This novel centers on Hayden and Chidori, living on Mayne Island near Vancouver at the outset of WWII. The plot shifts between pre-war and war time and from Hayden's perspective and Chi's diary, with no paragraph or clear chapter breaks between.

Although Chidori was born in Canada, her family is ordered to report to a Japanese internment camp. Hayden enlists in the air force believing he can help end the war. He is shot down and we read a description of the horrors of a German POW camp.

The writing went from high language to outdated-almost tv slang. I expected Hayden to say “golly or gosh darn it” half the time. It just did not suit good writing. The confusing plot shifts and the deep love of two seventeen-year olds was a bit unrealistic. I finished it because I felt I had to, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

I really enjoyed reading All We Left Behind. The deep and touching love story between Hayden and Chidori was so sweet and beautiful to read. Chidori was a Canadian-Born Japanese young woman who was forced to leave Canada during the early 1940s, separating her from her one true love, Hayden. Through many difficulties, they somehow find a way back together after years apart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

The book was very interesting however I believe it could have been condensed down. I overall enjoyed the read and would recommend it

I'm not crying.. you're crying!
This book was fantastic. You can tell that Graham spent a lot of time studying the time period and the premise of the novel. The book was heart wrenching and everything I wanted and more. I fell in love with the characters immediately and read every second possible because I needed to see what happened.
Historical Fiction fans, this is a must to be added to your To Be Read pile. Push it right to the top.
Three cheers for Danielle R. Graham on her first Historical Fiction novel. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

The writing felt more like a middle grade children’s book. The story had promise, I just didn’t care for the writing style at all.

All We Left Behind shows the path of two lovers before, during, and after WWII. It is unique in that it shows the war from Canadians perspective and specifically the plight of Japanese-Canadians. It shows the horrible injustice of what the Canadian government did to Japanese-Canadians during and after the war. I would recommend to friends.

All we left behind by Danielle Graham
This is the first book I've read by Danielle Graham. It was a likeable book and characters. This was a book for everyone, romance, suspense and history. There are areas that you question why, others makes you cry, and some areas of confusion. The story was a very slow at the beginning but picked up after a while.

Rating - I will be giving this book a 4 star's out of 5 star's

Recommend - I would still recommend this even though it wasn't for me.

Canada, intolerance, pow-camps, ya-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, War-is-Hell, family, historical-novel, historical-research

Two young people living in Western Canada fall in love at the worst time in history for them. The girl is Nisei and the boy is not. She and her family are outcasts and sent to internment camp just like the indignities down in the US. He was already wanting to join up with a Flying Corps and does so. The book goes back and forth from fall of 1941 to their parallel incarcerations. It's a very moving book and I loved it.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Harper 360/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

The effects of war are far reaching and unending. Families are torn apart by death and dismemberment. Bitter memories remain through generations.

Japanese were restricted by curfews. Had to carry identification cards. Lost their property. Were finally rounded up and placed in camps surrounded by barbed wire. The similarities to the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust are impossible to miss. As I read this story of forbidden young love, I found that I could substitute the words "Jew" and "Germany" for "Jap" and "Canada" in most cases.

Hayden and Chidori have grown up together. Have been friends who sought adventures all over Mayne Island, British Columbia, where they live. They shared experiences. Ultimately, they became more than friends. They fell in love. Then WWII intervened and Japanese were restricted to relationships with other Japanese. Even friendships involving Japanese and non-Japanese were frowned upon. Both sets of parents were vehemently opposed to the friendship between these two.

But, they made a vow. To love each other forever. No matter that they were separated. After the war, when all this nonsense was behind them, they would find each other and be together.

Why immigrants from Germany and from Italy were not subjected to the same rigid treatment is only one of the questions found in this heartwarming novel. This tender story of an innocent couple caught up in world events beyond their control will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I read this EARC courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins. pub date January 2020

I liked this book, though I wondered is this Christian fiction? It opened with a well written fire fight among aircraft, a situation during which anyone would pray. However, repeated references to prayer, church, God made me wonder about the author's objective. The novel also included cursing both the four-letter-word type as well as "taking the Lord's name in vain", both of which would offend typical readers of Christian fiction. By the end of the novel, I decided it is not Christian fiction; but, honestly, I wondered and changed my mind a few times throughout. Since the author's note included nothing about religion, that clinched my decision. The book also never became preachy, thank God. Pun intended. The story itself did not need this confusing religious element. It added nothing to the story. I would edit it out.
The POW story line was convincing without being overly gruesome. Minimal detail was included about the Japanese interment camps. The romance was sweet but predictable.
I have read a lot of WWII fiction. As an American, I never studied Canada's role in WWII. I have never read a novel or nonfiction book about Canada during WWII. I found this different (to me) perspective interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A well written story about a Canadian whom loves a Japanese-Canadian woman during World War II. Harshness reality of POW camps and Japanese internment bring the story to the front of the reader's heart.