Set in WWII London, it's the story of three strong women friends who face different trials during the war. One of them is worried about being put in an internment camp, and the others face discrimination and more as they try to do their part for the war effort.

I really liked this book and highly recommend it!

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a true fan of WWII stories, I was anxious to read another book by Julia Kelly. This is a story of three friends at the start of the war who struggle to remain loyal as one of them is threatened with internment by the British government.

When I first stumbled upon The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly, I knew I needed to read it ASAP. I don’t know what it is about WWII historical fiction, but I feel as if I can never read enough. Each story is unique while displaying the danger, courage, compassion, and friendships that make this genre so enjoyable. Our story is about three friends Nora, Hazel, and Marie who have formed a close bond over the years. When war breaks out, the women discover that danger is too close to home as Marie is a German expat. The lengths they go to in order to protect her really shines a light on this novels predominate theme. However, there were some issues I had with this one. First, I felt as if the dual timeline was not necessary. Samantha’s point of view took me out of the story that I really wanted to be reading. The romance was also predictable and too tidy for me. I wish there was more vivid imagery, but that was not a deal breaker for me.
*Thank you Netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have read other novels by Julia Keely and have loved them. I am also a fan of historical fiction especially those set during the Second World War. The Whispers of War is set in England at the beginning of the Second World War. The novel centers around three friends each at crossroad in their lives. Nora is working in the Home Office. A woman ahead of her time. She is trying to find a place in a man’s world. Hazel is a matchmaker. She is the optimistic spirit with a crumbling marriage. Maria is a secretary and German. Being German in England during the World War II can be a problem especially when you are under suspicion because of your family and former boss. These three women have been friends since bonding in boarding school. They are more than friends they are family. They come together to support and protect each other. They try to protect Maria from the unfounded suspicions. They come together to save Maria from being interned even when it will impact all their lives. That is what true friends do. I was lucky enough to receive a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley. This had no impact on this review. I already have read several of Julia Kelly’s novels and loved them all. If you are looking a good historical fiction novel, you will not go wrong with any of her books.

Three women, who bet in boarding school, experience London during WWII. They draw their strength from each other. They learn that people are not always what they seem but some friendships last forever.

Marie (of German descent) went to Britain to attend a boarding school where she meets Nora (a tall and gangly debutant) and Hazel (the matchmaker). They become a family. Their motto, which survives forever, is “We’ll always be . . . Just us three!”

The story alternates between four POVs. Samantha (Marie’s granddaughter), Nora, Hazel, and Marie. It also splits between then (1933-1943) and now. Even so, the story flows beautifully as Julia Kelley is known to do. The emotional journey finds times of love, longing, fear, comradery, laughs and secrets. As the war gets closer, it is apparent that Marie cannot continue to live in Britain any longer. German’s are being interred and the odds are too high to ignore that she will be arrested soon. Per their absolute devotion to one ;another, all risk whatever they have accomplished and their freedom without question. That sort of loyalty is found woven throughout the pages.

I fell in love with Julia Kelly’s book with Light Over London. The Whispers of War does not disappoint. She is definitely a favorite author.


I received an ARC from Galley Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am submitting this review voluntarily and am under no obligation to do so.

It starts off with Marie and describing how she's doing . Then it shows Samantha at beginning of everything making her trip to West london.not a bad storry .a rich page Turner. I just couldn't get completely hooked.

A granddaughter's quest to know her grandmother during her most difficult time in history. Samantha has been left with the task of giving her grandmother Marie eulogy. The only thing that Samantha knows about her grandmother is her German heritage and that she had went to a school in London. Samantha is daunted by her task but feels that knowing what happened to her grandmother during World War II would be an honor to her beloved grandmother. She sets off to England and finds a dear friend of her grandmother Marie where she shares the shame and fear that the whispers of war brought to Marie because of her German heritage.

Marie's German parents had their daughter shipped to her Aunt and Uncles house in England where she lived and went to school. Her Aunt and Uncle had made a home in England and after the first War felt that England was where they belonged. They loved Marie and gave her the support she needed. However, their son was hostile towards his cousin and this later played badly as England prepared for War once again. Marie had gained two beautiful friends in Nora Walcott and Hazel Ricci.

Marie's story is much to do about her friendship with Nora and Hazel as they protect their friend from the fear of fellow Brits. Not much is known about the holding camps of German British citizens during the war. The fear of enemy infiltration ruined many lives during this time. The friends stuck together and their loyalty is the driven force of this historical fiction read.

