All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee was a very captivating historical fiction with undertones of Christian faith mixed in. This was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading by Michelle Shocklee and I was quite impressed with her masterful storytelling abilities. All We Thought We Knew was written in a dual timeline. It portrayed the climate of feelings, acceptance and everyday life during the Second World War and the Vietnam War which were exemplified in sharp contrast. All We Thought We Knew was told from the POV of three main characters, two that lived during World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor and one that came of age during the controversial Vietnam War. The setting for All We Thought We Knew was a horse farm in the heart of Tennessee.

Ava met Richard Delaney at a USO dance in Nashville. It was love at first sight for Richard and after their brief three week courtship Richard asked Ava to marry him. Richard was in the Navy and he was to be stationed in Hawaii. Ava and Richard were married and the plan was for Ava to join him in Hawaii as soon as he was able to secure housing for them. Unfortunately, Richard did not live long enough for him to welcome Ava in Hawaii. Richard was a victim of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He died before he and Ava were able to start their lives together. Ava found herself a widow living on her mother-in-law’s horse farm in Tullahoma, Tennessee. As hard as Ava tried, it was extremely difficult to like her mother-in-law, Gertrude. She was bitter about her son’s death and Gertrude proved to be a cold and demanding force towards Ava. Finances were tight so Ava felt compelled to help Gertrude with the horse farm despite the way Gertrude treated Ava and the guilt she instilled upon her. Then one morning, Ava noticed an advertisement in the local newspaper for employment opportunities for civilians at Camp Forrest, a military base. Ava had been a secretary In Nashville before she married Richard. She decided to apply for a position and to her surprise and delight she was assigned to work with the head doctor of the base’s hospital. Ava’s life was about to change dramatically.

Gunther Schneider was a young medical student enrolled at Columbia’s school of medicine in the early years of World War II. He had immigrated from Germany in 1937 specifically for the purpose of attending medical school in the United States. Gunther was a very conscientious and hard working man. He was showing promise of a very bright future in medicine when his whole life changed in an instant. One evening, Gunther was studying in his small apartment when he heard insistent knocking on his apartment door. The Japanese had just attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States had declared war on both Japan and Germany. Anyone of German descent was being questioned and detained. German descendants were now considered enemy aliens. Gunther Schneider found himself detained on Ellis Island until he was relocated to Camp Forrest in Tennessee. Ava’s and Gunther’s paths crossed at Camp Forrest. How would a chance meeting become the stimulus that guided the relationship Ava and Gunther developed? Would Ava be able to help Gunther improve his situation at Camp Forrest?

Martha Ann or Mattie Taylor, as almost everyone called her, grew up on Delaney Horse Farm in Tullahoma, Tennessee with her twin brother, Mark. Ava was their mother. Mattie and Mark were as close as any twins could be. Their graduation from high school coincided with the beginnings of the draft for the Vietnam war. Mark’s best friend, Nash McCallum had decided to join the Marines. Nash had a troubled home life and spent more time at his best friend Mark’s house than at his own. He was scheduled to begin his training right after graduation and then be sent to fight in Vietnam. To Mattie’s complete shock, her twin told her and her parents that he had also enlisted in the Marines. Mattie was so opposed to the war. She could not understand why her twin had enlisted in such a senseless war. Mark had such a promising future ahead of him. He had been accepted to a prestigious university and had a long time girlfriend whom he was very much in love with. Why would he enlist? Why didn’t her parents talk him out of it? Had Nash convinced him to enlist with him? Mattie was angry at her twin for doing this. Then the unthinkable happened. Mark was killed in action. Mattie left Tennessee right after the funeral they held for brother. It was too painful to remain there. Mattie disappeared for a little over a year. She held a strong grudge against her father for allowing Mark to go to Vietnam in the first place but when her father sent her a message that her mother was dying and that she should come home that was exactly what Mattie did. Ava, Mattie’s mother, had cancer and it was so advanced that there was very little that could be done for her other than keep her as comfortable as possible. Ava had wanted Mattie to come home. There were things that Mattie had know about before her mother passed. Ava made sure that Mattie got to read the letters in her chest that she had kept safely hidden away all these years. What would the letters reveal? What secrets had her mother kept from her? What would Mattie discover about her mother?

