When Stars Light the Sky sucked me in from the very first chapter and I’m pretty sure I fell for Benedict before Inga did. I loved the way the two main characters were complete opposites but throughout their story arc you could see the way their personalities balanced each other out. I also loved the inclusion of the “marriage of convenience” trope, especially set during this historical time period. I learned a lot about diplomacy and international relations during WW1.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a substantive historical fiction novel with a healthy dose of romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an electronic copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.

The amount of sleep lost while reading this unputdownable book was well worth it! I was completely blown away by Elizabeth Camden's When Stars Light the Sky, book two in The Women of Midtown series.

This fascinating story is centered on Inga Klein, a young professional, and Benedict Kincaid the chief of staff of the diplomatic team that works with the American ambassador to Germany. After moving from Germany to the U.S. with her parents, Inga has grown to call New York her home. When given the opportunity to advance her career as a secretary to the American ambassador to Germany, Inga hesitantly accepts only to return the kindness shown to her by the wealthy Gerard family (the ambassador and his wife). Her new position proves to be challenging working alongside a cantankerous chief of staff, Benedict Kincaid. As geopolitical tensions arise between neutral countries and Germany, a marriage of convenience becomes her only option to escape out of the country, but can Inga keep up this pretense with a man whom is her polar opposite to get back home to New York or will she be stuck behind enemy lines in Germany?

I have a strong interest in events surrounding WWI and enjoyed the historical references to the role of the United States before their involvement in The Great War and the hardworking diplomats working to keep the peace between the nations. Elizabeth Camden peeled back the curtain to show readers a glimpse of life (professional and personal) in the American Embassy abroad. The involvement of the Gerard family and the politics of the era made for an interesting backdrop.

The romantic storyline was what I most enjoyed. The opposites attract and marriage of convenience made this book addicting. Inga is sweet, thoughtful, and lights up any room, whereas Benedict is known as a wet blanket. The push and pull tension between the two main characters kept me on the edge of my seat. I read this book in one evening and well into the next morning but did not regret losing sleep. This book was perfectly paced and also made mention of characters from the first book. The book did well as a standalone and is a perfect novel to read for fans of WWI historical fiction or historical romance. There are tiny sprinkles of faith throughout the book as the main characters mentioned their faith in God and made references to passages in the Bible.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary, and all thoughts are my own.

Thank you Bethany House and Netgalley for this arc.

I enjoyed chatty, friendly, upbeat Inga. So many heroines in inspirational books – or maybe it’s just in the ones I’ve read – are quiet and not as flirty but Inga draws men like bees to honey and enjoys it. She’s not ready to be married at all! Inga is intelligent although her father denigrated education for her and she grabs any opportunity to learn and advance in a new profession with a future as she saw what happened to her shoemaker father in a dying one. Yay that it is a friend urging her to take this job in Berlin because it’s hard and will challenge her that gets her to finally agree.

Benedict is a taskmaster because that’s what is needed to run an embassy, especially now that things are heating up, and because it’s what he knows how to do. Raised without siblings and to travel with his widowed father, Benedict thrives in diplomatic circles. He can see upcoming issues and smooth them over, can talk to other diplomats in tense situations without raising hackles – watching Gerard stick his foot in his mouth and stomp all over niceties with a nation the US doesn’t want to go to war with, makes Benedict seethe.

So of course Benedict and Inga get tossed together a lot. Things are not smooth sailing for them as Inga has never been in a situation like this and needs to have some things explained to her. As Benedict wants the US diplomatic corps to remain neutral, he has to spell out to her what she can and can’t do when even the littlest thing could upset the diplomatic apple cart. The tension of their situation, as they represent US interests and also try to attend to those of some of the warring nations who obviously have no representatives in Berlin, is there – simmering under the surface. They even have to be wary of their fellow neutral nations as Inga discovers. It’s this incident that shows Inga that Benedict can be kind in the face of a mistake for Reasons.

Still it takes a bit more time for these two to get to know each other and for a while Inga remains “aggressively cheerful” when Benedict enters a room while he continues to sometimes nitpick her actions. The reason for the marriage of convenience is an unusual one. Inga needs an ironclad way out of Germany after the Lusitania is sunk. When war doesn’t break out, it’s due to Benedict needing to preserve his diplomatic “face” because of the way his first marriage tanked that causes them to stay together. This is definitely a slow burn romance with no insta-love. Rather it’s one with two people truly getting to know, admire, and love each other.

