What a beautiful story, written against the backdrop of World War II. Book focuses on the special relationship between a young nurse and an American soldier and how their love with endure. I will read more in future of this talented author.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and MacMillan/Tor/Forge for the gifted e-book!

Read this book if you like: Multiple POV, multiple timelines, alternative WWI stories, deep meaningful stories

Wow. This was fantastic. I was not expecting the fantasy aspect, and it was great. The twists are creative. This story is so complex. The characters are so well-developed and dynamic. I couldn't put it down. It's just beautiful. I highly recommend this!

Now in her nineties, Marcelle Marchand receives a journal in the mail from a man she met only a couple of times during World War I. It’s her story, but it’s not. She doesn’t remember the things in the journal, but it seems to be an important part of her story. By revisiting her own story, she’ll discover the past is stranger than she knows.

As I made my way through this book, I couldn’t remember why I picked it up. I don’t usually delve into regular, historical fiction unless there’s something extra to it. There is a sort of mystical/sci-fi(ish) element, but it’s definitely not the main driver of much of the story. It’s important but not prominent. I’m not sure that it was enough to satisfy the reason I picked this up originally, but but the characterization is there and it’s got those harrowing war elements that really shape them.

If you’re into historical fiction as a genre, definitely check this one out. It’s got all the normal elements and a little extra. Also, it’s nice to get out of my comfort genres every once in a while, so I did enjoy this one overall.

3.5 stars

Midnight on the Marne has to be one of the most unique historical fiction war stories I've read. This alternate history of the first world war, hinging on the actions of a select few characters, will have you questioning the potential outcomes of all your choices.

"If she had known the cruelty to come, if she had been warned that what she had witnessed that day would pale in comparison to what her future held, Marcelle might not have fought so hard to survive that winter. She might have offered herself mercy."

This is an incredibly complex story with a lot of details. It took a while to immerse myself in the story - there was a disconnect between present-day Marcelle and the past that she could not remember - but once we're settled more firmly in the past, I could not get enough. The only book I've read even similar to Midnight on the Marne would be The Kingdoms, and while Midnight on the Marne is definitely an improvement, the story did drag at times, weighed down by all the details. The upside to this is a story full of rich, complicated characters.

"It was in these moments that Marcelle understood how her fractured and scarred life was also an amazingly beautiful gift, and how she was wonderfully fortunate to have become a part of this unlikely family."

The final major German offensive of WWI, takes place on the banks of the River Marne in 1918, and the soldiers of the US Armies Third division need to stop them, otherwise they will take the Surmelin Valley and it’s the gateway to Paris.

Marcelle Marchand and her twin sister Rosalie are voluntary nurses, and their family live in Soissons. Her two older brothers are off fighting in the war, Marcelle is keeping a secret from them, and she’s a spy.

George Mountcastle and his friend Philip are members of the Third Armies Infantry division, the American soldiers have only been in France a month, and they haven't faced the enemy. This is about to change, they will be fighting in the second Battle of the Marne, and where George prevents Philip from sacrificing his life in an act of bravery.

The Germans win the battle, George, Marcelle, Rosalie and Philip all have to survive in occupied France and life is extremely hard for eight long years. What if George could go back in time, change what happens, the outcome, and the Germans are defeated?

I received a copy of Midnight on the Marne by Sarah Adlakha from NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge in exchange for an honest review. The author has skillfully written a sliding doors type of scenario, the story is about Marcelle and George, and what would happen to them if the Germans weren’t defeated, they took Paris and won the war! George has the advantage of knowing what’s going to happen, he needs to make Colonel McAlexander listen to him, to change his and Marcelle future, and lives. Set during WW I, included in the narrative are all the facts about The Great War, battles, trench warfare, defensive strategies, injuries and high mortality rates. Not your typical historical fiction story, if you feel like a change, I highly recommend this unique book, and four and a half stars from me.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Midnight on the Marne is an odd, unique historical fiction read, and one I didn’t entirely expect. I’m intrigued by alternate history, as well as time travel, and the fact that this does both is quite compelling.
The concept of “what if Germany won World War I” has been theorized by a few different people in the history community, and it’s interesting to explore that within this novel as the characters live it themselves. Adlaikha did a lot of research into the atmosphere of 1918 France and navigated what a victory for Germany would look like at that point, and the potential brutal results for their opponents in an occupied France.
The central characters are easy to root for, and their personal issues resonate against the backdrop of war. American soldier George falls in love with French nurse and spy Marcelle, and in the meantime, he and his best friend Philip, are taking part in the fighting, and it becomes clear with time and hindsight that their actions on the battlefield may have shifted the course of history.
I wasn’t sure how it would all come into play, but I liked how well the time element was executed on George’s part, along with the building realization with Marcelle years later that there may have been another life where she did find some sort of happiness with George.
I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction with a paranormal twist.

An incredibly well crafted alternate history that explores the importance of small choices and big sacrifices, highlighting what is lost and what is gained as stories take unique and winding paths.

This was a wonderful story of loss and love. It made me cry on more than one occasion and does not shy away from the dark underbelly of WWI. I loved every page and being wicked away to a time before I was born.

What would happen if you were allowed to relive choices steeped in regret? How would these new choices influence the future? These questions are explored in the unexpected and unassuming novel Midnight on the Marne by Sarah Adlakha.

This is a beautifully crafted and intricate story in large part historical fiction with a fantastical twist. Timelines and people interwoven and torn apart. It is a story of enduring love and love lost.

