Brilliant historical fiction set in East Anglia during the second world war. Josie Banks hasn't had the best of starts in life, she married a man who turned out to be selfish and uncaring so when he is called up to fight Josie felt relief and was looking forward to continuing to work in the local tea room. This was not to be, as well as her home being destroyed so was the tea room. Her friend and owner of the tea room was killed and Josie was left buried in what remained of her home. Fortunately Josie, although injured, survived her ordeal and was. evacuated with children to the countryside of East Anglia. This brought it's own trials and tribulations. but Josie is determined to make her own way and deal with whatever comes along. ..i loved how the book progressed and was eager to find out what the outcome was for Josie

Where the Sky Begins is a beautiful story about resilience and finding yourself when all else is lost. Rhys Bowen has another winner here!

Josie’s husband is fighting in the war when a bomb destroys their home in London, leaving Josie injured and with nothing to her name. She is evacuated from London and placed in a home in the countryside to recover. But the owner of the home is extremely unfriendly and makes it clear she is not wanted there. So Josie starts over and begins making friends in the small village and with the airmen at the base nearby. She opens up a tea shop to give the airmen a piece of home and meets a pilot that teaches her what love could be. But what happens when her husband returns from war and she has to decide what life she wants to follow?

Thanks to #NetGalley, Rhys Bowen, and Lake Union Publishing for this e-ARC of #WheretheSkyBegins in exchange for an honest review.

WHERE THE SKY BEGINS by Rhys Bowen
After barely surviving a bombing in London, Josie is sent to recuperate in the countryside, forced upon a reclusive woman, in a grand house but with no income. Despite a surly non-welcome, Josie tries to make things better, cooking, planting vegetables, opening a small tea room, and making friends. The constant stream of problems for her to sort and endure is almost too much. One can understand the impulse to give up in despair, and doubly admire the “grit” that keeps people working to move forward . . . and the essential nature of honest communication.
I read this as the news was filled with images from Ukraine, which made the book feel even more real, with parallels in the inhumane destruction as well as the human spirit finding moments of joy where it can. This is stirring book, hard to put down, and these characters and lessons will stay with me for a long while.

Where the Sky Begins is another of Rhys Bowen’s wonderful WWII books that envelopes readers in the story, and what a story this is. Josie is a character to cheer for as she goes from a bored, put upon and put down wife to a survivor with purpose and organizational skills as the circumstances of war take her out of London to the country and back again. Bowen’s characters showcase all facets of 1940s British society as well as the prejudices of each group…and there are lots of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

An enjoyable, well paced story set during the Second World War in London and the English countryside. . The main character, Josie, is well drawn and very likable and deserves the happiness that comes to her.
It generally seemed authentic to the time in which it was set, although a couple of things did seem odd, Hopefully these will be sorted as what I read was an uncorrected proof.

3.5 stars rounded up!

I am such a fan of Rhys Bowen and couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest book! Her stories are always beautifully written and enriched with such dazzling culture and likeable characters. Where the Sky Begins checked all of those boxes! This was a fast, easy read that I really enjoyed.

Where the Sky Begins features Josie Banks, a London housewife, who is not only trying to survive the war, but trying to find herself as well. From the bombed-out streets of London to the isolated countryside, her journey of survival and discovery is filled with many challenges, life lessons and love. Her strength of character, positivity and determination when against all odds is truly admirable. I loved all of the characters in this book and how they all came together when faced with great hardship. I couldn't even imagine having to live through a war like that!

My only critique would be that the transitioning felt stilted at times. This could very well be due to my reading an unedited proof, so I did not deduct from my overall rating. Also, I felt like the beginning of the story was drawn out and then other parts were rushed through without much detail. Overall, this was still a wonderful book and worth the read!

Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this ARC!

Rhys Bowen’s latest is a World War II story of a woman named Josie Banks, who is evacuated from London’s East End to the English countryside after her home and the cafe in which she works are destroyed by German bombing and she is left with almost nothing but a domineering husband who is away serving in the military. Though Josie hails from very modest means and has little education, she is smart, savvy, strong and resourceful - and the circumstances in which she finds herself during the war allow her to grow and thrive. This was a solid, relatively well crafted read, but there’s little to distinguish it from the barrage of WW II fiction published in recent years, and I couldn’t help but feel I’d essentially read Josie’s story before. Still, readers who (like me) are fans of Ms. Bowen’s fiction will want to pick up Where the Sky Begins. Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for advanced Copt of #WhereTheSkyBegins. It was a relatively easy read and nice and comfortable book too fall into. It didn't really have 'gripping' features, but all in all it was enjoyable.

Rhys Bowen writes beautiful, heartwarming novels. Where the Sky Begins may be my favorite.

London, 1940. Bombs fall and Josie Banks’ world crumbles around her. Evacuated to the English countryside she begins a new life and discovers new things about the world, and herself,

I love this book.