Her Patriotic Duty

by Rosie Meddon

Esme Colborne is about to marry Richard Trevannion. When she finds out she is adopted - from a working class family - she cannot allow Richard to marry so far beneath his station. Fleeing the life she knew, she starts working as a decoy woman, testing British undercover operatives who may otherwise reveal secrets in a moment of weakness. However, she still has feelings for Richard. Will she be brave enough to risk having her heart broken all over again? Esme Colborne is about to marry Richard Trevannion. When she finds out she is adopted - from a working class family - she cannot allow Richard to marry so far beneath his station. Fleeing the life she knew, she starts working as a decoy woman, testing British undercover operatives who may otherwise reveal secrets in a moment of weakness. However, she still has feelings for Richard. Will she be brave enough to risk having her heart broken all over again?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical

396 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Canelo and Rosie Meddon for my copy of: Her Patriotic Duty.

England May 1940, Esme Colborne is engaged to Richard Trevannion he’s from one of the oldest and well to do families in England. Esme’s mother Naomi wants to have a chat, she’s expecting the dreaded what to expect on your wedding night talk and its much worse. Esme is devastated to learn that she’s adopted, she’s twenty five, her parents have waited until just before her wedding to share this information with her and how can she possibly tell Richard? Esme feels betrayed, she’s in shock, she’s not good enough to marry her fiancée and she runs away.

Esme finds a place to live, by chance a stranger over hears her talking French and she’s given an unexpected opportunity. Esme has no idea how she could be of use to her country during WW II but they have a plan to test men who have trained to be Special Operations Executives and before dropping them into France. The idea is to use 'decoy women', Esme is sent to the Hotel Aurelian, here she’s given assignments to meet, chat to the agents and try to get them to slip up and blow their cover stories. Esme proves that’s there’s more than one way to win a war, she’s very good at her job and some agents don’t pass the final test.

Unfortunately for Esme she discovers the war is very dangerous, the air raid sirens, bomb shelters and barbed wire on the beaches are not props. During a bombing raid she experiences the terror and afterwards the sadness and tragedy of two lives lost. This makes Esme think about her choices she’s made, did she judge her parents harshly and would Richard ever want to see her again? Her Patriotic Duty is a brilliant story, it made me aware of women volunteering to be decoys during WW II, it was part of Winston Churchill’s plan to win WW II and he was a very clever man. Well done to Rosie Meddon to write a book that honors and makes us aware of these brave and smart women and I gave it five stars. I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A NOVEL TAKE ON THE FEMALE WAR EFFORT DURING WWII

I always do my reviews in a sort of pros and cons kind of way - detailing the things I liked and the things I disliked. Based on those lists, I give an overall judgement. This novel was hard for me to do that with, because even though the cons list is actually the longest, I didn't dislike this book at all. I actually rather enjoyed it. And I can't really put my finger on why. But maybe I don't have to. Maybe I should just find pleasure in the simple fact, that I read a nice book 🤷‍♀️

👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

SOE and decoys: The central theme of this book is that of the female decoys employed by the SOE (Special Operations Executive) in Britain. Here, young women were trained to test male spies' loyalty and discretion, to ascertain whether they were fit for the trials ahead. Of course, these women were themselves working under cover, and where therefore also spies. I found it very interesting to get an insight (however, not a totally accurate one) into this female war effort, that I had had no knowledge of beforehand.

👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎

Drive: While reading this book I found the drive of the plot to be kind of lacking, mainly because the purpose of the book was shrouded - was it a self-discovery book? A there-and-back again book? A war book? A romance? I couldn't really figure it out and it bothered me.

Esme: Our main character Esme was not a character I could really like, sadly. She didn't do anything very offensive or anything, she was just a bit shallow in many ways. Also, I disliked many of her decisions and couldn't follow her reasoning for them. She seemed a bit vapid at times.

