Hazel, Nora and Marie are kind of like the three musketeers. They have been best friends since meeting at school at the age of 12. Nora was raised to be a debutante, mush to her dismay. Now she works as a matchmaker and takes her job seriously. She is very good at interacting with people. She is very dependent and loves on her own. Hazel was born of a beautiful mother, she never knew who her father was. She is very good at her job in the war Department of Britain. Marie is German. She was cast aside by her parents and raised by her Aunt and Uncle.
The war is starting and Marie has been marked as a class B German. She cannot ride a bike or travel. She is always held under suspicion because of her heritage. 0Her greatest fear is to be taken to an internment camp. Her best friends are determined not to let this happen. You will read about the unfairness of people being imprisoned in these camps because of where they were born. It is also a story of strength, loyalty, determination and love.
Excellent!

A sweet story of friendship, with young and carefree girls, suddenly burdened by the fear, and realities, of war. The story line dragged a bit at times, but the characters were likeable, and I enjoyed reading about an unknown aspect of history in England.

In England, friends Nora, Marie, and Hazel watch in fear as war with Germany seems more and more inevitable Marie, a German, faces a loyalty board, where she can be interned if she gives the wrong answers. Nora, works in the Home Office's Air Raid Division, where she is ignored and belittled as a woman. Matchmaker Hazel struggles in her marriage, as she and her husband drift farther and farther apart.

I was a bit disappointed with this book. The characters had very little personality. They were a bit one-dimensional and were not flushed out. The story seemed a bit slow and tedious. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

A very different kind of WWII book that I’ve been reading lately and a very nice change. Centered in London where three women, who are very different, become family to one another. A sweet romance and a story told by one of the London friends who is now 103. Very enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

This is a story of friendship and romance. It is well written and a pleasure to read. Watching the friendships develop, grow, change, but never diminish, was heart-warming. As a reader, I found it frustrating to see trouble coming and be unable to stop it. The author drew me into the story and emotions of the characters. I would recommend this book to romance readers everywhere.

ceived this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Set at the start of World War I'm we meet three extraordinary women that will make choices they never thought they would face. I absolutely loved Marie's story. She showed such strength and determination. I really related to the right friendship these three had. There is nothing like having friends that are extended family. Highly recommend!

Wow! I’m speechless as to how amazing this book is!

Upon the death of her grandmother, Marie...Samantha is given not only the task of presenting her eulogy but returning a precious keepsake to one of her grandmothers oldest and best friends. As with many people who were affected by World War 2, Marie kept much of it from her family. She would occasionally tell Samantha to ask her about the war sometime but life always prevented Samantha from doing that, a major regret when it became too late.

When Samantha arrives in London to visit Marie’s dear friend Nora, a story was recounted that made Samantha question the grandmother she thought she had known so well. Marie was of German nationality and when she was a teenager, she was sent to a boarding school in England where she met Nora and the third member of their trio Hazel. Together the three would see each other through some very dark times.

This is where the historical stuff kicks in and it sure makes for an aspect of suspense in this book. When Germany invaded Poland, England gave them a deadline to back out or they would declare war. Well...we all know that war was declared. At the time, there were thousands of German and Austrian immigrants living in England, many wanting to start a new life after the devastation of the First World War. Regardless of their innocence, these alien residents were required to sit through tribunals and then be classified into one of three groups. Marie was forced to sit through her own tribunal, despite having lived in England since she was a child. Despite her innocence, her familial ties put her in a very tricky and dangerous and up in the air situation. Nora and Hazel vow to keep their friend safe and despite having issues in their own personal lives, the ladies always put each other first.

Without giving away spoilers because I want you all to pick up this book the minute it hits the shelf, this is an excellent book on the strength and bonds of friendship. True friends become family and even during a time of war, family sticks together. I was truly saddened to finish this story but it wrapped up so beautifully despite me selfishly wanting more.

A couple of things to keep in mind....it does jump back and forth between Marie, Nora and Hazel as well as briefly jumping into the present with Samantha. It flows beautifully so don’t let that keep you from reading. Also...it’s vital to read the authors notes. You’ll learn more about the historical aspect of things and I think it’s always important to understand where, why and how writers bring their work to life.

Two thumbs WAY up

Intricately woven and richly poignant, Julia Kelly avoids the pitfalls of a romance novel by crafting a wonderfully suspenseful story and nuanced characterizations. An insightful and haunting look into a place, a time, and historical dilemmas.

I almost didn’t read this as I thought it was too “romance” for me. It was, but my liking of home front type stories from WWI and WWII won out. Three boarding school roommates form a found family and support each other at the start of WWII, saving one from the detention camps in England. Just as the US had detention camps primarily for the Japanese, the UK had them for Germans and Austrians that were “enemy aliens.” Decent writing and character development with neatly tied up endings for each of the heroes.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I REALLY liked this book!! It started out slowly, with some initial confusion as to the identities of the main characters, but once it got going, it was a good story. I never knew that Britain interned Germans and Italians during both World Wars!!

