In what is a mighty fine read, from start to finish, Liz MacRae Shaw’s historical novel Had We Never Loved So Blindly: In Peril On Land And Sea combines the roles of women during the Second World War and the lesser written about Merchant Navy to literary perfection. And yet, much more than that, and even more than just a run-of-the-mill love story, it carefully yet expertly depicts the social mobility of changing societal attitudes and how this has thusly shaped post-war Britain. Furthermore, it touches on quite a lot of sensitive subjects, if not the infamous Bletchley Park being the secretive one, more so about the role of women in society in the 1940s, in general. In what is a very involving, at times evolving, and thoroughly well-paced novel, and one that captures the atmospheric setting that it is sewn within, the book is also chock full of engaging characters. This, combined with Macrae Shaw’s attention to historical detail, make the book highly emotive and realistic with every reveal and as you progress through its 323 pages, this incredibly intriguing book not only answers a fair few questions along the way but will also, if you are suited to allow yourself the emotive connection, sometimes break your heart; and yet mysteriously seems to also leave you wanting more. ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Had We Never Loved So Blindly is set in a tumultuous time in history which the author writes about so evocatively. You will want to keep reading to find out what happens to two characters you will come to care about a great deal in this gentle love story. FULL REVIEW: https://portobellobookblog.com/2021/06/07/had-we-never-loved-so-blindly-by-liz-macrae-shaw-bookreview-tophatbooks-jhpfiction-lizmacraeshaw/ ~ Portobello Book Blog, Review

One of those deftly crafted wartime romances that are the stuff of which BBC movies are made, "Had We Never Loved So Blindly: In Peril On Land And Sea" is an extraordinarily memorable and entertaining read from cover to cover. ~ James Cox, Midwest Book Review

'Liz MacRae Shaw is a great storyteller and the chapters describing the Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys are especially evocative' ~ Marga j, Amazon

The characters in the book are utterly believable and the narrative flows beautifully with some beautiful imagery, for example,' his mind coiling and twisting like a heap of ropes'. ~ Bookworm, Amazon

'I was reminded when reading this of films and books I had seen, like 'Carve her name with pride' and 'In which we serve' but this is no mere imitation...it shows with considerable care and insight how war takes us over, shapes us for good and bad and dictates the world to come. Buy this, read it and be carried along by their adventures and their lives. You will enjoy the ride.' ~ Stig, amazon

'it turns into a much richer, more complex story than I imagined. The author has a deft touch in evoking atmosphere.' ~ O Wojtas, Amazon

John Norman's and Felicity's challenging and emotional journey not only shines a light on the pivotal part played by the Merchant Navy during the second World war but also maintains a seafaring, nautical flavour throughout with he author's poetic use of sea related similes, such as ,'He could feel the tide rushing between them, creating an ocean of separation.' ~ Manuit, Amazon

Raw and radiant in turn, Had We Never Loved So Blindly, is a sweeping portrayal of love, loss and longing in wartime Scotland. Felicity and John Norman will stay with me for a long time. ~ Barbara Henderson, author of 'Fir for Luck' and 'Punch'

I enjoyed reading Had We Never Loved So Blindly. John Norman and Felicity are sympathetic main characters divided by war, geography and class. ~ Mandy Haggith, author

Praise for Liz MacRae Shaw's previous book, No Safe Anchorage: 'An evocative and fast-moving tale, set on Skye and the West Highlands before moving to Canada, No safe Anchorage, like its title, swirls with risk and danger. It invokes the spirit of Robert Louis Stevenson whose childhood it portrays. With its sharp use of dialogue and tight, concise description, it also conjures up that writer in other ways, creating an adventure story that is as breathless and exciting as some of that nineteenth century novelist's work.' ~ Donald S Murray, author of As The Women Lay Dreaming