Far Side of the Sea

Earlier this week, I finished reading "Far Side of the Sea" by Kate Breslin. This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I had been blown away by Breslin’s debut novel "For Such a Time," and was also very impressed by "High as the Heavens." However, I recently finished "Not by Sight," and was not nearly as enthralled as with the two previously mentioned books. Breslin’s novels tend to be very exciting – those page turners you simply can’t put down, and "Not by Sight" failed in that regard. It was almost like she hadn’t written it. Thankfully, "Far Side of the Sea" is back to Breslin’s signature writing style.

"Far Side of the Sea" is about Lieutenant Colin Mabry, twin brother of Grace Mabry, the heroine of "Not by Sight." Colin had been seriously wounded in action in Europe during WWI, but continues to serve in the British military as the war rages on. He lost his left hand, but works in military intelligence decoding messages that arrive in England from the front. One day, he decodes a message addressed directly to him – from a French woman (Jewel) in occupied France who had helped him over a year before when he had been wounded. She is begging him to come to Paris to help her.

When he arrives in Paris, however, he discovers that the message actually came from Jewel’s half-sister, Johanna (the note had been signed J. Reyer). Johanna informs him that Jewel is missing, and entreats him to help him on her mission to find her – and their missing father. Colin has no idea that he and Johanna are about to embark on a dangerous mission filled with spies and double agents.

This story is sooooo multi-layered! That’s all I’m going to include in a summary, because I don’t want to spoil anything. Needless to say, this was a REAL page-turner!! Absolutely fantastic storyline. I particularly liked how the author wove into the story historical facts about homing pigeons that were used to bring coded messages from France into England, and vice versa. That was a very intriguing sub-plot to the story. I also appreciated the faith and Christianity elements that the author tied in, and how she candidly discusses Colin’s struggle with his disability.

I highly, highly recommend this book! You won’t be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House (via Netgalley) for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley, this review is my honest and personal opinion

This is my first book by Kate Breslin, so I was not sure what to expect. Oh wow!. What a great book, from page one I knew this was a good one. We first find Colin an MI8 agent who is currently recovering from the injury he suffers during the war. I found interesting not only the acceptance of the missing limb but how he must adapt to normal life. I like that he is described not as a perfect man, but a man with flaws and is struggling.

On the other hand, we have Joanna, here the story is very inspiring. She is alone and looking for his sister and father. She had to runnaway from Irland and start works in France with pigeons. reading this book you feel like you are in a whirlwind of many emotions, and many unexpected situations. I like how the characters grow through the story, how Colin is finally free of the past and how Joanna meet God.

This book is well written, have a good historical background, an inspiring message, romance, suspense, and a wonderful end. So, if you like good Christian historical book, without a doubt, this book is a must-read.

It was nice to catch up with some characters from an earlier book that Kate wrote. I kind of forgot about Colin and Grace.

I will say it took me quite a few chapters to really get into this story. There was a lot going on and my brain just wasn’t connecting with the story. But it finally did. Little hints were being dropped about possible issues that could arise and I had to keep reading to see what was going on and what would happen next.

I don’t know a lot about WWI so it is always interesting to read a story set in that time period.

This wasn’t my favorite Kate Breslin book but I did enjoy it overall.


A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

Kate Breslin became one of my favorite authors when I first read For Such A Time—her historical fiction is beautiful, heartfelt, and wonderful!

This lovely book is no exception, and there are so many things I enjoyed about it—flawed hero (one of my fave things ever! 😂), a heartrending mystery, and an impossible choice.

While I usually prefer WWII fiction, I thought this was a wonderful book, and I really enjoyed reading more about a time period I don’t usually visit! I also really enjoyed traveling along with the characters to several incredibly beautiful cities, and imagining them through their eyes!

However, there is just one part of this story that disappointed me....

At one point, one of the characters is witnessing to another, and they say, God doesn’t get angry....which doesn’t exactly line up with what the Scriptures say...

“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Ps. 7:11
“...ye provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry with you to have destroyed you.” Deut. 9:8
“And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him...” Deut. 9:20
“And the Lord was angry with Solomon...” 1 Kings 11:9
“Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight...” 2 Kings 17:18

Because of that one point in this wonderful story, I will have to take my rating down from what it would otherwise deserve.


I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for FREE, and a positive review was not required.

I will definitely be reading the other Kate Breslin books that I have on my TBR. This book was amazing and I want more! My only regret is not reading this book in one sitting. I guess I just need to re-read it soon! ;)

Everything about this book was amazing, the characters, the action, the plot, EVERYTHING. I am a sucker for WW1 & WW2 books so this book right up my alley. I loved every single thing that I read. The characters in this book were too die for.

