The blurb for When I Was Yours had me excited to read this book.
And it's good. It is.
But I absolutely hated the back and forth between time periods.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Lizzie Page for the advance readers copy of “When I Was Yours” for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so refreshing to read a historical fiction based where the main characters are women. The story covers a bit of both WW1 and WW2 switching back and forth between the two. The protagonist Vivienne has strong opinions about how others should be living their life. However, she is extremely slow in living her own true self. Vivienne and her sister Olive war effort is highlighted as they go off to serve in women’s ambulance core. Later in the story, when Vivienne is married and back from the front, as part of a relocation and safety program a young Jewish girl, Pearl, is sent to live with Vivienne. Not having children of her own, Vivienne establishes a loving relationship with Pearl. It is though this relationship she finds herself.

3.5 stars

This is one of my favorite genres to read, and this one had a bit of a different focus than others I've read.

The characters were well developed and easy to connect with. It's an emotional read, showcasing the sacrifices made. Have the tissues handy, as they are needed at times. The author does a nice job of showing the light in the darkness.

This was a compelling, powerful and interesting read. It is an emotional read and at times difficult given the subject matter. Its fictionalized history that we need to never forget. During wartime everyone is being asked to step up and help do what they can. Being asked at times means being told, but what are you supposed to do even when if your husband is dead against participating. And so begins the relationship Vivienne and Pearl, who has been evacuated from the city to the countryside to stay safe during the time of war. Vivienne does not want this or any child as she fears her heart won’t be able to withstand the emotional toll for emotionally she is truly broken. Vivienne has lives a life of disappointment and sadness and she is terrified she won’t be what Pearl needs. She is stuck in a very unhappy marriage to a controlling emotionally absent unhappy man and afraid of what will happen with Pearl in their home. Unsurprisingly Pearl gives Vivienne a new purpose, a new desire to live a happy and fulfilled life and to start to figure out how to do just that. The story toggles back and forth from 1914 to 1939, but does so seamlessly. Relationships are created, rediscovered, hearts mended, old wounds healed and new paths are forged for all. This isn’t the genre I typically read, but found the editorial review compelling so decided to give it a try. I am so glad I made that decision. Though it is fiction it feels as if it was someones reality. This is not a light fluffy beach read, but a book that will teach you something and open your mind and heart.

This is a book you don't want to miss! It is a heartbreaking beautifully written story that once you start reading it, you can't put it down. I highly recommend this book to everyone that likes historical fiction, Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was hard book to read, we forget how much the children suffered during the wars, how they were taken from their familys and shipped To England and other places. This book was good, but sad too.

This book was hard to put down. I loved the characters in the book. And to be honest I do not usually read WWI or WWII historical novels. This a first for me. I highly recommend this book as I am an avid reader. It is very well written and easy to follow.

What an awful time in history that must have been and what sacrifices were made. This book, as almost all books set during WWI or WWII, has some of the most unbelievably sad moments that you wonder how people go on living. But it also has some beautiful moments when you feel the hope of humanity and the ties of love that keep us going in hard times.

I highly recommend this book for its memorable characters and satisfying story-line. There's a range of interesting themes from women's friendships to various aspects of war that people never think about. One of the best historical fiction books I've read in a very long time. I felt as though I was right in the book with all the characters.