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It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel with layers of rich historical detail, espionage, and a poignant love story so deftly intertwined. The London Restoration brings post-World War II London to life in a book that deserves a long, slow read so the reader can soak up every nuance.
Theirs was a love full of promise and passion. That was before Brent Sommerville boarded a train on the way to four agonizing years of serving as a stretcher bearer on the battlefields of Europe and before his new wife Diana took a top-secret job decoding German messages at Bletchley Park. Their reunion after peace is declared has only small echoes of their brief fairytale courtship and wedding. Now they struggle to rebuild their marriage while Diana holds secrets she is compelled not to reveal, and Brent carries memories too horrifying to be brought out into the light of day. The one thing they are sure of is their love for one another, but they both fear love may not be enough.
The author has fashioned a complex story of four intermingled plotlines. First, Diana’s expertise in church architecture has led to her continued involvement with an ongoing MI6 effort to uncover Russian Communist agents within Britain and on the Continent. Second, the London churches themselves serve as characters in the story, and through both Diana’s and Brent’s eyes, the author educates the reader about each church’s unique place in history and the value of careful reconstruction of the bombed structures. The churches played a role in bringing the lovers together, and are meeting sites for the Communist agents, leading Diana and Brent into deadly danger. Third, throughout the book, the couple fights for their love despite the deep divide formed from secret-keeping, and Brent’s PTSD and survivor’s guilt.
The fourth layer comes from regular jumps back in time to before the war when Brent and Diana met and married, and to their experiences during the war. In this novel, the flashback technique is powerful, although it does have drawbacks. The flashbacks are meant to support a particular event in the current timeline, so they do not occur in a chronological sequence, but are simply dated, making it difficult to keep track of where in the story’s journey the action actually takes place. For many of these time jumps, I found the beginning sentences to be vague so that I would need to work out when in the past storyline the scene fell. For people familiar with this period of history, there may not be a problem, but the flashbacks did throw me out of the story several times.
The Christian aspect of this novel lies in the characters’ backgrounds. Diana is an expert on the churches of London, particularly those built by Sir Christopher Wren, and she studies the structures to gain insight into the spirits and minds of the builders. Brent is a theology professor at Kings College, and he has pondered religious and spiritual concepts in the course of his work. The couple’s conversations and introspections are filled with their impressions and thoughts about God’s purpose and actions in the world, given the war experiences both have had. The author makes good use of intellectual discussions to lend insight to the spiritual stance of these two people.
This novel is not a light and fluffy romance. The London Restoration delves into the difficult subject of relationships created, strained, and torn by the experience of war. The author adds details of church architecture, important considerations for London’s rebuilding, and the rise of a political movement during a chaotic time. In the end, the novel honors the people who lived through that devastating and inspiring time. If you’re ready for a book that will enfold you in history and tug at your heartstrings, then The London Restoration should be your next reading choice.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
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Grade: B+
Book Type: Inspirational Romance
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 09/09/20
Publication Date: 08/2020
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
A slightly off-topic question: Why do inspirational romances so often have such gorgeous covers, while regular romances fall far short? I used to think that Bethany House must have one of the best art directors in the business, but even inspirationals published by other houses have striking covers. This one, for example, has the bright red hat which draws the eye and the intriguing woman who is partly hidden and mysterious. Would definitely make me pick it up in the bookstore.
Bethany covers really are always super pretty.
Yes – I’ve often wondered the same! Probably because they’re selling the book on something other than sex?
Oh, interesting! Putting this on my TBR
This sounds extremely promising. Very different setting and as a lover of Wren churches myself, it immediately brought to mind Herbert Mason’s iconic WW2 photo: St Paul’s Survives:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=iconic+picture+of+st+paul%27s+during+the+blitz&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=uDiXjuNmFmnbuM%252CV82AcvKjmiW-OM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kR953U_lVE0wQchjCURBp5ux4vamA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwick5OW8dvrAhXBaRUIHcc9CxMQ9QF6BAgNEDk#imgrc=uDiXjuNmFmnbuM
I think I am very tempted to order this one. PS: Hope the link works!
Oh my gosh, Elaine, these photos are wonderful, sad, and uplifting at the same time, and Mason’s work is inspiring. Thanks for sharing!