London House, page 32
Thank you, dear readers! Thank you for trusting me with your time and your hearts. I hope we meet within the pages of a book again soon.
Katherine
About the Author
Corinne Stagen Photography
Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children.
KatherineReay.com
Instagram: @katherinereay
Facebook: @katherinereaybooks
Twitter: @Katherine_Reay
Praise for Katherine Reay
“In this story of war, deception, and absolution, we find also a tale of sisters, love, loss, and all of the unspoken things in between. A history of heroism and tragedy unfolds bit by bit through letters that illuminate the past and change everything one woman thought about her family—and her own journey forward. Carefully researched, emotionally hewn, and written with a sure hand, The London House is a tantalizing tale of deeply held secrets, heartbreak, redemption, and the enduring way that family can both hurt and heal us. I enjoyed it thoroughly.”
—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars and The Book of Lost Names
“The London House is a thrilling excavation of long-held family secrets that proves sometimes the darkest corners of our pasts are balanced with slivers of light. An expertly researched and marvelously paced treatise on the many variants of courage and loyalty, Reay seamlessly weaves present and precarious past as one young woman finds strength where others found betrayal. This is a brand-new side of fan-favorite Reay: wonderfully balancing her hallmarks of smart heroines and inimitable voices blended with an urgent jolt of suspense. Arresting historical fiction destined to thrill fans of Erica Roebuck and Pam Jenoff.”
—Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration
“The town of Winsome reminds me of Jan Karon’s Mitford, with its endearing characters, complex lives, and surprises where you don’t expect them. Reay has penned another poignant tale set in Winsome, Illinois, weaving truth, forgiveness, and beauty into a touching, multilayered, yet totally cozy story. You’ll root for these characters and will be sad to leave this charming town.”
—Lauren K. Denton, bestselling author of The Hideaway, for Of Literature and Lattes
“In her ode to small towns and second chances, Katherine Reay writes with affection and insight about the finer things in life—from the perfect cup of coffee and the right book at the right time to enduring friendships, the power of community, and the importance of not giving up on your loved ones or yourself. Reay’s fictional town of Winsome, Illinois, lives up to its name and will leave more than a few readers wistfully dreaming of moving there themselves.”
—Karen Dukess, author of The Last Book Party, for Of Literature and Lattes
“Reay understands the heartbeat of a bookstore.”
—Baker Book House, for The Printed Letter Bookshop
“The Printed Letter Bookshop is both a powerful story and a dazzling experience. I want to give this book to every woman I know—I adored falling into Reay’s world, words, and bookstore. Powerful, enchanting, and spirited, this novel will delight!”
—Patti Callahan, bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
“Dripping with period detail but fundamentally a modern story, The Austen Escape is a clever, warmhearted homage to Austen and her fans.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Reay handles . . . scenes with tenderness and a light touch, allowing the drama to come as much from internal conflict as external, rom-com–type misunderstandings . . . Thoughtful escapism.”
—Kirkus for The Austen Escape
“Reay’s sensually evocative descriptions of Italian food and scenery make this a delight for fans of Frances Mayes’s Under the Tuscan Sun.”
—Library Journal, starred review, for A Portrait of Emily Price
“Katherine Reay is a remarkable author who has created her own subgenre, wrapping classic fiction around contemporary stories. Her writing is flawless and smooth, her storytelling meaningful and poignant. You’re going to love The Brontë Plot.”
—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Book lovers will savor the literary references as well as the story’s lessons on choices, friendship, and redemption.”
—Booklist for The Brontë Plot
“Reay treats readers to a banquet of flavors, aromas, and textures that foodies will appreciate, and clever references to literature add nuances sure to delight bibliophiles. The relatable, very real characters, however, are what will keep readers clamoring for more from this talented author.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review, for Lizzy & Jane
“Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley kept me up until 2:00 a.m.; I simply couldn’t put it down.”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Tower
“Book nerds, rejoice! Dear Mr. Knightley is a stunning debut—a first-water gem with humor and heart. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next novel by this gifted new author!”
—Serena Chase, USA TODAY’s Happy Ever After blog
Also by Katherine Reay
Dear Mr. Knightley
Lizzy & Jane
The Brontë Plot
A Portrait of Emily Price
The Austen Escape
The Printed Letter Bookshop
Of Literature and Lattes
Nonfiction
Awful Beautiful Life, with Becky Powell
Copyright
The London House
Copyright © 2021 Katherine Reay
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published by Harper Muse, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus LLC.
Interior design by Mallory Collins
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by HarperCollins Focus LLC, nor does HarperCollins Focus LLC vouch for the content of these sites for the life of this book.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Reay, Katherine, 1970- author.
Title: The London house : a novel / Katherine Reay.
Description: [Nashville] : Harper Muse, [2021] | Summary: "An uncovered family secret sets one woman on the journey of a lifetime through the history of Britain's WWII spy network and glamorous 1930s Paris in an effort to understand her past, save her family, and claim her future"-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021024177 (print) | LCCN 2021024178 (ebook) | ISBN 9780785290209 (paperback) | ISBN 9780785290216 (epub) | ISBN 9780785290223
Subjects: BISAC: FICTION / Epistolary | FICTION / Romance / Contemporary | GSAFD: Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3618.E23 L66 2021 (print) | LCC PS3618.E23 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021024177
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021024178
Printed in the United States of America
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Katherine Reay, London House
