Such a unique look at post war life, for soldiers and for the family they left behind. I loved the dynamic. Seeing how they were before and how they came out on the other side of it. There was forgiveness that needed to be done on both sides. Davis took on a burden that made him look bad to Faith. But overcoming everything made them closer! It was such a different look. The world was riddled with grief, loss, PTS and the weight of coming back and adjusting to a completely different world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An excellent addition to my bookshelf!

This was an excellent book! There aren't many books set in post world war 2 era, so it was a treat to read how both servicemen and their friends and families had to adjust to a post war world. I really enjoyed the themes of partnership, friendship, and helping your neighbor. A well written book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Copy. All opinions are my own.

Rating Calculation:
Hook: 8
Writing: 8
Format: 8
Plot and character development: 8
Content: 8

Average: 8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: 7-8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: 5.5-6.9
⭐️⭐️⭐️: 4-5.4
⭐️⭐️: 1-3.9
⭐️: DNF

This book starts shortly before Davis Wilson returns home from fighting overseas in WWII. He is dealing with PTSD from things he experienced and grieving those who didn’t survive, especially his best friend and next door neighbor Patrick who died at war. Faith Penwilliger thinks Davis is the reason Patrick enlisted and blames him for her older brother’s death. Life has been difficult for her trying to run the family business after losing her brother and then her dad.

I enjoyed reading this unique perspective on WWII and getting a glimpse into life in the 1940s. Rather than going into detail about the horrors of the war and the treatment of the Jewish people, the focus is mostly on how hard it was for soldiers to integrate back into regular life after WWII ended. I think it’s easy to forget that most of the men who fought were very young and just regular people who loved their country. They didn’t consider themselves heroes and often didn’t even want to talk about their experience for many years.

This is such a wholesome read! I love how it is simultaneously a friend's to lovers and enemies to lovers book! Not many stories could pull that off but this one does. I enjoyed how Davis was so persistent in everything he does. He is hardworking and caring, but not in an overwhelming way. Faith is so stubborn and it's fun to watch her grow and deal with her shortcomings. Truly a wonderful read!

Win phase neighbor Mrs. Wilson comes over telegram in hand exuding happiness saying her son David Wilson is coming home from the war she doesn’t give a second thought to the fact that she is bragging to her neighbors whose son Patrick isn’t coming home. True to phase mom Martha’s kind nature she is happy for their neighbor and even helps her get ready for the welcome home celebration. Faye hasn’t seen David Wilson since I got in an argument about him encouraging Patrick to join the war effort and although she was just a little girl then she has grown into a beautiful 19-year-old woman with lots of responsibilities. Ever since the death of her dad and dearly beloved brother Patrick she has taken on She has taken on the responsibility of running the hardware store but that’s not to say she doesn’t have fun the last two years she has been entering dance contest with her partner Friday and then everyone in town thinks it’s her boyfriend but she will be the first to tell you he isn’t. After Davie who now wants to be called Davis returns home her mom tells Faye he will start working at the hardware store something Faye isn’t happy about but since business is picking up it is sorely needed. Davis starts Sing Faye as the woman she is his affection for her only girls with Faye seems to be in denial. This was such a good book and so funny at the end of the book when Davy was dancing with Eleanor trying to keep up with Freddy and Faye I couldn’t stop laughing that just sounded so funny I also thought the side story with Rose and did nicely and although not a happy ending but a good one. This whole book was great I read it all in one night I love this authors books and will definitely read more in the future as I have in the past. I loved face relationship with her mother Martha but then again I love the whole book it is definitely a five story and one I highly recommend. I received this book from NetGalley and publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher @covenantcommunications for this ARC. Happy Pub Day to the author in advance.
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To be very honest, I requested for this book because I loved the cover, isn't it amazing? I also liked the synopsis, but the cover sealed the deal
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I loved all the characters, both main and side characters in this book especially the family members, the author really put in a lot of work in developing them. I also loved the storyline, although it was set in the aftermath of WWII, the author was able to portray the reality of war without it been depressing.
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I also loved the slow burn romance because I felt like it was needed in this book because Faith and Davis went through a lot of things and they had to rediscover themselves before they fell in love. Both of them were very strong and I was rooting for them.
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I loved the epilogue and HEA, if you're looking for a wonderful romance, this is for you!

This is a sweet romance that is full of emotions. It hooks you on the first page and holds your attention until the end. This book was a great read and I highly recommend it anyone who enjoys a good clean romance.
I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Covenant for access to this arc.

