Are you a morning or night person? I am definitely not a morning person,
although I don’t stay up as late as used to when I was younger.
Inga Klein immigrated to the United States from
Germany as a child. James and Mary
Gerard help the Klein family after they were scammed out of their money right off
the boat. After Inga has grown up, James
Gerard offers her a job as a secretary to him as he serves as America’s newest
Ambassador to Germany. Inga immediately clashes
with Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff. He is a rule follower and doesn’t think
having a German born secretary is good for America. As America hurtles towards WWI, will Inga and
Benedict be able to do what is best for the country and their own hearts?
My thoughts on the novel:
· Elizabeth Camden has become one of my favorite authors. The novel she published las year, While the City Sleeps, was one of my top ten books of the year. This novel, When Stars Light up the Sky is destined to be one of my favorite books of this year.
· This is the second book in the Women of Midtown series, but it is a complete standalone novel. Characters from the first novel make a brief appearance. Inga lives in the Martha Washington building at the start and end of the novel. This historic building that housed professional women in the early twentieth century was interesting.
· I found the timeline to be fascinating. I didn’t know anything about real life diplomat James Gerard or the diplomacy with Germany leading up to WWI. I was intrigued by the story and also enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the novel.
· Inga and Benedict’s relationship was intriguing. It reminded me of Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice with Inga’s cheerfulness and wit, and Benedict’s grumpy wet blanket personality. It also was perfect for the times they lived in with extra considerations due to the fact that Inga was a German born woman who had grown up in America but had not applied for citizenship.
· One of my favorite scenes was when Claude Debussy played Clair de lune at an embassy party and was interrupted by the rain. It would have been thrilling to be at such a party.
· Another favorite moment was when Inga talked with another resident of the Martha Washington that was nurse in the Civil War. Talking about both of their experiences was cathodic for them both, and fascinating to me.
· This novel had opposite attract, grumpy vs sunshine, enemies to lovers, and marriage of convenience tropes.
· It was a clean read.
Overall, When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden
was a richly layered historical fiction novel set at the brink of WWI with an unforgettable
romance between two very opposite personalities. I couldn’t put this book down and I highly
recommend it!
BOOK DESCRIPTION
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.
AUTHOR BIO
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