Violet St. Croix has it all. She grew up within a rich family & has everything she could want - dresses, jewelry, a car of her very own, but she truly doesn’t feel like she is known or listened to by those around her. She wants more to life & wants to do more. So she joins the Free French Foreign Legion & serves as a driver, who becomes famously known as La Fleur among the men.

What a great novel! I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I love the way the author wrote it - from Violet’s point of view & from the point of view of mysterious spy, who we don’t know the identity of until the last few chapters of the book. So so good!!

In a time when women were supposed to look pretty and follow what the men dictate comes Violet St Croix. It’s France 1939 and while Violet is from a family that has it all, she longs for more. Inspired by the true story of the only woman to serve in the French Foreign Legion, the novel follows Violet as she breaks from traditional roles and forges her own path. The book will hold your attention as you follow and cheer Violet on!

A WWII story that I had never heard anything about. If you like fast cars and mysteries, this is a great choice for a WWII read.

I really appreciate that there are historical fiction books to get lost in, but this one just doesn’t do it for me. I tried to get into reading it a few times , but found I dreaded it when i had other options. I personally made a goal this year to read less WW2 historical fiction because it floods the market. I don’t remember requesting this book, I appreciate the opportunity to have read it, but it really just is not for me at this time. Or probably ever.

Wow!! I loved all of Kelly Bowen's regency books. I have read her WW2 books and this is the best of three. What a fabulous book. I wondered if it was going to be a dual timeline like the other two, but it wasn't. It was, however, from two points of view. It was a great decision to not let the reader know the identity of The Spy. I did not figure it out before the reveal. Violet was such an amazing, strong character. Highly recommend.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! It was a page-turner; I read it over just a day or two. I learned quite a bit about WW2 outside of Germany and France. Well written and beautifully told!

It’s been awhile since I’ve devoured a book in one sitting but a long weekend was too good an opportunity to pass up and I just could not put down Tomorrow is for the Brave! I’ve read a number of Kelly Bowen’s novels and this one definitely gripped me the most!

Here’s the book’s description:

1939, France: Lavish parties, fast cars, and a closet full of the latest fashion—to the average eye, socialite Violet St. Croix seemingly has it all. But what she truly wants is a life full of meaning and purpose. So when France falls to Germany, Violet defies her parents’ wishes and joins the war effort. With her impeccable skill for driving under pressure, she is soon sent to North Africa to shepherd French Foreign Legion officers carrying valuable intelligence through dangerous territory.
But as the Allies encounter one mishap after another, Violet becomes convinced there is a spy in their ranks. And when her commanding officer is murdered, Violet realizes she might be the only one who can uncover the traitor and save the lives of countless soldiers on the front lines. Convincing others to believe her is difficult enough. Finding someone she can trust just might be impossible.

This is a historical fiction novel for those who like a lot of action along with their history (Kate Quinn fans, I’m looking at you). Violet’s work is dangerous - and that’s before she finds out there’s a spy in their midst. Between the battles and the traitor storyline, it’s no wonder I was flipping pages quickly to find out what on earth was going to happen!

The spy part of the story probably could have been a little bit stronger. I could see that Bowen was trying to toss in some red herrings and even I wasn’t sure who the spy was. I did have it narrowed down to two people quite early on and some of the hints Bowen was giving seemed a little heavy handed. But I think that’s just me (someone who enjoys a good mystery as much as a historical novel) being very particular and perhaps a tad nitpicky. It didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story.

The author’s note in this novel was just as robust as I hoped it would be. Bowen explains which timelines she adjusted slightly and gave a lot of insight into her inspiration. I absolutely must find out more about Susan Travers, the real life woman who inspired Violet’s role in the war.

Given all the WWII novels I read (and there have been A LOT of them), I always appreciate when an author gives a new perspective on the battles. In Bowen’s case, she focused on what was happening in Africa during the war. I didn’t know much beyond the fact that fighting took place in North Africa so was interested to have a different look at WWII. I also appreciated that there was a focus on the French Foreign Legion, something else I wasn’t very familiar with. I’ll have to do some more research!

