The London Restoration
By Rachel McMillan
Diana Somerville's war didn't end when the British troops returned home. She wants nothing more than to restart the life she had just started with her husband Brent Somerville before the war took him to the continent. Her work during the war has her bound to keep secrets from her husband - he thought she spent her days translating messages but it was so much more than that. She is bound to not speak about her true work due to her signing of the Official Secrets Act. And secrets are now between them.
Brent wanted nothing more than to come home to his wife and his professorship at King's College. But something is off with his marriage - first, when he came home Diana wasn't in London, in fact, she wasn't even in England. And then he knows she is keeping secrets from him - a favor for a friend is all the reason she gives for her absence. And then there are his secrets. He is determined to protect her from his wartime memories, to keep his wounds hidden from sight, to keep her from witnessing his nightmares night after night.
With a growing list of things to keep them apart only their love seems to be tying them together. But love, that, like London, has had its walls damaged is in a precarious position. Is the foundation upon which it built strong enough to handle the rebuilding needed? As Diana studies the churches of London that she has so come love, she works on plans to help in their rebuilding and restoration. With Brent at her side as she works on a project near to her heart, she can only hope that this will bridge the divide that the war has created.
The London Restoration is more than a world rebuilding after the devastation of war, it is a world on the brink of another war. A war of ideology and manipulation - a cold war. But can a war be one fought only in the shadows and dark corners? When Diana and Brent discover a priceless religious artifact among the rubble they are drawn further into this secret war. But a war of ideology is no safer than the one just fought for those who find themselves on the frontline. This is something for which Diana was never trained and one in which she and Brent could very easily find themselves victim to.
The London Restoration is a multi-faceted story that is both personal and historical. Rachel McMillan does an excellent job capturing the reader's attention, I for one read the book over a weekend and was reluctant to put it down when other matters demanded my attention. The story is set in 1938 - 1946 with the story told in a nonlinear fashion but each time change is clearly marked at the beginning of that chapter. I personally like having the story unfold so that key moments in the backstory are slowly revealed adding greater depth to the story as it progresses.
I have to admit I fell in love with this cover. That red hat, London in the golden glow of sunlight - it is a perfect attention grabber all but begging me to pick it up and peek inside. And I am not sorry for a single moment spent between the covers getting to know these characters.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations other than that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
** I have also obtained the audio version of this book through
Libro.fm and it is narrated by Hannah Curtis. It is an excellent presentation if you prefer to listen to your book rather than read it. At 11 hours and 47 minutes, it is a length that is perfect for housework, commutes, or just a quiet afternoon to relax with.
About the Book:
Determined to save their marriage
and the city they love,
two people
divided by World War II’s secrets
rebuild
their lives,
their love,
and their world.
London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.
Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher-bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.
Featuring a timeless love story bolstered by flashbacks and the excavation of a priceless Roman artifact, The London Restoration is a richly atmospheric look at post-war London as two people changed by war rebuild amidst the city’s reconstruction.
Purchase Links
About the Author:
Rachel McMillan is the author of the Herringford and Watts mysteries, the Three Quarter Time series of contemporary romances set in opulent Vienna, and the Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries praised for bringing an authentic 1930’s Boston world to life while normalizing the fictional conversation surrounding mental illness.
Her first work of non-fiction, described as a romantic’s guide to independent travel, releases in 2020.
Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada.
Connect with Rachel
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Rachel McMillan’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Monday, August 17th: Blooming with Books
Tuesday, August 18th: @my_read_feed
Wednesday, August 19th: Reading Reality
Wednesday, August 19th: @shawntaye1
Thursday, August 20th: Books Cooks Looks
Friday, August 21st: @randi_reads
Saturday, August 22nd: Nurse Bookie and @nurse_bookie
Monday, August 24th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Tuesday, August 25th: Living My Best Book Life and @livingmybestbooklife
Wednesday, August 26th: @shobizreads
Thursday, August 27th: @lowkey.bookish
Friday, August 28th: The Lit Bitch and @thelit_bitch
Monday, August 31st: @babygotbooks13
Wednesday, September 2nd: @readsrandiread
Thursday, September 3rd: Leighellen Landskov and @mommaleighellensbooknook
Friday, September 4th: @books_with_bethany
Monday, September 7th: She Just Loves Books and @shejustlovesbooks
Wednesday, September 9th: @meetmeinthestacks
Wednesday, September 9th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Thursday, September 10th: Girl Who Reads
Friday, September 11th: @rendezvous_with_reading