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee was well written and so hard to put down. It touched upon the existence of internment camps, the treatment of Germans who were living in the United States, family, grief, loss, disabled veterans, horse therapy, death of loved ones, family dynamics and a touch of romance. I connected with the main characters and enjoyed the dual time line. Growing up in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I related to the controversy surrounding the war in Vietnam. I felt Mattie’s pain and anger over loosing her brother. It was endearing how Mattie finally found peace through her pursuit of horse therapy for wounded and disabled war veterans. I also enjoyed the slowly growing romance that developed between Mattie and Nash. All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee was one of the better historical fiction novels I have read this year and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Tyndale Fiction for allowing me to read All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I started this and couldn't get into it at first with the back and forth but I'm glad I picked it up again.
Even though I wasn't a fan of the female main character (mostly because her personality and not really taking into account other people's feelings or opinions and was a bit self focused. It's a believable personality but it felt like she didn't really change) I got to enjoy the story the more it went on. I kinda wished at the end it could have developed more into showing how her character changed from what she learned, but it wrapped up before it could show much of that. But I loved the family atmosphere of the story and how it revealed a past-showing how we as humans are living the best we can to have a peaceful life, and how sometimes secrets become secrets when we don't mean for it to.
I like it when historical fiction shows facts that aren't shown much and the effects of war and the victims who didn't even choose to be drawn into a fight are depicted in a believable way in this book.
Once the first few chapters passed the writing style was easy to adjust to, though at times it was hard to feel a deep connection to characters and felt like it could have gone deeper. But if you want a cozy read to bring you to the past that doesn't require a lot of thinking, this is one you can pick up.
Read from: Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024

All We Thought We Knew is the first book I have read written by Michelle Shocklee, but I have multiple books by her on my TBR list. Reading this book just confirmed I need to move the books up on my TBR pile. All We Thought We Knew is in the top 5 books I have read this year and might be contending for first place. I will wait until the end of the year to officially decide, but it has a fair chance at winning right now. (Walking on Hidden Wing is the other top read currently)

The character development was truly powerful. I was sucked in and right beside Mattie as she slapped Nash, with Ava as she taught English lessons to Gunther, and with Gunther as he was loaded on a rail car to move to North Dakota.

The storyline was amazing. There is just something that fascinates me about WWII. It was such a complex war, with many dynamics. All We Thought We Knew touched on a lot of those different dynamics. It wasn’t so war heavy, but the side of the home front in the USA. But also, the glimpses of Gunther’s brother being a Nazi, and Dr. Sonnenberg being a Jew and dealing with Nazi POA which shown light on what was going on. The internment camps for the Germans and other Prisoners were an interesting side to learn more about.

The historical element was great. I learned a lot. I felt like I was right there during 1940s and 1960s while the two timelines were going on. It was easy to envision and see what was happening.

The relationship aspect was very clean and sweet. Very closed door and realistic.

Michelle Shocklee did a great job intertwining faith throughout the whole book. I appreciated the journey that Ava, Mattie and Gunther went on to find their faith. It was really encouraging.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

All We Thought We Knew was easily in my top 10 reads of 2024. This book is Shocklee's strongest writing and most engaging book yet, and I can't say enough good things about it.

Both timelines were very engaging, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to continue with each characters' story as the book progressed. There were definitely some heavier topics in the book, like losing a loved one from cancer, but while it was heavy it was perfectly balanced with grief and hope. The emotions all of the characters felt at the injustice of loss and suffering wrongly was so palpable both on the page and in my heart.

If you're looking for a book you won't soon forget, read this one.

Thank you to Michelle Shockley, NetGalley, and Tyndale for this #gifted book!
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Title: All We Thought We Knew
Author: Michelle Shocklee
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Synopsis: “We were on different roads, with different circumstances holding us prisoner, but fear, no matter what it looked like, would eventually destroy us if something didn’t change.” Still reeling from her brother’s death in the Vietnam War, Mattie Taylor returns home to a mother who is dying and a father with whom she has a very rocky relationship. On top of that, her brother’s best friend Nash who is also a war veteran now works for her father. And Mattie blames all of them for her brother’s death. 27 years earlier in 1942, Ava Delaney is facing widowhood as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor. But when a new job at the military base brings her face to face with a German detainee, Ava’s feelings of grief begin to turn to hope and maybe something more. As Ava and Mattie seek to discover healing in their personal lives, both are drawn into life-altering secrets: some that Ava isn’t sure she should keep and others that Mattie isn’t sure she wants to uncover.

