Seven Days in May

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought Seven Days in May was a great book. From the stories of the rich in New York at the turn of the century, to a secret British Admiralty office, to the horror and the aftermath of the sinking of the Lusitania. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day.

The book tells the story of two wealthy heiresses, Sidney and Brooke Sinclair. Brooke is engaged to a British aristocrat, Edward Thorpe-Tracy, a future Lord, who needs her money to save his estate and plans to marry her before he goes off to fight in WWI. Sidney, Brooke's sister, is a feminist who is active in the suffragette movement and is disdainful of her sister's plan. Edward comes to New York to escort the sisters back to England for the wedding on the Lusitania.

At the same time, Isabel Nelson is working hard as the only female code breaker in a top secret section of the British Admiralty. As the codes are broken, Isabel and her colleagues know that a German submarine is threatening to torpedo shipping in the Atlantic. They are concerned about the Lusitania but feel her speed and maneuverability will keep her safe.

I don't want to give away the story besides the obvious sinking of the ship, but the plot was very interesting and the characters were well drawn. The descriptions of the ship and life in the different classes aboard were fascinating and seemed well researched. I also really like Isabel's parallel story of a girl who worked in a man's world breaking codes.

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. It's a great read!

This historical novel is set in 1915 and is based around the RMS Lusitania. The book, thankfully, avoids the tired, and clichéd, dual time line – although it does have a dual storyline. Part of the book is set around the story of two American heiresses, Sydney and Brooke Sinclair, while the other section is set in London, where the storyline centres on Isabel Nelson who volunteers for war work at the Admiralty.

Brooke Sinclair is engaged to be married to Edward Thorpe-Tracey, who arrives in New York to escort his fiancée, and her sister, back to England for their marriage. Edward is keen to marry before he goes off to war and, although he does not really love Brooke, he needs her money to save his family home. Brooke, meanwhile, is keen to gain a title and is also eager to keep Edward apart from her sister, Sydney. Sydney is something of an embarrassment, with her controversial politics and eagerness to embrace the suffragette cause. Indeed, the sisters are such opposites that Sydney decides to travel on Lusitania in third class, causing all sorts of misunderstandings between Brooke, Edward and other passengers. This plot device also, obviously, allows the author to explore parts of the ship outside of first class and introduce different characters. Interestingly, some of the characters are based upon the authors own family history and so have real authenticity about them. There are other, real life people mentioned in the book, such as Alfred Vanderbilt, who Edward feels a certain envy towards, due to the freedom his wealth awards him.

Alongside the part of the novel centred on Lusitania, we read of Isabel Nelson. She had previously worked as a housemaid for George Chambers in Oxford, who taught her some morse code. Keen to volunteer for War Work, Isabel is thrilled to be assigned to Room 40 OB, under Commander Hope and Alastair Denniston, who spend their time deciphering code. Although she is only there to type up messages, she quickly enjoys the sense of comradeship. However, when Isabel discovers a secret message, it makes her question the role of the work she is involved in. Secrets play a larger part in the story though, with the arrival of Mildred, who knows about Isabel’s past…

I must admit that I have a fondness for books set on ships – particularly Lusitania or Titanic. This is a very interesting novel, which deals with both the tragedy of the sinking of the Lusitania and also with the role of women. You have Sydney who is interesting in the political rights of women and who admires Margaret Sander, a controversial advocate for women’s reproductive rights; Isabel who is keen to put her past behind her and establish a career, in a world where women’s ambitions are limited and the interesting concept of forced marriage, where it is Edward who actually feels more under pressure to marry for money. An excellent novel for fans of historical fiction and two headstrong, and intelligent, heroines in Sydney and Isabel. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

I loved this book, like the author I had a relative who was on board the Lusitania when she was torpedoed, unfortunately he did not survive.

I have learn't quite a lot about the Lusitania over the last few years and found a lot of details included in the book that were very accurate, for example, the fact that Captain Turner, although an experienced captain, did not like socialising with the passengers, and this aspect of his role was often undertaken by a staff captain. The book was obviously well researched, which added to the enjoyment of reading it for me.

There were also some details that I did not know, such as the existence of room 40, and this being the organisation which formed the basis for Bletchley Park and eventually GCHQ which we know today. I found this aspect of the book fascinating and it prompted me to do some online searching to find out further detail, all of which added to my background knowledge of the sinking.

I particularly like the way the author alternates between what is happening on board ship and behind the scenes at Whitehall and the Admiralty, and ties everything up together at the end. The scenes describing the sinking and then the immediate aftermath of time spent in the water waiting to be rescued were very well written, and made me think of how harrowing it must have been for my relative and others as well.

