“In Dutch, we have a word—rechtdoorzee. It translates as ‘right through the sea’—direct and straightforward.”

Soo… new favorite author alert. I’m totally going to be reading more of Sarah Sundin’s works. And soon.

So many times reading this book, I found myself immersed in the story. I was watching the bombs falling over the city. I was running alongside Aleida through the streets of London. I was at the table at the Hart and Swan with Hugh and his fellow journalists. I was pulled in by each one’s fears and struggles.
It was so so well written.

Sarah Sundin was “rechtdoorzee” with the pains and faults of the characters. There was no beating around the bush or glossing over of perfect plastic characters. They struggled. And hard. Their difficulties weren’t quick fixes. They were real and relatable and tangible. There were mental issues and health issues and relationship issues and Sundin handled them in such a great way. I love love love how she digs past these problems to reach the heart of the matter and brings them back to what God is calling them to be.

I also love that they weren’t the regular old problems. Although they each had very relatable issues like struggling with acceptance or dealing with trauma, they dealt with things that were unique and different. There were things that they could control and things that they couldn’t and it made the characters really come to life.

It’s so hard to read a Christian fiction book that’s over the top and preachy. That’s not what this was. This was real, and raw and tangible. The flaws that we can’t seem to get over are many times the ways God reaches through to us and grows us closer to Him. This book just painted that so beautifully.

Also, the romance in this one! It has set a completely new standard for me in literature. The romance is a side plot. The relationship takes center stage. Their friendship and conversations and arguments! Absolute perfection. Because it wasn’t a neat package in a tidy bow. It was (if I say ‘real' one more time …) authentic, and “rechtdoorzee”. They encouraged each other to follow their dreams and passions and helped one another to achieve them. They focused on growth and encouraged their relationship with Christ. It was just so good!

Also, Hugh is officially on my list of fictional men I would date.

Lastly, the ending. Again, honest and genuine. It wasn’t over the top. It was simple and realistic. I really loved it. I kinda really want a sequel.

So, thank you Sarah for such a lovely read! And thanks to NetGalley for an ebook copy in return for my honest opinion!

So much is said on just the first page – without even putting it into words; the reader is drawn straight in.
Sarah Sundin is one of my top writers, so I had high expectations – which were definitely met.
I have read a large number of books about the World Wars, many of them set in London, but this author has managed to find two fresh viewpoints to present : a refugee mother desperately seeking her young son, & a reporter based in the UK (rather than those working on the war’s frontline.)
This is not a glib story, rather be prepared for it to be harrowing at times (moreso than her previous books.)
A timely reminder of those facing war in other countries today, & how we need to be understanding & generous rather than self-serving.
This book is not overtly Christian, but it is a ‘clean’ story. 4 1/2 stars

I love this author's stories set in WWII and this one was amazing!

As if having to leave her home on the heels of the Nazi invasion wasn't bad enough, Aleida is also separated from her young son. She ends up in London where she believes he was taken too and soon is working to help families relocate their children to the countryside. She then meets Hugh, who's a BBC radio correspondent, and he starts helping her with finding her son.

So many emotions in this book! Aleida and Hugh were incredible main characters, and their selflessness was really inspiring.

You can never go wrong with this author!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A mom, a missing son and a war make for another amazing story by this author. The way she developes her characters is always so well done. I know if I pick up a book by this author I am going to learn something and enjoy the story.
Thanks for the advanced copy.

This was a murder mystery/historical fiction during WWII read & it did not disappoint. Aleida van der Zee Martens flees Netherlands & loses her son, Theo, in the process. Knowing Theo is somewhere in England, she goes to London & begins her search. While searching for her son, she meets Hugh Collingwood, a reporter for the BBC. A friendship, then eventually more, naturally occurs while they work together to find Theo & also solve a string of murders. This book is full of strength, perseverance, love, & ultimately sacrifice.

I started reading Embers in the London Sky on my way to Africa and was quickly pulled into the story. A story of a mother’s heartache, war, murder and a lot of sacrifice. How does a mom move forward when her child is taken and doesn’t know where he went? Aleida and Theo, her son are fleeing an abusive relationship from her husband.

Once she arrives in Britain, she is hired as an agent helping refugee children while looking for her son. She meets Hugh, a BBC radio correspondent, and a friendship develops. Throw in murders that are taking place with no clear answers. They both set out to not only search for Theo, but also try to figure out who is behind the murders.

A definite page turner searching for answers as to who the murderer was, oh boy was I wrong on my guess.