Analysis: Michelle Shocklee is a new-to-me author, but this definitely won’t be my last read! I actually grabbed this book on a whim from NetGalley, and I’m so glad that I did! I loved the dual timeline points of view. This book provided a unique look at America in WW2 and some of the camps that were set up stateside. It touches on sensitive issues of prejudice in times of war. The other timeline is during the Vietnam War. I loved that this book provides a Christian perspective on what it may have been like for the young people in America during this time. This book didn’t wrap up with a pretty bow, and I actually loved the book for that. There were a lot of real questions from the main characters, but there was healing and looking to Christ for the answers. This was a book I didn’t know I would love so much, and I think if you read it you will too!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

One of the best reads of the year for me! I loved being able to connect with the Characters, I really felt that I could relate to their thoughts and actions. It was especially relatable when characters asked the hard questions that we ask today like, "Why would a good God allow death and hardship to His people?". A heart-wrenching beautiful story intertwined with history. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the read!!

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee is a touching dual timeline novel set during World War II and the Vietnam War and the devastating effects these wars had on a family history.

I enjoyed this story of forgiveness and redemption and recommend it to those who love historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This novel was very well-written and connected World War II with Vietnam. The connections between the characters helped hold my interest. The back and forth within the time periods was a little confusing but I could follow it pretty well. The story unfolded nicely and came to a good resolution in the end even with the death of one of the characters. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and stories where the characters find out about themselves through their family's history.

Devoured this book! I love Michelle Shocklee and she did a beautiful job with this book.
This book is a dual timeline, one following Mattie Taylor after just losing her twin brother in the Vietnam War, the other following Ava Delaney and Gunther Schneider during the mid-1940s. Mattie has a lot of anger over her brother’s death- anger towards the government for being involved in the first place, but also anger towards her father for not stopping him from going in the first place. She must confront all those feelings as she returns home to visit her dying mother. Ava finds work at an army base after her husband dies, finding an unlikely friend in Gunther, a Columbia medical student from Germany who has been detained at the base.
I admire the way Shocklee tackles topics that aren’t as well known, like German POWs in the USA, in this case. This book covered some of the history I was unaware of, but also gave insight into the prejudices a German in the US might have dealt with.
Definitely recommend this book!

This was cute. I think this is my first christian historical fiction.

I really enjoyed-
>Dual-timeline
>Set during WW2 & Vietnam War
>Family secrets
>Slow-burn

I was left with a lot of emotions. Def recommend

All We Thought We Knew is a poignant and bittersweet dual timeline that gave me all the feels. Michelle Shocklee did a masterful job of tying the WW2 era to the 1969 Vietnam era in the lives of two families.

This is a well told story with many opportunities to watch how the characters dealt with trials, disappointments and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed Gunther's and Nash's characters.

If you enjoy Southern women's fiction with a touch of mystery, I highly recommend All We Thought We Knew. I appreciate Tyndale making a copy available for review.

A Wartime, Homefront Masterpiece-

We may find that, because of war, hard decisions are made that will later change “all we thought we knew”.

Tears fill my eyes as I turn the last pages of this heartfelt story. Dual-time, dual wars, with strong opinions, misplaced allegiances, lost and uncertain futures, the characters of this story fight for life and love while sacrificing freedom and family. Michelle Shocklee pens another compelling heart journey, with strong spiritual content that belongs in this story of life and death.

Caroline Hewitt narrates the passion of this story through its broad cast of characters. She successfully differentiates voices for characters that you will love and some, thankfully with smaller parts, that will grate on your nerves, as is the character’s role. Another audiobook to love and listen to again and again.

Possible triggers: cancer, death of a brother

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook.

This book held so many memories for me.
Like the author, my father was a WWII veteran and like her, I wish I had asked more questions and gleaned more details when he talked about his experiences. I was very proud of him.
Unlike the author, I remember the Vietnam era well. My husband was in the Navy at that time.
This story brought me to tears many times. It was so authentically written. I connected with Ava more than Mattie. Mattie was very opinionated and to my mind would not consider other views. But she did portray the attitudes of the generation of my teens and early twenties.
I liked the steadiness of Kurt and Nash. They overcame the overwhelming conditions of war. The faith element permeated the story. The characters lived out their beliefs naturally. The theme of family and reconciliation was deftly written.
This is a must read for those wanting a glimpse of the home front during WWII and the connection of that generation to the Vietnam era.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Such a great book! I really enjoyed reading this!

I received an ARC copy of this book and opinions are my own.

This was an amazing story! For lovers of historical fiction and the WWII genre, this is your book. I loved how Michelle Shocklee intertwined family secrets with a great, very much believable, storyline. I loved that her character development provided us a modern storyline with the backstory of characters during wartime in the early 20th century.

Michelle did an excellent job intertwining historical events into her book's plot. I learned a lot about Camp Forrest, a camp for WWII detainees. Sadly, we got a chance to understand how innocent people from Germany and Japan, who were considered "enemies" of the United States during WWII, were kept within enclosed camps like criminals. Thankfully, one of the main characters found a way to survive this cruel treatment and reconnect with the love of his life.

