4.5 ⭐️

It’s not very often I read a book about WWII from the American perspectives- so this was truly such a treat.

From the get go, I had tears in my eyes reading about Irvel and Hanks relationship. Karen did such a beautiful job writing these characters and developing them well.
I also loved the story line of Irvel being one of 4,000 women spies during WWII for the USA. Learning about that was amazing!!!

There were some moments this book started feeling bullet point-y to me- it sometimes felt a little rushed. And I think somethings happened abruptly with no emotion attached to it.

Regardless, I’m a Karen fan until I die! She normally doesn’t write Historical Fiction- so you’re in for a treat if you enjoy Christian fiction!

This book hit a little too close to home as an old friend of mine is currently being tested for early onset dementia. It is hard to watch someone you love slowly lose their mental function. This book is about the love story between Hank and Irvel. Irvel has an Alzheimer's diagnoses and Hank wants to record their story before she can't remember it anymore. The story is mostly in flashbacks of how Hank and Irvel came together.

Hank and Irvel have been friends since they were children. They both have a big crush on each other but the timing is always wrong. Hank has a serious girlfriend when Irvel is single, and then when Hank is free, Irvel is dating his brother. Sam joins the military and Hank soon follows him and Irvel has to say goodbye to both men. Because Irvel is gifted in math, the US government recruits her to help with coding and decoding messages. The rest of the novel is about how Hank and Irvel finally profess their love and begin life together.

I like Karen Kingsbury novels, but this wasn't my favorite. It seemed to move too fast. It seemed to have to cover a lot of ground in a short time. I felt like the author wasn't telling the whole story. Maybe I'm missing something. I did enjoy the history of WW2 and the faith that got Hank and Irvel through the tough times.

Just Once utilizes flashbacks in a wonderful, unique way intertwining reality of love and loss during WWII and present time fictional families sharing generational connections recorded for posterity through this Christian love story. The importance of this very real need centers on today’s research detailing ways to help loved ones with dementia remember their lives mattered. The mixture of historical details of the evils of war that tear families, communities, and countries apart and the way forever love survives YET can draw loved ones, communities, and countries together in a very plausible fictional story is a wonderful illustration of why peace is a worldwide goal achievable through God’s Love. Every person has a story. Every person counts. Forever love is a timeless Gift of God.

I enjoyed Karen Kingsbury's Just Once. When I requested an advanced review copy of the book from NetGalley I didn't realize it was Christian fiction. I felt the way Kingsbury used the Biblical references in the book added to the story rather than feeling "preachy."

The story begins with Irvel and her husband Hank. Irvel has been diagnosed with dementia and the couple tries to figure out what to do to help Irvel (plus their son and granddaughter) remember their history. They decided to videotape their story, which is told from both of their points of view.

Hank and Irvel had been best friends for years when he went away for college and she started dating his brother. Neither of them has admitted their interest in one another. When World War II begins Hank's family is torn apart and the brothers and Irvel are thrust into fighting in ways they never could have imagined.

A Kingsbury classic - sure to please her fans! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two of my favorite things combined when it comes to reading: Irvel & World War II. This book could not have made me any happier.

“A wicked nor’easter crippled Washington, D.C., that March afternoon, closing down the entire federal government under a snow emergency.”

What I liked:
- Friends to lovers
- The little Easter eggs from previous books that Irvel appeared in
- Could not put down

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of Just Once.

I'm a big KK fan, and put this at the beginning of my TBR pile as soon I got it. I am so sad to say, this one missed the mark for me. I found (and looking back now, this seems to be her style) there was so much explaining and telling. And repetitive (One paragraph had the word "code" in it five times) and some conversations that took place didn't feel real. "You remember what we learned in Sunday School when we were kids?" She uses the word "remember" to TELL the reader something instead of showing us. Again, I'm a fan, but I think I want more depth to her writing. I stopped at 60% and just skipped to the end, and it was a sweet and satisfying ending.

Irvel Holland has been friends with classmate Hank Myers since grade school. When Hank’s brother, Sam, starts dating Irvel, Hank realizes, too late, that he missed his chance to share his true feelings with his childhood friend. Suddenly, their world is turned upside down by the outbreak of World War 2. Sam, Irvel, and Hank perform risky duties in different locations, not knowing if any of them will survive. Which brother will Irvel choose? Renowned prolific author Karen Kingsbury has written another winner in this inspirational love story that spans generations.

Just Once
By Karen Kingsbury
Pub Date: Nov.14
Atria
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
* Christian Fiction
A very sweet read. It has been a while since I have read a Kingsbury novel, and I didn’t connect to this one as much as I anticipated. The layering of the story was told through dual timeline. I just wasn’t interested by the time I got to the end.
3 stars

In 1941, beautiful Irvel Holland is too focused on her secret to take much notice of the war raging overseas. She’s dating Sam but in love with his younger brother, Hank—her longtime best friend—and Irvel has no idea how to break the news. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted, and Hank wants to enlist. But Sam insists Hank stay home, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front.
While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank but neither would dare cross that line. Then two military leaders pay Irvel a visit at the classroom where she teaches. The men have plans for her, plans that will take her into the spy world of World War II. One catch. She can tell no one. Then a telegram comes, and the news is devastating. Hank enlists the next day and just two weeks remain until he and Irvel ship out. Will any of them make it home alive? Or will Irvel lose everything?

I admit that I don't read many book that are strictly romances, but when they are set during history, I do read them and like them. I have read Karen Kingsbury before and loved her writing so felt sure I would like the book, and it did not disappoint. With many twists and turns, the characters face many challenges that help them grow. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this excellent book.

