Title: Somewhere in France
(The Great War #1)
(The Great War #1)
Author: Jennifer Robson
Format: Paperback
Publication Date:
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 3.5
Goodreads Synopsis
Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford wants to travel
the world, pursue a career, and marry for love. But in 1914, the stifling
restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid
expectations forbid Lily from following her heart. When war breaks out, the
spirited young woman seizes her chance for independence. Defying her parents,
she moves to London and eventually becomes an ambulance driver in the newly
formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—an exciting and treacherous job that takes
her close to the Western Front.
the world, pursue a career, and marry for love. But in 1914, the stifling
restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid
expectations forbid Lily from following her heart. When war breaks out, the
spirited young woman seizes her chance for independence. Defying her parents,
she moves to London and eventually becomes an ambulance driver in the newly
formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—an exciting and treacherous job that takes
her close to the Western Front.
Assigned to a field hospital in France, Lily is reunited with Robert Fraser,
her dear brother Edward’s best friend. The handsome Scottish surgeon has always
encouraged Lily’s dreams. She doesn’t care that Robbie grew up in poverty—she
yearns for their friendly affection to become something more. Lily is the most
beautiful—and forbidden—woman Robbie has ever known. Fearful for her life, he’s
determined to keep her safe, even if it means breaking her heart.
In a world divided by class, filled with uncertainty and death, can their hope
for love survive. . . or will it become another casualty of this tragic
war?
Honestly, I understand every single review of this book. I kept vacillating between loving and hating
it, enjoying it and pushing myself through it, loving the characters and
rolling my eyes at them. What I liked
most about the book was the gritty depictions of World War I. Some historical fiction novels, especially
those with a romantic plot, tend to gloss over some of the harsher realities of
war. I really believe the author made a
genuine attempt to show war as it really is.
First, I want to talk about the plot. I really liked that the book started before
WWI, as the reader was given a glimpse of life before the war and the growing
tension in many as war became inevitable.
Also, as fans of Downton Abbey will note, the English aristocracy had a
lot of growing pains during The Great War.
Since this is the first in a series, I am hoping that the next book
delves deeper into the changes war brought, but even in this installment, we
can see that the heroine might never have chosen to defy her parents were she
not driven by duty.
WWI, as the reader was given a glimpse of life before the war and the growing
tension in many as war became inevitable.
Also, as fans of Downton Abbey will note, the English aristocracy had a
lot of growing pains during The Great War.
Since this is the first in a series, I am hoping that the next book
delves deeper into the changes war brought, but even in this installment, we
can see that the heroine might never have chosen to defy her parents were she
not driven by duty.
My main issue is that the plot hung on a lot of coincidences. The hero and heroine need to be together, so
she just happens to be able to ask the administrator for a transfer to his
location. Later in the book, Lily and
Robbie get together because her brother goes missing, and she can’t write
Robbie to tell him that his best friend is missing. She needs to tell him in person. Leading to
my biggest annoyance of the entire novel…
she just happens to be able to ask the administrator for a transfer to his
location. Later in the book, Lily and
Robbie get together because her brother goes missing, and she can’t write
Robbie to tell him that his best friend is missing. She needs to tell him in person. Leading to
my biggest annoyance of the entire novel…
The Sex Scene…
I like a good romantic element.
As far as I’m concerned, love and sex are very important parts of life,
so having them in a story doesn’t bother me, especially if they are integral to
and enhance the narrative. Please see
the Outlander Series if you need an
example.
As far as I’m concerned, love and sex are very important parts of life,
so having them in a story doesn’t bother me, especially if they are integral to
and enhance the narrative. Please see
the Outlander Series if you need an
example.
The sex scene in this book is problematic for many reasons. Robbie and Lily are broken up, and honestly
Robbie has been treating Lily terribly.
Lilies brother is MIA and presumed dead.
When she travels to Paris, without a place to stay the night, to tell
Robbie (who happens to be staying at the Ritz) that his best friend has
disappeared on the front, they reconcile and have sex. I don’t believe I would be in a proper mental
place to have sex for the first time, ever, with a man while in that
situation. However, I have never been in
a war, seen death daily, and been so emotionally tested. It’s possible they were living in a mindset
of “life is short.” Like I said before,
I can see it both ways, as I found myself rooting for them even in this
ridiculous situation. The heart wants
what the heart wants, and I am rolling my eyes at myself now.
Robbie has been treating Lily terribly.
Lilies brother is MIA and presumed dead.
When she travels to Paris, without a place to stay the night, to tell
Robbie (who happens to be staying at the Ritz) that his best friend has
disappeared on the front, they reconcile and have sex. I don’t believe I would be in a proper mental
place to have sex for the first time, ever, with a man while in that
situation. However, I have never been in
a war, seen death daily, and been so emotionally tested. It’s possible they were living in a mindset
of “life is short.” Like I said before,
I can see it both ways, as I found myself rooting for them even in this
ridiculous situation. The heart wants
what the heart wants, and I am rolling my eyes at myself now.
The Characters…
Lily is a
good, sweet character, who grows a lot throughout the book. She’s a little naïve, but I believe this is
on purpose. She had lead a sheltered
life, cultivated to be the perfect bride to a wealthy man and run his
estate. She dreams of more and is driven
by a sense of duty to serve her country.
Though I’m not sure she makes the best decisions, you can’t fault her determination
and tenacity. She throws aside her
entire life to become what women were told not to be, a soldier.
good, sweet character, who grows a lot throughout the book. She’s a little naïve, but I believe this is
on purpose. She had lead a sheltered
life, cultivated to be the perfect bride to a wealthy man and run his
estate. She dreams of more and is driven
by a sense of duty to serve her country.
Though I’m not sure she makes the best decisions, you can’t fault her determination
and tenacity. She throws aside her
entire life to become what women were told not to be, a soldier.
Robbie is
a bit more problematic for me. I really
want to like him a lot, but he doesn’t always compel my loyalty. He runs scared when Lily’s mother is mean to
him. He dumps Lily and literally ignores
her because he cares too much about her.
Seriously, I rolled my eyes at this because, really? Then takes her virginity when she’s come to
tell him her bother is probably dead.
HOWEVER, he is sweet, talented, and dedicated to his patients. He is not truly a selfish person, and seems
to want to do the right thing, though maybe he doesn’t always figure out what
that is. Sounds pretty human to me. Honestly, after all of that waiting, maybe
having Lily alone in a hotel room in Paris is just too much for him. What do I know?
a bit more problematic for me. I really
want to like him a lot, but he doesn’t always compel my loyalty. He runs scared when Lily’s mother is mean to
him. He dumps Lily and literally ignores
her because he cares too much about her.
Seriously, I rolled my eyes at this because, really? Then takes her virginity when she’s come to
tell him her bother is probably dead.
HOWEVER, he is sweet, talented, and dedicated to his patients. He is not truly a selfish person, and seems
to want to do the right thing, though maybe he doesn’t always figure out what
that is. Sounds pretty human to me. Honestly, after all of that waiting, maybe
having Lily alone in a hotel room in Paris is just too much for him. What do I know?
Next
Books in the Series…
Books in the Series…
Hmm bit of a mixed bag then? I think it sounds OK to pass the time with.
Great review, I love that you've covered what you weren't so keen on.
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