Embers in the London Sky is the fourth standalone historical fiction romance by Sarah Sundin set in WWII Europe. I have read three of them, and although The Sound of Light still holds my number one spot, Embers is a very worthwhile read. From an historical perspective it focuses on 3 areas: the situation of foreigners in the UK and particularly foreign children during the evacuation of children from England’s cities and their relocation to the countryside, the difficulty of reporting war news without compromising military advantage and morale, and some lesser known military operations which took place on islands off the coasts of Scotland and Norway.
Covering not much more than a year from May 1940 to August 1941, we have 2 protagonists at major turning points in their lives. Aleida Martens, a Dutch national, is trying to escape the Netherlands after the German invasion to get to the relative safety of England where she has an aunt and uncle. During her journey, she is separated from her 3 year old handicapped son, but manages to make it to England with the knowledge that he may have been handed off to a British couple also fleeing the continent. At about the same time Britain and France have just suffered an horrendous defeat at the Battle of Dunkirk. Hugh Collingwood, a BBC correspondent, is covering the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk and has been seriously effected by the defeat involving the loss of his brother and his inability to report events accurately due to morale and security issues.
Their lives intersect in London during the German bombing blitz. Aleida is working for the Ministry of Health on evacuation logistics, while searching for her son, and also volunteering as an air raid warden. Hugh is gaining prominence as a BBC reporter, but struggling both personally and professionally as the home front is becoming more compromised. Both have past traumas and complicated presents.
Hugh’s character is written much more transparently than Aleida’s, making it much easier for the reader to relate. Aleida is in a worse situation, but is written as almost too perfect and emotionally stable. We know this isn’t the case because she is exhibiting OCD symptoms, but not enough insight as to what is going on beneath the surface. She certainly met the expectations of a self effacing woman of that time, but for me it was a flawed view and hampered my ability to relate until far into the book.
The thing I like best about Ms. Sundin’s books is her writing style. It’s articulate, insightful, flows well and maintains a very good balance between the history and the romance elements. My personal preference is the history with the romance generally being of secondary importance, but in her books the romance maintains my interest.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Revell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters seemed so real. I felt I knew them. I could hear Hugh making his radio reports. I felt for Aleida as she fought to find her son. I enjoyed the evenings at the Hart and Swan with all the correspondents. I despised Sebastian. I would enjoy seeing these characters pop up again in another book.

It was interesting learning more about the refugee situation in England in 1940 as well as the plight of families with young children. I also didn't know that the news reports were so censored. I understand not wanting to give away vital information but it seems it wasn't always presenting the truth of the situation.

This book also had a good mystery, danger, urgency and more. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. There were many aspects of the book that I enjoyed- Alesia and Hugh were great main characters. I was impressed by the way they conquered their unique challenges. I also enjoyed the side characters as well, like Gil, Lou and the stray cat Lennox. I’d say my only real critique is that it was too long and about halfway though I was a little disappointed I still had that much longer to go; I wanted a resolution sooner. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and would read something else from this author.

This was a riveting story! This author does such a good job of weaving historical facts and events into an intriguing plot line. As a mother myself, I was deeply invested in Aleida's search to find her son and to help the refugee children. I learned a lot about broadcasting during the war and censorship of information that sounds a lot like our current state of affairs. Overall, this was a fantastic piece of historical fiction.

I ALWAYS know that I am going to get some very flawed, baggage-toting characters when I pick up a Sarah Sundin novel. I might not even like characters very much. And that is why i LOVE reading Sarah Sundin's books! Embers in the London Sky features exactly these type of characters in Hugh and Aleida.

What makes them unusual? Hugh is a severe asthmatic and Aleida is extremely OCD (she's got her finger taps and counting obsessions) plus an abused wife. Not your every day characters for a WW2 book!

--->For anyone who COMES from abuse, the first chapter has MAJOR triggers as you are thrust straight into Aleida's abusive marriage but I promise it's only going to last for that first two chapters.

