The London Restoration

This standalone romance from McMillan (Dream, Plan, and Go) pits the happiness of a pair of newlyweds against a desperate hunt for a Russian spy and the couple’s own dark wartime memories in 1945 London. Architectural historian Diana Somerville loves two things: churches and her husband, King’s College theology professor Brent Somerville. The pair were separated by WWII shortly after their wedding night and are both grateful to reunite in peacetime, but their differing wartime experiences still divide them. The Official Secrets Act prevents Diana from telling her husband about her work breaking codes at Bletchley Park and hunting spies for British Intelligence, while Brent hides his ongoing nightmares of his horrifying tribulations at the front. Adding another secret to the mountain between them, Diana agrees to finish one last job for her MI6 handler, who believes her knowledge of church architecture will be an asset in the hunt for a Russian agent called Eternity. McMillan breaks up the present-day action with substantial flashbacks that fill in Diana and Brent’s backstory, but drain tension from the suspense plot. Still, McMillan’s historical setting is solidly drawn and the focus on an established couple is refreshing. Romance fans will be satisfied. (Aug.)