What do you think?
Rate this book
Long Way Home
In this portrait of war and its aftermath, a young woman searches for the truth her childhood friend won't discuss after returning from World War II, revealing a story of courage, friendship, and faith.
Peggy Serrano couldn't wait for her best friend to come home from the war. But the Jimmy Barnett who returns is much different from the Jimmy who left, changed so drastically by his experience as a medic in Europe that he can barely function. When he attempts the unthinkable, his parents check him into the VA hospital. Peggy determines to help the Barnetts unravel what might have happened to send their son over the edge. She starts by contacting Jimmy's war buddies, trying to identify the mysterious woman in the photo they find in Jimmy's belongings.
Seven years earlier, sensing the rising tide against her people, Gisela Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana, Cuba. Gisela meets Sam Shapiro on board and the two fall quickly in love. But the ship is denied safe harbor and sent back to Europe. Thus begins Gisela's perilous journey of exile and survival, made possible only by the kindness and courage of a series of strangers she meets along the way, including one man who will change the course of her life.
Peggy Serrano couldn't wait for her best friend to come home from the war. But the Jimmy Barnett who returns is much different from the Jimmy who left, changed so drastically by his experience as a medic in Europe that he can barely function. When he attempts the unthinkable, his parents check him into the VA hospital. Peggy determines to help the Barnetts unravel what might have happened to send their son over the edge. She starts by contacting Jimmy's war buddies, trying to identify the mysterious woman in the photo they find in Jimmy's belongings.
Seven years earlier, sensing the rising tide against her people, Gisela Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana, Cuba. Gisela meets Sam Shapiro on board and the two fall quickly in love. But the ship is denied safe harbor and sent back to Europe. Thus begins Gisela's perilous journey of exile and survival, made possible only by the kindness and courage of a series of strangers she meets along the way, including one man who will change the course of her life.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2022
About the author
Lynn Austin
44 books5,066 followersFor many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 576 reviews
June 22, 2022
I pray that this book will help us view the sacrifices of the soldiers who fight for peace and freedom in a new light, as well as look with compassion upon the innocent refugees whose lives are disrupted by the horrors of war.~Lynn Austin
After reading several of Lynn Austin's books, I know she is a gifted storyteller. Some may look at this title with a WW II story and pass it by. Please do not miss the chance to read about Jim, the war-scarred medic; Gisela, the Jewish refugee and nurse; Peggy, the childhood friend of Jim; Buster, the three-legged dog; and many more. Lynn Austin brings these characters and settings to life. While Jim is in crisis and hospitalized, his mother and Peggy discover a photo of a woman in a nurse's uniform in his knapsack. The photo is signed: "Love, Gisela." Who is she? As we watch the postwar scene unfold in the Hudson Valley in 1946, we also read Gisela's story beginning in 1939 Berlin. What will we discover when Gisela and Jim cross paths? Will the Hudson Valley folks ever meet Gisela? While much of Gisela's story takes place during the war, we primarily see her as a Jewish refugee and victim of Hitler's hate. Jim's story line is also mostly post-war and the crisis of faith that results from the horrors he witnessed there. This is a story that brings enlightenment, empathy, and encouragement that is timeless.
Thank you to Tyndale House and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
After reading several of Lynn Austin's books, I know she is a gifted storyteller. Some may look at this title with a WW II story and pass it by. Please do not miss the chance to read about Jim, the war-scarred medic; Gisela, the Jewish refugee and nurse; Peggy, the childhood friend of Jim; Buster, the three-legged dog; and many more. Lynn Austin brings these characters and settings to life. While Jim is in crisis and hospitalized, his mother and Peggy discover a photo of a woman in a nurse's uniform in his knapsack. The photo is signed: "Love, Gisela." Who is she? As we watch the postwar scene unfold in the Hudson Valley in 1946, we also read Gisela's story beginning in 1939 Berlin. What will we discover when Gisela and Jim cross paths? Will the Hudson Valley folks ever meet Gisela? While much of Gisela's story takes place during the war, we primarily see her as a Jewish refugee and victim of Hitler's hate. Jim's story line is also mostly post-war and the crisis of faith that results from the horrors he witnessed there. This is a story that brings enlightenment, empathy, and encouragement that is timeless.
Thank you to Tyndale House and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 26, 2022
Peggy Serrano lives across the road from the Barnett’s, her fathers a mechanic and her mother passed away when she was a little girl. Mrs. Barnett helps her when she's lonely and needs a woman's advice, Mr. Barnett a vet saves her dog Buster, their son Jimmy is her only friend and he stuck up for her against the bully's.
James Barnett has seen some awful things during the war in Europe, when he returns home he’s a very different person to the one who left and sadly he ends up in a VA hospital. Jimmy is suffering from battle fatigue, he’s stopped talking and eating and they can only visit him once a week. The treatments available are limited, horrible, nothing seems to be working and the Barnett's are upset and don't know what to do? Peggy’s determined to help Jimmy, she starts contacting his war buddies, she gets them to write a letter and send a photo. She's making a scrapbook for Jimmy, trying to bring back some good memories, and she found a photo of a woman in his belongings and does she having anything to do with Jimmy’s condition?
Gisela Wolff leaves Hamburg in May 1939 with her family aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana in Cuba and she meets Sam Shapiro. They fall in love, when they arrive in Cuba and the boat full of Jewish refugees are turned away. The Captain of the ship has to find a place that will accept them, Belgium does and the two families live in Antwerp. At first life in Belgium is safe and then the Germans invade. Sam joins the resistance, Gisela is studying to be a nurse and she loses contact with her sister Ruthie. It's very difficult for a Jewish person to remain undetected, Gisela's real identity is discovered, she fights desperately to stay alive and towards the end of the war an American medic saves her life.
Told from two different points of view, the story is about Jimmy and Gisela facing the challenges of the war, what takes place after it finishes, Gisela has no idea what happened to her family or Sam and Peggy’s quest to help Jimmy recover and work out the connection between him and Gisela.
I received a copy of Long Way Home from Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Lynn Austin has written an outstanding book, full of wonderful characters and it explains how soldiers struggled to function when they returned to civilian life, the impact the war had on their mental health and their relationships. We need to honor our WW II veterans, they fought for our freedom and suffered. The message I took from the book was that Hitler started the war and committed the terrible acts against the Jewish people and not God. Five stars from me and a great book to read if you’re questioning why bad things are still happening in the world today and it gave me hope for the future.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
James Barnett has seen some awful things during the war in Europe, when he returns home he’s a very different person to the one who left and sadly he ends up in a VA hospital. Jimmy is suffering from battle fatigue, he’s stopped talking and eating and they can only visit him once a week. The treatments available are limited, horrible, nothing seems to be working and the Barnett's are upset and don't know what to do? Peggy’s determined to help Jimmy, she starts contacting his war buddies, she gets them to write a letter and send a photo. She's making a scrapbook for Jimmy, trying to bring back some good memories, and she found a photo of a woman in his belongings and does she having anything to do with Jimmy’s condition?
Gisela Wolff leaves Hamburg in May 1939 with her family aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana in Cuba and she meets Sam Shapiro. They fall in love, when they arrive in Cuba and the boat full of Jewish refugees are turned away. The Captain of the ship has to find a place that will accept them, Belgium does and the two families live in Antwerp. At first life in Belgium is safe and then the Germans invade. Sam joins the resistance, Gisela is studying to be a nurse and she loses contact with her sister Ruthie. It's very difficult for a Jewish person to remain undetected, Gisela's real identity is discovered, she fights desperately to stay alive and towards the end of the war an American medic saves her life.
Told from two different points of view, the story is about Jimmy and Gisela facing the challenges of the war, what takes place after it finishes, Gisela has no idea what happened to her family or Sam and Peggy’s quest to help Jimmy recover and work out the connection between him and Gisela.
I received a copy of Long Way Home from Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Lynn Austin has written an outstanding book, full of wonderful characters and it explains how soldiers struggled to function when they returned to civilian life, the impact the war had on their mental health and their relationships. We need to honor our WW II veterans, they fought for our freedom and suffered. The message I took from the book was that Hitler started the war and committed the terrible acts against the Jewish people and not God. Five stars from me and a great book to read if you’re questioning why bad things are still happening in the world today and it gave me hope for the future.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
October 22, 2023
Long Way Home by Lynn Austin is a lovely book about the end of WW2. As friends scatter one breaks and ends up in a psychiatric hospital with Battle Fatigue or more commonly known PTSD. A dedicated friend brings his friends together to rally around him to get stronger. She is able to track down his dearest friend, Gisela. This brings him back to reality and ultimately home. It is a story of love and friendships that never die.
