Publisher: William Morrow/ Harper Audio
Published: March 2, 2021
Source: Print – ARC Paperback via Publisher / Audio via library
Summary:
A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story—a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network—from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig.
A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith’s Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation. When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit.
Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions—all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned.
Despite constant shelling from the Germans, French bureaucracy, and the threat of being ousted by the British army, the Smith volunteers bring welcome aid—and hope—to the region. But can they survive their own differences? As they cope with the hardships and terrors of the war, Kate and her colleagues find themselves navigating old rivalries and new betrayals which threaten the very existence of the Unit.
With the Germans threatening to break through the lines, can the Smith Unit pull together and be truly a band of sisters?
My thoughts:
I have been a fan of Lauren Willig’s books for quite some time and as soon as I heard about her latest book, I knew it was something I wanted to read. I love how her books are always inspired by real life and are so engaging. This one actually came to be when she was researching something entirely different when she came across letters written by some of the women who were part of the Smith College Relief Unit stationed in France during WWI to offer relief work and bring aid to the people of France. Of course this piqued her interest and so the book came to be! I love that!!!
I loved how the book is a blend of fact and fiction inspired by these women, which made it relatable and believable. The author really takes her time creating details and definitions for each character – all 18 of the women – so that each one stands out. This makes it so much more immersive and enjoyable. And I loved how each chapter begins with a letter and then is told from the perspective of two of the women, Kate and Emmie, two women from different backgrounds who had been roommates at Smith and close friends but had drifted apart before coming to France.
I love historical fiction…it’s definitely one of my favorite genres, and I love when I find a book that tackles a topic I haven’t read much about. This one definitely does that. I haven’t read much set during WWI and I definitely haven’t read anything about these women and their part in history. This was such a great book and I really appreciated the author’s note. I definitely recommend picking this one up!
Audio thoughts:
Julia Whelan does a fantastic job narrating this one. She made the characters come to life and her pacing and intonation was spot on. I know when I see her name on an audiobook, I am in for a treat and she did not disappoint with this one.
