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turquoiseavenue's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a huge fan of author Sarah Sundin! I adore her WWII stories and was excited to begin reading this latest book. I will admit, at first, I was a tiny bit disappointed. The story was really hard to get into for me, but only in the beginning. I felt like Wyatt's background story was somewhat immature and unrealistic. I find it hard to believe a young man would want to kill his own brother over an accident. Maybe the author didn't make it quite real enough for me. However, I understand why the author used this event as the premise for the rest of the story and did like to see how Wyatt corrected the mistakes he made as a young man and grew in his personal relationship with the Lord because of it. About 1/3 of the way through the story, I began really enjoying the book. I loved Dorothy and her story, seeing her find her faith and grow in it was rewarding. I also highly enjoyed the historical events and battles that took place toward the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WWII fiction. it was a light read, sometimes lacking in depth, but good just the same. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series when it is available.
*I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
juliaisreadingg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
a_kira's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. Love the honesty and way characters come to terms with the truth, repairing and strengthening their relationship with God.
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
5.0
Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite authors. I have loved every single one of her books, so you could say I was excited for her latest release, The Sea Before Us. It did not disappoint. It reiterates Sundin as one of the masters of World War II historical fiction.
With every book of hers, I'm astounded by the amount of research that must go into each one! The attention to detail, the historical facts... wow! I definitely feel completely immersed in the time period while reading her books. And I learn so much interesting and compelling bits of history too. It was so fascinating learning some of what went into preparing for D-Day. It took so much planning and there were so many opportunities for something to go wrong, something that could've changed the outcome.
The way Sundin weaves a brilliant message of faith in with all the history and romance is so amazing and one of my favorite aspects of her books. And what great messages they are in this novel! There are quite a few but the one that stuck out to me the most was the reminder to just be yourself. Don't change yourself to impress someone else or to make them like you. God made you uniquely you, so embrace that.
I highly, highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next one to find out more about the Paxton brothers!
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
With every book of hers, I'm astounded by the amount of research that must go into each one! The attention to detail, the historical facts... wow! I definitely feel completely immersed in the time period while reading her books. And I learn so much interesting and compelling bits of history too. It was so fascinating learning some of what went into preparing for D-Day. It took so much planning and there were so many opportunities for something to go wrong, something that could've changed the outcome.
The way Sundin weaves a brilliant message of faith in with all the history and romance is so amazing and one of my favorite aspects of her books. And what great messages they are in this novel! There are quite a few but the one that stuck out to me the most was the reminder to just be yourself. Don't change yourself to impress someone else or to make them like you. God made you uniquely you, so embrace that.
I highly, highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next one to find out more about the Paxton brothers!
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
daisey4's review against another edition
5.0
I love history, I enjoyed the romance, history and a little mystery with it. Unwavering faith in God is always a plus.
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
5.0
I have a feeling this series will be a new favourite!
Wyatt sold me from the beginning. He’s a total sweetheart & yet realistically flawed. He’s made his mistakes, he’s honest about them, and he’s trying to rectify them, even if in the wrong way sometimes.
As for Dorothy, I both liked her & didn’t. She’s terribly naive about things sometimes & needed a bit of shake. But she had a good heart.
The themes!! I loved the beautifully woven in messages of forgiveness & the return of the prodigals, alongside the truth that true love doesn’t require us to “change ourselves” to make ourselves lovable, but instead sees & loves us for who we are.
Wyatt sold me from the beginning. He’s a total sweetheart & yet realistically flawed. He’s made his mistakes, he’s honest about them, and he’s trying to rectify them, even if in the wrong way sometimes.
As for Dorothy, I both liked her & didn’t. She’s terribly naive about things sometimes & needed a bit of shake. But she had a good heart.
The themes!! I loved the beautifully woven in messages of forgiveness & the return of the prodigals, alongside the truth that true love doesn’t require us to “change ourselves” to make ourselves lovable, but instead sees & loves us for who we are.
simoneclark's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately, this one didn't quite work for me. It may be one of those cases where it's me and not the book, or maybe not. No idea! The book got better towards the end, but the middle was not the Sarah Sundin I love, at least not for me.
merricats_cuppa_tea's review against another edition
5.0
This book started me and introduced me to Sarah sundin, I was just looking for something at the library and found this. Couldn’t put it down. Two Months later I’ve read everything she’s written now and I’m dying for the Second Book in this Series!
soletka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
1944, some time before the Omaha Beach Landing. The American kind of prodigal son, naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton is being located in London and falling in love with a fellow British servicewoman Dorothy Fairfax. He is a quiet type, she wants excitement.
