A hauntingly beautiful coming of age novel interwoven with the outbreak of World War Two. Kate is the middle child with all the middle child's angst. She wants to leave home and try her wings, but feels hemmed in by situations and circumstances. She has a cat and dog relationship with her mother (don't many of us), but is a dutiful daughter.

Kate has one gift: she can sing. She longs for a musical career on the stage but feels that's not possible because of a certain mega handicap.

As the novel progresses, you see Kate grow and evolve, make decisions that will affect her life instead of just drifting along, being the obedient, dutiful daughter, pleasing everyone, while denying herself.

Her mother too grows and evolves from a scared, nervous, weepy wreck who falls apart at every change, to a woman who gets stronger and is able to handle change, the Blitz and war far better than before.

Kate goes through the Blitz, the CORB evacuations, being torpedoed at sea and much, much more until finally, she emerges from her chrysalis ready to fly away and experience life for herself on her terms.

For further details, read the novel. It's fast paced and captures your interest right away. I loved it and finished it in one day because I didn't want to put it down. The author is a new one and certainly one I will look out for, if this is her style andvv standard of writing.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @SheWritesPress for a copy to read. I loved it. This review is written without any favour or pressure and expresses my personal opinions.

Kate’s War” by Linda Stewart Henley, looks at the war years (WW2) through the eyes of 20 year old Kate Murphy. It is well written and draws the reader into her world. At the start of the novel she is working part-time as a music teacher and we see the importance of her singing through the discussions of the importance of singing and music for keeping up morale. Equally there is exploration of what it means to be at war. As the war progresses, Kate finds herself taking more and more responsibility. She shows resilience in the face of adversities.

I enjoyed reading this captivating book. The author has a way with words, which transport the reader into the heart of the situations she is dealing with. If you like to read about adversity and how people rise above them and learn from them, then look no further, this is your next read.
Thank you to Linda Stewart Henley for writing this story; thank you to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed arey all mine, freely given.

Very interesting ‘slice of life’ kind of book, telling the story of 20-year-old Kate who lives just south of London in 1940. Quite a cosy read where nothing too exciting happens, it’s just a record of her life - and the “exciting” things which do happen are glossed over fairly quickly! I also would have been interested to know if the nosy neighbour was going to try and get up to no good or if she was just nosy. The sea voyage at the end being based in fact made for a fascinating afterword, about which I’d be keen to know more.

This historical fiction novel offers an immersive look into life during wartime, seamlessly intertwining real historical events with the personal struggles of its characters. The depiction of food and petrol rationing, blackouts, and air raid alerts naturally becomes part of the Murphy family’s daily life, making the historical backdrop feel authentic rather than forced. At first, you might find it surprising moments of normalcy existed alongside the war: tea with biscuits, holiday celebrations, and dances didn't stop with the war declaration. However, having experienced life in a modern war myself, I understand that war doesn’t erase everyday routines; it coexists with them.

The book’s pacing, however, felt inconsistent, especially in the first chapters. Some chapters covered just a day, while others spanned an entire week, creating a sense of uneven storytelling. For example, while Chapter 4 focuses on a single evening (with some character development), Chapter 5 skims over several days. These time jumps became more frequent as the story progressed. While I eventually understood this approach—life itself sometimes moves in stretches of stagnation—I still found the constant reminders of the month at the start of each chapter unnecessary. A restructuring into larger time blocks, with smaller chapters, might have improved the flow.

Another aspect that stood out was how information was presented. At times, a character interaction would be immediately followed by a heavy information dump, making the reading experience feel disjointed. Thankfully, this issue improved in the second half of the book, where the storytelling felt more fluid, and I could follow Kate’s journey in a more natural, ongoing manner.

Given how information is delivered, I believe the story might have benefited from a first-person perspective. Other readers have pointed this out as well. However, as I progressed, I realized that a fully immersive first-person view might have lacked the broader historical context. A bit more omniscient narration, especially regarding events in Europe and the deeper backstory of the Murphy family, could have added richness to the novel.

That said, the book succeeds as a strong piece of historical fiction. It avoids harmful myths and misinformation, grounding itself in well-researched facts. It also presents timeless conflicts such as individual versus society and internal struggles. Kate’s journey, particularly her resistance to societal expectations of marriage and motherhood, adds depth to her character. This conflict between individual desires and societal norms is probably not a central theme, but it's definitely making her struggles feel timeless and so much relatable.

Overall, this novel is a well-crafted historical fiction piece that captures the personal and societal conflicts of its time. While the structure and pacing had some flaws, its authenticity and emotional depth make it a compelling read.

I got this as an ARC from NetGalley and I enjoyed learning the history portrayed in this book. I enjoy learning about WWII and the different roles that many people played without the expectation of being acknowledged. While the characters are fictional it is based on true events.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It was a very great storyline and easy to follow. Very hard to put down once I started. Can’t wait to read more from this Author!

It’s not that I didn’t like this or that it wasn’t an interesting story. Just with so many ww2 historical fiction out there, there needs to be something more that makes me want to keep reading. This book didn’t have that. Thank you toNetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

Kate's country is at war. Kate's wish to be independent and her desire to move to London with her friend sybil is thwarted by the declaration of War with Germany. Kate's father Sean and her mother Mary Grace expresses their concern and fears for the safety of the family. Kate's ambitions and dreams are shattered and being overshadowed by the air raid siren they experience. Kate teaches singing at St Bridget's girls school when her mother is afraid of the looming war. Followed by the tensions the household faces Kate's brother Ryan desire to evacuate to the countryside because of the threat of the potential bombings. Kate has a hiccup history that ruins her singing career and a audition fails as she gives up on her singing.