As with so many other Karen Kingsbury titles, this book tells a riveting story that is moving on multiple levels. Some of the elements that you see here are a fight against the horrible disease of Alzheimer's, an intense love triangle between two brothers and the object of their affections, and a riveting historical fiction piece set in World War Two.

Irval Holland is losing her mind and memories to Alzheimer's so her husband Hank helps her record their love story on video so she can watch it every day and not forget. As their story unfolds in the pages of this book, you see God's faithfulness through a love triangle, war, and a 50-year marriage.

One very interesting aspect is that this story centers around a side character from the Baxter family books. I love the rich characters that Karen creates and I love that her writing points people to the only one that can guide you through life's challenges--Jesus!!!

Thanks to Net Galley for this complimentary advanced copy.

The story kept me engaged, though the plot was predicable. If you're looking for Christian historical romance fiction, this book is for you.

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I read a prepublication copy of this book. It is one of the best WWII-set books I’ve ever read. It is a love story reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook. The characters are fully fleshed out and sympathetic; the story is multi-faceted and well paced to hold readers’ interest. I highly recommend this read.

This was my first Karen Kingsbury book and I really enjoyed her writing style. This was a quick, sweet historical fiction romance with a dual timeline that takes place during WWII and more recent. Irvel is dating Sam but she's in love with his brother Hank. Sam gets called off to war and Irvel gets approached about becoming a spy because of her amazing math skills.

I loved seeing a woman get selected for such a role because of her math skills. I thought this was a unique look at WWII from a different perspective. The romance was sweet but I enjoyed it more from the 1989 and on perspective. I even cried a little bit. This was a really quick read that I finished in two days. If you are looking for a sweet, Christian romance, this would be a good pick.

Thank you to Book Club Favorites at Simon & Schuster for this free copy for review.

This is a delightful love story by Karen Kingsbury. Irvel and Hank follow a long road before they find their way together including dating other people, enlisting in WWII, and thinking each other had died. They finally find their way back to each other after the war and live a good like together. When Irvel is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Hank records her telling their story before it can be forgotten. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Just Once
By Karen Kingsbury
Available November 2023 ARC review

I have a confession to make: I used to be an avid reader of Ms. Kingsbury's books, eagerly devouring them as soon as they were released. However, as the Baxter series started branching off in too many directions, I lost interest and stopped reading her books altogether. Despite this, when I came across this one on Netgalley, I decided to give her another chance.

And oh my, what a delightful love story it turned out to be.

I had forgotten just how masterful Karen Kingsbury is as a storyteller, effortlessly captivating the reader from the very beginning. This book is no exception! Just Once sees her stepping outside of her comfort zone and delving into the world of historical fiction. Reminiscent of The Notebook, Hank is determined to help Irvel, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, remember their love story, as well as a significant secret that her family remains oblivious to. You see, she was a code breaker and spy during World War II.

Not only is this a beautiful tale of childhood love and second chances, it also transports us back to the 1940s and the early days of America's involvement in WWII. Irvel is tapped by the government to become a spy, utilizing her exceptional math skills to crack enemy codes. As war tears her apart from her current beau and her true love, Hank, we witness the devastating impact of war on families. But amidst all the chaos, these two star-crossed lovers find their way back to each other. The characters are richly developed, and the storyline is meticulously researched and well-planned. The descriptions of the war are accessible and not overly technical, making it easy to follow along. I found myself completely engrossed in the plot, so much so that I finished the entire book in one sitting.

If you're in the mood for a captivating WWII love story, enjoy spy tales, and appreciate second chance romances, I highly recommend this book.


Thank you @netgalley and @atirabooks for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I like the way that Karen Kingsbury writes and enjoys reading her books, this one was not the exception. Even though she mostly sets her books in modern days, she decided to set this on the WWII period, with a sort of dual timeline, because part of the book is narrated by the granddaughter of the protagonists Irvel and Hank.
Irvel and Hank has been friends since childhood, so they know.can other pretty well but nothing romantic has happened between them because Irvel is dating Hank’s brother Sam when Pearl Harbor is attack and Sam gets drafted and is sent to fight in Europe.
While Sam is fighting the war in Europe, Irvel and Hank are fighting their feelings of attraction to each other when a telegram brings unthinkable and terrible news. Hank enlists and they only have two more weeks together until he has to leave.
Would Irvel receive another telegram with terrible news? Would their love survive a war and the distance?
This is a story of love, tragedy, devotion and sacrifice that will melt your heart and make you rule for this two young people who only want to live a life with each other.

Karen Kingsbury does it again.

What a lovely, heartfelt and at some times heart breaking book. Set most during WW2 and telling the story of love, loss, sacrifice and a devotion to what was right. I appreciate all the research that went into keeping this book historically accurate, while adding in fictional characters to make it come alive. I found myself intrigued by the characters and at several points in tears while reading about what they went through.

Thank you so much to Karen Kingsbury, her publisher and net galley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

Karen Kingsbury is an award-winning author who mostly writes books set in the modern day. However, she goes back to the World War I era for her newest book, "Just Once." This book centers around childhood friends Irvel and Hank whose feelings grow for each other over the years. Unfortunately, timing is not on their side, and they have a series of missed connections. However, once Hank signs up to fight in the war and Irvel is drafted to work on secret codes, what will happen to their slowly budding relationship?

I really enjoyed the time period this book was set in, and liked the slow progression of Irvel and Hank's relationship. The side story about their granddaughter telling their story was really enjoyable as well. This was probably my favorite Kingsbury book I've read in a while. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a sweet story about Hank and Irvel and their lives before, during, and after WWII. It made me think of The Notebook and I enjoyed it overall. It was slightly on the sappy side and a little too much melodrama (and easy to guess what would happen), but I did find myself rooting for the main characters. 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.