I have been delighted by the Electra McDonnell books, featuring amateur sleuth/spy Electra "Ellie" McDonnell and Major Gabriel Ramsey, and am sad that the series is ending with this book. For readers who haven't read any of these books yet, they are a perfect mix of cozy mystery, WWII historical fiction, and closed door romance. I think others who enjoy the "grumpy/sunshine trope" would enjoy these books. Ellie is spirited and sassy at times, while Ramsey is more aloof and disapproving at times. In general, these books are "light" reading and I found the fifth book particularly indulgent. As other reviewers have mentioned, this one felt like a bit of a gift for longtime readers.

As usual, the sexual/romantic tension is well drawn. There is a lot of jaw clenching (him) and blushing (her). I really appreciate the author's illustrating the character arc/growth: Ellie is a bit more unsure in this book due to the events at the end of book #4. Ramsey is also in less of a commanding officer role in this book due to the nature of the mission featured. A drawback of this is that there is less of the sparkling repartee and lighthearted banter between our two main characters. However, it was fun to spend some time with the secondary character Archie, who is mischievious and brings some of the lightheartedness of prior books. I appreciated the "easter eggs" in this book for longtime readers of the series, calling back to memories and characters from prior books. The setting in early 1940s Portugal is interesting and unusual.

While I absolutely loved this book, I have a few minor complaints. The mysteries didn't always make sense and I'm not sure the plot line would hold up to close scrutiny. Here's an example of what I mean: they do a lot of "acting" in the hotel to keep up appearances but then meet in the lobby in their "spy garb," seeming unconcerned that the enemy knows about the location. I was not sure why the book featured such a high body count... to show the harsh reality of war? To give the characters a chance to show their caring and protectiveness in a dangerous situation? It felt a bit unnecessary to me. The reconciliation felt a bit rushed and I would have enjoyed reading a longer denouement.

The story is ultimately a love story. This book finally capitalizes on the slow burn set up in earlier books and it was SO GOOD (albeit too short). I am very sad that the series is done and will be in withdrawal and thinking about this series for some time.

Thanks to Ashley Weaver, Netgalley, and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Cannot say enough about this book. I have loved every book in this series but this story is a whole new level of love. I have reread my favorite parts too many times to count. I cannot get enough of Major Ramsey and Electra.

Five stars to my highly anticipated book of the year! This swoon worthy WWII historical fiction novel is equal parts romance, danger, and espionage.

Following Ellie McDonnell’s dismissal from Major Ramsey, Ellie is heartbroken and sent off to Lisbon on a secret mission to find her missing cousin Tobey. Accompanied by agent Archie Blandings, who introduces her to the beauty of Lisbon, Ellie soon finds that the charming city is more dangerous than it seems. To complicate things more, her world comes to a halt when her ex-lover joins the operation. With tensions high between Electra and Gabriel Ramsey, can Ellie set aside her emotions to focus on the task at hand? As danger lurks around every corner, Ellie must work with a man she once loved in a harrowing mission to save her family.

After finishing the final installment in the series, I can honestly say that it is my most favorite book and will stay with me for a very long time. I instantly began reading this book again after finishing it. I loved the chemistry, the danger, and how Ashley Weaver tied up all loose ends. This was a beautiful series, but this book in particular was so unputdownable. I’m so sad that it is finished. What a wonderful series. Well done, Ashley Weaver!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.

Trigger warnings: violence, death, closed door romance, war.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I will not re-write the synopsis as that is readily available. Overall, I enjoyed this final book in the series though I am disappointed that it will be the last one. The author wraps every storyline up very neatly by the end and that is my only complaint – two of the stories were wrapped up very quickly. The mystery surrounding Ellie’s parents was explained in just a few pages towards the end of the book. It made me wonder if there had originally been another book planned as I still have questions – mostly details as the larger picture was clear.

Felix’s story also had a rushed ending, I felt. I had forgotten that he was going to France, and he shows up at the end of the book to quickly recap that adventure (and outline his future).

