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The Carlyle Women #2
Had to be You
Coming of age in the deep Depression, Chloe’s daughter Bette faces a troubled world. Her mother and father have taken in Gretel, a Jewish girl her same age sent by her family from Nazi Germany. In the KKK South this is met with animosity. As she finishes high school, Bette falls in love with a young man who applauds her family’s decision. The two become informally engaged and Bette dreams of a future as a wife and mother with him, clipping recipes and living the quiet life.
But Hitler and others who seek world domination interfere with all her plans. Gretel studies in New York City and joins other American Jews, trying to expose Nazi’s for what they are. Bette’s fiance attends college in Georgetown while she works as a secretary in the War Department. And that job leads her into the murky world of espionage. The US, Canada and England have banded together to foil German spies working to gain American military secrets. Bette never considered being a spy even in her wildest dreams. But she will do anything to stop these enemies, those who are persecuting Gretel’s family. But after swearing an oath, she can tell no on--not even the man she loves.
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. War crashes over them all and again Bette and her love are separated. Another man , a FBI agent, has entered her life, one who works with her to foil Hitler. A man she resists but who won’t take no for an answer. When the war ends, which will she choose--the young man she fell in love with as a girl or the man who taught her how to be a spy?
The Carlyle Women-four generations,
each facing the challenges of her time
and each harboring her own painful secret
But Hitler and others who seek world domination interfere with all her plans. Gretel studies in New York City and joins other American Jews, trying to expose Nazi’s for what they are. Bette’s fiance attends college in Georgetown while she works as a secretary in the War Department. And that job leads her into the murky world of espionage. The US, Canada and England have banded together to foil German spies working to gain American military secrets. Bette never considered being a spy even in her wildest dreams. But she will do anything to stop these enemies, those who are persecuting Gretel’s family. But after swearing an oath, she can tell no on--not even the man she loves.
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. War crashes over them all and again Bette and her love are separated. Another man , a FBI agent, has entered her life, one who works with her to foil Hitler. A man she resists but who won’t take no for an answer. When the war ends, which will she choose--the young man she fell in love with as a girl or the man who taught her how to be a spy?
The Carlyle Women-four generations,
each facing the challenges of her time
and each harboring her own painful secret
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2018
157 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Lyn Cote
122 books589 followersLyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 28, 2023
Maryland/Washington DC/Europe 1936-1949
I've gone about this series all wrong with reading book three first and then going back to the beginning. Despite that I'm enjoying this series about multiple generations of women. Each novel has a song title for its book title. In Had to Be You, readers get a view of what life was like stateside during WWII and for a woman during the time period. A favorite part of this story was Ilsa's journey as a European Jew with family in the U.S..
Look forward to reading the conclusion.
I've gone about this series all wrong with reading book three first and then going back to the beginning. Despite that I'm enjoying this series about multiple generations of women. Each novel has a song title for its book title. In Had to Be You, readers get a view of what life was like stateside during WWII and for a woman during the time period. A favorite part of this story was Ilsa's journey as a European Jew with family in the U.S..
Look forward to reading the conclusion.
July 16, 2020
Had to be You by Lyn Cote is the second installment in this historical women's fiction series, The Carlyle Women. Each lady offspring has her own story. The story is filled with tensions from the time period. There is also a lot of action and a deep emotional journey. It is easy to develop an attachment to the main characters and those they care about...I kept wondering how it was going to end. Plus, the endings have a way of hooking me in waiting for the next grand adventure. The first book was on WWI, this one featured the WWII time period.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
October 25, 2018
Bette is a very interesting lady, and someone I would like to know in real life. Her intelligence and her desire to make a difference for her country set her apart from many other women of her time. This second book in The Carlyle Women series is even better than the first one, "Meant to Be."
There was more intrigue and action in this one, and I related to the characters very well. Lyn Cote helps you feel the emotional strain of what the Jewish people went through without being graphic or overly depressing.
I received a copy of this book from the author, but the opinions given are my own.
There was more intrigue and action in this one, and I related to the characters very well. Lyn Cote helps you feel the emotional strain of what the Jewish people went through without being graphic or overly depressing.
I received a copy of this book from the author, but the opinions given are my own.
November 7, 2018
Had to be You was a compelling story that kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next! The author did a great job of making me feel like I was back in the time period surrounding WWII and I loved reading about the world of espionage. There were some twists and turns in this storyline that I didn’t see coming, but they worked to propel the story along and kept me fascinated. I loved the way Bette grew emotionally in this novel.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
November 16, 2022
1936-1947
Maryland and Washington DC
A Maryland family faces KKK prejudice in the form of a burning cross in their front yard because they took in Gretel, a German Jewish girl. Gretel was like a sister to Bette, the daughter of Chloe from book one of this series.
Bette is the main character throughout the book, from high school, to a clerical position in Washington DC, to an espionage position under Herbert Hoover, to marriage years later to her high school sweetheart, to her husband's serious change after years in Europe during WWII.
Throughout her undercover position with the FBI, the same man (Ted) who trained her stayed in her life encouraging her, giving her the emotional support she needed and was never really given by Curt, her husband.
The history was terrific. The writing was good but a bit odd. Too many months or even years were skipped. I just reread the review I did of the first book and I see I said the same thing about that story.
But this book held my interest and I was invested in Bette's intriguing life.
Not really Christian but it was pretty clean. A suggestion of an affair, but Bette would never do that, which pleased me. She had morals and standards and stayed true to them.
Good book and I wouldn’t mind reading the next.
Maryland and Washington DC
A Maryland family faces KKK prejudice in the form of a burning cross in their front yard because they took in Gretel, a German Jewish girl. Gretel was like a sister to Bette, the daughter of Chloe from book one of this series.
Bette is the main character throughout the book, from high school, to a clerical position in Washington DC, to an espionage position under Herbert Hoover, to marriage years later to her high school sweetheart, to her husband's serious change after years in Europe during WWII.
Throughout her undercover position with the FBI, the same man (Ted) who trained her stayed in her life encouraging her, giving her the emotional support she needed and was never really given by Curt, her husband.
The history was terrific. The writing was good but a bit odd. Too many months or even years were skipped. I just reread the review I did of the first book and I see I said the same thing about that story.
But this book held my interest and I was invested in Bette's intriguing life.
Not really Christian but it was pretty clean. A suggestion of an affair, but Bette would never do that, which pleased me. She had morals and standards and stayed true to them.
Good book and I wouldn’t mind reading the next.
October 12, 2018
With the depression affecting everything from banks to farmers, even Carlyle Place was suffering. 1936 found Bette about to graduate from high school, the family had taken in a Jewish Girl from Germany and they were helping others where they could. Hitler was gaining power in Germany and those in the know were becoming concerned. Unlikely people were taking on jobs that would normally be frowned upon. The bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941 found many joining up even before they could be drafted. Weddings either happened quickly or they were postponed. Those returning from the war brought with them scars that couldn't be seen, straining relationships even more.
Between the Great War, the Depression and World War II the country had gone through many changes. Would the children of these times become the leaders of tomorrow?
I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own.
Between the Great War, the Depression and World War II the country had gone through many changes. Would the children of these times become the leaders of tomorrow?
I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own.
June 29, 2021
Filled with tension and trouble
Lyn Cote, once again, handled the subjects surrounding the time period really well. Although taking liberty using Bettie as a FBI agent during the early time period, she did it so well. The problems that the Jewish people faced was handled well with the two Jewish girls was done very well. The problem of men being unfaithful during war time was clearly na problem, as was the reality of divorce and soldiers committing suicide due to lack of work when returning. Although the problem of PTSD following war was touched on, I felt that the subject needed more time in the novel. I loved the book and hope you will too.
Lyn Cote, once again, handled the subjects surrounding the time period really well. Although taking liberty using Bettie as a FBI agent during the early time period, she did it so well. The problems that the Jewish people faced was handled well with the two Jewish girls was done very well. The problem of men being unfaithful during war time was clearly na problem, as was the reality of divorce and soldiers committing suicide due to lack of work when returning. Although the problem of PTSD following war was touched on, I felt that the subject needed more time in the novel. I loved the book and hope you will too.
November 24, 2022
Secrets Kept
I always enjoy Lyn Cote's fiction stories but to have one based on WWII made this one exceptional. A sharp young girl notices some irregularities working for the US War Department that she was in prior to WWII. Then she puts dots on some of the misplaced files. Through family friends she is invited to speak with J Edgar Hoover and later to work with a guy to spy for the US. Exciting work and she keeps being asked to do more difficult spy activities. However, she can't share any details with her boyfriend. After they are married he wants her to stay home with her family. That will never work.
I always enjoy Lyn Cote's fiction stories but to have one based on WWII made this one exceptional. A sharp young girl notices some irregularities working for the US War Department that she was in prior to WWII. Then she puts dots on some of the misplaced files. Through family friends she is invited to speak with J Edgar Hoover and later to work with a guy to spy for the US. Exciting work and she keeps being asked to do more difficult spy activities. However, she can't share any details with her boyfriend. After they are married he wants her to stay home with her family. That will never work.
January 17, 2021
So thoroughly caught up in the lives of these families. You can't help but root for them and hurt for them. If you're looking for something to confirm we all make choices and live with them follow these ladies who have broken hearts, healed hearts and growing hearts.
I would recommend this to those trying to get through the tough times we are all going through. Read and confirm that human compassion is out there we can be there to receive or share it
I would recommend this to those trying to get through the tough times we are all going through. Read and confirm that human compassion is out there we can be there to receive or share it
November 3, 2018
Interesting, intriguing story full of history and devotion. The author writes with great detail and the settings were brought to life in vivid descriptions. Read and find out about these families and their history. I received a copy of this book from the author. No review was required.
November 15, 2022
Spy Story With a Little Romance
Wonderful story of espionage and many twists and turns in personal lives. Must patience was noted by the main character in waiting for personal life to develop! Truly enjoyed the story!
Wonderful story of espionage and many twists and turns in personal lives. Must patience was noted by the main character in waiting for personal life to develop! Truly enjoyed the story!
February 5, 2019
Had To Be You
The second book in The Carlyle Women series was even better than the first. I absolutely loved it! On to book #3 in this fantastic series...
The second book in The Carlyle Women series was even better than the first. I absolutely loved it! On to book #3 in this fantastic series...
March 29, 2019
Love this series!
The ongoing saga of the Carlyle women was a page turner. You never know what’s going to happen next. I can’t seem to get enough of this story
The ongoing saga of the Carlyle women was a page turner. You never know what’s going to happen next. I can’t seem to get enough of this story
November 22, 2021
I enjoyed the story. It got kind of long but historical detail was pretty good.
January 31, 2023
Great book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Easy to read and could have happened. A war story but about love lost and love found!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Easy to read and could have happened. A war story but about love lost and love found!
June 8, 2019
Long, but well researched and constructed. The characters are almost all credible and engaging. I especially liked the understanding shown about the first (flawed) love interest, and how the main character was able to maintain her integrity, neither giving in to her partner, nor vilifying him. The second love interest was an exception - he is rather two-dimensional, and I wish he had been fleshed out more, to make her final decision more credible and satisfying.
This book is head and shoulders above the other books I've read by this author so far. It's the first I've read in this series, and I look forward to the others.
This book is head and shoulders above the other books I've read by this author so far. It's the first I've read in this series, and I look forward to the others.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews