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A Dangerous Act of Kindness
What would you risk for a complete stranger?
When widow Millie Sanger finds injured enemy pilot Lukas Schiller on her farm, the distant war is suddenly at her doorstep. Compassionate Millie knows he’ll be killed if discovered, and makes the dangerous decision to offer him shelter from the storm.
On opposite sides of the inescapable conflict, the two strangers forge an unexpected and passionate bond. But as the snow thaws, the relentless fury of World War Two forces them apart, leaving only the haunting memories of what they shared, and an understanding that their secret must never see light.
As Millie’s dangerous act of kindness sets them on paths they never could have expected, those closest to them become their greatest threats, and the consequences of compassion prove deadly…
A Dangerous Act of Kindness is a beautiful, harrowing love story, perfect for fans of Rachel Hore and Santa Montefiore
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2019
2371 people are currently reading
2394 people want to read
About the author
L.P. Fergusson
5 books62 followersAs LP Fergusson I write historical novels including A Dangerous Act of Kindness and The Fever Box both set during the early years of WW2, and The Summer Fields set during a smallpox epidemic two centuries earlier.
As Loraine Fergusson I write a series of cozy mysteries set at Duntisbourne Hall, a crumbling stately home on the borders of Wales and inspired by my time working at Blenheim Palace. The Archivist (2012), The Golden Hand (2013) and The Hipkiss File (2023) are all available on Amazon.
As Loraine Fergusson I write a series of cozy mysteries set at Duntisbourne Hall, a crumbling stately home on the borders of Wales and inspired by my time working at Blenheim Palace. The Archivist (2012), The Golden Hand (2013) and The Hipkiss File (2023) are all available on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
January 5, 2019
A German pilot crashes in England during the Second World War and hides out in a barn. The owner of the farm Millie a young widow takes pity on him and takes him in to tend to his wounds. She then hides him from her neighbours to keep him safe even though this could cause her serious consequences.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo For my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo For my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2019
Historical fiction set during the World Wars is one of my favourite genres so I couldn't resist A Dangerous Act of Kindness when I read the blurb. The book opens in 1940 when the Battle of Britain was in full swing. It was obviously a time of heightened emotions for everybody and it's perhaps no wonder if there was little compassion for injured Luftwaffe pilots who bail out of the aircraft over England. Millie Sanger's decision to help Lukas Schiller would seem to be the normal, humane response to those of us living now but back then it was a far riskier course of action when people believed the German invasion could be imminent. Any suggestion of collaborating with the enemy was a potentially treasonous act and yet Millie - already no stranger to tragedy - can't just stand by when she finds a fellow human being in need.
Although she is only in her early twenties, she is already a widow and is weighed down by the burden of her bereavement. Her decision to help Lukas comes partly through her innate sense of compassion but it's clear that she needs to be able to forgive herself for what happened in the past. At first they are both torn by the situation they find themselves in; she is moved to help a man in obvious pain but is scared of what he may be capable of, he is in agony and desperately needs her assistance but fears that she will hand him over to the authorities once he is out of immediate distress. They are both risking a great deal so it's not surprising that the bond between them, which is initially formed through necessity, soon becomes far more intense. It leads to a scene which is tender and passionate without ever being explicit. I think it was at this point that what was already an intriguing book became utterly riveting and I knew I wasn't going to be able to put it down until I reached the end.
Millie runs a working dairy farm which means there are frequently other people around, particularly her childhood friend and would-be suitor, Hugh and Land Girl, Brigsie so the developing relationship between her and Lukas is under an almost constant threat of discovery. Her decision to help him may have been courageous but there is never any doubt that there are immense consequences to her actions. She is a very likeable character for the most part but I appreciated that LP Fergusson ensured she never became too saintly - as the story progresses and she must face up to the ramifications of her choices, she isn't always fair to those around her. The book alternates between following Millie's perspective or Lukas' and so the reader often knows more about their respective tribulations than they do. While many couples went for months or even years without proper contact, their separation is perhaps even more heartbreaking due to their paramount necessity for secrecy to be maintained. Secrets are an integral part of the book beyond just those that Millie and Lukas are forced to keep, especially with regards to military intelligence and its far-reaching network up and down the country.
I've read many wartime novels set in cities but fewer that focus on the experiences of those living in rural areas. Although the imminent danger of bombings are further away, the war still led to many changes, many of which feature in A Dangerous Act of Kindness; the presence of evacuees (not just children, those whose homes were destroyed in bombing raids were also eligible for evacuation); Land Girls becoming part of the workforce; and most pertinently to Millie, the power of the local War Ag who could decide what crops should be grown and were able to serve orders to farmer requiring work to be done, with the risk that their farm could be seized if they defaulted. The attention to detail is fabulous giving a real sense of authenticity to Millie and Hugh's work - I could have easily believed that LP Fergusson grew up on a dairy farm.
A Dangerous Act of Kindness takes place over a number of years meaning that the impact of the war becomes an important theme. Some of the most poignant moments in the book come from Lukas learning about the atrocities being carried out by some of his compatriots. The Nazis' horrific actions are reported second-hand rather than shown and are never gratuitous but remain a shocking reminder of their brutality. There is a clear distinction made between the ordinary Germans and those who were Nazis and I was struck by how difficult it must have been for patriotic men like Lukas to reconcile their love for their country with the knowledge that some of their fellow citizens were responsible for acts of unspeakable barbarity.