The story takes place mostly in Portugal and that was fun. The descriptions and adventures there were interesting and not a usual setting for WWII mysteries. Ellie’s interest in her surroundings and excitement at being in a foreign place were enjoyable. There were a couple contrived situations to make Major Ramsey jealous which were a bit over the top but moved quickly. They were both quite angsty and there were, of course, some misunderstandings and miscommunications but it all works out. There were a couple of twists at the end that were unexpected but not too shocking. And there were happy endings all around.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! What a wonderful end to such a delightful series! You had to suspend your disbelief more so in this one than any of the others, but that allowed the story to take on a fun adventure with good humor. Electra continues to be one of my favorite FMCs, and the slow burn tension throughout the series had the best pay off. I'll miss everyone--Ellie, Ramsey, Uncle Mick, Nacy, Felix, etc. etc...maybe even Kimble!

Super excited to go back and read Ashley Weaver's first series now!

A very satisfying ending to what has been an excellent series. Weaver deftly blends drama, mystery and romance but never glosses over the cold realities of wartime Europe. Can't wait to see what she does next!

MY GOODNESS. This series owns my heart, and I fear there is no hope of getting it back. To say goodbye to Ellie, Major Ramsey, and all the endearing side characters is so bittersweet. As the last book in the series, One Final Turn is everything I hoped for and more. Set in 1940s Britain, this WWII story is brimming with mystery, danger, and espionage. And of course, ROMANTIC TENSION.

While this series is not necessarily a romance, the tension that exists between Ellie and Major Ramsey is palpable. The agonizing slow burn drove me mad in the best possible way! They have such an amazing dynamic. With her spunky, strong-will and his strait-laced stoicism, they are truly well-matched! Though the pair is on rocky ground at the start, the road to reconciliation is well worth the wait. After the endless angst and denial of feelings, it is so satisfying when their relationship finally reaches a beautiful crescendo as the series comes to a close! If you were restless for more romance in the previous books, fear not. There is an ample amount in this story, and it is SO GOOD.

Apart from the romance, this story has many other exciting elements. For the most part, this series lacks the overt heaviness so often found in WWII stories. Instead, it has more of a daring and adventurous vibe, with a dash of wit and whimsy. As Ellie continues safecracking on the right side of the law, she is enlisted to travel to Lisbon with Major Ramsey and Captain Blandings (the clever, cheeky match-maker!) to help uncover an escape route network for prisoners of war. She also continues her amateur sleuthing in hopes of uncovering the mysteries behind her parent’s untimely deaths and questionable war-alliances.

One Final Turn may be my favorite book in the series. It could be because the characters have become like old friends. Or maybe it’s because closure is provided for the many open-ended questions and unresolved relationships. My heart was truly invested in this series, and Ashley Weaver delivered a finale that is tender, poignant, and exhilarating. Trust me, this series is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. I’m still pinching myself that I was given the opportunity to read this early!

World War II novel involving a safe cracker turned spy!

January 1941: Things are looking bleak for England in the early stages of the War. The US is still sitting on the side lines, and the people of London are having to deal with bombing and rationing.

Electra ‘Ellie’ McDonnell had been working as a spy under Major Ramsey, a British military intelligence officer until he dismissed her – she’d broken a promise at the end of the last book, just as she realized she was in love with him. This book opens with her working under Captain Blandings, alongside Major Ramsey (in other words, Blandings is in charge, and thus recruited Elie, not Ramsey who still hasn’t forgiven her it seems). They are in Lisbon – so no bombings, rationing, or fridged cold weather – trying to locate some British soldiers who were captured at Dunkirk and managed to escape. One of those soldiers is Ellie’s cousin, Toby; he has knowledge of the escape route which would be valuable to British intelligence. Ellie has been recruited because of safecracking skills and because she’s a familiar face that Toby is likely to trust.

