The Last Night In London

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Publishing for sending me the ARC for this book. All quotes used in the review may be subject to change as this is book has not yet been published.

“But it did end. It had to. Every story had a final act, a place where the words “The End” could be written”

THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON by Karen White

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book had me from page one and I could not put it down.

I absolutely fell in love with Eva’s character, and loved following her story. The 1940s is one of my favourite eras to write about, and Karen White captured the perfect imagery.

I read this in two days, I shed many tears and loved every single second of it. I had so many theories while reading this and cannot wait for others to read it so they can be discussed.

I have not rated a book five stars in a while, but this one definitely deserves it.

This book is released on April 20th 2021

A wonderfully compelling story with a dial timeline that seamlessly entwines and binds the lives of three women from 1939 London to the present day.
Eva Harlow and Precious Dubose meet at the train station in London in 1939. They become room mates and best friends working together as glamorous models at the House of Lushtak. Eva is reinventing herself having been born into poverty and violence. She meets Graham St John and her life changes dramatically. Eva and Precious wine and dine with Graham’s social group including Graham’s sister Sophia. Eva has secrets to hide and this becomes her downfall when she ends up involved with underworld figures who know about her past.
Madison Warner an American journalist is recruited by an old school friend Arabella to interview the now 99 year old Precious about her life in fashion during the war period. Maddie travels to London only to discover that a former boyfriend Colin is ‘related’ to Precious and lives with her in a London townhouse owned by Colin’s parents. Maddie has issues with her past and delving into the history of Precious and her family makes her realise what is important in life.
The story of Eva and Precious takes over the interview as Maddie, Colin and Arabella attempt to fit all the people and pieces of Precious’s life together before she dies. Memories, photos, dresses, handbags all reveal little clues of a life torn apart by war, secrets, love, betrayal and regret.
A gripping read with a mystery that keeps you intrigued till the very end.

Beautiful, lucid prose from start to finish. I was particularly impressed with lines such as "Grief is like a ghost" and "A life without rain is like the sun without shade". Such vivid striking imagery was present throughout the whole book and it was very helpful in bringing the setting of 1940s London to life. The world of fashion depicted in the book was meticulously researched as well and I greatly enjoyed this window into the lives of models in that era. Last but not least, Kate White writes all her characters with distinctive voices and memorable personalities. I found myself rooting hard for the lovers in both time periods and found the resolutions satisfying and bittersweet.

Thank you Netgalley for this brilliant novel. I truly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.