August 2, 2022
1946. Peggy is living with her father and working at his auto shop, but spends much of her time helping out at the Barnetts’ veterinary practice across the street. She regularly visits her good friend, the Barnetts’ son Jimmy, who was hospitalized due to a suicide attempt after his service in World War II. Determined to help Jimmy, Peggy begins looking for other soldiers who served with him in the war, and for the woman, Gisela, whose picture was among Jimmy’s possessions.
1939. After the Nazis begin to persecute and murder the Jews, Gisela and her family are put on a ship, the St. Louis, and given passage to Cuba, which had agreed to allow them to settle there. But the ship is turned away in Cuba, and Gisela begins a journey that will end at Buchenwald, where she meets a young American medic named Jimmy.
Lynn Austin has given us another well-woven and meticulously researched historical saga. This dual-timeline novel is set both during and after World War II, and slowly entwines the lives of two young women who are connected by a young soldier. We witness the heartbreaking voyage of the St. Louis as the captain tries in vain to reach a safe harbor, and we see the terror of Jews trying to hide in Nazi-occupied territories. We are shown the horrors of World War II and the struggles of survivors to move forward. A Christian crisis of faith is explored, and primitive mental health surgical practices of the 1940s are brought to light. Long Way Home takes us across the sea and back again, into concentration camps and even to small American towns on an unforgettable journey through the evil of war and the love that brings us through it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
1939. After the Nazis begin to persecute and murder the Jews, Gisela and her family are put on a ship, the St. Louis, and given passage to Cuba, which had agreed to allow them to settle there. But the ship is turned away in Cuba, and Gisela begins a journey that will end at Buchenwald, where she meets a young American medic named Jimmy.
Lynn Austin has given us another well-woven and meticulously researched historical saga. This dual-timeline novel is set both during and after World War II, and slowly entwines the lives of two young women who are connected by a young soldier. We witness the heartbreaking voyage of the St. Louis as the captain tries in vain to reach a safe harbor, and we see the terror of Jews trying to hide in Nazi-occupied territories. We are shown the horrors of World War II and the struggles of survivors to move forward. A Christian crisis of faith is explored, and primitive mental health surgical practices of the 1940s are brought to light. Long Way Home takes us across the sea and back again, into concentration camps and even to small American towns on an unforgettable journey through the evil of war and the love that brings us through it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
January 1, 2023
Dang, this book was just…Heartbreaking. Powerful. Truth-filled. And just so very beautiful.
I took my time reading this book because it’s not one to rush through. And as I read it slowly, I fell in love with each of the characters and the storyline. Also, the writing style is so beautiful—poetic, but not too much, and filled with descriptions that help you to envision exactly what you’re reading without overpowering the dialogue.
This book was heavy, because it deals with WW2 and the PTSD soldiers suffered after it through nightmares and depression and suicidal thoughts. The author explores these heavy themes with a careful hand. This book was honest because it delves into all the questions each of us have/will face at some point in our lives: How can a good God allow horrible things to happen? How can He sit by and watch as His children suffer? How can He turn His back on our pain and expect us to trust Him? The author absolutely blew me away with both the brutal honesty and the Gospel truth she used to ask and answer these painful questions. This book was beautiful because it was a story of brokenness to healing, from loss to hope, from setback to redemption, without tying everything together with a happily-ever-after. The ending left you feeling hopeful without experiencing the full hope on the other side if healing, if that makes sense. You know the characters *will* be okay someday, and see emotional glimpses of how they’re on the road to healing without arriving there with them—and it honestly made the ending so powerful.
All this to say, please, please read this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough. 😭😭🤍
I took my time reading this book because it’s not one to rush through. And as I read it slowly, I fell in love with each of the characters and the storyline. Also, the writing style is so beautiful—poetic, but not too much, and filled with descriptions that help you to envision exactly what you’re reading without overpowering the dialogue.
This book was heavy, because it deals with WW2 and the PTSD soldiers suffered after it through nightmares and depression and suicidal thoughts. The author explores these heavy themes with a careful hand. This book was honest because it delves into all the questions each of us have/will face at some point in our lives: How can a good God allow horrible things to happen? How can He sit by and watch as His children suffer? How can He turn His back on our pain and expect us to trust Him? The author absolutely blew me away with both the brutal honesty and the Gospel truth she used to ask and answer these painful questions. This book was beautiful because it was a story of brokenness to healing, from loss to hope, from setback to redemption, without tying everything together with a happily-ever-after. The ending left you feeling hopeful without experiencing the full hope on the other side if healing, if that makes sense. You know the characters *will* be okay someday, and see emotional glimpses of how they’re on the road to healing without arriving there with them—and it honestly made the ending so powerful.
All this to say, please, please read this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough. 😭😭🤍
June 13, 2023
Enjoyed this one very much. The story of Peggy, Jim, Gisela, Ruthie, and Jim's military friends. A story of depression because of WWII and how family and friends rallied behind Jim to let him know he was not alone, that what he encountered was hard, but he can make it. That facing those fears, difficulties, help see the bright side that God is showing them.
October 8, 2022
1938-1947 New York and Europe
Well written novel intertwining the stories of two young women. The chapters alternate between Peggy in 1946 and Gisela 1938-1947. Both are told in first person. Peggy is a young woman with little support at home who wants to help her friend Jimmy after he returns from war with PTSD (today's term). Gisela is a young Jewish woman that goes through many trials during WWII including being a passenger on the St Louis. I had never heard of the St Louis before. That piece was definitely educational.
The novel beautifully weaves the two points of view. There is both realism about questioning faith in time of war as well as showing God's grace and guidance.
Recommended!
Well written novel intertwining the stories of two young women. The chapters alternate between Peggy in 1946 and Gisela 1938-1947. Both are told in first person. Peggy is a young woman with little support at home who wants to help her friend Jimmy after he returns from war with PTSD (today's term). Gisela is a young Jewish woman that goes through many trials during WWII including being a passenger on the St Louis. I had never heard of the St Louis before. That piece was definitely educational.
The novel beautifully weaves the two points of view. There is both realism about questioning faith in time of war as well as showing God's grace and guidance.
Recommended!
April 19, 2022
“Why do people pray if God doesn’t answer them?”
Writing to honour her own father and his fellow veterans, Austin writes about the courage soldiers mustered to take their long journey home. She reminds readers that while millions of soldiers returned home at the war’s end, there were still millions of Jews who’d survived the Holocaust that were still a long way from finding a new home. This book honours their bravery in taking risks to hide and survive.
Gisela Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the St. Louis passenger ship headed to Havana, Cuba. She meets Sam Shapiro on board and quickly falls in love. After the ship is denied safe harbour, it returns to Europe and readers will follow Gisela’s journey as she relies on the kindness of others to ensure survival.
Corporal James ‘Jimmy’ Barnett is a returning medic in the U.S. Army and struggles with combat exhaustion. After attempting suicide (mentioned in passing), he’s checked into the V.A. hospital. Readers will follow his treatment regimen as doctors pursue every avenue possible to deal with Jimmy’s depression. His next-door neighbour, Peggy Ann Serrano, and a fellow soldier, Joe Fiore, are instrumental in his ‘recovery.’
The dual timeline is expertly done and well-infused with Christian and Jewish beliefs. As characters rely on their faith, questions arise about where God is in the midst of war and how he can allow such horror. Austin eloquently deals with each struggle and gives room for her characters to work on securing their faith. Having a front-row seat to their spiritual growth is heartwarming. I learned about the journey of the St. Louis and more about living through the terror-filled days of Kristallnacht. The author is to be commended for bringing a fresh perspective to wartime fiction.
If you are interested in a historical fiction wartime novel featuring Christian and Jewish characters who rely on their courage, friendship and faith to endure, this is a fantastic book.
