Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake is one of those books you read and you don't want it to end! This just shocked me "more Americans were killed on the East Coast of the United States by U-boats than those killed in Pearl Harbor"!!! Set in St. Simons Island, Georgia during WWII this book is a story of three men - all very different - who all have a connection to a very heroic woman. Written as a dual timeline we go from present day to back during WWII. I just loved these characters! The author did an amazing job of weaving the stories of these characters in such an interesting and sometimes shocking way. I went back and read several paragraphs over again because I wasn't sure what I just read saying "NO WAY!" I loved this book book and I think you will too! Five stars!!!!!!

Joannie loves to fly airplanes and when women were accepted as pilots during WWII she immediately signed up and became one of the best. She and 3 men (a Tennessee farm boy, a German POW and a Jewish Englishman) became the best of friends.
2022: Hadley and Kitzie are event planners and are hired to organize a reunion of the families of Joannie and her 3 friends. Their research in reaching out to the families build a puzzle and a need to understand the connection between the honorees.

This love story of duel timelines and told by several points of view.

Echoes of Us is a historical novel set during World War II. It is about three very different men who are linked by friendship and a connection to one woman. The story is set on St. Simons Island, Georgia, both in the past and in present time.

I wanted to read Echoes of Us because I am fascinated by fiction set during World War II. As a native Georgian, I was also intrigued by the St. Simons Island setting!

This is such a well written and engrossing book! I stayed up late reading because I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend Echoes of Us for other fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the 1940's.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but this torn image speaks volumes beyond that. It captures love, betrayal, unconventional friendship, the trauma and pain of World War II, and the lasting echoes among friends.
Joy Jordan-Lake has masterfully penned Echoes of Us, a beautifully written, gripping, and poignant tale. Though I’m not typically a history enthusiast, Echoes of Us, with its abundance of research, has enlightened me about WWII and taken me on an emotional roller coaster. Just when I’m grappling with the grief and sorrow of the war, I’m immediately drawn into the suspense of Hans, Will, Dov and Joannie’s world.
This is definitely a must-read if you love historical fiction!

Echoes of Us is a dual-timeline novel that alternates between the 1942 WWII era and the present. The setting of St. Simons Island, Georgia, was interesting because not many WWII novels are based in the US. I was curious enough to do more research on Uboat activities close to US shores. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this book. Thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am now keen to read more. The story is told in parallel timelines. Hadley and Kitzie are sisters who run their own successful event planning business. The are being hired to travel to St Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia by a millionaire German who is arranging a reunion for the descendants of three men, who met on the island in World War II and formed a business from an unlikely friendship, between an American soldier, Will Dobbins, a Jewish soldier sent from the UK to train pilots, Dot Silverberg and a German POW, Hans Hessler. At the centre of the story of these three men is a young woman, Joannie DuBarry, a local to St Simon's Island.
Hadley sets about trying to dig down in the family history and find out more about these central characters and what brought them together, and what now appears to be dividing the current day families.
This is an intriguing tale that details a little known fact that German U-boats killed more American servicemen by targeting ships on the American coast, than were killed at the bombing of Pearl Harbour. It is beautifully told, and details heartbreak, grief, resilience and comradeship. It taught me a lot about America's role in the war that I was unaware of.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

It’s rare for me to finish any book, even one I’ve loved, then immediately to be seriously tempted to turn back to page 1 and reread the entire book, looking for the hints and connections I missed the first time through. Joy Jordan-Lake’s writing becomes stronger with each new book in her lyrical, compelling style. There are many plot twists and mysteries awaiting the reader in this dual-timeline story, with quite interesting characters in both time frames. The St. Simon’s Island setting is surprising for a book rooted in World War II--a bonus for lovers of historical fiction. This would be a wonderful choice for a book club, with a lively discussion guide already furnished, as well as for solitary reading pleasure!

