Past and present intertwine in this beautiful story of love and loss.
Today we are thrilled to be the stop on the Blog Tour for Into The Darkest Day, by Kate Hewitt. Our thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.
Book Details
Print Length: 395 pages
Publisher: Bookouture (May 14, 2020)
Publication Date: May 14, 2020
Language: English
ASIN: B085QHKRQ2
Book Description:
(By the Publisher)
She had to step outside and hold the paper up to the moonlight to read it, but when she was able to make out the words, her heart felt as if it would drop right out of her chest. Because the message was in German.
1944, London:
When Lily meets enigmatic GI Matthew in war-torn London, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. While her sister starts a reckless affair with another GI, Lily tries to hide her growing feelings for Matthew.
But Matthew has a devastating secret. One that could change their lives forever.
Present day, USA:
Abby lives a quiet life on an apple farm in Wisconsin. Tormented by survivor’s guilt after the tragic deaths of her mother and brother, Abby leaves the orchards as little as possible, keeping her life small, peaceful and safe… Until she is contacted by Englishman Simon Elliot, who arrives nursing a heartbreak of his own, and bearing a World War Two medal that he claims belonged to Abby’s grandfather.
Together they begin to piece together the heartbreaking story of their relatives’ war. But as the story brings Abby and Simon closer—tentatively beginning to lean on one another to heal—they uncover a dark secret from the past.
And like Lily and Matthew nearly eighty years before them, it will make Abby and Simon question whether you can ever truly trust someone, even when they have your heart…
A heartbreakingly powerful, epic love story about courage, friendship and broken trusts, INTO THE DARKEST DAY is an unforgettable story perfect for fans of Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah and The Notebook.
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Review
Into The Darkest Day, by Kate Hewitt, is a story about loss, regret, and love.
Amidst the Second World War, sisters Sophie and Lily Mather meet Tom Reese and Matthew Lawson, two American soldiers recently deployed.
While Sophie was all about living the moment, Lily was introspective and risk-averse.
Tom and Matthew are equally dissimilar. The first is charming and easy-going, while the second is self-contained and secretive.
Each of the characters experiences the war in different ways, their coping mechanisms so distinct and yet very relatable.
There are some sad moments, but it is done in a very delicate manner. The sad facts are told more than showed, and it is not overly dramatic.
The narrative alternates between past and present.
In the present, Sophie’s grandson Simon is in America meeting Tom Resse’s grandaughter Abby to give back a war medal that was in his grandmother’s possession.
I love the idea of their descendants meeting and investigating their story, but I would have preferred to stay in the past. I was committed to the characters there, and the present felt like an unwanted intruder.
Despite that, I truly enjoyed the book, and I was sad when it was over. I wanted it to keep going just a little longer.
Overall an enjoyable read, with inspired characters and an absorbing story.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
About the Author:
Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of women’s fiction, including the Hartley-by-the-Sea series set in the Lake District, the Willoughby Close series set in the Cotswolds, and Tales From Goswell written as Katharine Swartz. Her novel A Mother’s Goodbye has been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.
She lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |Goodreads
Lu Reviews Books 
Great review, adding this one to the TBR
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Thank you! I hope you love it 😉
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Great review, this one sounds like a book I would really enjoy, I’m definitely going to add it to my TBR!
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Thank you, Ellie. I hope you enjoy it 💕
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Thank you! 🥰
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This one looks very interesting! I love books set during the WWII, and even when time-jump novels aren’t my favorite (I got that same feeling you have, one of the timelines being an intruder and getting way more invested in the past than in the present), this one seems to tackle very important topics such as loss and grief.
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Despite preferring the past, it was interesting to see their descendants interacting. It’s a lovely story. I recommend it 💕🥰
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I’m never really one to get excited by romance, but this books sounds seriously so good!! I always like a good split narrative, but I know what you mean about wanting to keep with the characters you’re extra invested in
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Thanks you for stopping by. I’m glad I’ve managed to tempt you a little 😉
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Oooh this doesn’t sound like the type of book I would normally go for but I am intrigued I will need to get myself a copy!
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I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for commenting
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Hey Lu! This sounds like a good option for WWII fiction. Have you read Nightingale by Hannah? That’s my favorite! Thanks for the post!
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I haven’t read it yet. I will check it out. Thanks for the rec and for stopping by 😉
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Sounds like a good book!
♥ Mae
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Sounds like an interesting book!
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It is 😉💕
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Great review! This sounds interesting. Sorry you didn’t like the present parts that much though.
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Thank you! It happens. It was not bad, it was just that I was more invested in the past😉.
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This sounds like a great book! Nice review, thanks for sharing. 😊
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Thank you! 💕🥰
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This book sounds like my kind of read:) I love books that move between two time periods when it’s done well – sounds like this one is great. Thank you for sharing this.
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You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by 😉
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Sounds like a very interesting premise, although the past sounds more interesting to me than the present. Nice review!
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Thank you! The real story was in the past. 💕
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Ohh I think I would like the interweaving of past and present. Nice Review!
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Thank you, Brooke! 💕
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This sounds so good! I feel like I’d like the present more but it does sound like the past is where the story is.
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True! The present was a little bland.
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This sounds like such a great book to read. I love it when it shows different generations so I’m definitely going to get myself a copy of this. Thank you for sharing
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I hope you enjoy it 💕
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This doesn’t sound like my usual type of book but I does sound promising. Might just add it to the TBR pile!
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Great! 🥰💕
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I’m such a sucker for wartime romance!
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Me too 😉
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What an intriguing premise! I’m like you; sometimes with books that are nonlinear or jump from different perspectives I find it almost jarring because I get attached to a “voice”. But, I’m thinking I’ll try this one anyway–I really want to know what the big secret is! 🙂 Great review!
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Thank you, Christine! I hope you like it 😉
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Sounds like a book I might give a try 🙂
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If you try it, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by 😉
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