1943: Three women each with a different skill are posted to Latimer House deep in the English countryside. Evelyn Brooke-Edwards - a lieutenant who thought she would be demoted after an incident with a senior officer but she has excellent technical knowledge. Judith Stern, a German jew is now in the ATS having previously worked in an aircraft factory but hiding her nationality for obvious reasons. Betty Connors, locally born and bred and knows the big house of old is not really sure why her less than speedy or perfect typing skills are required. The three women sign the official secrets act so can't even tell each other what they are doing but each knows they are a key part to the war effort. This was easy to get into- there is quickly a camaraderie amongst the women along with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Betty and Evelyn soon find that they have similar experiences with bullies and that the men around them are of a different breed. Judith finds out more about what is going on in her homeland and struggles to come to terms with it. A story of determination and friendships and of putting the past behind you- however difficult that may be. Based on true events- Latimer house was a distribution centre. “ Friendship improves happiness and abates grief by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief” ( Cicero)
( rest o flinks on publictation)

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.

I read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but this book about three young women: Judith, Betty, and Evelyn working at a country house in the service of their country was really uplifting with their friendship and support for each other as well as their patrotism towards England. Each of the women has their own trials and problems, but with the help of each other and some others in the house, they are able to overcome the issues.

What a fabulous book. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction but this beautiful book has inspired me to read more

To Tomorrow Because Today is Done

An amazing story of three brave young women in WWII. Not a pairing you would imagine. The socialite Evelyn, the farm girl Betty, and the Jewish expat Judith. Three of the strongest women sharing a room at Latimer house, a secret interrogation center for German Soldiers just outside London, England. Everything they do and even Latimer House itself is a secret not to be repeated to anyone. As far as the civilians know it is a distribution center.

Each one of the three girls is determined to help win the war in any way they can. They all have their own problems and the three of them work together to solve these problems. They help each other in their work and in their lifetime struggles. All the girls have either lost someone in the war or someone is missing, thus their work with the German Prisoner's is extremely hard for them.

Evelyn interrogates prisoners, Judith listens in on their conversations in their cells and Betty analyses the reports for similarities and importance before they go to the administrators. They share a room, they share their lives, their romances and their families with each other. They become the best of friends.

Sometimes the job becomes too much and sometimes family becomes too much, but the girls are there for each other even when it is bad. Through tears, secrets and anxiety they support one another. One quotation from Cicero I really enjoyed reading . Judith printed it on postcards for the other girls From Cicero "Friendship approves happiness and abates grief by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief"

I was surprised to read in the epilogue that Latimer House really did exist and it really was a top secret military establishment even though the characters and the story is fiction.

My favorite character was Betty. She was so alive and peppy. She always seemed to light up a room in her special way.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Jules Wake, HarperCollins U.K, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy for my honest review.

Based on true events during WWII, Larimer House was a well guarded secret with a mission to win the war. Readers will enjoy this story told through the viewpoints of Evelyn, Judith and Betty. I liked that the author chose three characters with such vast differences of backgrounds. I liked seeing the friendship and support for each other grow. The secrets held in this house and the important jobs each person had was interesting. It is amazing that this operation was unknown to the communities around the house. Highly recommended!

The Secrets of Latimer House by Jules Wake is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction novel that is gripping, suspenseful, and engaging. I really enjoyed it!

I loved the premise of these fantastic, strong, intelligent, and different women being brought together under cover to help lend their unique services to the war effort. With these covert operations, three women whom would not have had much in common: Judith, Betty, and Evelyn, are under one roof uniting in one common goal. The relationships that develop, the friendships forged through thick and thin are, what I think, is part of the best aspect of this novel. The character backgrounds, the progression, and the development are spot on. The author has a real talent!

I enjoyed the character cast, plot, pacing, suspense, twists, turns, and the spot of romance tossed in.

It was also fascinating to get a glimpse of a top secret location and some of the activities that took place at a true historic site. Latimer House in Buckinghamshire did exist and I always love it when I get to learn something new while I am enjoying a fictional novel.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Harper Collins One More Chapter 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.

