Sarah Gillespie loses her family when Germany drops a bomb on her home town of Dublin. Then her boyfriend leaves to join the RAF. Sarah leaves Ireland to live with her uncle's family in England. Her Dad's history catches up with her, and she is asked to find a spy working in the factory that makes spitfires. Can she disclose the spy without destroying herself and her family?

The Secret Way by Pam Lecky is a great read. It is due to be released October 14, If you're a historical fiction fan, or a mystery fan, this will be your cup of tea.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy historical fiction and have read quite a bit that took place during WW2 but this is the first book I’ve read that partially took place in Ireland and I liked reading about a different country and how the English reacted to the Irish during that time. I don’t want to ruin the plot but it’s not what you first expect which made the book hard to put down!

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

Family loss and injury during a mistaken bombing raid on neutral Dublin leads Sarah, our heroine, to Southampton to live with relatives. She finds a job tracing plans for improving Spitfires amongst other things and feels she's helping the war effort whilst trying to move on from her loss and her father's support of the IRA and hate of the British. She gets involved with spies and it's not clear who she can trust when asked to spirit away some of the plans to the Germans but she's resilient, brave, innovative and rapidly becomes an excellent actress. All's right in the end and we're left with hints of future books which would be good. Well written and the characters are developed nicely. There's a strong feel of war time - fear, excitement, drudgery and loss but there's hope there too. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review

This is a gripping tale set in 1941. It starts off in Ireland and then England. Full of intrigue and possible espionage.
It has it all. Mystery, suspense, love and lots of twists and turns
I really enjoyed reading this novel by Pam Lecky and would be pleased to see a sequel being written.
Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review
#HerSecretWar

Sarah Gillespie loses both her home and her family one faithful night when the Nazis bomb Dublin, and ends up in the hospital herself, miraculously alive. As if that wasn't enough, the man she loves is going to enlist in the RAF and there's no stopping him.

When relatives from her mother's side reach out, Sarah decides to accept their offer and move to England to live with them. After all, there's nothing left for her in Ireland.

Things seem to be going well for Sarah, until a mysterious stranger makes her an offer she can either accept, or face the consequences.

Finally, a WW2 book at least partially set in Ireland! Absolutely nothing against the usual settings, but something fresh is always welcome.

The atmosphere was great, the descriptions on point and the story was easy to follow.

Sarah starts off doing tracing work to help the war effort, and then gets pushed into something else. That something else was exciting. If she spent all her days tracing, this would be a very different book.

I like Sarah, but she's a bit confused in regard to her feelings about Paul. I think it was three times that she realised she wasn't over him. Wasn't it clear the first time Sarah? I guess not.

I expected more from their story. But I won't spoil anything so you'll have to read and see what it was that bugged me.

Sarah's family was sweet too, I like them all (minus one very obvious pest). As for Rob and Paul, I felt like we didn't get to know them properly. We saw glimpses of who they are and that wasn't enough for me to get attached to either of them.

Oddly enough, my favourite character is Northcott. Okay and Miss Whitaker. I can't leave her out now can I? They both seem like they'd have some stories to tell, the latter more so. Who's up for a Whitaker spin off novel? I know I am.

So while I did have fun reading this, the predictability toned my excitement down somewhat. I saw the main twists coming and was just waiting for them to happen. The last one I didn't predict so points for that.

