The English Wife: Book Review

Review at a Glance

• The English Wife
• My Rating: 3.5
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Format: eARC*
• Publication Date: February 16, 2021
• Author: Adrienne Chinn

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The English Wife Book Blurb

VE Day 1945: As victory bells ring out across the country, war bride Ellie Burgess’ happiness is overshadowed by grief. Her charismatic Newfoundlander husband Thomas is still missing in action.

Until a letter arrives explaining Thomas is back at home on the other side of the Atlantic recovering from his injuries.

Travelling to a distant country to live with a man she barely knows is the bravest thing Ellie has ever had to do. But nothing can prepare her for the harsh realities of her new home…

September 11th 2001: Sophie Parry is on a plane to New York on the most tragic day in the city’s history. While the world watches the news in horror, Sophie’s flight is rerouted to a tiny town in Newfoundland and she is forced to seek refuge with her estranged aunt Ellie.

Determined to discover what it was that forced her family apart all those years ago, newfound secrets may change her life forever…

This is a timeless story of love, sacrifice and resilience perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Lorna Cook and Gill Paul.

The English Wife REVIEW

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂

My Thoughts About The English Wife

Is it just me, or do stories that involve September 11 always come with a sense of sickening dread? Probably because I lived through that horrific day, and felt my childhood innocence completely shatter, but to read books involving those events, I have to actively disassociate my feelings so that I can appreciate the novel for what it is and not what I’m bringing to it.

The English Wife is a multi-timeline extravaganza. Seriously, if multiple timelines are not your thing, I would not suggest this book. However, if you enjoy reading about how the past continues to affect the present, then snatch The English Wife up ASAP.

I will admit that this one tested my limits at times when juggling the different aspects of the story, but partly because the events in each timeline are written so well that I became completely immersed. Trying to switch over took me a second.

Tippy’s Tickle sounds like an amazing place. I have never been that interested in visiting Newfoundland, but The English Wife made it sound so appealing. Almost like Scotland in a lot of ways, and Scotland may be my favorite place on earth.

Though a little scattered at times, The English Wife tells a beautiful and far reaching story about families and secrets historical fiction fans would enjoy.

About the Author

Adrienne Chinn was born in an old paper-making town in Newfoundland, and grew up in rural Quebec and Montreal. She retraced her English father’s footsteps back to England, where she now lives and works as an interior designer.

She travels all over the world to speak at international events, and leads design retreats in her beloved Morocco, which she has been visiting regularly for over ten years.

When not writing or designing, Adrienne can be found puttering in her Sussex garden; trawling flea markets; swimming anywhere she can find a lake, sea or pool; or in the queue at Gatwick heading off somewhere new.

*Thanks so much to Adrienne Chinn, One More Chapter, and TLC Book Tours for my copy of The English Wife in exchange for an honest review.