I absolutely loved Colin. He was such a deep character, that you really sympathized. He had his strengths and his flaws. He suffered from PTSD yet trusted God and God helped transform his life for the greater good.

I also really loved Joanna's character. She was an unique, and down to earth female lead that I really enjoyed getting to know. I loved seeing her love for her sister and father throughout this book, that was really heartwarming.

I LOVED the aspect of spies in this book. This book took place in France and had spies, and many many plot twists throughout the whole thing. Yes please! This book had me so invested that I really want to re-read just to see how everything fits together with reading it all at once.

I also have to applaud the author for the clear time she took in researching everything. I felt like I was actually reading something that someone wrote while they were there in the 1900's. Everything was so accurate and the details were amazing about every little thing. I am a sucker for that kind of stuff. #historynerd

Overall, I am very pleased with this book and I cannot wait to read Kate Breslin's other books!!

*FTC Disclosure I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Netgallery. This review did not have to be positive.*

I enjoyed reading this riveting WWII novel, each page is filled with amazing historical detail that really brings this story to life. With the perfect blend of romance, mystery, action and adventure. Highly recommend this one.

Kate Breslin's Far Side of the Sea was a much-anticipated addition to my to be read pile. I admit I put everything else in my life on hold to read it uninterrupted. I was not disappointed. There was one little character that showed up on the page that was adorable and fascinating, I won't spoil it for you. This book has us asking questions all the way through, first about Mabry and then Johanna. While the characters are figuring each other out, we are figuring them out too as well as the mystery surrounding Johanna's father. There are spies and secrets and Kate Breslin keeps you guessing all the way to the end. Although there is intrigue, the romance and the character development of Mabry is what kept me riveted. I mean who needs to sleep anyways, just one more chapter....right? Kate Breslin has a way of bringing history to life so that I felt like I was walking through the scenery with her characters. From Hastings to London, to Paris and beyond. Far Side of the Sea takes you on an adventure, and you'll love it. I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts are my own.

Far Side of the Sea is written by Kate Breslin. It is a historical fiction book that takes place in England in 1918. Lieutenant Colin Mabry decodes messages for M18 for the war. He is decoding because he suffered a war injury .Jewel Reyer saved his life and He loved her.. He received a message by carrier pigeon telling him where she is . He thought that Jewel was dead and He yearned for her company.. The message told him where to go in Paris , France to meet her. When He arrived in Paris Jewel is not there but her half sister Johanna . , She works for dovecote in the French Army Intelligence. He had trouble trusting Johanna since there were German spies everywhere. He wondered if she was working for the German spies or could be on her side. The book takes lots of twists and turns constantly. Will Lieutenant Mabry find Jewel? What will become of his relationship with Johanna? This book gives the reader some good insights into what life was like during the war. It is well written and really draws the reader in . The setting and characters are well described. I appreciate netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend this book. I am not obligated to give a positive review . .

Far Side of the Sea takes place toward the end of World War I. I loved that the hero of the story, Colin Mabry, is a maimed soldier suffering from PTSD. He was courageous as he had to face his fears, having to walk into situations that heavily reminded him of the trauma that had cost him his arm. For both love and duty.

Colin is on a quest to make good on a promise to the woman he loves, Jewel. A woman he had to leave behind as he headed back into war.

Johanna is in search of her half-sister, Jewel, and their father. Her father she met once, and her sister never before. She works with carrier pigeons for the war. I did not know that carrier pigeons were used for communication this way. This is one reason I love reading the author’s notes at the back of the book (once I’ve finished the story). To know how the author researched, what was fact vs fiction. I also enjoy following Kate Breslin on facebook, as she shares neat things about her research.

Bombings, spies, kidnapping, drugged drinks, this story is not lacking for adventure. I was kept guessing, some of the characters I had figured out, other’s had me in shock.

The book was well written, I have to say, Kate Breslin, I love your way with words! Beautifully done.

I don’t want to give spoilers and ruin the mystery for you… I highly recommend this novel if you love adventure, mystery, romance, and history. I also loved how Colin clung to his faith. Even after everything he had faced, he did not waver.

What a winner! Kate Breslin once again completely transports us to a different time.
Full of mystery and intriguing mystery, not to mention a swoon-worthy romance, you won't be able to put this one down! The faith elements are organically woven throughout the story and at the last page you can't help but let out a happy sigh.

It never crossed my mind that Breslin might go back to wright Colin's story, but I'm so happy she did! She portrayed his wounds and determination perfectly, really endearing him to the reader, and to one Miss Johanna Reyer.

And Johanna... what can I say? Hands down one of my favorite heroines of the year!!
In Colin's own words: “Johanna Reyer was the most outrageous woman he’d ever met. She carried pigeons in her purse, wore men’s clothes, and revered Britain’s old nemesis, Bonaparte. Now she planned to tell the American Secret Service how to run their operation.”.

