When Valleys Bloom Again - by Pat Jeanne Davis

 

About the book:

As war approaches in 1939, Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the US Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

My review:

This was an interesting story set during a dangerous and uncertain time.  I liked learning more about what both the soldiers and their family back home went through at different times in the war.  Abby grew in wisdom and confidence as the war went on, though sometimes she still seemed immature and naive.  She also grew in her faith as she had to rely on God more when Jim went off to war.  There was some romance and some suspense.  The narrator was okay but I did have to listen at 2.25 speed as the normal speed felt too slow.  You might enjoy this if you like historical fiction.

I received a free Audible copy of this audiobook from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.