This was such an interesting look at this time in history. We don’t hear much about women’s roles in WWI. So, reading Ann Howard Creel’s novel of this family and their survival during that time was enlightening.
There were a few areas that felt a bit off to me as far as the prose, but it didn’t really affect the story overall. I still enjoyed what I was reading.
Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for the review copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Ms. Ann Howard Creel for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "Mercy Road"

An unexpected historical fiction story that takes us to the front lines of the war to end all wars.

WWI story told with a strong tour de force of female characters.
"Arlene", a young Victorian girl, finds herself the main breadwinner after the death of her father in a tragic fire that took everything.
Unable to find work locally, no one will hire her...Victorian times were hard times for women, especially single ones...Arlene answers an ad for "French Speaking" women and the stage is set for a life of unexpected events.

Arlene gets the job, trains as an ambulance driver, and then heads to Paris France to work alongside female doctors rescuing wounded soldiers from the front.

Fraught with the horrors of war, loves lost, and secrets that cast shadows far into the future, this is an extraordinary story based on true events!

This was a book about a woman whose family owned a horse farm in Kentucky. But when tragedy strikes, it is up to oldest daughter Arlene to go out and work to make money to rebuild the family home. Since she is fluent in French, and can drive a car, she signs up to be an ambulance driver with the American Woman's Hospital and goes off to France. While there she meets an unwanted suiter, and the boy from back home.

I enjoyed this book, however, there were parts I felt rushed or just thrown in to make the storyline end (Arlene and Jimmy's romance felt rushed and then in the next paragraph they were in a disagreement; the death of Felix Brohammer felt like it was just thrown in to end that storyline since it was the end of the book.) In all I enjoyed the book and the story transported me to that period of time.

Thank you to Netgally and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This novel is based on the true story of a group of female ambulance drivers during WW1. I enjoyed the historical aspect, but I thought the pacing of the story was a little slow and the characters felt rather flat to me. I appreciated the complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

Love this quote from Mercy Road which really typifies the book:"Let us not fail, my ladies. Let us do more, always do more than we think we’re capable of. As we embark on this journey, ask yourself now and every day—every bad day, every good day—if you have done your best.” She paused; then, as she slowly swept her gaze around our little assembled entourage again, she said, “Ask yourself even now—especially now—as in the words of the poet Edgar Guest, ‘Have you earned your tomorrow?”

Great storytelling about World War II from the female perspective. Can't wait to read more from Ann Creel.

This book is one I hope to come back and read sometime but right now I am very deep into fantasy and romance and this is a book that is just not captivating me at the time.

I am not a big fan of books based during WWI. But this was a different twist and enjoyable. The willingness of women to serve as ambulance drivers in France during the war. The difficult circumstances and the dangers they experience as well as the horrors they witness affects the women. Mentally and emotionally drained, they struggle to complete their tasks. Though there is some romance in the book, the dedication of these courageous women keeps the book from being syrupy sweet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I've been wanting to read Mercy Road for some time, partly because I had enjoyed the Hallmark movie of author Ann Howard Creel's The Magic of Ordinary Days and been curious to experience her writing. I had also read other books about women ambulance drivers in World War I, one that was a debut novel and fantastic while the other from a multi-published author left me perplexed as to her popularity. Mercy Road falls somewhere in between.

As the plot unfolds across Kentucky and war-torn France, the impression is very much of a story that canters along at a steady pace. While told in first person, there is a distancing that keeps the horrors of the war and any danger that may be encountered - whether it be from enemy fire or an enemy within - is somehow kept in soft focus. But that said, it was a book that I read of an evening, in one sitting, with only two instances of researching possible anachronisms.

So, if the premise interests you and if you enjoy World War I stories but aren't fussed about tension levels, Mercy Road will give you a bit of tragedy, a bit of romance, a bit of danger and villainy, and a bit of horsiness. All in all, a rather pleasant read from an author that I'm open to reading again.

This review refers to a digital galley that I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and this contains only my own, honest opinions.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I've discovered that Ann Creel's writing is just not for me. I won't be posting a review so I don't skew the rating. Thanks again!