I was gifted this advance copy by Lynn Austin, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Writing to honour her own father and his fellow veterans, Austin writes about the courage soldiers mustered to take their long journey home. She reminds readers that while millions of soldiers returned home at the war’s end, there were still millions of Jews who’d survived the Holocaust that were still a long way from finding a new home. This book honours their bravery in taking risks to hide and survive.
Gisela Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the St. Louis passenger ship headed to Havana, Cuba. She meets Sam Shapiro on board and quickly falls in love. After the ship is denied safe harbour, it returns to Europe and readers will follow Gisela’s journey as she relies on the kindness of others to ensure survival.
Corporal James ‘Jimmy’ Barnett is a returning medic in the U.S. Army and struggles with combat exhaustion. After attempting suicide (mentioned in passing), he’s checked into the V.A. hospital. Readers will follow his treatment regimen as doctors pursue every avenue possible to deal with Jimmy’s depression. His next-door neighbour, Peggy Ann Serrano, and a fellow soldier, Joe Fiore, are instrumental in his ‘recovery.’
The dual timeline is expertly done and well-infused with Christian and Jewish beliefs. As characters rely on their faith, questions arise about where God is in the midst of war and how he can allow such horror. Austin eloquently deals with each struggle and gives room for her characters to work on securing their faith. Having a front-row seat to their spiritual growth is heartwarming. I learned about the journey of the St. Louis and more about living through the terror-filled days of Kristallnacht. The author is to be commended for bringing a fresh perspective to wartime fiction.
If you are interested in a historical fiction wartime novel featuring Christian and Jewish characters who rely on their courage, friendship and faith to endure, this is a fantastic book.
I was gifted this advance copy by Lynn Austin, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 20, 2022
Overwhelming story but not without hope.
“Death never has the last word- life would always triumph.”
I am so glad Ms. Austin wrote this heart wrenching story. She wanted to honor the soldiers who fought for our freedom and the many victims who suffered under Hitler during WWII. She did a superb job of portraying the struggles of Jimmy, who came home with severe battle fatigue. His journey back to health was long and was told through the actions of his childhood friend, Peggy. As a neighbor, Jimmy encouraged her and showed God’s love and she returned the favor when he came back home by enlisting his friends to visit him and write letters.
Entwined in the story is the plight of a Jewish refugee, Gisela, and her family. Helping her find her relatives after the liberation of Europe is what gave Jimmy purpose after witnessing many horrors. “Compassion speaks all languages.”
This is not an easy book to read but it is an important one. We must never forget and not take our freedom for granted. It was painful to watch the characters go through their trials, but it was wonderful to see them come out better in the end.
“The only light we will ever have in this dark world comes from God. If we turn away from Him, we are left with darkness and despair.”
I was overwhelmed, for in the last few pages were my favorite verses in Romans 8: Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
“Death never has the last word- life would always triumph.”
I am so glad Ms. Austin wrote this heart wrenching story. She wanted to honor the soldiers who fought for our freedom and the many victims who suffered under Hitler during WWII. She did a superb job of portraying the struggles of Jimmy, who came home with severe battle fatigue. His journey back to health was long and was told through the actions of his childhood friend, Peggy. As a neighbor, Jimmy encouraged her and showed God’s love and she returned the favor when he came back home by enlisting his friends to visit him and write letters.
Entwined in the story is the plight of a Jewish refugee, Gisela, and her family. Helping her find her relatives after the liberation of Europe is what gave Jimmy purpose after witnessing many horrors. “Compassion speaks all languages.”
This is not an easy book to read but it is an important one. We must never forget and not take our freedom for granted. It was painful to watch the characters go through their trials, but it was wonderful to see them come out better in the end.
“The only light we will ever have in this dark world comes from God. If we turn away from Him, we are left with darkness and despair.”
I was overwhelmed, for in the last few pages were my favorite verses in Romans 8: Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
April 10, 2022
Another wonderful read from Lynn Austin! Jim, a WW2 medic, is suffering from severe PTSD after seeing far too many horrific sights during his enlistment. His family and his childhood friend Peggy are determined to get him the help that he needs by any means possible. Gisela, a Jew who experienced the horrors in Buchenwauld concentration camp, fears that she will never have a normal life, or faith in God, again. Such a gripping novel to read about WW2 and its aftermath. I learned a lot about the ship The St. Louis and how its passengers were returned to Europe instead of being given refuge; glad I had tissues handy.😢
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
July 13, 2022
I enjoyed Peggy’s story and really liked the direction the author took with Jimmy. His side story was refreshing as I don’t always see it in fiction. Peggy is a bit Valancy Stirling-esque and annoyed me at times but her love and loyalty for her friend was endearing.
Gisela’s story bored me honestly. That sounds terrible to say about a WWII story, but I just felt like the plot was done before, and so many times at that. it felt like bad thing after bad thing happened and as a reader, I felt like I got compassion fatigue for the characters and no longer cared.
Between quite a few eyebrow-raising moments and some questionable content (more on that below), I felt disconnected to this story. It wasn’t bad. I actually really liked seeing the VA hospital in this book as I don’t usually read about that. It’s just not my favourite.
*********
Content:
Faith: I noticed an odd mashup of Jewish/Catholic/Christian beliefs throughout the story and on more than one occasion, Catholic practises were referred to as Christian (such as referring to a crucifix belonging to a Catholic as a Christian) and vice versa. Gisela has some Christian beliefs even though she is fully Jewish and it’s never told to us that she converts to Christianity (which based on the story I doubt she would have.)
Romance: There is one instance the bonds of marriage are taken loosely and I won’t say anything because of spoilers but I did not like this thread. Marriage vows, no matter what circumstances they’re made in, should be taken seriously. Own couple lives together even though they’re not married.
Historical Accuracy: There was a lot of political points made in this story and some of them I think are not historically accurate. Israel is referred to as Palestine by Jews. Also, several characters refer to the aftermath of the war (such as how many Jews were killed, what happened to those on the boat) that they probably wouldn’t have known until years after the comments were made, especially considering a lot of it was covered up until much later.
Gisela’s story bored me honestly. That sounds terrible to say about a WWII story, but I just felt like the plot was done before, and so many times at that. it felt like bad thing after bad thing happened and as a reader, I felt like I got compassion fatigue for the characters and no longer cared.
Between quite a few eyebrow-raising moments and some questionable content (more on that below), I felt disconnected to this story. It wasn’t bad. I actually really liked seeing the VA hospital in this book as I don’t usually read about that. It’s just not my favourite.
*********
Content:
Faith: I noticed an odd mashup of Jewish/Catholic/Christian beliefs throughout the story and on more than one occasion, Catholic practises were referred to as Christian (such as referring to a crucifix belonging to a Catholic as a Christian) and vice versa. Gisela has some Christian beliefs even though she is fully Jewish and it’s never told to us that she converts to Christianity (which based on the story I doubt she would have.)
Romance: There is one instance the bonds of marriage are taken loosely and I won’t say anything because of spoilers but I did not like this thread. Marriage vows, no matter what circumstances they’re made in, should be taken seriously. Own couple lives together even though they’re not married.
Historical Accuracy: There was a lot of political points made in this story and some of them I think are not historically accurate. Israel is referred to as Palestine by Jews. Also, several characters refer to the aftermath of the war (such as how many Jews were killed, what happened to those on the boat) that they probably wouldn’t have known until years after the comments were made, especially considering a lot of it was covered up until much later.
June 7, 2023
A beautiful, heart-wrenching story.♡
I loved how the two storylines intersected and was equally captivated by both Peggy and Gisela. The portrayal of PTSD in veterans and mental healthcare was difficult at times, but I appreciate the realistic portrayal of these soldiers trying to find their purpose after witnessing so much destruction. The faith content was so well done and fit the theme of the story so perfectly.
I loved how the two storylines intersected and was equally captivated by both Peggy and Gisela. The portrayal of PTSD in veterans and mental healthcare was difficult at times, but I appreciate the realistic portrayal of these soldiers trying to find their purpose after witnessing so much destruction. The faith content was so well done and fit the theme of the story so perfectly.
June 19, 2022
I have been a long time lover of Lynn Austin's wonderful writing, and this book has gone to the top of my favorites list of hers. If I could possibly give this more than a 5, I would. This is a split time novel following the World War II story of Jimmy Barnett, a sweet, faith filled, young man, who is an Army medic, and his best friend Peggy Ann Serrano The second time period follow the story of Gisela, a young Jewish nurse, and her family as they lived through the German pogrom to extinguish the Jews.
The emphasis is on Jimmy's return home where he is placed in a VA hospital due to what today is called PTSD, and Gisela's attempt when the war is over to reconnect all of her family and find her fiancee Sam.
Austin's plot and character development was absolutely amazing. Her historical research of the treatment of the Jews before, during, and after was war was extremely eye-opening. There were so many wonderful interconnections in both split times: Jim, his war buddies, and Peggy; Jim and Gisela during the war, and Joe and Peggy. The way they all intertwined and helped one another definitely brought the two threads together. Of course, Buster, the three legged dog, played a starring role as well.
But the best part of this book was the wonderful faith gems that Austin superbly wove through the split times to show that even when evil happens that we don't understand, we must know that God is in control and has a purpose. Here are just a couple of examples:
"The only light we'll have in this this dark world comes from God. If we turn away from Him, we're left with darkness and despair."
"Satan's ploy is to spread evil throughout the world and let it drive a wedge between us and God."
If this was to be the only book you read this year, you would definitely be blessed at a better understanding of World War II and the aftereffects on both the military personnel and the Jewish population.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
The emphasis is on Jimmy's return home where he is placed in a VA hospital due to what today is called PTSD, and Gisela's attempt when the war is over to reconnect all of her family and find her fiancee Sam.
Austin's plot and character development was absolutely amazing. Her historical research of the treatment of the Jews before, during, and after was war was extremely eye-opening. There were so many wonderful interconnections in both split times: Jim, his war buddies, and Peggy; Jim and Gisela during the war, and Joe and Peggy. The way they all intertwined and helped one another definitely brought the two threads together. Of course, Buster, the three legged dog, played a starring role as well.
But the best part of this book was the wonderful faith gems that Austin superbly wove through the split times to show that even when evil happens that we don't understand, we must know that God is in control and has a purpose. Here are just a couple of examples:
"The only light we'll have in this this dark world comes from God. If we turn away from Him, we're left with darkness and despair."
"Satan's ploy is to spread evil throughout the world and let it drive a wedge between us and God."
If this was to be the only book you read this year, you would definitely be blessed at a better understanding of World War II and the aftereffects on both the military personnel and the Jewish population.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
July 26, 2022
A terrible war has been fought and won, yet nothing has changed for us. Outrage is growing. Many are ready to say to the pharaohs of this world, "Let my people go? I believe the Red Sea is going to part. We are still hated. We would be fools to believe that anti-Semitism died with the Nazis. We are a people set apart from everyone else because we have been given the Torah, in which God speaks to humanity. It teaches that every person has dignity and value because we are made in His image. It gives the world morals and values, a conscience. This is why we are hated. If they can be rid of us, they can silence God's voice. ..Hitler does get the last word. God does. Our real home, our children's home, will be in the land of our ancestors. God is breathing new life into the precious souls of those who died in the camps in order to bring about the rebirth of the Promised Land. None of our fellow Jews will ever have to wander the world without a home, being rejected by the nations.
Many people do not realize that what had happened to the Jewish people in World War 2 brought them a prophecy fulfilled with the nation of Israel in 1948. This dueling narration of two women during World War 2 brought this alive and the hope we have when evil is called good. Peggy Serrano and Gisela Wolff. Each woman lives world apart but one man brought them together. Jimmy Barnett is Peggy's best friend but when he came back home from the war he was not the same. Peggy and Jimmy's family are concerned about him for he has lost all hope. Peggy's story is the relationship she has with Jimmy's family, her own brokenness and insecurities and with renewed purpose, she wants to bring Jimmy back home. She finds a picture of Gisela. Her story is told from Europe and trek for freedom from Nazi rule. How she met Jimmy and how her hope is renewed.
There are many spiritual takes that anyone can reflect from. One being hope when all hope is gone. I am reminded of the hope God gives thru his people. Their story brings home (no pun intended but it is the truth) of the blight of the Jewish people and how God brought a scattered people to the promised land. We have the same promise thru Christ. Even though Jimmy and Peggy are not Jewish they have a faith that is from a hope and purpose that we all need in every time. Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Many people do not realize that what had happened to the Jewish people in World War 2 brought them a prophecy fulfilled with the nation of Israel in 1948. This dueling narration of two women during World War 2 brought this alive and the hope we have when evil is called good. Peggy Serrano and Gisela Wolff. Each woman lives world apart but one man brought them together. Jimmy Barnett is Peggy's best friend but when he came back home from the war he was not the same. Peggy and Jimmy's family are concerned about him for he has lost all hope. Peggy's story is the relationship she has with Jimmy's family, her own brokenness and insecurities and with renewed purpose, she wants to bring Jimmy back home. She finds a picture of Gisela. Her story is told from Europe and trek for freedom from Nazi rule. How she met Jimmy and how her hope is renewed.
There are many spiritual takes that anyone can reflect from. One being hope when all hope is gone. I am reminded of the hope God gives thru his people. Their story brings home (no pun intended but it is the truth) of the blight of the Jewish people and how God brought a scattered people to the promised land. We have the same promise thru Christ. Even though Jimmy and Peggy are not Jewish they have a faith that is from a hope and purpose that we all need in every time. Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
June 3, 2022
I don't know how Lynn Austin just keeps writing books every year that are this good and this deep and this well-crafted. Like, can I just sit quietly at her house while she writes and learn from her!?
Anyway, on to the review:
This book was really hard to read. Lynn Austin tackles many topics I haven't encountered in the numerous WWII historical fiction I've read. This story is written in split time-line, one starting in 1939 Germany and the other 1946 New York. The latter is focused on Jimmy who is in a VA hospital for attempting suicide due to PTSD from the war. His friend, Peggy, tries to unravel exactly what happened to push her prior vibrant, optimistic, God-loving friend to try to take his own life. The former timeline tells the story of Gisela, a Jewish girl who lives in Germany and everything that happens to her during the course of the war.
It was really hard to read about how they treated "shell shock" only 75 years ago. I was continually appalled and wanted to yell at the doctor. As Peggy finds Jimmy's friends in order to encourage him, we learn of their stories as well. While each of them "deal" with the effects of war differently, not one has walked away unscathed by the horrors of WWII. It puts into perspective the sacrifice of these men who bravely fought for freedom. It didn't end with the war, but changed their lives forever.
What was even harder to read was Gisela's story. My heart ached as she endures trial after trial. Lynn Austin wove in historical facts that I had never known, including the incident with the St. Louis and what the reality was for Jewish people in Europe after the war.
Even though there were so many things that were difficult to swallow, Lynn Austin never writes in a way or incorporates information for shock value. She simply lays out what the reality was for so many people, and leaves it at that.
I also appreciated the fact that the plot kept me guessing. While reading, I turned to my husband at one point and said that I literally have no idea what's going to happen with any of the characters. She does such an excellent job showing and not telling, and it's like you're right there with the character, experiencing and feeling what they are, not knowing what may happen next. I also didn't know how the two timelines would merge. This story is unique, and I was equally invested in both the timelines, although I did tend to find Gisela's story a bit more gripping.
The best thing about this book, though, is that Lynn Austin is unabashedly Christian. She confronts and tackles difficult topic of human suffering head-on. The question of why we suffer and why certain people have had to suffer so much when God is good is hard to answer, especially in light of events like WWII and the Holocaust. Yet she's able to unravel these questions, showing that there is goodness and hope. There is a reason, even when we don't see it. I love her use of Biblical text. She also has a pretty strong message in this book about what our role as Christians need to be in a world full of evil, even when our roles may require an immense amount of sacrifice that may affect us for the rest of our lives.
I'm pretty much now committed to pre-ordering everything Lynn Austin writes. I already can't wait for her next book, while knowing this one will stay with me for a long time.
Anyway, on to the review:
This book was really hard to read. Lynn Austin tackles many topics I haven't encountered in the numerous WWII historical fiction I've read. This story is written in split time-line, one starting in 1939 Germany and the other 1946 New York. The latter is focused on Jimmy who is in a VA hospital for attempting suicide due to PTSD from the war. His friend, Peggy, tries to unravel exactly what happened to push her prior vibrant, optimistic, God-loving friend to try to take his own life. The former timeline tells the story of Gisela, a Jewish girl who lives in Germany and everything that happens to her during the course of the war.