As the synopsis says, the course of the book is Aleida desperately trying to find her son Theo. But through the course of the book we also see more about the dangers that came with evacuating the children during the London Blitz. We see the very negative viewpoint towards many of the war refugees in England. The excitement of the LIVE BBC broadcasts which was a fairly new part of broadcasting. And woven in the story is a murder plot which you get pieces of clues along the way to help you try to figure out the answers!

As to the character I had to grow to like--well that would be Aleida herself. So many of of her responses were trauma triggered and I was just like "Take a chill pill!" But then I remembered one of my friends who has a daughter with OCD who has anxiety that goes from 0-60 with every scenario in just seconds. And I realized, that it was actually a very good portrayal of what life is like with mental health challenges. I also enjoyed seeing how Aleida found a way to incorporate her faith in assisting her deal with situations.

One of the challenges is hitting about 70% of the way in with giant revelations--and realizing there is still 30% of the book left where things are obviously gonna go wrong. LOL.

Message of faith was obvious throughout this book...so reassuring since it is supposed to be Christian fiction!

4 stars for this one!

*I was given a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review and these opinions are 100% my own.

Very well done. Well researched and interesting. I would always recommend this Sarah Sundin to others.

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin is a harrowing, heart crushing and achingly lovely Christian Historical Fiction novel based on WWII. Not only do we see physical and mental destruction caused by war but also family (dis)loyalty, grief, media censorship, love, unwavering faith and hope. Most importantly, we are reminded of God's unconditional love.

In 1940, Aleida has plans to better her and her three-year-old son's lives. But her plans are thwarted and though she flees Nazi-occupied Netherlands, the escape isn't what she had hoped for. She is cruelly separated from her beloved Theo. Her anguish and desperation drive her to work at evacuating children from London. At the same time she is able to search for her son with the help of Hugh Collingwood, BBC radio correspondent. His gentle faith and strength of character tugged at my heart as much as Aleida's dignity and perseverance under dreadful circumstances.

Sundin's characters are intelligent and realistically flawed, perfectly ready to be used by God. Each word has its place and my heart and mind were thoroughly engrossed the entire time reading. Talk about an inspiring and hopeful book! This author is an auto-read for me, no need to even read the synopsis.

My sincere thank you to NetGalley and Revell for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal novel.

A mother's love and pain, war, family tension, mystery, history...this book has it all! I was immediately drawn in to the story and recommend this if you are a fan of historical fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

A murder mystery set in the midst of the Blitz, with a little romance thrown in is perfect for this reader.
I was delighted to receive an ARC of Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin!
The story of Aleida losing her son, Theo broke my heart, especially because his beloved stuffy was a stuffed elephant, just like my daughter’s.
My daughter asked Santa specifically and only for a red elephant like on Max and Ruby. I used to love reading Max and Ruby books when I was her age, so I am so happy she is into it as well.

Heroic Hugh’s advice, list all your fears and tell God about them, was such a good reminder.

He, like elephants, never forget.

This story illustrates once again why talented author Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. Her obvious impeccable research, richly painted settings, and well-developed, multi-layered, characters are showcased in this poignant, heart-wrenching tale set in London against the backdrop of WWII.

When Aleida Martens escapes from the Netherlands, she is separated from her young son, and searches desperately for him in London and the surrounding countryside. When she meets BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood, he agrees to help her, but they are soon enmeshed in a rash of mysterious murders.

With plenty of danger, suspense, and action, this tale is one of courage and hope in the face of great adversity and trial. The author’s notes gave some interesting added history and insight into the BBC and the efforts to evacuate young children from London during the bombing by the Germans.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing through Interviews and Reviews/and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I truly enjoyed this book. It kept my interest throughout. The characters were well developed and the storyline flowed well. A bit of history mixed with a bit of mystery.
If you enjoy clean, historical fiction that is not at all preachy I recommend you read this book.

