If you’ve read very many of my past
blog posts, you know that sometimes I choose to read a book based solely on a
pretty cover. This has turned out badly
for me in the past, but I’m happy to say that in the case of Not by Sight, I was not disappointed. The beautiful cover was only the beginning of
what turned out to be a wonderful and intriguing story.
The story takes place in England
during the height of World War I. Grace
Mabry’s brother Colin is fighting in the trenches in France, and she’s
determined to do her part to help him win the war. She sets out on a plan to deliver white
feathers of cowardice to some wealthy conscientious objectors at a party. When she gives one to Jack Benningham, an
English spy, she can’t imagine the consequences that will follow. Because of her actions, her father sends her
away to the country to work with the Women’s Forage Corps. There, she meets Jack again, and discovers
that he was injured in a fire since their last meeting, and is now scarred and
blind. Jack is shocked to find Grace on
his country estate, and believes she may have been sent there by her father to
spy on him. They begin to spend time
together, and eventually their verbal sparring gives way to deeper
feelings. But each has a secret they are
keeping. But the truth turns out to be
different than what they thought, and their newfound love may not be able to
survive the consequences.
Although the idea that Grace may be a
spy seemed far-fetched to me at first, a nice plot twist made it not only
possible, but likely. I admired how
Grace’s selfless actions to others ended up helping her in the end. I loved how Jack chose to try to prove her
innocence, even when he wasn’t convinced of it himself. And the ending turned out to be happier
(although a little different) than I expected it to be. The characters in this book are believable,
and better-yet, likable. I also like
learning a little about history while reading my fiction, and this book
delivers on that front, too. The trial
of Mata Hari in France is a central theme, and really demonstrates the fear of
German spies that was prevalent at the time.
This book is wonderful and one that I
definitely recommend. You won’t be able
to put it down!
Happy Reading!
Lyndsie
I
received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this
review. All opinions are my own, and a
favorable review was not required. You can
buy Not
by Sight now!
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