A Special Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The Whispers of War bounces between present day and the late 1930's and into the 1940s in Britain.
Samantha, Marie's granddaughter, is tasked with visiting her oldest friend, Nora Walcott, in England to deliver a eulogy for Marie. As Marie's story is revealed to Samantha, she begins to realise just how little she truly knows about her grandmother. As if she really hasn't been a grandmother her entire life.
Through Nora, the reader is introduced to three young women who met at boarding school and are now inseparable as they face the uncertainty that comes with war. Marie, a German who had lived most of her life in England, is facing a classification tribunal to decide whether her fate is internment until the end of the war, or whether she's not seen as a threat to British society. Her best friends, matchmaker Hazel Carey, and Home Office employee, Nora, are beside her, keeping her spirits up, and encouraging her into the belief that nothing is going to change.
While I really really wanted to love this book, as historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, I just couldn't get into the story the way I had hoped. Several of the chapters leapt through time with no indication that suddenly we were several months ahead of where we had previously been. As a result I found it a little hard to follow.
I liked the characters a lot, and the fear that Julia Kelly built into Marie's life did resonate. Unfortunately, I generally prefer strong female characters, and while Hazel and Nora were painted in that light, I felt that Marie's character was much more meek, allowing herself to fall repeatedly into the mindset of gloom and doom. Which is understandable during wartime, when things are as uncertain as they were in the setting, but I just didn't become attached to her character.
I received a digital copy of The Whispers of War in exchange for an honest review.

In August of 1939 Britain three childhood friends fear the impending war with Germany is soon to come. Nora, Hazel and Marie have been friends ever since they were roomates at Ethelbrook Boarding School. Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with great courage and determination, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp. When the war is declared and Germany invades Poland Marie becomes the enemy and her life will be at constant risk, but the three friends will strengthen their bond together while fighting to keep her safe at any cost.
WWII Fiction is one of my favorite genres. This is my first book by Julia Kelly and I have to say she surpassed my espectations! It’s a touching and beautiful story! I liked that it centers in the friendship of this three outstanding women, more so than on the romantic part. This three women come from families that lack of something: love, reputation, understanding of their daughters. That’s why they bond so strong, because they become family to each other. So as they grow up, they share all their happenings, dreams and fears. But when the war rages, and it threatens London too, they will all have to test their loyalty and fight their own personal battles: Nora’s career, Hazel’s fragile marriage, and Marie’s risk of deportation.
The story is beautifully told. The characters are so well developed that I instantly felt a kindredship to them, especially Marie, who had a heart of gold. But I also loved independent, corageous and outspoken Nora, and matchmaker and loyal Hazel. The dual timeline was very well done, going from Marie's grandaughter Samantha who wants to know more about the life of this woman she so loved. The plot flows well and it never feels dragging.
This book shows aspects of the war that I saw in a new lens. The fear of deportment just because of where you were born. The cruelty of internment camps. The loyalty and humanity of so many people that went unknown, as well as the evil and deceiving. This books brings a spark of optimism through the hardship the whole story ensues. And it is the loyal friendship of this three remarkable women that will bring out the good that always comes in the midst of the bad and abhorring. It is an inspiring and realistic story.
I definitely recommend it to lovers of the historical genre. A must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased review.

Julia Kelly’s The Whispers of War is an engaging work of historical fiction that focuses on three friends, Marie, Nora, and Hazel, and the challenges they face when World War II reaches the shores of England. The author deftly uses a dual timeline to both ground her readers in the present and take us back in time. She begins in the present with Marie’s granddaughter, Samantha, who has traveled to London after Marie’s death to present Nora with a keepsake Marie wanted her dear friend to have. Samantha has also been charged with writing a eulogy for her grandmother so she takes the opportunity of meeting Nora to pick her brain about Marie’s early life. Although Nora is the gateway to the past, the author presents the WWII timeline from the perspectives of Nora, Marie, and their other good friend, Hazel.

As much as WWII historical fiction has always fascinated me, the friendship of these three women was what really sold me on this book. Marie is German-born, and although she has lived in England nearly all of her life, the threat of war with the Nazis has her on edge, especially as rumors abound that those with German blood could be placed in internment camps. Nora, on the other hand, is English by birth and actually works for the British government at the Home Office. She takes advantage of her position to keep Marie apprised of what’s really going on with respect to possible internment camps. In sharp contrast to both Nora and Marie is Hazel, who works for a matchmaking company. Ever the optimist and even in the face of war, she’s in the business of helping people find love. These three women are such an unlikely trio, but the bond of friendship they share is just beautiful to see, especially when contrasted with the ugliness of war as more and more people turn on Marie because of her German background.

