Lovely War | Julie Berry

Hello all! Today I will be reviewing Lovely War, by Julie Berry.

This is actually my second time reading Lovely War. It was just under a year ago that my best friend shoved her copy into my hands and told me to read it, with a sparkly shimmer in her eyes. I gobbled up the first several chapters while at her house, then tearfully left it behind when I had to go. The next several days were long as I waited for my copy to come from the inter-library loan system and when it finally got into my hands, I hardly put it down.

I fell in love! And now, it has become a re-read, because I simply could not let Valentine's Day pass without Lovely War to accompany it. But let's get into the review, shall we?

{This review is completely spoiler-free}

When the goddess of love, Aphrodite is put on trial by her jealous husband, Hephaestus, she contrives to tell a story that will explain to everyone the inherent connection between love and war. She decides to pull out her best work- two romances, set in the perilous time of World War I.

James Aldridge is a young man with dreams of becoming an architect, but he has been called on to serve his country in the horrors of the trenches. He accepts his duty with no grief- that is, until he meets the talented pianist Hazel Windicott. 

These two young hearts become hopelessly entangled when they meet at a London party, falling in love fast and deep. But the Great War is on their heels. Soon, James is pulled away from the girl he loves, and Hazel is left behind to think of nothing but her soldier and the dangers he will face. 

However, amid this turmoil, she finds a friend in Colette Fournier. Colette has lived through horrors no girl should ever experience. She is broken, and believes she will lose anyone she dares to love. But then comes Aubrey Edwards, an extremely talented ragtime pianist, serving in an African-American regiment and army band. He can make anyone laugh with his easy spirit, and his smile is sweet as his heart. He is taken by the fascinating Colette, and the two young people find themselves connected by the power of love.

Aphrodite knows this story will surely prove her point, but sadly, she cannot tell it alone, for love is not the only facet to this deep-woven tale. She is joined by Ares, the god of war, Apollo, god of music and art, and Master of the Underworld, Hades. Four powerful beings are influencing the lives of these young lovers. Will their love survive everything thrown at them?

I absolutely love this book. Obviously I do not believe in Greek gods, and they are not idols to me, but the idea of a story being narrated by various gods is ingenious. This gives a well-rounded story which was so layered.

Romance. Now, parts of this romance were very obviously... fictional. James and Hazel and Colette and Aubrey fall fast and furiously in love, quite dramatically and unrealistic. It is not advised that one expect this in their own relationship, but the head-over-heels element added a dreamy quality to the story. This being imaginary is okay, as long as we keep in mind that it is just a work of fiction, meant to be unrealistic and fanciful. However, I did appreciate that it wasn't just physical attraction that made these couples fall as they did. Even the kissing didn't come until later. They saw each other's hearts- connected on an emotional, intellectual level, and that is what carries the love throughout the story.

Loyalty is a huge message in this book. When life throws numerous challenges across our path, we should never let go of those we love. When they go through hard things, we should come along to support them, and even if they are changed- mentally or physically- we help them through their darkest moments.

Friendship is another important theme woven into this multi-layered story. The connection with your closest companions, the love you foster for them, the grief when that kinship is torn away by a cruel twist of fate, these are colorfully represented in Lovely War.

Equality for all men is expressed very well by Julie Berry. African-American soldiers in the WWI army faced a lot of hardship and hate, but Aubrey Edwards and his regiment stood with integrity and did their duty. And they were impressive. His band and the music they created, captivated hundreds of Americans and gained popularity. They were lauded as being one of the best of the time for the unique experience they brought to the table.

This is a wonderful way to preach a message of equality. Instead of fighting back with violence- these men simply did what they were called to do. They lived their lives unaffected, and the way they did so with honor and respect, proves that they are by all means equal with white men.

Women's equality was also really well written. The ladies were FEMININE which I adore, and not headstrong feisty feminists. They showed themselves to be respectable and worthy of esteem, without rushing headstrong into battle or cutting their hair or.. well you know the classics.

Lovely War was emotional, gritty, hopeful, romantic, painful, and sweet. It takes you on a rollercoaster of feeling as you become hopelessly attached to the characters and experience with them the joys and pains of wartime romance. Every character is deep, with their own story and unique personality. I love them all desperately, and wish I could step into their world and give them all the tightest hugs. Additionally, the author painted the horror of the war through a hopeful lens, which was infinitely appreciated!

Now, I have seen some people say this book is boring, and I can see where that comes from- however- I don't think boring is the correct term. Personally, I love books you can snuggle up with and devour whilst sipping tea- books you can get lost in and feel relaxed with. Lovely War, does not classify as boring, or even slow-paced in my opinion. It is a medium- moving plot with lovely scenery and poetic, gentle prose. Compared to the fast- moving, shallow books that are popular now- the ones built around tropes and stereotypes- Lovely War is certainly different. I believe this difference is what makes some people call it boring or slow, when in fact, it is full of meaning and sweet connection.

I would have liked to see less innuendo and swearing, and I certainly wish this book was written from a Biblical worldview- but the writing was wonderful, and the underlaying messages were Lovely!

So! does Lovely War deserve a spot in my excellent library?

Definitely: my personal rating is 4.5/5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me know- Have you read Lovely War, or plan on doing so? If you have, what did you like, and what did you not like?

Thank you for reading this whopper of a review, and see you next time, in which {sneak peak} I will be reviewing Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen!

Content Warnings:

~Violence:

This is set during WWI, so there is a lot of war- related violence described semi-graphically.

Lots of description of bombing, grenades, gas, and shooting

A character is a sniper, and struggles with killing. He Is horrified at the thought of killing husbands, brothers, and fathers in battle. Non- graphic.

A character is incinerated by a shell, with nothing but his boots and prayer book remaining.

A train is bombed, killing many, and leaving someone with horrible scars on their face and body. The violence is non-graphic, but the scars are described after they are healed

A character is beaten to death with rifle butts- the aftermath is described graphically- his face having been beaten severely.

Many characters struggle with PTSD, one is put into a mental hospital for recovery.

Mentions of war-time amputees.

~Romance and sensuality:

Two couples fall deeply in love. there is hand-holding, dancing, kissing {lots, but not detailed or sensual}, hugging, talk of futures together, etc.

A female character is assaulted- violently kissed, before she is rescued by security.

A male character ogles a female character's legs and ankles twice.

Female characters are accused of being improper with men. They were not- though they did break rules by having a man with them after-hours. Nothing indecent happened.

Implications that some men want a female character to entertain them. Very briefly- not graphic.

A man is accused of being with a girl in an improper way- he was not.

A slight bit of innuendo

In the beginning of the book Aphrodite and Ares are put on trial by Hephaestus for having an affair. The affair is mentioned a few times- and the book starts out with them meeting up at a hotel. they make-out before being caught. {non-graphic}

~Language:

A character calls another a blooming*ss and "Dumb-*rse"

Characters are called b*gots once

Uses of "idot" and "stupid" -childish language like "shut up", "buttocks", "p*ss", etc.

One use of "sh*it" and "bast*rds"

Christs name is misused a few times

African- Americans are called "N*gros" and Blackies"

~Drinking, drugs, and smoking

Soldiers smoke cigarettes often

Mention of alcoholic drinks, drinking is mentioned, no main- characters drink.

~Other

Black folks are highly discriminated, due to the tension regarding such topics during this time in history, but the author makes it clear she believes in equality and freedom.