Cynthia Ellingsen

I did not like this book. Partially for the writing, and partially for the genré. As for the genré, it's a drama / romance-style novel. The main adult characters were irrational and emotionally immature. The writing was mixture of decent writing and discontinuity. The chapters went back and forth between the past and future and in each, the female lead character writing as "I". I've seen the format before, used in other stories I've read recently, and it is more annoying than interesting. The author did choose an interesting historic setting for the story. I do not recommend reading this story.
— Rebecca… (mere)

Evie has kept a secret for 70 years. A secret she has held close in her heart. A secret about Evie's past that she has never shared with her daughter or granddaughter. A secret that transformed her life and made her into the woman she is today. A secret that had its origins on a day different from any other. It began in Dublin on May 7, 1945, when Evie was 14. Evie has never returned to Ireland after she left for America. It is time.

I love novels written in dual timelines, connecting the present to the history of the past. In this beautifully written novel, time alternates between present-day and post-WWII Ireland. Individuals impacted by events of the period, relationships never forgotten, and oft as heart-wrenching as heartwarming, revealing the light of kindness, friendship, love, hope, and forgiveness, and the darkness of experiences wrapped in fear, cruelty, loss, survival, and secrets.

Thank you to Cynthia Ellingsen, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.… (mere)