We meet Nora, Charlotte, and their families in Halifax, Nova Scotia, during WWI and when an explosion in Halifax destroyed the entire area and killed many of their family members.

Both women are strong willed and determined. Nora is a nurse, and Charlotte is a widow since her husband was killed during the war.

Nora fell for a soldier and made a poor decision the evening before Alley left to fight. Her poor decision left her pregnant and with no word from Alley.

Charlotte had to live with her in-laws who treated her like the hired help instead of a daughter-in-law. Thank goodness they loved their granddaughter.

Everything changed for everyone after the explosion and especially these two women.

You will LOVE Nora, Charlotte, and Neil. Each one has a heart of gold and so much gentleness. You will cry for each of them for their sorrows but also cheer with them at their happiness.

WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT is a lovely, heartwarming read despite the heartaches, but a tribute to mankind during tragedies and the strength of family.

The book is based on a true event and had me looking for more information on the explosion. 5/5

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. Its about hope and strength during the worst of times. If your interested in historical fiction then you need to read this book.

Thanks netgalley and harper Collins Canada. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I picked this book for the title and the topic. I had recently experienced another book that happened around the great Halifax disaster so I was definitely good with exploring it again. When the World Fell Silent centers around two main characters: Charlotte and Nora. Charlotte is a war widow who is scrimping and slaving away with her toddler daughter in her inlaws home. She is desperate to break free from the drudgery of her life and start afresh with her little daughter. Nora is a skilled nurse who adores her job, but she's also in love with a young soldier. But she has ZERO plans to give up her career and "just" be a wife and mother like her sister.

The book centers around the aftermath of the Halifax explosion and how it significantly affects both Charlotte and Nora. Thrusting them BOTH into situations they "never" wanted to be in. And their lives become intrinsically entwined by the aftermath which reveals itself slowly in the completion of the book.

Topics included: swearing, some premarital sex, alcoholism, PTSD

This one is just a 3 star for me. I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. It was just so so. I was able to put it down and leave it which is a main tell for me. The author did excellent in her research and her style was good. It just wasn't it for me.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this novel by the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own and I wasn't required to write a positive review.

This will easily make my favorite books of the year. I fell in love with Nora and Charlotte from the start. Each facing their own challenges as they navigate life during WWI. Then the Halifax explosion happens and they are thrown into a whirlwind. We get to know them before during and after that tragic day. This was full of mystery, twists, romance and the importance of family. I could not have loved this book more.

A bookclub choice for many months to come.

Story of sacrifice and pain and redemption. If you enjoyed books about the choices women made during war this is a good choice to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ability to read this preview copy. The opinions I have are solely my own.

This was a wonderful book that told an unbelievable story about Halifax during WWI and the deadly explosion that leveled much of the city during that time period. The description of the dedication of the nurses and doctors who tirelessly worked on healing soldiers from the battlefields in Europe as well as the local victims from the explosion of 1917 left an indelible mark on me.

It is the story of Nora who lost so much and her unconventional family in her sister's home and boarding house. It's the story of an unwanted pregnancy and the love that Nora has for her child and her nieces. In all cases neighbors and community come together to pull each other up during the very worst of times.

I highly recommend this book. Once again I learned much about this time period and place - the best of historical fiction!

WWI in Halifax N.S. Unforgettable story, you will cry as you read it?

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

I enjoy reading historical fiction and the premise of this one sounded interesting. It follows a disaster that I've never heard about before reading this book. In December 1917, in Halifax, two ships were entering the harbor around the same time and ultimately collided with one another. Unfortunately, one of the ships was carrying explosive material and exploded causing a mass casualty. This book follows this event and two women who experienced the event from different sides.

