Name: Lovely War
Rating: 4.411854103343465 (329 reviews)
ISBN: 9780147512970

Julie Berry

Lovely War

Ashlyn Barrett

Kisses by the billions happen every day, even in a lonely world like ours.

Mortals aren't meant to love perfection. It disillusions and destroys them in the end.

It's because they're weak and damaged that they can love. We need nothing. They're lucky to need each other. 

He only had one chance to interact with her, only one thing he could decently say: that he loved her music, that it took him away from this place, and that she, she, had given him this indescribable gift of escape. 

Hazel went from stranger and pianist to reason why the war mattered at all, symbol of all that was pure and beautiful and worth dying for in a broken world.

How could she betray this moment to fear of others?

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

He looked down at the numb fingertips pressed between his own, and instinctively folded the whole bundle under his coat, to the warmth over his heart.

It was the dimples. Empires have swiveled on less.

He knew his happiness belonged to the piano girl. Whether she would take and keep it safe for him, or not.

It's the terrible beauty of a massively destructive force.

He's been cooped up with men and only men for weeks, and he'd like to take a second look. In New York, he could, but here? No pretty face is worth swinging from a tree.

Aubrey wonders if he’ll die in his country before he ever gets the chance to die for his country.

If music stops, and art ceases. and beauty fades, what have we then?"

Neither could find words for all they didn't dare say.

Besides, if I kiss you before then, I may never get on that train.

The channel looks narrow on a globe, but when it divides two hearts, it might as well be the mighty Atlantic.

Asking you to dance was the most foolish thing I've ever done. Look what it did to me.

Nothing has ever been quite so spiritually motivating as Death. 

I’ve been telling these gods a tale of love. To demonstrate, among other things, the vital role death plays in making true love possible. 

Ava Gardner

4.6 stars! <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44107480.Lovely_War" title="Lovely War by Julie Berry" rel="nofollow noopener">Lovely War</a> was the first book I have ever taken the time to annotate. It was also the book that has taken me the longest to read. This novel was riveting, heart-swelling, heart-wrenching, and beautiful all the same. It was my first historical fiction/fantasy novel, and boy, I was not disappointed. I immediately fell in love with the characters presented in this book. I'm not usually someone who likes "instant love" stories, but it just made sense here. Hazel and James enraptured me as a reader and I found myself rooting for them the second they found each other at the dance. I had already cried over them at page 50! Aubrey and Colette stole my heart the second I met them. Colette's backstory is tragic, but I know that she is so strong because she has been broken so many times. Aubrey, as the "Emperor of Jazz" completely swept me off of my feet as a character. A pure, innocent soul that has had to face unfair prejudices and racism all his life. Their story together simply warms my heart, for they both needed each other and also found their duet partner. I loved how this novel tackled topics of grief, loss, war, and prejudice all in the story of love because no matter how powerful love is, it does not come without challenges. The novel also produced such a beautiful contrast with shining a realistic light on war. The concept was so unique, having the Goddess of Love tell a story about love and war - how they clash and mend each other. I loved the narration and the writing style once I got the hang of it. It was so easy to get lost in this novel and to really experience the events of it through the eyes of Aphrodite. It also was beautiful how the book wasn't just about Hazel and James or Aubrey and Colette - it was about how love can persevere through war &amp; conflict whether it's romantic, platonic, or familial love. Additionally, I think it was also a trial for Aphrodite and Hephaestus's relationship, for he said at the end of the book, "'All I'm saying,' Hephaestus says, with his heart in his throat, 'is that, if love demands brokenness, don't count yourself out.' He gulps. 'And you'd have to search far and wide to find a more broken god than me,'"(Berry 447). The historical accuracy of this novel goes to show the research, care, and time put into the writing and details. Props to Miss <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1638953.Julie_Berry" title="Julie Berry" rel="nofollow noopener">Julie Berry</a> for creating such a historically rich, ethereal, emotionally wondrous novel that stayed true to the time periods, as well as the events that occurred. It's an ode and a tribute to the folks that lived and fought during this time, as well as those who contributed to the cause back home (the volunteers, Red Cross, nurses, etc.). I'd recommend this book a thousand times over for how powerful and emotionally thrilling it was. It took me so long to read and get through because I wanted to really dig deep and connect with the words on the page. I couldn't be more glad that I did. For Hazel, James, Aubrey, Colette, and yes, Aphrodite will always stick with me as some of my favorite characters.

