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Review: When Stars Light the Sky - Women of Midtown #2

When Stars Light the Sky book cover on blue background

If I wanted to sum up When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden in just six words, it would be "beneath that starchy veneer, he smoldered." If that doesn't get you hooked, I'm not sure what would 😏

This is the second book in the Women of Midtown series, documenting the accounts of women who worked the overnight shifts in New York in the early twentieth century.

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and LibraryThing for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing.

Book Synopsis

In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I loved getting to be immersed in the world of diplomacy and enjoyed every moment of being at the American Embassy in Berlin with Inga and Benedict. The impact of diplomatic relations and its role in staving off conflict and brokering between nations at odds with one another was utterly fascinating. I couldn't have asked for a more engaging story that balanced the western world at the brink of war and the turmoil of opposite personalities clearly being attracted to one another. This was probably one of the more memorable marriages of convenience I've read where the relationship was just as much a meeting of the minds along with physical attraction.

Benedict and Inga are characters who leap off the pages, and their conversations are intellectually satisfying as they reference the Bible and the church. I appreciate that both of them do their best to protect the other person, which points to their loving selflessness in their actions. Overall, the book focuses heavily on the rapidly progressing movements toward war, providing a glimpse into life before the Great War. Readers who enjoy Camden's rich historical details will find themselves engrossed by life in the embassy and in Inga and Benedict's unconventional yet charming relationship where navigating the nuanced layers of cleverness and discretion in negotiations took on multiple meanings.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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