"A Memory Between Us" by Sarah Sundin

 


As a huge Sarah Sundin fan, I think she's the best World War II author out there today. This 2010 release proves how much she has grown since she first became a published author. 

Set mainly in England in 1943, this story follows Jack Novak, Air Force flyboy, as he lives for the thrill of the next bombing mission or chance for promotion. While he always assumed he would grow up to be a pastor like his father, Jack is beginning to wonder if the military is his life calling after all.

Ruth Doherty scrimps and saves every penny she earns from her nurse's salary in order to support her orphaned younger siblings. She has no time for dating, even if her life is full of military men. Not with her responsibilities, and especially not with her past.

When Jack and Ruth meet, Jack becomes determined to be the one to break Ruth's resolve and win her heart. As the two grow close, he has no idea of the vulnerability lying behind Ruth's strong exterior. Could it be that he is wooing her more for the challenge than for true regard of who she is? As motives unfold and truth comes out, both will have the chance to come to terms with their shortcomings before wholeness can be found.

This novel had a few problems. The main one was that the author seemed to beat the reader over the head with the characters' perceived struggles and flaws. I also had a hard time with the categorizing of teenage kisses as sins, which was a major driving force of false guilt that was never resolved. Additionally, I feel the need to say that if you have triggers from sexual assault or sexual harassment, this is not the book for you. As I mentioned earlier, I consider this author a favorite and this is the first time I've been disappointed with one of her titles. I highly recommend her other works, and I will continue reading her in the future. I'm glad she's improved as an author since this sophomore release!