A perfect balance of love, loss, mystery, and faith, this is one historical fiction readers will enjoy. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Aleida's young son is wrenched from her care while her family is fleeing the German occupation of the Netherlands. She makes it her mission to be reunited with her son, Theo, befriending BBC correspondent Hugh Collingsworth as they unravel a string of murders.

Riveting and historically rich, this story brought to life the plights of many separated from their children during the war. Aleida is a devoted mother, I admired her selflessness and care for her son. Hugh is a dedicated correspondent, with a passion to help others with the stories that he reports on.

A compelling story of faith, determination, and new beginnings in the midst of chaos. Hard to put down, with memorable characters that will steal your heart away. Highly recommend!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Embers in the London Sky takes place during World War 2. Aleida Martens escapes the Netherlands as the Nazis are invading, and she makes it safely to London. But during the evacuation, she is separated from her young son, Theodoor. She has reason to believe that he, too, made it to England, but she has no idea where he ended up. She manages to find employment with the Ministry of Health in hopes that her position will allow her the opportunity to search for Theo. Hugh Collingwood is a reporter for the BBC, well-known for his on-the-ground, dynamic reports. When Hugh goes to the Ministry of Health to conduct interviews, he is introduced to Aleida, and she has the chance to tell him her plight. Although he can’t report on it, Hugh does take an interest in helping Aleida search for her son. But along the way, they find themselves also searching for clues in a series of murders. Will Aleida find her son, and will they manage to escape murder themselves?

I was drawn to this book, as I really enjoy historical fiction. This book sheds light on the plight of refugees in London during World War 2 and on England’s mission to protect children by sending them to live in the country, far away from the bombings. Starting off, I was drawn into the story, but a few chapters in, it seemed to slow down, and I struggled for several chapters. But it picked back up and became quite exciting. Hugh and Aleida were both likable characters, each having weaknesses and struggles that make them relatable. The story is a clean romance which is important to me, and it does involve the main characters’ faith and trust in God. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I’ll be looking to read more by this author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A big Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

I honestly wanted to love this book. It seemed like something right up my alley and it started out so good.The book alternates chapters between Aleida, a dutch woman is separated from her child as she escapes to London when the German army invades the Netherlands, and Hugh Collingwood, a reporter for the BBC struggling to report the truth of what is happening vs what his boss wants to to report. What started out as a page turner quickly lulled after the first few chapters. I honestly found it so hard to continue reading. It picked back up around 60% of the way, but I had to skim over paragraphs to make it through.

The main characters are nice but they lack depth and are almost TOO perfect. Aleida is far too calm & rational for someone who has lost her child. Hugh is the perfect gentleman. And on the other end of the spectrum, the antagonists are almost TOO over the top & cartoon like. The romance was like a hallmark movie... sweet, but also cheesy and unrealistic.

There is so much going on in this book as well. A lost child, Nazi Germany, London bombings, budding romance, serial killer murder mystery, domestic abuse, Censorship reporting, etc.... It's doing too much and instead of focusing on a couple of things and really delving into those plot lines we have a story that consist of many things but only at a surface level which makes me feel like the story is lacking.

With all of that being said, I do think it was a nice story. It could have been a lot shorter and the writing was long winded & drawn out. There were lots of unnecessary paragraphs that lacked substance. BUT it was a nice story and the ending did tug at my heart strings which is why I give it 3/5 stars .

Another winner by Sarah Sundin. Her books are always a must read for me. The detail in her stories just draws the readers in and this book was no exception. You feel Aleida's anguish as she frantically searches for her son, whom her husband had snatched away from her one night and given to another couple. Hugh's story is equally compelling, a beloved BBC reporter who is trying to overcome his own challenges and who wishes his wealthy parents would accept him for who he is. I loved the characters in this book. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this wonderful book.

For a parent, especially a mother, the opening of Sarah Sundin's most recent book, Embers in the London Sky, is simply too harrowing to comprehend.

Her novels are consistently excellent and thoroughly researched, so I have always enjoyed reading them. Regretfully, I found it difficult to get into this book. Maybe if I come back to it later, I can finish it.

I felt the book would be excellent throughout if it could elicit such powerful emotional reactions at the outset, which is why I gave it five stars.