After years of World War II books being in favor, I will admit to a bit of ennuie when I see yet another cover with (usually) a heroine in period dress, a backdrop of famous buildings from London or Paris and the inevitable Spitfire planes flying overhead. That doesn’t mean I won’t read more of them but the fact that this book is set after the end of the fighting made me perk up and look into it. The first thing that came to mind was the famous post war movie “The Best Years of Our Lives” in which three former military men return to their homes and family with all then having to figure out “What now?”

Faith and Davis grew up together but will have a lot of issues, past and present, to untangle and figure out before they can decide what to do with their relationship.

I liked that there are some very serious things being dealt with here. Faith is torn between continuing to run her family business and her dreams of college. Her mother, and later Davis, aren’t thrilled with a young man Faith has in her life. Freddy has been Faith’s dancing partner for two years giving her a break and some fun in her life. There really isn’t much to lead anyone, including Faith, into thinking that she will marry Freddy but Faith pushes back at giving up this outlet.

Davis struggles to fit back into small town Ohio life. It isn’t that he wants more wide open spaces but rather that he has trouble sleeping, his acquired smoking habit (to calm his nerves) annoys his mother and he’s not sure what he wants to do but he’s pretty sure it isn’t to go back to college and law school. He’s also seeing Faith with different eyes than he did but their last conversation, before he and Patrick left, ended badly and he doesn’t know how to fix things.

The book coasts along as all these things play out. Usually I’m not a fan of pranks but have to admit that Faith’s response to Davis trying to tell Freddy to leave Faith alone is inspired and gets Davis to acknowledge that his interference was uncalled for. Religious faith is interwoven more in Faith’s life although Davis and his family attend church regularly. Faith has her moments of self doubt which she discusses with her pastor which then brings her in contact with an older teen struggling with the death of his older brother. Booyah that he isn’t suddenly back in the church fold. Davis and Faith talk about how the war has affected so many people and that no one will ever be able to go back to how things were. All of these issues were well handled.

The romance is very slow burn. Davis figures out quickly that his feelings have changed for Faith but he doesn’t push any feelings on her. He does make it clear that he cares deeply for her but then he lets her make up her own mind. This is contrasted to Faith’s cousin Rose who made a quickie wartime marriage that she’s come to regret. I wish this had been explored a bit more but perhaps there will be a book two. While I like that Faith and Davis are given lots of time to work out their emotions, the romance was a bit bland.

There are several very nice secondary characters and relationships I enjoyed. Faith’s mother is lovely while Davis’s mother is a bit OTT but you know she loves her family. I would have paid money to ride along with the two mothers on their rescue mission. Faith and an older brick mason have a great rapport while Davis finds himself taking advice from his younger sister about clothing. Overall I enjoyed the book but wish the romance had had a bit more oomph. B-

Laura Rupper's "The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door" may have a self-explanatory title, although its actions take place entirely after WWII has ended. With alternating points of view, the reader can better understand the characters' emotions and motivations.

However, one would think the female main character (she's no heroine in my opinion) is the only person forced to grow up too soon while dealing with grief at the same time. While Faith Penwilliger steps up to the plate to run the family business, her mother Marcia stays home. This role reversal makes Marcia appear weak and ineffectual. Faith is as deep as a puddle, blaming Davis for something that was out of his control. She and equally shallow boyfriend Freddie dance their cares away, although he seems not to even have any.

Meanwhile, Davis Wilson is a more compassionate character. His well-meaning interference in Faith's life is perhaps heavy-handed. Be that as it may, Faith's "revenge" is mean-spirited and worthy of a twelve-year-old. His family is an enjoyable addition. Her cousin Rose's story was intriguing, and further development would have been welcome.

Although there is a religious element here and some theological discussion, it is both appropriate and thoughtful. Rupper's prose is pleasant and the book is clean. Interesting historical tidbits are sprinkled throughout, such as the coining of the word "genocide". The modern terms "Ms." and "invite" instead of "invitation", were not in use then. The latter l personally use only as a verb even now. Due to the fact that I disliked both Faith and her mother, I can only give this tale an average rating. However, I will gladly try this author's work again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an ARC of this book.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘰𝘳 tells the story of Davis who's just returned to his hometown after witnessing the horrors of war and Faith the girl who was left behind to manage their family business after the loss of her brother and father.

- ~ -

I was expecting Davis's pov to be rather tragic and it was in some ways but he kept a lot of it bottled up. He was, as a kind man put it, trying to get on with life but also busy making sure his sweetheart wasn't busy with someone else.

There was a lot of reluctance coming from Faith regarding her feelings for Davis, so for her too just declare herself in love with him was too soon even if the people during that generation did things quick.

