hconstable's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I have no words to describe how much I loved this book. There was love, drama, mystery, history, family dynamics, just really enjoyed reading it.
bookscrystals93's review against another edition
5.0
A great love story set during and after WWII. I could not put it down. I definitely recommend it!
jessrad505's review against another edition
4.75
This is exactly what I want from historical fiction. The tension with the forbidden romance and the mystery around the fire kept me turning the pages. I learned something new about WW2 history. Maybe I should have but I didn’t know there were so many POW camps in the US and that the prisoners worked on farms and in factories. The writing really pulled me into the place and time. I highly recommend this book if you are a historical fiction fan.
wilcoxrobynne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice story, which takes place in Clear Lake, Iowa, about a young girl during WWII falling for the wrong sort of of fellow--I mean, it's basically the Summer of My German Soldier in Iowa and without the casual racism.
something about the writing itself felt a little stiff, maybe a little too tell-y and not show-y.
something about the writing itself felt a little stiff, maybe a little too tell-y and not show-y.
turtlemagix's review against another edition
4.0
I was instantly drawn in to this book by its cover and the time period it's set in, and I wasn't disappointed. The story and writing both flow really well.
guida315's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to love this book, then I was afraid I’d hate it. I kept soldiering on, and it got better...and it turned out to be quite enjoyable.
I loved the historical perspective of the POW camps in the Midwest as well as the history of the Surf Ballroom.
I loved the historical perspective of the POW camps in the Midwest as well as the history of the Surf Ballroom.