Violet was, to start, a tad…I’m going to say insufferable but that’s not quite the word I’m looking for here. She was just so sheltered - not that I blame her for her lack of worldliness. She wasn’t seen as a daughter - or even her own person - in her family. She was a pawn, a thing, to her father who only took interest in her to make sure she wouldn’t embarrass the family name and would someday marry someone suitable - of his choosing - who would make the family "stronger". Her thoughts and feelings did not matter at all. Which, naturally, made my blood boil. It can be so hard to read stories like this from a modern, feminist perspective and not feel enraged. I just had to hope that Violet would come to her senses and realize that she could absolutely survive on her own and live her own life.

Tomorrow is for the Brave was an entertaining and gripping historical fiction novel that I could not put down. Kelly Bowen is very talented and I think every historical fiction fan should make sure to pick up a copy of her latest book.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Violet St. Croix has no desire to lead the life her prominent parents have planned out for her. So when she leaves her fiancé and joins the war effort she finally feels free to be herself. Violet begins as nurse, but with her penchant for automobiles Violet eventually ends up as an ambulance driver and driver for other military personnel. When she ends up in North Africa with the French Foreign Legion Violet knows something is amiss after a mysterious death. There seems to be a spy in their midst. Can Violet find the spy is before more death and destruction occur?

With a mix of history and romance this book was a wonderful read!

Based on true events in WWII, Tomorrow is for the Brave follows Violet St. Croix as she abandons life of the elite in France to join the war as an ambulance driver. She’s based on real life Susan Travers, who was the first and only woman to be enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in WWII. This book takes us to North Africa, and a part of the war I haven’t heard as much about. I loved Violet’s character with her tenacity and determination. She knew early on that she was meant for more. There is a romance interwoven into the story, but this story is really all about Violet and her fight to make a difference.

This has all the components of a compelling story mixed with real life events. I loved the idea of a socialite becoming an important figure in the war efforts.

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the eARC of Tomorrow is for the Brave! All opinions in this review are my own.

It's hard to compare but I think Tomorrow is for the Brave is my favorite Kelly Bowen I've read so far. Violet is a formidable main character and I like that she is loosely based on a real woman. I also like that for a World War II novel, Tomorrow is for the Brave takes us to locations that are more uncommon settings.

As always, I can't wait for Bowen's next book!

*3.5 stars ✨

For the first half of the story, we meet Violet. Violet who is living a pampered life, but finds the constraints her father and fiancé put on her stifling. With a war on the horizon, she thinks about volunteering. Meanwhile, she meets and befriends George who is not of her class, but believes Violet can do so much more. During the second half, we see Violet come into a strong female who is a driver for the higher officers. She’s in the trenches, but fights along with everyone else doing everything she can. She grows stronger than she ever thought possible. With a spy in the background, she’s determined to make a difference. I liked seeing Violet’s growth and I loved it at the end when she stood up to her father. An interesting story set during WWII.

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

Amazing book chracters were greatly developed and it was quite a page turner I don't usually like books with historical topics being spoken about or themed around but this was an exception it was a incredible ready 5/5 stars

“Tomorrow is for the brave, who had the chance to surrender their convictions and beliefs a long time ago but did not…We did not choose surrender but chose tomorrow, whatever that may look like.” 🎇

While I used to devour historical fiction, I now tend to read one every few months - but I’m glad I picked up TOMORROW IS FOR THE BRAVE by Kelly Bowen. {Thank you to @readforeverpub for the #gifted eARC to read!} I really enjoyed her novel, THE PARIS APARTMENT, so was excited for a new release!

TOMORROW IS FOR THE BRAVE follows Violet, a young debutante engaged to a wealthy businessman, as she gives us her lavish life to volunteer for the war effort - first as a nurse, and then as a driver for high-ranking officers. While in Africa with the Foreign Legion, Violet starts to uncover the signs of an espionage and doesn’t know who to trust.

This book was fast-paced, our main character was tenacious and headstrong, and I felt the heart of the plot wasn’t too overshadowed by a romantic sub-plot. It was just overall, so well done.

I also appreciated that it focused on a part of WWII not often written about - the campaigns in Northern Africa - and the unique challenges that environment brought.

Overall, a fast-read and a great option for historical fiction lovers.

CW // violence; war; murder; difficult parental relationship

I fell in love with Kelly Bowen's historical romance books, so was interested to see how her historical fiction books would compare. And the answer is that they compare quite nicely, indeed. I've read a good bit of historical fiction about WWII - going back to some that I read in the 70s and 80s, as well as some of the more recent ones. I really enjoyed this story, in part because it's fiction that's based on an exceptional woman (don't miss the author's historical notes about Susan Travers at the end of the book) and in part because it was set in North Africa, which is where my dad served a part of his WWII service.
Violet St. Croix is a young English woman living with her parents in Nice, France when the war breaks out. It would seem that she has everything she wants - her wealthy parents indulge her love for cars and driving but expect her to marry well and live the life of a socialite; she has a handsome and (also) wealthy fiance. But as the war looms she feels increasingly unsettled about the life she's "meant to" live versus the one she envisions for herself. She ultimately breaks with her fiance and her family and while she wants to be an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, she signs on to be a nurse instead (the only suitable way for a woman to serve). Turns out her nursing skills aren't great - but when she's afforded an opportunity to drive in a harrowing run from German bombers, she excels. She ends up being a driver for high-ranking French officers. This is also a spy thriller - there's a spy amongst the troops she serves with and the identity is withheld from the reader well into the book. Bowen's writing is tight and engaging. The spy story kept me guessing (and worried) throughout. I enjoyed the characters that surrounded Violet (once she escaped her socialite life) and thoroughly enjoyed this book. And her other historical fiction books have definitely moved way back up on my TBR list.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever/Grand Central Publishing for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the pacing, the plot, and the setting to this story. The development of the characters from the beginning to the end was also something I enjoyed. I would reccomend it!

In this incredibly written World War II historical fiction novel, Jenner brings readers to prewar southern France where socialite tennis player Violet St. Croix lives a limited existence until she discovers the joys of driving and cars. As Europe moves closer to the brink of World War II, Violet’s life changes when she discovers that her life is hers to live, not to be dictated by her parents. Joining the Red Cross and Free French, Violet’s war takes her away from the glamorous south of France to northern Europe and north Africa as La Fleur, a fearless and capable driver. When the North African campaign goes awry, Violet finds herself entangled with a hunt to catch a spy in their ranks. With an incredible heroine who significantly grows over the course of the novel, a vibrant setting, and complex background characters, historical fiction readers will adore this book. The detailed settings and the historical detail present in this novel are essential to creating the atmosphere of this book and the events which are so critical to Violet’s story. Violet is a wonderful, realistic, and capable heroine who changes and evolves over the course of the novel, and readers will lose themselves in her journey around World War II Europe.

Tomorrow Is for the Brave is a historical fiction book. Socialite Violet St. Croix leaves her life behind when she signs up to be an ambulance driver; they tell her she needs to be a nurse and that women aren't ambulance drivers.

I had not run across WWII books with settings in North Africa ... until now. I highly recommend Tomorrow is for the Brave; historical fiction mixed with a little mystery.

Tomorrow is for the Brave is loosely based on a memior by Susan Travers, the only woman ever to serve in the French Foreign Legion. Reading Tomorrow is for the Brave prompted me to obtain Tomorrow to be Brave by Susan Travers.

Many thanks to NetGalley, author Kelly Bowen and publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for approving my request to read the advance review copy of Tomorrow is for the Brave in exchange for an honest review. Publication date was May 14, 2024. Approx 384 pages. Highly recommended.

Though The Paris Apartment will probably always be my favorite of hers, I'm loving Kelly Bowen's historical fiction more and more with each book. Tomorrow Is For The Brave is a suspenseful page turner until the very end. Inspired by true events and real people in the most treacherous of situations.