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Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Only Light in London” by Lily Graham. This is my first book by her, but it won’t be my last!
Finley lives in London with her mother and doesn’t confirm. She’s twenty-eight, single and doesn’t have a “career”. She starts a theater group and meets four amazing people. She becomes close with Sebastien, a Jewish refugee from Germany.
This book will have you flipping the pages so fast to see what happens. If you are looking for a book that is filled with action and hope, this story is for you. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheOnlyLightinLondon #LilyGraham #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookLove #BooksSetDuringWWII #BooksSetInLondon #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

Finley and Sebastien are two of the kindest souls and as soon as they met I could feel that they were destined to be together. Sebastien is hoping to get his family to safety and he eventually has the chance to sign up for the English Army to fight and he takes the opportunity. Finley is terrified for him and even more scared of losing him. This book has the most endearing cast of characters and I really fell in love with them all and couldn't choose a favourite. I became invested in their well being and felt profound sadness, happiness, love and fear along with them. The fear was particularly prominent when the bombs were dropping and when the telegram boy was doing his rounds. The plot of the book was a powerful one but my love of the characters outshone it by far. I was deeply moved by this touching story.

I've read a lot of WWII books and while I do enjoy them, I also enjoy the originality I've come to expect while reading this author's books. I just finished The Last Restaurant in Paris by this author, and I was excited to see what the author would offer with this book. Once again, she provides an informative and unique reading experience. While about WWII the book doesn't focus on the fighting and violence as many books do. Though including some tension fraught moments, I enjoyed getting to know the characters in a more relaxed atmosphere of the day-to-day life.
A young man, Sebastian is forced to flee Germany just because he is Jewish, leaving behind his family including his young 12-year-old sister. Hoping to make his way working as he settles into London; he'll send for his family as soon as he has the funds to do so.
When things take an unexpected and embarrassing turn at his living quarters he's forced to move. A spare room turns into up at Finley's home, a woman he had previously met. I enjoyed reading about the theater and the practices. The author brings all the characters to life including the sacrifices they've made, and the love shown. Very compelling read. The author has a special way of writing that draws you in and makes you want to just keep reading.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Sebastien is a Jewish journalist living in London in 1939. As the war rages on across Germany people are rapidly losing hope. Sebastien left his family in Germany and can’t make it through one day without thinking about the one’s he left behind. Leaving his family was the only way he could keep them safe from the Nazis. He sees a notice for a lodger but he is sure that knocking on the door will be just like all the others that turned him away. But when the door opens and he is welcomed by Finley. She rents him the room and he thinks there may be hope after all. Sebastien knows that his time is short lived as he must join the fight in order to save not only his family but his homeland.

The Only Light In London written by author Lily Graham is a wonderful, emotional and unputdownable novel. Graham has proven to be an amazing author that pens well beyond her years. I love the nuggets of history that she incorporates into her books that keep the pages flipping rapidly. This World War 2 historical fiction is a well written and moving story. My heart broke for Sebastien and the tough decisions he was forced to make in order for his family to survive. This phenomenal story will have you reaching for the tissue box over and over again. I loved everything about this fast-paced and heart-wrenching read that I highly recommend. Definitely a favorite and unforgettable book.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. Reading an exceptionally good historical fiction book like this one brings me joy like no other thing, especially with a World War II setting.

The opening scene of the book had me torn. It is a beautiful scene; however, we did not yet have the emotional attachment to the characters. Revisiting this opening scene towards the end of the book helped give greater meaning, and I did end up liking the choice to open the book this way. Great choice to use the poem in this book.

Creating distinctive characters can be difficult. I counted at least 14 characters, and every one of them made me smile for different reasons (except for Sunella and Anita, who felt like one merged character). They were vibrant and true to life. Archie is an absolute angel. I loved the way he loves his late wife and how he helped Sebastian by sponsoring Sebastian’s parents. One small character detail I loved in the epilogue was Christopher having 4 border terriers and naming them all Robert—I laughed out loud.

Katrin’s scene at the movie theater was one of my favorite’s in the entire book, even though it is an early scene. Katrin showed bravery in being so young yet knowing how wrong it is to deny someone access to a theater based on being a Jew.

