The Last Night in London was my first book by Karen White. As with many WW2 historical fiction novels, it is told from multiple perspectives and multiple timelines. Precious and Eva were friends, roommates and coworkers in London during WW2. Precious is now elderly and in the present day, Maddie is trying to recreate their story to showcase the intersection of fashion and the war for an exhibit.

The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me and I found it hard to get invested in the story, but about half way through the book I became so interested in what happened to Eva that I could not put the book down. Precious and Eva's story held my attention - friendship, love, betrayal and espionage made this portion of the story captivating. At the same time the present day story of Maddie and Colin was lacking depth for me.

Regardless, this was an overall enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the Tradd Street series by this author.

3.75 stars.

The Last Night in London
By Karen White

A riveting novel of friendships, love, secrets and betrayal

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY

London, 1939. Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are models for a major fashion house. When Eva falls in love with the wealthy Graham St. John, she can’t believe her luck, that she’s getting everything she ever wanted. When the bombs start dropping over the United Kingdom Eva’s world begins to crumble. She slips into a mysterious web of intrigue, spies, and secrets.

London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life as a model in pre-WWII London. Precious owns a tremendous collection of beautiful gowns from that time. Maddie finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, her enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie interviews Precious, she begins unraveling a secrets from the past.

REVIEW
The Last Night in London is a riveting historical fiction novel of friendship, love and betrayal. Karen White’s beguiling writing keeps readers engaged with strong female characters, intriguing dialogue, and a multi-layered plot.

The two time frames of the story, 1939 and 2019, are creatively intertwined. Readers will appreciate finesse of the secrets and suspense throughout the book, This dramatic wartime story is simply impossible to put down.

White is a New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels. Her most recent standalone novels include Dreams of Falling (2018) and The Night the Lights Went Out (2017).

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Berkley
Published April 20, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Karen White's The Last Night in London was the most pleasant surprise I've had in ages. White relies heavily on conventional historical fiction structure (present timeline, past timeline), but makes it feel fresh by virtue of her skill with plot and pacing. I found myself engaged quite quickly, enjoying the focus on World War II, fashion, and London and I admired White's ability to bring new life to some very common themes. This is well worth the read for any historical fiction fan and I'm sure it will be quite popular with White's legion of fans.

Karen White is a master novelist. The Last Night in London is no exception. This is a dual time line story from 1939 to early 1940s and then picking up the story in the present. The premise of the book is
fashions during war but the story takes on a life of it's own and the current characters try to untangle a mystery. Great story-line and characters. Keeps the reader entranced and entertained for hours. Would definitely recommend.

Before I start this review, I have to talk about the author's note. I have read all of Karen White's books. Two on my list of favorites are Falling Home and After the Rain. It's been years since I read those books and that is the only reason I have for not remembering who Maddie Warner was! Now, you don't need to have read those two books to enjoy this one, but it sure had a delayed emotional impact on me when I made the connection! Now for the review...

The Last Night in London is one of those books that had my attention from the prologue. That chapter set up a story and mystery that had me questioning everything and everyone in the 1940's setting. I was as curious as Maddie was to unravel the story in 2019. Even when I thought I knew, I don't know that I knew what had happened with Precious, Eva, Graham, and Alex. It was frustratingly good to try and figure out. 

As for the 2019 end of the story, I really enjoyed that part too. Maddie was a frustrating character when it came to her own life. She had her reasons, which I understood, but I wanted her to get over it. I loved how she played detective with Precious' family to find out what had happened to her during the war and after. 

Overall, this was another winner by Karen White. I love how she mixes past with present in her books, neither story winning me over more than the other. Both sides or timelines always keep me intrigued. She has done this with all her previous releases and again with The Last Night in London.

I adore Karen White's stories, they are always so wonderfully done and told. They transport you back in time and truly make you feel for the characters, their situation and what is happening in the world around them.

It is no secret that this so happens to be one of my most favorite eras to read about, not to mention settings and White truly made this time, this place, and these characters shine. So vividly told I felt like I was right there with them but more than that, I felt like they were family and I couldn't get enough of their story. It was wonderfully done between the past and present and I truly devoured every single page. This story resonated with me because I just felt so much while reading it. I felt their joy, their love, their despair, their heartaches, I truly felt it all. This has been by far a story that not only has stuck with me but one of absolute favorites from this author. I can't recommend it enough.

As a historical fiction fan, this book looked like it would be right up my alley. It was! The story takes place in dual timelines in two points of view, in the third person for the WWII timeline and first person (Maddie) in the present. The search for redemption is a common theme.

In present day London Maddie who is from New York and Georgia is working on an article about WWII fashion. She meets and interviews Precious Dubose who is a former model and distant relative.

In 1940 London Precious and Eva are working class models for a fashion house where they showcase styles for the wealthy upper class clientele.

Filled with secrets, mystery, love, betrayal, and espionage with Czech characters for some diversity, this book fits the bill for a great escape.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This wonderful new historical fiction by Karen White is a fantastic read -- it's a dual time line novel with mystery, romance, fashion and family. The Prologue gives us a mystery - who is the woman that is carrying the baby in London as the bombs are dropping all around her. I didn't want to put down the book until I found out the answers to those questions at the end. Along the way, there was a story full of interesting characters during WWII and in the present day.

1940's - Precious and Eva meet at the train station in London and they quickly become roommates and best friend and felt like sisters. They are both beautiful and in London to become models. They are very different from each other - Precious is from America and is quick to talk about the family that she left behind. Eva is ashamed of her past and her poverty and has reinvented herself to a new person. Despite this difference, they both become popular models and have sparkling social lives until the war starts to affect them. Eva falls in love with an aristocrat and feels like her life is perfect until she makes some poor decisions and ends up in the midst of intrigue and secrets. As she tries to protect her secrets and wait for her boyfriend to return to London, her friendship with Precious remains the most important part of her life. Can this friendship be sustained as the bombs fall on London and change their world?

