I loved everything about The Alice Network.  The story, the characters, the history…  everything.  If you’ve been reading any historical fiction lately, you know the trend the last few years has been all about WWII.  Bonus! The Alice Network does an amazing job of weaving the stories of two characters, Eve Gardiner and Charlie St Clair, and both World Wars.

From Goodreads:

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth…no matter where it leads.

I literally could not put this book down.  Even though there were some parts that were not as compelling as others, that’s like saying July in Alabama isn’t as hot as August.  Trust me, July is still hot.

Kate Quinn does such a good job creating characters that you care about, I found myself holding my breath at times and sobbing at others.

Want a fabulous summer read?  The Alice Network.

Want a perfect end-of-year teacher gift? The Alice Network.

Want your next favorite book?  The Alice Network.

I can’t really think of anyone I wouldn’t recommend this book to.  Think you don’t like historical fiction (and this is actually a thing, there was a time when I didn’t)?  This is a GREAT book to give the genre another chance.

I’ll just tell you in advance, You’re Welcome.