Three very different girls meet at boarding school, where none of them really fit in, but they form a lifelong attachment, keeping in touch after school with a monthly dinner at the Club where one belongs. Then Germany invaded Poland and Britain was an ally of Poland, so they had to declare war. War. The last thing anyone wanted, with the memories of the last one still so fresh.

Marie, who was German-born but considered herself more British than most Brits, was in danger. She had registered as an alien and now faced deportation or worse, as her native country and her adopted country moved toward war. What lengths will friends do to save their friend? These women soon find out just how far they will go.

<i>The Whispers of War</i> is a dual timeline story that examines the daily struggles of three friends during WWII. The bond of friendship is quite moving; each very different woman sacrificing their identities to preserve the ties that bind.

In a time of war, sides are divided. The Aliens Restriction Act is looming in the minds of England's citizens. Public opinion is highly in favor of securing her borders. Reminiscent of today's illegal citizen issues, I found this portion of a gripping wartime tale very interesting. When facing war we normally think of our own country and the rights we have. What about those that have come to a country that offers freedom and fair justice? Do we discriminate against innocent people who have zero ties to our enemy? Do we turn our backs on friends and family because we're suspicious? Julia Kelly's characters are fresh, devoted, and the kind of women I'd definitely want on my side. Well told and fast paced.



*Review copy courtesy of Simon and Schuster/NetGalley. Thank you!

A very timely book and would be a good selection for a book club. It is the story of three women friends during the turbulent years of WWII. One of the women was German and considered an enemy of the country. It really made me think about how immigrants are treated at this time some of whom have also been locked up for no more reason than where they were born. The beauty and warmth in the book came from the wonderful friendship between the women.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While there are many books set during WWII, The Whispers of War covers the topic of internment camps, bringing new life to the subject. The book is well written, drawing the reader in to the story of 3 women and what they'll do to keep one of their own from the internment camps. If WWII is one of your favorite genres, this book will tick all the boxes.

Whispers of War
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have read many WWII novels with similar story lines, the Blitz, Holocaust, etc. This novel was a pleasant change from the usual WWII plots which I very much appreciated. Nora, Marie and Hazel have been best friends since they went to boarding school together . Marie was sent by her parents from Germany to live with her aunt and uncle in London, when she was 12 years old. When war breaks out and England and Germany are at the opposite sides, people with German origins living in England become undesirables and many are interned in camps.
Marie’s connection to some of her family’s questionable actions, makes her a target for internment, even when she was not involved or even aware of those activities. Hazel and Nora stand by her as only real friends can. I was not aware of the British internment policy , so this book was an educational experience for me. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

#TheWhispersofWar #NetGalley
Julia Kelly’s new book, The Whispers of War, is about three very different women who meet as young students at a private school in England and become best friends. “We’ll always be, Just us three.”
Hitler is invading Poland. England feels threatened and has begun the registration of any Germans living in the country who were not born there. With the possibility of being sent away to a camp, or even expulsion, Nora and Hazel are determined to protect Marie, a German expatriate.
This is not just another World War ll book. These women are special and very strong and determined, each in her own way. One is a debutante, another works in a matrimonial office and the third is employed by the university. Oh yes! Later in the book we meet Samantha. Thought her introduction was a really interesting piece of writing.
How the story plays out, the women’s camaraderie, how they adjust to war on the horizon, is very compelling.
Ms Kelly’s novel is hard to put down. Should especially appeal to women.
Also, be sure to read the epilogue and the author’s final notes. “My hope is that The Whispers of War can contribute in any small way to a greater sympathy for those now suffering and move us a little closer to change.”,

I always get worried about picking up a WWII historical fiction, as there are so many with predictable story lines. However, this author has been able to surprise me with both novels of hers that I have read. 

Three strong lead female characters living in England during the start of WWII. We see the unbreakable bond between them and the struggles each of them face during this time. The emphasis of the book was on one of the women who is German and facing the possibility of internment.  It was slow for me at the start, however the great dialogue and themes soon drew me in. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery books for an advanced copy of this novel.

I read a lot of historical fiction surrounding WWII. This book has a new POV that I hadn't read before. That viewpoint is a young German woman who has lived in England for about half her life, but is now accused of possible aiding spies due to her background. This book really focuses on the friendship of Marie, Nora and Hazel who met as tweens at boarding school and now are all faced with vastly different challenges as war returns to England. I really enjoyed this read.

Every once in a while I stumble upon a book that is so beautiful, it’s hard to describe in words. The Whispers of War is that book! The connected story lines, the themes of friendship, and the surprises along the way are just a few of the reasons why I adore The Whispers of War. This is the first time I’ve read anything by Julia Kelly, and within minutes of finishing this book, I purchased other works by her. This is by far one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read.

This is the first time I have read this author. The story was well written, and the characters were very interesting. I started to to read this and could not put the book down. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

I highly recommend this book. I never thought about what German born people residing in other countries went through as the war broke out. I was pulled in immediately and loved the characters immediately. Ms. Kelly flawlessly weaves the past and present together and reminds us we have to always learn from our past to become better.