little mystery, a little romance, and good characters. I have read lots of WWII books but very few about WWI, so definitely found that interesting, especially the awfulness and senselessness of trench warfare.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

I love this genre. This was Historical fiction at its best. This book had dual storylines set between Grace's story in the present, and her grandfather, Martin's story set in WW1. It had a little of everything, mystery, love, loss, longing. It was a lovely tale set in France. The details of the setting, the beautiful scenery made me long to visit France. The plotline as it moved back and forth was seamless, it was not confusing as some can be and reading Grandpa's journal along with Grace felt like we were there and it felt like an honest journal from the past, the horrors of war shocking and unsettling.

As Grace tried to solve the mystery, she has a handsome man help her who just makes the story better. Lovely story, fast paced near the end, kept me reading long into the night to finish.

Will definitely be looking for more books from this author.

Really interesting premise, great plot but a bit clunky in the execution.