Letters Across the Sea

I have to really love a book to give it 5 stars.. and this was an easy 5 star for me! This historical fiction takes place in Toronto before and during WW2. I absolutely loved it. It's amazing to read about history in a place that you know so much about.

This was by far the best book I have read this year. The author creates a very believable story about Molly, a beautiful young Protestant girl and her neighbour and friend, Max, who is a handsome Jewish boy. It begins in 1933 as racial tensions in Toronto begin to rise. Soon Molly's parents are telling her she can't hang out with Max and his sister Hannah, and her brother Richie has joined a Swastika group. Her whole world is about to change. A pivotal event takes place that is felt by both families for years to come.

We then move to 1939 when the world is at war and many of the young men from 1933 are now serving in the military. Genevieve Graham does not gloss over the horrors of war and later that of PTSD.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, however, this is a part of history that is not widely known and I was so impressed with the way it was dealt with. I highly recommend!!

I am still relatively new to the historical fiction genre and with each book I read...I learn more than I ever thought possible. There is so much out there that we never learn in history classes. This is one subject I know I never read about.

I know this is fiction but with historical fiction there is truth within the pages. I will never understand how people can treat others with so much hate and misplaced anger. However, despite the painful setting and writing the story of Molly and Max had me captivated. So much so I literally lost hours as I was drawn into their lives and their love.

This is one of those books that is hard to review. How do you review something that covers such a horrific time in history? And daresay you loved the book at the same time? I guess it comes down to this...Was I touched? Immensely. Did my heart break open? More than once. Were my emotions all over the place? Very much so. Would I recommend this one? Most definitely.

I sincerely appreciate NetGalley for providing me a copy of this E-Book. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.