Whoever said “distance makes the heart grow fonder”, obviously read this book. The narration of the Greek gods gave the story a timeless feeling and I think we all need to read a story like that every once in a while (yes, it’s narrated by Aphrodite, Ares, Hades, Apollo… yes.)

”Let them start their dreadful wars, let destruction rain down, and let plague sweep through, but I will still be here, doing my work, holding humankind together with love like this.”

I loved the way it played on the classic tale of Hephaestus catching Ares and Aphrodite in his net. The whole book circled around that and it was the perfect jumping off point for the plot to work around while maintaining the timeless feel.

The way it emphasized all the “small moments” in the midst of the war added that feeling of hope in love. The unexpected friendships, the chance encounters, and stolen moments in the middle of the night... I WAS SOLD!

Definitely one of the most unique storytelling that I’ve read. It weaved the romance while never forgetting the setting it is thriving in. Even though this is a historical romance set in WW2, an objectively dark time, it didn’t feel that heavy to read. There are definitely still times it tackles more sensitive topics since the main sources of conflict stems from the result of the war, it came with a silver-lining. Plus, you can feel while reading how well-researched the book was and we love to see that.

“You’re a brand-new piece of sheet music for a song which, once played, I’d swear I’d always known.”

I didn’t realize this had a lot of musical aspects and quotes about music T_T those bits really pulled me in. But what took me out of the story was that problem with multi POV books when you’re not equally invested in everyone’s perspectives and you find yourself consantly waiting for the next time the characters you are waiting for to appear.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved both couples but there were just some scenes that I didn’t care much for and I think would have been better implied… so that we had more time to explore the romance on the gods’ side HAHA

Even though it’s really a romance novel it includes the impacts of war on both a personal and wider social level, without forgetting the perspectives of black soldiers during the war.

↣ With that, if you’re a hopeless romantic looking to fall in love over waltzes, piano music, and snowwy nights… I introduce to you, Lovely War. When I say I like old school romance, this exactly what I mean. It’s romantic, heartfelt, emotional, and an easy novel to get lost it. ↢

"No one can love me [...] That is the price of being the goddess of love."

— 4.25 —
⇢ content warnings// Amputation (mentioned), Blood, Bones, Death, Guns, Pregnancy, PTSD, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, War


⤜ post-read initial review ⤛
HAPPY NEW YEAR. I FINISHED IT ON TIME. thank you to everyone that believed in me <3

And I just need to say that: what better way to start 2022 with that old chivalric kind of hope in love.

Review incoming by 2022 <3

⤜ pre-read review ⤛
I told myself if I saw someone recommend this to me for the 4th time I'll add it to my TBR. You can guess why it's here now