I was given an ARC of this novel but was initially offput by the title and by the fact that it is told through letters and journal entries and the like, which is not my favorite style. I decided to ignore the title and style and read it. I am so very glad I did!

This deceptively easy to read novel is about love, courage, honor, friendship ~ and books. It tells the story of how occupation by German troops of the island of Guernsey in the English Channel during WWII effected the islanders and the way they coped with the devastation wrought by the Nazis. In places it was laugh-out-loud funny, in others it was heartrending. The lighthearted tone of Julia's letters did not negate the depth of emotion beneath, just as the terrible losses described therein never turned the novel into an unmitigated tragedy.

And, by the way, the "Potato Peel Pie" in the title is an integral part of the book, and not a silly affectation as I feared it might be.

From first line to last word, this novel was a pure joy to read. I highly recommend it to everyone.

A classic tale for generations to come, Lois Lowrey does a wonderful job of painting World War II through the eyes of a child, who can tell her story to children even fifty years after the war took place. Lowrey, one of my favorite authors, can be credited with the influence and introduction of World War II and the Holocaust into my life, thereby prompting my obsession with fiction and non-fiction concerning this time period. Even in high school, after taking a college credit Holocaust course with a teacher who has since became a mentor, I found myself remembering Lowrey's novel that truly brought my eyes to focus on the horrors and realities of the wartime. I still cannot satisfy my thirst for Holocaust and World War II literature. This book is an everpresent title on summer reading lists for middle school and high schools alike.

I rather enjoyed this book. The Prince reminded me of Erik (The Phantom of the Opera) with his nearly recluse ways and his uncomfortable conscious he had with his appearance. I'm still not too surely decided on whether I like Greer or not, but she wasn't completely intolerable. I found this a very fun read and the secret of Kendrick was quite interesting for any romance novel I've ever read. Really.

Enough babbling about all that, now. In this second book of Julia London's Desperate Debutantes Series, Greer Fairchild must retrieve her inheritance she isn't even sure exists. Traveling with a deceitful Mr. Owen Percy, after her first traveling companion dies, she truly begins her life's journey. In which makes for a very enjoyable read.

I finished reading this on Sunday night and I truly enjoyed it. It is book one in Julia London's Desperate Debutantes 3 book series. Lady Ava Fairchild and her sister Phoebe, and their cousin Greer, must marry after their mother dies, leaving them with their step-father who surely wants to marry them off to the first offers he receives for them as quickly as possible...

I loved the story and how Ava captured Jared's heart in the end, and of course, how he ditched his mistress in the end as well. It was a very sweet read, that made me really feel, I loved Jared, and Ava's maid was quite funny at times.

However, I think she made it a bit too obvious as to who Edmond really was, but perhaps it may have been meant that way. I don't know. It is sweet though how he stepped up and did the most rightful thing he could do in that situation.

I cannot wait for the next book to come out, because it sounds even better than this one. I know I will love it more if not at least the same as I did this one.