January 15, 2019 – Raya's Reads

A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.

1944: Fiona Denning has her entire future planned out. She’ll work in city hall, marry her fiancé when he returns from the war, and settle down in the Boston suburbs. But when her fiancé is reported missing after being shot down in Germany, Fiona’s long-held plans are shattered.

Determined to learn her fiancé’s fate, Fiona leaves Boston to volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Clubmobile girl, recruiting her two best friends to come along. There’s the outspoken Viviana, who is more than happy to quit her secretarial job for a taste of adventure. Then there’s Dottie, a shy music teacher whose melodious talents are sure to bring heart and hope to the boys on the front lines.

Chosen for their inner strength and outer charm, the trio isn’t prepared for the daunting challenges of war. But through it all come new friendships and romances, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected dreams. As the three friends begin to understand the real reasons they all came to the front, their courage and camaraderie will see them through some of the best and worst times of their lives.

review We are not even one month in for 2019 and I already have found what would be one of my top favorites of the year! It already is the best I’ve read so far in the year. I LOVE IT!

There’s so much to love in this book. Where do I even start?! The friendship of the girls with their unique arcs, the details of the wars, the stories of the soldiers, the love stories. And the emotions! I won’t lie. I shed tears quite a few times.

My favorite thing about the book is the group of girls, even beyond the main trio who are so inherently different than each other and yet their friendship and bond was so strong! I don’t know who I love more. Dottie, the shy and quiet one who comes on her own by the end of the book. Viviana, the vivacious and uninhibited one. Fiona, the intrepid and determined one. Then there’s Blanche, Martha, Frankie and Liz. I loved all of them but my heart went all out to Fiona. I felt her emotions, her conflicts, her determination like it was me. But what stood out to me was the bond between the three that compelled Dottie and Viviana to leave everything and accompany Fiona on her journey.

The love stories of the three characters were as different as them. And yet, they never overshadowed the main story itself. And the story was about the journey of all these characters. I’m proud to say that each of these journeys were so fulfilling to read about. There are so many characters that I could name that would stay with me.

There were a couple of parts in the book where I thought “Now, that could never happen during the war” but the note at the end of the book proved me wrong! These things actually happened! She took stories from real life and put her own twist on it. The research the author put towards this story is mind-blowing! I’m in awe of her.

I can’t express how perfectly the author illustrated that era in the book. That time, the places, the situations – they all felt spot-on. She nailed the tension, camaraderie, fearlessness and the uncertainty of the soldiers and the war itself. And yet, in digging deep into the details, she never let the story lose its heart. Even with the backdrop of the war, it still was a heart-warming and a somewhat feel-good story.

This was a story about love, loss, friendship, loyalty, war and above all bravery. I could beg you to give this book a chance! Wholeheartedly recommended!

review