At the start of the book, I thought I would be reading an emotional story of love against the odds and it's true that there were moments where I was moved to tears. However, this is actually a far deeper and at times darker story about human nature in the most difficult of circumstances. It explores love of course but also loss, guilt, betrayal and hope. It acknowledges that in wartime friends can quickly become enemies but also recognises that even in the darkest times, people are capable of touching acts of kindness. I was completely captivated by A Dangerous Act of Kindness and loved everything about it - the enthralling main and sub-plots, the superb characterisation and the distinct sense of time and place. Just wonderful!
Although she is only in her early twenties, she is already a widow and is weighed down by the burden of her bereavement. Her decision to help Lukas comes partly through her innate sense of compassion but it's clear that she needs to be able to forgive herself for what happened in the past. At first they are both torn by the situation they find themselves in; she is moved to help a man in obvious pain but is scared of what he may be capable of, he is in agony and desperately needs her assistance but fears that she will hand him over to the authorities once he is out of immediate distress. They are both risking a great deal so it's not surprising that the bond between them, which is initially formed through necessity, soon becomes far more intense. It leads to a scene which is tender and passionate without ever being explicit. I think it was at this point that what was already an intriguing book became utterly riveting and I knew I wasn't going to be able to put it down until I reached the end.
Millie runs a working dairy farm which means there are frequently other people around, particularly her childhood friend and would-be suitor, Hugh and Land Girl, Brigsie so the developing relationship between her and Lukas is under an almost constant threat of discovery. Her decision to help him may have been courageous but there is never any doubt that there are immense consequences to her actions. She is a very likeable character for the most part but I appreciated that LP Fergusson ensured she never became too saintly - as the story progresses and she must face up to the ramifications of her choices, she isn't always fair to those around her. The book alternates between following Millie's perspective or Lukas' and so the reader often knows more about their respective tribulations than they do. While many couples went for months or even years without proper contact, their separation is perhaps even more heartbreaking due to their paramount necessity for secrecy to be maintained. Secrets are an integral part of the book beyond just those that Millie and Lukas are forced to keep, especially with regards to military intelligence and its far-reaching network up and down the country.
I've read many wartime novels set in cities but fewer that focus on the experiences of those living in rural areas. Although the imminent danger of bombings are further away, the war still led to many changes, many of which feature in A Dangerous Act of Kindness; the presence of evacuees (not just children, those whose homes were destroyed in bombing raids were also eligible for evacuation); Land Girls becoming part of the workforce; and most pertinently to Millie, the power of the local War Ag who could decide what crops should be grown and were able to serve orders to farmer requiring work to be done, with the risk that their farm could be seized if they defaulted. The attention to detail is fabulous giving a real sense of authenticity to Millie and Hugh's work - I could have easily believed that LP Fergusson grew up on a dairy farm.
A Dangerous Act of Kindness takes place over a number of years meaning that the impact of the war becomes an important theme. Some of the most poignant moments in the book come from Lukas learning about the atrocities being carried out by some of his compatriots. The Nazis' horrific actions are reported second-hand rather than shown and are never gratuitous but remain a shocking reminder of their brutality. There is a clear distinction made between the ordinary Germans and those who were Nazis and I was struck by how difficult it must have been for patriotic men like Lukas to reconcile their love for their country with the knowledge that some of their fellow citizens were responsible for acts of unspeakable barbarity.
At the start of the book, I thought I would be reading an emotional story of love against the odds and it's true that there were moments where I was moved to tears. However, this is actually a far deeper and at times darker story about human nature in the most difficult of circumstances. It explores love of course but also loss, guilt, betrayal and hope. It acknowledges that in wartime friends can quickly become enemies but also recognises that even in the darkest times, people are capable of touching acts of kindness. I was completely captivated by A Dangerous Act of Kindness and loved everything about it - the enthralling main and sub-plots, the superb characterisation and the distinct sense of time and place. Just wonderful!
April 27, 2019
This was not what I had hoped for. The first 100 pages were just a love story that could have taken place anywhere at any time. And I didn't particularly like the lovers and all the other people around them. The ending was rather convenient too, so I was preparing for a harsh review. But when I read the author's note I could see how the author had intended the story. So it's a 3 star for me. I'm definitely not average, others might love this book, so please give it a try and make up your own mind.
June 28, 2019
Couldn't finish this one. A dangerous act of boredom. The characters are flat, and the plot moved slower than pond water in the winter.
June 28, 2019
This was such a lovely book to read. It was a bit slow at first and I wondered if I’d enjoy it but, I got into it and loved it. It’s the ebook library read for the month and I highly recommend it.
June 28, 2019
How is this the big library read?
June 28, 2019
This one I could not put down. Luftwaffe pilot Lukas Schiller is shot down over the English countryside in 1940. He survived, his only injury a separated shoulder. Widowed Millie Sanger finds him hiding in her barn, and takes him into her home to treat his injury. By not reporting this to authorities, Millie committs treason. However a spark was ignited between the two and an unlikely but passionate bond is formed.
The author creatively builds on the romance over the course of the war even though, Lukas is captured and sent to POW camps. The characters and storyline are superbly crafted and the effects of the war on the farming community are well positioned to make this a truly excellent, suspenseful, historical novel.
Highly recommended for romantic historical fictionados.