Read the novel New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network Kate Quinn called "easily one of the best novels I have read all year!" A critically acclaimed, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates--and the hearts--of four mortals in their hands. They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it's no match for the transcendent power of Love. Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie bestseller. Author Julie Berry has been called "a modern master of historical fiction" by Bookpage and "a celestially inspired storyteller" by the New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork.

everytime Hades narrates a chapter I genuinely grip my heart in anticipation 😭😭😭 AMAZING BOOK

𝑂𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑒

One of the best books I have ever read with a great inclusion of Greek mythology.

Justine James

Stella

yousr abu sboulah

Moonchild

I recomend this book, its a day by day story from the eyes of the gods a telling of love suffering and strength. Wile world war 1 was happening. The hard reality of lost love ones. But even more important the reality that black people faced back then this book involves us, couldn't put it down.
 I liked the way that this story was presented to us. Aphrodite is on trial, being judge for cheating on Hephaestus with his brother the god of war Ares.

clau☁️

I love History. I have always loved to learn on my own, so I used to hate the subject at school because I preferred the philosophical side of things. If only I had read this book then!
This story is beautifully written. It made me feel all kinds of things and from page one I knew it was my kind of book.
Narrated by the Greek Gods, we see the different aspects of life: love, music and art, war, and death.
Historical Fiction meets a little magic in these wonderful stories that become one.
Now, I’m a fan of anything that makes me think, and this book sure did.
I don’t want to say a lot because I don’t want to give anything away. But I will say that it was a very different reading experience than what I’m used to and it didn’t let me down. It met all my expectations and I couldn’t be happier I picked it up!

Christine

3.5

(view spoiler)[Number of deaths: 3
Number of times I cried bc Hades: 3 (hide spoiler)]

"They never just send me soldiers. They send me heartaches.

"The first casualty of war is the truth."

Isabella 

4.5 round up 

I really loved this book. This book pulled at my heartstrings in all the good ways. From the beginning until the end, I was already invested in the story. It has a very unique way of telling a story. I really liked the incorporation of Greek myth. I was kinda concerned that I might not like this book because it might be too historical, but I really liked it. There were times when I felt bored hence my rating, but overall, I really enjoyed it. It's very heartwarming, and emotional; totally right up my alley. It also has short chapters which kept me going, so that's a plus. However, the slur was very unnecessary. Nevertheless, it's a beautifully developed story, and I definitely recommend this!!

Sonia Grgas

fran

hazel and colette best girls james and aubrey best boys mwah mwah mwah this book made me FEEL.

Francesca Starecheski

Like love itself, “Lovely War” has left my heart “both brimming and broken”. If the kingdoms of blood and of love be one and the same, am I to curse the Gods or rhapsodize?

hilda ☆

My best read in 2023, you just don't get it. I love this book with my whole life. I really want to buy this book, but unfortunately there is no copy in my homeland. I would recomend you all to erad this masterpiece now. The romance are perfect and i fell in love with how aphrodiate, apollo, ares and hades naratoring this book.

Abisatyayay

taryn

I’ve been held captive by a single strike of “I Hear a Rhapsody.” And it’s merely the title of the first chapter. The very first note. The one that started it all. The one that managed to drown me in words carefully woven into a world that feels both distant and painfully close, seen through the eyes of the Greek gods I’ve always adored.