I enjoyed this book very much! I sat up late into evening to finish it because I couldn't put it down.
Lots of wonderful characters and I really liked the plot.
The setting was amazing as I've never been there. The description was so vivid that I felt like I was there. I love that about books!
This story is a time travel novel written in verse style.
The author has done a wonderful job in pulling this off. I was mesmerized from beginning to end.
5 stars for keeping me turning the pages. I learned something new along the way.
It was why I chose this book so I could learn new things and go places that I'd never heard of. I know next to nothing about Georgia.
This was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I love it when I learn something new from a work of WWII fiction. This brought a perspective of WWII fought partially off the Atlantic shore of the US. It was a well done dual timeline story with some unlikely friends. I truly enjoyed the characters and the complications the story presented and I would highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: October 8, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25/5)

WWII. An attack close to home on St. Simons Island, GA. 1942, War on the home front, four people thrown together thru different thru the war and its long reaching effects. 2022, self employed sisters brought in to put together a reunion. What they uncover will change everything.

Thanks to @ChristineNolfi for this recommendation! I’ve shied away lately on my favorite historical fiction genre because I’ve read so much about WWII, I just couldn’t anymore. BUT, this is such a unique story, one I knew nothing about! So, yes I had to go down the rabbit hole and do a little research on my own. There is so much going on in this book, but in a totally good way. Joy Jordan-Lake did a great job of tying all the story lines together, and keeping me guessing throughout on how it would all come together. Historical fiction, drama, mystery, love, friendship, found family and so much more. This story deals with the attitude and secrets of the time. Dual timeline. Wonderful characters that you can’t help but feel their pain and joy, chapters highlighting each allowed us to really get to know them. Now I have a new author to delve into her backlog and look forward to her next book.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I love when historical fiction works so well as a novel, but also as a learning experience. Set on St. Simons Island Georgia, first in the 1940’s and then in the current day, this story of family, friendship, loss and hope was one of my favorite books this year. Three men, unlikely to become connected, become connected through one woman, Joanie. Dov Silverberg is a Londoner, training pilots in the US to help with the war effort. Will Dobbins is a Tennessee boy, training with Silverberg. Hans Hessler is a German Uboat soldier who becomes a POW. All three will meet and have different relationships with Joanie, a woman who becomes a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Joanie is at the heart of the story, and a great strong female character, Kitzie and Hadley are the main characters in the current timeline, sisters working on a reunion of the descendants of these three men. There are so many twists and surprises, as well as so much to still be revealed about the war times in the home front. Highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Overall this was a good book about the humanity that exists during wartime and focuses on the friendship between a German , Jew and and a American during the war and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

A photo of three soldiers and a beautiful young girl is torn apart with TRAITOR scratched across the back. Who is the TRAITOR in the ripped-up photo? In the present-day timeline, this and many other questions need to be answered as Hadley and her sister, Kitzie, take over organizing a reunion on St. Simon’s Island off the coast of Georgia for families of the descendants of the four young people in the photo. With the backdrop of Georgia’s Golden Isles and World War II, the author immerses readers in American history seldom included in textbooks. History involving U-boats off the Eastern and Southern coasts, the development of radar, submarines, the WASP-Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, POWs in the U.S., and the 761st Tank Battalion. This novel is a treasure trove of facts and background supporting the men and women who defended the Georgia coast and eventually were pilots in WWII. The four main characters “echo” family devotion, friendship, and romantic connections throughout the war timeline. Surprising revelations leave readers either sympathetic or heartbroken as Hadley and Kitzie slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together at the reunion. The theme of justification for war is examined through the bonds of twins, Joannie and Sam, while betrayal is explored between Hadley and Kitzie’s sister pacts and in Joannie’s romantic relationships. St. Simons King and Prince resort is the dramatic setting for the reunion as generational interlocking pieces fall into place. A heartfelt ending filled with boundless love and kindness.

I freaking loved this book. An absolutely beautiful story of the unlikeliest friendship between an American, a Jew, and a German during WW2 who all love the same woman. It's a story of resilience, strength, and love. Most of all, it's the heart that Joy captures that stays with you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a story. Or in this case a couple of stories told together in different timelines and from several prospectives. About friends. About women. About a war. This author did a fantastic job of weaving together a story that will have you turning the pages until the very end. How she makes the characters come together is perfection. Especially the sisters working on the party. The reunion party. Made me cry so hard. And gave me lots of smiles.

This story has torpedoes hitting ships off the coast of Georgia. I know I've heard about that, but I had forgotten. It has the women who were allowed to fly planes. WASPs as they were called. How they were not considered military. (read the author's note for lots of info) How unfairly black men were treated who were serving this country and dying. Black women were not allowed to fly either. This book has so much in it. So much to learn and not forget. The POWs that were sent here from other countries.

