While life surely isn't luxurious for Antonina Mazin as a Jew in Venice during 1943, she still has her parents and her dreams of going back to school when the war is over.  So she is shocked when seemingly overnight, her father sends her away from Venice masquerading as the wife of Nico Gerardi, a man she just met and who she literally must now trust with her secret and her life.  As she leaves Venice and everything she knows behind to head toward an uncertain future, Nico suggests that she also change her name to Nina and she learns she will be living on his family's farm in the countryside.  Nina's arrival isn't welcome by all of Nico's family or the village residents and it isn't long until her appearance draws unwelcome attention from a German officer with a particular vendetta against Nico.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read, but I do sometimes feel that many of those novels have a World War II setting, which can lead to some reader burnout on my end.  I can say Our Darkest Night was a bright light.  While at first glance, it might have some similarities to other novels in that genre, Our Darkest Night brought a whole new perspective.  The characters leapt from the page and I could sense the danger and peril they faced.  I was drawn back to this book time after time and was so invested in the future of both Nina and Nico.  For me, a story of resilience and courage through adversity was exactly what I needed right now.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

If you've followed my blog for very long, you probably know I'm a fan of Lisa Gardner.  She's one of those authors that I don't even read the book description because I know I'm going to want to read whatever she writes.  I was surprised though when I started reading Before She Disappeared and realized I was being introduced to a new lead character that hadn't been seen in a previous novel or series.  It was fun to see how Frankie Elkin's character developed over the course of the novel.  I very much enjoyed this stand alone novel and hope it might evolve into a new series.  
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Frankie Elkin is a recovery alcoholic whose sole personal mission is to travel around the country searching for the missing, those people that no one else can bring home.  Part amateur detective, part renegade, Frankie is committed to do whatever it takes to solve the case.  Flawed yet relatable in certain ways, Frankie leads the reader along as she investigates the complicated disappearance of Angelique Badeau.  

This book kept me guessing and turning pages at a fast pace. Fingers crossed that we see a new series with Frankie Elkin solving more missing persons cases.   Another five star read for me!

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

This book grabbed me just based on its premise alone: Three different women, one in present day, one in 1907 and one in 1944, all tied together by Highbury House and its vast garden.  I really enjoyed how each character and time period brought its own unique perspective and how they were connected by the home and gardens.  Normally in these types of stories, I'm drawn slightly more to one character over another, but truly this book had all timelines and storylines on equal footing.  It was so interesting to read about the challenges the women faced and how they each handled their own adversity differently.  I think readers will identify with at least one character, if not several characters, in the novel.  

If you are a historical fiction fan, or simply enjoy a moving story, I highly recommend The Last Garden in England.  I also think it would make for an engaging and interesting book club discussion as well.  A five star read for me.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.