Current - Maddie is an American journalist who travels to London to interview Precious. She plans to write an article about fashion before the war and wants stories from Precious to go along with pictures of dresses from the era. Maddie's life has been scarred by the death of her mother and her fear for her own health so she is careful not to get emotionally close to anyone. Maddie and Precious get close and as her stories of WWII begin to unravel, Maddie learns that many of the stories can be applied to her own life and maybe help her find happiness.

In a dual time line novel, I normally like one story line better than the other but in this book, I found both storylines and the characters in them to be interesting and intriguing. The star of the novel is Precious and she is a big part of both timelines and a character that I won't soon forget. I loved the way that the two story lines were interwoven and came together at the end. I also enjoyed the romances - both past and present day and thought that the entire book was fantastic.

‘A life without rain is like the sun without shade.’

Loved, loved, loved from start to finish!

Karen White is by far my favorite southern fiction writer. In her latest novel she has woven a story set ‘acrossed the pond’ in London during WWII. Both past/present stories were engaging and included her sprinklings of that signature southern charm she’s so well known for. The last part of the story set in Walton, GA reminded me so much of Steel Magnolias... smiled to myself this entire part.

Reading her author notes I realized that this is not Whites first time writing about Madison. I will definitely be adding Falling Home and After the Rain to my reading list to see how her story begins. Even without having read these I still found this to be totally fulfilling on its own.

This novel has surpassed my expectations. I can not recommend a novel, or an author more highly. 5 stars.

‘Living with regret is like having a permanent stone inside your shoe.’

I loved this book. I am so thankful I received an advance copy of this from netgalley. Karen White is my absolute favorite author, and again, she does not disappoint. I Iove getting to visit previous characters, and with the authors writing style, the characters feel like family. The only warning I have is to be prepared to not be able to put the book down once started.

RC provided by NetGalley

I'm always a fan of Karen White's books and this one was no exception. She does a wonderful job of telling the story of Eva Harlow, living in London at the start of the war. We watch as life teaches her tough lessons. Meantime, Maddie is researching WWII clothing for an exhibit and through Eva and her roommate, Precious, learns her own life lessons.

Karen White never disappoints. This book was a wonderful blend of historical and modern story telling. The air of mystery puts this book on my list of all time favorites.

I am a fan of Karen White’s books and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It had many elements that she wove together to create a beautiful story of love, friendship, mystery and fashion. All took place in war torn London and I felt transported there by her writing.
Many thanks to Berkeley Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book "had" me from page one. I love interconnected stories and how White wove the past and present together. A perfect "Covid" read to distract me.

The Last Night In London is my favorite read of 2020. Traveling from current time to London at the start of World War II, keeps you on the edge of you seat. I wasn't sure I would like each chapter being a different time period but it moves between the two seamlessly. I wished that the story did not end and that I could stay with all the characters through their adventures and their unraveling of the mysteries from the past. Wonderful book!

I love this author. Her characters are always well developed and unique. They are quirky, messy and fun. So I was a bit disappointed with this book. The premise and writing are wonderful. but I felt the modern day characters came out of a romance novel. They were caricatures in one dimensional form. The .mystery seemed forced which is a shame because the idea was solid.
That being said, I still raced through the book and enjoyed it. Perhaps my expectations of this writer are to high. But she caused it by writing such wonderful books that I have read over and over.
Grab a cup of tea, relax and enjoy!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

This story really took me by surprise because I don’t usually enjoy anything from the WWII time period, but the prologue had me interested and I had to keep reading to find out how it ended.
Maddie finds herself in London, writing about the fashion of the era and getting first hand knowledge from Precious Dubose. She finds Precious very likable and easy to talk to. Through her interviews with Precious, Maddie not only learns about the fashion, but the history, the social gatherings, and the courtships of the time... but she also feels there is more to the story. Likewise, Precious can feel the same about Maddie. As the story goes on we learn so much more about patience, love, where you come from,
and ultimate sacrifices.

I received this book from NetGalley for my review. Thanks!
#thelastnightinlondon
#netgalley

What a wonderful story of 2 models who not only love fashion, but love each other like sisters, no matter what. Precious and Eva live through the London Blitz and now, at age 99, Precious is ready to share at least a part of her story with American journalist Maddie. A heartbreaking and uplifting story from start to finish.

Karen White is one of those authors whose books I always read. She’s an auto-read! I see her name and want to read the book no matter what its about. I was so excited to read The Last Night in London. It was good, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which is a delightful blend of historical fiction and romance. The characters were interesting; the story made me curious and I wanted to keep reading until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, Karen’s writing style always keeps me intrigued.

Synopsis:

London, 1939. Beautiful and ambitious Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are trying to make their way as fashion models. When Eva falls in love with Graham St. John, an aristocrat and Royal Air Force pilot, she can’t believe her luck—she’s getting everything she ever wanted. Then the Blitz devastates her world, and Eva finds herself slipping into a web of intrigue, spies, and secrets. As Eva struggles to protect her friendship with Precious and everything she holds dear, all it takes is one unwary moment to change their lives forever…

London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner, whose life has been marked by the tragic loss of her mother, travels to London to interview Precious about her life in pre-WWII London. Maddie has been careful to close herself off to others, but in Precious she recognizes someone whose grief rivals her own—but unlike Maddie, Precious hasn’t allowed it to crush her. Maddie finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, her enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie gets closer to her, she begins to unravel Precious’s haunting past—a story of friendship, betrayal, and the unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

Another terrific book, I’m already looking forward to Karen’s next novel!

Coming on April 1.