Lovely War is witty and sharp. It carries a kind of cleverness that doesn’t try too hard, yet still manages to surprise you when you least expect it. It has all the fun and tenderness that overwhelm you in the gentlest way, only to drive you toward breaking apart and then, without warning, piece you back together again. I found myself wanting to cry and weep all day, all night, mooning over how wonderfully distinct each god’s voice is. How Aphrodite speaks with aching devotion. How Ares burns and softens at the same time. How Hades lingers in quiet understanding. How Apollo hums somewhere between light and sorrow. And how Julie excels at creating such wonder by depicting the rawest version of yearning.

Then the mortals. Oh, the mortals. How unique each character is, how easily you grow attached to them without even realizing it. Their love stories don’t feel grand in a distant, untouchable way. They feel fragile. Immediate. Like something that could slip through your fingers at any second. And perhaps that is what makes them so devastating.

Here, the darkness lingers. It breathes. It reminds you that love does not bloom despite war but painfully within it. Because even in the chaos, we are still just people aching to be chosen, to be remembered, to be loved.

I’ve been held captive by a single strike of “I Hear a Rhapsody.” And it’s merely the title of the first chapter. The very first note. The one that started it all. The one that managed to drown me in words carefully woven into a world that feels both distant and painfully close, seen through the eyes of the Greek gods I’ve always adored.

Lovely War is witty and sharp. It carries a kind of cleverness that doesn’t try too hard, yet still manages to surprise you when you least expect it. It has all the fun and tenderness that overwhelm you in the gentlest way, only to drive you toward breaking apart and then, without warning, piece you back together again. I found myself wanting to cry and weep all day, all night, mooning over how wonderfully distinct each god’s voice is. How Aphrodite speaks with aching devotion. How Ares burns and softens at the same time. How Hades lingers in quiet understanding. How Apollo hums somewhere between light and sorrow. And how Julie excels at creating such wonder by depicting the rawest version of yearning.

Then the mortals. Oh, the mortals. How unique each character is, how easily you grow attached to them without even realizing it. Their love stories don’t feel grand in a distant, untouchable way. They feel fragile. Immediate. Like something that could slip through your fingers at any second. And perhaps that is what makes them so devastating.

Here, the darkness lingers. It breathes. It reminds you that love does not bloom despite war but painfully within it. Because even in the chaos, we are still just people aching to be chosen, to be remembered, to be loved.

Daymaris Arca

It was PERFECTION! Such a quick read I was never bored and I adored this cheesy heartfelt story. Cried too many times. Portrayed Love and War beautifully and devastatingly…

Dustin Tinch

Lovely War by Julie Berry




This book is ALL the adjectives! It is narrated by Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, god of war, Ares, Hephaestus god of fire, god of the dead and the king of the underworld Hades, and Apollo god of the sun. According to multiple sources, Goodreads included, this masterpiece was "allegedly" written by a mere mortal by the name of Julie Berry, but are we really so sure that she's not a divine being herself to have written something this good?! It's as if it was written on some type of indestructible celestial material sewn with glistening thread unknown to man. 


Our story opens with clandestine lovers Aphrodite and Ares in human form at a luxury NYC hotel. Aphrodite's husband, Hephaestus, catches the lovebirds in the act and holds a trial against their infidelity in their hotel suite under duress. For Aphrodite's defense she offers to share a sweeping romance saga of two young couples Hazel and James and Colette and Aubrey during WWI. 


This was such a lush and swoon-worthy ode to life and love but also the dismal history of war and analysis of grief and racism. There were constant audible gasps and awwwww's and hand on chest moments from me throughout this dazzling reading experience. It was completely spellbinding. I so desperately wish I could go meet James, Hazel, Aubrey and Colette so I could tell them just how much they mean to me.


I appreciate how Berry stands strong against the core concepts of war and the fundamentals of structural racism throughout the book and doesn't shy away from the truth. We are given a glimpse into the atrocious racial injustices against Aubrey who is a black man fighting in a war that is shepherded by white men. It is abysmally heart shattering that Aubrey is fearful that he will die in his country at the hands of racists before he can die FOR his country.