4.5 very strong stars! Embers in the London Sky was the second book that I had the pleasure of reading by author, Sarah Sundin. The cover of this book enticed me into reading it as well as its genre of historical fiction. Although I have read many books that have been set during World War II, Embers in the London Sky brought new aspects to my attention that I had not previously read about. Sarah Sundin’s writing and storytelling was masterful. This captivating book was hard to put down once I started reading it. Embers in the London Sky embraced a murder mystery, a desperate attempt to escape an abusive marriage, an unrelenting search for a beloved child, the consequences of war, the evil faces of prejudice, major differences in opinion and a beautiful romance. It was both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Embers in the London Sky began in the Netherlands in 1940 where Aleida van der Zee Martens was married to a very possessive and controlling husband, Sebastian. Aleida had been contemplating escaping Sabastian’s wrath for a while now. She had carefully planned her and her three year old son’s, Theo’s, escape for some time. Everything had been planned for and the time for her escape was quickly approaching. Then Sebastian did the one thing that Aleida never could have predicted. Sebastian ordered Aleida and Theo, then three years old, to be ready to leave immediately. The Germans were ready to invade the Netherlands. He knew that if they were to escape they had to leave now. All hope of Aleida and Theo escaping on their own had been foiled in that moment. On route to leave the Netherlands, Sebastian took young Theo from Aleida as she slept. Aleida had been holding Theo in her arms while they both slept in the back of the car Sebastian was driving. Without waking his sleeping wife, Sebastian ripped Theo from her protective arms and gave him to an English couple that was returning to London. Sebastian had always been embarrassed of the deformity Theo had been born with. Theo was born with no fingers on one of his hands. When Aleida woke the next morning, she was inconsolable. Her abusive husband had given her beloved son to complete strangers and had not even inquired about their names or where they resided in London. He had one motive. Sebastian just wanted to be rid of Theo. He was an embarrassment for a son of his. Shortly after learning about Theo’s fate, Sebastian was killed by a German bomb. Aleida had become a widow. Her main desire was to get to London now so she could search for Theo.

When Aleida arrived in London, had no idea how she would find Theo. She made inquiries to whoever would listen about Theo’s whereabouts. She was guided to inquire at an agency that helped children evacuate London to the countryside so that they were safe from the bombs that had started to drop over London. While there, Aleida was asked if she wanted to work for the agency. She agreed to work there so that she would have more opportunities to look for Theo. While Aleida was working at the agency she met Hugh Collingwood, a BBC journalist and radio correspondent. Hugh was taken in by Aleida’s plight to find her son, Theo. He tried to help her in anyway he possibly could. The two grew close and started to rely on one another. During this time, Hugh was informed that his uncle had died a suspicious death. It was believed that Hugh’s uncle might have been murdered. Hugh believed that he had been murdered but the authorities were not giving his uncle’s death the time it deserved. Then two other murders occurred. Could they have been connected to Hugh’s uncle’s death? They didn’t appear to be connected. Could Aleida and Hugh connect the dots and collect enough evidence to make the authorities listen to their suspicions? Would Aleida ever be able to find Theo again?

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin was such a poignant book. It was about war, hope, loss, determination, courage, resilience, hope and a slowly growing romance. I enjoyed all the aspects that this book brought to light. The characters were so believable and likable. I enjoyed reading Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Revell for allowing me to read Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I have read a few of Sarah Sundin’s books, which are typically Historical Novels/romances set during in the Second World War. I am getting to enjoy them a lot: but- I don’t think this was a favourite of mine. Don’t get me wrong, the book is perfectly lovely, but I think I preferred The Sound of Light.

Don’t let that put you off though: Embers of the London Sky was a fascinating and moving story about London during one of the darkest times in its history: the Blitz of WW2 when London and other cities were being bombed by the Luftwaffe.
The book focuses on two people who play a role in the Blitz- Hugh Collingwood is a BBC Correspondent reporting from London, and Alieda is a Dutch national who moved to England in search of her son. There she became an Air Raid Marshall: one of the people responsible for keeping people safe during the bombings.

She is also working for the charities overseeing the evacuation of children from London to the countryside: an act which happened in the early 1940s. (Anyone who has read the Chronicles of Narnia might get that reference: the Pevensie siblings were evacuated from London to the countryside at the start of the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.)

Sundin’s protagonists are typically American, but not in this book and I think that was a good choice. London’s Blitz was something that happened to Britain and doesn’t really resonate with Americans because it just wasn’t part of America’s experience.
This was a great and compelling story focusing on little-known events in the War. It had some great characters and a heart-rending story about a woman searching for her child as well wrestling with the idea she might have to give him up forever.

The only reason I think that I didn’t like it as much as some others was the murder subplot. I don’t think that it was really needed and didn’t really add very much to the story. I think it was included to add more peril: but that time was perilous enough. Also, I didn’t really find the conclusion of that storyline very credible, but that was just me.

Thanks to Revell for approving me for this title on Netgalley.

5 stars, hands down!

I've read several of Sarah Sundin's books but this is, by far, her best one! There is SO much going on in each of the character's lives, that it left me wondering if they would make it through some of the trials! Physical ailments, families ripped apart, air raids, mysterious deaths & disappearances... Just about any terrible thing you can imagine, one character or another or another is struggling with it!