Using WWII and Marie’s experiences as its backdrop, The Whispers of War explores some pretty big themes – friendship, sisterhood, what happens when loyalties are tested, politics, women’s rights issues, and even a little romance. Marie’s story is pretty incredible and I loved learning more about her alongside her granddaughter. If you’re into WWII historical fiction and/or stories that feature strong female characters, you’ll want to check out The Whispers of War.

I am a big fan of WWII historical fiction and this book struck such a chord with me. We more often hear of the Japanese who were imprisoned in American internment camps during WWII, not of the Germans who were also imprisoned in American interment camps during WWII. I couldn't help but think of my German born grandmother, who immigrated here to the US before WWII, who became a US citizen before WWII as well, and the stories of how she was questioned repeatedly during the war and how scared she was. I minored in WWII history back in college, and I have to say I have learned more in recent years through WWII historical fiction books like this one than I did back then. The Whispers Of War also shows how deeply important friendships are, female friendships specifically, in helping us throughout all of the stages of our lives, no matter how good or bad.

I really enjoyed this story of friendship against the backdrop of the early days of WWII. The characters were well written and the story moves along at a nice pace. It was also interesting to read how Germans were treated in England at the beginning of the war. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

It's 1939 and the rumbles of war are beginning in Europe. Three childhood friends: Nora, an English socialite who works at the Home office, Hazel, a middle class English girl who works for a matchmaking service, and Marie, a German expat who is worried about interment in a camp if it comes to war, are all supporting one another through this turbulent time period.

This dual timeline book focuses predominantly on the historical time period with the present day only appearing at the beginning and end. Samantha, the granddaughter of Marie, has lost her precious grandmother at the age of 102 and wants to know what happened to her before she came to Canada. She travels to England to meet Nora who is 103 and hears the tale of the three girls during the war years.

I loved the support, loyalty, and friendship that the three young women gave to one another no matter what problems they faced. Secondary characters added to the story. Well written with excellent detail about this pre-war period in England.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Orion Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I loved Julia Kelly’s first book, Light Over London, and this one was just as good! I liked the way that there was a storyline with a present day character, as well as the characters from the Second World War. Beautifully written and excellent character development.

From the author of "The Light Over London" comes a new debut novel "The Whispers of War".

Three childhood friends...
Two hostile nations...
One great war...

We'll always be... just US three... A mantra the three girls have shared for ages since they have met at all-girls school. Years after the graduation, the three girls: German-born Marie, proud feminist, and homeowner Nora, and married matchmakers Hazel remained as close as sisters. When Germany invaded Poland, Marie's relation to Nazi sympathizers put her life into great danger. While defending and standing by her friend's side, Nora became dismissed from her job, but shortly after she has found a new calling by joining WREN. However, the biggest surprise came from Hazel, who decided to fight german discrimination and help fellow German-born individuals in her own way. The beginning of WWII has tested their friendship, taught each and one of them a greater life lesson, and changed their lives in different ways.

The novel covers the first year of the war ('39-'40), and it gives the reader a front-row view of London based British and german-born residents' reaction to Hitler's action and the beginning of the second great war. This is the time we see women starting to step up in their roles, voice and stand by their beliefs and opinions, and find their place in the world. A great story, a wonderful set of characters. Beautifully and tastefully written. Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books publisher for a free and advanced copy of the novel, and big thank you to Julia Kelly for a heartfelt story.

Female friendship is a wonderful connection. It can outlast wars and marriages. When three girls find themselves roommates in an English boarding house in 1928, their friendships continue to their death. Marie, a German girl, of course is worried about being deported during World War II. Her friend Hazel was raised by a single mother living a bohemian lifestyle and Nora comes from a wealthy English family. When Marie dies in Canada, her granddaughter goes to London to return a piece of jewelry to Nora as requested in Marie’s will. Nora reveals the history of the three women. As in all good historical fiction, there’s a lot of information about growing up during World War II including the treatment of Germans.

I own every book that Julia Kelly has ever published, including those she has published under the name Julia Blake. I am very excited to have been added to Julia's ARC team!

