For fans of Janet Beard’s The Atomic City Girls and Marie Benedict’s The Only Woman in the Room, this powerful, romantic novel tells the story of a woman determined to aid her country, finding love in the midst of tragedy along the way during World War II. When Lottie Palmer runs away the day before her wedding to join the Navy WAVES program, she not only leaves behind a fiancé, but also the … behind a fiancé, but also the privileged lifestyle that she has known as the daughter of one of the most important manufacturers in Detroit’s auto industry. Spurred by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the war effort, Lottie pours all of her focus and determination into becoming the best airplane mechanic in the division, working harder than she’s ever worked before.
Her grit impresses her handsome instructor, Captain Luke Woodward. But when the war ramps up and she is assigned to Pearl Harbor she must fight her growing feelings for Luke and navigate her role as one of the only female mechanics among a group of men, all while finding out what it means to be your own hero.
Illuminating the story of a woman who sets out to make a difference in the world by following her heart, Candace Waters draws on her extensive research, transporting us from Detroit to New York, and San Diego to Pearl Harbor during the tumultuous time of World War II.
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For Love and Country isn’t a typical novel. It’s more historical fiction with romantic elements rather than a pure romance. It’s from a Christian fiction publisher, but it’s more Christian-lite. There’s very little that’s overtly Christian, but also no on-page violence or sexual content.
The story moves in fits and starts. The first three chapters move relatively slowly as they introduce Lottie, her fiance, and her background. But the story then skips ahead, sometimes days or weeks at a time and that felt a little off, as though something was missing. The writing is solid but not spectacular, but it’s a compelling story and I found it hard to put down (which is saying something, given my current attention span. Thanks, lockdown and quarantine).
Lottie is one of the most original characters I’ve come across. She’s a child of wealth and privilege, in that her father owns a Detroit motor company. On that basis, it’s not altogether surprising that Lottie is interested in cars and engines. What is perhaps surprising is that she’s prepared to give up her lifestyle and her fiance to serve in the WAVES—Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.
I’ve read various novels about women serving in World War I and II, but I think this is the first I’ve read about the WAVES. I enjoyed the historical aspects, especially watching Lottie’s challenges in working in a male-dominated field. But I also enjoyed Lottie’s personal journey, her realisation that we do get to make choices in life and how those choices can change us.
Overall, For Love and Country is a must-read for fans of World War II fiction from authors such as Sarah Sundin and J’nell Ciesielski.
Thanks to Howard Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Princess goes to war
On the night of Lottie’s wedding to Eugene she leaves him a letter and leaves to join the Waves. It isn’t easy for a rich pampered girl but she makes it through basic training. She has no idea how hard it will get. She is stationed in San Diego for training under a tough leader Named Woodward. After training she is stationed in Hawaii only to find out her superior officer is none other than Woodward.
After some harrowing days she finally earns respect as the only female airplane mechanic. She also learns war is for real. Her enemy in San Diego, Maggie becomes her best friend in Hawaii. She finds out Woodward’s first name is Luke and fights an attraction to him.
It isn’t until Woodward ships overseas to join the fight that she realizes how much he means to her. When he is missing in action it really hits home.
Her daring unauthorized rescue of some escaped sailors afloat in a tiny boat with a wounded Luke on board gets her sent home, but not before Luke proposes to her.
This story was well written it had wonderful characters and beautiful descriptions of Hawaii. The story was about a young woman that wanted to be more than a pampered wife with endless parties. Lottie wanted to make a difference, she wanted to do her part in the war effort. She learned discipline, compassion, and Love.
This was a really good read, and I recommend it.
Thanks to Candace Waters, Howard Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy for an honest review.
During WWII, a wealthy woman leaves everything behind to become an airplane mechanic.
I was instantly interested in this book when I read the heroine was an airplane mechanic during WWII. It is one of those stories that shows what humans are capable of when facing extreme circumstances.
In times of Corona Virus and uncertainty, I’ve seen the same spirit shown by the heroine and her fellow soldiers, in doctors and other health workers, volunteers, and all involved in keeping essential services running. The current events enhanced the reading experience.
The story starts with the heroine, Lottie Palmer, attending one of many parties thrown to celebrate her impending wedding to Eugene. Daughter of a Detroit car manufacturer, her sheltered life kept the war being fought in Europe distant and abstract.
But deep inside, Lottie felt she needed to do something. Amidst a war, she should not be dressing up and attending parties. This feeling was overwhelming.
She ends up jilting her fiance and enlisting into the navy where she becomes an airplane mechanic.
The book tells in detail her struggle to be accepted and respected by her comrades. It takes the reader through her training and her service at Pearl Harbour.
I love the fact that the author takes the time to develop her relationship with her colleagues and superiors, and even describes in detail her many adventures fixing different kinds of engines.
There is a love story in the background that, as fits the heroine, is marked by duty, loyalty, and bravery.
A wonderful read. I highly recommend to everyone that enjoys a strong heroine in a soul searching story with a bit of romance and a happy ending.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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