But overall it was interesting to read about the situation during those times and how it impacted even those who hadn't themselves fought, the economy and even the survival tactics.

- ~ -

3.73 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door, written by Laura Rupper is a WWII novel but rather than focusing on the War takes place just as the war is ending. It is a sweet touching story that deals with the aftermath of the war and the way peoples lives changed and their struggles to try to return to a normal life.

The main characters are Davis and Faith. Davis is just returning from serving on the war and is having trouble moving on and getting past the memories. Faith is young women who lost her brother to the war and struggling to forgive.

I definitely recommend reading this book about love and forgiveness. It will be time we’ll spent.

I really enjoyed this sweet historical romance. I’ve ready so many WWII books but not many that focus on a soldier coming home. This is a gentle romance so the PTSD symptoms are mild, having a hard time sleeping and the need to stay busy all the time. Sergeant Davis Wilson is returning after four years in the European theater. His small Ohio town and loving family welcome him with open arms but the feeling isn’t shared by the girl next door. The war has been hard on Faith Penwilliger. Her brother died overseas and her father passed away shortly afterwards. At 18 she had to make the choice to postpone her college plans and take over her family brick business. She blames Davis for her losses. Her brother as an only son wasn’t drafted but Faith feels Davis, as his best friend, encouraged him to enlist.

This is a genuinely lovely story. It isn’t in a rush and takes it time. You can see the characters go from provoking to understanding and forgiveness. I like that Faith's mom has an Irish proverb for everything. (It was a lucky coincidence that I read this on St. Patrick’s Day.) There is trickling amount of history thrown in like hiring a Mexican worker through a national program and some political news of the time. I cousin who marries unwisely is also brought into the story mix as well as a dancing partner that brought escapism to Faith. This also brings in religion (non identified denomination) in a soft way.

I did have some minimal unanswered questions. A lot was made about Faith running the business. But other than office work and inventory nothing else is mentioned. Did she actively bid jobs? Work with contractors? etc. Also couldn’t her mother also have helped in the store? I got all kinds of details about dancing but not about the business itself. And did she continue on working after marriage?

I’m new to the author but will look forward to future books. This is for readers who prefer clean romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)

The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door by Laura Rupper is set in 1946 just as World War II has ended. Davis "Davy" Wilson doesn't know how to go back to his old life after returning from the war especially when so much has changed. Coming home to see his next door neighbor, Faith Penwilliger, has grown from a silly sixteen year old into a beautiful strong woman was a shock. But Faith is not excited to see him and Davis does not know how to react. Will Faith and Davis be able to get past old hurts and find a promising future? Give this book a read to find out.

This book is such a cute story. I really enjoyed reading it and definitely recommend this especially if you enjoy world war II romances.

#TheSergeantandtheGirlNextDoor #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!

wow wow wow I loved this. Faith runs her family business and dances her nights away to forget about the pain left in the wake of the second world war. Davis, once lighthearted Davy, comes home without his best friend (Faith's brother) at his side. He deals with the struggles of adjusting to post war life as a veteran.

This was probably the slowest slow burn I've read, but it was worth it. I liked that we got to see what post war life was like because I feel like most of the ww two era historical fiction books don't deal with the aftermath.

Faith is not your typical 40's gal. She isn't in a committed relationship and she runs a male dominated business. She is also involved in her church which I thought was cool. I liked how hard working Davis was and watching him adapt to life as a civilian. It's not easy and we see these struggles as he deals with ptsd, insomnia, and a bad smoking habit.

Did I like all the religious talk? Not really. I will say, I'm glad divorce was talked about and accepted, heck even proposed by one of the characters (I won't spoil when or why). It's so taboo even today and I liked how the topic was tackled in this book.

I will be recommending my library purchase this because it was so well done.

Book review: The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door by Laura Rupper
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Oh boy was this book a roller coaster. So many emotions! I laughed, I teared up, I was frustrated, and I was content. I think this book did a good job of acknowledging the changes that happened to people post world war 2 without being too heavy. The focus on relationships and growth made the book more light. The characters were well developed and grew more throughout the book. I enjoyed how the romance also grew in maturity along with the main characters. This story also had so many wonderful supporting characters that I couldn’t help but love. The Irish proverbs were an added bonus that I thoroughly enjoyed. This story was captivating and had me coming back to read more any chance I had. I will definitely be looking for more from this author!
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Content: loss due to war, grieving loved ones, mild descriptions of concentration camps and war

Thank you to NetGally and Covenant Communications for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

4.5 stars. This was the perfect feel good book for me. This is set right after WWII and deals with the grief of losing family members but also welcoming a hero home to a small town. It was dealt with beautifully. The romance was a little bit enemies to lovers and a little bit second chance. I really enjoyed it!

