***Review*** That Burning Summer by Lydia Syson

That Burning Summer by Lydia Syson

Released: 3rd October 2013
Publisher: Hotkey Books
Series: No
Source: From Publisher for review
Format: ARC
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | The Book Depository

Author Site: Lydia Syson

Many thanks to the Publisher for my review copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Romney Marsh, July 1940. When invasion threatens, you have to grow up quickly. Sixteen-year-old Peggy has been putting on a brave face since the fall of France, but now the enemy is overhead, and the rules are changing all the time. Staying on the right side of the law proves harder than she expects when a plane crash-lands in the Marsh: it's Peggy who finds its pathetic, broken pilot; a young Polish man, Henryk, who stays hidden in a remote church, secretly cared for by Peggy. As something more blossoms between the two, Peggy's brother Ernest's curiosity peaks and other secrets come to light, forcing Peggy and Henryk to question all the loyalties and beliefs they thought they held dear.

In one extraordinary summer the lives of two young people will change forever, in a tense and gripping historical drama from Lydia Syson, the author of the acclaimed A WORLD BETWEEN US.

 My Review:

This is my first book by Lydia Syson and I have to say it has been a while since I've read any historical fiction.  It's a nice break from the YA and paranormal books I've been reading lately.  I've not really read many books on WW2, so when I had the chance to review this book I jumped at the opportunity.  It was lovely to have a fresh perspective of life during the war.  Peggy is such a delightful character and it was really nice to see how her feelings develop for Henryk, especially under such troubled times.

I shamefully did not realise of the Polish involvement with the RAF, there is such a minefield of information I do not know about this era.  So as well as being a good story, this book is factual and helped me learn more about WW2.

A very interesting and information packed book. It really does set the scene for the time period and the way the war affected people and their beliefs. I like the tension and the secretiveness of the love story, who is not a sucker for love that has to push boundaries.

I am really pleased I have read this book.  I will definitely read more books by this author as I love her writing style, it's easy and descriptive without bogging you down with too many facts.

Overview

A great insight into rural England during WW2, loved the forbidden romance element

My Thoughts on the Cover

I have been drawn in by shiny covers recently, so this cover is the complete opposite of what I normally go for.  It has a very vintage feel to it, but then again it suits the time period this book is set in.