I just read one of my top ten reads of the year, this book blew me away. I am dumbstruck trying to write a review that portrays just how amazing this book is. I want to get it just right so everyone will feel the urge to pick this book up and devour it. To have the emotions wash over them as I did. I went from pure joy, to tears tumbling from my eyes, to my fists shaking in rage. The characters bring so much life to this book. Each one unique, from a completely different background, with kindness in their souls, a smile upon their lips during the most trying of times. They all come together to form the type of bond that can never be broken. The love that they shared always a memory away. When they come together decades later that same feeling of togetherness shows and makes everyone around them glow.

Hadley and Kitzie have been whisked away to St. Simons Island in Georgia. A well-to-do business owner wants them to plan a party that brings the history of their business to the forefront. To make everyone remember how this global real estate empire first began, with three unlikely friends at the end of WWII. Will, the farm boy from Tennessee. He is the kindest soul anyone has ever laid eyes on and will do anything for anyone, including risk his own life. Dov, a British Jew who is training American soldiers on the island. Hans, is a German POW who begins the story in a horrible position, in a U-boat, his periscope trained on St. Simons and a girl sailing. How do these three men come together as one? Hadley and Kitzie are handed one photograph of these three men and a woman, with the word traitor. Who is the traitor and who is this woman? How does she tie into this group?

Joy Jordan-Lake transports you to the St. Simons Island. I loved that I was able to visualize the island during the war and present time. I also went down a google rabbit hole of history. Looking up the hotel King & Prince, which is still there. I also did not realize that there were more deaths caused by U-Boat attacks than there were in Pearl Harbor. That just boggles my mind! I was also sickened that German POWs were allowed to dine in American restaurants, while Black Americans were unable to at this time. Let that sink in for a minute. Lake's writing will bring you to your knees. The bravery, strength, and sheer determination to survive, pulses through this book. This is one book you cannot miss this year. Thank you to Joy Jordan-Lake, Amazon Publishing, and Book Sparks for my #gifted finished copy.

Hadley and her sister Kitzie have been hired to organize a reunion for certain families on St. Simons Island, Georgia. The families of Will Dobbins, Dov Silverberg, and Hans Hessler are clashing for control of their corporation. These young ladies have been hired to revamp the coporate image. They soon discover there is more to these families than what is on the surface.

I have read almost all of this author’s books. They are all good but this one is my favorite! I love time period, the dual timelines and the characters…plus the wonderful setting of St. Simon’s Island!

This is a story you will not soon forget. The secrets and the drama of the war will keep you turning the pages!

Need a WWII novel set in America…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you to Booksparks, Lake Union, and Brilliance Audio for review copies.
Echoes of Us by Joy Jordan-Lake is an elegantly written and deeply compelling novel that effortlessly weaves together a dual timeline of past and present. Set on St. Simons Island, Georgia, this is a story of love, courage, friendship, and the lasting effects of war. The author’s lyrical prose captivates from the first page, and her skillfully crafted plot—rich in historical detail—keeps readers enthralled throughout.

In the World War II timeline, three men from vastly different backgrounds—a Tennessee farm boy, a Jewish student from Cambridge, and a German POW—find their lives forever intertwined by a remarkable young woman named Joanie. Their experiences on the island shape not only their futures but also the generations to come. In the present day, two sisters, Hadley and Kitzie, are tasked with planning a reunion for the descendants of these men, and as they uncover long-hidden secrets, they begin to realize just how much the past still resonates.

The characters in Echoes of Us are unforgettable. Each is distinct, with their own voice and perspective, and they are brought to life in a way that makes them feel both real and deeply human. The alternating points of view and quick, suspenseful chapters keep the pace engaging, while the emotional depth ensures readers are fully invested in the story.

This novel beautifully balances the personal and the historical, blending themes of love, loss, resilience, and the complexities of family and friendship. It’s a heartfelt and immersive read that will stay with you long after the final page. Highly recommended—this is a must-read for those who appreciate strong characters, rich storytelling, and the power of history to shape our present.

Joy's beautiful, lyrical prose captivates you from page one. By the end of chapter 2, I was completely hooked and eager to follow the rest of the story, so beautifully set up. Told in alternating points of view, with quick, perfectly-timed, powerful scenes, I love the individual voices of each character - so unique, so insightful and so well done. The author immersed me in the settings with so many skillfully crafted details.
Reading this story is a fun roller coaster ride. Chapters end on high levels of suspense, and I couldn't wait to know more.
How could this be anything other than 5 out of 5 stars?