It was really hard to read about how they treated "shell shock" only 75 years ago. I was continually appalled and wanted to yell at the doctor. As Peggy finds Jimmy's friends in order to encourage him, we learn of their stories as well. While each of them "deal" with the effects of war differently, not one has walked away unscathed by the horrors of WWII. It puts into perspective the sacrifice of these men who bravely fought for freedom. It didn't end with the war, but changed their lives forever.
What was even harder to read was Gisela's story. My heart ached as she endures trial after trial. Lynn Austin wove in historical facts that I had never known, including the incident with the St. Louis and what the reality was for Jewish people in Europe after the war.
Even though there were so many things that were difficult to swallow, Lynn Austin never writes in a way or incorporates information for shock value. She simply lays out what the reality was for so many people, and leaves it at that.
I also appreciated the fact that the plot kept me guessing. While reading, I turned to my husband at one point and said that I literally have no idea what's going to happen with any of the characters. She does such an excellent job showing and not telling, and it's like you're right there with the character, experiencing and feeling what they are, not knowing what may happen next. I also didn't know how the two timelines would merge. This story is unique, and I was equally invested in both the timelines, although I did tend to find Gisela's story a bit more gripping.
The best thing about this book, though, is that Lynn Austin is unabashedly Christian. She confronts and tackles difficult topic of human suffering head-on. The question of why we suffer and why certain people have had to suffer so much when God is good is hard to answer, especially in light of events like WWII and the Holocaust. Yet she's able to unravel these questions, showing that there is goodness and hope. There is a reason, even when we don't see it. I love her use of Biblical text. She also has a pretty strong message in this book about what our role as Christians need to be in a world full of evil, even when our roles may require an immense amount of sacrifice that may affect us for the rest of our lives.
I'm pretty much now committed to pre-ordering everything Lynn Austin writes. I already can't wait for her next book, while knowing this one will stay with me for a long time.
May 20, 2022
4.5 stars - A beautiful must read Christian Historical Fiction this summer with all the truths and struggles of war, friendship, family and faith.
This story is set in WWII and is a dual timeline novel. The dual timeline portion of this story was wonderfully tied together with fully fleshed out characters. We follow Peggy Serrano who can’t wait for her best friend Jimmy to return from the war. However, Jimmy is suffering from severe PTSD from his time in the war as a WWII medic and has returned a completely changed man.
Unfortunately, Jimmy is so distraught he attempts to take his own life and his parents check him into the VA hospital where he is forced to go through horrible psychiatric treatments to “bring him back” or “end his depression”.
Peggy is so devastated by this she is determined to do everything in her power to help Jimmy recover and to figure out what exactly happened during Jimmy’s war experience.
Peggy is such a wonderful character. She is the ultimate friend. She starts piecing everything together for Jimmy and contacts his old war friends to come visit him to help and one friend, Joe decides to stick around for a while. She soon starts to help him as well. Peggy helped everyone she interacted with who needed it and always put others before herself. She is a true hero friend we all need and could use. She has went through so much, being bullied and losing her mother at a young age. Her life story is impactful. She is a beautiful character and I loved her.
The other part of this story follows Gisela Wolff and her family and life during WWII as they try to flee from Germany to safety on the St. Louis passenger ship to Cuba. Peggy finds a picture of Gisela in Jimmy’s things and they’re trying to piece together who she is during the back and forth of the story timeline.
Gisela’s story was my favorite to read of the 2 timelines. It was so impactful and heartbreaking. A very important read.
What the Jewish people had to endure during WWII was absolutely horrifying. This story honors veterans and the Jewish people for what they had to endure. We learn about concentration camp brutality, the Jewish people’s journeys to a better life and being turned away by so many and the War itself, including the aftermath. Gisela was a strong character and someone to look up to.
Both characters have strong faith in God but struggle throughout the story because of all of the horrifying things that happened during WWII, as to be expected during that time.
I truly appreciate all of the details by Lynn Austin regarding WWII. I learned a lot about what happened during the war and I think this i a very important read and reminder about these events that occurred in our history.
The Christian Faith content in this story was very important as well. I love how she has completely centered God in her story and His word. Some of the themes/scriptures referenced include Romans 8:38-39 (Nothing can separate us from God’s love), Job’s story regarding suffering and Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice on the Christ for us.
Thank you to Tyndale Publishing House for providing this free complementary advanced reader copy on NetGalley for me to read and review. All opinions are my own. I will be discussing this book on my YouTube channel BookLoverAmanda when I review all the books I read in May. This book releases in June 2022.
This story is set in WWII and is a dual timeline novel. The dual timeline portion of this story was wonderfully tied together with fully fleshed out characters. We follow Peggy Serrano who can’t wait for her best friend Jimmy to return from the war. However, Jimmy is suffering from severe PTSD from his time in the war as a WWII medic and has returned a completely changed man.
Unfortunately, Jimmy is so distraught he attempts to take his own life and his parents check him into the VA hospital where he is forced to go through horrible psychiatric treatments to “bring him back” or “end his depression”.
Peggy is so devastated by this she is determined to do everything in her power to help Jimmy recover and to figure out what exactly happened during Jimmy’s war experience.
Peggy is such a wonderful character. She is the ultimate friend. She starts piecing everything together for Jimmy and contacts his old war friends to come visit him to help and one friend, Joe decides to stick around for a while. She soon starts to help him as well. Peggy helped everyone she interacted with who needed it and always put others before herself. She is a true hero friend we all need and could use. She has went through so much, being bullied and losing her mother at a young age. Her life story is impactful. She is a beautiful character and I loved her.
The other part of this story follows Gisela Wolff and her family and life during WWII as they try to flee from Germany to safety on the St. Louis passenger ship to Cuba. Peggy finds a picture of Gisela in Jimmy’s things and they’re trying to piece together who she is during the back and forth of the story timeline.
Gisela’s story was my favorite to read of the 2 timelines. It was so impactful and heartbreaking. A very important read.
What the Jewish people had to endure during WWII was absolutely horrifying. This story honors veterans and the Jewish people for what they had to endure. We learn about concentration camp brutality, the Jewish people’s journeys to a better life and being turned away by so many and the War itself, including the aftermath. Gisela was a strong character and someone to look up to.
Both characters have strong faith in God but struggle throughout the story because of all of the horrifying things that happened during WWII, as to be expected during that time.
I truly appreciate all of the details by Lynn Austin regarding WWII. I learned a lot about what happened during the war and I think this i a very important read and reminder about these events that occurred in our history.
The Christian Faith content in this story was very important as well. I love how she has completely centered God in her story and His word. Some of the themes/scriptures referenced include Romans 8:38-39 (Nothing can separate us from God’s love), Job’s story regarding suffering and Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice on the Christ for us.
Thank you to Tyndale Publishing House for providing this free complementary advanced reader copy on NetGalley for me to read and review. All opinions are my own. I will be discussing this book on my YouTube channel BookLoverAmanda when I review all the books I read in May. This book releases in June 2022.
July 7, 2022
I love historical fiction and this is historical fiction at it’s very best. Peggy and Gisela, our narrators, invite us to join them as they experience life during WW2 from opposite sides of the ocean. Reading this book was an exercise of deeply looking at the human heart. It was filled with good and bad, despair and hope. There were paths to healing and longings to be whole again.
The beautiful, skilled writing drew me into the storyline. I became deeply invested in the lives of the characters, many of whom I came to love. This was a very emotional read for me, I shed tears many times.
The characters were realistic, flawed and oh so lovable. There were many examples of kindness, courage and Divine Intervention. While reading this book, I was reminded that miracles do happen. I loved the roles that animals played in this book, becoming important, life changing characters themselves.
I think my favorite thing about this beautiful book is the way the characters took turns sticking up for each other, rescuing each other and caring for each other. Imagine that! Imagine a world where people did just that…that’s the kind of world I want to live in. What a wonderful world that would be.
I received complimentary copies of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.
The beautiful, skilled writing drew me into the storyline. I became deeply invested in the lives of the characters, many of whom I came to love. This was a very emotional read for me, I shed tears many times.
