Linda asks:
Hi Maryse!
I hope you are doing well. I have been a fan for 3 years and love your posts and updates.
I recently read Jojo Moyes’ book, The Girl You Left Behind and it revived a love that I had forgotten – German Commanders as a leading character!
Can you recommend a book in this genre that are swoon worthy and have the military World War 1 or 2 elements? I am having a hard time finding something on my own here.
Thank you so much!
Linda
You bet, Linda!
Right off the bat the first AMAZING one that comes to mind is, of course, The Bronze Horseman (The Bronze Horseman Trilogy Book 1) by Paullina Simons. AMAZING trilogy, and these will fulfill your WWII romance and hardship needs, without a doubt. Here is my review. MichelleS agrees! “I am surprised how many people haven’t read Bronze Horseman. One of my all time favorites. Right after Outlander, probably. I know, I know… it feels like it would be crazy heavy (WWII in Leningrad) and long (3 books)… and it is… but it is sooooo worth it. An amazing love story. One of THE best, IMHO. It is so satisfying because the three books span their lifetime, so you get their ENTIRE story. How often do we get that? This is like book one plus the longest epilogue ever!!!”
Another recent one that STOLE my breath away had “sort of good” 😉 German commanders… and obvious bad ones. OMG one of the best reads ever! It was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, (my review) and Athena agrees! “I know ‘The Nightingale’ is a little pricey but soooo worth it!! It’s a fantastic book with some of the most amazing writing I have ever read!!”
I’ve also heard that this recent release, Vanguard by CJ Markusfeld is a modern day “feel” of The Bronze Horseman. Marina says: “Vanguard by CJ Markusfeld was soooooooo good. It is the closest book to the vibe of The Bronze Horseman that I’ve encountered. But more modern day. The feels and the read is quite different. Don’t want to say much more but it is a book that will definitely stick with me forever.” and Jean agrees! “Finished Vanguard last night and absolutely loved it! Such a beautiful love story!”
bev recommends this one! “Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. YA WWII. Supposedly rips your heart out (gulp) but lots love it.”
Jennifer found us this one! “Reading Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption now…the stuff those soldiers went through in WWII…unbelievable!”
Teresa suggests this one! “For American readers, I would recommend Five Quarters of the Orange (P.S.) by Johanna Harris, the woman who wrote Chocolat, … it’s set in the UK during WWII. It is unforgettable… I love this author. All 4-5 reads”
So… what else do you guys recommend for us? It’s obvious these are classic true romance reads that completely capture us. Pure escapism (even if the “escape” is during a tenuous, terrifying time). I agree, Linda. I, too, want more! 😀
Ahhhh, great category, war romance. I’m very intrigued by The Girl You Left Behind! I recently read All the Light I Cannot See which has some romance. Maybe not as swoony as the others but it’s really unique and beautiful. Another I absolutely LOVED but can’t remember if there is romance but it’s just so, SO good is City of Thieves by David Benioff (creator/producer of Game of Thrones).Oh to read The Bronze Horseman and Vanguard for the first time again… I’ll definitely come back to this list for recs. Thanks for posting!!
The Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery.
I completely agree with the recommendation of the Bronze Horseman. That series is EPIC!!! It’s one of my all time favorites, probably a close second behind the Outlander series. I love that the Bronze Horseman trilogy spans so many years so you get such a deep journey through both characters. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and everything in between.
I also listened to the Nightingale audio book a few months ago. It’s beautifully written and quite moving. The story really demonstrates how crucial women were during WWII and showcases their enduring strength and bravery.
A Lover’s Lament by KL Grayson & BT Urruela
Vanguard is only $2.99 at Amazon
I loved the Nightingale. Also check out Suit Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky which I believe inspired part of Vianne’s story from the Nightingale. The author wrote it based on her experience in German occupied France before she was sent off to a concentration camp. Very tragic. I’ve also just finished The Aftermath but Rhidian Brook – it’s about an English family who goes to post WWII Germany to rebuild.
Another very touching one is Wait for me by Caroline Leech. It’s about a farm girl and POW who is badly disfigured from the war.