This novel is so affecting, meaningful, important, devastatingly gorgeous and truly magical. I didn't want my journey to end with these characters. As Hazel said, “let the night never end let the music play on and on…” thats exactly how I felt. I purposefully read as slow as I possibly could so that I could let the words wash over me and seep into my bones. I felt that I owed all of my awareness and care to these truly special people's history and hearing The God's and Goddess tell this sweeping tale from their point of view and the storyline between the deities themselves was absolutely arresting. It was a lifetime intricately woven throughout 480 pages. The love shared between these soulmates was so pure and true and beautiful that it in even inspired the gods.


Within these pages is a tale for the ages. Where love and art come together to paint a one of a kind tour de force, a sunrise splashing the most wondrous colors and beauties of life across the horizon.

Nessa Luna

Hmm, my expectations for this book were slightly different from what I got - but that did not make the story less enjoyable. The whole greek myth aspect didn't really add much to the actual story, in my opinion, but I loved the way the story was told by the four gods. I honestly felt for the four main characters so much and I actually shed a couple of tears throughout the story. I don't read many books about the first World War (I often just pick up more WWII stories) but I think I might pick up a couple more in the future. 

But yeah, honestly this is just a good WWI story and if the gods had been left out, it would still be a strong story on its own.

jinni

i love this book, much more than i anticipated. this is one of the rare war novels that did not end in me crying into my pillow at 3 a.m. james and hazel, aubrey and colette, heck, even hephaestus and aphrodite. I AM IN LOVE. i really wish there were more scenes for aubrey and colette; nonetheless, they stole my heart. ALSO, can aphrodite please send me a james who takes me out on dates and blushes at the fact that he gets to hang his coat over my coat? thanks, i'm willing to sacrifice my life span.

Victoria

If you do decide to read this, don’t expect a love story that’s groundbreaking because that is not the point. Also, make sure you read the Historical Note at the back of the book. There you will read a bunch of important information about the Great War and the actual people that some of the characters in the book were based on. And oh, don’t be like Mrs. Davies. What she was and what represents is truly an abomination and a disgrace.

Full review on the blog:
https://veespages.wordpress.com/2022/...

Kimberly Burgess 

WOW -this one was so magically poetic, by the time I got to the end I think it became one of my favorite stories 💜

mercy

i would lay down my life for james and hazel i really would

Fran Gutiérrez

Going into this book, I was expecting complexity, depth, romance, atmosphere, heart-wrenching history and a thought-provoking read...
 And it fucking delivered. Sorry for the language but I’m passionate about this book, alright? I was already reading this book expecting it to be 5 stars, and I was very scared that I had maybe hyped it up too much for myself. I’m happy to report that that wasn’t the case. I literally can’t stop thinking about it. So let’s get to it, shall we?

what I loved about this book:

The prose: I was gobsmacked. It was beautiful. It felt like I was reading a painting. It felt like I was living in a painting. Both during the beautiful Paris montages, and the war trenches. The description was atmospheric yet realistic, and the prose and narration felt like reading pure poetry. 

The concept: The actual concept of a court-case trial where Aphrodite defends her case by narrating two love stories? Sign me the fuck up. 

The narrators: I loved when the different gods showed up and discussed their points of view. It allowed for Julie Berry to talk not just about love and war, but art and death. 

The characters and setting: Everything was beautiful in theory, but towards the beginning of the book I feared the narration style would keep me from loving the characters, it didn’t. I grew to love these characters to death, and to feel deeply for them and the situations they were forced to live. I was very pleasantly surprised to read about the black troops and have one of our main characters be black. I really appreciate when historical fictions shed the light on the parts of history that aren't discussed normally. 

The themes: The themes in the book were carried out so smartly. Some particular quotes made me think deeply about love and death and art, grief and fate. And I love books that make me think deeply about the human condition. So it was a great read.

There isn’t much else left to say except that I loved, loved, loved this book, and I highly implore you all to pick it up if you feel so compelled.

Lovely War

Reviews

Highlights