Putting myself into this story was very easy. I could sympathize with Dutch refugee Aleida as she desperately searches for her missing son, Theo. Aleida is determined enough to get a job that aids in that search and may get discouraged but doggedly soldiers on. When she meets BBC correspondent Hugh Collingwood, she gets a friend. Although he is charming, witty and helpful, he is mindful of her recent widowhood. They also find a connection in their shared faith.
In this layered story, we have a slow romance, family drama and a murder mystery that brings danger to Hugh and Aleida. Add to that a look at what the BBC did to boost morale of the British citizens during the nightly bombing of London and you have a highly fascinating and entertaining story. A welcome counterpoint was the arrival of Lennox the cat and the banter as Hugh tries to adjust to his cantankerous guest.
This had the perfect blend of history, romance, faith, mystery, and humor. Another winner in my estimation. With more to come from Aleida’s cousins Cilla and Gerit in subsequent books, I look forward to more WWII action.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

I became a fan of Sarah Sundin's books after her last novel, The Sound of Light. I knew this one would be amazing too, and it didn't disappoint.

Set during the London Blitz, it follows the story of Aleida, who has escaped the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands to find safety with family in England. However, she is separated from her young son and must search everywhere in England to try to find him.

The story also follows Hugh, a BBC reporter who has his own challenges and setbacks, both personally and professionally.

These two help and strengthen each other as they survive the London Blitz.

I loved the historical context of the Blitz and the program to get the children out of London so they were safe from the bombing. I also loved the parts about radio reporting, and the fight against censorship. I especially loved watching the characters as they relied on friendship and faith to make it through those horrible years.

Even though I've read many WWII novels, this one helped me see some new perspectives and learn new things! It's a touching story of family and perseverance. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction!

Thank you to NetGalley, Revell, and Sarah Sundin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Before writing my review, I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Sundin, and Revell for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to read EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY before its release in February!

I absolutely love historical fiction, especially stories surrounding WWII. And when I read the premise of EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY, I knew I just had to read it. The book had a wonderful start, the opening chapter outlining a heart-rending storyline. The writing is beautiful, almost poetic. At the heart of EMBERS IN THE LONDON SKY is a poignant story of incredible loss and unimaginable suffering at a time in history like no other—but more than loss and suffering is the story of second chances, the power of a mother’s love, and the hope tomorrow can bring.

The characters are brilliantly written, so fully developed that you feel as if you know them. As a reader, you become completely invested in their lives. Aleida and Hugh are such endearing characters, both plagued by tragedies that define their lives, for better or for worse.

The separate stories of Aleida and Hugh become profoundly intertwined as the narrative unfolds. I became completely lost in the pages of the novel, filling me with so many emotions all at once — sadness, anger, loathing, and despair; but also joy, gratitude, love, and hope.

I am so happy I found this author and this book! The story is heartbreaking yet inspiring, and the author does a fantastic job of transporting the reader to a time and place of unimaginable tragedy against a backdrop of a war that changed the course of history. I recommend this book unreservedly to all readers of historical fiction. The story will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Sarah Sundin is a master of WWII fiction! Embers in the London Sky gives readers insight into the London air raids, the BBC, and much more while weaving in a story of enduring love. I really enjoyed both Hugh and Aleida, and appreciated Sundin’s highlighting of chronic illness. Sundin’s books have never failed to bring facts and stories of WWII to light that I had never heard of nor considered before, especially the struggle of civilians during wartime. I am greatly looking forward to the rest of this series, plus any and all future books Sundin writes! 4.5/5 stars

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

Embers in the London Sky is a heartrending tale of sacrifice, war, murder, a mother's heartache, and family acceptance. This unique historical fiction is set in 1940 London during the Blitz as the German bombing campaign devastates the country.