The Whispers of War is a World War II historical fiction novel that examines the impact of the war on a group rarely discussed in history: German immigrants living in Allied nations. As Germany was the aggressor in the conflict and responsible for heinous crimes against humanity, especially the Jewish population, few have endeavored to write a novel with a German protagonist. Julia Kelly does so in a sensitive and eloquent manner.

Marie, a German immigrant living in London, England, has lived in London since childhood. Sent away to an English boarding school by her parents, Marie decided to remain in the country with her aunt and uncle, even after graduating. When Germany invades Poland, starting the war, Marie fears for her safety and her freedom. She abhors Germany's actions and fears the Nazi regime. In World War I, the English had rounded up all German immigrants and put them into internment camps, and Marie fears that the government may decide it is necessary to do so again with the current conflict.

The story is told in parts from four different viewpoints. I felt that this structure was effective and easy to follow. At the very beginning, we read from Samantha's point of view in the present day. Samantha is Marie's granddaughter, who has traveled to London to visit Marie's dear friend Nora a year after Marie has passed away. We will hear from Samantha intermittently as Nora imparts Marie's history, preceding each new section of the book. The first section is told from Marie's point of view in autumn of 1939. The second section is told from Marie and Nora's friend Hazel's point of view, covering the winter of 1939 to 1940, and the third is told from Nora's point of view in the spring of 1940. Experiencing Marie's strife through each of these close friends' points of views establishes their unwavering bond and their dedication to Marie's safety and freedom.

I have a minor in history with a focus on World War II history, and I was never aware of the conditions that German immigrants faced living in the internment camps. In America, we hear much about the Japanese internment camps in the United States. Any mention of Germans being rounded up into camps was in passing, never being thoroughly examined. Julia Kelly shines light on a part of history that has not been widely acknowledged or taught.

For those who have read Julia Kelly/Julia Blake's other titles, this story has minimal romance. Romance is a minor element in the book, despite Hazel's occupation as a matchmaker. The story is more about the bond of friendship, the emerging empowerment of women of the era, and revealing the impact of this little-known historical event. Elements of xenophobia, misogyny, discrimination, and abuse of authority are powerfully yet gracefully portrayed.

My favorite sections were those of Marie, Hazel, and Nora. I felt that Samantha’s chapters could have been given a bit more attention. Things seem to move very quickly in her chapters, especially with David. Other than that, The Whispers of War was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or women’s fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Kelly for providing me with a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #thewhispersofwar

Another enjoyable book by Julia Kelly. While this is considered historical fiction, the main focus in this book was the strong female bond of three friends during WWII in London. I learned a little bit about the German internment camps in London during the war. This was something I was not very familiar with and it interested me enough to do my own research and read up on that subject. That is what I love about reading historical fiction. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading future books by Julia Kelly.

I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I am a regular reader of Julia’s books and I adored this book. It’s starts with Samantha, granddaughter to Marie, traveling to England to return a necklace per Marie’s posthumous instructions, to her friend Nora. This a dual timeline where Samantha learns more about her grandmother than anyone in the family knew, through Nora reliving and telling their life story during a period of WWII. She shares a a few months worth each day before 103 year old Nora wears out, keeping Samantha in England for five days. Nora starts the story of how they met along with Hazel completing their trio of lifelong friends starting with the boarding school. I noticed several people not liking Samantha’s part of the book but to me, it was necessary, it was part of the cycle of life and the connections we make and where they lead. You learn of the trios work, loves, and what it means to be a true friend no matter the cost. I was crying at the end of the book with happiness with its wonderful and beautiful ending.

I’ve read a lot of books (none non-fiction, so that’s on me) and watched movies and documentaries and of course took many history classes and learned of the internment’s in England that I’d never heard of from this book. It was shocking.

The Whispers of War is at it's heart, a story of three strong women and how their friendship endures through trials and tough times. I feel that this a less of a WWII book, as it really doesn't delve too deeply into the war - mostly the war is just the setting for the story of Hazel, Marie, and Nora.

Friends since grade school, everything they know is changing as whispers of war begin. For Marie, this is especially troubling, as she is a German-born British resident. Talk of interment camps and arresting all Germans has the friends scared and fighting for Marie's rights, even hiding her away if necessary.

Each friend gets a third of the book focused on them, although their stories certainly weave together throughout the whole book. They learn to stick closer together than ever, and share secrets that only help to bring them together. Along the way, there's some heartbreak, humor, romance - but most of all, it's a testament to the power of friendship, and it's a beautiful story.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy; all opinions are my own.