1943 WW2 Falmouth on the cornish coast we meet Evelyn Brooke-Edward a female naval intelligence officer dealing with the POWs prisoners of war.
Hull barracks we meet german Judith Stern a ATS auxiliary territorial service officer.
London we meet Betty Connors also an ATS officer.
Chalfont and Latimers grand house in the little village of Chalfont outside London, Judith Evelyn and Betty are all together in one room, getting payed for staying in the beautiful house and signing a official secrets acts even the locals don't know what is going on behind closed doors.
This book is a breath of fresh air to read, as the girls lives working hard and struggling to get this war won. I was hooked into this story right through. The author writes to get the readers involved like you are sharing every chapter with the characters. I loved it and was sad to read The End.

This is the story of 3 women who are chosen to work during WW2 in a chateau converted for a secret kind of work. The surrounding villagers are told its a distribution center. The 3 women room together but are sent to work in different areas, depending upon their skills.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
What a truly fabulous read,full of drama intrigue and 3 fabulous characters, Judith Evelyn and Betty each looking for hope and fallowing there dreams I can highly recommend this authors outstandingly beautiful book.

Thank You NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Author for this ebook copy.

The Secrets of Latimer House by Wake was freaking fabulous.
Five perfect stars for this perfect book!
I enjoyed the heck outta this book.
The characters Evelyn, Betty and Judith are truly remarkable ladies. I loved their story and journey. Their friendship is beautiful and charming.
So the writing was wowza. So beautifully done. It flowed amazingly and honestly I couldn't tear my eyes from my Kindle.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding novel.

The Secrets of Larimer House by Jules Wake


I really enjoy this type of book that bring strong women together in exceptional circumstances , and this one did not disappoint.
Set during WW2 , and what was a secret location in Buckinghamshire, 3 very different women are brought together to work at Latimer House .
You soon grow to love the main characters Evelyn , Betty and Judith and the life they lead , whilst working and having to secretly help the war effort . True friendships are formed and the author shares with you the highs and lows of the journey these 3 women share.
A great read that gives you an insight from a female perspective of the undercover world that helped to win the war.

This five-star read is the first historical fiction novel for Jules Wake and I think you’ll agree with me it’s a real treat for lovers of this genre!!!

Set in WW2, this novel is based on true events which took place in a local manor house tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside close to the author’s home. Latimer House was a witness to some of the greatest secrets of WW2. This top-secret site was where high-ranking POW were interrogated by MI5 and MI6. Thousands of German prisoners, including Hitler’s Generals, passed through between 1942-1945. What they didn’t know was that their cells were bugged and everything they said between themselves was listened to by German speakers. Conversations of over 10,000 POWs, now in the archives, revealed information about weapons, strategy and future plans.

Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards, farm girl Betty Connors, and German ex-pat Judith Stern, three very different women, were billeted together in the attic of Latimer House and developed a tight friendship which carried them through the war. It was fascinating to read about women who were given jobs that hadn’t previously been open to them and at this site, they were promoted for their ability and ended up having lots of responsibility. One of the three is a skilled interrogator, another has fantastic analytical skills she uses to unearth covert connections and one listens in on the whispered conversations. They each have a past that has pushed them to be willing to do whatever it takes to help the Allies win the war. When they experienced personal loss and tragedy, these girls were able to rely on each other for survival – The Three Musketeers. Doing the work they were trained for becomes second nature until the day that one of them is faced with a divided loyalty.

Expertly researched and passionately penned, this book is an easy read - like having a conversation with a good friend. It’s filled with lots of British expressions and sprinkled with exchanges that’ll bring a smile. You’ll have to read to find out what the girls called “passion killers!”

“Friendship improves happiness and abates grief by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Inspired by the women who carried out covert operations at Latimer House, which housed German prisoners during the Second World War, this book needs to be on your radar come August 30, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Jules Wake, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.