The story begins in the Netherlands with an abusive husband fleeing with his wife and son trying to stay ahead of the invading Germans. Aleida van der Zee Martens becomes separated from her young son. In Britain, she desperately searches for Theo with few clues driving her search. Her job as an agent looking out for refugee children aids in her hunt.

BBC radio correspondent aristocratic Hugh Collingwood works hard reporting from the center of the bombings. Alongside the massive hits from the Germans, there are murders taking place with no clear answers. Hugh and Aleida meet and form an instant friendship. They set forth to not only search for Aleida's son but also figure out who is behind the murders.

There were many mystifying aspects with both plotlines along with some psychological mayhem at play. New to Me author Sarah Sundin writes this era magnificently along with Strong character arcs. Readers become fully immersed as Hugh and Aleida struggle and grow through their trials finding something wonderful at the end of the road. This multi-faceted novel is a must-read for those who love well-written historical fiction. This will be one of the most heart-wrenching stories you'll read this year.

Wow! This book held so much depth with beautiful and heart wrenching insights into London during WWII. Sarah Sundin did a wonderful job of taking such a heavy topic and infusing it with a light buoyancy to make it more human. Hugh and Aleida were absolutely great characters and they each go through so much, it was a captivating experience to see them grow and change. I love Aleida’s courage despite her circumstances and her gentle goodness and desire to help others. And don’t even get me started on Hugh, he’s fantastic. His joviality, compassion and hard work endear him to the reader. Both Aleida and Hugh desire the truth and are always ready to jump into fray.
You’re right in the middle of everything as soon as you begin this story. There were so many different aspects of this book that created an overall enjoyable multifaceted story. You have the bad times, the good times, the times of hope, the times of despair, the darkness and the light. I was very impressed with how well-rounded this book is.
I do have to point out, as a mother, there were some parts of this book that were hard to read. Without giving any spoilers, I will say, while the journey was hard (for Aleida and me as a reader) the ending was worth it.
And I guess that’s the part I loved most about this story. I felt like I was reading about real human beings, and not fictional characters. They’re completely imperfect and they struggle, they work hard and they triumph! And despite the hard topics, the bombings, the murders, the despair of living in a war-zone, I really do feel like there is always underlying optimism and faith in the characters. There would have to be in order for them to do what they do.
I highly, highly recommend this book. It will definitely pull at your heart strings, but it will also help you realize the strength and resilience in the human heart and soul, especially in times of difficulty.

As expected, Sarah Sundin stuns with this gripping novel about a mother's fight to find her child. Sundin does a beautiful job capturing the danger in each scene and building the tension- both romantic and otherwise. Such a wonderful story!

Riveting tale of a lovable reporter with the BBC during WWII and a beautiful refugee looking for her young son. I really enjoyed this multi-layered historical fiction complete with a strong mother's bond, mystery, murder, romance, health challenges all the while bombs are falling over London during WWII.

Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London from the Netherlands to wait out the war after the German's invaded her country. Hugh Collingwood "Collie" is a darling man. He grew up with wealth but found his calling as a BBC radio correspondent.

Author Sarah Sundin always does an amazing job putting you right in the scene. I could almost smell the smoke and hear the explosions. I was just in London last month, and her story brought to life what it must have been like during WWII.

I recommend this page-turning historical fiction! Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. I also pre-ordered my own copy.

Embers in the London Sky drew me into the terror of living in London as a refugee during the Blitz. I liked that this book, although historical fiction, was also a suspense/mystery book.

The story explored issues that are as relevant now as they were 80 years ago, although manifested in quite different circumstances today—immigration, censorship, and the tension between political worldviews.

As a mother of a preschool boy, this story made me cry. Like other reviewers, I was left heartbroken at the decisions the main character made in order to choose what she felt was best for her son. It made me realize what a terrible position refugee and London-dwelling parents were in at this time in history—particularly single women. WWII history is certainly gritty and uncomfortable—terrifying actually—and this novel did an excellent job highlighting that.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a review.