I loved most all of the characters in this story. They made it under my skin and right into my heart. The three who became such good friends. Dov, Will, and Hans. Dov was an instructor for the men who drove the fighter planes. Will was a big hearted young man who could fly but was sent to help in another way to help save many lives. Hans was a German POW who didn't like what was happening from the NAZIs. They all loved a young lady who went on to fly for the WASPs, Joannie. Joannie's twin Will also fought for his country. Hadley and Kitzie were the two hired to find out all they could and do the reunion. They found so much info. All of these characters were good and kind.

This is a very good, emotional, and thought provoking book. One that lets you see another side of the war. From a town in Georgia called, St. Simons Island. I'd love to visit it someday.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LakeUnion, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars.

This is a beautifully written story of an unlikely friendship between three men and a woman on St. Simon's Island during World War II. I love dual-timeline historical fiction and thought that aspect worked really well for this book

Eighty years later the descendants of the three men are clashing over the corporation their grandfathers founded so they hire an event planner to plan a reunion for the families. What they find about the woman who linked them together could tear everything apart.

I loved Joanie and of course that she was a WASP. You know I love books that have women pilots in them! I learned a lot about St. Simon's during the war, I knew German U-boats were a threat on the East Coast, but didn't realize how many ships they sank!

The author does a great job of blending history into this beautiful story of friendship, family and hope. Plus her historical research is always top-notch!

Thanks to the author for my copy of Echoes of Us! It comes out today - October 8th!

Told in dual timelines and from multiple POVs, “Echoes of Us” follows two sisters, Hadley and Kitze, who are hired to organize a reunion for the families of three men who formed an unlikely connection in the midst of WWII—Will Dobbins, a Tennessee farm boy, Dov Silverberg, a Jewish Cambridge student, and Hans Hessler, a German POW. As Hadley and Kitze delve into the friends' past, they uncover the life of the courageous young woman who links them all together and the secrets that could tear everything apart.

In a crowded field of World War II novels, “Echoes of Us” stands out. This was my first time reading a book written by Joy Jordan-Lake, and I will definitely be reading more. It is a must-read for historical fiction fans, especially those interested in the 1940s/WWII era. My favorite thing about this novel is how much I learned. There is so much I never knew about WWII, and I am amazed by what took place right here in the US. Even though this book is fictional, the events described were real. I especially enjoyed reading about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and appreciate the author telling their stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Four very different souls form a special bond during WWII in small town in Georgia: Will, a Tennessee farm boy, Dov, a Jewish student from Cambridge, Hans, a German POW and Joanie - a young woman from the Georgia town where they all converge who dreams of being a pilot. The four connect with each other in different but meaningful ways and after the war, the three men form an immensely successful business. Years later the three families are planing a "family" reunion during their ongoing succession war for the control of the business so Hans' son brings in two sisters, Hadley and Kitzie, to plan the massive party that will hopefully revive the corporation's image and help make the succession smooth. Through their research in planning the party, Hadley and Kitzie begin to learn about the four and the amazing story of how their bonds were formed.

There is a lot going on in this novel and while normally I would say it would be too much, the author made it work here, and she made it work really well. While it was a slow start for me I did really get into the story and the characters and ended up thoroughly enjoying it. This one sort of had a dash of everything - a bit of war history, an itty bitty romance, found family and friendship. The novel had the feeling of a multi generational saga even though the families weren't actually related. What I think I'm trying to say is this one is historical fiction but it just felt like more to me and I really thought it was well done and liked it so much — it's not your run of the mill WWII novel. Ah well, yet another author to go to a backlist and add books to my TBR

4.25 stars

Thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake totally swept me away into this beautiful book.
An incredible historical fiction story.
The characters are vivid and the writing was solid.

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Echoes of Us is an excellent historical fiction book written by Joy Jordan-Lake. I read a lot of this genre and love learning previously unknown to me facts about WWII. Jordan-Lake’s research was quite extensive in so many aspects of this book. The development of the characters and the way the dual time lines are interwoven make for an excellent book. I loved this book! Make sure you read the author’s notes at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

#Joy Jordan-Lake #Lake Union Publishing #WWII