The characters were realistic, flawed and oh so lovable. There were many examples of kindness, courage and Divine Intervention. While reading this book, I was reminded that miracles do happen. I loved the roles that animals played in this book, becoming important, life changing characters themselves.
I think my favorite thing about this beautiful book is the way the characters took turns sticking up for each other, rescuing each other and caring for each other. Imagine that! Imagine a world where people did just that…that’s the kind of world I want to live in. What a wonderful world that would be.
I received complimentary copies of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.
August 12, 2022
There are so many things I love about this book, but the one I love most is the story of the survivors. I love that especially in Canada we celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11, but I I often thought that we didn’t make a big enough deal over those men and women who came home and carried on. They came back from the darkest reaches of Hell and return to day to day living. This book is a good reminder of those who came back and did the work to keep on living which deserves it’s on special medal!
June 13, 2023
This is my favorite Lynn Austin book from the past 10ish years. I devoured it in just two days.
I am still tired of WW2, but I couldn’t miss an opportunity to read my favorite author.
I actually really enjoy books about the aftermath of WW2. We read a lot about the horrors of concentration camps, Hitler’s invasion of Europe, D-Day, etc in this time period. It isn’t as often that an author tackles the story of someone coming to grips with what they experienced in the years following the war. So I appreciated Jim’s story.
This wasn’t really an easy read. It talks about suicide. The descriptions of therapies that Doctors tried to use on Veterans horrified me. I knew the field of psychiatry had come a long way- but wow. Lynn Austin doesn’t do graphic descriptions, by the way. Just enough to let you know what the suggested treatments were.
Peggy was my favorite. Her naïveté and loyalty kept the book just lighthearted enough. I loved her determination to help her oldest friend. Her relationship with the Barnetts, Joe, and even Pop and Donna made me love her character.
I loved reading about a veterinarian���s assistant. I thought that was a unique part about her. If I had a complaint, I just would have wished for a little more insight into her eventual romance.
I enjoyed Gisela’s story too. I liked seeing her full circle journey through hardship and her reconciliation with her experiences and her belief in God.
I was honestly surprised by the ending to her story. I was expecting something else.
Lynn Austin, as always, effortlessly weaves the topic of God, the gospel, and faith into her storylines without feeling cliche or trite.
I hang onto every word of the character’s dialogue.
Speaking of characters, there are a lot of them. But I never felt lost, confused, or bogged down by them. They felt purposeful and important.
I could keep talking about this book!
I am still tired of WW2, but I couldn’t miss an opportunity to read my favorite author.
I actually really enjoy books about the aftermath of WW2. We read a lot about the horrors of concentration camps, Hitler’s invasion of Europe, D-Day, etc in this time period. It isn’t as often that an author tackles the story of someone coming to grips with what they experienced in the years following the war. So I appreciated Jim’s story.
This wasn’t really an easy read. It talks about suicide. The descriptions of therapies that Doctors tried to use on Veterans horrified me. I knew the field of psychiatry had come a long way- but wow. Lynn Austin doesn’t do graphic descriptions, by the way. Just enough to let you know what the suggested treatments were.
Peggy was my favorite. Her naïveté and loyalty kept the book just lighthearted enough. I loved her determination to help her oldest friend. Her relationship with the Barnetts, Joe, and even Pop and Donna made me love her character.
I loved reading about a veterinarian���s assistant. I thought that was a unique part about her. If I had a complaint, I just would have wished for a little more insight into her eventual romance.
I enjoyed Gisela’s story too. I liked seeing her full circle journey through hardship and her reconciliation with her experiences and her belief in God.
I was honestly surprised by the ending to her story. I was expecting something else.
Lynn Austin, as always, effortlessly weaves the topic of God, the gospel, and faith into her storylines without feeling cliche or trite.
I hang onto every word of the character’s dialogue.
Speaking of characters, there are a lot of them. But I never felt lost, confused, or bogged down by them. They felt purposeful and important.
I could keep talking about this book!
August 2, 2022
Wow! What a powerful WWII and post WWII novel. It is truly filled with God's grace in unbelievably difficult circumstances. It opens in 1946 with concern by a Christian young woman for a secondary character who had come home so emotionally damaged from the war. Then it goes back to 1938 to a German Jewish girl. The story goes back and forth between these two young women until their stories meld. What a great novel this would be for anyone who wonders how a good God can let evil (like the Nazis) exist in this world.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
July 30, 2024
This book was heavily weighted with religious content, both Christian and Jewish. WWII horrors and how people managed to survive and move forward. These stories are always emotional. I did like it.
July 8, 2022
I loved this beautiful story of faith and healing. It's not often that you read about soldiers suffering from PTSD after World War 2. I found the medicine of the time fascinating and frustrating. Peggy's loyalty towards her friend was the best part of the story. Platonic relationships between men and women are hard to write, but this was really well done. Gisela's story is also compelling, full of heartbreak and hope. I enjoyed both parts equally. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy Christian fiction in World War 2 settings.
I received this book for free from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review. I also purchased a copy for myself.
I received this book for free from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review. I also purchased a copy for myself.
June 16, 2022
Long Way Home:
This book was a beautiful masterpiece filled with truth of God's faithfulness and God's goodness in spite of trial and tribulations and the struggles of war. This story is set in WWII and is a dual timeline novel. We follow Peggy Serrano who can’t wait for her best friend Jimmy to return from the war. However, Jimmy' s world comes crashing down as he suffers from severe PTSD from his time in the war as a WWII medic and as returned a completely changed man. This book discloses the hardships that soliders struggle with of seeing first hand what death looks like.
In one timeline, we follow Peggy. I loved Peggy. Her determination to help her best friend made her selfless and whoever she met, they were touched by her kindness. I loved how Lynn Austin wrote flawed characters where we were able to see the struggles that each character went to. The other timeline, we follow Gisela, the mysterious women that was in the photo where Peggy finds in Jimmy belongings. The struggles and the fight that her family during WWII was so moving. Lynn Austin incorporated historical details so beautifully.
The dual timeline was done so well and made me more engaged with the story. I found myself wanting to find out more and more until the very end. This novel is a tribute to Jews who suffered in the concentration camps, the nurses who helped aid the victims , the soldiers who fought till the very end, the soliders who suffered PTSD afterward and while this story focuses on WWII, I think it's also a tribute to any solider who experiences the tragic deaths of innocent victims in war.
Lynn Austin did what she does best , incorporating God in midst of despair and disappointment.
I don't usually read WWII stories because of the heavy burden that it carries in my heart. I will say that this story moved me to tears not only because of the historical time period but because of the faith that was incorporated in it. There are moments where I have struggled with my faith in God and often felt like Peggy or Jimmy , "Where is God?" ,or "If God is good, how can He let bad things happen?" While this story is fictional, it dwells on the fact that God presence is always there, the good, the bad, the ugly and HE IS ALWAYS GOOD.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalms 23:4
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39.
Thank you to Tyndale Publishing House and NetGalley for providing this free complementary advanced reader copy for me to read and review. All opinions are my own. This book releases in June 21 2022
This book was a beautiful masterpiece filled with truth of God's faithfulness and God's goodness in spite of trial and tribulations and the struggles of war. This story is set in WWII and is a dual timeline novel. We follow Peggy Serrano who can’t wait for her best friend Jimmy to return from the war. However, Jimmy' s world comes crashing down as he suffers from severe PTSD from his time in the war as a WWII medic and as returned a completely changed man. This book discloses the hardships that soliders struggle with of seeing first hand what death looks like.
In one timeline, we follow Peggy. I loved Peggy. Her determination to help her best friend made her selfless and whoever she met, they were touched by her kindness. I loved how Lynn Austin wrote flawed characters where we were able to see the struggles that each character went to. The other timeline, we follow Gisela, the mysterious women that was in the photo where Peggy finds in Jimmy belongings. The struggles and the fight that her family during WWII was so moving. Lynn Austin incorporated historical details so beautifully.
The dual timeline was done so well and made me more engaged with the story. I found myself wanting to find out more and more until the very end. This novel is a tribute to Jews who suffered in the concentration camps, the nurses who helped aid the victims , the soldiers who fought till the very end, the soliders who suffered PTSD afterward and while this story focuses on WWII, I think it's also a tribute to any solider who experiences the tragic deaths of innocent victims in war.
Lynn Austin did what she does best , incorporating God in midst of despair and disappointment.
I don't usually read WWII stories because of the heavy burden that it carries in my heart. I will say that this story moved me to tears not only because of the historical time period but because of the faith that was incorporated in it. There are moments where I have struggled with my faith in God and often felt like Peggy or Jimmy , "Where is God?" ,or "If God is good, how can He let bad things happen?" While this story is fictional, it dwells on the fact that God presence is always there, the good, the bad, the ugly and HE IS ALWAYS GOOD.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalms 23:4
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39.
Thank you to Tyndale Publishing House and NetGalley for providing this free complementary advanced reader copy for me to read and review. All opinions are my own. This book releases in June 21 2022
August 25, 2022
1938-1946 Hudson Valley, New York, and Germany
Characters
Peggy Serrano: Next door neighbor to the Barnetts
Jimmy Barnett: WWII medic, came back altered
Gisela Wolff: Jewish teen escaping Nazi Germany
Sam Shapiro: Met and fell in love with Gisela onboard a ship bound for Havana
Mr. & Mrs. Barnett: Owned and ran Blue Fence Farms
Joe Fiore: Army buddy of Jim's who came to visit and became a fixture
Donna: Peggy's father's live-in girlfriend, not a very nice woman
Chaplain Bill: was in the war with Jimmy, also lost his faith
I love titles. I especially love when a title fits the story and has great meaning. The title Long Way Home is perfection. Any number of characters in this book had a long journey to get home, whatever or wherever that might have been. Either for a little girl who simply wanted to belong, or a young man back from war who wanted to give up, or another young army vet trying to make sense of life with PTSD and one less leg, or all the Jews who barely survived that horrendous experience, who just needed to find family and someplace to call home.
What a story!
Of course my favorite character was Peggy. Neglected since her mother died at a young age, this poor girl just survived. More or less tolerated at home, certainly not nurtured. Fortunately she had a neighbor family (especially the older teenager, Jimmy) who let her know she had value, not only to them but also to God. Her introduction to faith kept her spirits up and gave her a will and positive outlook she might not have had otherwise. What an inspiration she was to many.
Jimmy was a terrific character. We learn who he was through the dual time-line flashbacks in the war, and as Peggy was trying to find a link between what happened to him in the war and his desire when he came back to end it all. Where did his faith go? Who could Peggy find to help him?
Gisela and Sam were so very important to the depth of this book as well.
I never think Ms. Austin can top herself, but after this book, I can honestly say I was wrong.
Characters
Peggy Serrano: Next door neighbor to the Barnetts
Jimmy Barnett: WWII medic, came back altered
Gisela Wolff: Jewish teen escaping Nazi Germany
Sam Shapiro: Met and fell in love with Gisela onboard a ship bound for Havana
Mr. & Mrs. Barnett: Owned and ran Blue Fence Farms
Joe Fiore: Army buddy of Jim's who came to visit and became a fixture
Donna: Peggy's father's live-in girlfriend, not a very nice woman
Chaplain Bill: was in the war with Jimmy, also lost his faith
I love titles. I especially love when a title fits the story and has great meaning. The title Long Way Home is perfection. Any number of characters in this book had a long journey to get home, whatever or wherever that might have been. Either for a little girl who simply wanted to belong, or a young man back from war who wanted to give up, or another young army vet trying to make sense of life with PTSD and one less leg, or all the Jews who barely survived that horrendous experience, who just needed to find family and someplace to call home.
What a story!
Of course my favorite character was Peggy. Neglected since her mother died at a young age, this poor girl just survived. More or less tolerated at home, certainly not nurtured. Fortunately she had a neighbor family (especially the older teenager, Jimmy) who let her know she had value, not only to them but also to God. Her introduction to faith kept her spirits up and gave her a will and positive outlook she might not have had otherwise. What an inspiration she was to many.
Jimmy was a terrific character. We learn who he was through the dual time-line flashbacks in the war, and as Peggy was trying to find a link between what happened to him in the war and his desire when he came back to end it all. Where did his faith go? Who could Peggy find to help him?
Gisela and Sam were so very important to the depth of this book as well.
I never think Ms. Austin can top herself, but after this book, I can honestly say I was wrong.
May 22, 2023
“‘You don’t want to remember, but the memory is seared into your brain and your heart, and it’s impossible to forget. We don’t dare forget!’”
•
•
War stories always make me cry & this was no exception. 😭
Before this, I never knew of refugee ships like the “St. Louis” that gave people a taste of hope only to have the doors of freedom slammed in their faces, sending them right back to the Nazi deathtraps. My own country along with countless others turned away those in need, and many of those lives would later be lost.
While it was heartbreaking on so many levels, it was also a story of hope & friendship & healing & finding God in the midst of our pain. The war didn’t end in 1945. There was a world to rebuild, lost family members & friends to find or mourn, and haunting nightmares that went right on living.
Peggy, Jim, Gisela, Sam, Joe, and the rest were absolutely real to me. Things played out differently than I had anticipated—in a rather bittersweet way—but it was truly beautiful, beyond all words. 🥹
•
•
War stories always make me cry & this was no exception. 😭
Before this, I never knew of refugee ships like the “St. Louis” that gave people a taste of hope only to have the doors of freedom slammed in their faces, sending them right back to the Nazi deathtraps. My own country along with countless others turned away those in need, and many of those lives would later be lost.
While it was heartbreaking on so many levels, it was also a story of hope & friendship & healing & finding God in the midst of our pain. The war didn’t end in 1945. There was a world to rebuild, lost family members & friends to find or mourn, and haunting nightmares that went right on living.
Peggy, Jim, Gisela, Sam, Joe, and the rest were absolutely real to me. Things played out differently than I had anticipated—in a rather bittersweet way—but it was truly beautiful, beyond all words. 🥹
May 30, 2022
I had never read a Lynn Austin book before, and was excited to read this one. I don't know how the writing in this book compares to her others, but this isn't my favorite book.
I had a hard time forming any sort of emotional attachments to the characters. I could put myself in the story-her descriptions are great. I could hear the planes and feel the bombs, but just didn't care what happened to the characters, and in fact, I found Peggy to be irritating. I didn't understand why she was letting her dad and Donna run her life in such a way. She just seemed weak to me.
*I was given this ebook by NetGalley to review. Opinions are my own*
I had a hard time forming any sort of emotional attachments to the characters. I could put myself in the story-her descriptions are great. I could hear the planes and feel the bombs, but just didn't care what happened to the characters, and in fact, I found Peggy to be irritating. I didn't understand why she was letting her dad and Donna run her life in such a way. She just seemed weak to me.
*I was given this ebook by NetGalley to review. Opinions are my own*
June 23, 2022
First sentence: "I know it looks hopeless," I told Jimmy Barnett's father. "But we can't give up until Jimmy is better. Until he's home again."
Long Way Home is an intense, compelling read set during and shortly after the Second World War. There are two narrators to this historical novel.
Peggy Serrano is a young woman from a broken home. She's found solace in a neighboring family, the Barnetts. For years, they've made her feel welcome, and at a time when her own home was anything but welcoming. She works for Mr. Barnett, a veterinarian, as his assistant. She's great with animals, perhaps not as great with people. Their son, Jimmy Barnett, has returned home from the war a broken man--deeply depressed and troubled. He attempts to take his own life which leads to his hospitalization in VA hospital. But Peggy (and his parents) refuses to give up on him. She'll do ANYTHING to help Jimmy. And she is the mastermind of quite a project to help him regain his mental health. She'll follow any and every clue to figure out what happened to him during the course of the war.
Gisela Wolff is a young Jewish woman fighting for survival and to keep her family together. Her story begins in 1938, I believe. (Peggy's story begins in 1946.) The Wolff family is able to emigrate out of Germany to Cuba--however, the St. Louis, the ship which is carrying around 900 Jews, is not allowed to land in Cuba or in any other port. They plead with the world, and the world printed the news but no country, no government, stepped up and welcomed these people who were essentially running for their lives. The ship returns to Europe and its passengers are dispersed to Belgium, France, England, (and maybe a fourth country that I can't recall???) The Wolff family is sent to Belgium. On board, Gisela met the love of her life, Sam Shapiro, and his family. These two both make their homes close to each other.