What brings down my grade is how wishy-washy Inga is about will they-won’t they. She does have genuine reasons why she thinks that their marriage won’t work in the long term. But then she dithers and dithers and dithers in making up her mind. Things are somewhat buoyed back up almost to A level by how things ultimately end up. It is refreshing to see how things are worked out. Can’t wait for the next one. B+

I loved this book. It covered a different perspective than any I've read before about WW1, that of being an ambassador or diplomat. I knew in general terms what they did but it was fascinating learning more about it and seeing them in action trying to prevent America's involvement in WW1. I have a bigger appreciation for the role they play in the world now.

I enjoyed Inga and Benedict's interactions. Inga is light and laughter while Benedict is all austerity and seriousness. She's not afraid to tease him and he gives back. It was a lot of fun seeing them come to appreciate each other.

This is a book that makes you want to read just a little longer. lt was hard putting it down. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story! Not only was it interesting to learn about World War 1 from the perspective of those at the American Embassy in Germany, the story of opposites-attract was done fantastically. Inga, the main characters, grew so much in this story. It was neat to see her fun and vivaciousness never go away, even with the threat of war. Even with her optimistic personality, I could empathize with her turmoil as she kept putting off a life-altering decision. The ending was wonderful, unexpected, and it was nice to see characters from the first book in the series make an appearance.

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

This epic story is a historical masterpiece. Though fiction, the author has taken a snapshot of the time right before WWI giving the reader an in-depth look at the behind the scenes events that led to war.

I loved Inga, a German born immigrant who works as a wireless operator in New York City, spending her free days with friends from the Martha Washington and flirting with the handsome young men who are drawn to her exuberant smile. She really begins to shine when she goes to Berlin as secretary to the ambassador.

Benedict is a character written in a way that made me want to peel back the layers and get to know the real man. First as a stiff diplomat with rigid rules and expectations, and then as a man of deep compassion, honor, and desire for peace. He believes that Inga has no place at the embassy due to her German heritage, yet he is drawn to her optimism and innate intelligence.

The side characters were written in a way that transported me right through the doors of Astor House into the camaraderie and idiosyncrasies of each individual. I loved the different personalities that somehow blended into a close knit group.

As they worked together I was carried away by the atmosphere and the balance necessary to walk the thin line between strength and diplomacy. I learned things about this time in history I didn’t know before, and was reminded of the resiliency God gives to us in times of great troubles.

I highly recommend this book given to me courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion.

I loved this story by master storyteller Elizabeth Camden! I spent all day reading and loved every minute of this excellent, captivating story!

Inga Klein enjoys her job, dating, and living with girlfriends at the Martha Washington, and loves her life in New York. She came to America as a child with her parents from Germany. Her life changes drastically when Ambassador James Gerards asks her to accompany him and his wife, Mrs Mary Gerards to the American Embassy in Berlin to act as his secretary. He needs someone he can trust to help him, and she excels at typing, shorthand, how to use a wireless, and she knows German.

I loved the inside look at American Embassy life in Berlin just before WWI and how hard Benedict Kincaid, chief diplomatic counselor, and Ambassador Gerards worked to help President Wilson keep the USA out of the war.

Benedict Kincaid is considered a strict, straight-laced, wet blanket, but very good at his job. He is reading through the entire set of the Encyclopedia Britannica for fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the sparring between Inga and Benedict. "She remained aggressively cheerful whenever he entered a room, which seemed to irritate him because Benedict couldn't help being a wet blanket."

"When Stars Light the Sky" is an absolutely sweet romance, opposites attract, marriage of convenience, interesting, bittersweet, historical tale that kept me turning pages. I highly recommend it for lovers of historical fiction and historical romance.

The author writes "When Stars Light the Sky is one of the most powerful and charming love stories I’ve ever written." I wholeheartedly agree!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

A terrific read full of interesting history, unique characters, and a heart-tugging romance.
The story begins in 1914, just as the tensions rise between nations, and the American Embassy staff in Germany is caught in the middle, working hard to hold back the tides of war.

