Message from Joshua: Part One

This is the first book I've read by Phillip St Lawrence. It's the first part of a well-paced story about love and life during the war. I identified with the Cotswold setting as it is an area I have visited, and it was interesting to see the events of the book unfold here.

The contrast of the picturesque villages and Cheltenham as a backdrop for the growth of the relationship between Ralph and Annie versus other scenes set in London complements the plot. There's friendship between another couple, Annie's sister Lizzie and Jasper. I was eager to see what happened there. The story made me feel the happiness of finding love but I felt fearful for the characters as the start of the war was announced and wondered what would become of them. At time, I wondered who Ralph had most feelings for-Annie or Lizzie. This added a personal conflict into the story.

Thank you to Phillip St Lawrence and the publisher via NetGalley for the chance to review this eARC. Now I know the characters and their backgrounds, I'm looking forward to part two.

Overall this was a delightful tale of the days prior to WWII during the time of the war.

Billed as a romance, I found it to have a serious thread of grappling with faith woven through it. Ralph wrestles with the idea of Christianity for several years not coming to a decision until it is almost the eve of his departure to serve England in India.

The romance is still present as Ralph finds himself strongly attracted to Annie who he met through the music program at their schools. And music itself is mentioned often in the different scenes.

It took me a little time to get caught up in the different characters and the storyline. Before beginning the story, the author is almost apologetic for his inclusion of any mention of Christianity. It is said to keep with what many people during that time believed. So, I was surprised for it to be such a strong thread in the novel compared to how the introduction read. He makes use of some foreshadowing in this novel to hint at Part II which helps to hook your interest a bit, too.

By the end of the novel, you will be ready for Part II. I'm glad I had it already on my reader so I didn't have to wait and see what happened to the characters.

Note ~ I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley with the hopes of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The beginning of a two-part story, this book will suck you in and make you anxious to read what comes next. This book pulled on my heartstrings. I loved it.