The author creatively builds on the romance over the course of the war even though, Lukas is captured and sent to POW camps. The characters and storyline are superbly crafted and the effects of the war on the farming community are well positioned to make this a truly excellent, suspenseful, historical novel.
Highly recommended for romantic historical fictionados.
July 4, 2019
A wonderful story. . . .that shows war isn't waged by individuals, only by large, distant groups we get tangled up with, associated with in error, in geography, indifference in our politics and reluctance to long held. . . .
But after the highest of prices, and tragedies times a billion, it all goes on. Old sun drops, relentless rainshine, and hearts that just keep beating. . . .love outlasts all.
To the very end.
I enjoyed this book to the very end, even to the last of the acknowledgements.
But after the highest of prices, and tragedies times a billion, it all goes on. Old sun drops, relentless rainshine, and hearts that just keep beating. . . .love outlasts all.
To the very end.
I enjoyed this book to the very end, even to the last of the acknowledgements.
May 18, 2019
7:30 a.m. Saturday: I wake up early to finish the last seven chapters because I simply CANNOT wait to find out what happens. That was my experience with this novel. It's a very well written debut and Fergusson has a talent for strong storytelling.
The opening chapters pulled me right in, late on a Sunday night as I was perusing my weekly Kindle sample downloads. I bought it immediately because I wanted to know what happens next. It should happen more often when I read but it doesn't. I was immediately invested in Lukas, in Millie, in Hugh, and loved Brigsie. I felt for Millie and rooted for her, sympathized for Hugh, and then when Lukas entered the picture, ALL I wanted was for Millie and him to come back together. I loved the cast of characters, even the antagonists because they were SO well done. I wanted to enjoy their journeys. I wanted to know how - if at all - Millie and Lukas would reunite because, after all, they would be changed by their experiences and that interests me most (for awhile there, I was panicking over Millie and Hugh, and that's why I woke up early this morning, to find out whether...)
Fergusson has created a very solid, believable world with beautiful imagery. Her language is clear, simple and on pointe. I questioned nothing. I loved the characters and all of their flaws. The pace is great, the conflicts and antagonists will get your blood boiling. I only wished the book was better edited, it certainly deserved to have all the i's and t's crossed (she wasn't waited by guilt..she was weighted by guilt, for example). It can happen but it happened too often for a book that has been professionally represented and traditionally published. The only other thing that got to me was all the exposition in the Zoller-Schiller scenes. I could really have done without all that. Most people who pick up this book know about the atrocities of WW2 and I did not need to be spoon-fed all the details. Zoller felt as if he was placed in the story as a wooden billboard to pin all the research upon. And still...it's forgivable because it only happens in the last 10 to 15% of the novel.
The ending got five or six nice big tears rolling down my face. Well done! Congratulations. Highly recommended.
The opening chapters pulled me right in, late on a Sunday night as I was perusing my weekly Kindle sample downloads. I bought it immediately because I wanted to know what happens next. It should happen more often when I read but it doesn't. I was immediately invested in Lukas, in Millie, in Hugh, and loved Brigsie. I felt for Millie and rooted for her, sympathized for Hugh, and then when Lukas entered the picture, ALL I wanted was for Millie and him to come back together. I loved the cast of characters, even the antagonists because they were SO well done. I wanted to enjoy their journeys. I wanted to know how - if at all - Millie and Lukas would reunite because, after all, they would be changed by their experiences and that interests me most (for awhile there, I was panicking over Millie and Hugh, and that's why I woke up early this morning, to find out whether...)
Fergusson has created a very solid, believable world with beautiful imagery. Her language is clear, simple and on pointe. I questioned nothing. I loved the characters and all of their flaws. The pace is great, the conflicts and antagonists will get your blood boiling. I only wished the book was better edited, it certainly deserved to have all the i's and t's crossed (she wasn't waited by guilt..she was weighted by guilt, for example). It can happen but it happened too often for a book that has been professionally represented and traditionally published. The only other thing that got to me was all the exposition in the Zoller-Schiller scenes. I could really have done without all that. Most people who pick up this book know about the atrocities of WW2 and I did not need to be spoon-fed all the details. Zoller felt as if he was placed in the story as a wooden billboard to pin all the research upon. And still...it's forgivable because it only happens in the last 10 to 15% of the novel.
The ending got five or six nice big tears rolling down my face. Well done! Congratulations. Highly recommended.
July 9, 2019
I picked this book up on a whim since my library was advertising it on their site. I'm a sucker for WW2 stuff, so I eagerly started into it. The beginning definitely pulls you in for the first quarter, but then I set it aside to read some other books. My point being it was interesting, but not riveting, so my rating is either a 3.25 or 3.5 stars. I liked it. Just didn't love it.
I really liked getting to see what it was like on the home front in Britain during the war, how the country was prepared for this and that. How rationing and relocation of families effected everyone. Most books I've read take place in the war zones, so this was a refreshing bit to read about.
I'd never heard of the Land Girls program, again I've not come across much about the home front in books, so it was great to learn something new. They helped with running the farms, mechanics, harvesting, lumber, etc. Women power! Woo!
Also it was really interesting to read about these listening rooms the British had built to secretly collect information by listening in on the prisoners conversations & then having German exiles transcribe the conversations onto paper. A very efficient process. As well as utilizing the POWs as a work force to also help on farms during harvest and elsewhere. I know that happened in America too, since there wasn't the manpower to do everything otherwise with our boys overseas. A real eye-opener on how things function with a large portion of your populace is absent.
