The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

 

From author Rachel McMillan comes a richly researched historical romance that takes place in post-World War II London and features a strong female lead.

Determined to save their marriage and the city they love, two people divided by World War II’s secrets rebuild their lives, their love, and their world.

London, Fall 1945. Architectural historian Diana Somerville’s experience as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and her knowledge of London’s churches intersect in MI6’s pursuit of a Russian agent named Eternity. Diana wants nothing more than to begin again with her husband Brent after their separation during the war, but her signing of the Official Secrets Act keeps him at a distance.

Brent Somerville, professor of theology at King’s College, hopes aiding his wife with her church consultations will help him better understand why she disappeared when he needed her most. But he must find a way to reconcile his traumatic experiences as a stretcher bearer on the European front with her obvious lies about her wartime activities and whereabouts.

Featuring a timeless love story bolstered by flashbacks and the excavation of a priceless Roman artifact, The London Restoration is a richly atmospheric look at post-war London as two people changed by war rebuild amidst the city’s reconstruction. 

Rachel McMillan is the author of The Herringford and Watts mysteries, The Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries, and The Three Quarter Time series of contemporary Viennese romances. She is also the author of Dream, Plan, Go: A Travel Guide to Inspire Independent Adventure. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada.

I have recently discovered that when it comes to historical fiction novels, those set during or around WWII tend to be my absolute favorites, so when I read the description of The London Restoration I was immediately drawn in. I must admit when I started reading it though, it wasn't an immediate intrigue for me. It is a slow moving novel all the way through the end... while in the end I found myself enjoying that slower pace, it did take me a bit longer to really get into the story to start. But the intrigue, and little sense of mystery didn't take too long to draw me in. 

I loved that this story wasn't just a story of rebuilding a city and the churches that Diana so loved, but also a story of rebuilding a life that has been altered by war. Being a military spouse, I appreciated this story for that aspect... while there are certainly many differences from these time periods, that readjustment period is still very much a real issues that military families face. 

What I loved most about this story is the sheer amount of research that went into it. While I admit, I'm not the biggest history buff, I do appreciate the authenticity this lends to the story. It's absolutely beautifully written, and one that fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy. 

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