When seeing another wartime novel, I often think "not now or I'll pass". I'm so pleased when this one became available to me that I looked at the name Susan Meissner and remembered how much I adored A Fall of Marigolds. This...is beautiful writing. This is the style of writing that makes you stop and read again and often pen it to read those beautiful lines again. Chapter 1, I'm pretty drawn in. By the last line of Chapter 1, I'm hooked and settling in for there must be intrigue a head. Should you grow weary of wartime reads please know the focus is on so much more. My first 5 star of the year when I rarely have 5 stars. Also, this is a re-read which I also very rarely do. ( )

This is a beautifully written book about choices and the consequences of those choices. The sisters, Julia and Emmeline dutifully feel responsible for their choices, however they fail to realize that personal choices made in the context of war have to be given some wiggle room. The results of their choices made in dangerous situations end up haunting them for 2 decades.
The depiction of the WWII Blitz on London is wonderfully done. I have read many books about WWII, but this gives such a first person perspective - the reader is able to see, smell, and hear the bombing and burning of London. Emmeline's desperation during the bombing is felt.
I really like how Julia's perspective is given through her therapy-driven letters to her sister. What a creative technique! ( )

I really enjoyed this one, but about 88% through, I started to think the author was just messing with her readers. The near misses / missed opportunities almost drove me crazy. It almost caused me to drop a star from my review. ( )

Another engaging book from Susan Meissner begins when an Oxford student from America, Kendra, arrives in the Cotwolds to interview Isabel on her 93rd birthday. Isabel is renown for her art work, which typically includes a red polka-dot umbrella. The topic Kendra wishes to pursue with this woman is her survival of the Blitz. Kendra is soon swept into a different interview when the woman discloses her real identity.

Kendra is transported back to 1940 by Isabel when sisters Emmy, 15 and Julia, 7 are moved from London to the countryside as part of the evacuation of children to keep them safe from the bombings in London. Their foster home is in the lovely Cotswolds with a widowed woman named Charlotte, who lives with her neurologically-impaired sister, Rose. Emmy and Julia are welcomed warmly, and given a home unlike the one they had known with their single mother.

Emmy's dream to become a wedding dress designer means she has to return to London for an important interview, and Julia insists on accompanying her. Unfortunately, they arrive in London on September 7 when the Blitz begins, and their lives are never the same. The descriptions of the terror and devastation are harrowing, as is the aftermath of the Blitz when Julia cannot be found, and Emmy assumes the identity of the deceased Isabel to continue her search.

The aftermath of the lives of Emmy/Isabel and Julia are told in interesting detail, and they never forget the Blitz. This historical fiction is very good, especially because I love the Cotswolds. ( )

Susan Meissner has once again successfully connected a character from a historic moment to the present day. Secrets of A Charmed Life begins with the sisters' early days with their less than perfect mom in London. The siblings leave their home when their mother insists on protecting them from war with a countryside evacuation. This occurs during WWII and the older sister Emmy's coming of age. Emmy is angry that her mother has destroyed her plans to create a charmed life for herself as a dress designer. Both sisters make decisions they later regret, and the collateral damages are horrific experiences of war including the death of their mother. The sisters are separated and this causes decades of searching and regret. Julia caused the loss of her sister's precious dress designs, and Emmy must live with her role in the death of her mother and the loss of Julia. As the orphans struggle with their past, they develop family and friends and the confidence to tell their story and make their mother in proud. Meissner brings all issues to a satisfying close. I listened to the audio version, and loved the bonus interview with the author at the end. ( )