Living in rural Georgia in 1941, sixteen-year-old Alice-Ann has her heart set on her brother’s friend Mack; despite their five-year age gap, Alice-Ann knows she can make Mack see her for the woman she’ll become. But when they receive news of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Mack decides to enlist, Alice-Ann realizes she must declare her love before he leaves.
Though promising to write, Mack leaves without confirmation that her love is returned. But Alice-Ann is determined to wear the wedding dress her maiden aunt never had a chance to wear ― having lost her fiancé in the Great War. As their correspondence continues over the next three years, Mack and Alice-Ann are drawn closer together. But then Mack’s letters cease altogether, leaving Alice-Ann to fear history repeating itself.
Dreading the war will leave her with a beautiful dress and no happily ever after, Alice-Ann fills her days with work and caring for her best friend’s war-torn brother, Carlton. As time passes and their friendship develops into something more, Alice-Ann wonders if she’ll ever be prepared to say good-bye to her one true love and embrace the future God has in store with a newfound love. Or will a sudden call from overseas change everything?
Eva Marie Everson grew up in rural Georgia just outside of Savannah and currently lives in Central Florida. She taught Old Testament theology for six years at Life Training Center in Longwood, Florida and has written numerous articles for Crosswalk.com (including the acclaimed Falling Into The Bible), and has had articles featured in Christian Bride Magazine, Christian Retailing Magazine, The Godly Business Woman and Marriage Partnershipmagazines. Eva Marie has been interviewed by a number of media outlets including radio, television, newspaper, magazines, and the Internet. In 2002 Eva Marie was one of six Christian journalists sent to Israel for a special ten-day press tour. She was forever changed.
Eva Marie’s work includes award winning books such as: Shadow of Dreams, The Potluck Club, and Sex, Lies, and the Media. She has over 20 titles to her credit.
Eva Marie is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary. She won AWSA’s very first Member of the Year Award in 2002. She is the past president of Word Weavers, one of the fastest growing Christian writers groups in the US. She is a graduate of CLASS and a member of several writer’s organizations. Both an international and national speaker, her passion is helping others to hear the heartbeat of God.
My Impressions:
The One True Love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson is By The Book’s August selection. Everson is a favorite author of ours primarily because of her endearing characters and her novels’ wonderful sense of time and place. This book is no exception. Part romance and part coming-of-age, Alice-Ann is a quiet, yet quick-paced novel. I felt like I had been set right into the small town of Bynum, GA, and I sure loved my visit. This one is a highly recommended read from me.
The novel opens on Alice-Ann’s 16th birthday — December 7, 1941. As events of that infamous day unfold, Alice-Ann senses that her world is about to change dramatically. Many of the young men in town enlist, and those that are left send prayers for their safety. Life in the rural farming community will never be the same.
I loved the character of Alice-Ann Branch. She grows as the story unfolds, changing from naive teenager to a compassionate young woman. I loved how her viewpoint on life, family, and the war itself matures. Additionally, the supporting characters are well-developed, coming into their own as the novel progresses. Bynum is a fictional town, but Everson has added historical details and inspiration from real-life events to allow the reader to view life as it was on the home front. I especially liked the inclusion of German POWs. My father was stationed in Texas during WWII and told tales of the POWs he encountered there. (My parents even had a painting from a German POW.) This and other details gave a different slant from other WWII novels I have read, rounding out that era for me. Faith in God is a strong part of the story. As difficult situations arise, the characters lean on God instead of their own understanding. They call on Him to manage the distresses they face (Psalm 25:17). And for those who love romance, The One True Love of Alice-Ann presents a sweet and satisfying love story.
I really liked The One True Love of Alice-Ann. Its depiction of the greatest generation — all they lost, endured, and found victory in — and the era that made them is perfect! On a side note, the author’s website is a treasure trove of information. Be sure to check it out.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: older teens to adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I just ordered the book after reading your review. Thanks for assisting me with excellent book recommendations.
You are so welcome! I hope you enjoy it. We are discussing the book on my book club’s FB page this month. If you get it read, please join in!