I have read and enjoyed other books by this author so was very excited to receive this e galley.  The book fully lived up to my expectations.

As seems popular in historical novels, there is a dual timeline.  In the present day, one of the relatives of a character from the past travels to England to learn more about her grandmother.  Samantha's grandmother was Marie who along with Hazel and Nora are the protagonists of this novel.

Each of these three women is well portrayed and given a clear story line, social class and backstory.  Marie, who was born in Germany, has lived in England for many years. Her life changes immeasurably when Britain goes to war.  Hazel, who is in an unhappy marriage, works for a marriage bureau while Nora works for the government.  Each has connections to what is happening as Britain goes to war. 

Marie is fearful of internment.  (I found this fascinating as, though I have read many novels set in WWII, this topic had never arisen).  She worked for a German professor who is deemed suspect.  No spoilers but readers will enjoy learning what Hazel has been doing at the marriage bureau while Nora is aware of much war work.

What will happen to these friends?  Will their close friendship survive the vagaries and tragedies of war?  Read the book to find out.


I highly recommend this novel.  I found that I kept wanting to have the time to go back and read more and what better recommendation is there than that?


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and of dual timeline novels, and I have enjoyed Julia Kelly's The Light Over London, so I was looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint.

While this is a dual timeline, the meat of the book is in the WWII timeline surrounding the friendship between Nora, Hazel, and Marie. They are three very different girls, brought together first in boarding school, and becoming fast friends. This book is set around 1939 and 1940 as Germany invades Poland. Nora and Hazel fight to find a way to protect Marie and keep her out of the prison camps while dealing with personal issues of their own. This was very much a time when women were beginning to feel more empowered and this is evident with Nora and Hazel.

One thing I really appreciate in historical fiction is learning something about history that I wasn't aware of. In Whispers of War, this bit of history is the internment of German nationals in British prison camps (during both WWI and WWII, and the conditions they faced.). Marie, while German by birth, has spent most of her life in Britain, raised by her aunt and uncle, and faces being assessed by the tribunals to determine her threat to the country. Most of what we learn is via the three main character's discussions. If anything, I would have liked to have learned more about this in the story itself, although Kelly has provided a lot of detail in the author's notes, something definitely worth reading.

I confess, as much as I love dual-timelines, I don't think this story gained much from the present day story arc. I found myself rushing through these chapters to get back to Nora, Hazel, and Marie.

This is a lovely story of friendship, family, and devotion.

What a beautiful story! I love the foundation of friendship. This novel earns its place in the genre of historical fiction.
If you’re a fan, this ones for you! Thank you NetGalley and Julia Kelly.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel taking place during WWII in London. Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful story of a close friendship between, Nora, Hazel, and Marie is the heart of the historical novel. Marie is German and this is 1939 London. People are worried about Germans that live in England and want them interned. The 3 women have different personal issues, but foremost is the saving of Marie. Read about these strong women and the changing world that they live in.

WW2 books will always be cherished in my heart. This book did the same. The plot takes place in London during WWII. A life of three woman during difficult times to survive. The book was a good read , although at times it was dragging.

Every time I read a WWII novel, I always learn something new. The Whispers of War taught me a few new things and once again, this story made me think I was there, in London, during the war. I loved the way the story was written. It was moving and kept me wanting more!! Great read and highly recommend!

A wonderfully well written story that touches the heart of every reader interested in WWII fiction. This is a fascinating story set in two timelines that seamlessly moves between present day and WWII. Three women are at the same boarding house before the war and become friends. Their lives intertwine together amid their friendships during wartime and after.

I loved the writing and how the author frames each charcters story. Very well done and I highly recommend ..

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley.

Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this WW2 book set in England and in present day. I hadn't known much about England having internment camps during the world wars. The book doesn't go into great detail about these only that some of the characters are threatened with it but that is all.

The book centers on 3 women who met as girls at a boarding school in England. One of whom is German, Marie, her granddaughter Samantha after her grandmother's passing wants to find out more about her life when she was young. Marie's friend Nora invites Samantha to stay with her in England and that is how we hear about the girls lives during the war. Also a romance blooms between Samantha and Nora's grandson, I don't know if this was needed and it seemed way too predictable. The Other friend, Hazel was a matchmaker before and during the war and set up Marie with a widower. Nora worked in intelligence during the war and that was very interesting to read.

I enjoyed this book.

I absolutely loved this book! Great historical fiction by a great author. I love the way she tells two stories simultaneously - one during WWII and one during present day. I had no idea that Germans outside of Germany were treated so terribly during the war, and it was very interested to learn more about this time in history. I loved the story.