Will Kate and family survive the impending war tension? Can Kate find a way to resolve her Hiccup problem? This book is an enjoyable read with real events in the background. There is love, loss and results of war on relationships.

Will Kate find the romantic proposal by Barry and and her feelings for Tony promising? What will happen to her mixed emotions for Barry, will she find marriage? The novel has outlined the WW2 war events on Britain, the London blitz that commenced on September 1940, key speeches of leaders that include Winston Churchill and so on.

Thanks to Netgalley and She Writes Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Interesting historical novel following Kate and her family during WW2 in Britain. I did not know much about CoRB or the evacuations of children, so I appreciate the different and unique take. The writing itself was solid and interesting, but it wasn’t exactly riveting either. I think Barry was my favorite character throughout the novel. Overall I give this book a solid 3.75 stars and would recommend others to give it a shot! I would also read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sharing this novel with me and teaching me more about Britain’s experience in WW2. I received an ARc in exchange for my opinion. If you like ww2 historical fiction, this is worth a try!

Starting at the beginning of WWII. The author tells a rich story of a family near London. Linda Stewart Henley is a new author to me. I look forward to reading more by her.

A must-read for historical fiction lovers!
The author did a masterful job of showing what life on the home front was like in Great Britain at the beginning of WW2. The novel follows the lives of the Murphy family, as they and their neighbors experience rationing, air raids, and evacuations. Their determination to “keep calm and carry on”, despite often devastating news from the war front, is inspiring. The details about the evacuations of young children, first to the countryside, then eventually overseas as the war continued, are particularly poignant. The author’s notes at the end are a most interesting touch as well.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Really good book and written with respect of the Genre by Linda Stewart Henley. I couldn't put the book down. Thank you Netgalley .

The story of Kate and her family’s life during the first year of the Second World War.
This book gives insight into historical events around 1939 including the Children’s Overseas Reception Board Programme.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is the first time I have read anything from Linda Stewart Henley, and I was not disappointed. This was such a compelling historical fiction based at the beginning of WWII. I found it to be interesting, and I couldn't put it down. The characters and story line were well done. I can't wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this novel for other history/historical fiction readers.

Thank you Net Galley, She Writes Press, and Linda Stewart Henley

A interesting story of a young woman at the beginning of WWII. However, Kate’s main interest isn’t the war or a romance, but to overcome hiccups and start a singing career. And Lionel Logue doesn’t make an appearance. .

Because I didn't receive it on my Kindle, I won't be reviewing. Too bad, so sad. Kindle is my source for books from this site and the members should be given a choice as to how they can download these books!!

Book Review: Kate’s War by Linda Stewart Henley
Published by She Writes Press | Provided by NetGalley for an unbiased review

Kate’s War follows a British family’s experiences during the FIRST YEAR of World War II, drawing readers in from the very first page. The novel explores significant historical events, including Operation Pied Piper, which led to the mass evacuation of children from cities, as well as secret acts that add layers of intrigue to the story.

While the historical aspects are compelling, one drawback is the writing style. The third-person narration, combined with the author’s insistence on referring to every character by their full name—even the parents—can make the reading experience somewhat confusing and, at times, distracting. Despite this, the novel offers an engaging look at the early wartime struggles of an ordinary British family.

I might not be able to time travel in reality, but thanks to historical fiction books I can catch glimpses into the past. Historical fiction books tell a story based on reality but written with a creativity to keep the reader interested. Or in the case of Kate's War, pulling me into the story and encouraging me to seek out more truths.

Kate is struggling to find her place. She has finished school but university is not within her grasp. She wants to sing on a stage, but for now she teaches music at her old school. Like so many people at her age, she is at a crossroads. Her life is about to get much harder.

The reader is taken on a journey, experiencing the effects of WW2 from its onset. In many books, especially textbooks, they seem to snap their fingers and England is prepared to fight for freedom. Kate's War tells of the struggles. Kate's War gives images to the challenges. Kate's War brings the horrors to reality.

Kate's War brought out so many emotions. I gained a new respect for my relatives that never really talked about the war and their struggles. Admiration has grown for the sacrifices that were needed. Not everyone carried a rifle, but many were active in protecting the country. The losses gutted me. So many lost so much. Through Kate's eyes I saw all.

I saw gardens destroyed as Anderson Shelters were installed. I jumped over debris. I shook in the dark, waiting for a way home when blackouts were in full force. I quivered as bombs dropped, shaking the ground. Her bravery makes her one of the unsung heroes of WW2. Read Kate's War and be reminded of our past. A past that must not be repeated.

*“Kate’s War” completely captivated me. I was amazed by how it brought to life the history of the World War II London Blitz and the incredible measures England took to protect its children. It’s a story of everyday people who rose to the occasion, and the way it’s told pulled me in from the very first page.

Linda Henley’s writing is so vivid and intimate—I felt like I was right there with the characters, rooting for them as they faced tough choices and took bold steps. Her talent for storytelling is remarkable, and I feel lucky to experience her work. I’m already counting down the days for her next novel—I know it’ll be just as compelling.”*

Love this book. I didn't want it to end. I hope there's a continuation of the story!!! I loved Kate's character. Would love to read more in a second and/or possibly third book from this author. Writing was so easy to read and I enjoyed the story line. Couldn't wait to read it each night.