Embers in the London Sky, is a story of love, loss, and how to stand up for what is right in a world gone horribly wrong.

Netherlands, 1940. She plans to escape. For several years, Aleida van der Zee Martens has lived in an abusive marriage, barely able to protect her fragile young son Theo from his father’s anger and violence. Aleida makes a careful, meticulous plan to get away, but although she believes she has prepared for every contingency, just as she is ready to put her arrangements in motion and flee to her aunt in England, the Nazis invade. Her husband takes charge of their flight from the fighting; his insane demands and foolish choices bring about his own death and cause Aleida to be separated from three-year-old Theo. Since they were fleeing with other refugees, she has reason to believe her child was evacuated to England, so she heads there as well.

Once in England, Aleida determines to leave no stone unturned in her search for Theo. Exploring hospitals, orphanages, refugee centers, and charitable organizations throughout London has proved fruitless, so she settles in the city and gets a job with an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside. It will give her the opportunity to search outlying villages for her little boy while she is also doing the worthy task of caring for the young children of the metropolitan area.

Hugh Collingwood loves his job as a BBC radio correspondent. It gives him the opportunity to report in the moment, letting his listeners hear the action around him for themselves. It is not a typical career for someone from his upper-crust social bracket, but Hugh doesn’t care that his parents and peers don’t approve. Since his asthma prevents him from being a soldier, this is the only work he can do that he is good at and that makes him feel like he’s doing his bit for king and country.

When Aleida approaches Hugh to ask that he tell her story on the air, he has to decline - his editor won’t invest air time in that kind of human interest piece. But seeking him out has introduced Aleida to his friends, who take an immediate shine to her, and she becomes a regular part of their gatherings at a local pub. Hugh also introduces her to his uncle, Elliot Hastings, who has been fighting for the refugee community via his parliamentary seat. Elliot is able to give Aleida a list of new places to try and she is charmed by his genial manner and gentle kindness.

Elliot’s work is not popular with everyone, however, and some few have gone as far as to send him death threats. Both he and Hugh treat them as a joke, but then Elliot is murdered, shot with his own gun during a house party, with clear evidence of the event being the result of an altercation. Hugh does not do investigative reporting, but he is determined to investigate this crime and see his uncle’s killer brought to justice. He doesn’t know how to go about solving a mystery, but the organized, methodical Aleida has spent the last few months learning to unearth small clues in her quest for her son. She agrees to help Hugh in exchange for him helping her in her pursuit as well.

This is an inspirational novel that emphasizes biblical teaching on love and acceptance. A continuous theme throughout the tale is the welcoming of the stranger (foreigner), a teaching of both the Old and New Testament. Hugh sees it as the duty of any civilized nation to uphold this principle, but not all his countrymen agree. Aleida had attended school in England, is fluent in English and has the blonde hair and blue-eyes of many Brits, but her soft Dutch accent immediately marks her as a foreigner once she starts speaking. She and her friend Nilia Sharma receive plenty of prejudice from their boss at the Ministry of Health. François Jouveau, a French reporter and close friend of Hugh’s, and many other ex-pats taking refuge from their war-torn homes talk about how badly some people treat them. On the other hand, many kind folks are welcoming of the refugees and grateful for the work they do in the war effort. I loved how the author works this theme throughout her story, showing the genuine desperation of those who made it to safety on England’s shores, the fear they had for the relatives they left behind, and just how difficult and dangerous it was for them to get there. She also does a lovely job of showcasing the warm, welcoming, accepting nature of Hugh and the quiet, resilient courage of Aleida.

