Series: None
Author: Dee Garretson
Published January 22nd 2019 by Swoon Reads
Goodreads Synopsis
Lady Mina Tretheway knows she's destined for greater things than her fancy boarding school, where she's being taught to be a proper English lady. It's 1918, and war is raging across Europe. Unlike her father and brother, who are able to assist in the war effort, Mina is stuck sorting out which fork should be used with which dinner course.
When Mina receives a telegram that's written in code, she finally has her chance to do something big. She returns to her childhood home of Hallington Manor, joined by a family friend, Lord Andrew Graham, and a dashing and mysterious young American, Lucas. The three of them must band together to work on a dangerous project that could turn the tide of the war.
Thrilled that she gets to contribute to the war effort at least, Mina jumps headfirst into the world of cryptic messages, spycraft, and international intrigue. She, Lucas, and Andrew have to work quickly, because if they don't succeed, more soldiers will disappear into the darkness of war.
Goodreads
Review
This book was one of the first ones I had read on SwoonReads, and when I found out it was being published traditionally, I knew I needed to get a copy, and re-read it. Set in 1918, as the war in Europe is still being fought, Lady Mina Tretheway goes home from her boarding school at the request of her father, and finds that childhood friend, Lord Andrew, and a young American, Lucas Mueller, will be visiting, and she needs to help them. This could be her only chance to help in the war effort, and she will stop at nothing to be useful, especially if it could turn the tide of the war, and stop so many people being killed. Mina, Andrew, and Lucas need to become spies, and may even need to go behind enemy lines in order to stop the senseless killing.
Mina was a fantastic character, and she really reminded me a bit of Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey. She wanted to be more than just a Lady, expected to marry well and know just want she needs to, and not too much. With both her father and brother being involved in the war effort, it having affected the country for nearly 4 years, and her not being able to do anything because she's a girl, any chance to help is one that she would jump at, and that's exactly what she does here. At first, she's not too sure how she can help, but the more she learns about what Andrew and Lucas have been up to, and the fact that she would be crucial to helping because of her language skills, she will stop at nothing to be there. The fact that she is growing closer to Lucas, and feels as if the attraction is mutually, doesn't hurt either. Their chemistry was fantastic, and I really was rooting for them from the start, but especially as the action and the stakes grew high.
Plot wise, it was a little slow at first, as it was setting the scene, but once we got to grips with the world Mina was living in, and the things she would have to do or help with, it definitely ramped up, and was a quick and enjoyable read. I can't wait to read Dee's next book, Gone by Nightfall.
Dates Read:
May 11-12, 2019Rating
5 Stars