First, while I think this book could be a standalone (especially if you like historical novels with strong female characters), there’s so much back story in the previous books that I recommend reading those first – seeing Ellie’s feelings grow for Ramsey, for example, or understanding the strong connection Ellie has for her cousin Toby. I felt the characters were very strong and complex – I kept wanting to tell Ellie to wait a few more months and then the US enters the War as if she was a real person. My only complaint is how quickly the side plot about Ellie’s parents was tied up as I expected it to take longer. And while I’m happy with how the book leaves the characters, I’m sad that this is the last book.

Highly recommended. I received a copy of this from netGalley.com that I voluntarily reviewed.

I have been an avid follower of this series all along, and the final installment does not disappoint. I think of this in my head as "World war 2 Lite" -- we know Ellie will be ok in the end, and there will be various war-time challenges that play precisely into her skill-set of picking locks and cracking safes. The spycraft feels pretty elementary - a lot of meeting in cafes and getting names and a footprint here and some invisible ink there. And I've never seen the compatriots on a mission stop to chat & explain what's going on so many times and at such length -- all while under fire on a rocky slope in the dark -(in the mission to spring the prisoners from the old castle).

All of that said, I still really just ENJOYED this series particularly the slow burn between Ellie and Major Ramsey, and all of their tension & adventures together. This book continues that and will satisfy readers awaiting the final culmination of their relationship... the additional characters like Archie and Ellie's cousins are entertaining, and mildly fleshed out, but perhaps could be more so -- who knows, maybe we'll see a spin-off about some of them -- I would read it!

A satisfying conclusion to the series and I also applaud an author who makes a series of JUST the right length - it went on the exact right amount of pages & books -- there was tension, anticipation, adventure and romance but it didn't drag on TOO long or get too repetitive - and here in the final installment, we got one more visit with all our favourite characters and storylines, and all the loose ends are tidily wrapped up.

One Final Turn is the last book in a series by Ashley Weaver. I was so very sorry to see the series end as it and charming and entertaining. It follows Ellie McDonnell and her family of safe crackers doing legal and some not so legal jobs.
This book Takes Ellie to Portugal where she gets involved in espionage to save her cousin who has been missing since the Battle of Dunkirk.. This book can be read as a stand alone as the author gives you enough background to keep your interest and not feel lost
It was a wonderful ending to an enjoyable series

What a great ending to a great series! I loved Electra through the whole series and really appreciated her family mystery that follows through each of the books. As much as I loved the series I'm glad it's ending on a high instead of dragging out.

I love this series and was so excited to read this fifth and final book. But I am so sad that it's over!!!

It started out a little slow for the first 25% or so, picked up from there, and by the halfway point I could not put it down! (The number of times I texted my best friend "AHHH" out of joy, anticipation, nervousness, and more while reading is proof enough). It was fun to travel with Ellie & Ramsey and friends to a new place for this one, giving it a different feel from the previous books set in England. Even though I missed some of the secondary characters from the earlier books having less prominent roles this time, there were great supporting characters in this book (Archie!).

My one qualm was that one of the series-long plot lines (that has been so well done up until this point; not so prominent that it takes over the series, but still very intriguing and well integrated into the other aspects of the stories) felt very rushed. It honestly could have been another whole book, but got wrapped up very neatly and quickly in the last 30 pages or so.

As I've come to expect from this series, it kept me wanting more! I was thrilled with much of the resolution to the open story threads and relationships, but hate to see it end here. Seems like there could be so many more adventures to come for this pair, and their friends, family, the cousins! I will be needing another re-read of the series very soon to help console my grief over it ending. This series continues to be in my top 3 and is a must read in my opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press|Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book.

This book was amazing as a historical fiction lover. It's the 5th and final book of Electra McDonell Series - however, I started reading it not realizing that it was actually the 5th book and was a bit confused. I went back and read a synopsis and reviews of each of the previous books because there was NO way I could put this one down. I managed to understand, but I KNOW it would be so much better if I'd read all 4 in the right order. I'm now planning on going back and reading all 5 together at once to get the full story. I loved the historical elements, the romance, the found family... it had everything. Ashley Weaver's writing is beautiful, and although I read it all out of order, I found myself so sad when I turned the last page because it was so bittersweet.

