Historical novels are one of my favorites. History mixed with fiction it's the best combination. I’ve learned about Cuban dictators, and Savannah sunken ships through these types of stories, and the Rose Code will go down as one of the best.
There was so much going on as I read about Beth, Mav, and Sully. They were hired to interpret communications from the Germans during WWII. Not only did I learn what this secret society did, but also how they kept some type of balance during war time in London. These women fell in love, got married, and dared to dream of life after the war. I also got to listen to a fictional affair with the future Prince Philip before he married our beloved Elizabeth.
This novel was jammed packed with events that most of us would not survive, like Beth's 3 years in an asylum. Falsely diagnosed and heavily drugged. She knew some had betrayed her and accused her of treason. No matter what, she never let go the hope her friends would show up and save her.
The girls lived to see days after the war, even after having lost so much (Mav and Francis deserved more time). They made lives for themselves but never forgot what united them, the work they did during the war and their sacrifices for king (or queen) and country. They made beauty from the ashes left after the war.
There was a moment I felt only tragedy followed these women. They couldn't catch a break! I almost quit listening because the disasters just kept coming. I did take a break but I couldn't leave the story there, and I am glad I didn't. Of course, their lives was never the same, and I imagine that applied to everyone in the 1940s. People from all over the world felt the effects of this war, but to hear it from people so close to the events was incredible. I will keep looking for stories around this time because there were so many perspectives, and with different perspectives you get more captivating stories.