I don't know how accurate everything is in this book, but it paints an intriguing picture of life from the beginning of the war, following our little cast of characters, to encompass all the horrors committed by the end of it. Some of those horrors are described thoroughly, and others in less detail. This book carries some very heavy themes: depression, suicide, torture, experimentation on fellow humans, murder, domestic violence, etc. This included combining the war zones and the home front of Britain. Definitely not a light-hearted read.
However, this story also carries a second message. Despite everything that happened, the power to forgive is a quiet whisper of an undercurrent throughout the book. The strength of love, even against the odds and against public scrutiny. And with love, hope. Hope to survive, hope to find that love again, and hope for forgiveness. The ending was so sweet!
The only problems I had with this book is that there were some serious slow points. But it's farm life so it can't be excitement all the time. The author did a good job of fitting some danger in here and there to keep you on your toes.
The romance was pretty much instantaneous. But in wartime, I guess, it's plausible to fall hard and fast for someone, especially knowing you could be caught & killed soon. Still, I was won over.
One other problem I had was with Millie. She was so obvious all the time that it's a wonder things weren't discovered immediately. I wanted to tell at her to pull herself together or she'd give herself away for sure. It's just fortunate for her that Hugh wasn't incredibly observant. I liked her alright most of the time though.
We got quite a crew of characters: Lukas you couldn't help but love. I loved reading his chapters the most. Joseph Thälhauser was an unexpected friend. Brigsie was a tough girl who I missed at the end. Hugh, well he was pesky, persistent & hard to get rid of, but at the same time he was dependable and kind. Ruby was such a ball of confident sass & a total flirt. June and her son Danny were distant, broken people. You really felt for them. Then of course we had the loathsome Mr. Russell, and pain in the stubborn ass Constable Hanratty. We really got all kinds in this.
So overall, I enjoyed this book and am glad I picked it up on a whim ^_^ It had a lot of compelling aspects and characters.
I really liked getting to see what it was like on the home front in Britain during the war, how the country was prepared for this and that. How rationing and relocation of families effected everyone. Most books I've read take place in the war zones, so this was a refreshing bit to read about.
I'd never heard of the Land Girls program, again I've not come across much about the home front in books, so it was great to learn something new. They helped with running the farms, mechanics, harvesting, lumber, etc. Women power! Woo!
Also it was really interesting to read about these listening rooms the British had built to secretly collect information by listening in on the prisoners conversations & then having German exiles transcribe the conversations onto paper. A very efficient process. As well as utilizing the POWs as a work force to also help on farms during harvest and elsewhere. I know that happened in America too, since there wasn't the manpower to do everything otherwise with our boys overseas. A real eye-opener on how things function with a large portion of your populace is absent.
I don't know how accurate everything is in this book, but it paints an intriguing picture of life from the beginning of the war, following our little cast of characters, to encompass all the horrors committed by the end of it. Some of those horrors are described thoroughly, and others in less detail. This book carries some very heavy themes: depression, suicide, torture, experimentation on fellow humans, murder, domestic violence, etc. This included combining the war zones and the home front of Britain. Definitely not a light-hearted read.
However, this story also carries a second message. Despite everything that happened, the power to forgive is a quiet whisper of an undercurrent throughout the book. The strength of love, even against the odds and against public scrutiny. And with love, hope. Hope to survive, hope to find that love again, and hope for forgiveness. The ending was so sweet!
The only problems I had with this book is that there were some serious slow points. But it's farm life so it can't be excitement all the time. The author did a good job of fitting some danger in here and there to keep you on your toes.
The romance was pretty much instantaneous. But in wartime, I guess, it's plausible to fall hard and fast for someone, especially knowing you could be caught & killed soon. Still, I was won over.
One other problem I had was with Millie. She was so obvious all the time that it's a wonder things weren't discovered immediately. I wanted to tell at her to pull herself together or she'd give herself away for sure. It's just fortunate for her that Hugh wasn't incredibly observant. I liked her alright most of the time though.
We got quite a crew of characters: Lukas you couldn't help but love. I loved reading his chapters the most. Joseph Thälhauser was an unexpected friend. Brigsie was a tough girl who I missed at the end. Hugh, well he was pesky, persistent & hard to get rid of, but at the same time he was dependable and kind. Ruby was such a ball of confident sass & a total flirt. June and her son Danny were distant, broken people. You really felt for them. Then of course we had the loathsome Mr. Russell, and pain in the stubborn ass Constable Hanratty. We really got all kinds in this.
So overall, I enjoyed this book and am glad I picked it up on a whim ^_^ It had a lot of compelling aspects and characters.