Both stories are well-peopled. There are SO many characters that play a role in both stories. And the characterization is so well done. This is a novel with depth, substance, and heart. It is INTENSE. It is impossible to not care about these characters. So as the war progresses--and its aftermath--it's TOUGH emotionally. I do think this one could be triggering. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just that war is UGLY and horrific and atrocious. In a different degree, different way, the WAY that doctors and psychiatrists handled veterans' mental health was horrifying and heartbreaking. This is clearly depicted in the novel.
I was hooked from the first chapter. I was. I read it in two or three days. I never wanted to put it down. I always wanted to keep reading more, more, more. I was so invested and engaged with both stories, both narrators. My review will never do it justice. It couldn't. Even though I'm trying my best to talk about how HUMAN the characters are. It is both character-driven and plot-driven. There is plenty of suspense.
It is not necessarily an easy read. One of the themes is loss of faith. How do you hold to faith--be it Jewish or Christian--when the world is falling to pieces. When you have witnessed with your own eyes truly horrific, atrocious, heart-breaking, scarring, haunting scenes. When you have experienced great loss again and again. There is no way to be prepared for what it is like to be there, to be surrounded, to have all these experiences to process. There seems to be no going back. So multiple characters do have really tough, really honest questions. And this book does not shy away from God-talk.
Long Way Home is an intense, compelling read set during and shortly after the Second World War. There are two narrators to this historical novel.
Peggy Serrano is a young woman from a broken home. She's found solace in a neighboring family, the Barnetts. For years, they've made her feel welcome, and at a time when her own home was anything but welcoming. She works for Mr. Barnett, a veterinarian, as his assistant. She's great with animals, perhaps not as great with people. Their son, Jimmy Barnett, has returned home from the war a broken man--deeply depressed and troubled. He attempts to take his own life which leads to his hospitalization in VA hospital. But Peggy (and his parents) refuses to give up on him. She'll do ANYTHING to help Jimmy. And she is the mastermind of quite a project to help him regain his mental health. She'll follow any and every clue to figure out what happened to him during the course of the war.
Gisela Wolff is a young Jewish woman fighting for survival and to keep her family together. Her story begins in 1938, I believe. (Peggy's story begins in 1946.) The Wolff family is able to emigrate out of Germany to Cuba--however, the St. Louis, the ship which is carrying around 900 Jews, is not allowed to land in Cuba or in any other port. They plead with the world, and the world printed the news but no country, no government, stepped up and welcomed these people who were essentially running for their lives. The ship returns to Europe and its passengers are dispersed to Belgium, France, England, (and maybe a fourth country that I can't recall???) The Wolff family is sent to Belgium. On board, Gisela met the love of her life, Sam Shapiro, and his family. These two both make their homes close to each other.
Both stories are well-peopled. There are SO many characters that play a role in both stories. And the characterization is so well done. This is a novel with depth, substance, and heart. It is INTENSE. It is impossible to not care about these characters. So as the war progresses--and its aftermath--it's TOUGH emotionally. I do think this one could be triggering. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just that war is UGLY and horrific and atrocious. In a different degree, different way, the WAY that doctors and psychiatrists handled veterans' mental health was horrifying and heartbreaking. This is clearly depicted in the novel.
I was hooked from the first chapter. I was. I read it in two or three days. I never wanted to put it down. I always wanted to keep reading more, more, more. I was so invested and engaged with both stories, both narrators. My review will never do it justice. It couldn't. Even though I'm trying my best to talk about how HUMAN the characters are. It is both character-driven and plot-driven. There is plenty of suspense.
It is not necessarily an easy read. One of the themes is loss of faith. How do you hold to faith--be it Jewish or Christian--when the world is falling to pieces. When you have witnessed with your own eyes truly horrific, atrocious, heart-breaking, scarring, haunting scenes. When you have experienced great loss again and again. There is no way to be prepared for what it is like to be there, to be surrounded, to have all these experiences to process. There seems to be no going back. So multiple characters do have really tough, really honest questions. And this book does not shy away from God-talk.
May 24, 2022
Long Way Home is a beautifully written, well-researched, insightful historical fiction novel. Through the pages of this book we learn about many facets of the lives of those directly involved in World War II.
The narration is delightfully supplied to us in first-person point of view by two heroines, Peggy and Gisele. Their stories commence with dual timelines.
Peggy's story starts in 1946 in Hudson Valley, New York as she tries to help her friend heal from a deep depression after returning from the war. Peggy is a lovely character with a backstory and a great love for her three-legged dog and the many other animals she encounters.
The other main character is Gisele, a Jewish girl from Berlin, Germany. Her story line starts in 1938, right before the war, and continues throughout the war, showing us what terrible tragedies she experienced. Rather than being a passive victim, she works hard at becoming a nurse so she can help others around her survive.
I loved and respected all the characters of this book. As for romance, this book keeps us guessing who will end up with who, and will the star-crossed lovers get their happy ending, or will it be another tragedy to add to the others. Yes, like any World War II era novel, this book is full of tragedy and the striving for survival physically, mentally, and even spiritually.
This novel brought me to tears as I read the epilogue, and I do not cry easily. I was crying about a Bible verse quoted... and remembering how great God is, and the power of His redemptive love.
I am grateful for this advance reader Kindle copy of the book. Thanks to the publisher for choosing to give me access to a copy, via NetGalley. I very much like/love all the books I've read by Lynn Austin, so this ARC is very special to me. All the thoughts in this review are mine, sincerely given.
The narration is delightfully supplied to us in first-person point of view by two heroines, Peggy and Gisele. Their stories commence with dual timelines.
Peggy's story starts in 1946 in Hudson Valley, New York as she tries to help her friend heal from a deep depression after returning from the war. Peggy is a lovely character with a backstory and a great love for her three-legged dog and the many other animals she encounters.
The other main character is Gisele, a Jewish girl from Berlin, Germany. Her story line starts in 1938, right before the war, and continues throughout the war, showing us what terrible tragedies she experienced. Rather than being a passive victim, she works hard at becoming a nurse so she can help others around her survive.
I loved and respected all the characters of this book. As for romance, this book keeps us guessing who will end up with who, and will the star-crossed lovers get their happy ending, or will it be another tragedy to add to the others. Yes, like any World War II era novel, this book is full of tragedy and the striving for survival physically, mentally, and even spiritually.
This novel brought me to tears as I read the epilogue, and I do not cry easily. I was crying about a Bible verse quoted... and remembering how great God is, and the power of His redemptive love.
I am grateful for this advance reader Kindle copy of the book. Thanks to the publisher for choosing to give me access to a copy, via NetGalley. I very much like/love all the books I've read by Lynn Austin, so this ARC is very special to me. All the thoughts in this review are mine, sincerely given.
July 5, 2022
#BookReview: LONG WAY HOME by Lynn Austin
I liked Chasing Shadows so I was excited for a chance to read this book. Peggy and Jimmy were good friends growing up. Jimmy’s depression and change after the war was a puzzle to Peggy. I appreciated Peggy’s zest in wanting to piece the stories together to figure out what's wrong with Jimmy and to bring him home.
Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this book. It tackled difficult issues like PTSD, suicide and wavering faith. The war was a hard time for many. It was an interesting read. I enjoyed the part about MS St. Louis. It was something new to me. There was so much struggle and negative words uttered due to their doubts and I was hoping for more words to reverse them. It was still an inspiring read. I learned to continue trusting God’s plan in our lives.
I liked this verse used in the book from Romans 8:38-39.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and justreadtours for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rating: 4 stars
I liked Chasing Shadows so I was excited for a chance to read this book. Peggy and Jimmy were good friends growing up. Jimmy’s depression and change after the war was a puzzle to Peggy. I appreciated Peggy’s zest in wanting to piece the stories together to figure out what's wrong with Jimmy and to bring him home.
Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this book. It tackled difficult issues like PTSD, suicide and wavering faith. The war was a hard time for many. It was an interesting read. I enjoyed the part about MS St. Louis. It was something new to me. There was so much struggle and negative words uttered due to their doubts and I was hoping for more words to reverse them. It was still an inspiring read. I learned to continue trusting God’s plan in our lives.
I liked this verse used in the book from Romans 8:38-39.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and justreadtours for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rating: 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 576 reviews