1922, London. Evelyn Bloom lies dying in her Mayfair flat.
A decade earlier, she had the world at her feet – a dazzling celebrity who socialised with royalty, ignited scandalous love affairs, and filled headlines with her daring exploits.
Now, surrounded by the faded mementoes of a brilliant life cut short, Evelyn is left to
wonder: How did it all go so wrong?
And why, when she had everything, has she been left to die alone?
A breath-taking and unputdownable WWI historical novel, perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Natasha Lester, and Mandy Robotham.
Lisa Brace is an award-winning writer, who combines penning novels with running her own business in the beautiful surroundings of West Sussex.
Her third novel The Fastest Girl on Earth, is out now.
Her second book, SWIM, a historical fiction novel was finalist in Best Historical Fiction and Best General Fiction in the New Generation Indie Book Awards 2025 and runner up as Historical Novel of the Year 2024 (Eyelands Book Awards).
Her debut novel, The Fame Trap, a dark women’s fiction novel was published in March 2024.
Lisa runs writing retreats and workshops in West Sussex with fellow author and friend, Daisy White. In between running her PR company and thinking up ideas for historical novels she can be found wandering in the woods with her dog and baking elaborate cakes (though not at the
same time)
My thoughts: I thought this was great, inspired by the exploits of a couple of real life daredevil female drivers and pilots, the story of Evelyn Bloom, the fastest girl in the world, breaking records and winning races on land and sea, who takes up flying, becomes a spy during the First World War, and somehow loses everyone she loves, is smart, funny, surprising and bittersweet.
Evelyn thinks she’s been hired as a secretary, but instead becomes a race car driver, showing off the cars and boats her employer makes, before deciding to learn how to fly. Her terrible contract means she doesn’t get to keep the prize money, and her affair with the boss breaks her heart.
She’s co-opted into the spy trade by the man she eventually marries, and runs some risky missions, including flying into occupied France and having to escape from enemy soldiers. Her husband is reported missing and she spends the rest of her days (and money) trying to find him. Leaving her penniless and alone at forty.
Her exploits are a delight, she’s a darling of the pre-war years, but even her closest friends fall away. A bittersweet ending to an eventful, adventurous life.
Facebook Instagram Twitter Website
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 
Thank you so much for being a part of the tour x
LikeLiked by 1 person