Review: 3.5 stars

This was a sweet story about love, forgiveness, and moving on after hard times. I enjoyed both Davis and Faith and their interactions. I especially enjoyed Faith’s mother, Marcia. She was a strong woman who kept going after loss and seemed to see what both Faith and Davis needed to heal.

I wish this book had a little more faith content. Faith discusses forgiveness with her pastor and leads out in teen Sunday school but I wish we would’ve seen spiritual growth in both characters to go hand in hand with the healing from their pasts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

From the very moment I saw the cover of this book I was drawn to it. But when I started reading the 1st page I knew this one was going to be a favorite of mine.
The story sets after WWII . The MMC is a soldier, Davis who returns home after the war was won for the US and only wanted to leave behind the horrors and loses of war, especially the death of his best friend, Patrick. He also wants to take care of Patrick´s mother and his little sister, Faith, whom he ended things in a bad way before leaving for war. But when both meet again he realizes that Faith is not a girl anymore, she is a grown woman who is capable of taking care of herself, her mother and her family bussines, although this is something she didnt choose at first. As Faith is resented with Davis, she blamed him for Patrick´s death ,they collided frecuently in a battle of wits and pranks that simply serves to drawn them together while they find the way to each other hearts.
There are funny moments and others that leave you with tears in your eyes. I love this two characters so much, how Davis have to work in order to win Faith´s heart and how she, although fighting with all her force against her feelings for Davis in the end has little to do without how she feels.
I think the author has made a great job with this book and I have had a great time reading it.

#TheSergeantandtheGirlNextDoor #NetGalley

A post WWII novel set in Ohio. Many soldiers didn't make it home. There were many soldiers who married quickly before and after the war. After the death of her brother and father, Faith finds herself running the family brick building business. Faith had always planned on going to college, but the war changed her plans. When Faith's next door neighbor, Davis arrives home from the war, Faith wishes it were her brother instead. Davis seems to be everywhere Faith is and she tries hard to ignore him. Faith is busy with the business, but has fun dancing on the weekends, Davis gets in the way and makes a point of telling Faith how much he doesn't like her dancing partner. I liked Faith and how she handled what life dealt her and how she thought everything out to make a decision.

This book was really appeasing.
I am not a fan a World War II settings, I like my clichés with a bit of drama and a lot of swoon. World War II stories can get quite intense: they are great stories, but not my getaway, usually.
I loved this story as it succeeded in being true to its post-World War II melancholic context, and keeping a feather touch on the characters emotions and development. Nicely graceful.

The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door... the title is self-explanatory, maybe the story could have earned something more original? Also considering that Davis does not pull the Sergeant card that often, after all.
Anyways, the Sergeant and the Girl Next Door is the story of Davis Wilson and Faith Penwilliger. Davis left to fight the war with Faith's brother Patrick, and only Davis returns home. Also Faith's dad died during the war years, so it's just her and her mum. Faith had to step up to take care of the family's bricklaying business, postponing her dreams of college.
Davis comes back home, not sure what he will do next, but wanting to keep an eye on Faith and her mother, as a tribute to his best friend Patrick. But Faith, having endured the war years with more responsibility than her age and gender would have usually attributed her, does not appreciate Davis's meddling, and drafts a plan of her own to payback his undesired interferences.

I definitely liked the writing style, it was smooth and engaging.
I loved the characters: I liked how Faith was so responsible, yet still making room for her carefree moments, without getting too wild.
I valued Davis's character evolution: coming back without a plan for the future and figuring it out gradually.
I also loved the side characters: Faith's and Davis's mums and cousin Rose, most of all.
I am always happy when a book has great female characters, who might have some disagreements, but make a common front to whatever happens.

I would have liked to know more about Faith's business woman side. We mostly see her at her desk, doing some accounting, and interacting with her employees. We learn at the end of the day that she dealt with some customers or did inventories, but I couldn't quite picture her at work. Was she happy when closing a deal? Did she feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day? I perceived this sense of tiredness all along, which made sense with her conflict about giving up college, so I did not quite understand if, by the end, she was really into it or more out of a sense of legacy to her family.
I had this nagging feeling of "but is she really happy or will she regret her choices?". But maybe that's just how life is: you make your choices and you never really know if they will always fit, but if you have the right person at your side, you will figure it all out together.

I am curious to read Laura Rupper's next books and find out the lovely characters she will be able to weave next.