Letters Across the Sea by Genevieve Graham Review

 Good Morning Everyone :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

One of my favorite historical fiction time periods to read about is the period surrounding World War Two. I've read some pretty amazing books within this genre over the years, and I love discovering new to me bits of history along the way.

Unfortunately, I've also discovered quite a few books within this genre that I really haven't enjoyed as well, but that doesn't usually stop me from picking up more books within this genre that I discover along the way. 

I recently had a book by a new to me author recommended by a fellow book blogger, and I was really looking to diving right into it.

Today I'm looking forward to sharing with you all what I ended up thinking about it, and I hope you'll keep reading below for my full review.

Letters Across the Sea by Genevieve Graham:

Source: Library

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Publication Date: April 27th, 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction/World War Two Fiction/Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

Inspired by a little-known chapter of World War II history, a young Protestant girl and her Jewish neighbour are caught up in the terrible wave of hate sweeping the globe on the eve of war in this powerful love story from the #1 bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child.

I’m writing to say goodbye…
With all my love,
M

Summer 1933

At eighteen, Molly Ryan feels as though she is always looking for work to help her family through the Great Depression crippling her city. The one bright spot in her life is playing baseball with her best friend, Hannah Dreyfus, and sneaking glances at Hannah’s handsome older brother, Max. Molly knows that her Irish Protestant parents disapprove of her spending so much time with their Jewish neighbours, and she also sees the signs that say “No Jews Allowed” outside Toronto’s stores and parks. But unlike many of the city’s residents, Molly doesn’t blame Hannah and Max for the mass unemployment and unrest—they’re her beloved childhood friends.

As more of Hitler’s hateful ideas cross the sea, tensions between the two families and their communities rise, spilling over one smouldering day in August when a local “Swastika Club” unfurls a huge white banner bearing the Nazi symbol at a baseball game. A riot erupts, throwing Molly and Max together and sparking a secret they must keep from everyone they love.

When Max enlists to fight overseas, their love is put to the ultimate test, the letters between them a tenuous bond. By war’s end, both of their families will be scarred by painful betrayal as devastating truths come to light.

Perfect for readers of The Daughter’s Tale and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Letters Across the Sea is a poignant novel about the enduring power of love to cross dangerous divides even in the darkest of times.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I love World War Two historical fiction novels, and I'm always on the lookout for new ones to give a try. I was especially looking forward to this one, as despite how many I've read over the years, I've honestly not read very many that are set within my own country (Canada). I also appreciated the fact that the author chose to tackle a lesser known part of the war within this one, and I was looking forward to learning many new to me bits of history throughout.

I will say that I thought the sensitive subject matter was handled authentically and respectfully, and that Genevieve Graham did a beautiful job of bringing the story to life on the page. My heart wrenched for everything these men had to go through in such a brutal time of history, and I thought the characters were all well developed and three dimensional.

Unfortunately, aside from the historical components, this one didn't end up being what I was expecting, and I think that's partly because I was expecting something a little different. I thought from the title and description that letter writing was going to play a much larger part of the story than it did, and I was looking forward to that element.

I also wasn't expecting a love triangle, which I'm never a fan of, and I can't say that I personally cared for how the author chose to end the story, or wrap up said triangle.

Overall, I loved the history bits, it was interesting to have it set in Canada, and I did enjoy how Molly was determined to see these brave men's story be featured in print, but this one didn't end up being a new favorite, and I'm not sure I'd rush out to read another one of this author's stories in the future.

I ended up feeling kind of meh about it, and it's not one of the better World War Two novels I've read over the years. 

Final Rating: 3/5.

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights to the respective owners.