This book was very richly textured, the research was very meticulous [which was done perfectly] and made it completely immersive, with the lightest of humour in places to lighten the mood. I feel like when I read this the author had captured the atmosphere, situations and emotions as well as any difficulties that anyone would have during wartime. I didn't think that this book would make me emotional but it did, it got a few tears from me throughout. which just made this charming and full of detail book that much more amazing. this book was not only a real page-turner with larger-than-life characters it was very convincing with the period detail [I mentioned it at the top] the research had to be very meticulous but I also thought how she could have been influenced through her own background, so if she decided to include some of those stories it just fit in so perfectly you'd have no idea.