March 17, 2019
This novel is superbly written and well-researched. It is set during the Second World War and is about treason. I loved the seamless style of writing and the beautiful imagery. There were a lot of fascinating and often shocking facts detailed that I didn’t know. It explains the atrocities of war and unbelievably barbaric practices and the mass murders of the Germans behind the scenes. It would be wrong to paint all the German race as brutal and bloodthirsty, but it was unsettling to discover that many of the Germans relished the onerous duties they performed. I had always given them the benefit of the doubt that they were under orders of their crackpot leader who was fighting for world autonomy. So much for the Geneva Convention both in Germany and in Britain. I wasn’t impressed by the community's and police’s handling of Lukas. He didn’t start the war and give out orders. He was merely a pawn in the whole deadly, meaningless process. Sadly, the wars appear to have changed nothing. People remain victimised by their colour, creed or politics. Countries and people are still at war in small and horrendous ways. You only need to watch Prime Ministers Question Time, Facebook, read the news or a book to acknowledge that hate, nastiness, anger and defensiveness are alive and well. My only criticism is that the concept of romance seemed sketchy between Lukas and Millie. It manifested itself initially as an opportunist lust rather than the credibility of love. It seemed such a brief, tenuous liaison. This concept was later redeemed as the couple separated and there’s a more substantial romantic, yearning thread throughout the book. I wasn’t sure the couple was a good match: a well-educated, fastidious German and a slovenly country girl who lived in a state of unnecessary squalor. I thought Hugh was more her type. I wasn't quite sure what happened to him at the end. Millie, however, was a sweet little thing, innovative and likeable. I loved the snow and adored Gyp, the faithful dog. I was particularly interested in the Author’s Notes at the end of how the story evolved in her head. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a thought-provoking read.
April 8, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
What a humdinger of an emotional read!
What would you have done if living during the war on a farm and a pilot crash lands in your field, If you take him in, you could be seen as a collaborator and put to death. But what happens if you just leave him? He'll die out there...
The woman in the book takes him in - the dangerous act of kindness - and that creates a bubble which slowly becomes romantic..but then all bubbles burst and this one could kill..
I was all over the place with this novel. Emotionally speaking I was a wreck! When you think you've read all the stories you can about the Germans and the war, this is a very unique novel and a very unique set of circumstances. I'm not going to lie - there were some very tough scenes to stomach and when you realise just what these atrocities actually entailed....that one word, atrocities, has so many meanings here and it, they will break your heart.
This novel also looked at the difficult situation of how some Germans proudly played a role in the war. They saw it as their duty and the duty they owned to their country. Now, this in the modern day sounds barbaric - and it was then - but this novel places you back in the time and place and really shakes your emotions around that thought. Is it not similar to what some people do now when they have such a strong belief in their 'cause' ?
The relationship of Lukas and Millie was heartbreaking and that word again - emotional - but it was Lukas who interested me - how they treated him before and after, Millie's reactions to it all and the role the Lukas of this world played in the war at the time.
There is some impressive research in this novel and the author explains a little at the end how the story came to be which is equally good to read.
Tissues at the ready but read this book!
March 18, 2024
Man oh, man oh man! Did I love this. There is just something about the way LP Fergusson writes her novels that I love so much. I read “The Summer Fields” a couple of years ago and still remember it and think of it often. And I’m going to have to say that right now this author is my favorite historical fiction writer! I stopped reading this twice because I was enjoying it so much that I was already anxious about finishing it. Complex themes that had enjoyable tense moments and beautifully done descriptions of love, fear, hate and forgiveness. **Sigh**
Again I can’t explain why I “love” her writing except that it really works for me! I get her thoughts and emotions. I highly recommend this and hope you enjoy it.
Thanks to my local library for making it possible to obtain a copy of this novel.
Again I can’t explain why I “love” her writing except that it really works for me! I get her thoughts and emotions. I highly recommend this and hope you enjoy it.
Thanks to my local library for making it possible to obtain a copy of this novel.
July 4, 2019
”It’ll take a thousand years before the world forgets what we have done.”
I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, and, when I am, it’s rarely WWII novels that get my attention. But A Dangerous Act of Kindness was this month's Big Library Read, and so, with the incentive of no hold time, I decided to pick it up.
A true historical fiction fan would probably rave about this book. It’s a decent blend of romance, wartime, and historical accuracy. But, whatever you do, don’t read this book if you’re not into history. Trust me, you won’t get through it. There are pages upon pages of just describing events of the war, both domestic and otherwise. At times, this felt like a glorified WWII high school timeline.
The romance was meh. It was far from the steamiest thing I’ve ever read, and it was honestly a little far fetched that the two weeks this couple spent together spurred years and years of devotion and longing. So yeah, this one just didn’t do it for me.
I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, and, when I am, it’s rarely WWII novels that get my attention. But A Dangerous Act of Kindness was this month's Big Library Read, and so, with the incentive of no hold time, I decided to pick it up.
A true historical fiction fan would probably rave about this book. It’s a decent blend of romance, wartime, and historical accuracy. But, whatever you do, don’t read this book if you’re not into history. Trust me, you won’t get through it. There are pages upon pages of just describing events of the war, both domestic and otherwise. At times, this felt like a glorified WWII high school timeline.
The romance was meh. It was far from the steamiest thing I’ve ever read, and it was honestly a little far fetched that the two weeks this couple spent together spurred years and years of devotion and longing. So yeah, this one just didn’t do it for me.
January 8, 2019
I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review
This was way more history and way way way less romance than I was expecting. It was an interesting look at the period, but it was hard to believe that the two characters were desperately in love with so little time actually spent in each others presence
This was way more history and way way way less romance than I was expecting. It was an interesting look at the period, but it was hard to believe that the two characters were desperately in love with so little time actually spent in each others presence
June 29, 2019
Ugh...our library promoted this as historical fiction
It's nothing more than a Harlequin romance with a few bits of World War II jargon tossed in. I'm glad I didn't waste any money on this novel but I won't get back the time I wasted before I gave up on the weak characters, implausible plot and generally weak writing.