This well-written, perfectly paced story held my interest from beginning to end. It showed how precarious relations between heads of nations can be, and how important the role diplomats play in peace keeping. The author includes real people and events leading into WWI, and some of the reasons for America's involvement.

Loved how Inga and Benedict bantered back and forth, starting with some animosity on his part, to mutual respect, to a slow burn romance. Their friendship to something more was believable given the circumstances, and well done. Absolutely loved the ending! Romance fans will enjoy this one.
Highly recommend to fans of historical reads with romance. Probably better for young adults and up.
5 stars

(An ebook was provided via NetGalley and LibraryThing. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Just finished this amazing book! I simply couldn’t put it down.
So much going on in this story that kept me turning the pages.
Lots of wonderful characters and the plot oh my.
I loved Inga. I loved how she never let life get her down. I think she’s a woman before her time.
Benedict lol he’s a hard one to get to know but once you do wow!
I enjoyed their banter and light hearted fun in a dark world that’s about to get darker for them.
I ended up learning a lot about the first war from this story.
It is based on a real person and I thought the author did a great job in bringing him to life.
His wife seemed like a sweet lady and i definitely enjoyed in getting to know her.
5 stars from me for a fantastic journey about finding some light even in the hardest of times.
I highly recommend this wonderful author for her amazing research into the past and for bringing it to life.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I absolutely LOVED this book!!
I have long been a fan of Elizabeth Camden’s historical fiction set in Gilded Age America, but feared she was changing genres after seeing her most recent book, which was contemporary fiction. I enjoyed it but it just didn’t live up to her usual excellence, at least to me.

I love a good marriage of convenience story, which this book contains. The author did a great job of wrapping up the story in a realistic manner. Look forward to suggesting this one to my book club in 2925!,

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review five stars!!

Great book! The story was compelling and I enjoyed seeing how the characters slowly developed their relationship and changed from one of antagonism to support. The love story was a nice contrast to the war time setting. It was also cool to learn so much about what it was like to live as an American in Berlin during the onset and progression of WWI.

I see the book is categorized as Christian fiction, which is accurate, but I think people who aren't religious would also like this book. There are religious elements, but it isn't preachy, which I really appreciate as a non-religious person.

Wow! This was a great story! If you love WWI era and marriage of convenience, then trust me, you will want to read this book! I don’t think I’ve ever read a WWI book set in Germany and it was very interesting. Inga goes to Germany as the secretary for America’s ambassador. Benedict is also at the US embassy in Germany, as the diplomatic chief of staff. They don’t get along that well. But they work hard to try to keep America out of the war and help people. Situations arise where they must marry and I really loved how this was handled. I loved watching them work together and also their relationship grow. Just a fantastic book and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I loved getting to be immersed in the world of diplomacy and enjoyed every moment of being at the American Embassy in Berlin with Inga and Benedict. The impact of diplomatic relations and its role in staving off conflict and brokering between nations at odds with one another was utterly fascinating. I couldn't have asked for a more engaging story that balanced the western world at the brink of war and the turmoil of opposite personalities clearly being attracted to one another. This was probably one of the more memorable marriages of convenience I've read where the relationship was just as much a meeting of the minds along with physical attraction.

Benedict and Inga are characters who leap off the pages, and their conversations are intellectually satisfying as they reference the Bible and the church. I appreciate that both of them do their best to protect the other person, which points to their loving selflessness in their actions. Overall, the book focuses heavily on the rapidly progressing movements toward war, providing a glimpse into life before the Great War. Readers who enjoy Camden's rich historical details will find themselves engrossed by life in the embassy and in Inga and Benedict's unconventional yet charming relationship where navigating the nuanced layers of cleverness and discretion in negotiations took on multiple meanings.

This is the second book in Ms. Camden's "Women of Midtown" series, and it is excellent, indeed.
It does incorporate some of the well-known romance tropes, "opposites attract", "marriage of convenience", "grumpy/sunshine", etc. but it is much more. It highlights the little-known efforts of American diplomats in Germany from 1914 - 1917, when the US was a neutral power and desperately trying to stay out of WWI and broker a peace. Although ultimately unable to do this, the US was able to negotiate prisoner swaps, expedite aid shipments and other things before being drawn to declare war on Germany. Inga, a German-American woman, and Benedict, a career diplomat, both have huge stakes in the outcome, which in the end allows them to see past their differences in temperament and background and build a solid relationship. It's a well written, informative, emotional and satisfying story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The second in the Women of Midtown series is a realistic story set in Berlin during WWI. Readers will enjoy the differences between the main characters, Inga and Benedict. The story is filled with an assortment of interesting people as Ambassador Gerard tries to manage diplomacy during this trying time. This well researched book is a great book for historical fiction readers and can be read as a standalone. Highly recommended!

