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rvoogt's review
5.0
Loved how the anonymous pen pals grew first from friendship into love. What a great way to illustrate how healthy relationships can be when built on honesty, vulnerability, and friendship. Another wonderful book from Sarah Sundin!
susanp's review
3.0
Interesting, but the relationships were juvenile. The nurses had the maturity of a group of sixth-grade girls.
reneesmith's review
4.0
Part Shop Around the Corner and part Cherry Ames Flight Nurse, With Every Letter tells the story of two lonely people who find love—even though they haven’t met face-to-face.
Set during World War II, the story focuses on Lt. Mellie Blake, a young woman supporting the war effort as a flight nurse, and Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an engineer doing his duty in North Africa. Though these two are brave and competent before their coworkers, they are both guarding inner vulnerabilities resulting from painful rejections in their pasts.
Mellie and Tom have learned the hard way to hide who they really are. Each believes he/she will never find that special someone who will cherish unconditionally. But even so, as anonymous pen pals, they pour out their hearts to each other. Though each can only imagine what the other looks like, with every letter they write, Tom and Mellie fall more and more deeply in love. When the time comes for them to meet, they must risk revealing all. Is their faith strong enough to see them through? . . . I could tell, but that would spoil it for you!
As I’ve said before, I should have been born in the 40′s. I love the clothes, the music, the movies. And whenever I want to make a quick visit to this time period, I know I can count on author Sarah Sundin to take me there. Her latest novel reminds me of several classics: Of course, The Shop Around the Corner, where Jimmy Stewart woos his sweetheart as her secret pen pal. Also, So Proudly We Hail, a movie about nurses serving in the South Pacific, and Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse, a favorite book from my childhood. Thanks, Sarah, not only for bringing to mind such great old stories but also for providing another wonderful drama to add to my growing list of ’40′s favorites!
Right now I'm giving away a copy of the book at my blog Doorkeeper. ***Thanks to Litfuse for providing the book for me to review.
Set during World War II, the story focuses on Lt. Mellie Blake, a young woman supporting the war effort as a flight nurse, and Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an engineer doing his duty in North Africa. Though these two are brave and competent before their coworkers, they are both guarding inner vulnerabilities resulting from painful rejections in their pasts.
Mellie and Tom have learned the hard way to hide who they really are. Each believes he/she will never find that special someone who will cherish unconditionally. But even so, as anonymous pen pals, they pour out their hearts to each other. Though each can only imagine what the other looks like, with every letter they write, Tom and Mellie fall more and more deeply in love. When the time comes for them to meet, they must risk revealing all. Is their faith strong enough to see them through? . . . I could tell, but that would spoil it for you!
As I’ve said before, I should have been born in the 40′s. I love the clothes, the music, the movies. And whenever I want to make a quick visit to this time period, I know I can count on author Sarah Sundin to take me there. Her latest novel reminds me of several classics: Of course, The Shop Around the Corner, where Jimmy Stewart woos his sweetheart as her secret pen pal. Also, So Proudly We Hail, a movie about nurses serving in the South Pacific, and Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse, a favorite book from my childhood. Thanks, Sarah, not only for bringing to mind such great old stories but also for providing another wonderful drama to add to my growing list of ’40′s favorites!
Right now I'm giving away a copy of the book at my blog Doorkeeper. ***Thanks to Litfuse for providing the book for me to review.
lizanne95's review
I have never read any of Sarah Sundin’s books before, so I didn’t know what to expect. I enjoyed this book thoroughly though. It was awesome, awesome, and did I say awesome?
When Mellie accepts an offer to write to an anonymous soldier, she never expected to receive an answer to her letter. Encouraged she continues to write, pouring out her heart to a man she only knows by a name she gave him, Ernest. He only knows her by the name he has chosen for her, Annie.
Not thinking they would ever meet, they continue to write. But when an accident puts them together, Mellie figures out exactly who her Ernest is. But he doesn’t know that Mellie is in actuality his own Annie.
He now thinks that he is starting to fall in love with two different woman, a woman only known to him as Annie and Mellie a beautiful young woman who thinks she is anything but.
A book filled with suspense and romance. I enjoyed and hope you do to.
When Mellie accepts an offer to write to an anonymous soldier, she never expected to receive an answer to her letter. Encouraged she continues to write, pouring out her heart to a man she only knows by a name she gave him, Ernest. He only knows her by the name he has chosen for her, Annie.
Not thinking they would ever meet, they continue to write. But when an accident puts them together, Mellie figures out exactly who her Ernest is. But he doesn’t know that Mellie is in actuality his own Annie.
He now thinks that he is starting to fall in love with two different woman, a woman only known to him as Annie and Mellie a beautiful young woman who thinks she is anything but.
A book filled with suspense and romance. I enjoyed and hope you do to.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review
5.0
Set during WWII, With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin is about Lieutenant Philomela Blake (Millie) - an Army nurse - and Lieutenant Tom MacGilliver - an Army engineer - and their anonymous pen-pal correspondence which results in identity confusions worthy of a Shakespearean comedy. This is an historical romance about the introduction of women nurses into the combat theater for aerial evacuations and the role of engineers in the north African and Sicily campaigns.
Like a good 21st century romance, the two POV characters, Millie and Tom, have mirrored feelings and challenges, with just the minimal gender stereotyping as required by the historical context. If you like historical romance, this is your book. Not a pot boiler: not so much as kiss between them until the end.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/10/with-every-letter-by-susan-sundin.html
Like a good 21st century romance, the two POV characters, Millie and Tom, have mirrored feelings and challenges, with just the minimal gender stereotyping as required by the historical context. If you like historical romance, this is your book. Not a pot boiler: not so much as kiss between them until the end.
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/10/with-every-letter-by-susan-sundin.html
caslater83's review
5.0
Sarah Sundin did a dynamite job in the research and writing of this book. I feel that in some way she set out to remind us that we shouldn't allow other people to define us by the actions of our parents or relatives. Philomena and Tom both have been emotionally scarred by the actions of their parents. Neither wants to be define by their lineage, and the yet the world seems to view them that way. Philomena struggles to develop the social skills required to attain and maintain friendship. She grew up on foreign soil, immersed in other cultures, and doesn't quite fit in with her own squadron of nurses.Tom fights for respect among his troops without being overshadowed by his father's reputation as a murderer. An anonymous pen pal program allows the two to show their love for their families, their jobs, and also face their weaknesses while trying to turn them into strengths.
gretchenlouise's review
5.0
A moving epistolary themed story! A beautiful blend of historical WWII facts with a fictional epistolary friendship that will touch your mind and your heart.
diamondc's review
4.0
4 1/2 stars
I really enjoyed this book. The Author's details were perfect and kept me drawn to the book. I felt like the ending was over drawn but everything else was perfect.
I really enjoyed this book. The Author's details were perfect and kept me drawn to the book. I felt like the ending was over drawn but everything else was perfect.
abbyrosereads's review
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and War
xoxotawnydee's review
3.0
Last night I would have given more stars but I think my happiness with the ending was clouding my judgement. The ending is really sweet unfortunately, the rest of the book took a lot of patience to try and get through. I am going to warn everybody right now that they don't even make it to the same country until chapter 17. That was the biggest reason why I got through the book so fast - because I was racing to get to chapter 17. But in the end the book was cute, it was sweet, it was a lot more religious than I thought it was going to be, and it just didn't stick with me so I'm only giving it three stars.