Book Recommendation - The Codebreaker's Daughter

 

Amy Lynn Green is a relatively new voice in the genre of WWII fiction, but I've found she's one I need to be following. I picked up a copy of her debut a few years back and it was one of my top reads of the year that year. This year's release will have a similar standing. This one is strongly character driven, focusing on the mother/daughter dynamic between Dinah and Lillian, but still has some pretty strong plot points. In order to fully develop the dichotomy between the mother and daughter, there is also a secondary timeline during WWI when we see some of Lillian's history, which I loved. Here's a bit about the book:

Dinah Kendall’s role in the US capital for the Office of Strategic Services is far from the thrilling espionage career she dreamed of. Instead of covert missions, she crafts rumors aimed at undermining Axis morale while trying to live up to the expectations of her demanding mother, Lillian. Yet, as Dinah navigates her duties, she uncovers a startling revelation: Lillian was once a codebreaker during the Great War alongside some of the nation’s most brilliant minds. The deeper Dinah dives into her mother’s journal, the more the secrets of the past come to light—including the heavy cost of high-stakes codebreaking.

Just when Dinah begins to excel in her new position, she is implicated in a series of suspicious activities that cause others to question her loyalty. As she navigates a web of intrigue, she must piece together the truth in time to confront the shadowy threat that could compromise the impending D-Day invasion.

One thing I love with historical fiction is finding what elements of the story are based in fact. The author has listed several in her "author's note" at the end of the book, but her website also has a "history" section that goes into greater detail. A few items that I found fascinating:

- William and Elizabeth Freidman truly existed and were a married couple of genius codebreakers. They are minor characters in both timelines of this novel, but I love that they were actual people and their contributions were factual!

- Many of the elements of George Fabyan's Riverbank from the WWI timeline were factual, including some of the sights and events.

- Though Dinah was a fictional character, the job she holds at the beginning of the book to help screen the OSS agents was an actual role 

There were several others that were intriguing but may give away some of the story line, so I would recommend checking both the author's note and her website after you've read the story to see for yourself! This book will release June 17, 2025. Be sure to check it out if you enjoy historical fiction! For more information, check out the following links:

Amy Lynn Green's website: https://www.amygreenbooks.com/

Amy Lynn Green's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amygreenbooks

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7564564282

Book Recommendation - Of Silver and Secrets

 

If you enjoy historical stories with a dash of romance and a great deal of mystery, you should look no further than Michelle Griep. Of Silver and Secrets is the second book in the Time's Lost Treasure series, but can easily be read on its own. I think I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first, though the mystery story line was more pronounced in the first book. This one read a bit more like women's fiction, which is also a genre I greatly enjoy. If you enjoy any of these genres, this is one I think you'd like. Here's a bit about the book:

In 1889 England, Eva Inman finds herself overwhelmed with responsibility. Haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths, Eva struggles to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the threat of overdue taxes looming, Eva's situation grows dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on her property. Despite local superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds forces her to consider the potential of more buried relics. She turns to Bram Webb, a Cambridge professor of Roman antiquities, for help—only to be reminded of a past she would rather forget.

Bram Webb is under immense pressure to find proof of a legendary Christian Roman settlement in an attempt to conceal his uncle's deteriorating memory from the Trinity College disciplinary board and save both of their jobs. When Eva steps into Bram's office, old sparks fly, rekindling memories that are both fond and painful. The excavation is fraught with challenges from the start, and as Eva and Bram work together with time running out, they must confront their pasts, face the growing attraction between them, and decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome the buried truths that threaten to tear them apart.

Award-winning author Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian-era England with a gripping romance.

This book releases June 3, 2025 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check out the following links:

Michelle Griep's website: https://michellegriep.com/

Michelle Griep's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michellegriep

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7550006290

Book Recommendation - A Lesson in Propriety

 

When it comes to historical fiction, Jen Turano is my big go-to author when I need a laugh. Though her books are never completely "light and fluffy" (there is always a deeper issue or drama included in the characters' lives), but there is always a strong element of humor that give her books a lighter feel. This book is no different in that regard. With some strong female characters, a fun menagerie of animals and a few different mysteries, this went so much deeper than just a historical romance. Here's a bit about the book:

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she’s inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences–walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors–arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family’s safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

In this entrancing series starter, Turano presents a tale of laugh-out-loud adventure, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age.

This is the first book in the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies series. I can't wait to see what comes next from this fun cast of characters! A Lesson in Propriety releases May 20, 2025 wherever books are sold. Be sure to pre-order your copy now! For more information, check out the following links:

Jen Turano's website: https://jenturano.com/

Jen Turano's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor

Baker Bookhouse order link: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618535

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7469848263