Can't wait for this author's next book!

Ms. Breslin's Far Side of the Sea introduced us to the fascinating world of carrier pigeons used in WWI. What a clever way for the hero and heroine to meet! This is a sweeping story that takes readers to various locations in Europe while also being a bit of a spy thriller. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that I didn't feel quite as fully connected to the characters as I did in her preceding novel. Nevertheless, it was a very engaging read.

I just finished reading Kate Breslin's Far Side of the Sea. This book has it all, romance and war, spies, a black book and many historical details. A great book to curl up with on a summer day. One of the historical items was a Gimmel ring. 3 rings that come together to form 1 complete ring. I love reading Ms. Breslin's books as I always learn something new. She also weaves the story of God's love and forgiveness into her stories. Her writing skills continue to grow and I await with great anticipation her next book.
So grab a pot of tea, no sugar due to rationing, and curl up for a superb read!

i was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Relegated to a desk job after losing his hand, Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages sent by carrier pigeon. Strangely enough, one of the messages appears to be for him, a call for help to save Jewel Reyer, a young Frenchwoman who nursed him to health on the front and almost became his sweetheart. Determined to find Jewel, Colin heads to France where he meets up with Jewel's half-sister Johanna. Impulsive, endearing, and always late to an appointment, Johanna wants nothing more than to be reunited with her father and half-sister. Together, Colin and Johanna assume the identity of a married couple and travel from Paris to Toulouse to Barcelona, trying to free Jewel from the clutches of a German agent before it is too late, and discovering that their own hearts are now entwined in a way that will make separation unbearable.

This World War I love story had beautiful character development. Colin, damaged by the war, suffers horrific nightmares, terror of explosions, and a fear that no woman will love him on account of his mutilated body. His daily struggle to dress and feed himself with only one hand is poignantly displayed along with his bristling embarrassment over his condition. Johanna, haunted by the violence and abandonment of her past in Ireland, accepts Colin as he is with a loving and generous heart. Feeling guilt over her own attachment (as it is just possible that Colin may belong to her sister Jewel), she risks everything to maintain honesty with Colin, knowing that he may reject her when he learns the truth about her past.

The use of carrier pigeons was an important plot point in the book. Even in a time of telephones and telegraphs, these swift feathered friends proved great allies to the Allied cause. The Christian elements in this book felt slightly forced when Colin originally speaks to Johanna about God, but by the end, the message of faith was woven seamlessly into the story. This book is a clean and captivating romance that will appeal to lovers of World War I fiction. 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As I read this book, one thought kept coming to the forefront, "I don't want this story to end!" Alas, I turned the last page and closed the book yesterday. And ever since, have been trying to come up with adequate words to portray my feelings and the emotions that this story stirs. So, I'll give it my best shot...

Lt. Colin Mabry has had his fair share of tragedy, trauma, heartache, and war. While we met him briefly in Not by Sight, I was so excited to get to know Colin. A war hero that has to deal with permanent repercussions, both physically and mentally. In WWI, PTSD was better known as "Shell-Shock". And unfortunately, they didn't have the resources and understanding that we have today. My heart ached for Colin. I honestly don't know how anyone can make it through a situation like that withOUT God. His peace, His comfort, guiding and supporting me is the only way I made it through any of the traumatic events in my life.

Johanna has had quite an interesting life. Between the circumstances of her birth, not knowing she had a sister, her mother's lifestyle...Oh boy! But one of the things that I admire about Jo, is her passion. Her passion for family, life, and love. When she sets her mind to something, anything, she will MAKE it happen. She is independent and strong. But she recognizes her need for help, family, and eventually, God.

Kate Breslin has captivated me yet again with a beautiful and thrilling story of faith, family, and love in the midst of war. A tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, Far Side of the Sea is a must read for any lover of The Great War era and espionage.

I received a complimentary copy of Far Side of the Sea from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I love a good story and wow, is this a good story! This one had all the ingredients needed to keep me turning pages as quickly as I could:
A World War 1 setting; espionage; intrigue, faith, and romance. This book kept me guessing as to who was really a bad guy, a good guy, and who was a double agent. Kate Breslin did a wonderful job of working all her research into this story to add extra layers of interest. I did not realize that the Allies had used messenger pigeons this extensively in the war and the messages they carried added a somewhat fascinating and romantic touch to the storyline.

