This was such a good but bittersweet story. I loved Eleanor and Roger’s relationship and the loved that they had for each other and their kids. This story really does bring to reality the sacrifices families made during the war, especially the wives and mothers. It also frustrated me that those same women, who kept our country going during the war, were pushed to the side afterwards. I can’t even imagine how that must have felt like.

I received a free electronic copy of the ARC from Jessica Ciosek and Netgalley by way of GenZ Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I can happily recommend this historical novel to friends and family.

Ms. Ciosek brings us a finely drawn picture of life in Flint, Michigan in the 1940s. Eleanor Mitchell is perfectly content with that life, sending her husband out to work a manufacturing job and taking care of their home and two young children. And she finds it in herself to be brave when her husband Roger is drafted and must ship off to fight the war in Europe. She has her mother, her sisters nearby, and she herself is resourceful and handy. Worse come to worse, she and the children can go upcountry to Roger's parent's farm but Eleanor prefers to stay in Flint. She enjoys the company and companionship of her sisters, and they are all special Aunties to the children. On the Mitchell family farm, they would be isolated. There are some savings that will help with the rent, and she can find something to supplement Roger's army wages. They can make it work. Until it doesn't.

This is a fine story told very well. There are parts I couldn't get mentally into but overall I enjoyed this visit to 1940s Michigan.

I loved part one of the story. I enjoyed the love story between Roger and Eleanor. I loved the back and forth between them. Once I got to part 2, I rapidly lost interest. I would have loved to hear about Eleanor’s life post war and her children growing up.

Eleanor Mitchell thought she had it all. A kind, handsome husband and a growing family. She was leaving her dream life…until the call to war took her husband away and forced her to navigate life on her own. Constantly battling back and forth between bravery and fear…Eleanor discovers strengths she never knew she had.

I loved this book. It’s definitely a different perspective on life during WWII. While it isn’t based on any actual events or people…it sheds light on what life was like for the women at home. They became both mother and father, heads of households, breadwinners. For many, being a wife and mother was all they wanted in life so to have to put on new, unfamiliar shoes…often with a crazy amount of grief weighing down those who became war widows…required a strength that many didn’t know they had or how to find it.

This is a great weekend read that will keep you engaged from cover to cover. Thanks to NetGalley, GenZ Publishing and Jessica Ciosek for early access. I really enjoyed this one