Jasmine Nights: A Novel

I found the book interesting from a number of perspectives. I soon came to care about the characters. There was some humor, romance, and suspense. Assuming the setting in World War 2 was based in fact (which I did) it provided an interesting glimpse into history that most people are probably unaware of. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I'd recommend it.

I was attracted to Jasmine Nights because of the historical component of singers acting as spies during World War II. So, I was beyond disappointed when about 20 pages of the more than 400 of this novel focused on Sada acting as a spy. That development didn't happen for well over 100 pages, and it came out of nowhere. Putting aside that let down, the book was a pretty good historical romance. However, it started off a bit slow and the romance between Sada and her lover didn't have much of a basis. I only began to believe in their relationship halfway through the book, once they actually spent a significant amount of time together. The writing was choppy and things were happening without enough explanation. I felt like large portions of the story had been deleted, which made it hard to believe in the plot, let alone care about the characters. For example, Saba left London to travel with a theater group against her parents' wishes, but the small amount of attention given to describe her wasn't enough to justify her actions, so it just seemed like the event needed to happen to move the story along. This was entertaining enough to finish, but could have been much better.Please read more of my reviews on my blog: http://fastpageturner.wordpress.comor follow me on twitter at @dana_heyde (less)

I ordered this book because I liked the author's other 2. I didn't know that it contained true accounts of singers who were used by the British Intelligence as spies until I got to that portion of the book. I found it very interesting and informative. Also being a lover of Arabic music and Umm Kalthum and others, I enjoyed all the history and references to them.

I absolutely adored Ms. Gregson's "East of the Sun" and was hoping for another good read from her. This was a good read, although not as well developed as "East of the Sun," what it lacked was a satisfactory ending. It was almost as if the author thought, "OK, what do I do with these people now?" The reader was kept on tenterhooks throughout the book as to whether the hero and heroine would over come the obstacles in their path only to find that once the did there just wasn't much passion. I don't really consider this a "spoiler alert" as the book is predictable enough that you know how it will end.

great story with two awesome characters. the romance is entirely believable and this story will resonate with anyone who has ever had a great dream or passion in their life

Good Story.

Very slow moving and several historical inaccuracies with dates. The plot is good and the historical tapestry is very interesting...but it was slow slow moving I had trouble finishing it.

Loved this book. Better than East of the Sun which I read first.Sorry when it was finished.

Jasmine Nights is set in the Middle East during the Second World War. Its heroine is Saba, a half Welsh half Turkish singer with ENSA. Its hero is Dom, a fighter pilot she meets just before she leaves for Egypt. Smitten, he wangles a posting in the desert. Because of her background Saba is sucked into secret work.The story follows their relationship as it is weighed down by the tribulations caused by war - danger, jealousy and misunderstandings because of the impossibility of being completely honest with each other. It is exciting stuff with a persuasive sense of confusion and inefficiency that has a reality about it that many slicker stories miss.Saba and Dom grow and develop with the story and you care what happens to them, and although one hopes for a happy ending, there is no certainty that all will end well because, as they become more complex individuals, the need for compromise becomes stronger. Will they be able to come to terms with the people that war has made them? One of the other many strengths of the book is the collection of minor characters who are more lifelike than most because of their credible back stories.There are no long descriptive passages but the sense of place is very strong as is the overarching atmosphere of fear. They are all living, helpless, in a Tom Tiddler's ground on the edge of desperation. This does not mean to say that it is grim. It is a love story as well as an adventure story and the romantic elements are sharpened by the uncertainties of life.This is an excellent read as one would expect from the author of East of the Sun.

Like many reviewers, I loved East of the Sun and so bought Jasmine Nights and like many reviewers, I was a bit disappointed.The storyline about ENSA, the forces entertainment service, is interesting and not something I've read about before and I quite liked Saba but I didn't 'believe' in the relationship with Dom. He's basically rather shallow, seems to just want a pretty face and a nice singing voice and to expect Saba to drop everything for him. In short, he's not very nice and at the end, I was left with a sense of "Well that's not going to last, is it?" In contrast to the unconvincing love story, I did find the female friendships much more interesting.The setting in Cairo, Alexandria and Istabul was colourful and interesting but I fundamentally didn't care too much about the young lovers. And if a writer can't make you care, something is definitely missing.

I really enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put down. Definitely more for women, especially those who like a bit of nostalgia. I thought it was a little bit far-fetched in parts and some of the characters were a bit stereotyped, but these are minor quibbles. Altogether I was entertained and wanted to know what happened. Julia Gregson as good writer and I look forward to reading more. A book for women but don't expect lots of explicit sex. I am not young and I think this is a good read for the slighly more mature woman.

I very much enjoyed this story of love in wartime Egypt and Turkey. Gregson has created two believable characters, Saba and Dom. Although they are from different cultures and classes they manage to bridge the divide and form a romantic attachment. I learned a great deal about wartime entertainers and how they contributed to the war effort and also the complexity of coming from a mixed cultural background in the war years. An unusual love story that's convincing and delicately handled.

I read Julia Gregsons East of the Sun and thoroughly enjoyed it .I therefore was looking forward to reading Jasmine Nights. What a letdown! One dimensional characters , flowery prose , and unlike other reviewers I really couldn't care less whether Saba and Doms romance blossomed.