Colin and Johanna may be my best-loved fictional couple of all the books I’ve read this year. Both are flawed, heroic, and loyal. Colin was gravely wounded during the war, and is trying to find his place again in English society and the wartime effort. He loves his family and sincerely wants to serve his country. Johanna is a refugee in France and is desperately trying to find her father and sister. She’s lived a life of loneliness and struggle. After finding her sister’s diary, she realizes that Colin is her best hope in locating them. A message by carrier pigeon brings them together and changes the course of both of their lives. As events move swiftly around them, they each must decide to depend on their faith to help them discover the truth. But Johanna has one more secret to reveal to Colin, and it may drive them completely apart.

If you like Christian historical fiction, you’ll like this one. I had not read the first book in this series, but this story was easily read on its own. I’m hoping there’s another book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

My Review:

Genre: Historical, WWI, romance, Christian fiction.

My Rating: 5 stars.

My Recommendation: 13 up for romance.

My Favorite Character/s: Huh, hard to say, I guess it should be No or Colin but it isn't . . . My favorite is Marcus, who though not in the book much I loved his character and the spying was so cool! I don't know but the little we get to see if Marcus is quite intriguing and it's interesting to see how way of working with love sick men who've made a mistake with their words or actions.

My Verse for Marcus is

My Thoughts: I am in love! My second novel by the author in a day and man, are they wonderful! AS I is a favorite time period of mine and I'm always on the look out for books about AS I but they are hard to find unlike WWII. Anyway, this story was so incredibly fantastic, Colin, wounded warrior though that's not the term used then and Jo, all alone and searching for her family. It's a sad and romantic book with a an who honors Christ while breaking free of his past.

Warnings: Mentions of a child born out of wedlock, a character is shot and another character is drugged.

I received a copy of this book inn exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.

This was a great book overall. It had spying, Intrigue, War, plots and secret codes. Even a very smart messenger pigeon.
The characters were complex and well developed, and all were embroiled in a complex web of familial or country loyalties so at times you could not tell who could be trusted or not. All in the style of a good thriller.

The faith elements were well handled and the romance was sweet, without being overly simplistic or instantaneous. In fact, for much of the book the hero is meant to be in love with another character. So its an unlikely romance.

There were a few things I counted against it though. I think Colin was a little too gullible in certain areas, to fall for the same trick twice. I mean c'mon. He was meant to be an experienced soldier with connections in military intelligence. I expected better of him.

Secondly were the inevitable Americanisms. British people using only a fork to eat in the American manner, and various Americanisms which crept into the narrative. I also feel there were a few things that weren't adequately resolved or developed. I can't quite put my finger on it, it might just be that the ending felt really rushed but I think I preferred the last novel in the series.

It was a good read altogether though. A solid 4 stars.

With the Far Side Of The Sea, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. It started off kind of slow for me. But, with great prevail, I finished! And, the happy news? I loved it! Filled with deep, rich detail of history, magnificently chiseled characters and a plot line that will be with you long after the story is finished. Breslin's talented hands have created another 4 star novel that everyone should check out. It has rich messages from God, woven into the faith and hope and longing within the pages. Definitely a keeper for me!

OKAY! COLIN! I love Colin! He's one of my favorite male leads now, and I'm 100% in love with him. (Would steal him, but y'know, I like the couple together, too.)

I'll try to write a more sensible review now. This was an amazing book! It was the first time I'd ever read a Kate Breslin book all the way through, even though I've been saying I need to read something by her for forever. And this one was EXCELLENT!

I loved the historical context, the romance, the characters ... everything. It was so good!

Can they find the peace they both seek?

I'm always up for a good Kate Breslin book, I think I've read all but her first release. But Far Side Of The Sea was really something else! A hidden diary, espionage, coded messages, a drugging or two, a wild trip through WWI Europe, and spies...lots of spies! It was great!!!

I loved both Colin and Jo. They have been hurt but they don't let the pain of the past stop them from doing what they know is right. I think their struggles with finding and hanging on to faith during difficult times are something we can all relate to even though we aren't exactly facing the same war-torn situation.

Far Side Of The Sea is probably my favorite Kate Breslin book, yeah, I know I say that every time but it's still true. I really enjoyed every bit of it from learning about carrier pigeons to the quotes from Napoleon, from the adventure to the vividly painted landscapes of France and Spain. I loved the book and it's definitely one that would recommend to any historical fiction fan!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin is the ultimate in historical fiction. From the very first page, the sense of place is absolutely evident and absorbing. Ms. Breslin is a master at her craft. If you love historical ficiton and beautiful storytelling, this is the book from you. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Although I am not a huge reader of war tales, Ms. Breslin is one of those rare authors that captures my attention and holds onto it with a huge dose of intrigue and sweet romance, Far Side of the Sea was no exception and had me wrapped up in Colin and Johanna's story and reluctant to put it down when I was finished.

What a fun and exciting mystery. I enjoyed this story set amid WW1 Europe. The story is exciting and has several twists that kept my attention. The ending was enjoyable and overall the story moved well. Good read!