ECHOES OF US by Joy Jordan-Lake is a beautifully-written and powerful story of friendship, love, courage and resilience in the face of war. Set in St. Simons Island, Georgia, this dual timeline story and its wonderfully-portrayed characters kept me engrossed from beginning to end. During World War II, three men, bound together by one strong young woman, find their lives changed forever. Will Dobbins is a farm boy from Tennessee and a member of the merchant marines. Dov Silverberg is a Jewish student who studied at Cambridge and is an instructor at the base on St. Simons Island. Hans Hessler is a German submariner who winds up a POW at the same camp. Joanie, a resident of the island, connects them all. In the present day, two sisters, Hadley and Kitzie, are hired to plan a reunion event for the descendants of the three men. As they dig deep into the intertwined pasts of these unlikely friends, long-buried secrets come to light that will change everything they believe about the past. The sweeping saga has an expertly-crafted blend of history and a compelling storyline that will be impossible to forget. I can say without a doubt that ECHOES OF US will be one of my favorite books this year and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Echoes of Us
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed the story of friendship, loyalty, & endurance. I loved how the two stories came together. It was super enjoyable! You will fall for the characters in the story. It was a Fun different story idea that made me turning the pages.
Thank you NetGalley!

A nicely atmospheric dual time line novel set in St Simon's Island, Georgia. This moves between WWII and the (sort of) present to tell the story of friends , lovers, and WWII. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's just the sort of epic you might want for travel.

Joy Jordan-Lake spins her magic again, I'm down to the wire with my review. It's taking me time to gather my thoughts to write a review I thought was worthy to not only honor Joy Jordan-Lake writing and the charactors but to express how much I loved this story. Echoes of Us made me think of my mom who we lost this past December, she is the one who gave me the love for reading along with cooking. I was sad at first because I thought of how much she would of loved this story and the discusions we would of had along with her repeating stories of being a little girl growing up in a rual small town town during WW II. Ehoes of Us is a definate Add to your TBR list.

Hadley Jacks and her sister Kitzie who are owners of Storied Events have been flown down to St. Siomons Island Georgia from California to plan
a reunion for the families of the Island in hopes to remake the image of the Corperation the the three unlikely friends ( A tennesse farm boy, a Jewish Cambridge student and a German POW and one brave young woman) founded after WW II. Their decendants have made a mess out of what these three friends started and the firm has hired the sisters to plan a reunion for the families on the island. The Jacks sisters will soon find out that St. Simons island is the place that changed all three mens lives forever. Kitzie is all in and can picture the nostalgia, romantic big band songs, Hadley just see's the conflict in the company ruining the event plus she just doesn't quite trust their host Mr. Hans Hessler. Hadley has always been the cautious one who is pertective of her sister and the business they have built together on their own. While Hadley can only see obsicals and conflict, Kitzie see's a story that needs to be told with the posibilty of healing and bringing everyone together. The friends all have scectets once uncovered could destroy everything that they have built. I Just want to warn you that the story jumps between WW II and present day.

I’ve been a fan of Joy Jordan-Lake since my book club read BLUE HOLE BACK HOME in 2010, so I was thrilled to pick up ECHOES OF US, especially with its setting on St. Simons Island—my family’s favorite vacation spot. The novel masterfully weaves together dual timelines, one set during WWII and the other in the present day. I loved learning about the island’s fascinating history, particularly its role in naval aviation during the war.

The story centers on two sisters, Hadley and Kitzie, who are hired to plan a reunion for the descendants of three men—Will Dobbins, a Tennessee farm boy; Dov Silverberg, a Jewish Cambridge student; and Hans Hessler, a German POW—who formed an unlikely friendship during WWII. As Hadley and Kitzie delve deeper into the friends’ pasts, they begin to uncover the mystery, including the story of a brave young woman who connects all of their lives. The unraveling of these long-hidden secrets adds suspense and emotional depth, while the rivalry between the descendants over control of the company the men founded keeps the present-day storyline just as compelling.

Jordan-Lake does an amazing job of balancing history and mystery, making this novel both informative and engaging. The writing is thoughtful, and the connections between the characters are skillfully crafted.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Put this one on your radar! Joy Jordan-Lake's "Echoes of Us" has more intrigue than St. Simon's Island has Spanish moss laden oak trees. That idyllic setting is also the loom upon which she weaves the ebb and flow of present and past into a captivating story of a love even more boundless than the sea! #EchoesOfUs #JoyJordanLake #NetGalley #StSimonsIsland

Echoes of Us will draw you in from the very first chapter. Joy Jordan-Lake's ability to take you from past to present keeps you craving for each new chapter and makes it impossible to set this book down. The twists and turns in the lives of the characters bring them to life and build an emotional attraction that you cannot shake as you journey through the story. The historical fiction is well thought out and takes you around the world at a most pivotal time in history. This was such an enjoyable read.

This epic story, deals with love, loss, secrets and unimaginable sacrifice, heart-tugging tale of courage, bittersweet love, and resilience. Remarkable cast of characters will captivate you with their intertwined pasts and hold you in thrall until the end. This is a duel timeline. Anyone that enjoys historical novels will love this. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley.

