Book Review: If Could Be With You By M W Arnold

I am so happy to welcome M W Arnold back to Novel Kicks as we take part in the blog tour for If Could Be With You. 

May 1944, it’s the build-up to D-Day, for which the girls of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club are busy delivering the aircraft sorely needed, and the search goes on for a Nazi spy, who has information which cannot be allowed to get into the enemies hands.

For one of the girls, her husband in badly burned after his Mosquito is shot down, bringing the war closer to home than it’s ever been before.

With danger at every corner, the girls unbreakable bond is put to the test like never before. Through it all, they stand firm, taking all the war can throw at them, before daring it to try again.

*****

The girls of the ATA are back, and they have new challenges to face. When two of the girls hear devastating news, one is fighting old memories, and the hunt for a Nazi spy intensifies, the gang must pull together as D-Day approaches.

Oh, it’s so good to be back with the girls of the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club. I know I have said this before in other reviews from this series, but it really is like going back to visit old friends and being welcomed with open arms. It’s for this reason that I always jump at the chance to join the blog tours for the Broken Wings series and why I couldn’t wait to get started – and it’s a chance to welcome Mick Arnold back to Novel Kicks too.

Although this is book 7 in the series, you can read it as a standalone as enough information is given about the ongoing story for you to be able to keep up. However, reading the previous novels will only enrich your experience. They are very good. You won’t regret it.

Mick always does a great job at immediately pulling you into the story and engrossing you into the lives of these incredible women whose history and role in WW2 should never be underestimated and forgotten. The plot, as ever, was compelling and I read this pretty much in one sitting. It was one of those “just one more chapter” books and before you know it, it’s 3am. The storylines are believable, relatable, heartwarming, heartbreaking – a rollercoaster of emotions. I am apprehensive that, as the storyline is reaching D-Day, that there won’t be many more chances to check in with the ladies of the ATA and that does make me sad.

There is quite a full cast in this series – Jane, Shirley, Betty, Doris, Penny, Mavis, Ruth, Sharon, Mary, Grace, Celia, Tom, Walter, and Lawerence. It’s hard to pick a favourite. I do have a soft spot for Doris even though I don’t share her dislike of tea. If animals are included in the favourites list though, that accolade would go to Duck, Bobby and especially Taxi the cat who was a new edition in book six. I want to step into the book and cuddle him so much. Like with creating a great story, Mick also does an excellent job of including all these characters without bogging down the narrative with too many subplots and diversions.

I won’t say much more as I really do hope you’ll discover this book (and series) for yourselves.

If I Could Be With You is a fantastic addition to the Broken Wings series. It’s full of humour, love, warmth, friendship and above all, resilience. It’s historical fiction at its finest.

About M W Arnold – 

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of the late HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force, before putting down roots and realising how much he missed the travel. This, he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were-Cats bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United-supporting wife. (Please don’t mention this last to her!)

Say hello to Mick on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. Click here to read Mick’s previous Novel Kicks columns. 

If I Could Be With You is book 7 in the Broken Wings series and was released by Wild Rose Press on 20th July 2026. Click here to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Nook (Barnes & Noble) and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.