Nora is a nurse who is working at the hospital when the explosion happens and witnesses the extent of injuries from victims of the explosion. Nora at the same time also fears for her family who last she knew was at the pier at the time of the explosion. Nora has to find a way to be strong for her Niece at home while she tries to find out answers about her family. While working at the hospital, Nora befriends Neil who is a visiting doctor sent to help with the victims. Neil becomes a great friend and support system for Nora offering her help when she finds herself in an unprecedented situation for the time. Nora was a strong resilient character who has to make some difficult decisions.

Charlotte was on the pier with her baby daughter Aileen at the time of the explosion. When Charlotte wakes in the hospital injured, Aileen is nowhere to be found. Charlotte is determined to find her daughter, once released from the hospital Charlotte checks with every resource around town in hopes of finding her daughter safe. When Charlotte spots an ad in the paper describing a baby girl that was found after the explosion, she has every hope to believe she finally found her daughter. Desperate to make a new life for herself and Aileen, Charlotte moves to a new town for a fresh start.

When Nora and Charlotte's paths collide, revelations are discovered that once again changes these womens lives and each will have to make a difficult decision.

An enjoyable read that sheds light on a devastating disaster. A book that follows two women both facing difficult circumstances who both have to find the strength to survive.

When the World Fell Silent is a compelling read that will capture your attention from beginning to end.

The book is well written and researched about the Halifax explosion during WW1.

The explosion was castrophic, many lives were lost and the cost can never be calculated in monetary value.

I am Canadian and I love when a book takes place in Canada and I learn more about our history.

We meet to different women who tell their story.

Nora and Charlotte.

Both women faced devasting life changes after the explosion and face their own personal crisis in dealing with tragedy.

I cried for both, I cheered for both and I admired both ladies.

Donna Jones Alward takes the reader on a journey that you wont soon forget and I for one will think about Nora and Charlotte for a long time to come.

When The World Fell Silent will no doubt be a Book Club choice for many.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for a fascinating read.

This book made such an impression on me, I had not heard of the explosion that destroyed much of Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1917. It sparked my interest to find out more about it.
The book is beautifully written with empathy and heart, but does not shy away from the harsh and horrible aftermath. The descriptions of Charlotte, recently widowed and waking up badly injured in hospital, desperately seeking news of her baby Aileen, are heart rending, a mother’s worst nightmare.
The scene where Bluebird nurse Nora has to search hospital morgues in search of her missing family members, is beyond my imagining, and utterly heartbreaking.
This writer has such incredible imagination to describe these scenes, but does so with such heart, and emphasis on family love - I am in awe of her writing skills. Her research must have been lengthy and in depth, to write with so much detail.
The storyline bringing the two young women together in a surprising but not unexpected way, adds intrigue to the narrative.
The ripple effect on so many lives as a result are so well pinpointed, as is always the case with a tragedy of such proportions, but not all authors would have included them.
The narrative never flags, and I found myself reading late into the night, as I couldn’t tear myself away.
I have to mention the title, it is so fitting , it describes the aftermath of this horrific explosion perfectly, if chillingly.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. I will look for more of this author’s work, her talent is immense. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of the book "When the World Fell Silent" by Donna Jones Alward from NetGalley. The book starts in 1917 in Halifax Nova Scotia. The war is on in Europe. Nora is a Nurse helping at the Hospital. Her fiance is on his way to fight in the War. Charlotte is a young mother who has lost her husband to the War in Europe. She lives with her husband's family and has a baby daughter named Ailene. In early December a huge tragedy happens. Two ships on their way to Europe crash. One had explosives that ignite after a fire from the crash. It takes out a large part of a city and involves thousands of Humans who die or are badly injured. Nora works at one of the hospitals. she has a secret she has been keeping that won't last for long. Charlotte is badly injured and ends up at the hospital. her baby is missing. This book follows the two women over a year. Both women face the hardships of the accident. there are some tragic results because of the bombing and so many people are trying to deal with the aftermath. don't want to give spoilers. I had never heard of this part of history from 1917. found it interesting how the author took a real life event and put fictious characters in the book. I liked this book and found myself turning the pages to find out what happened to the characters.

