My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction



Review:

I was attracted to this book because the story is told over a dual time line. Following the life of the grandmother in the past and the granddaughters life in the presents, while she tries to uncover what happened in her grandmother’s early life during WWII during the time she worked in a prisoner of war internment camp.

The Characters are interesting, although I would have enjoyed if the story surrounding the grandmother was told with a bit more detail. The family dynamics and the similarities between the two main characters was made the book most appealing..

The book started of a little bit slow and it took a while to get into it but once I did flowed well and was interesting and held me captivated till the end.
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Review copy provided by Netgalley at no cost to me

This was a 2-star read for me; perhaps being from the Midwest I wasn't grasped by the setting in IN from the outset. The premise of a multi-generational movie star/entertaining family seemed cheap and the mother in the story was extremely unlikeable. I liked the grandmother, Viv, the most of any of the three generations of women but her quick affair/relationship with Tom seemed forced but not hardly as much as her lightning speed enthrallment with the Italian priest/POW. Then, after much of the book spent doing not much of anything, everything happens at once (in the 1940s storyline and in the current day story). The grandmother's situation explodes and is explained and Elise's contemporary relationships resolve themselves with speed. The last 1/4 of the book held my attention and made me vacillate between 2 and 3 stars, but ultimately the entire package only warrants 2-stars for me.

WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES is a wonderful book about 2 generations a grandmother and a granddaughter living parallel lives. There are so many books about WWII, but this is the first that I have read that takes place in America. As an Italian, I loved that the main characters were Italian. I love that there were so many Italian words and phrases included in the book. The book was
I disliked Grace, Hunter, and Mac very much. I can not believe all the shit they put Elise through, especially her mother. She was a shit show trapped between two generations of great women. I absolutely hated Tom Highward and liked how his story went into the book. The end of both storylines left me wanting more. They were somewhat wrapped up to show that there most likely won't be a second book, but the author did well at leaving you wanting more.
This is the first time I have read an Emily Bleeker novel, and I am so glad that I did.

Thank you, NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Emily Bleeker, for the opportunity to read this digital ARC for my honest review.

"I should've known better, I've lived and worked long enough in entertainment to know that everything around me is a mirage." As the daughter of famous actress Gracelyn Branson and the granddaughter of the late Hollywood icon Vivian Snow, Elise Branson's life has always been lived in the spotlight. Instead of choosing to go into acting, she starts her own successful public relations firm. She's engaged to be married to wealthy, handsome businessman Hunter Garrot when her mother's boyfriend Mac asks her to be part of a documentary about Vivian. Filming the documentary begins to uncover deep family secrets. The story is told in a dual timeline and the alternating points of view of Elise and Vivian. This was my first Emily Bleeker book, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of her books. Thanks to #netgalley #lakeunionpublishing and #emilybleeker for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read Emily Bleeker in the past and enjoyed her books. This one is no different. It did take me a bit to get into but settled in quickly enough and enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"When We Were Enemies" by Emily Bleeker was an addictive & interesting story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page.
I enjoyed the characters, storyline & the author's writing style.
I liked how the author told the story by alternating between Elise in the present & Vivian in the 1940's.
I would definitely read another book by Ms. Bleeker.

When We Were Enemies had a slow start initially, but it became intriguing towards the middle section. I liked the short, easy-to-read chapters and even though it was initially stressful alternating between Vivian and Elise's story, it later became quite enjoyable.

I also liked the parallels drawn between Elise and Vivian's life, and I like the roles played by the two priests. Even though the book had religious undertones, the author balanced it so the book wasn't preachy or overwhelming.

Tom's aspect was rather tragic and I think there should be a trigger warning in the book due to the violent scene depicted towards the end. Overall, it was a very good read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Emily Bleeker - 4.5 stars!

Elise Branson is somewhat of an anomaly in her family. Both her mother and grandmother were famous actors in their time, but Elise prefers to be more anonymous and definitely not in front of the camera. But when her mother's latest boyfriend wants to do a documentary about her grandmother's time working at a POW camp in Indiana, she gets forced into having her wedding there at a small chapel on the base. But secrets may come out that no one wants made public.

This book is set in two different time periods. Vivian is Elise's grandmother, and we learn of her time working at the camp where Italian prisoners are being held. She ends up being an interpreter and also singing and hostessing at the local USO club. I had no clue that there was a POW camp in Indiana, so this was very interesting. Both timelines had similar threads and were both intriguing - I also liked the Catholic ties going throughout the family in different ways. Great book!

3.5 Stars

Current day, Elise is a PR powerhouse. She is also the daughter of a famous actress and the granddaughter of a beloved Hollywood icon. Newly engaged, she is talked into combining her wedding planning with a documentary about her famous grandmother’s early years, against her better judgement. It’s 1943 and Vivian needs a way to help support her injured father, mother who is in a psychiatric hospital and younger sister, still at home. She secures a job at a POW camp translating for the military and the Italian Prisoners. Vivian moonlights as both a dancer and a singer at the local USO.