Another strong theme in the novel is the acceptance of those we consider flawed due to physical limitations. Aleida’s husband had despised their son because Theo had no fingers on his right hand. Theo wasn’t allowed out of their home, and Aleida wasn’t allowed to take pictures of him because the man wanted no evidence he had fathered such a child. Hugh’s asthma often limits him, twice nearly costing him his life. He was coddled by his family and lived a quiet, sheltered life, much like Theo in his early years, though in his case, he was smothered with love rather than shame. At one point, he tries to rescue Aleida, and she winds up having to save herself and him because Hugh has an immobilizing asthma attack in the midst of the action. Sundin does such a lovely job of depicting Hugh as heroic - he uses his platform to help the needy, does all he could for the war effort, is a peacemaker in his friend group, crosses social lines, and breaks down barriers between the classes - while showing that not all heroes are of the He-Man variety.

As a couple, Hugh and Aleida are charming. Theirs is a friend-to-lovers romance, which is appropriate since she is a recent widow searching for her son. She is emotionally wrapped up in her quest, and her abusive marriage has made her wary of trusting any man, especially one as charming and amiable as Hugh. Her husband had been similar during their courtship. Part of Aleida’s growth arc in the novel is learning to trust her instincts and judgments once again. Part of Hugh’s growth arc is accepting his limitations and recognizing he can be loved romantically in spite of them.

Embers in the London Sky has a fairly high religious level, with God, faith, and prayer being mentioned throughout. It also contains some difficult subject matter, with the Blitz and its death toll serving as a backdrop for the setting, some characters being the victims of bigotry, and the search for Aleida’s son emphasizing just how easily a child can be lost during wartime. At one point, she has to make some hard decisions regarding this issue, including trusting Theo to God’s grace rather than her own warm embrace. All of this is handled in a thoughtful, compassionate manner and I would encourage those who enjoy inspirational stories and are up for a bit of angst to pick this one up.

This was such an engaging read. Sundin knows how to pull a reader into the story very quickly and take them on an emotional roller coaster ride using her characters.

Aleida's situation is fraught with all manner of difficulty; having escaped war torn Holland, she lands in London desperately seeking to locate her son who has been abandoned by his father, and Aleida's husband. It's incredible that parents did this during the war, literally passing their children through car windows to escape likely death or imprisonment if they stay.

Aleida gets a job in the Health Ministry helping London parents who have sent their children to the country for safety. It works well for her as she can use it as means of potentially finding her son, Theo.

Hugh Collingwood is a radio broadcaster, much to the disappointment of her wealthy parents. Hugh loves reporting on the war. He figures if he's unable to be on the frontlines holding a gun, he can serve as well holding a microphone. He does his job very well and is well liked by his BBC audience.

Aleida and Hugh meet accidentally through his work. He's looking to interview people who have suffered through the war. The attraction is immediate but Aleida is recently widowed and doesn't want to make a poor decision like she did first time. Aleida hardly meets the profile of the privileged society ladies which his parents would prefer him to meet.

Sundin keeps us turning pages as our characters evade falling bombs, chase scoops, run from murderers, and search for Aleida's boy in what seems a lost cause from the outset. I loved Aleida's never-say-die attitude in the pursuit of her son.

It's clear significant research has gone into the preparation of this story which adds to the authenticity of it and makes one wonder what is indeed fact and what is fiction at some key moments. The descriptions of war-torn London are brilliantly captured for our imaginations and the emotional highs and lows we go on with both Aleida and Hugh's stories keep our hearts pumping.

I feel very fortunate to have received an early ebook copy from Revell as part of their Revell Readers program via Net Galley. However, this has had no bearing on my review.

Embers in the London Sky, by Sarah Sundin, opens with Alesia van der Zee Martens planning to run away from her husband with her young son, Theo, to join her family in England. However, before she can make to out the front door, her husband Bas had returned to declare that the Germans had crossed the Netherlands border and he needed to escape to England to have a safe place to run his business. So indeed Alesia would be heading to England, but unfortunately it would be in the presence of her abusive husband!

When Bas hands her son over to another family traveling to England, Alesia fears never seeing her boy’s sweet face again. When her husband is killed before she learns who has her son, Alesia is certainly at a loss!