It's nothing more than a Harlequin romance with a few bits of World War II jargon tossed in. I'm glad I didn't waste any money on this novel but I won't get back the time I wasted before I gave up on the weak characters, implausible plot and generally weak writing.
March 31, 2019
Where to start!!!! This historical fiction book is definitely a must read if you enjoy reading historical fiction based around WWII and enjoy works by Authors such as: Marius Gabriel or Janet MacLeod Trotter.
Millie Sanger is a young widow struggling to keep the dairy farm that had been in her husband’s family for generations. As the War Agricultural Executive Committees (War Ags) is wanting to take the farm off her unless she ups its production.
One evening just before a blizzard cuts off her farm from the outside world, Millie is out checking her farm when her dog runs off. She goes after him and ends up by one of the more remote unused barns. The same barn her husband killed himself in. So with trepidation she goes in to find her dog is growling at a man. Not just any man, but the pilot from the Messerschmitt, a Lukas Schiller. He appears to be injured and struggling to keep his gun raised at the dog.
Overcoming her fear she becomes consumed with pity for the injured pilot. Taking him to her farm house where she sees to his injuries, lets him clean up gives him some of her dead husbands clothes to wear. All the while the blizzard has started to set in.
Lukas goes to leave but Millie persuades him to stay as the weather in constantly closing in on them. She fears for him, how he will survive, if found will he be killed?
In the coming days Millie and Lukas have formed their own little bubble cut off from the world outside. Here there is no war there are no sides, just a blossoming and overwhelming love for each other.
All to soon the weather breaks and the snow starts to melt. They both know that they have no choice, Lukas has to leave and put a distance between himself and Millie to protect her from being accused as a collaborator as its a hanging offence.
Lukas is eventually captured and sent to a pow camp. Where they offer him a deal to keep Millie safe from any kind of punishment for helping him. He agrees to take up the deal and spends most of the war transcribing German pow’s conversations. To find out anything useful to help them win the war.
During the remainder of the war we see how life pans out for both Millie and Lukas. Where they both keep their love for each other close to their hearts in hope one day they will be together.
You want to dislike Lukas but the man isn’t responsible for the atrocities that his fellow Germans are ordered and some relished to do. War brings out good and bad in everyone.
When the war end will they ever see each other again and overcome any hurdles that may come their way? Or are their lives on a different unchangeable path?
I have to give this book 5 stars, great story line, with depth and feeling, guilt over loving the wrong man/woman, treason, evacuee’s from blitzed out London and the land girls.
Millie Sanger is a young widow struggling to keep the dairy farm that had been in her husband’s family for generations. As the War Agricultural Executive Committees (War Ags) is wanting to take the farm off her unless she ups its production.
One evening just before a blizzard cuts off her farm from the outside world, Millie is out checking her farm when her dog runs off. She goes after him and ends up by one of the more remote unused barns. The same barn her husband killed himself in. So with trepidation she goes in to find her dog is growling at a man. Not just any man, but the pilot from the Messerschmitt, a Lukas Schiller. He appears to be injured and struggling to keep his gun raised at the dog.
Overcoming her fear she becomes consumed with pity for the injured pilot. Taking him to her farm house where she sees to his injuries, lets him clean up gives him some of her dead husbands clothes to wear. All the while the blizzard has started to set in.
Lukas goes to leave but Millie persuades him to stay as the weather in constantly closing in on them. She fears for him, how he will survive, if found will he be killed?
In the coming days Millie and Lukas have formed their own little bubble cut off from the world outside. Here there is no war there are no sides, just a blossoming and overwhelming love for each other.
All to soon the weather breaks and the snow starts to melt. They both know that they have no choice, Lukas has to leave and put a distance between himself and Millie to protect her from being accused as a collaborator as its a hanging offence.
Lukas is eventually captured and sent to a pow camp. Where they offer him a deal to keep Millie safe from any kind of punishment for helping him. He agrees to take up the deal and spends most of the war transcribing German pow’s conversations. To find out anything useful to help them win the war.
During the remainder of the war we see how life pans out for both Millie and Lukas. Where they both keep their love for each other close to their hearts in hope one day they will be together.
You want to dislike Lukas but the man isn’t responsible for the atrocities that his fellow Germans are ordered and some relished to do. War brings out good and bad in everyone.
When the war end will they ever see each other again and overcome any hurdles that may come their way? Or are their lives on a different unchangeable path?
I have to give this book 5 stars, great story line, with depth and feeling, guilt over loving the wrong man/woman, treason, evacuee’s from blitzed out London and the land girls.
July 2, 2019
This was a really interesting book about WW2 told from a different perspective than you are used to hearing. It is a bit slow at times but the character development and story line is sound.
July 5, 2019
Not my favorite WW2 read, but still good overall. Some random language and sexual content thrown in, quite a bit unnecessarily.
June 20, 2019
If you like romantic historical fiction set in WW2 England, you will probably like this book. A German pilot crashes, is injured, and is helped by a young widow on a dairy farm. Romance ensues. I would have given it a better rating if the author had fleshed out the early post war years.
July 14, 2019
3.5 *
I chose this because it was advertised through the Big Library Read and was available immediately. I didn’t know what it was about but I enjoy Historical Fiction. I thought the story flowed well and the description of the community and people within it were realistic and well thought out.