Over all a very good read, with an intriguing love story, historical accuracy, and good information regarding the danger of being a passenger on a transatlantic crossing during the early years of the First World War. I thoroughly recommend this book especially if you are interested in that period of history, or anything to do with the Lusitania!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Harper Collins for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was able to read this novel courtesy of netgallery
A strong 4 stars

This novel using the voyage and the eventual sinking of the ship the Lusitania as its focus was a well done historical fiction novel that not only included the Lusitania's tragedy, but it also gave the reader a love story to follow as well.

The characters of Edward, Brooke, and Sydney were fine representation of the people of their time. The sisters, Brooke and Sydney were extremely wealthy socialites. Brooke was surely one who was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth, while Sydney, portrayed as a woman's right activist, was more level headed and down to earth. Edward, a member of the British aristocracy needing money to continue his parents' estate, was a fine character as well. How they interact was the premise of the romantic element of the story.

The sinking of the Lusitania has, over the more than on hundred years since its sinking, fostered many theories and a few conspiracy theories as well. Did Churchill and the British admiralty know of the dangers to this ship? Did they hope that its sinking by a German submarine would encourage and foster America's entrance into the war? This is something the novel explores. Of course perhaps we will never know. However, what we do know is the out of the 1959 passengers who sailed on that fateful voyage, only 764 survived. Of the 33 babies on board only 6 survived. Also, in reading he author's notes it was learned that her great grandfather was on board this vessel. He had sent his family to England on another ship because he feared that the Lusitania with a cargo of guns and ammunition being forwarded to England, might make the Lusitania a floating target. He survived the journey, and is a character in this novel, thus being a motivation for Ms Izzo to write this story.

Again, as in countless other books, we learn the tragedy and consequences of war. Why we never learn and still are involved in events that produce tragedies such as the Lusitania, is a question that has never been answered and probably never will.

Sydney wants to make a difference in her world and the world of women. Her inheritance can be used to bring about this positive change. First though, she must accompany her sister, Brooke and Edward, her sister’s fiancée, on the Lusitania so she can witness her sister’s marriage in England. Brooke wants to live the life of a titled woman and Edward Thorpe-Tracey, Lord Thorpe-Tracey, is about to lose the family estate. That is how Brooke will use her inheritance. England is at war with Germany and warnings of a possible attack have been pushed to the side. Isabel, a young woman who works in the British Admiralty is very concerned that the warnings are going unheeded. As the passengers of the Lusitania look forward to the end of their journey, some on board are hoping the warnings are, indeed, unwarranted and hope to make it safely to England.

History is a very important part of who we are as a global entity, a local community, and as human beings. Izzo has shared part of her family history, as well as a part of the world history in her novel Seven Days in May. Using the account of her great-grandfather’s experience as one of the few survivors of this ill-fated voyage, she gives us a peek at life on board the ship. The atmosphere in the British Admiralty and the attitudes directed at those who worked tirelessly in the code breaking rooms is well written and the antagonistic views perceived by some men and even women is satisfactorily reflected. Characters of Izzo’s story are realistically depicted. The novelization of her family history is finished with a realistic and personally satisfying conclusion. This is a good story to read if you aren’t familiar with the Lusitania and just want a little background. There is romance, glamour and action. A very good book and is excellent reading for teens interested in history.


I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s copy for my honest review.

I'll be honest, it took me a few chapters to get into this book. I really thought I would have to move on to a different book. Then somehow I found myself invested in the story. We follow Sidney, who's a suffragette, who finds herself to be the black sheep of her wealthy family. Then you have her older sister, Brooke, who follows the rules and expects herself to find a husband that is an English aristocrat. Which she does and his name is Edward. Together, all three of them, they board the doomed Lusitania. Meanwhile in England, we also follow Isabel. She's working in Room 40, which is a top secret government operation. Its intercepting coded messages through Germany. So Isabel knows what might happen to the Lusitania and is waiting for the British government to step in and save these innocent civilians.

I enjoyed knowing more about this time period. I usually read a lot of WWII books and not much about the first WW. So I found this all to be very interesting. I liked Sidney, I thought she was a good person and deserved better than how her sister treated her. Brooke redeemed herself a little towards the end, but only a little! I thought she was spoiled bitch throughout most of the story. Edward was also okay and was hoping for happiness for him, as well. I also found Lusitania's history very sad. So much could have been prevented! So many lives taken or destroyed all for the sake of America to get involved in the war.

I thought this was well-written and enjoyed spending time with these characters. I like how Kim Izzo wrote the character of her family into the story, too.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Days In May. Completely gripping, historically fascinating and the fictional storyline had me hooked. I could not stop reading it and even had to charge my kindle at work to make sure it was ready to go as soon as I was done my shift! I will most definitely be giving it a strong 4.5 stars.

