Far Side of the Sea {Book Review}

In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life--a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half-sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives 

Okay so, all of these characters were extremely well fleshed out. They all had complex backstories and felt very, very real. They all had fears and secrets. And no secondary characters felt like secondary characters (which is always a plus in my opinion). I really loved Jo and Colin, and them together. I really enjoyed how instead of getting info-dumped about their backstory and various secrets they had, we got them little by little which increased your interest and took this book to a whole new level.

Jo and Colin's banter was amazing. It was there when you needed it and one of the last times I had laughed or chuckled so much while reading a book was with A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter (and one of my all-time favorite books). I love it when the two main characters banter because I love writing it, so it makes me connect even more with the story.

Spies in World War I. A missing sister. A secret mission. Are people really who they say they are? If that doesn't pique your interest, then I don't know what will. I loved this plot so. freaking. much. As soon as you thought you had something figured out, it would turn out that nope, that's not true. The author gave you information, but not too much that you could figure everything out and that she could reverse easily and beautifully. It kinda reminded me of Sherlock Holmes, whom I love.

Yes, you all knew that this section was coming. The romance was squeal-inducing. Can't say so much about it because it is kinda a spoilery section but it is amazing.

To be perfectly honest, the most historical fiction I have seen or read during WWI is Downton Abbey. I am really glad that Breslin decided to set this book in WWI, which has (at least in my opinion) not as many books devoted to it than WWII. The carrier pigeons were so much fun as well as the other historical aspects.

Not gonna lie, I sat here for about ten minutes trying to think of something that I disliked about this book enough to include here, but there was really nothing.

One of the characters is an illegitimate child and there are several times when they are talking about how hard it was for them growing up.

Some flashbacks are rather intense for both main characters.

This should not surprise you AT ALL, plus, that cover is sooooooooo pretty

5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

Have you read this? Are you interested? What are some books you have read that are set in World War I?