I've read many historical fiction books but to be honest I usually steer clear of WWI & WW2 because they can be too "technical" which is hard for me to comprehend...if that makes sense. The description of this seemed like it read more like women's fiction based during WWI so I requested the advanced reader copy from NetGalley and I am so glad it was approved! It drew me in to the point that I thought of it when I wasn't able to read. I just couldn't wait to get back to it to see how the two story lines, the lives of Charlotte and Nora unfolded!

The story was well written. I was transformed to the Halifax explosion that I knew nothing about. The way she described the aftermath was so descriptive and chilling...and when Nora discovered her family in the morgue just wrecked me. She is a strong woman who endured so much but persevered.

The other story line is Charlotte. As I read I knew that the two story lines would eventually converge somehow, I just didn't know how. I was surprised how it finally came together.

I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed learning all the characters, seeing how their lives progress, how the story lines comes together and how it ends beautifully and hopeful.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I met Donna about a year and a half ago in Vancouver at a fabulous high tea & historical fiction book event for Janie Chang & Tara Moss. I liked her immediately and was charmed to learn that she was an author as well, though I hadn’t read her work. She told me she was working on a historical fiction novel set around the Halifax explosion of 1917 and I tucked that tidbit away for later. Flash forward to a couple of weeks ago when to my delight, Donna contacted me and sent me her finished book to read!

Donna, I absolutely loved your book. The depth of emotion you have poured into this gripping story had me crying at times and laughing with joy at other times. The Halifax explosion was a tragic and devastating event. It happened during WWI, our country already stretched so thin.

When the World Fell Silent follows Nora, a young Bluebird military nurse and Charlotte, a widowed young mother. The two women experience the explosion in such different ways and their lives cross in a surprising manner. I couldn’t put this book down and loved the ending so much.

Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read, and Canadian stories hold a dear place in my heart. I was born in Halifax, though I grew up in neighbouring PEI where my mom was born and raised. My mom was also a nurse! This book was so well written and I can’t wait to read more from Donna!

4.5 Stars. This well-researched historical novel about a tragic time in Halifax centres on the great Halifax Explosion and its aftermath, told through the lives of two women who survived. In December 1917, World War I was raging in Europe, and many local men were serving overseas, and some died there. Halifax Harbour served as the site where ships were destined for the war zone and where they returned with injured soldiers. Two ships collided, and one was carrying tons of explosives. Part of the city was flattened, 2000 died, and approximately 9000 were injured. Many were blinded by shattered glass. This was the most enormous man-made explosion until Hiroshima was bombed.

Nora lived at her sister's home. She was very close to her sister. Her sister's husband has been deployed overseas as a soldier, and they had two young children. Several boarders had rooms at the home. Nora wants more than her sister's life as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Nora became a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Nursing Corps and worked at Camp Hill Hospital, built to care for 300 wounded soldiers. Soon, the exhausted doctors and nurses were working day and night day and night to treat many victims of the explosion, and the other city hospitals were similarly overcrowded.

Nora's boyfriend was to depart for overseas, and after he left for the trenches, she discovered she was pregnant. This meant that she would be dismissed from the job she loved. Nora's sister died in the explosion, and her youngest child was presumed dead. Both their parents were killed. Nora is now acting as a mother to her young niece. The father of Nora's unborn child does not respond to her letters. Soon, there is news that her late sister's husband was killed in the war. Nora is trying to run the house, and her position at the hospital will not last once her pregnancy shows.

Charlotte, a war widow with a baby, received a severe leg injury in the blast, and when she regained consciousness, her beloved baby was missing. She was living with her dead husband's family, who treated her as a servant. Her husband's family died in the explosion, and a teenage girl in the home was blinded. She was treated in hospital, and before her leg was fully healed, she was out desperately searching hospitals and morgues for her baby. She is now staying at the home of an old friend.

Charlotte had almost abandoned hope when she saw an ad posted by the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, 100 miles from Halifax, that they had an unknown baby matching her child's description. The child had been moved there following the disaster ( I was born at that hospital). Charlotte travels to New Glasgow and is overjoyed to bring her baby home, but soon becomes uneasy about her decision. There was a gruesome scene of a New Glasgow optical surgeon with a bucketful of eyeballs in a Halifax hospital based on an actual scene. Ships returning to port with wounded soldiers were suspected of bringing the deadly Spanish flu to Canada.

This is a compelling and emotional story based on actual people and events. It is an account of profound grief, loss, love of family and friends, frantic decisions after trauma, heartbreak and hope. Help came from all over the province and elsewhere in Canada. Boston sent an entire medical team. A snowstorm followed the explosion, delaying some assistance from reaching Halifax.

The stories told through Nora and Charlotte's thoughts, feelings, and actions emphasize what the aftermath must have been like for survivors. It is now thought that many suffered from PTSD. I had read many non-fiction books about the Halifax Explosion, but this fictional account had a more overwhelming emotional impact. Nora and Charlotte's lives connect in a sad and surprising manner.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this much-appreciated advance copy. The book is due to be published on July 19th.

Wow! ‘When the World Fell Silent’ by Donna Jones Alward truly wrecked me. I started it late in the evening, after finishing a Regency romance, because I wanted something different. I had only planned on reading a few chapters, but the next thing I knew I was 67% through the book. I could not stop reading! I had to know what happened next for Nora and Charlotte and their friends and families. Who survived? Who didn’t? Would the missing ever be found? I was familiar with the Halifax explosion before this, but this book made the devastation feel so much more real. The loss of life was horrific, as were the countless injuries that Nora encountered during her work in the hours after the disaster.

The story is divided between two different women: Nora and Charlotte. Both have their own unique lives and both face devastating losses in the hours and days after the explosion. I did prefer Nora’s chapters, but that’s only because Charlotte’s baby made me think too much about what it would be like for me and my 1-year-old in that situation. Simply as the reader, I was exhausted just reading about the experiences these women went through! There’s so much that I want to talk about, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

The writing style of When the World Fell Silent is truly beautiful. Alward pulls you in and transports you to Halifax. There were moments when I couldn’t breathe because I was so caught up in Nora’s work as a nurse or Charotte’s desperate search for Aileen. The importance of family – found or born into – is made so clear throughout both women’s journeys. I genuinely cannot say enough good things about this book. In fact, I loved it so much that upon finishing, I immediately pre-ordered a copy for the book nook I created for my office building.

Needless to say, I will be reading more by the author again. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and Donna Jones Alward for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Donna Jones Alward’s novel set in 1917 Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a poignant tale of loss, hope, and redemption. It follows the intersecting lives of two women during the turbulence of World War I. Nora Crowell, determined to avoid the traditional path of wife and mother, becomes a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Nursing Corps. Meanwhile, Charlotte Campbell, a war widow living under the disdain of her in-laws, finds solace in her daughter, Aileen, and dreams of a better life.

Their lives converge following a tragic event in Halifax Harbour, leading to a story filled with heartbreak and unexpected joy. Alward’s work is praised for its meticulous historical detail, nuanced characters, and emotionally charged narrative. Critics acclaim it as a compelling and unforgettable tale, blending historical accuracy with deeply human stories of sacrifice and second chances.

Readers can expect a richly atmospheric novel that captures both the era’s authenticity and the resilient spirit of its characters.

This is a beautifully written novel set in Nova Scotia toward the end of WW1, built on the true story of a disaster in Halifax Harbour.. Over the course of a year, a single military nurse loses almost everything and everyone dear to her, but in the process, she learns her own strength and she learns that love is not at all like she imagined it would be.

I loved everything about this book. The characters speak and behave in believable ways; they grow and learn much about themselves. The description of the aftermath of the disaster is compelling. It all comes together with a somewhat unexpected, but beautifully hopeful, ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.