This is the first book I've read about the sinking of the Lusitania that took place as the First World War rages in continental Europe. The author obviously did her research as the details are not something that could be made up. The devastation is terrifying and as I read it I felt as if I were there too experiencing it. The raw survival mode these passengers went into as they grabbed any scrap of the wreckage to stay afloat is simply heartbreaking. There was romance as well but the shipwreck is what captured my attention. Bravo, very well done! I will look forward to reading more by Kim Izzo in the future.
Pub Date 02 May 2017 .
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of Seven Days in May by Kim Izzo in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read lots of historical fiction that takes place on the Titanic or during WWII, but I’ve read very little about the Lusitania and WWI. My knowledge of what happened regarding the Lusitania was sparse, so I enjoyed reading more about what happened to the ship.

The book centers around two stories and four main characters. There’s Isabel Nelson who works in the top secret Room 40, where messages are decoded. Then there are the American Socialites Sydney Sinclair, her sister Brooke, and Brooke’s fiancé who’s a British aristocrat, Edward. Sydney and Edward end up falling in love. What I liked about the Sydney-Brooke-Edward story is that it wasn’t a typical love triangle. Edward and Brooke don’t love each other. They’re marrying each other out of convenience. He needs Brooke’s money to save his home from ruin and she wants a noble title. It was a relief to me that Brooke didn’t end up being a complete villain by putting her ambitions over Sydney’s feelings. Also, in the aftermath of the Lusitania’s sinking, Kim Izzo did a good job of showing the grief different characters experience.

Isabel Nelson was a good way to show the inner workings of the British Admiralty, and how much knowledge they had of U-boats in the same area as the Lusitania. They know of the threats against the Lusitania and yet the higher ups seem to allow it to happen to pull the USA into WWI. I was frustrated when reading those parts because every modern person knows the Lusitania sinks. Isabel knows the Lusitania is in danger, yet the reader knows she cannot and will not be able to do anything to save the people on board.

Seven Days in May is a good read for historical fictions lovers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the disaster at sea during WWI.

This story of the Lusitania is deeply engaging. Izzo expertly manages to give the reader accurate background into this WWI tragedy while satisfying the essential personal element of those whose lives were affected by the Lusitania. The author has deeply researched the entire event, and real life participants, and it drives the narrative authentically and gracefully. What a great read! It satisfies on so many levels. We know the event, of course, but it becomes engagingly real here. And it is so refreshing to read about the Lusitania from the female perspective. Highly recommended.

I could not put down this historical novel regarding the sinking of the Lusitania and also of Churchill's Room 40. The heroes and heroines in both settings are captivating and the descriptive writing puts the reader within the action. Though we know what the ending is, the author has put her own mark on the suspense and reality of the times.

I love novels based on historic events. It is obvious that the author has done her homework for this heartrending story set around the sinking of the Lusitania during World War I. The fictional characters are interwoven seamlessly with the "real" people. The story is told from several points of view: that of Sydney Sinclair, her sister, Brooke, and Edward, Brook's fiancé as well as Isabel, who is in London working in a decoding office for the Admiralty..
The sinking of the Lusitania helped bring the United States into the war, and there was talk that not enough was done to protect the ship from German submarine activity. In any case, there was much loss of life even though there were plenty of lifeboats. The Lusy, as she was called, sank in 18 minutes.
Definitely a great story!

Seven Days In May is historical fiction set around the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI as well as the early days of decoding in Great Britain. Two related storylines are kept going simultaneously throughout the novel. Isabel is a young woman who is promoted from secretary to coder and she follows the route of the Lusitania along with the locations of German submarines in her path. The other main storyline revolves around Brooke and Sydney Sinclair, wealthy American females, and Edward Thorpe-Tracey, a titled Englishman who is in danger of losing his ancestral property.

A love triangle develops between Brooke, Sydney, and Edward. When they set sail for England, Edward is engaged to Brooke. Over the course of the trip, Edward falls in love with her suffragette sister, Sydney. The majority of the middle portion of the book revolves around their will they won't they status. The other will they won't they is will Great Britain alert the Lusitania to the danger it is in or will they choose to sacrifice it to pull the United States into the war.

Hopefully, everyone remembers their history and knows that the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine. This turn of events tossed everything up in the air for the main characters occupying the ship. This part of the action kept me reading to find out what would become of them all.

This book was very well written and definitely well researched. I enjoyed it a lot. My one and only criticism is that the middle portion of the book could have been condensed slightly to expedite events. As a character, Brooke, was not fully developed but it didn't hurt the novel any to have left her as a stereotype. Overall this was a truly enjoyable historical fiction novel.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed this book and the story of the sinking of the Luscitania. I felt the main characters were well portrayed and credible. The clear links with relatively recent history kept my interest, particularly the work of Room 40 and of a woman's challenge in this arena. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this advance copy. I will have no hesitation in recommending it to my friends as a mixture of romance, history and the background surrounding this unfortunate incident.