Hugh Collingwood is an Englishman attempting to record some of the events taking place in France. In the midst of the fighting, Hugh’s asthma begins to act up. He knows this is the last place he should be; however, the reporter in him will not let him stay away. When Hugh suddenly crosses paths with his older brother, he is again reminded of the danger this place could bring to his lungs. Before Hugh is placed on the next ship headed back to England, he watches as his brother’s ship is destroyed!

When Alesia and High cross paths in London, they soon team up in an effort to locate her son. The situation gets quite complicated when they finally find Theo. Alesia has no papers and this couple has claimed him as their own. Hold tight to discover if Alesia will ever be reunited with her young son!

I fell in love with Sarah Sundin's writing when I read Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Her latest is just as engrossing and in no time you will be pulled in to Aleida's world in 1940's London.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 6 February 2024

Embers In The London Sky
Sarah Sundin
3.5 stars

This was a new author for the two of us. We could definitely feel her appreciation for the World War II era with the depth of historical background she included in her novel. Her information spanned from The Netherlands to Scotland, while keeping the majority of her focus in London.

We followed the story of Aleida and Hugh through 1940 and 1941. Sundin included heartbreak, grief, friendship, intrigue, racial bias, and love throughout her story. However, the most compelling character we embraced was Hugh Collingwood, a BBC radio correspondent. He was a curious and charming figure who portrayed true grace and mercy. He owned his mistakes without shifting blame and offered forgiveness as a true sign of character. Hugh illustrated how much we should focus on the people in our lives and control the words we speak.

Admittedly, this historic period is not a favorite of ours, and while wartime is chaotic, there seemed to be many storylines competing for attention. Nevertheless, Sundin managed to intertwine a sweet love story amid loss and pain.
We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

Embers in the London Sky shares a picture of the many refugees who flooded England attempting to flee the Nazi occupations throughout Europe. Aleida Martens flees Netherlands. On her way, disaster strikes, resulting in Aleida losing her husband and being separated from her son. In London she finds a job, makes friends, helps with the war effort, and desperately searches for her little Theo.

Mrs. Marten meets a number of members of the press, including the famous BBC radio correspondent, Hugh Collingwood. Collingwood recently lost his older brother in the war and is getting pressure from his family to turn to a more fitting career for the Collingwood name. Amidst nightly air raids, terror hits when one close to Hugh is murdered and another disappears. Aleida's co-worker is found dead next, and they start to connect the clues.

Murder, intrigue, mystery, and suspense intermingle with a sweet love story. This novel is an easy read with characters who are easy to love, celebrate and mourn with. Their mistakes leave you shaking your head while moving the story forward. Hard decisions are made as you watch them grow in their faith and identity in Christ. Crossing your fingers as you hope for the best, you will flip quickly through the pages to reach the satisfying resolution.

This is one of my favorite genres to read, and I've enjoyed other books by Sundin, so I was looking forward to this one. The author puts the reader in the middle of the Nazi invasion in Europe, as well as the blitz in London. I haven't read a lot of books that focus on the children lost along the journey. It's powerful to see how Aleida puts the welfare of her son above her own. It's hard to imagine people needing to make that choice in this way. However, it allows Aleida to see God at work in her life. On occasion, things were confusing with the various characters. The historical details added interest and accuracy to the story. Themes such as prejudice and censorship are even addressed, along with romance and faith. The mystery is enough to keep readers engaged.

I really enjoyed this book! I always love Sarah Sundin's historical fiction books. Embers in the London Sky is about a woman who gets separated from her son while evacuating into England. She then meets a BBC reporter who helps her look for her son and she helps him along the way as well. They fall for each other. This book had me crying both sad and happy tears by the end.

Sarah Sundin’s new novel, Embers in the London Sky, is a remarkable story of love, intrigue, heartbreak, hope, and forgiveness. The story of a mother determined to find her son and the radio man with a secret, Embers in the London Sky was an unexpected adventure that had me on the edge of my seat.

I loved that this story focused on a refuge mother searching for her missing child and a BBC man. Both are things that I had heard of but didn’t know much about. I loved getting a glimpse into both of these circumstances. Seeing these characters overcome their hardships was beautiful.

The only thing I knew about Embers in the London Sky was that it was a World War II novel. I am always up for a World War II read, and this one did not disappoint. Sarah Sundin did a fabulous job at sharing different aspects of the war and weaving mystery and intrigue to an already terrible and hard time.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the advanced copy. These thoughts are my own.

Ahhhhh, Sarah Sundin gets better with every book she writes!

I was sick this past week, and while that part was no fun, I was super grateful for a good read and the time I could dedicate to it, guilt-free. It kept me where I needed to be (on the couch, resting), distracted me from how I was feeling, and proved not only educational but inspiring.

I always learn something new/more about the WWII era with Sundin's books. I'd heard about people who were separated from their children (whether intentionally or otherwise) while trying to escape Germany during that time, and this book captured that in a new and different way. Sundin did amazingly at creating vivid characters and a believable storyline, showing empathy and her prodigious research skills all the while. I had no idea how the story would resolve, and it proved so, so satisfying.

The book is standalone/not part of a series; I didn't recall seeing any crossover characters, as with other books, but will blame any I missed on being sick. ;)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Sundin’s latest release is about resilience, of a city and of a mother in her desperate attempts to find her lost child. In the first scene, we meet Aleida Maartens, a Dutch wife determined to escape from her abusive and domineering husband. But he thwarts her plans when he arranges for them to escape the invading Germans. In the confusion Aleida is separated from her son and her husband is killed so she must travel to England alone to find the child she loves so dearly and forge a future for them in a city under threat. In London she meets charming and charismatic Hugh Collingwood, a radio correspondent for the BBC. Although she is wary at first, Aleida and Hugh become friends. He helps her in her quest to find her son and she helps break down the walls he’s built to keep people from getting to near with her direct way of speaking. As the pair keep their calm and carry on through both the German blitz and threat closer to home, their friendship blooms into love. Embers in the London sky is gripping from beginning to end and tears at the heart of any mother who has ever been worried for her child.

Here are three things I loved:
1) The opening
The first chapter of this book is utterly gripping. The reader is dropped right in the middle of the action right next to Aleida as she tries to escape. We feel the full effect of her husband's abusive behaviour and experience the shock and grief of discovering she is separated from her beloved son, all in the first gripping 1500 or so words.
This is the kind of scene that seals the deal in the bookshop because you know with the writer like Sarah Sundin if the first scene is this good the rest of the book will be brilliant.
2) A radio journalist as a hero
I might be biassed here because my husband was a radio journalist when I met and married him! But Hugh is absolutely delightful. I liked the distinctions Sundin made between the deceitful nature of the charm of Aleida’s first husband and that of the charismatic Hugh. I adored the behind the scenes details of the BBC during wartime. The regular gatherings of journalists and correspondents at the Hart and Swan pub were some of my favourite scenes.
3) And unexpected murder mystery
I loved murder mystery storyline that bubbled away in the background and it's gripping conclusion. The mystery and suspense elements were elegantly woven into what is primarily a love story, with plenty of twists and a satisfying climax.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley - but my review is independent of that.

I stayed up way too late this weekend finishing Embers in The London Sky because I simply couldn't fall asleep without knowing how it ended. This story is masterfully crafted, with beautiful prose and layers of meaning. Aleida and Hugh both had their struggles and this was no “fluffy” romance. The book is full of rich, historical detail. I especially loved learning more about live radio broadcasting during WW2 and examining censorship concerns in a way I’d never considered before. I will be revisiting this story again and again!

