A few years ago now, I read two of Kate Quinn’s absolutely brilliant Empress of Rome series and really loved them. Then for some reason I can’t pinpoint, she slipped off my radar and I didn’t explore any more of her historical fiction. Well, thank goodness for the members of #hfbookclub choosing The Rose Code as our monthly buddy read. It reminded me of how fantastic the authors writing is and how beautifully she develops her characters. The Rose Code is set in 1940 in the UK where specific women are being asked to help with the war effort in the mysterious and top secret Bletchley Park. Three very different young women, Osla a sparkling debutante dating Prince Philip of Greece, forthright and sensible Mab and quiet genius Beth who has a knack for difficult puzzles. All women assist to some degree with the decoding of enemy messages but as the story unravels, we find out much more about each woman as an individual. We know about difficulties in their past, stresses in their present and worries for their future. However, by 1947, one woman is confined to an asylum and the friendship between the three has been destroyed. This is primarily a story of war and loss for our female leads who undergo an incredible amount of pressure in both their working and personal lives, during such a tumultuous time for the world. It’s a narrative rich and detailed with so many different layers and avenues to explore that it’s a pleasure to get lost in it. The characters burst off the page with their individuality and vibrant personalities to the point where I felt truly attached to them as the story progressed. It appears I now need to read everything Rose Quinn has ever written, 😂 this is a stonkingly good read and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! 4.5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 #bookstagramuk #scottishbookstagrammer #readingonmykindle #therosecode #katequinn #historicalfictionreview #reviewingbooksonthegram #unforgettablereads #highlyrecommendedbooks #booksandplants🌵📖 #booksaboutwomenbywomen #booksaboutworldwar2 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpx6n2BLprs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
