Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres because you can learn about different times and cultures, even through a fictional novel. The premise of The Summer Before the War is something that I will enjoy, but the story's execution felt flat, in my opinion. The author had too many storylines and characters, which made the story drag. Yes, The Summer Before the War is a novel that whisks you away to the idyllic English town of Rye on the eve of World War I. At the same time, it manages to explore the complexities of small-town life and how the arrival of outsiders can disrupt the status quo while also delving into the themes of love, loss, and the human cost of war. (For animal lovers, there is a trigger warning for a scene with the execution of an animal. I know people want to know about that kind of information).