Goodnight from London: A Novel Paperback – May 2, 2017

Like most Jennifer Robson books I've read, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The WW11 era in Britain is depicted in realistic and sometimes horrifying while not gruesome detail, much of which I had forgotten, if I ever really knew some of it. The blitz of London was a terrifying time for those living there, and Robeson brings that period of history to life, while weaving it throughout a very good story about a. young American writer, Ruby, who was sent to England in order to observe wartime life there, and thus inform the readers of the magazine she wrote for in America about the details of the war raging in Europe. She meets a young British military man, Bennett, and their slowly developing love story, over a period of several years, adds another element to the story which I found engaging. The other characters in the book are varied, interesting and well-developed. I loved the book, and learned a lot about WW11 in the process of reading it.

I have read many WWII England homefront books but I really enjoyed the new perspective of this book as viewed through the eyes of a young American reporter with some emotional baggage. I liked the mix of history, friendships, romance, etc. Twice, I felt the continuity was a bit off - e.g., the author refers to GIs in the audience at a concert in England prior to the mass arrival of American GIs - and that's why I only give it 4 stars. However, the story carries the book and I will start on one of the author's other books tonight.

American journalist Ruby Sutton moves to London to report on WWII. There she joins the writers of the Picture Weekly to put her unique slant on war time trials and tribulations. She also develops a friendship with photographer Mary and editor Kaz.As the Blitz takes out her apartment, she finds herself leaning on mysterious Bennett, a soldier.I really enjoyed the storytelling and character development throughout the novel. It was not a typical wartime romance where the female is left helpless and afraid. Instead Ruby is a dynamic woman who is determined to succeed. I would love to read more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

This book was a wonderful look at England and France during the last Great War. The characters were flawlessly portrayed. They made you feel was though you were standing next to them. The story line was well written. I would recommend this book to all readers.

It was a little slow moving, but interesting.

This book is a touching historical tribute to the people who lived through WWII in London. I thoroughly enjoyed Robson’s last three books that were set in WWI. She didn’t disappoint in this one. This book features Ruby, and American reporter assigned to London. For Ruby, the assignment is an opportunity to leave the limits of the entertainment page and do some real reporting. The history of the time is meticulously researched and is evident in the details of Ruby’s life. Ruby is a believable character with a past that she tries to hide even as it shapes her present and future. The horrors of the blitz and the deprivation of London during WWII provide a backdrop to the plot of Ruby becoming her own independent and professional woman. That she finds love on the way in no way detracts from the story, nor does she suddenly become helpless just because she is in love. Highly recommended.

I finished the book and overall I enjoyed it, but not perhaps as much as others by this author.I think it's important that these events which are passing out of living memory be brought to a new audience. We should never forget what happened or what people went through.That said, I was disappointed in the prose level. This is easy reading level -- and I'm not saying that's bad -- but I prefer more advanced level, with the nuance and subtlety that a larger vocabulary and more complex structure permits. I would class this as YA rather than adult fiction.

For starters, I love most pieces written about or taking place in WWII. It was an amazing time to be alive. But not because it was a beautiful time to be alive but because the people were resilient in life. The author had me captivated from the first couple pages. She kept me sneaking back to the book every minute I could find available. I loved the way she captured the war but more than that- the way life continued for these people. The uncertainty, the fear, the friendship and of course the love story. I think I fell in love with Bennett myself! I was terribly sad when I finished the last page but I just had to keep reading.

Good Night from London was not only a well written, feel good love story, it was well researched and a very informative description of that period in history, with what shaped the way people adapted and moved on after the war. I’ve read 5 of Jennifer Robson’s books so far and I’m looking forward to reading her next books.

Wow, what a waste of money.I can't believe something written so poorly is considered as a proper book.TBH I've read better written fan fiction on the internet than this book. It has little to no soul and the plot is so simple and silly that I find it hard to even take serious as a "romantic war novel".

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book which was full of interest and a romantic theme running in the background

Goodnight from London – by Jennifer Robson Reviewed by Gail M. Murray Best-selling author, Jennifer Robson’s latest offering, Goodnight from London, set in 1940’s Britain during the Blitz, pays homage to her grandmother, journalist Nikki Moir. Nikki inspired the character of budding reporter, Ruby Sutton. Nikki began at Vancouver News-Herald writing for the women’s pages until WWII came along providing opportunity for women journalists. With the men overseas, Nikki left the women’s pages behind, assigned to courthouse and military beats. Later she became a feature writer for Vancouver Province, interviewing Eleanor Roosevelt in 1949. Although their personalities are totally different, it’s about the struggle a female journalist faces in a male newsroom. Hobson’s grandfather, Reg Moir, posted to London as an information officer in the R.C.A.F., served as a primary source. I have noticed among my writing colleagues this tendency to draw from their own lives and build with imagination. With only six months newspaper experience on The American, twenty-four year old Ruby is assigned to be a staffer at Picture Weekly and sails overseas to cover the war. After docking in Liverpool, she is met at the station by Captain Bennett, friend of her new editor, Walter Kaczmarek. From the first moment she meets Bennet,”handsome as a movie star” p.24 to their quiet dinner in an Italian bistro, she feels at ease . Seamlessly, Robson weaves the love story into the plot. Soon Ruby is reporting on bombings. Coventry Cathedral has both Ruby and the reader reeling at the devastation. Budding authors will champion Ruby Sutton’s tenacity to report news of the war and the Homefront, including a private interview with Eleanor Roosevelt under curious circumstances. One poignant scene stays with me. Walking home from the office, Ruby hears a faint cry like the sound of a baby. She finds a young cat limping and terrified. His fur is singed; his whiskers burned off. “A rush of emotion swept over Ruby. She knew what it was like to be unwanted, hungry, desperate for love…..She had once been alone in the world and utterly dependent on the kindness of strangers.” P. 152 Amid the toll of the London Blitz, Ruby grows in stature as a writer. As an American, she is an outsider and brings a different perspective. We experience with her the constant air raid sirens. Nightly bombings take their toll on sleep, yet Ruby and the British people soldier on going to work exhausted and making do with meagre rations. When Ruby’s hotel is bombed, she finds a real home for the first time in her life with the Tremaine family. She also experiences love with Bennett, a man whose top secret missions involve danger, intrigue and a most tender love letter. “She had woken up feeling hopeful…..For nearly a week they hadn’t been troubled by a single air-raid siren and that had meant a week of deep, uninterrupted, restful sleep. She had a home…..she had work that challenged her. She had a cat named Simon.” P. 159 Though there is great loss with war, Ruby finds herself. Robson’s strength lies in her smooth writing style, authentic settings and making the reader care about her well-developed characters. Though they face struggle, Robson rewards us with their personal growth, a sensitive love story, and an uplifting ending

Good story! Good insights into what Londoners went through during the war--sleeping in the underground to escape the bombing night after night and the exhaustion that ensued; also the fact that they didn't complain; complainers were really looked down on! These people were very courageous for a long period of time!