Thank you to Sarah Sundin, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advanced copy to review. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Sarah Sundin has become one of my new favorite authors. I’ve only read two of her books so far, but they were both excellent—and this one knocked it out of the park for me!

I’ve always loved books that have a family element in them, and this book’s central plot about a mother’s search for her son hit all the right notes for me. As soon as I started chapter one, I was able to connect with Aleida, and as she took her journey (literally and figuratively), I quickly became even more invested in her. Then there’s Hugh, and his journey…quite different, in many ways, but still relatable and gripping.

One of the biggest things I loved about this book, besides the characters, was the way history shone through these pages. Seeing the devastation and evacuation of Dunkirk and, later, the Blitz through the eyes of someone working for the BBC was fascinating. It was also fascinating to learn a little about the evacuation of children from London (and what they may have experienced)—having read a little about it in C.S. Lewis’ works, it was fun to get another perspective in another book.

History, a dash of mystery, some sweet romance…I adored this story, and can’t wait to see what Sundin comes out with next! To be fair, I did think part of the ending was slightly unrealistic, but it was sweet, all the same. Overall, it was a fast, heartwarming read. Recommended to anyone who likes a good dose of history along with a gripping story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Yet another fantastic story set in World War II by Sundin!

Aleida Martens has decided to leave the cruelty of her husband and the potential Nazi invasion of her beloved Netherlands. But her husband beats her to it, and they leave with their young son. Along the way, Aleida falls asleep, and her husband passes their son to a couple on the road, with no intention of ever seeing him again. As fate would have it, he does not as he is soon killed by Nazi plane fire. Aleida does manage to escape to London, where she searches in vain for her son while working at the Ministry of Health to place children in homes away from London as the London blitz begins. She prays that she will be able to use this position to track down her lost son.

Hugh Collingwood loves being a reporter to report the truth, but the BBC has begun to bow to the Ministry of Information to censor broadcasts and keep the truth from those living within England. He pushes the limit to its limits, often getting in trouble and reprimanded for his work. Imagine if they knew he had asthma, he’d never get to go back onto location for his work. One day he meets a young woman refugee from the Netherlands who lost her son and vows to help her tell her story. What he never anticipated was falling for this young woman.

Sundin is a master at bringing great stories set in historical World War II events. Each book is different. Either set in a different location, time period of the war, and what the characters are experiencing. I loved this story and how it unfolded throughout the pages. I kept cheering for them to finally realize they were meant to be, but still enjoyed the pace that is required to make them realize it. Sundin never fails to amuse and amaze me with her stories and her knowledge of historical events. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This is a powerful and compelling story of a mother’s love, a reporter’s dedication and the hardships faced by those in the middle of the Nazi blitz of London during WWII. Aleida Martens is a sympathetic character who tugged all of my heart strings after she was separated from her beloved preschooler Theo as she fled from the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Knowing only that he was given to strangers to take to London, Aleida determinedly sets out to find him, with no evidence that he even exists. In her quest, she meets Hugh Collingwood, a brave and intrepid reporter for the BBC who is trying to make a name for himself and live through the danger all around him. The two together make a formidable team as they try to right the wrongs being done do the refugee children as well as solve murders that seem to be connected and are piling up. This book was hard to put down and is haunting in its descriptions of the ravages of war and the toll it takes on the most innocent among us. I enjoyed the realistic characterization, the detailed research and the fast-paced plot. The entire book pulled me quickly into the story, captivating me in an era of challenging times but also presenting an unwavering faith in God in spite of circumstances. Mostly historical fiction but also mystery and a commentary on society’s values, this book is one not to be missed and one that will long be remembered as an insightful look at war, dedication and love. No single other author tells a war story as realistically and as skillfully as Sarah Sundin!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

A world war two story filled with mystery, suspense, and romance. The opening was heartbreaking for both main characters. Aleida arrives in London searching for her son and meets Hugh, a correspondent for the BBC who is intrigued by her story but restricted by his editor on what he can broadcast. I liked both characters as I got to know them, but Hugh was definitely my favorite. My heart broke for Aleida when she made a very difficult decision, but it also made me respect her all the more. A beautiful example of what Christ did for us. I did feel like the story dragged a little at times and there were parts where I struggled to follow what exactly was happening at times or how they got where they were, but by the 50% mark I was fully invested. I needed to know if Aleida would find her son and who was responsible for the other stuff that was happening. There were a couple of things I suspected would happen, but that did not take away my enjoyment of the story. I learned a lot about life in London during this time period. I enjoyed my time with this story.

