Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

DNF

It has been a while since I got this book and unfortunately I don’t really have any interest in reading the book anymore. I am also now a lot more picky with the books I request and choose to read.

First sentence: Dressed in men's flight coveralls and books, Vivian crouched beside her friend, Zanna and squinted at the distant flight line.

Premise/plot: Vivian Lambert is an ambitious young woman who wants to do her part to help the Allies win the war. Her service is through the Red Cross, and her main job will be feeding donuts and coffee to pilots. At least two of her assigned posts has her as a Clubmobile Girl. But there is more to life than making donuts and coffee...what would life be without love. But loving a pilot isn't easy. Jack Nielsen is the young, dashing pilot that Vivian is head over heels in love with. War has a way of changing a man. Will their love survive?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was an entertaining read set in England and France, for the most part, during the war 1942-1945. It was at times serious and intense, but at other times more of your standard/typical romance. More than anything else it is a romance.

It is told from both the male and female point of view. Readers get behind-the-scene glimpse of Jack's flying missions. He experiences close calls and REALLY close calls. Every single flight is dangerous; the numbers don't lie. Her perspective mainly focuses on her anxiety and concern for him. Both perspectives have a lot of lusting. The book definitely includes scenes that are graphic. The book also includes a great deal of cursing. I don't include these warnings to keep anyone from picking up the book and reading it. I don't. I know that warnings can be misunderstood as judgments. It is better to know than not know--in my opinion--so that you can decide for yourself if a book is right for you.

This is the story of Jack.and Vivian and all the aquaintences and friends they made during WWII
Vivian was a Red Cross girl and Jack flew B-17 bombers.
Their love was tested many times during the War yrs.
A lot was due to innuendos,secrecy and lies.
Vivian thought that she had a good friend in Hank,a childhood friend,but he cost her dearly in grief and anxiety.
He was a co-pilot for Jack,but not an especially good friend as he too was in love with Vivian.
There are numerous twists and turns in this richly, rewarding story,all being played out in Hitler's backyard.
I have read,enjoyed and reviewed hundreds of books both true and fictional about WWII and this book ranks among the best.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author Eleri Grace for allowing me to read and review "
Courage to be Counted. "

I love books set in WWII and really enjoyed the romance of Jack and Vivian. Excellent, well-researched story!

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

~~Reviewed by Evelyn~~

COURAGE TO BE COUNTED, the first book in the Clubmobile Girls series of historical romances by Eleri Grace, is an authentic look at World War II pilots and the Red Cross. The characters are engaging, and the WWII feel of the story is enveloping. This author has done her homework!

Vivian Lambert joins the Red Cross and is thrilled to be sent to England. Just before she leaves the U.S., she meets dashing pilot Jack Nielsen and falls hard for him. They are both thrilled when they end up stationed on the same base in England. Can their love make it through a war that has both of their lives in frequent danger?

I was so impressed by the WWII atmosphere that this author has created. Even the language of the time is authentic. The characters use phrases that my mother used but that I haven’t heard in a long time. The situations created by war felt very real.

Vivian was a strong leading character. She was very determined in her mission, yet her vulnerable side was often evident. Jack was a good match for Vivian. They were equally devoted to doing their part in the service and to each other.

The secondary characters often came and went, as you would expect in a military setting, but they all made an impact on the leading characters and the story. They added interest and depth to the story.

I only have one complaint about COURAGE TO BE COUNTED. The love scene was far too long and too clinical for my tastes. The language used reminded me more of a trip to the gynecologist than an intimate moment between two people in love.

WWII is my favorite era in historical fiction and, with the exception of the aforementioned love scene, I found COURAGE TO BE COUNTED to be well-written and compelling. It is a solid start for a new series.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and the views expressed are my honest opinions.

While I can appreciate the research and historical accuracy of the book, the graphic sex scenes detracted from the historical romance for me. I'm holding my review on public platforms for a while because this is the author's debut.

Thank you net galley for the advance copy of this novel. This was a WWII romance between a pilot and red cross girls set in Europe. This novel was carefully researched and I enjoyed the new details about red cross girls like the strict requirements in place to get an overseas posting. The emotional tugging that Jack and Vivian go through as they each get new stations was very well done as was the emotional turmoil Vivian goes through when Jack decides to sign up for another combat tour. I did not like the graphic sex scenes and felt that they were much overdone and the book would have even been better without them in it. The explicit nature of Jack and Vivians intimate life was not appreciated. I found myself skipping a bunch of pages because of this. Overall I liked this novel and will look for the next by this author in hopes that the sex is left out. Only 3 stars because of the sex.