#ADGIFTED all thoughts and opinions are my own, I do reviews for the copy of the book.

The Red Tunic by Kate Wiseman

Book Info
Genre: Historical romance, WW1
Length: 240 pages
Published: August 2024
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204929270-the-red-tunic
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Tunic-historical-romance-exploring/dp/1915584132/

History and gender are intertwined in this fast-paced arresting account of the First World War and its devastating impact on familial and romantic bonds.


As headstrong as her twin is gentle, Nina has never fit the womanly mould society expects of her. Alfie and Nina Mullins have always relied on their shared world of hope and make-believe for comfort, but as the pressure on Alfie to prove himself at the Front mounts, Nina is presented with more possibility than she had ever imagined and the two are pushed in wildly different directions.


Coming of age as the First World War breaks out, the Mullins twins’ fates are inextricably interlinked with the turmoil of conflict in this fascinating exploration of gender roles and the extremes to which war pushes us.

About the Author
Kate was a late developer, attending university to study English and Creative Writing in her late 30s. She was one of the real life ‘Ritas’ featured on the Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Programme commemorating the anniversary of the play, Educating Rita. Kate is a dedicated and licenced mudlark who is never happier than when she is up to her eyes in mud. She has won several literary awards and this year judged the historical fiction and biography category of the prestigious Eyelands International Book Awards.

My Review Heart warming story of twins of opposite sex, who want to do each others expected gender roles. As a non girlie girl myself, I can see and feel the frustration of gender norms and expectations put upon you. And I’m in a time that it’s possible to switch up, but this is set in WW1 and things aren’t so easy, so what can they do? Could they switch? Gentle coming of age story that intertwined with war and trenches, that I don’t usually like, but works with this tale. The slow growing romance is beautifully woven through as we watch these twins grow, and experience the love they have for each other too. Makes you feel extremely grateful time has moved on, and we are no longer trapped with quite so many expectations on us, being far more free to be who we want to be and follow our dreams.