You just can't go wrong with Sarah Sundin. This book was brilliant, gorgeous, and one of my favorites. I loved how Aleida and Hugh came together. They were so real to me and so amazing together. I've always been interested in the Blitz, and I love how Sarah weaves WWII events into her stories. I learn so much WWII history from her books!

: I was hooked from the first line, “As soon as she escaped to England, Aleida van der Zee Martens would cut her hair and have her son photographed for the first time.”

In this intriguing and dramatic novel that captured my interest and stirred up strong emotions, it showed another side of this authors talent as she takes readers on an incredible journey with Dutch refugee Aleida as she looks for her three-year-old son, Theo. They had never been separated before. But in 1940, there was an air strike, and things happened as people rushed to escape the German invasion.

Aleida is determined to find her son, so she pursues a job that aids in the quest and keeps going in the face of doubts. She then goes to see BBC correspondent Hugh Collingwood in the hopes that he will mention the search for her missing son on his radio show.

Although he would like to help Aleida, Hugh Collingwood finds that far too many individuals are missing. He wants to report the truth. But Hugh soon learns there is a thin line between censorship and the truth. He can’t stop thinking about this and Aleida.

Hugh's quest to find his friend's killer leads to the unraveling of a compelling mystery, which is made all the more interesting by the author's talent, painstaking research, and compelling characters. This novel has it all—a captivating mystery that is expertly weaved into this intriguing tale, along with a dash of romance, history, humor, and faith. Reading this engaging story will keep you up late. I enjoyed the surprise guest in this story, Lennex the cat.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This was an incredible story! What begins as a woman's plan for a new life leads to a completely different life than she could have imagined. Aleida had quite the journey to accept the path that the lord had for her. Hugh as well. I really loved him (and when he acquired Lennox--just all the heart eyes!) and his progression. The history in this story was so fascinating. I did not figure out the twist, which in my opinion added a deeper layer to the story, until right before the characters did. Highly recommend!

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

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin - 5 Stars

This WWII story will leave you with so many emotions - it's a must read! We have war, mystery, a bit of romance and a mother who will stop at nothing to find her son in London. This is the second book I have read by Sarah and I can't wait to dive into more of her backlist!

This book starts off with a emotional punch - our main character Aledia is with her abusive husband and young son during their escape from the Nazis in the Netherlands. While she is asleep, her husband tears their son from her arms and gives him away to a random man and woman because he is embarrassed of his son's hand deformity. When Aledia wakes up, she realizes what has happened and is devastated - determined to find her son. Before she can even discuss what happened with her husband, he is killed from effects of war. Left a widow and alone, she is desperate to find her son in London. She makes her way there and meets a BBC reporter - Hugh Collingwood. Hugh and Aledia work together to find her son, along with unraveling a murder mystery along the way. All of this is occurring in the midst of bombs in London.

As a mother of a young boy the same age as Aledia's son, this book tugged at my heart strings in many ways. I was so invested and connected to our characters and the slow burn romance was beautiful in the end between Hugh and Aledia. They went through so much together.

The faith element in this shows us that God never leaves us, nor forsakes us and He walks with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.

I loved the ending so so much. I was in tears. Your heart will be broken and restored by the end. You are truly transported right there in the middle of all the events taking place.

A perfect Christian historical fiction with everything I love in a good book. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.