This was more of a novel of friendship against all odds than it was historical fiction. The circumstances of 3 long-time friends are portrayed as England is entering WW2. The war is only a backdrop, not discussed in depth, while the story delves into women's roles and rights during this time period, plus a little romance and intrigue. Their story alternates with that of a granddaughter in modern-day who realizes too late that she didn't really know her grandmother and is trying to fill in the history. This was an enjoyable read with strong, likable, female characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This is the story of three friends living in London before and in the early years of WWII. The story mainly centers on the lives of these women and does deal much with the war. The characters are
well developed and likable but I wanted more. Well written and enjoyable but just not enough
action.

Gallery Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Whispers of War. I chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Marie, Nora and Hazel become fast friends at boarding school as preteens, but their lasting friendship is put to the test during the rise of World War II. Nora is a socialite, working in the Home Office Air Raid Precautions Department; Hazel is a matchmaker, working for an agency run by a powerful woman; and Marie is a secretary, working at the University for several professors. As she is German born, Marie is worried that she might be labeled as an enemy alien and does what she can to fall under the radar. When circumstances beyond her control put Marie at risk, what will her friends do to help?

The book begins with Samantha, traveling to England on a mission from her Grandmother Marie. As she meets with Nora and her grandson, Samantha learns the stories of the past. This connection to the present did not necessarily have to be included in the book, as its absence would not have been felt. The friendship of Marie, Nora, and Hazel could have easily been told in a straightforward manner, without Nora reflecting on the past. I also thought that the book should have ended in England, without the epilogue. The Whispers of War was tied up too neatly and I would have rather used my imagination to fill in the remainder. Although the novel did a good job of describing the historical aspects of life for the foreign born in England before World War II, the book overall was not as good as I had hoped. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The Whispers of War.

I have read many historical fiction novels, most of which center around WW11 era. Whispers of War offers a new perspective. Set in London at the outset of war, we met Hazel, Marie, and Nora, three childhood friends who are closely bonded. Nora and Hazel are British born, but Marie is German born, and while she hasn’t lived in Germany since childhood, she maintains a characteristic German accent, and Marie finds herself in the crosshairs of judgement from both British citizens, and the government. As a war weary continent accepts what could be prolonged conflict with Germany, rattled government officials begin monitoring and interning citizens who have British or Austrian backgrounds. As the war drags on, Marie comes to depend heavily on her friends. For their part, Nora and Hazel take German internment personally and they both vow to do all they can to stop Marie from becoming an innocent casualty. Weaved seamlessly with real life record and fictionalized characters, this story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. Should appeal to fans of this genre. Definitely worth a read. Review posted to Goodreads, LibraryThing, and Amazon.

Samantha gets a surprise in her grandmothers will that sends her to London to deliver a package to her grandmothers friend Nara. This uncovers a great story of her grandmother Marie and her best friends Nara and Hazel. Starting in boarding school and continuing their entire lives the three were best friends. From good days to the tragedy of war this is a great story of love and friendship.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Julia Kelly once again brings us a story of friendship and family. This is a story set in London before the start of WW2 and the impact it had a three women. It was an interesting look how the events of the time had such an extreme impact on each woman differently. It is a reminder that family is not only those who share the same blood or family tree but that those you choose as your family can be just as strong.

This is my second book by Julia Kelly and this is another strong read. It was nice to read a historical fiction story set around WW2 that wasn't gruesome and too dark.

This book is set in England at the very beginning of World War II, about 3 young women who have been best friend since they met in boarding school: Marie, who came from Germany to attend the school and never left; Nora, a very independent woman from a rich family who now works in a government office; and Hazel, a not-so-happily married matchmaker. There is also a small amount of the book set in the present, when Marie's granddaughter comes to England after her grandmother's death and meets the 103 year old Nora, who shares the rest of the story with her. I really enjoyed the characters and their stories. And as someone who has read a lot of World War II fiction, I always enjoy when I learn something new from it - here, the fact that Germans in England were treated with great suspicion and were even sent to internment camps during both World War I and World War II.

You know when you read something in the book where the title finally clicks and make sense? I feel like this was the entire book for me. It literally is what it sounds like. The reading was pretty straightforward and flowed really nicely. While it is an enjoyable read, it didn't stand out in any particular way for me. I'm not a big historical romance reader, but I think if you are- you will definitely enjoy it as it is more of a light historical fiction read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fabulous, I loved seeing the grand daughter story of finding out more about her grandmother. I never have heard of the treatment of Germans living in London during the war and was shocked. I understand why it happened - the fear and such. But still the mass hate seemed just in bearable. I adored the friendships and knowing how each friends live ended.

5/5 for me!

I normally have a soft spot in my heart for a well written WWII historical fiction. While I do believe this is a well written novel, it is just not what I was expecting coming in. I am not sure I am fully on board with historical romance. This book didn't full grasp my attention and at times I felt like not a lot was happening in the story. I did enjoy the different characters, but I never felt that I was given enough backstory to truly pull for any of the romances that came up in this novel, which is surprising since it felt like this book was mainly historical romance than about the war. I would still recommend it for people who enjoy historical fiction with romance, I just don't necessarily think it is my cup of tea.

I would like to think netgalley for allowing me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!