"I was completely immersed in this epic generational tale set in idyllic Muskoka, 1914 before the onset of WWI…. the author's vivid descriptions and impeccable research transported me there, feeling much like a friend of the family, relishing in that glorious summer then anxiously observing the Canadian involvement in WWI…. The Summer Before the Storm is a keeper on my bookshelf." - The Eclectic Reader

"The book is sweeping and epic in scale and feel with a marvelous grandeur of times past. …an engrossing and addictive read…. Historical fiction readers will sink into this tale, happily immersed in the end of an era that is marching relentlessly into a terrible and costly war." - BookNAround

"The Summer Before the Storm is a richly detailed, complex novel - one that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. The details have been painstakingly researched, and when Gabriele Wills described a scene or a home, I felt as if I was actually right there along the characters. There are a multitude of colourful characters who appear in this book... Wills also has the talent of turning characters that I thought I would dislike into characters that I both liked and admired by the end of the book. She makes her characters multi-layered, revealing only small parts of their personality at a time. This is a large book, which took me almost a week to read (this from the woman who reads a book in a day or two!), but you'll be glad that you picked it up. The Summer Before the Storm offers a realistic reflection on the war from a uniquely Canadian perspective, and incorporates romance, betrayal, family dynamics, and loyalty within its pages." - The Book Chick - Jonita Fex

"Diese Bücher - die ersten zwei Bände einer Reihe, aus der eine wunderbare Familiensaga werden könnte - gehören für mich ganz eindeutig in die Kategorie "unbedingt übersetzenswert"! Die Autorin - in Deutschland geboren - lebt seit ihrer frühen Kindheit in Kanada und hat auf bewunderswerte Weise kanadische und europäische Geschichte vor dem Hintergrund des Ersten Weltkriegs miteinander verwoben.  Der erste Band spielt überwiegend in Kanada, wo man eintaucht in die Welt der Reichen und Superreichen, die ihren Sommer wie gewohnt am idyllischen Muskoka-See genießen, während sich in Europa schon die dunklen Wolken des drohenden Kriegs zusammenbrauen. Es ist eine Welt, die den meisten LeserInnen eher fremd sein wird, und doch gelingt es der Autorin mühelos, sie einem so nahe zu bringen, dass man sich bald als Teil davon fühlt. 
Man lernt das (noch) sorglose Leben einer jungen, privilegierten Generation kennen, die schon bald hineingezogen wird in die Wirren eines Krieges, der eigentlich gar nicht ihrer ist, den sie aber zu ihrem machen, teils aus Abenteuerlust, teils aus Pflichtgefühl, denn Kanada war damals noch britische Kronkolonie und die Kanadier loyale "Untertanen" des Königreichs. Welch hohen Preis sie für ihre Loyalität bezahlen, wird im zweiten Band deutlich." - Gisela Kretzschmar, Bücher im Blickpunkt

"Watch out and move over, Downton Abbey, because The Muskoka Novels are here…. Ms. Wills skillfully weaves together fragments of history with fiction into a deep story with a plethora of events, characters, and stories to keep track…. I rate this book a 5 out of 5! I loved it!" - EmSun

"Ms. Wills is one of the most talented writers I have read in a long time… She has written more than a story. She has written a world to get lost in. Her characters are full of color and depth. They are real. They are vibrant. Their feelings become the reader's…. This is truly a book you have to read." - A Book Lover's Library

"I love a book that causes you to just totally get lost in the story and this is that book…. Yes, this one is a keeper and you know how few I keep to re-read." - Broken Teepee

"It has EVERYTHING I adore... The Age of Elegance, the rich families and the working class families, the fashions and manners of an innocent era teetering on the precipice of war and my favorite words to read on the front of a novel... "Book One"... because that means there will be more! Ms. Wills is such a great author that she has created characters that I cannot wait to continue with in the next volume." - Bags, Books, & Bon Jovi

"I applaud Ms. Wills for the extensive research she has done on this subject…. The dialogue flows and the characterizations are wonderful. When I came up for air, I was actually surprised to find myself in 2012 instead of 1914…. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel." - PopcornReads.com

"I love how flawed the characters are, and how even the best of them make terrible choices and errors in judgment…It has a lot of rich period detail. It has romance and emotional turmoil. It has a bit of action and a lot of drama. Overall, it's a very enjoyable read." - Reading to Penguins

"A sweeping epic, The Summer Before the Storm pulls you into so many lives, lives you can't help but care about. For readers who love a good historical fiction tale, this certainly will not disappoint. But, it's as much about relationships, both in times of joy and suffering, as it is about the war or the Lusitania. And it was those relationships that will stick with me the most." - Mom in Love with Fiction

"I was drawn into this family saga and spend hours pouring over the lives of the Wyndham's and their friends. The details were wonderful! Would I recommend this book? Most definitely!...The characters were great, and engaging - I was drawn into the story so quickly! Would I read more by this author? Oh yes, I can't wait for more!" - Stitch - Read - Cook

"The author portrays the family life in a realistic way… when I got to the end I still wanted to read more. I'm hooked now." - To Read or Not to Read

"If you enjoy historical fiction, family dramas, and book series, then I know you will enjoy The Summer Before the Storm…. I am anxious to continue the saga of the Wyndhams." - M. Denise Costello 

"I loved the book... Once you have got to know all [the characters], they are difficult to forget." - From Isi

You can read Spanish Reviews on these blogs: 
From Isi
Gecko Books
A Book a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

"The Summer Before the Storm by Gabriele Wills is a beautifully written story that shows humanity from all walks of life - from the very wealthy to the poorest - playing out their differences and commonalities.  The opening paragraph serves several purposes - to show the era, to set the tone of the story, and to provide a hook that will keep fans turning the pages. All the dialogue is strong, natural, and true to each character. There is good balance between narrative and dialogue. The book sets the stage for the series extremely well." - Writer's Digest Magazine