Mercy Road
A Novel
by Ann Howard Creel
Lake Union Publishing
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction
Pub Date 19 Nov 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Mercy Road through Lake House Publishing and Netgallley:


1917 Arlene Farvier looses her home and Father in the same fire, and finds out most of her Father’s money is gone so she must find a way to support her mother and younger brother. If she doesn’t succeed, they will all be poor. The problem is job opportunities are scarce, so when a daring opportunity arises she must take it, the American Women’s Hospital needs ambulance drivers to join a trailblazing, all-female team of doctors and nurses bound for war-torn France.




While on the frontlines Arlene and her fellow ambulance drivers work day and night to aid injured soldiers and civilians. While in between dangerous ambulance runs Arlene reunites with a childhood friend, Jimmy Tucker, who is now a soldier. She opens her heart to Jimmy like she had to no one before. Arlene has not only caught the attention of Jimmy, but also of Felix Brohammer, a charismatic army captain who harbors a dark, treacherous secret.



Exposing Brohammer means risking her family’s future and the promise of love. Arlene must make a choice: stay in the safety of silence or take the greatest chance of her life.



If you are looking for an excellent World War 1 era novel I highly recommend Mercy Road!


Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Good characters and interesting to have the main character as an ambulance driver. I haven't seen many books with this role even in historical fiction. The plot itself wasn't too riveting but as a fan of historical fiction, it works.

I would say this is a good, solid book. It didn't impress me, but it offered some interesting historic background on the role of ambulance drivers in the second World War.
The bad guy was a little too bad for my taste and I missed deeper reflections on the War itself, but it was a totally ok read.


I thank Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC to read and review.

I haven't heard of this author, but I will definitely look out for them again.
I was drawn in my the cover as I really enjoy books set in this era.

I found the book full of compassion, the main character was so endearing.

Pleased I gave it a go.

I enjoyed following this story and the main character as she and her medical associates aid those in need during the war. Character voices were done well, and story plot held my interest. I normally read YA books, but was drawn in by the cover and back of the book description. I was not disappointed and was happy I ventured outside my preferred reading genre.

A powerful, emotional read set during WWI. Arlene is resilient, but the reality of war takes its toll on her. I absolutely hated Brohammer from the start, WWI changed the roles of women across America, and this is a snapshot view into one woman's journey from naive farm girl to an ambulance driver who needs nerves of steel. For me the romance side wasn't nearly as interesting as the rest of the story. Overall a great historical read with aa hint of romance.

Mercy Road by Ann Howard Creel

Brief Summary: After a house fire kills her father and burns her home to the ground Arlene Favier must find work to support her family. With limited options, she signs on to be an ambulance driver for the American Women’s Hospital in war revenged France. Against orders she is caught between two men, her childhood friend Jimmy, a soldier, and the devious Captain Brohammer. I requested this novel because I love historical fiction about the important roles women played in the war at a time when little was expected of them.

Highlights: My favorite aspects of this storyline was the historical implications of identifying as LGBTQ and potential grave consequences. I also found the profiteering aspect interesting. It’s hard not to say more without giving crucial spoilers away.

Explanation of Rating: 3.5/5; This story waxes and wanes at times. It does add unique premise to the genre. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

In order to earn a living and support her mother and brother after a fire burns down their home, Arlene Favier joins the ambulance crew of a women's hospital. They are headed for France in the middle of World War I. She falls in love with a childhood friend who is now a soldier, and she becomes involved concerning an army officer. The story is well written and holds your interest from start to finish. It is also well researched for historical details. I can highly recommend Mercy Road.

This novel starts out with a tragic beginning. Arlene, along with her mother and her brother witness their home destroyed by a fire. But worse than that is that her father was inside and he died in the fire. They lose so much because of this. Arlene is determined to find a job to help support her family. She ends up joining the American Women’s Hospital to be an ambulance driver. She is sent to France. It’s here that Arlene forms close friendships with some of the other women. She also runs into someone from her younger days. But it’s hard work and the women witness more than they expected when they joined. And a captain decides he likes Arlene and he pursues her in a frightening manner. The novel is set in the 1918, 1919, and 1920 time period.

I feel like this book had the ability to be great, but it just never captured my interest. I powered through, hoping that it would get better, but it failed to meet my expectations.

"Alene Favier was awoken in the middle of the night by her father. She smelled smoke. Their home was on fire. Maman, her younger brother Luc and her father met on the front lawn in Paris, Kentucky, and watched their worldly possessions go up in smoke. Suddenly without warning or reason, her father runs back into the house, in search of who knows what, but he did not return".
It has a steady pace, but nothing about it stands out.