Ending: I was so disappointed by the ending, because it really let down the entire book. Esme has come so far and experienced so many things only for her to end up right where she began. Honestly, I really wanted her to end up with Marcus, not Richard.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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[linda hole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a historical fiction nerd. And i tend to gravitate to war fiction books. So this book looked to be right up my alley. But for.me this story was a little bit too slow. I did not pull om my heart strings. I did appreciate that the Main character was a strong heroine. But for me it was nothing new. So just an ok read for me. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

[Bruce Sembar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. The main character went through some changes but finally came back to where she started. Was hoping for a few more interesting adventures, but I guess it was a historical romeance.

[Mary Dasent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story set in World War 2.
Tells you about the part women played in the war and not talked about much.

[Esperanza Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always learn something new when I read historical fiction. This book taught me about decoy girls during WWII. I liked the main character. I wish the book had delved deeper into the stories of the men she met but the book was really about her and not the men she tested and expose. Still enjoyable. The audiobook was very well narrated.

[Marie Blower · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the book, but didn't like the ending

[L.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of books set in this era, so it was hardly surprising that the theme of Decoy Women would grab my attention. 

When Esme Colborne learns her true identity only days before she's due to marry Richard Trevannion, she suffers a huge crisis of conscience. Convinced that her real background makes her no longer "suited" to Richard (his family is one of the oldest and wealthiest in England) she packs up her things and leaves home with no plans or destination in mind.

She finds a place to live but has no idea what to do to earn a living since her own savings won't last forever. When, by chance, she spots a distraught woman with her son speaking in French at the station, Esme asks if she can help, assuming the woman is lost and needs directions. Having been to finishing school herself, Esme is fluent in French but soon realises the woman's husband is coming to meet them. 

That conversation, no matter how brief, is the catalyst of her story from thereon. Someone overheard her speaking French and suggests she call the number on a business card where the opportunity to serve her country awaits.

And so she is recruited as a decoy woman. Her job is to test men who have recently completed their training as Special OperationS Executives before they are sent to France. Esme is set up at the Hotel Aurelian where she is to meet these men and see if they hold up to scrutiny, albeit done in the most subtle and seductive way. If they fall foul of her methods and blow their cover stories, then her report will deem them as unsuitable. If, however, they pass her test, then they are sent onwards to fight the good fight in France as spies.

Esme excels at her job, but she also gets too close to some of those she is supposed to be testing, in particular to Marcus. As the bombs are dropped more frequently, Esme suffers the loss of her closest friends, and it makes her reevaluate her life. What will become of her once the war ends - she'll have no job, and has lost the only true friends she  has made since leaving home. Can she pick up the threads with her family, and maybe even with Richard, or should she hope for a new life with Marcus?


This is an interesting and enjoyable read with an original plotline centring around the decoy women. My thanks go to Netgalley and Canelo for the advanced reader copy. 

[Angela Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the copy of this book in return fora full and frank review.

I had of course heard of SOE but had only vaguely heard of the 'decoys' used to test the patriotism of the operatives before they were sent overseas.
So it was interesting to read about the training and story of a girl who after a traumatic family incident was recruited to be used by SOE eventually as a decoy. It was also interesting to read about a 'posh' hotel in Brighton and how the patronage seemed to be affected by rationing etc in different ways to the general population.
I enjoyed the book and often found myself reading just 'one more page or several' before snuggling down at bedtime.
However I did feel frustrated at times - one character obviously had something happen in her life - she met up with the heroine - they sorted out the problem but we, the reader, had no idea what had actually happened. Though it was obvious it involved a man.
I often feel that the last few chapters of many books are rushed and this was no exception - I felt let down by the ending and was wishing for more - but there was an ending which was predictable but nevertheless the book was a great read.
All in all I enjoyed this book and would look out for more by this author.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and another new side to the SOE that I had yet to learn about.

Esme Ward is set to marry Richard Trevannion decedent of. a well to do family in England.
Following a dinner party hosting Richards family Esme’s mother sits her down and shocks her to the core telling her that she was adopted. Esme’s world is thrown upside down and she decides that because she is from a working class that she is not worthy to marry Richard.
She flees without telling anyone and upon looking for some steady work she finds herself working for the government undercover.

“Decoy women” was another part of Churchill’s SOE that I had not heard of.. These women were put in place to test the agents abilities to conceal their true identity and motives. The decoy women would then write a report on whether the target agent was able to keep to his story or blow his cover.

I felt like a few parts of the story were cut very short and thought it should have continued on to reveal a bit more but nevertheless it was an enjoyable read from beginning to end.



Thank you to Canelo and Net Galley for the advanced copy.

[Rickie Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't know about the 'decoy women' who helped with World War II (as I didn't) then this book will help you understand their view and what they had to go through.

As with many books it was hard to get started, and a few times I wondered if I was going to continue but I'm glad I did.

There are many things in this book that can apply to our lives today, like

‘Especially,’ Esme said, ‘if they have the good sense to steer clear of politics, religion and money.’ And from giving unsolicited advice about starting a family!

Or even

"Briefly, she skimmed the remaining pages until, desperate to hear something that put matters in a less terrifying light"

There are some things that could be changed, like providing translation in certain parts, or getting the main part of the book sooner, but other than that it's a great book with many humorous parts.

‘What the devil are the RAF planning to do with an aquarium?’ he asked, his bafflement seemingly genuine. ‘Practise fishing?

I do wish this book was longer, or a second book, you will understand why when you finish the book.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley

Member Review
Cover Image: Her Patriotic Duty
Her Patriotic Duty
by Rosie Meddon
Pub Date: 10 Sep 2020
Review by

jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 31 Jul 2020
My Recommendation
With thanks to netgalley and canelo for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Firstly can I say this is just a totally mesmerising journey I have loved every page and beautifully written amazing characters that you just love this is one very special book.
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 10 Sep 2020, to post to these retailers.

[rhonda granquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book about the 'decoy women' during WWII.
Esme Colbourne , on the eve of her wedding to Richard Trevannion, herother tells her she was adopted. This threw Esme for a loop. She ran away and ended up in London.. She needed to find work and that's how she came to work for the SOE. She became a 'decoy woman' testing undercover operatives who may otherwise reveal secrets in a moment of weakness

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book by chance and very happy I did. I was intrigued by the story-line about wartime and specifically wanted to read more about how women contributed during this era. The book held my interest whenever I picked it up. I found the ending a total surprise which I loved! The Acknowledgement also topped it off for me bringing us back to reality! I would have given 5 stars but there seemed a “typo” on the last page which threw me off slightly. I plan to read more from Rosie Meddon.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew that during WWII that Britain had decoys who would test and lure people who had been trained to be spies overseas? The future spies would unknowingly be approached in public settings to see if they would unwittingly talk talk about their mission. Esme found she was a good decoy. She also learned that there was more to her than being of the elite class. She found a new her. But could she also find her way back to the fiancé she jilted or was it too late?

[Nancy Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I must say I enjoyed her style of writing and storyline. Interesting characters and subject. I enjoy reading stories set during WW2 in womens fiction as I still learn what happened in a sense without it being boring. I never knew about the decoys so that was interesting..
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Gail Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely do we read stories about the women who played a vital role in WW2.
Esme on the brink of her wedding receives some devastating news. She heads off to start a new life; little did she realise to what extent.
A great easy read.

[Mrs J A Saxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting reading

I had never heard about young women being trained to be employed to take part in this sort of thing., But found the book to be a very interesting read but expected a different ending somehow. Very pleasant read that I would recommend

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme Colburne finds out a secret concerning herself and sets out to discover who she really is. She's lived a pampered upper crust life, cocooned from the realities of life. Her journey leads her into interesting work for the British government during WW2. Her HEA surprises herself.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with a different view on the war.

[Judi Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book. Set during WWII, some good historical information. I enjoyed the
book.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Except for the sexual encounter at the end it was a really enjoyable book to read.