The book follows both stories, easily switching between the two. The author gives us a look into the prisoners, military and the local USO club, not to mention film making. Vivian’s dedication to both family and job are admirable, always putting her own wants and needs secondary, totally realistic to the time. Storylines flow nicely and the cast of characters is easy to follow. Characters are transparent, there are no surprises into their nature. The stories come together nicely, but there were a few gaps I would have liked filled in. The story could have been a little longer to really bring it to a more complete close. The war takes a backseat to the family drama unfolding. I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous thrillers and look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Nice story , but this story just did not reel me in. It might
Have been me but I got a bit bored. Ive read other stuff and enjoyed it

I've read previous titles by Emily Bleeker, and I was happy to have the opportunity to read the latest. This was a great addition to her efforts. This story is set with Elisa in the present and Vivian in the 1940s. This is a family story that shows there is more to people and their histories than we often realize. The characters were well thought out, and the plot was a good one (which I've come to expect from this author.) I enjoyed it a great deal. Thank you for Lake Union Publishing (I love everything they put out!) and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Loved it!! I enjoyed Vivian's story more than Elise's. Elise allowed her mom, Mac and Hunter to walk all over her. She never stood up to them. Elise went along with the wedding even though she didn't want to be filmed. She should have seen all the red flags flashing in her face about the documentary. Her dad was the only one to tell her not to do it and she didn't listen. Between the paparazzi photo and the hidden cameras at the hotel, I'm surprised Elise still speaks to her mom. Mac's documentary didn't seem to be focusing on Vivian or her life, instead he was looking for something scandalous. Everyone could see what type of man Tom Highward really was, except for Vivian. She ignored all the extremely large red flags that were hitting her in the face. Vivian realized Tom had two sides to him and completely ignored the horrible one. I can't imagine what would have happened to her if the men from the chapel construction crew weren't' there that night. I would have loved to read more about Vivian. Luckily, Elise is more like her grandmother than her mom.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I enjoyed how the book alternated between Elise in the present and Vivian in the 1940s. I couldn't put the book down, but was sad when I got to the end because I wanted to keep reading about Elise and Vivian. Vivian lived such an interesting life, there had to be more to her story. What happened to her sister and father? Did she keep in contact with them? I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this book
This author has always had a beautiful style of writing, and this book was no different
I read it covered to cover nonstop, and honestly cannot say enough about it
I will not be giving any spoilers, but a wonderful story

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I always enjoy dual time period pieces and this story did not disappoint, the story about Vivian Snow a translator , clerk and USO singer who ultimately becomes a Hollywood legend during World War II and her granddaughter Elise a owner of her own PR firm in the present day is an interesting, informative read. Elise is recruited to go to Indiana at the urging of her mother Gracelyn, a famous Hollywood actress in her own right, to participate in a documentary to be made about her famous grandmother and to coincide with her upcoming wedding to Hunter a rich, famous executive from NYC. The story alternates between Vivian’s story of living in Indiana in the 1940’s and working at a POW camp and Elise ‘s story about her visit to Indiana and her discovery of secrets about her grandmother that shatters her . I don’t want to give away too much info, but suffice to say, this was a good, enjoyable read. I was unaware of the POW camps here in America during the war, that was interesting and I found that to be very interesting . I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction about dynamic women.

I enjoyed this dual story line work of historical fiction. I think way of telling this story works for this. The relationships between the characters, especially the mother and the daughter were well crafted. The way that religion was addressed in the story was believable and interesting. I also learned some Italian along the way. I think the one thing that the book could have used perhaps was a little editing because the first half of the book was really engaging as was the ending and in that third quarter, it lost me a little. However, I would definitely read another work of this author and look forward to future works.

Told in two timelines, this book details parts of the lives of Vivian and Elise. Both of these women in the same family share many traits. When Elise reluctantly sets about to work on a documentary about her family’s lives, the truth will come out. This was an enjoyable read!

Another stunning read by Emeliy Bleeker, published by Lake Union Publishing is When We Were Enemies.
Camera-shy Elise Branson is different from the other women in her matriline. Her mother is an award-winning actress. Her late grandmother, Vivian Snow, is a beloved Hollywood icon. But when Elise’s upcoming wedding coincides with a documentary being made about Vivian, Elise can’t escape the camera’s gaze. And even in death, neither can her grandmother.

It’s 1943 when Vivian, a small-town Indiana girl, lends her home front support to the war effort. As a translator in the nearby Italian POW camp, she’s invaluable. As a celebrated singer for the USO, she lifts men’s spirits and falls in love with a soldier. But behind this all-American love story is a shocking secret—one vital to keep buried if Vivian is to achieve the fame and fortune she covets.

For Elise and Vivian, what’s hidden—and what’s exposed—threatens to unravel their lives. The heart-wrenching choices they must make will change them both forever.

I generally liked this book, but I felt unsatisfied by the lack of ending for Vivian's character. Did Tom rebury the bones? Why did no one appraise the Tiffany ring? Other than those outstanding questions, I loved the character growth for Elise and Father Patrick and enjoyed this read.

This story follows Elise and a documentary being made about her famous grandmother while simultaneously planning her wedding to a wealthy, successful business man. We also get to learn of her grandmother’s life prior to reaching fame during WWII at Camp Atterbury with POWs.

This story of family secrets and learning what love truly is was honestly excellent. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A truly powerful story which had me glued to the story from beginning to end.
This story is told in dual timelines. For Vivian and Elise, the author has created relatable and interesting characters who are both strong women.

My only issue was that i was more interested in the historic part and not the documentary part but otherwise its a wonderful story.

Thanks Lake Union publishing and Netgalley

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else