Marcelle is a strong woman, who has lived a life of intrigue and love. Her familiar life is upended when a diary of a man arrives. He describes her life, but it is divergent from her known story. The discrepancy occurs when an encounter with a spy contact leads to her capture and torture. George (the man who sent the journal) aids in her escape. This unknown life is full of suffering and sadness, but also a life that endured. Marcelle finds life, love, and purpose amidst the grief. She is broken, but beautiful and loved completely. How is she supposed to understand this alternate version of her reality? How does the knowledge of this separate life marry with her current state of affairs? How did her choices lead her here? What about George?

I loved the pacing of this novel, it is truly so different from any historical fiction novel that I have read. The author does a remarkable job of telling a story within the historical context, but brings the characters to life. They grapple with regret, suffering, grief, and sacrifice. And challenges the reader to critically think about how your choices inform your life. It was such a phenomenal read. For those interested in historical fiction especially with a dramatic flair, this is the novel for you!

Review posted on Instagram @bookclubtreats

Many thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for this title in exchange for my honest review!

This is my first book to read by this author but I cannot wait to read more by them! This is such a uniquely written story that you will find yourself thinking about long after you finish it. Highly recommend!!

Usually I read more along the lines of WWII nonfiction and sometimes fiction. In receiving an advanced preview of Midnight on the Marne, the description peaked my interest. The book did not let me down.

May 1991, Marcelle receives a diary from an American, George, that she vaguely remembers and has not seen in over 70 years. At age 94, her memory and eye sight is not what it used to be. She waits for the arrival of her daughter, Juliette, to go through the package of newspaper clippings, photos, letters and diary.

Upon her arrival, Juliette begins sifting through the package. She teases her mother about the men in the pictures being boyfriends. Marcelle remembers they were not past boyfriends. However, what is the complete connection? With her memory failing, she remembers clips from her past life throughout the reading of the diary.

Marcelle begins to open up to Juliette about her past during the war as she wants to tell her story before she passes. Juliette tells her mother that she had already glanced through the diary and her past was written in the diary. Marcelle rebukes that idea as George barely knew her. Or did he? As Juliette begins reading the dairy, Marcelle is shocked that George knew so many facts about her life. After all, they had brief meetings.

We follow Marcelle through her years of spying, fighting to get the Germans out of her destroyed town of Soissons, France. Loss, betrayal, love, imprisonment, torture.... Or was this all a dream? How true is the Americans journal?

Midnight on the Marne is a wonderfully written book. There is a twist in the book that I didn't expect. I was so intrigued with the twist, that I didn't hear the huge fifth wheel beside us move out while camping.

I became a fan of Sarah Adlakha with SHE WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING, and I can now say that I’ll gobble up any book by this author. In MIDNIGHT ON THE MARNE, Adlakha brings the horror of war to life but spins a beautiful, hopeful tale that resonates with the reader. The book, full of historical details that draw the reader into the WWI era, focuses on the story of George, an American solider (who first appears in SHE WOULND’T CHANGE A THING) and Marcelle, a French nurse, during the German invasion of France. Adlakha deftly manages to balance the horrific with the exquisite and showcases the complexities of relationships and the importance of family (even those we find). And of course, this wouldn’t be a Sarah Adlakha novel if it did not include the idea of choice and alternative timelines. I can’t wait to read what Adlakha delivers next!

Is a WWI historical fiction which a isn't a time period you see a lot of in the genre. I ended up liking this one more than I thought I would. I like reading about it from the point view of nurse. I also loved that we got a bit of a love story in the mist of war.

A fascinating alternative history story happening during WWI. This tale brims with love amidst tragedy and shows the most beautiful qualities of humans despite the challenges thrown their way.

Midnight on the Marne
Pub: 8/9/22
Forge Books
Historical Fiction

Thanks you Forge Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title before its publication. I enjoyed this book immensely. It wasn't what I expected, and while I kind of knew where the story was going to go, it didn't take away from the enjoyment at all. The character development was outstanding. I loved every character, even the not so good ones! A very beautifully written novel.

This was such a surprise of a story! In a really great way! I’m not sure what I expected, but having read the author’s first book I was thinking it would be more women’s lit rather than historical fiction. I’m a big fan of historical fiction and the setting and characterization of France and WWI and all the people was so rich and detailed that it was just a joy to read.

Marcelle is a young nurse working on the front lines in France when she is taken captive by the Germans for espionage activity, and George is a young American soldier who is captured during battle. The two make their way out of prison and struggle through years of oppression before George is given the chance to change their fate.

If you love historical fiction and are tired of the same old stories, you should absolutely give this book a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book early. All opinions are my own.

What a beautiful and emotional story. I loved Ms. Adlakha's first novel, She Wouldn't Change a thing, and was very excited to get my hands on this one. I didn't think she would be able to match the one, but she absolutely did - and maybe even surpassed it. This is one of the most unique and engrossing books I have ever read, and about a war that is often overlooked. I am going to be thinking about this one for a long time. Grab a box of tissues and get ready!

Sarah Adlakha has done it again!

This beautiful historical novel tells the story of a young American soldier named George and a French nurse name Marcelle during the German invasion of France during World War I. along with Marcelle’s sister, and George’s best friend, they form a makeshift family and help each other survive occupied France.

Masterfully written, the book does not shy away from the horrors of war, but the heart of the novel are the human and tender relationships that sustain people during tumultuous times.

Adlakha is brilliant at creating a moral dilemma – a Sophie’s Choice if you will – and then bring us to tears as we see the characters wrestle with it.

Wonderful read! I highly recommend.