Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met–even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence–he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.
As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing–and true love.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. When I first started reading it, I thought it was going to be like every other WWII Romance that I have read. I was wrong. It is very different. Sure, there is romance but the story line really takes you on a journey. Mellie and Tom’s friendship is so wonderful to watch unfold. Being anonymous penpals gives them the freedom to really get to know each other. It isn’t the type of “romance novel” that is filled with lustful looks.
I think that is what I loved most about “With Every Letter”. Don’t get me wrong, I love classic romance novels. But this was so fresh and different. Mellie isn’t your typical romance heroine. She isn’t the classic blonde bombshell that you normally read about. She is exotic and very different from the other girls around her. She is abnormally shy and socially inept. I can actually relate to her very well. It is so easy for some of us to “make friends” on paper but not easy at all to befriend someone in person.
In “With Every Letter” we get to see both Mellie and Tom face the challenges of being in the war oversees, grow as people and overcome their past. Their lives in the military are difficult to begin with. Then they have so much of their own personal histories to overcome. I love how the characters develop throughout the story. I think the pitfalls they go through are very well written and make a lot of sense for the story. “With Every Letter” is another great read for my growing bookshelf!
Sarah Sundin received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and her second novel A Memory Between Us is a finalist for an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Her stories are inspired by her great-uncle who flew with the U.S. Eighth Air Force in England during World War II. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. www.sarahsundin.com
Find out more about Sarah at https://www.sarahsundin.com/.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “With Every Letter” as a member of the Litfuse Blogging Community. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
I am a stay-at-home- mom, living in KY with my husband and children. I’m a travel and lifestyle blogger encouraging folks to live their life one adventure at a time while also focusing on beauty, essential oils and health. From time to time I also like to showcase my adorable pets along with my family. Along with Cinnamon Hollow I can be found at The Martin Family Adventure … read more
About the Book: 
Sarah Sundin received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and her second novel A Memory Between Us is a finalist for an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Her stories are inspired by her great-uncle who flew with the U.S. Eighth Air Force in England during World War II. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. www.sarahsundin.com
Crystal – thank you so much for the lovely review! I’m so glad you enjoyed Tom & Mellie’s story.