Another thing I'd mention is Sarah's journal. We never saw her write in it and it could've been a much bigger plot device. If there's a sequel lined up there's the opportunity to use it.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Sarah Gillespie lives in Dublin with her sister Maura and her father Jim a strong republican. Sarah has become mum to 17 year old Maura following their mother’s death 5 years ago. It is WWII and the Republic Of Ireland is so far neutral in the war. On the evening of 31 May 1941 German aircraft bomb the North Strand in Dublin killing and injuring a number of people and destroying homes and businesses. Sarah’s family is gone - her beloved sister and her ill tempered father are killed in the bombing. Sarah is rescued and spends some time recuperating and deciding what to do with her life. She had broken up with her boyfriend Paul the night of the bombing but he visits her in hospital and helps her come to terms with her loss.
Paul has enlisted and is leaving for England and Sarah decides that is the best option for her too. She receives an invitation from her Uncle Tom to come and live with his family in Southhampton and work at Vickers Supermarine in the tracing room.
Sarah’s life takes a turn for the better as her uncle and family are caring, kind people. Sarah finds she has never been happier but for the loss of Maura and her disappointment and regret of breaking up with Paul.
Sarah is an independent courageous young woman who is easily to like. She is loyal and has a strong conviction as to right and wrong and this holds her in good stead for what she is asked to do.
Her Secret War is an enthralling historical fiction story. It has a splash of mystery, espionage, suspense, romance and family secrets. A really enjoyable read.
With thanks for the ARC

I adore this book. Set in Ireland and England during WWII, our main character Sarah faces death, suspense, intrigue, friendship and espionage. The author developed a strong character that was likeable and easy to cheer for. I learned some political aspects of the war that I didn’t know before. The story flows smoothly and isn’t full of useless chapters. The ending was awesome with a great twist. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you to Avonbooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

1941 North Strand Dublin this is Sarah Gillespie's story.
Her boyfriend Paul O'Reilly is joining the RAF and going over to England and she finishes with him, her sister Maura is still a child and she has looked after her since their Ma passed away five years ago, he Pa is not an easy man short tempered and a drinker, they are all working for pittance and their Pa could be on short hours shortly so how will they manage. Devastation will hit Sarah after the bombing in this awful war leaves her with no Family left and Paul returns full of comfort for her but has to return to England. Her uncle Tom and aunt Alice offer her a home in Southampton in Hursley and she gets a job at Vickers Supermarine and she settles into her new life. this is such a heart warming saga to be enjoyed I loved the story, as we get taking through sorrows and Joy's with Sarah and with a touching ending that deserves my 5 stars

HER SECRET WAR by PAM LECKY is a WW11 novel which deals with the Irish question and espionage.
The story starts with Sarah Gillespie being the only member of her family to have escaped the bombing of their home in Dublin. Having lost Maura, her beloved younger sister, and having broken up with Paul O'Reilly, who has set off to become an RAF pilot, there is nothing left for her in Ireland. Her mother's brother Tom Lambe invites her to come and live with his family in Hursley, near Southampton, getting her a job as a tracer at Supermarine, the home of Spitfire design. She is happy there being treated as a loved member of the family, which is a feeling that is foreign to her, and with friends at work, until she is approached to do some dangerous espionage.
She is very afraid but also very brave.
The story, with its many twists and turns, is really gripping and hard to put down.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Avon Books UK. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Her Secret War by Pam Lecky is a great WWII-era historical fiction that has it all: mystery, suspense, history, espionage, action, and a dash of romance all wrapped up into an addictive and intriguing novel.

I really enjoyed the unique twist that this book delivers. It takes the well-written WWII time period and incorporates the political intrigue and unsettled relationship of Ireland and the UK during a pivotal time period. I really enjoyed learning a bit more of what occurred within Northern Ireland, Ireland, and England in respect to the countries’ stances on the Allied vs Axis corners and also their own responses to the atrocities and damages to one another’s own countries. The way the author placed these historical accounts into the fictional narrative was excellent.

I loved Sarah Gillespie as the main character as well. She is portrayed with the dichotomy of helpless in respect to her roots, her family, what happens to those she loves, and where she comes from, yet she is willing and formidable in her quest to right wrongs, prove herself, and take control in what she can. She is smart, strong, brave, and passionate but yet is realistic, likable, and flawed. I enjoyed her story and the high stakes tasks she is forced to take on. The twists and turns lead to surprises and kept me engaged throughout. Does she survive unscathed? Does she succeed and prove her loyalty, and if so, where does that loyalty lie? I will not divulge anything further…one must read to find out for themselves. I will just say that I highly recommend one do so, and that they should be as entertained and satisfied as I have been with this wonderful HF novel.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.