Adrienne Chinn

Interesting story about three very different sisters as they come of age and embark on their very different paths on the eve of World War I in London. Over the course of the book we see innocent relationships become problematic, especially when Italians and Germans and others are part of those relationships, as wartime alliances, loyalty and suspicions form.

The story alternates between 1913 and up to the wartime period when the three sisters are just starting to spread their wings and 1891, when their mother Christina was their age. There is quite a disconnect between the wide-eyed, loving hopeful Christina of the past with the critical, unyielding matriarch we see in 1913. That Christina is now a woman who seems to disapprove of and dislike just about everything and everyone, clearly has favorites among her daughters, merely tolerates her loving husband and is more concerned with fashion, status and appearances than anything else. She’s snobbish and prudish, and the highlight of each day seems to be buying new clothes. Obviously, there’s a backstory and 1891 doesn’t end as well as it starts. It’s clear she has been hurt and has secrets, but unfortunately learning the secrets that brought her to this point doesn’t really redeem her and her cruelty to those who love her.
Love in a Time of War boasts a large cast and variety of characters, as the sisters are so different their interests, paths, acquaintances and loves are also varied. But each faces danger, betrayal, tragedy, and bittersweet acceptance in a world that constantly keeps changing and becomes more and more frightening and unstable. But this is the reality of life, and especially life during war.

Author Adrienne Chinn does a good job of developing complex characters, providing a sense of dread about the impending war and filling the pages with fascinating descriptions of places and events. However, very many books have been published lately during this time period and that of World War II, so the plot is rather familiar and often predictable.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK for providing an advance copy of Love in a Time of War via NetGalley for my honest review. I enjoyed it and recommend it. All opinions are my own.… (altro)