And then there are the sweet romances, the loyal friends, and the miraculous answers to seemingly unanswerable questions!

Readers of WWII fiction are sure to love this new release by Sarah Sundin!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another wonderful WW2 story by Sarah Sundin. It's a historical fiction story with a murder mystery, search for a missing child, and love story woven in.

Embers in the London Sky opens in the Netherlands where Aleida is making preparations to get herself and her son away from her abusive husband. However, her plans are dashed as her husband tells her they must flee the Nazis. On the road that will hopefully lead them to safety from the Nazi, things don’t go as planned, and Aleida finds herself all alone. Her new goal is to find her missing son while living in England.

Along with Aleida, the story is told from the perspective of Hugh Collingworth, a BBC radio correspondent who desires to be right in the action, yet has to hide an embarrassing handicap to do so. And he also has to deal with censorship issues while wanting to report the full truth as he reports on the Blitz.

Along with being right in the middle of the devastating destruction in 1940 London during the Nazi bombings, the author has included a murder mystery that hits close to home for one of our main protagonists. And while Aleida is searching for her son, we are learning of the desperate straights of refugees and children sent out to the countryside during the war. And of course, there is that relationship between Aleida and Hugh. Will they be able to open up to each other and to others to trust them and God.

I loved this story and all the twists and turns. I loved learning more about this time in WWII and feeling like I was right there in the midst of it, from the safety of my couch. The author did a wonderful job bringing this time period and these characters to life. Though, I admit, I had trouble keeping all the side characters straight in my head.

Definitely a book a recommend.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

I had pretty high expectations for this book because I have loved all of Sarah Sundin's books to-date, but this time, something about this story just felt... off. As with her previous series, it is of course expected that these civilian stories would have a different feel from her earlier combat/frontline stories. But even so, the plot didn't grip me as hers usually do, the characters didn't feel quite as complex, even the author's voice "sounded" different... I really can't put my finger on it. It took a long time (over half the book) for me to care about any of the characters, and when I finally did, it wasn't even the main ones! Which has never been my experience before with Sundin's books; I am usually on the edge of my seat by the end of the first chapter. This one? Well, it just kinda passed the time, without ever fully engaging my heart and mind. Maybe it's a new editor at the publisher, but this story just didn't feel like a Sarah Sundin novel.

This is another intriguing tale from WWII days. What really captivated me in this book was the characters

I loved meeting and getting to know Aleida. In the very beginning of the book, we see her going through the most excruciatingly difficult event of her life - having her sweet little son torn from her very arms in the middle of a horrible war.

The rest of the book is about her search for him.

I enjoyed the other characters, too, Hugh in particular. A charming BBC on-the-air reporter, trying to find his way on his own two feet.

But, one thing that especially makes this story shine is the murder mystery woven throughout the story. This does not take primary focus, but it does take a major role in the plot line of the story.

The author weaves all these elements together in a beautiful way, giving us a lovely historical fiction account of WWII days as seen from London, and as a refugee from the Netherlands.

Full of action, war, danger, and much more, this story is sure to draw you in and hold you captive from the first page to the last.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Another excellent novel from Sarah Sundin. Her writing only improves as her career continues. Her eye for historical detail, blended seemlessly into story, is impeccable and her research only makes her writing more detailed and immersive, never dragging the story down. As an inveterate mystery lover, I'd say she did even better on the mystery element of her story, exceeding her previous novels with a similar element. The third act break up was entirely believable and realistic; since Aleida escaped an abusive marriage, it is only natural that she should have trust issues with men, which could easily lead to a break up as in this story. I was a little mad about her decision to give up her son later in the book (not when they were first separated, which wasn't her choice), but Ms Sundin brought it around and I was mostly satisfied. Any slight dissatisfaction with this element is definitely overriden by the rest of this sweet and touching romance, a remembering of the horrors of the Blitz and Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, and the courage of the people who stood against Hitler in their own quiet ways. Looking forwars to the sequel!

A master storyteller of historical.fiction. A missing son during the war, a reporter, and a desperate mother make the time period come alive. Told with heart and tenderness.

Sundin is a powerful storyteller who packs an emotional and heartrending punch. Her eloquently told story will tug on your heartstrings and keep you reading until the very end. In fact, when I was done reading I found I still wanted more because it was that amazing. I adored Aleida and her inner strength. She never gave up, she was kind and thoughtful towards others. Hugh was a delight and I could not get enough of his enthusiasm and goodness. A loving and powerful story set during WWII in London, Embers in the London Sky is a must read for historical christian fiction fans. I received a complimentary copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.