“Echoes of us” by Joy Jordan-Lake, is an atmospheric, gripping story that pulled me into its orbit within the first page. I loved the multi points of views but especially the story of St. Simmons Island, its role in WWII and courageous Joannie Dubarry. I wasn’t aware there were women pilots in WW2 and I loved her tenacity and grit. The first part of the novel was stronger than the later half. Although the book is described as being about three friends I find the friendships not as strongly depicted as I would have liked. More conversations between the men or even more scenes between them is needed to understand how they impacted their lives and how they'd decided to build a company together. The friends seem more removed from each other and were on the periphery of each other's lives than actually involved. Instead the reader is told from a passive, murky view (without spoilers) of many events that take place towards the end of the novel about Sam’s final visit with Joan, Hans interaction with Joannie and Joannie’s choices - that would have been more impactful if the reader was actually observing the conversations between the characters then told about them. Also, there is a lot of inferring that happens with Hadley and Kenzie in solving the mystery at the reunion. The story could have been fleshed out more distinctly which would have created a suspenseful climax. The historical details are amazing and well researched. I have been thinking of this novel long after I finished, so I give this book 3.5 stars elevated to 4. Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I received an early copy of the book from the author - it took me a while to finish not because of the book but because of life’s complexities. And perhaps that’s why I loved the book so much - it showed humanity and our challenges as real. It’s a dual timeline story - one based inWWII and one essentially current day both in St Simons Island GA. The themes of friendship, heartbreak, loyalty and patriotism run throughout the book but the unexpected ending left me with tears of sadness and joy. I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks Joy Jordan-Lake 😊❤️

An excellent and engaging story entwining several different story lines into one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot through Jordan-Lake’s carefully researched historical fiction novel. A must read for any book lover!

This is my first book by Jordan-Lake, and it was incredible! Although I do not read a lot of World War focused historical fiction, this one sounded too intriguing to pass up. With a PhD in English Lit, this author’s writing is immaculate. Both heart-wrenching and full of heart, this is a novel that will be on my mind for some time. Pick this up if you enjoy historical fiction or themes of love, loyalty, and friendship.

I was drawn to this book mainly because it takes place on St Simon’s Island. It’s where I lived for the first sixteen years after I moved to Georgia. I had also vaguely heard about U boats off the coast of Georgia.
This book is told by dual timelines and multiple characters. It’s a well written book with very relatable characters. It’s an emotional story with a few surprises.
I found myself in tears towards the end. Definitely recommend to all historical fiction fans or anyone who has been to St Simon’s.

Hidden secrets abound on St. Simons Island in Echoes of Us. The stories of its inhabitants during WWII, including a compelling storyline of a WASP pilot, reverberate through the ages to two women who visit the island for the first time present day. An immersive novel with intriguing characters.

I couldn't wsit to read this book. I visited St. Simons Island and found it to be a gorgeous place. This book captures the beauty of this area. The story of WWII sheds light on a part of history i knew mothing about. Joannie, Will, Hadley, and the rest of the characters were so well written! I cannot say enough about this wonderful book!

Thank you to the publisher and author for an advanced copy of Echoes of US. This is my honest review.

"Echoes of Us" by Joy Jordan-Lake is an unforgettable journey into the complexities of love, loyalty, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II and told in dual timelines, this novel seamlessly intertwines the past and present, offering a rich, complex narrative that keeps you hooked until the last page.

The story introduces us to three unlikely friends—a Tennessee farm boy, Will Dobbins; a Jewish Cambridge student, Dov Silverberg; and a German POW, Hans Hessler—who forge a connection that transcends their differences during the war. At the heart of it all is Joanie, a courageous WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot) who is deeply loved by all three men. Their connection endures over decades, but as their descendants clash over the legacy of the corporation they built together, long-buried secrets begin to surface, threatening to tear everything apart.

Joy Jordan-Lake has created a haunting, well researched novel that beautifully portrays both the personal and historical impacts of war. The scenes on St. Simons Island, Georgia, are vividly brought to life, and the inclusion of real-life WASP stories adds an authentic touch that enriches the narrative. The dual timelines—following Hadley, a present-day event planner, and the wartime experiences of Joanie and the three men—are skillfully woven together, each timeline enhancing the emotional depth of the other.

"Echoes of Us" is not just a war story; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love, and the ties that bind us across generations. The characters are so well-developed and multifaceted that you’ll find yourself deeply invested in their fates. Hadley’s journey of uncovering the past is as poignant as Joanie’s daring feats during the war, creating a rich, immersive reading experience.

This novel stands out in the crowded field of WWII historical fiction for its meticulous research, compelling characters, and emotional resonance. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates a heartfelt, well-crafted story that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the advance copy of this remarkable book. This is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. All opinions expressed here are my own.