Boon's Bookcase

Ike and Kay

by

James MacManus

BLOG TOUR

As soon as I read the blurb about this book, I knew I had to read it. I do love a WWII book, but as this one is based on true events that to be honest, I didn't know much about, I wanted to give it a go to broaden my horizons so to speak! You can read my review below, but as soon as I finished this book, I had a "google" about Dwight (Ike)Eisenhower and Kay Summersby!

Review
When war breaks out, Kay "does her bit" and becomes a driver. Little did she know that the next person she will be responsible for looking after behind the wheel is none other than American General Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower.


Something immediately clicks between the couple, but they keep things strictly professional for as long as they can, but Ike is drawing her closer and closer and as much as Kay tries to keep things strictly business like, when she gets Ike a puppy for his birthday, she draws all sorts of unwanted attention to herself!


Ike also has a wife, Mamie,  back home in Washington and word gets back to her that things are not strictly platonic between the two and she is desperate for her husband to go back home, the sooner the better.


When Ike is posted to Africa, Kay is one of the first members of staff he wants by his side, but as she has to travel separately, she is sent on a ship and is nearly sunk by the Germans. This nearly tips Ike over the edge and he cannot hide his feelings from Kay any longer.


I'm not going to go too much into detail about their relationship as I feel you really need to read the book to find out about their feelings for one another and all the obstacles that were put in their way, but I can honestly say, that whilst reading this novel, I could see it on the big screen. It was a fabulous read, thoroughly researched and so interesting.


As with all love stories, things don't run smoothly, but I'm not going to tell you if there was a happy ending or not. You will just have to get a copy and read it yourself!


Thank you so much to Duckworth (Prelude Books) for getting in touch and asking me to be a part of the tour. I am so glad to have read this book and it has really left an impression on me. So much so, that I have googled both Ike and Kay and tried to find out more about them!


A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to historical/saga readers and true romantics!

Author Bio

James MacManus is the managing director of The Times Literary Supplement. After studying at St Andrews University he began his career in journalism at the Daily Express in Manchester. Joining The Guardian in 1972, he later became Paris, and then Africa and Middle East Correspondent. He is the author of several novels including On the Broken Shore, Black Venus, Sleep in Peace Tonight and Midnight in Berlin. James MacManus has three children and lives in Dulwich, London.


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