It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.
Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.
Review
Sarah Sundin is my go-to author for WWII novels. I was thrilled to see her branch out into the Navy. Here’s my thoughts:
What I liked:
Mary. The heroine in this novel was so relatable. Maybe I didn’t understand everything she did, but I always understood why.
The history. Even though the author admits to taking a few liberties with history, the atmosphere of the time is present. Sundin is able to effortlessly weave history and fiction together to make it feel real.
The romance. Jim and Mary become friends and it is so easy to see them fall for each other. At first, I was worried what with Jim being in the Navy if he would even have much of a role in this novel. Never fear, Jim is often in Boston.
Spiritually, Sundin always give her characters some kind of flaw that they have to overcome. And this time it was, essentially, fear. I will say that this novel is different though because both main characters recognized their flaws almost immediately and instead of getting a revelation at the end, they slowly worked on their faults throughout the novel.
What I didn’t like:
It was linked to the characters’ flaws. I wanted to tell both Mary and Jim to not be so afraid.
Romantic scale: 8
Overall, I very much enjoyed this novel and I am so looking forward to book 2.
**I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**
remaininhislove 