I can't wait to see what else Weaver has in store in the future, as she brilliantly connects us to the past!

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this eARC!

This delivered in every way and was the perfect conclusion to Ellie’s story. Great spy elements combined with a slow burn romance which delivers allll the build up.

I loved this book, this whole series so much! I really enjoyed this final installment to the Electra McDonnell series. Book 4 left me feeling down as everything came crashing down for Electra, and I was so relieved that she got her happy ending. I also appreciate that we got all our answers by the end of the series. I originally listened to the first four books on Hoopla, and I enjoyed it so much that I’ll be purchasing physical copies of all of them to keep on my bookshelf and reread. Thank you so much for the advance copy to read and review.

I'm not crying, you're crying! I can't believe this series is over.

I had such high hopes going into this final novel and Ashley Weaver did not disappoint. We pick up where Book 4 ends, with Electra embarking on a new chapter of her career, independent (sort of) of Major Ramsey. But, of course, these two can't seem to stay apart for long (nor do we want them to). Soon enough, they're running headlong into a new adventure together, with the lives of many on the line. This time, Electra is determined to finally discover what happened to her cousin Toby and, hopefully, bring down a spy or two in the process.

While I wish there was more to come, I was satisfied with the way the author wrapped things up. We get our closure and that will have to be enough.

The last book in the Electra McDonnell series was very satisfying, if not a little bittersweet too. The plot was fantastic and suspenseful enough that I ended up reading it in one sitting. Ashley Weaver wrapped up the series very nicely and made it an enjoyable and exciting trip to Portugal.

Note: I received an advanced copy through NetGalley.

Starting off this read, I had been grieving the end of this series, which has quickly become a top-5 series for me. Book 4 left me worried how Ashley Weaver would conclude Ellie and Ramsey's story satisfyingly. And she did not disappoint. (But I'm still sad it's over!)

This last book in the series introduced a new semi-main character and we saw less of the staples of the previous books. But what a fun ride in this last job in Lisbon! The book was fast-paced and wrapped up series-long plots (one, however, I will say was a little rushed at the end to close out and I had been anticipating that plot hole getting closed a bit more satisfyingly).

All in all, it was a beautiful end to a beautiful and fun series. Loved each of the characters--Ellie's spunk and Ramsey's austere manner. And Archie's cheek! Definitely worth the read (and multiple re-reads!).

One Final Turn is the 5th and final book of Electra McDonell Series.
Ellie McDonnell is about to embark on her most perilous mission go to Lisbon, Portugal to save her beloved cousin Toby who has reportedly escaped from a German prisoner of war camp. I Beautiful and dangerous city Lisbon, Elli, Archie and Ramsey had a such journey. They have to bid the German to find their man, they must be smart and make right decisions. Elli is also facing her love of life, and how is she going to handle the situation.
I Love everything about this book . the series complete perfectly.
Thanks to Netgalley early released this ARC to us. after the 4th book, I can't waiting no more to find the answer. I am happy now.

6 stars

I have loved this series from the first page of A Peculiar Combination, so reading the last page of One Final Turn was so bittersweet. Electra "Ellie" McDonnell and Major Gabriel Ramsey's story concludes, and storylines for Ellie's friends and family are all left in a satisfying place. This series has been a fun and memorable twist on the popular WWII genre fiction. The tension between the main characters is complicated by the not-quite-legal activities of the McDonnell clan in contrast with the straight-laced, no-shades-of-gray worldview of Major Ramsey. This has created a great, ongoing conflict between the two, against a backdrop of espionage, safecracking, and more. I will miss Ellie and Ramsey, Uncle Mick, Nacy, and all the supporting characters. I hope that sometime in the future, there will be an opportunity to revisit Ellie and Ramsey in another caper.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of #OneFinalTurn.