Such a beautiful historical fiction. Love the story of the Luisitania and the view of being on board intercepting messages from the enemy. This keeps you turning the pages until you can get to the end!

This book was such an unexpected surprise - I was enthralled from cover to cover. It incorporated so much and so well, that I found each and every aspect engaging - and there are many. This is what historical fiction is all about - transporting you to another time and place, and on this occasion, from war torn London to the deck of a ship doomed for tragedy.

‘... received anonymous telegrams warning them not to sail on the Lusitania because “she was doomed,” the implication being the great ship was going to be torpedoed.’

Firstly you have the tale of the Lusitania. I consider myself a fairly well read historian but the light Izzo sheds on some facts here is heart-rending. Firstly let’s just consider how well she has written to take such an established story (we all know the ship is doomed) and make it into a page turning travesty. The sinking of the ship is so vivid, in fact quite graphic, that images from James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ immediately spring to mind. And knowing that it’s all true, is gut wrenching: of the 1959 passengers who sailed that fateful day, only 764 survived, of 33 babies on board only 6 survived. Some of the conspiracy theories are raised, the main one focussing around, “Does Churchill want the Germans to target a neutral ship just to get the Americans to join the war?”

‘Churchill would use it to lure the Americans into the conflict. Somehow in Isabel’s mind she thought that if she intercepted a message at the right time then she could prevent tragedy. What was the purpose of breaking codes if they couldn’t be used to save lives?’

Secondly there is the role of women during this period of time. Everything from women’s political rights, to reproductive rights, to Isabel and her working rights in the light of an extra-matrimonial affair. Isabel is such an interesting character and her role in ‘Room 40’ - the top secret office set on breaking through codes for the British Admiralty office - and her quest and concern is honourable to the very end.

‘Ever since she had transcribed the ship’s name on the target list she felt responsible for it.’

Then there is the fall of the English aristocracy and the investment of American dollars to keep them afloat. What were people prepared to do for their manor or a title? The high-life of American heiresses and stories of the rich and famous, that would eventually go down with the ship, are recounted here. Izzo gives you a true indication of the stark contrasts between how the rich compared to steerage passengers fared in the first few days of this luxury liner sailing.

‘Her sister belonged in a world that was fading from fashion only she was too immersed in it to see it. The European penchant for titles and class was on the edge of collapse; the war was going to see to that.’

‘He was caught between ideology and tradition, needs and wants, morality and duty. His honesty, however, was not for sale.’

Overall what you have here is a rich historical tale of two really strong female leads who are intelligent and inspirational in many ways. The writing is so engaging - I can smell the cigarette smoke in Room 40 and feel the sea breeze aboard the Lusitania - Izzo does it so well. The depth of research and integration with fiction is truly commendable - it’s real and authentic through and through. The alternating tale between what happens on board ship, with real time what happens behind the scenes at Whitehall and the Admiralty is engrossing. The final scenes of the torpedo and sinking of the ship are indeed harrowing and gut wrenching.

“The Lusitania ... not only are they the most luxurious and safest transatlantic passenger liners in the world, they also have the capacity to become the fastest and most powerful armed cruisers in the war, should the need arise.”

I couldn't put this book down and highly recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.

“We need to forget what happened and move on. We had seven wonderful days together ... let that be enough.”


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

This page-turner takes the period appeal of shows such as Downton Abbey and The Bletchley Circle and sets it aboard the doomed ocean liner the Lusitania.
New York heiress Sydney Sinclair has aspirations that go beyond her high-society life: she is drawn to the burgeoning suffragette movement and envisions a life of purpose. “She had to put her own feet on the ground for the cause.”
Sydney’s unladylike behavior is a constant source of embarrassment for her sister, Brooke, who herself is focused on obtaining a proper title by marrying the impoverished aristocrat Edward Thorpe-Tracey, the future Lord Northbrook.
As the First World War plays out in Europe, Sydney, Brooke and Edward board the Lusitania — with Sydney defying convention and travelling in third class. As the trio make their way across the ocean, the sisters’ differences become even more pronounced, provoking consequences that may destroy their relationship forever.
Another danger could prove more catastrophic, however. Interspersed with the narrative following the sisters and Edward on the Lusitania is the story of Isabel Nelson, a secretary (who is actually skilled in codes and cyphers) working with Winston Churchill at Whitehall with the British Admiralty. Along with introducing another intriguing female character, these sections ramp up the tension, as it reveals the Lusitania is under threat from the Germans.
This gripping novel, which delicately explores the changing role of women in the early 1900s, is also a touching and powerful portrayal of a terrible event in history. As noted in the synopsis, the book is inspired by real events and the author had family on the actual Lusitania, which sank in May of 1915. Tremendous research, compelling characters and a great story make this book hard to put down.