I thank Tyndale House publishing for an advanced reader's copy of this book!

All We Thought We Knew, by Michelle Shocklee is a dual time line story that takes place during WWII and Vietnam. The story focus on two different women who have lost a loved one during a war. Mattie lost her twin brother during Vietnam and Ava who lost her husband during WWII.

This is a well written story that shows how two different women respond to the death of a loved one. For Mattie it was to run away, for Ava it was to find work. I so appreciate how the author writes such a good story of the grief the two women deal with. I especially enjoyed the character of Ava. I appreciate how she remains living with her mother-in-law despite the way she is treated. Her character is so strong with helping on the farm and working for the war effort. I especially enjoyed the mystery surrounding the farm Ava raises her family on.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

**I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**


What a beautiful story! The author’s writing style was impeccable & it tugged at my heartstrings in the best way.. The dual timeline plot and characters were intriguing. One major theme woven throughout was how heartbreaking it was for individuals to survive the devastating aftermath of war. Within the depths of this story, you will be taken on a journey of identity crisis, loss, secrets, everlasting love, friendships, and family legacies & a perfectly wrapped up ending that will leave you satisfied

Everything about this story is just wonderful. The historical aspects of the war in Vietnam and the WW2 detainment of German immigrants is poignant. The emotional aspects of losing loved ones to death- both war-related and natural end of life- were tastefully and insightfully handled. I always fear I won't have my high expectations met when I set an author up on such a pedestal, but Michelle Shocklee is a master storyteller and this latest work does not disappoint!

Shocklee sure knows how to grab a reader's attention, help them fall in love with characters, and keep the reader guessing until nearly the last page. The weaving together of the two timelines (World War II and Vietnam area) kept me guessing - and makes me want to reread to look for the clues I surely missed. So many wounded characters - in so many ways - and a hope thread that kept the devastation in my heart "at bay."

Shocklee masterfully unpeeled the layers of the story, and the characters and connections between them and the timelines until practically the final page. Inspirational fiction both raw and redemptive - just how I like it. Fans of Susie Finkbeiner, Amanda Barratt, and Amanda Cox will especially love this one. Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this arc.

I was drawn to this book because one of the dual timelines centered on the late 1960s and included the Vietnam War which is different from the usual "now" setting. Honestly the parts set during WWII are the ones I enjoyed the most while the 1965/69 sections were ... challenging.

It's not that there isn't a lot of good stuff to unpack and examine in the 1960s sections. A couple of things surprised me, seeing as this is an inspirational book. Mattie went full on "California free love and drugs hippie" for a year. Mattie is very outspoken and argumentative. Her default setting is to come out swinging and confront anyone who doesn't share her views. It takes very little to set her off. Yet at times - actually many times - Mattie acts like little more than a petulant child. Stomping off, slamming things to show her anger, spouting off at anyone. Mattie can be a pill but she's certainly also strong willed and willing to speak up which is something that I personally find challenging, so I'll give her that. There is a lot of character growth in store for Mattie over the course of the book.

Ava's feelings for her first husband are another surprise but I like her for admitting to them. Gunther's anger at his internment and later at how certain POW prisoners are allowed to terrorize other inmates is also realistic. Their slow friendship which blossoms into more is the best part of the book for me. There is a romantic relationship for Mattie as well that progresses similarly starting with slight antagonism and moving through slow budding friendship to finally seeing the other for who they really are.


The book is an inspie and there is a lot of religion but this is mainly concentrated in the 1960s part. Mark tried to convince Mattie that he was going to war in order to protect the South Vietnamese much as Dietrich Bonhoeffer tried to fight Nazism. I guess a person then might have felt this way about the Vietnam war but it is a hard sell today. As Mattie's mother is dying, there is a lot of religion - pro and con - discussed. During the 1940s part, Gunther and his Jewish German doctor mentor spend time discussing religion, mainly to pass the time but there is apparently a conversion just before Dr. Sonneberg dies that I felt was unneeded.

Mattie begins to change a bit as she and Nash work to assist disabled vets through horse riding therapy, which I think is wonderful, but it also smacks a bit of using a disabled character as a "tool" to change another. Nash is also disabled and for the most part he just lives his new reality. I'm also still thinking about how I feel regarding the final secret revealed at the end of the book. It just doesn't make sense to me that this was carried on for so long or that this character would have behaved.

The book is a quick read - I zipped through it in a day and a half. The issues are real and not of the piddly variety. But unfortunately I do have some issues with some stuff along the way. B (1940s)/C+ (1960s)