Mercy Road is the story of Arlene Favier during World War I. One night her father dies in a fire that destroys their home in Paris, Kentucky. Arlene finds herself in need of a job and one comes her way, a girl who drives and speaks French. The next thing Arlene knows she is returning to her father's homeland and in the middle of a war. She is an ambulance driver for the American Women's Hospital. During her time in France, Arlene finds and old family friend and is pursued by a charming American officer. But something is not right.

I read a lot of historical fiction and was very excited about reading a story centered on the American Women's Hospital. I had never heard of them before and couldn't wait to be inspired to learn more. However this story has nothing to do with this group. It is used more as a way of getting the main character to Europe but most of the book is a romance and a mystery.

That being said the story was okay but it was not what I was expecting.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review, "Mercy Road" by Ann Howard Creel. A great work of historical fiction. The story centers around Arlene Favier, who is a young woman whose family loses everything in a fire. Arlene ends up becoming a ambulance driver during World War 1. While the story was enjoyable, I wish the characters had a little bit more depth to them. I also wish the epilogue would have given more insight into where Arlene's story goes. Other than that, It was a good read.

I recently finished Mercy Road by Ann Howard Creel. This story has all of the elements of a great historical fiction book - and I should have loved it, but it fell a little short for me... It was still a 4 star read, and I would recommend. The story follows the establishment of the American Women’s Hospital during World War 2. Most of the story takes place with the women ambulance drivers, who are brave and fearless and see their share of front line action as they transport wounded men to the hospital. Arlene Favier, a small town horse loving girlfriend Kentucky, is chosen for the ambulance service. We follow her journey as she is surrounded by death and dying, PTSD, unrequited love, misunderstood loves, and unwanted attention throughout. I enjoyed learning about this new aspect of World War 2. I received an ARC f this book, all opinions are my own.

I usually enjoy World War stories, especially about the brave women. I had never heard of the American Women’s Hospital,

Sadly, the story was a bit boring for me. I wanted to know Arlene, to feel everything she felt, and that just didn't happen.

I was not familiar with this author and was excited to read Mercy Road.

This is a story about the American Women's Hospital which I was not familiar. This is set during WW1. It is a story about American women who drove ambulances in France. There are some gruesome descriptions that could bother some readers but nothing unusual for historical fiction books.

Creel is an expert wordsmith. The writing was smooth and descriptive. I will definitely check out other books by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for this ARC. This is my own review.

It started out ok. The main character losses everything in a fire then leaves. She then joins a group to be an ambulance driver. Arlene Favier Is a somewhat likable person who falls for a friend she is reunited with. But there is also a dark character who has set his eyes on her. She has to make a big, huge, decision as to how to handle what she knows and it could ruin any chance of happiness she may have.

I personally didn’t like this book. I have read and loved this author’s work but this one just didn’t get it. The characters to me seemed on the fake side with the exception of Arlene. There was a few good parts but overall it was just not the book for me. I never got all caught up in it to the point that I could not put it down. I actually couldn’t wait for it to end.

I give this book 3 stars because I did finish it but I can’t honestly say I recommend it. It was just not for me.

I’m usually into WW2 era more but saying that I enjoyed this book. A bit slow but the journey from USA to France and back again was imaginative and contained the odd curve ball. Keep with it and you’ll live the ending. Thanks NetGalley and Ann Howard Creel.

Good writing style, likable characters, easy to follow plot. But, like many other war fiction stories, there was not much that stood out to be different in this book. Overall, 4 stars. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical (specifically war) fiction. This was the first book I read from this author, but I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

An enjoyable read, with enough historical details to bring the story to life. The characters are very flat and the story moved a bit slow. I really wanted more from the characters. I enjoyed the setting details and the beginning of the book. The beginning started off with a bang but the story started fizzling out. The book almost lost me in the middle but started gaining traction again. The ending was perfect and all of my questions were answered nicely. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Paris, Kentucky, to Paris, France, 1918. Such an extensive undertaking for 23 year old Arlene to travel; not only in distance, but in personal growth and maturity. “Despite all we had lost and how much our lives had changed and would continue to change going forward, we would survive.” Due to a family tragedy Arlene is catapulted into the role of family breadwinner. The fortitude and bravery displayed by Arlene and other young women at the onset of World War l is enviable and impressive. Being fluent in French benefits Arlene in many ways as she is hired by the American Women’s Hospital to be an ambulance driver-at the front lines, in France. So far from the horse farm in Kentucky. The AWH and the drivers are a part of the war on which little has been written. Much of Ann Howard Creel’s writing is based on her research from letters and journals. The ambulance drivers are true heroes at the front lines, transporting and saving the lives of countless soldiers.

Arlene, thinking of her superior, Dr. Beryl Rayne: “I saw her as crossing her own version of no-man’s land; on one side, the limitations and expectations put on women, and on the other side, her drive to do what she knew she could and must do. I viewed her as charting a new course through a changed world.” Ann Howard Creel’s descriptions of the day in and day out suffering and exhausting surgeries performed by the doctors and nurses is gut wrenching; along with the vividly detailed scenes of what the ambulance drivers endured, as these men and women transported severely injured soldiers, screaming in pain and agony, to the hospitals speedily set up outside French villages.

Readers will also “travel” with Arlene as she not only moves from ” quiet scenes of beauty and tranquility into the urgency and thunder of war,” but along with her as her young heart is led in two different directions. The growth of Arlene from the naive, dependent daughter of a wealthy Kentucky horse farmer to a determined, confidant, independent, well traveled & experienced young woman is compelling and empowering. Mercy Road is a great choice for readers who wonder, “What would I do in similar circumstances? Would I have the drive to do what I can and must do to survive?” For a full recovery, the Grateful Reader prescribes a day of rest along with this 5***** Mercy Road – for a full dose of confidence and empowerment.