I did have a few issues with some of the continuous WW2 factual references in the second half of the book. At times it felt like we were being hit over the head with a history lesson, rather than seamless integration and subtle unfolding of history in a more authentic way.
Overall, it didn’t blow me away but it was a relatively enjoyable read.
I chose this because it was advertised through the Big Library Read and was available immediately. I didn’t know what it was about but I enjoy Historical Fiction. I thought the story flowed well and the description of the community and people within it were realistic and well thought out.
I did have a few issues with some of the continuous WW2 factual references in the second half of the book. At times it felt like we were being hit over the head with a history lesson, rather than seamless integration and subtle unfolding of history in a more authentic way.
Overall, it didn’t blow me away but it was a relatively enjoyable read.
June 29, 2019
This book was my library's group read selection. I dont normally read WWII fiction, but this one was pretty good and I did learn quite a bit about how England treated and used some of their POWs.
I down graded my rating due to the ending. After almost an excruciating level of detail and a snail's pace, the ending skips from a dramatic confrontation to a brief scene six years in the future. I can guess what happened after ever so many chapters, but it would have been nice to KNOW what happened.
I down graded my rating due to the ending. After almost an excruciating level of detail and a snail's pace, the ending skips from a dramatic confrontation to a brief scene six years in the future. I can guess what happened after ever so many chapters, but it would have been nice to KNOW what happened.
June 29, 2019
Historical fiction set in England during World War II—includes history, romance, and suspense. This was a Big Library Read book club book. The characters were flat and there wasn’t enough history or suspense.
July 4, 2019
I enjoy books that allows me to think "what would I do in this circumstance?" A Dangerous Act of Kindness does that very well. Millie, through poignant circumstances becomes a widow very young. She is determined to keep the dairy farm going that has been in her husband's family for some time. It is World War II and Millie is faced with providing agricultural products to help Englanders survive the brutal bombings occurring during The Blitz. If she doesn't meet her quota, she faces having the farm confiscated. A Land Girl from the nearby village and the neighboring bachelor provide help and support as she struggles. Millie discovers a downed German pilot, Lucas, in her remote barn, injured. She brings him to her farmhouse, helps him, and then tries to send him on his way as quickly as possible. However, a blizzard and their growing attraction to each other delays his leaving. As Millie tries to keep his presence secret, events mount that could be dangerous for both of them.
Many interesting characters affect the plot of this book. I also enjoyed reading about the village life of Englanders during the 1930's and 1940's. If you are a WWII historical fiction aficionado, you will find this book charming, full of heart, and a quick read. The was a Big Library Read for June as part of Overdrive media's programs through libraries. It was fun to read other reader's comments on this book.
Many interesting characters affect the plot of this book. I also enjoyed reading about the village life of Englanders during the 1930's and 1940's. If you are a WWII historical fiction aficionado, you will find this book charming, full of heart, and a quick read. The was a Big Library Read for June as part of Overdrive media's programs through libraries. It was fun to read other reader's comments on this book.
October 26, 2019
"you have to ask what happens to someone's humanity when the person in front of them no longer looks human."
LP Fergusson, A Dangerous Act of Kindness
This could have been a great story, but the storyline was pretty disjointed and many of the situations did not ring true. Both of the principle characters were very sympathetic and I wish there had been more character development.
I had started to read this story over the summer - it was featured as a Big Library Read selection. I had gotten through the first few chapters when the book became unavailable for a while and (as far as I know is only available in ebook/Kindle editions) then had to queue for the wait.
Once you get through the first quarter of the book, it's actually a pretty quick read. Bottom line - you will not be missing anything if you skip it.
LP Fergusson, A Dangerous Act of Kindness
This could have been a great story, but the storyline was pretty disjointed and many of the situations did not ring true. Both of the principle characters were very sympathetic and I wish there had been more character development.
I had started to read this story over the summer - it was featured as a Big Library Read selection. I had gotten through the first few chapters when the book became unavailable for a while and (as far as I know is only available in ebook/Kindle editions) then had to queue for the wait.
Once you get through the first quarter of the book, it's actually a pretty quick read. Bottom line - you will not be missing anything if you skip it.
April 28, 2019
I foolishly started this ARC at bedtime, fell asleep reading it, and then woke up at 3.30am and continued reading until 6am! I finished it later on this afternoon as I just couldn't concentrate on what I was doing.
I loved the drama, the romance, the fear and the outcome. I did wonder if it was a little bit too expanded, but, I thoroughly enjoyed what I read and will definitely be recommending to others .
I loved the drama, the romance, the fear and the outcome. I did wonder if it was a little bit too expanded, but, I thoroughly enjoyed what I read and will definitely be recommending to others .
July 5, 2019
Could not finish. I found the storyline amateurish.
June 27, 2019
A Dangerous Act of Kindness is a historical fiction romance book written by L.P. Fergusson, and is the Big Library Read Digital Book Club via the Toronto Public Library book for the June 17 – July 1, 2019 period. It surrounds the eventual relationship between Millie Sanger, an Oxfordshire farm woman and Lukas Schiller, an Oberleutnant in the German Airforce (Luftwaffe) during the Second World War.
In 1940, Oberleutnant Lukas Schiller is flying over England in his Messerschmitt, its engine overheating. Following a bombing raid, he is desperately trying to return to base in occupied France. Shutting the ignition off and attempting a restart proves unsuccessful, and although he manages to parachute out, the airplane crashes into Millie Sanger's farm field in Oxfordshire.
