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1. Rating: 4/5 stars
2. Genre: Historical Fiction
3. Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
4. Release Date: August 11, 2020
5. Pages: 286

Synopsis :

As World War II rages, love, mystery, and secrets collide on the English coast in a riveting novel by the bestselling author of The Snow Gypsy.

In April 1943 a young woman washes ashore on a deserted beach in Cornwall, England. With shorn hair and a number stitched on her tattered chemise, Alice is the survivor of a ship torpedoed by a German U-boat. She’s found by the mysterious Viscount Jack Trewella, who suspects that she’s a prisoner of war or a spy. But the secret Alice asks Jack to keep is one he could never have guessed, and it creates an intimate bond he never expected.

With her true identity hidden beneath the waves, Alice grasps the chance to reinvent herself. But as she begins to fall for Jack, she discovers he has secrets too – ones echoing the legend of a mermaid said to lure men into the dark depths of the sea.

For two strangers in the shadow of war, lost love, and haunting memories, is it time to let go of the past? Or to finally face it – whatever the risks? 

Review:

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be honest right up front—this one sits somewhere between a 3.5 and 4-star read for me. On a technical level, the writing wasn’t always as smooth as it could have been. The pacing lagged here and there, and I found myself wishing the characters had been fleshed out a little more. Some plot transitions felt a bit bumpy too.

But here’s the thing: I still really enjoyed reading it. Sometimes a book doesn’t have to be flawless to be a good companion, and that’s exactly what The House at Mermaid’s Cove was for me.

This is definitely on the lighter side of WWII fiction. Don’t expect the same level of intensity or gut-punch storytelling that some historical novels deliver. Instead, it feels like a gentler, almost “fluffier” take—still dealing with war, loss, and survival, but with softer edges. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes we need a story that isn’t relentlessly heavy.

Alice’s backstory as a nun-turned-survivor is what drew me in most. It’s such a unique perspective, and I liked the way the author wove her faith into the story without making it feel preachy. Alice’s belief system gave her depth, but it never overshadowed the narrative.

The romance and mystery elements were fun to follow, too—adding layers that made it more than just “another WWII story.” And while I do wish I could have spent more time with the side characters (some of them felt more like sketches than portraits), I found myself turning the pages quickly, eager to see what happened next.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, if you’re a fan of historical fiction but want something on the lighter, more escapist side, this is a great pick. It’s a quick, cozy, atmospheric read with just enough romance and mystery to keep you hooked. Perfect for when you want a WWII novel that won’t completely weigh down your heart.

Trigger warning: There are brief mentions of sexual assault/rape. It’s not graphically described, but it is present, so keep that in mind going in.

• Rating: 5/5 stars
• Genre: Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction/Women’s Fiction
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Release Date: June 2, 2020
• Pages: 352

Synopsis :

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it’s not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults; it’s everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation when their own daughters’ storylines intersect?

Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.

As with her New York Times-bestselling debut The Mothers, Brit Bennett offers an engrossing page-turner about family and relationships that is immersive and provocative, compassionate and wise.

Review:

You know those rare books that just get under your skin and stay with you long after you’ve closed the last page? The Vanishing Half was absolutely one of those for me.

Brit Bennett has such a gift for storytelling—it felt like she was weaving this gorgeous, multicolored quilt out of all the different lives and timelines. I was never lost in the plot, even as the story moved from past and present or from one character to another. Instead, I felt like I was being gently carried along, watching how the choices of one generation spilled over into the lives of the next.

At its core, this book is about identity. Who we are, who we want to be, and sometimes who we pretend to be. The twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, couldn’t have taken more different paths, and yet both of them are so human, so heartbreakingly real. One embraces her roots even when they feel heavy, while the other builds an entirely new life by walking away from hers.

The characters are what made this book unforgettable for me. They’re messy, flawed, sometimes frustrating, but always real. I found myself rooting for them, even when they made choices I didn’t agree with.

What surprised me most was how much the book is also about family—how secrets ripple through generations and how silence can sometimes weigh heavier than words. The daughters of the twins are just as captivating as their mothers, and seeing how history echoes forward was both fascinating and heartbreaking.

And can we talk about the writing itself? Bennett’s prose is so smooth and lyrical, but never in a way that feels heavy or pretentious. It’s the kind of writing that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter,” even when you should definitely be sleeping.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this book is everything: it’s endearing, it’s heartbreaking, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s one I know I’ll be recommending for a long time. There’s been a lot of buzz about The Vanishing Half, but let me tell you—it’s 100% worth it.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: December 1, 2016

Pages: 384

Synopsis :

Italy, 1943 — Germany occupies much of the country, placing the Jewish population in grave danger during World War II.

As children, Eva Rosselli and Angelo Bianco were raised like family but divided by circumstance and religion. As the years go by, the two find themselves falling in love. But the church calls to Angelo and, despite his deep feelings for Eva, he chooses the priesthood. Now, more than a decade later, Angelo is a Catholic priest and Eva is a woman with nowhere to turn.

With the Gestapo closing in, Angelo hides Eva within the walls of a convent, where Eva discovers she is just one of many Jews being sheltered by the Catholic Church. But Eva can’t quietly hide, waiting for deliverance, while Angelo risks everything to keep her safe.

With the world at war and so many in need, Angelo and Eva face trial after trial, choice after agonizing choice, until fate and fortune finally collide, leaving them with the most difficult decision of all.

Review:

I can’t believe I had never heard of Amy Harmon until recently! She first caught my attention on Bookstagram when someone posted about one of her other books. Curious, I looked her up and discovered she had an impressive backlist. That’s when I found From Sand and Ash.

I will admit that it was actually one of Harmon’s other books that initially piqued my interest more. However, From Sand and Ash became available on Kindle Unlimited with a free audiobook download. I needed a new audiobook at the time, so I thought, “Why not?” Little did I know what I had signed up for.

It didn’t take long for me to become completely captivated by the characters and their story. This book is achingly beautiful. I felt spellbound the entire time I was reading and listening. I found myself taking long walks just to hear what happened next. Before even reaching the halfway point, I knew this was going to be a new favorite.

Harmon’s approach to writing a WWII novel set in Italy was especially compelling. I’ve never read a WWII novel set in Italy. Of course, I knew from history classes about Italy’s involvement, but I’d never seen it up close. It was eye-opening to realize that most Italians didn’t want to be involved in a war they felt no part of, yet were forced into it under a fascist state.

That doesn’t mean Italians were necessarily sympathetic to Jews, but it reshaped my understanding. I had also never thought much about Jewish Italians during this period, typically focusing on other parts of Europe when considering the atrocities of WWII. Harmon’s portrayal of Eva and her family offered a new perspective that broadened my understanding of history—an aspect of the book I deeply appreciated.

Unexpectedly, this novel also presented one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever encountered. I’m a sucker for romance in any genre. Eva and Angelo’s love grows alongside their lives, often leaving me on the verge of tears. Harmon balances their relationship perfectly—it is ever-present but not always the central focus. Through their story, she shows what a powerful, enduring love looks like, capable of withstanding some of life’s most harrowing moments.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned earlier, Amy Harmon has an extensive backlist encompassing various genres. After reading From Sand and Ash, I have mentally put all of her books on my TBR. One that I am really looking forward to is her newest release, Where the Lost Wander. I also can’t wait to try some of her fantasies!