I'm really excited for what I have up for next week and was hoping I'd be able to do it this week, but with the DC trip and family visiting when I got back, I wasn't able to finish reading it--something to look forward to. Here's a book I read a few weeks ago.
Why I bought it? This was one that I put on my Christmas list. I found it on a list of good books to read, and the synopsis sounded interesting.
Synopsis: It is set 2 years after World War II. Evie is 15. Her stepfather is back from the war and life is resuming. When he unexpectedly takes Evie and her mom on a trip to Palm Beach, FL, and they meet up with a handsome young man who served with her stepdad in Austria after the war, a complicated web of secrets and lies starts to surface. Evie falls in love with the young man and hopes for a future with him. An unexpected death throws her life upside down and Evie has to sort through her priorities about where her loyalties lie.
What I thought? It was an unexpected story with interesting twists. The ambiance does bring with it the feel of the 1940s. It is well researched. It is definitely worth reading. I enjoyed it pretty well, but I'm not really interested in reading it again. It is a National Book Award Winner, so you know it has some literary merit. Blundell does a great job making the story very vivid.
My Rating: ****
Cleanness Score: 5, It has some language, but the score is mostly for sexual situations--nothing really bad or anything mostly just innuendo and making out. It'd be a PG-13 kind of rating.
You may have gotten a little short shifted on this book. I'm too excited about the next one to work up much enthusiasm for this one. It is good though, if the premise strikes you.
17 comments:
Sounds interesting. It's a great title.
How have I missed your latest posts? I so envy your trip to DC. The photos are fantastic! We lived there ages ago, before kids, and I LOVED feeling in the middle of everything!
I'm off to make sure I'm still one of your blog followers.
Becky
Duh.
I could just look at the list on your blog.
Sorry. I'd like to blame it on the coffee, but I think it's just me.
Haha! I've missed your comments.
I've almost picked this one up a few times, glad to hear it's a good read. Maybe once I get through my current stack...
I haven't picked it up yet! I'm so not a literary gal, but maybe one day I'll read it!
Natalie, What good stuff do you have in your stack?
PJ, It's not too terribly literary. It has some of those elements, but it's not over the top or anything.
This has been on my list for a while, it sounds really good.
Can't wait to see what you'll be raving about next week, sounds intriguing :)
Seems interesting...I may have to add to the TBR pile :)
Alexa, I'm really excited to share next week's selection, but I have to finish reading it first.
beth, it was different than what I expected, so in a lot of ways that's a good thing. It surprised me.
LOL! You crack me up in your reviews sometimes. Thanks so much for doing these! And I don't feel short shifted, I like hearing your honest opinion. And I love, love, love your rating score at the end! Awesome! Jenni
Hey, I forgot to ask you last night at church- is anything happening with the book club formation?
Jenni, I'm so glad you enjoy them.
Cortney, there are still not enough people.
Lotus,
That sounds like an interesting read. I'm not too much into historical fiction, but the way your describe this one, it seems like it would be good. Thanks for the review.
Crimey, This one is kind of a crime drama set in the 1940s, so it might appeal to you more than your standard historical fic.
i'm thoroughly intrigued by the title. and i love all things WWII/40s. i just might have to pick this one up! :)
Alyssa, You would prob. enjoy it. Next week's is also from that time period. I think you would like it even better.
Good to know! :)
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