Millie finds Lukas in her barn and, taking pity on him, treats him for his injuries. Having studied in Dublin before the war, Lukas speaks English. Although Lukas was to depart soon, a blizzard breaks out confining him to the farmhouse. Millie, a young widow, is troubled about her past, and when Lukas shows sympathy, her attraction to him turns into love and intimacy. Millie must hide Lukas from her neighbor, Hugh, who's keen on her, and from other London evacuees. However, her friend Brigsie, a Land Girl, betrays her, and Millie's dangerous act of kindness could lead to imprisonment.
A Dangerous Act of Kindness is written rather well. The narrative is strongly written with much attention to detail. The wonderful descriptions and authentic dialogue is captivating. While the treatment of German Prisoner of War during their internment in camps and their use as farm laborers is well known, the novel's account of some of them assisting British military intelligence in translating German recordings is remarkable. Despite lingering in some places and the story's predictable romantic ending, it is heartwarming nonetheless.
All in all, A Dangerous Act of Kindness was wonderful historical romance between two supposed enemies – an English widow and a German Oberleutnant against the backdrop of the Second World War.
In 1940, Oberleutnant Lukas Schiller is flying over England in his Messerschmitt, its engine overheating. Following a bombing raid, he is desperately trying to return to base in occupied France. Shutting the ignition off and attempting a restart proves unsuccessful, and although he manages to parachute out, the airplane crashes into Millie Sanger's farm field in Oxfordshire.
Millie finds Lukas in her barn and, taking pity on him, treats him for his injuries. Having studied in Dublin before the war, Lukas speaks English. Although Lukas was to depart soon, a blizzard breaks out confining him to the farmhouse. Millie, a young widow, is troubled about her past, and when Lukas shows sympathy, her attraction to him turns into love and intimacy. Millie must hide Lukas from her neighbor, Hugh, who's keen on her, and from other London evacuees. However, her friend Brigsie, a Land Girl, betrays her, and Millie's dangerous act of kindness could lead to imprisonment.
A Dangerous Act of Kindness is written rather well. The narrative is strongly written with much attention to detail. The wonderful descriptions and authentic dialogue is captivating. While the treatment of German Prisoner of War during their internment in camps and their use as farm laborers is well known, the novel's account of some of them assisting British military intelligence in translating German recordings is remarkable. Despite lingering in some places and the story's predictable romantic ending, it is heartwarming nonetheless.
All in all, A Dangerous Act of Kindness was wonderful historical romance between two supposed enemies – an English widow and a German Oberleutnant against the backdrop of the Second World War.
June 23, 2019
I've spent so many years feeling guilty: guilty that couldn't stop my husband from killing himself; guilty that I have saved an enemy soldier; guilty that I couldn't stop loving you. But guilt is a pointless emotion. It changes nothing, except the person who carries it.
A love story that is centered around guilt and war.
This book was the big library read book. I enjoyed the concept of the book although I do think that the plot was rather common.The love story was something that we see quite often, but what I liked about it was the loss and guilt that the characters carried with them throughout the book.
What is the book about?
The book spans from 1940-1951 and it deals with how WW2 affected people's lives. The book centers around Millie, who is in her early twenties and feels guilty for her husband's death. She saves a young German soldier, Lukas, out of kindness. What she did not know that having him would mean danger and loss for her. They fall in love and she tries to hide him from others. Eventually, he leaves to save his life and they promise to see each other soon. Will they ever see each other again? What guilt do they carry? Will they lose everything that they ever owned?
I recommend this book of you are look for a quick read.
A love story that is centered around guilt and war.
This book was the big library read book. I enjoyed the concept of the book although I do think that the plot was rather common.The love story was something that we see quite often, but what I liked about it was the loss and guilt that the characters carried with them throughout the book.
What is the book about?
The book spans from 1940-1951 and it deals with how WW2 affected people's lives. The book centers around Millie, who is in her early twenties and feels guilty for her husband's death. She saves a young German soldier, Lukas, out of kindness. What she did not know that having him would mean danger and loss for her. They fall in love and she tries to hide him from others. Eventually, he leaves to save his life and they promise to see each other soon. Will they ever see each other again? What guilt do they carry? Will they lose everything that they ever owned?
I recommend this book of you are look for a quick read.
July 5, 2019
Read this as part of 'The Big Library Read'. I might have really liked the book if the romance part was left out. But that is impossible because that is the thread that holds it together. We hear too much about Millie and her heartbreak. She didn't treat Hugh very well and yet he was one of my favorite characters.
I'd liked learning about the farm and the countryside and reading about the kind of info the intelligence services were getting from prisoners of war. But it doesn't hold a candle to 'Foyle's War'.
I could imagine what the countryside was like from the TV series and others set in the same time period.
There is a big gap in the time line at the end and the author leaves us hanging about what happened to each character during that time. The ending wasn't very satisfying at all.
I'd liked learning about the farm and the countryside and reading about the kind of info the intelligence services were getting from prisoners of war. But it doesn't hold a candle to 'Foyle's War'.
I could imagine what the countryside was like from the TV series and others set in the same time period.
There is a big gap in the time line at the end and the author leaves us hanging about what happened to each character during that time. The ending wasn't very satisfying at all.
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