Finley and Sebastian are a beautiful couple. Slow burn, friends to lovers—I ate up every second. A particularly great scene was right after Sebastian moved in to Finley’s mothers home and they share tea together, bantering over sugar. My heart melted when Sebastian wrote, “I came for the biscuits but I only stayed for you.”

The Only Light in London is a truly heartwarming and touching story which really tugged at my heartstrings. I loved every single character and I know this book is going to be one that stays with me months after reading. This is my first read by this author but I already cant wait to check out all of their other books.
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Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a quick read for me. It will grab your attention from page one. It’s full of emotions from happy to sad and back to happy. Historical fiction fans will definitely enjoy this book

I've read most books by this author and I think this is one of her best.
It's full of emotions I cried, laughed felt annoyed, but most of I totally loved it.
A wonderful storyteller at her best.
Can highly recommend.

I couldn't get into this book; I wanted to like it, it seemed like something I would like. I wasn't able to get into the amateur theater storyline.

When Sebastien fled Germany in 1939, he had to leave his mother, twelve year old sister and step-father behind. The Germans were making their move on the Jewish people and when someone betrayed Sebastien, he knew he had no choice but to leave. He just hoped he'd be able to sponsor his family after he'd earned some money in London. Lonely, working two menial jobs, terribly worried about his family, he somehow stumbled into a building on a wet and rainy London evening, and met a group of people who were forming an amateur theatre group. Finlay was in charge of them and she and Sebastien gradually formed a bond. The group all became friends, encircling Sebastien with care and kindness.

When Sebastien's little sister was brought to London with the Kindertransport effort, they were delighted to see one another again. But the sad news of their father being arrested and sent to a camp meant Marta, their mother, had to flee. Sebastian still had hopes of getting a visa for her safe transport to London...

It was when Britain joined the war effort that Finlay's young brother Christopher, and Sebastien himself, signed up to fight for England. Finlay and her mother were devastated, as was Sebastien's family. Would Finlay ever see those two young men again? She'd lost her father to the Great War - surely it wouldn't happen again?

The Only Light in London by Lily Graham is an exceptional historical novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Seen from a different perspective, following the lives of Finlay, her mother Isabelle and brother Christopher, plus the theatre group who all became such close friends, and of course Sebastien and his family, meant I knew them all, just a little. The Only Light in London is a heartwarming, poignant and moving novel which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The Only Light In London was an enjoyable read. Personally, I felt the first half was written in a different prospective to the second half and I much preferred the second, I’m so glad I held out and kept reading. What I really enjoyed was the characters, the banter and relationships they played to and for each other despite the age difference. The beautiful sweet love story between Finley and Sebastien that had a happy ending. I laughed and I cried during this short, quick historical fiction. A book of friendship, love and bravery, a good 3.5 star read.

I would like to thank Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheOnlyLightinLondon #NetGalley

The Only Light In London by Lily Graham is a powerful historical novel that consumed me.
The action begins in 1939 in both London, and eight months earlier in Berlin. It was a terrifying time to be Jewish and living in Nazi Germany. We drop in on a family and see the difficulties they face as they try to flee the country. They become a family divided.
We see the bravery of a twelve year old girl. “They don’t have the right to make me feel I’m worth less than them just because I’m a Jew.” She shows incredible courage. Though her body is limited as to where she can go, her mind is free because she refuses to let the Nazis take her mind captive.
In London we witness the fear of the population sheltering from the bombs, in the underground. “They were like small boats battling the fear in waves.” The people lift each other up, raising the spirits of those who are afraid.
It is always good to have something to focus on. We see a newly formed drama group who need enthusiasm and not talent, to join it. This is a place where those on the outskirts of society find a place to belong.
Friendship forms in times of war. There is fear when loved ones sign up to fight. Others leave London, for the (hopeful) safety of the countryside.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Only Light In London. It was a powerful read, grounded in facts. I will leave you with my favourite quote
“Knowing there’s light gives us strength to face the darkness.”
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

The only Light in London had me experiencing so many emotions. When I read a historical fiction; I love it when the author shows me that it wasn't all sadness and anger. Lots of emotion makes it more real to me.

This story felt so real. Finley is struggling with her future. She wants to be a famous actress but life has other ideas. World War 2 is expanding. Men are going off to war. Life is changing. To feed her acting desire she starts a group. Total brilliance on the part of the character and the author.

Sebastian stumbles into the first meeting after his boss suggesting he go, even if it was just for the biscuits. He needed to meet people after fleeing Germany. He was lucky. His dad had been British. The rest of his family isn't so lucky. Their struggles help the reader imagine life as a Jew in WW2 Germany. Sebastian didn't know what he had been missing.

Reading this story gave me glimpses into what my family members when through during the bombings in England. Understand why so many soldiers struggled when they returned after being on the front line.

Absorb the emotions that fill the pages. Devour the drama and action that the characters experience and hope that we never have to experience what they did. I don't think of WW2 stories having a great happy ending because of what characters had to go through. That being said, the ending had be smiling. The characters rose from the ashes and brightened my day.

This was a sweet story of friendship and love that is set in 1939 in London. Finley, an aspiring actress who is struggling to become a lead in a play in London's West End. While Sebastian is a Jewish German refugee who escaped Germany but had to leave his family behind. what starts out as friendship becomes romance. With a group of interesting supporting characters the book rounds out to a lovely novel. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read an ARC of The only light in London by Lily Graham. Set in England at the start of WWII, this was a fast read for me, and I enjoyed the wonderful romance the blooms between Finlay and Sebastien. there are several wonderful secondary characters who make up the acting group that Finlay starts. I will definitely read more books by the author!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read The Only Light in London. Once again from this novel I learned new perspectives on WWII and the Holocaust.

I had no idea that Germans who lived in England were rounded up and placed in barracks - in this case it was a hotel.

I enjoyed reading about the commarderie of the unlikely group of actors who became friends and family to each other.

My only minor complaint with this book was the ending - I felt it was too abrupt and left the reader wanting for more.

"All they could do was put one foot in front of the other, and to take comfort that even in the darkest hours of humanity, there are always those who provide light amid the shadows."

Sebastien is a Jewish refugee living a monochrome life in London. When he first meets Finley, light breaks in. While they face many hardships before and during WW II, they are strengthened by their bond. The story is also filled with wonderful supporting characters like Archie, the former librarian, Isabelle, Finley's stylish mother, and the rest of the Finley Players. If you loved The Last Bookshop in London and Dear Mrs. Bird, you will also want to read this new title from Lily Graham. My ARC also included excerpts from her other novels. Looks like my TBR is going to be growing.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Only Light In London is an engaging WWII romantic novel with a unique perspective. It takes place in Britain and follows Finley, a struggling actress and Sebastian, a Jewish refugee. The story explores the challenges they have, their budding romance, and their family’s struggles as war is declared in Britain.

The story is well written and the characters are very likeable. It opens your eyes to the sad and difficult times that were happening during the war, and how people pulled together, supporting each other.

Being the first book I have read by this author, I throughly enjoyed it and definitely will be reading more by Lily Graham. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this story.

It is just before the outbreak of WWII. In England, Finley is an actress starting her own acting company. Sebastien is a Jewish refugee from Germany who joins her company just to be around her. This story explores the challenges faced by and the fates of Finley, Sebastien and their respective families in the early years of the war. The members of Finley’s acting company also play a background but special role in their lives.

I really enjoyed this short but compelling read. The characters were engaging and I couldn’t help but root for Finley and Sebastien. The storyline was well thought out, the problems realistic for the times and the emotions of the characters brought them to life. Overall it was a good read, though I wish it had been longer. Arriving at the epilogue was a surprise and I wanted more details!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is a good WWII read.
Set in England, the war began early on as Hitler broke his promises and began to take one country after another.
Still suffering from great loss in the Great War, the main characters have to deal with yet another war.
German Jews had very tough decisions to make. Should they leave Germany now or wait in hopes of a better time?
Follow the heartrending paths of these different individuals and learn more about WWII.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.