This novel unfortunately does not work for me. The historical picture of the war liberation effort is interesting, but the characters are clichey and they feel unrealistic, two-dimensional. I think that the authoress is molding her characters to follow some patterns of seemingly ideal type (mostly in men), including that some character traits are contradictory (like supposedly quiet Wyatt can express himself very well and can be chatty, even wordy; also he behaves quite like a pushover for a strong and morally upright character).
The “prodigal son” story has potential, but we meet the character only when he is “fully recovered” of it, healed. I would love to see the messy, real way to healing. Same goes for Dorothy’s healing from the family situation.
This novel unfortunately does not work for me. The historical picture of the war liberation effort is interesting, but the characters are clichey and they feel unrealistic, two-dimensional. I think that the authoress is molding her characters to follow some patterns of seemingly ideal type (mostly in men), including that some character traits are contradictory (like supposedly quiet Wyatt can express himself very well and can be chatty, even wordy; also he behaves quite like a pushover for a strong and morally upright character).
The “prodigal son” story has potential, but we meet the character only when he is “fully recovered” of it, healed. I would love to see the messy, real way to healing. Same goes for Dorothy’s healing from the family situation.
adventuresofaliterarynature's review against another edition
5.0
I first have to talk about how much I love this whole series idea, three brothers, one in the navy, one in the air force, and one in the army, each taking part in a different facet of the D-Day invasion. Giving us three different looks at the same historic event. I could not love the genius of this more, it's completely brilliant.
Wyatt is the oldest of the three brothers, but after an unfortunate accident and a wrong committed in fear, he hasn't spoken to any of his family memebers for years. He deeply regrets his actions and is driven by a desire to make things right and one day beg his family's forgiveness. I really admired the way he was honest about his sins and ran to God, clinging to his faith. Honestly there was so much I loved about Wyatt, his quiet strength, his desire to do the right thing regardless of personal cost, and the gentle way he loved without pushing. Really I could go on for days about just how amazing this hero was!
And then there was Dorothy. I loved her a lot too and my heart broke for her. She faced so much loss and lived life feeling unlovable but that never stopped her from loving others. Whether it was caring for a father who seemed to be checked out from life or making sure a friend had enough to eat she was always looking out for others. It was a bit frustrating to watch as she hid her true self just to please a guy who didn't deserve her, especially since it blinded her to the amazing guy right in front of her.
Wyatt and Dorothy's strengths and weakness complimented each other and it was beautiful to watch as they encouraged the other and helped them see their best selves. Dorothy learned to stop seeing herself as unable to be loved and to accept the love of God and Wyatt. And Wyatt realized he had to stop working for the forgiveness God had already given and to forgive himself for the mistakes of his past.
All of the historical details that were woven into this story were absolutely facinating and I was loving them as much as the characters. Many of the behind the scenes actions that made D-Day happen I'd never really learned at it was so cool to read about.
So in case you couldn't tell I absolutely adored every second of this book and I cannot wait to read Adler and Clay's stories!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Wyatt is the oldest of the three brothers, but after an unfortunate accident and a wrong committed in fear, he hasn't spoken to any of his family memebers for years. He deeply regrets his actions and is driven by a desire to make things right and one day beg his family's forgiveness. I really admired the way he was honest about his sins and ran to God, clinging to his faith. Honestly there was so much I loved about Wyatt, his quiet strength, his desire to do the right thing regardless of personal cost, and the gentle way he loved without pushing. Really I could go on for days about just how amazing this hero was!
And then there was Dorothy. I loved her a lot too and my heart broke for her. She faced so much loss and lived life feeling unlovable but that never stopped her from loving others. Whether it was caring for a father who seemed to be checked out from life or making sure a friend had enough to eat she was always looking out for others. It was a bit frustrating to watch as she hid her true self just to please a guy who didn't deserve her, especially since it blinded her to the amazing guy right in front of her.
Wyatt and Dorothy's strengths and weakness complimented each other and it was beautiful to watch as they encouraged the other and helped them see their best selves. Dorothy learned to stop seeing herself as unable to be loved and to accept the love of God and Wyatt. And Wyatt realized he had to stop working for the forgiveness God had already given and to forgive himself for the mistakes of his past.
All of the historical details that were woven into this story were absolutely facinating and I was loving them as much as the characters. Many of the behind the scenes actions that made D-Day happen I'd never really learned at it was so cool to read about.
So in case you couldn't tell I absolutely adored every second of this book and I cannot wait to read Adler and Clay's stories!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.