Member Reviews
This is an emotional book about love and loss during war.
The chapters are well set out and the timeline is written well and not like some that switch that can be confusing.
The characters are believable and I really enjoyed reading their story.
This story was very good. It had romance, sadness and also the hardship of the War.
Lucia lives with her parents and little sister Della. Her Father supports Mosley but Lucia sees her Father in a different light after some incidents. She ends up running away and lives her life for the next few years before War breaks out. Lucia sees things and has her own heartbreak she rescues a girl who she has a connection to.
This story deals with the War and also the year 2000 where we find out what happens to them over the years of the War.
The story all worked well and came together at the end of all the things that happened.
Well written would recommend it.
I just love historical fiction and this book was absolutely amazing. Most of you know I appreciate WWII stories and I truly enjoyed this book.
The story is told through multiple timelines and is done very well, so you won’t be confused.
What I liked most was the emotional roller coaster ride. The story was beautifully written, but it took some time to see more growth in the characters. I don't mind this, but for some, it might feel a bit flat or dragging.
I could easily relate to the characters and felt I was there with them. The world-building was very nice and just drags you further into the story.
If you love historical fiction that makes you think and emotionally invested, this is the book for you. As a bonus…the cover is absolutely stunning.
A truly engaging historical fiction read. The book has 8 parts and each chapter alternates between WWII and present time telling the story of the Blake family predominantly Lucia and her relationship with her sister Della and Effie, a young girl Lucia rescues one night when she is on ambulance duty.
Lucia runs away from her privileged aristocratic family when she is 17 due to her father’s political beliefs. She lives in France but returns to London when the war affects Great Britain and she becomes an ambulance driver.
There is so much heartache for Lucia who says goodbye to family and friends over many years. There is grief, loss and sadness but an overwhelming theme of hope in the book. An emotional read so have the tissues handy.
I cried—more than once! Reading the story told by Lucia Blacke or Lucie Black broke my heart so many times. Every time I read about World War I and World War II, I caught myself wondering how people around the world may have been working in wars. But they are, and we pay for the sadness that is brought together—how many children we lose, how many families are destroyed. Still, I enjoyed reading "The Weight of Goodbye" very, very much.
Three old ladies coming together at the begin of a new millennium. One of them found a chest and when they open it times to back to WWII. One of the ladies has a past the others didn’t know of. Het story starts and it brings, rebellion, love, loss and heartbreak.
I enjoyed reading this story with its twists and turns. This is my third book by this author and I’m looking forward for more.
Thanks NetGalley and Storm Publisher for this ARC,
A poignant story about one women's strained relationship with her family and wartime relationships with her newfound friends. The London war scenes during the Blitz set in the East End were realistic. The emphasis of the story was on her journey and loss during those years.
I like the writer's style and I will look into her earlier books. I certainly can recommend this one, especially if you are interested in London families
affected by WWII!A poignant story about one women's strained relationship with her family and wartime relationships with her newfound friends. The London war scenes during the Blitz set in the East End were realistic. The emphasis of the story was on her journey and loss during those years.
I like the writer's style and I will look into her earlier books. I certainly can recommend this one, especially if you are interested in London families
affected by WWII!
Right off the bat this is an incredibly moving book about loss, grief, sacrifice, and overall redemption. I throughly enjoyed, even at the moments that made me cry, how well done the book was. From both the past and “present” chapters. It was so well written. It truly made me feel a part of Lucia’s story.
I feel like I go talk over the many heart wrenching parts in this book but I don’t want to give spoilers. If you get the chance give this book a read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Weight Of Goodbye.
Lucia is a young woman in 1940 whose father has put certain beliefs in her head about different groups of people. When she starts to question if those beliefs are true she knows she has to escape her father. She leaves everything she knows to make her own way. Flash forward to 2000 and three women look through a box from the past and finally talk about what occurred in the past that made them who they are today.
This book was so good. It is about independence, grief, loss, and hope. It was so easy to connect with the characters and actually feel the emotions that they were going through. It was beautifully written.
What a great book! I absolutely loved this book. Eliza Graham painted such beautiful pictures of each character that you felt like you were walking in their shoes and seeing life like they were seeing it. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but definitely not the last. If you like WWII books, don't miss this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It was very moving, and it is good to see how far people are willing to protect their loved ones. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
This book is an emotional rollercoaster that grips you from the first page. The author masterfully weaves Lucia's journey, pulling you in so deeply that it's hard to put down—even if it means losing sleep! Lucia is a beautifully complex character, and I found myself feeling her grief, laughing with her, and cheering her on at every turn. The characters and storyline feel incredibly real and relatable, adding to the immersive experience. My only critique is that the ending felt rushed; a bit more depth would have made it perfect. Overall, a highly recommended read!
Thanks to netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC it was a fantastic read. Eliza Graham has done a beautiful job in writing this historical fiction set during WWII. . It’s about loss, grief, sacrifice and redemption. It sad, tragic, dark but has hope, guaranteed to make you cry. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys this genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I got so caught up in the story I read it in one day today! Highly deserving of five stars.
This book was a spectacular read up there with The Nightingale for my read of the year so far. Poignant and heartbreak the journey of Lucia takes you the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. Love and hope and the lengths people will go to for love really touched me with this read. Love and history all in one the tale of love and war will the ending be the happily ever after though?
Eliza Graham has a knack for pulling readers into the time and place, and the Weight of Silence is no different. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story follows Lucia Blake, a young woman who rebels against her domineering father and his fascist politics by running away to France on the eve of her debutante season in London. A young girl on her own in France is a frightening thought but in too short a time the start of WWII disrupts the life she had built and she returns to London and becomes an ambulance driver.
It's hard not to be captivated by a story so richly woven with historical accuracy and deep emotional threads. Lucia's time as an ambulance driver during the Blitz really brings home the harsh realities of wartime. The constant threat, the physical and emotional exhaustion, the relentless dedication despite it all—it's profound. Stories like hers remind us of the immense courage and resilience displayed by so many during those dark times.
The story is divided into two timelines and eight parts with writing of depth that makes Lucia's journey feel so real and poignant.
Overall, The Weight of Goodbye is a compelling read that explores the depths of human emotion and the strength found in overcoming adversity. It's a story that stays with you long after the final page is turned.
Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for this gifted e-book.
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and this book absolutely blew me away. It's a compelling story told across multiple timelines, from 1936 to 2000, following Lucia's journey as she escapes her oppressive father and flees to France. There, she teaches English to refugees and later becomes an ambulance driver upon returning to England. As her story unfolds, we discover that Lucia fled France due to heartbreak and tragedy. The way the timelines intersect and reveal the characters' connections is like piecing together an intricate puzzle.
The writing is absolutely stunning and evocative, drawing readers deep into Lucia's world. If you're a fan of historical fiction, mark your calendars for the release of this beautiful book on October 22nd.
Enjoyable story spanning several decades; I appreciated the interrelatedness of the characters and how the story was woven together between the 40s and 2000. The relationship between Lucia and her father was portrayed realistically and came to a believable conclusion. I liked that Lucia's mother was welcoming and allowed her to come back to the family home after the long absence. This was a good twist on a well-trod genre, the WWII era in London. I am actively looking for other books by Eliza Graham!
A heartbreakingly beautiful look into WWII! This is a very war-focused story and was heavy on the terminology, specific events, and details leading up to and during the Second World War. I very much prefer a character-driven story and for this reason, the first half of this book really dragged on for me. Once I could finally feel some growth and depth to the characters, I enjoyed the rest of the story a lot more.
I appreciated the timeline jumping back and forth and the fresh way it was narrated. The way the story was told felt very cozy and comforting considering how heavy the material was. Overall it was a great historical fiction read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an intriguing read. Clearly there are back stories. Set against the Blackshirts in Britain, prior to WW2, this is the awakening of a privileged girl, who realises not everything is as it seems. I would have liked more of Lucia’s interactions with her father post incarceration. However, I really enjoyed the unraveling of this story and its depths. The development of Lucia to the person she became was an enjoyable read, as was reading about the paths other women took. The portrayal of war time London was well done, especially the complete arbitrariness of who survived and who didn’t. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm publishing for an ARC to read and review.
What a beautiful book. I cried throughout it. It's not often a book brings me to tears like this did, but I absolutely loved this story.