“Love isn’t as rare as you think it is…You can love all sorts of people, in all sorts of ways. Nor is love in any way dangerous.”
― Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, The War I Finally Won

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the strong follow-up to The War That Saved My Life. It continues the story of Ada, a brave young girl living in England during World War II.

After getting surgery to fix her clubfoot, Ada begins a new part of her life—one where she can move freely, but she still struggles to feel safe and loved. As the war goes on around her, Ada faces new challenges, loss, and big changes, but she also learns to trust, forgive, and heal.

This book is full of heart, showing how a girl who once felt broken slowly finds her place in the world. In this post, I’ll share a full summary, my thoughts on the book, and what other readers had to say to help you decide if this one’s worth reading.

Plot Summary

“If I started letting myself feel afraid I would never be able to stop.”
― Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War I Finally Won continues the story of Ada, a brave and thoughtful girl who grew up during World War II. In the first book, Ada escaped her abusive mother in London and found safety with a woman named Susan in the countryside. Now, in the follow-up, Ada has undergone surgery to correct her clubfoot—a big step toward physical freedom.

But she soon learns that healing emotionally is much harder than fixing her foot. After a sad loss at the beginning of the story, Ada, her brother Jamie, and Susan move into a small cottage on Lady Thorton’s land.

The house becomes a new kind of family home, especially when they’re joined by Ruth, a young Jewish girl from Germany who’s been sent to England for safety. At first, Ada struggles to understand Ruth and trust the people around her. She carries a lot of fear from her past and often feels unsure of her place in the world.

As the war continues, Ada faces air raids, food shortages, and other dangers. But some of her biggest challenges are inside herself—learning to believe she’s worthy of love, letting go of anger, and accepting help.

Through quiet moments, deep conversations, and hard experiences, Ada slowly begins to grow. She builds stronger bonds with Susan, becomes protective of Ruth, and starts seeing herself as someone who deserves happiness.

This book mixes real events from history with a personal story of courage, healing, and hope. It’s about how a young girl, hurt by the past, finds strength in love and family and learns to trust again—even in the middle of a world at war.

The Prequel: The War That Saved My Life

Before starting The War I Finally Won, it’s important to begin with the first book, The War That Saved My Life. This is where Ada’s story begins. In this first book, we meet Ada, a ten-year-old girl living in London at the start of World War II.

Born with a clubfoot and raised by a cruel, abusive mother, Ada has spent her entire life locked inside their small apartment, never allowed to go outside.

When the war begins, Ada secretly escapes with her younger brother, Jamie, as children are moved from London to the countryside for safety. The two are placed in the care of Susan Smith, a single woman who is unsure about raising children but takes them in.

Life in the countryside is completely different for Ada. She learns how to ride a pony, explore the world around her, and, most importantly, begin to feel safe and noticed for the first time.

This book is about more than escaping war—it’s about escaping fear, learning to trust others, and finding your strength. Ada’s emotional growth, as well as her relationship with Susan and Jamie, form the heart of the story.

The War That Saved My Life sets up everything that happens in the next book and makes Ada’s continued growth in The War I Finally Won even more meaningful.

My Review

Reading The War I Finally Won was an emotional and powerful experience. The writing is honest and well done, and I felt completely pulled into Ada’s world. This book is more than just a story about war—it’s a story about healing, growing up, and learning to trust again. Ada’s journey is full of hard moments but also full of hope and bravery.

What I really liked about the book were the strong, realistic characters. Ada, Susan, and even the new characters like Ruth felt so real. The relationships in the story—especially between Ada and Susan—are heartwarming and honest. I also appreciated how the author didn’t avoid tough topics but handled them in a gentle, thoughtful way.

I didn’t like the pacing as much, which felt slow at times, especially for younger readers. Also, some scenes are very emotional and might be a bit intense for sensitive readers.

Spoiler Warning: This section includes spoilers, so skip it if you haven’t read the book yet!

One of the most heartbreaking moments is when a character close to Ada dies early in the story. It’s a big emotional turning point for her. As the story continues, Ada struggles with grief, but she also learns how to be part of a family and opens up more than she did before.

By the end of the book, Ada has grown stronger—not just physically, but in her heart. She begins to feel truly loved and safe, and it’s a beautiful ending to her story.

Ratings and Reviews of The War I Finally Won

“What’s right and what’s permitted are sometimes different things.”
― Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Goodreads Rating

The War I Finally Won has an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars, with approximately 44,000 ratings and around 4,700 reviews.

Goodreads Reviews

• “This book is beautifully written and emotionally powerful. Ada’s journey is heart-wrenching yet inspiring.”
• “While the story is compelling, I found some parts to be a bit slow. However, the character development kept me engaged.”
• “As an educator, I appreciate how this book addresses complex themes in a way that’s accessible to young readers.”

Amazon Reviews

• “My child and I read this together, and we both loved it. It’s a touching story that led to meaningful discussions.”
• “A worthy sequel that delves deeper into Ada’s character. It’s satisfying to see her growth and resilience.”
• “This book provides a vivid portrayal of wartime struggles and is an excellent resource for teaching history empathetically.”

How Does the Book Set Itself Apart?

The War I Finally Won stands out as a rare middle-grade book that shows healing after trauma in a real and gentle way. It mixes real historical events with a deeply personal story, focusing just as much on Ada’s inner struggles as it does on the war happening around her. This careful balance makes the tale both helpful for learning and emotionally strong.

Is Reading The War I Finally Won Worth It?

“You can know things all you like, but that doesn’t mean you believe them.”
― Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War I Finally Won is absolutely worth reading if you enjoy heartfelt, thoughtful stories that show real emotional growth. This book takes you deeper into Ada’s life as she faces big changes, personal challenges, and the effects of World War II.

What makes it stand out is how it shows the war through the eyes of a young girl who is learning to heal from both physical pain and years of emotional hurt.

The story doesn’t rush, which gives you time to really understand Ada’s feelings and how she changes over time. The writing is clear and strong, and the relationships between the characters—especially Ada and Susan—are honest and moving. Some parts might feel slow for readers who like action-filled books, and a few scenes are very emotional.

It’s also best to read The War That Saved My Life first so you can fully understand Ada’s story. Overall, this book is a strong, inspiring story about finding your voice, your strength, and your place in the world.

Similar Books if You Enjoyed The War I Finally Won

• The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
• Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgome