Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin is a World War I spy romance. Lieutenant Colin Mabry decodes messages from the front after being sent home with a permanent war injury. Johanna works at a dovecote for French Intelligence. When she sends Colin a message to come to France, it begins a gripping quest full of intrigue and danger.

From the beginning, I was cheering for Colin and Jo to end up together, but the twists of the story kept me guessing whether they would get a happily ever after. Kate Breslin does a fantastic job of casting Colin and Jo in real colors. We can feel Colin’s fear and Jo’s loss, their questions and determination.

Then there is the setting. From Hastings, England, to Paris, to Barcelona, these places are brought to life through sounds and smells. I could especially picture France, having been there before, albeit, in this century.

A spy thriller at its heart, the plot doesn’t disappoint. The mystery takes several unexpected turns as it unfolds. And since the results of the quest are personal to Colin and Jo, they become personal to the reader as well.

If you love history or romance or spy novels, Far Side of the Sea has it all. Even a little hero you’ll be rooting for from the first time you meet him. This is one book I look forward to reading a second time.

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”