[Margaret Neale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept for the central part of the story. For a twenty five year old, Esme is a mixed bag. At the beginning, unexpected information leads her to rash decisions, which in turn lead to other unusual choices. She can be rather a whiner at times, as well as naive and emotionally immature, perhaps because of her privileged upbringing. Over the course of a few months, from an initial lack of direction, her perspective and circumstance directed actions/reactions change several times. It seems she does not really know what role she wants for herself, with the ending rather contrived. While she states she has changed, the final resolution left this reader wondering whether she will actually have a satisfying life. One wonders how the government operators are going to respond. She says she wants to work, but what that may be going forward is unknown.

Her preparation for and actual decoy work were the most interesting aspects of the story, as they presented a different view of the war effort, particularly as it involved women. Details of the various disruptions on life created a vivid picture of the effects of the war on both London and Brighton.

The backstories around the other characters are scanty and elements in other story lines, not involving Esme directly, are vague. Violette's tale, untold for the most part, was suggested and Lou's issues unexplained.

I read through to find out how Esme would grow, but as another reviewer suggested, the ending seemed rushed as she plunged headfirst into another set of circumstances.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall story in Her Patriotic Duty was good and well-written. While the story took place during World War II, it was not a typical war story of fighting or about the resistance, or the inhumane treatment of Jews and others, and full of death and destruction. This was a novel based on the home front in England, the lead character being a young woman named Esme.
I, at times, found Her Patriotic Duty a difficult read. To me, it was almost a psychological story about a woman trying to find herself and where she fit in life, after a major shakeup in her life. From that standpoint, the story has much to offer in relating thoughts, feelings, and actions, that we probably all go through at times in our lives - the book offers much food for thought in that regard.
My major disappointment with the book was the ending. After having nearly completed the book, the ending seemed so out of place with the rest of the story, and seemed so out of context, too simple for a complicated story. Also included was a section on a bedroom scene, which was not essential to the story.

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

spoiled rich girl on the brink of marriage finds out her real father was common as muck. Horrified, she runs away. Miraculously, she's found by SOE, does some half-hearted training and for 3 months stays away from her family and chats up SOE newbies to see if they blab about their heroic job, thus proving them unsuitable. There's a lesbian (who dies, of course)(though Esme is utterly oblivious) and after about 6 or 7 'jobs' gives it up. Petulant, whining, completely amazed when one of her pick-ups interprets her bright red tight dress and scarlet lips - and her not moving his hand immediately from her thigh- as a come on and accosted her, expecting what she was blatantly offering, she. she goes back to mummy and fiancee. Oh, he is already engaged to someone else but one word from her he breaks that off and they get back together.

despite the nonsense I read this quite happily - until she goes back to everything she walked away from. I do not foresee a HEA.

2.5 stars

[Chris Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't do book reviews


I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because of the general genre--I enjoy the WW2 female main character books very much. This one told of the SOE and the "Decoy Women" and had a great hook for the story.

However, the characters were not terribly developed--I never felt like I was IN the story. I would have loved much more detail about the history and setting and the characters themselves.

As for the ending, I felt like I missed a chapter. There is no definitive change from one set of circumstances to another. It is not like it ends.. it just drifts into another situation and left me feeling like I missed something important.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m normally a sucker for WWII romantic historical fiction, but this one sometimes just felt forced. I did learn a bit about decoy women (learning is one thing I enjoy about historical fiction), but the main character irritated me, and other characters seemed to come and go and be undeveloped; I kept waiting for someone I cared about to make a reappearance, or even for some to have more details shared because they seemed important. Anyway, it was a light, easy read, and I enjoyed it well enough, but it won’t make this year’s top ten list.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't 100% sure of this book in the beginning, I didn't really find the main character, Esme, choice to leave when she found out about her familial history very interesting, but I pushed through that part and I'm so glad that I did, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, there was barely any slow bits, and the WW2 historical information was fascinating!!

I definitely would recommend this book, I'm looking forward to reading some more of Rosie's books!!

[Tina Swab · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good easy read. The ending was a disappointment because it was like it was not finished and it just ended. I would have thought they would have continued with her working, the parents finding out they wed, and the war ending for her to come home permanently. That is why I did the lower rating