When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden is an absorbing historical romance novel that immerses readers in the early days of WWI from Berlin.

Inga Klein is beautiful, perpetually cheerful and a bit of a flirt. She often refers to herself as stupid, something Benedict Kindcaid, a rather dour, yet handsome chief of staff in the American Embassy, would disagree with.

While both characters immediately butt heads, it is their commitment to their jobs that makes their relationship intriguing as the author weaves a tale of intrigue, romance and danger.

The author has done her research of the era and immerses the reader so well that it reads like a movie. In fact, I would pay to see this should it ever go to the screen. It’s that good!

The supporting cast is filled with a wide range of interesting characters. From Larry, a hypochondriac, to Mr. Gerard, the Ambassador to Berlin, who mostly is good-natured, but also a hot-head. It is his tendency to say whatever he wants (aka not be diplomatic) that makes Benedict’s job harder than it should be.

Inga, for her part, is an accomplished secretary with valuable skills. Unfortunately, her knowledge of how the various embassies work during war creates a crisis or two. And even more dire is her German heritage. While she grew up in America, she never took her citizenship test and while tensions increase in Germany, her life is in danger of never being allowed to leave. Or worse, being labelled a spy.

When Stars Light the Sky is a character driven marriage of convenience story that will keep you reading until the wee hours of the morning. Fans of Sarah Sundin will appreciate the historic detail and research this author offers. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for my honest review.

This brilliantly crafted book by Elizabeth Camden set in the years immediately before and during WW1 held my attention from beginning to end. The history of relations between Germany and the USA, a neutral country in the first two years of World War 1 is not often the subject of published books either before or during WW1. Set in the American Embassy in Berlin, the dialogue between the two principal protagonists - ambassadors secretary Inga and diplomatic chief Benedict - make this historical novel a classic and very hard to put it down. Also, the characters of the staff in the Embassy in Germany are equally delightful. The book is well researched. I fully recommend it.

I am an Early Reviewer for LibraryThing and received this book for an honest review. I award it 4 stars.

I read an ARC from NetGalley. Excellent book. Smooth writing with a very unique perspective and plot. I’m going to remember the characters and plot well into the new year. I think this book is one of the best I’ve read all year. I loved learning about an ambassador’s role and their varied duties. The main character Inga is a protagonist with a heaping measure of heart, talent and charm. Benedict is portrayed vividly and to the reader he is equal parts intelligent, thoughtful, determined, ambitious and annoying. The conclusion is just what the reader hoped for but I never saw the plot resolving the way it did. A delightful surprise.

I absolutely loved this read, the author grabbed me and didn't let go.
This is a WWI story, and the story of a young women who is an immigrant from Germany, and ends up being back there when the hostility breaks out. Inga is back as a favor to the new Ambassador to Germany, a man and woman whom have been there during her life.
Also in the diplomat group is Benedict, a man that cringes at the goofs made by the Ambassador, and now he has a new thorn in his side in Inga.
As hostilities get closer to drawing the United States into the conflict, Inga and Benedict have to draw closer, and we are there for the happenings, not what I expected!
We are given a bit of sweet romance, some hard times, and a lot of danger!
I am now looking forward to the next book in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revel, and was not required to give a positive review.

Overall this was quite a good read! Elizabeth Camden is quite a talented author, and does well here at creating compelling characters and storyline (and I can't get enough of that cover). WWI and all its intricacies came to life vividly on the page, and I realized how little I knew about America's belated entry into the war and its precipitants.

Elements of the read weren't really my jam--notably, Inga's and Benedict's finding things "sexy" about each other; the adjective got overused imho, though perhaps it was just part of the nature of this particular trope--a marriage of convenience that becomes more. I'm as romantic as the next person, but if nothing else, the editor in me would have liked to see some more varied word choices used. That aside, the read was engaging and informative, and my quibble didn't prove annoying enough to stop reading!

I'm looking forward to the next installment of the series.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.