I felt this title moved too slowly but did read a good portion of it. Sadly, I did not finish it, but would like to thank the publishers for offering it as a prepub galley.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the eARC of Mercy Road!
The First World War is not my usual historical fiction topic, but I always appreciate learning more about the War. The work of the American Women’s Hospital, The organization that gives Arlene Favier a job when she has lost nearly everything, was fascinating to me.
While the historical setting was fascinating, Arlene’s story felt a little flat to me - I would’ve like more character and setting development. I’m glad to have read this book & learned about the existence of the American Women’s Hospital.

I have never read any of this author's books nor had I read much about the ambulance drivers of WWI so I was interested in reading this book as it would all be new to me. I love books about strong women and stepping up to take care of their family after a tragedy happened and this book fulfilled that premise.

The book seemed to be well researched along with that period of time. I thought the characters were real and believeable and had my emotions going both good and bad. There were times the story stalled or slowed but for the most part, it kept my interest.

It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it was a good read. I haven't read much historical fiction about WWI as most of it now is about WWII, so this was a nice diversion backwards.

This book started out strong, and really captivated me, unfortunately at some point the story fell short and I struggled to finish. Although it took me a while to get through Mercy Road, I read it through until the end. Perhaps I thought this story would be told differently, which has nothing to do with the quality of the story that is told in Mercy Road. I found the ending to be decent, but still couldn't fall in love with this story.

I had hoped this book would have focused more on the American's Women Hospital aspect (as this is what drew me to selecting this book in the first place) versus the romance and a purported military scheme.

While I struggled with this book, I believe there are many people who will be drawn to the book and enjoy the story of Arlene and her experiences with the AWH and the angle of this WW1 story.

Thank you NetGalley and the Author/ Publisher for an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

A book based on a little know part of history mixed in with just plain good writing. If your a fan of historical fiction, you won't go wrong picking up this gem! 4 star rating.

Absolutely loved this book! Captured me right from the beginning because Arlene is a Kentucky girl! Not only is she from Kentucky but her family lives on a horse farm. After the devastation of the family farm to a fire and the loss of her father Arlene has to find a way to keep her family’s hopes and dreams alive. She joins up with the American Woman’s Hospital as an ambulance driver. Headed to her fathers homeland of Paris France during the war she had no clue what’s she’s gotten herself into. During her time she learns so much of love, loss, personal strength and the human spirit. Wonderful characters and a great story that at times has you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. Definitely five stars!

Thanks @netgalley @annhowardcreel and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It is a woman telling her story about serving as an ambulance driver in France during WWI (historical fiction) and about the love and suffrage she saw while serving. The way in which this story is presented felt authentic. In no way did I feel like the character was a cliche or contradictory to how she was created. I really loved reading a book set during World War I. I feel like I rarely find that. The pacing moved at a really good speed and definitely kept me intrigued the whole time. Ann Howard Creel won me over with Mercy Road and I have to check out what else she has written.

Our heroine, Arlene, joins the American Womens' Hospital team in 1917 as an ambulance driver after her father dies, her home is burnt down and family fortunes vanish into the smoky air. She is sent to France and ends up rather nearer to the front than expected, meets up with an old friend from home and has a nasty individual stalking her. Dealing with broken men and ambulances, fear at the front and artillery overhead gives a certain thrill to the story and reminds me somewhat of the "Bean Town Girls" although they were WWII and Red Cross Clubmobile girls rather than ambulance drivers and maintenance experts. The WW1 scenerios are clearly well researched. The characters themselves, however, I found rather shallow and with little substance, pleasant enough but......The stalking pervert had potential that was never realised - he started, was annoying then nothing until the very end although clearly had other activities going on. The former friend Jimmy was sweet but.... I'm sorry but there really wasn't the meat into which to get one's teeth to make this a really good, engrossing read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mercy Road is a moving tribute to female solidarity and "the heroes of the American Women’s Hospital and their service during World War I. This group of remarkable women funded, planned, organized, trained, and equipped all-female medical teams to serve in France during the war. Almost unknown and unrecognized, these brave women put themselves at risk, not for personal glory or gain, but simply to help."

Heart-wrenching, Arlene Favier's life changes overnight — one day the daughter of a wealthy, privileged family of Paris, Kentucky. The next, fighting to survive on the edge of the frontlines of WWI, in Paris, France. Arlene is instantly likable as the book's brave heroine. She's not the kind of woman that needs a man to rescue her. Arlene has moxy. Lots of it! She'll need it. Losing everything familiar, Arlene's path in life is suddenly changed. She seeks employment.Her new job requires two things: the French language and a driver's license. Arlene is applying for position of ambulance driver with the American Women's Hospital. She'll be driving through a country ravaged by war. Would I be that brave if faced with crisis? Hmm. I like to think so, but — wow! How fast life can be altered! Creel delivers a believable tale, with a setting that had my emotions jostling around like a passenger in an ambulance. I really liked this book. Even the romance felt right. Of course there was a bit of romance. I've no doubt it helped alleviate fear and sorrow, a constant companion for those living on the edge of war. The romance ties the story together. It isn't the focus of Arlene's story. This is a story based on survival of the fittest. Or the lucky ones. Arlene does what she must, to survive — a character with courage, pride, and conviction.



*Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for complimentary review arc. #MercyRoad #NetGalley

A surprisingly gentle WWI romance that unfortunately failed to live up to expectations. Characters were sadly two dimensional and there was very little spark in the romance. None-the-less, I can see many romance fans enjoying this one.