The One True Love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496415906
• ISBN-13: 978-1496415905

About the Book:

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?

My Thoughts:

I'm not a huge fan of historical novels, but I love novels written by Eva Marie Everson.  With "The One True Love of Alice-Ann", Eva has made a huge impact on this genre.  I was intrigued, engaged, and moved with every page.

Alice-Ann is an innocent teenage girl head over heels for a handsome young man named Mack.  In fact, he's her one true love; she's sure of it.  When WWII requires the service of her beau, Alice-Ann promises to write to him, and he does the same for her.

Life has changed forever with the young men off serving their country, and it's more than a young girl can stand.  So Alice-Ann takes a job working along side Carlton, a dear friend and a stable influence in her life.

When word reaches the community of the first death of one of their boys, Alice-Ann matures overnight.  She sees the entire world through new eyes, and finds herself having to make some hard choices.  Question is, who is "The One True Love of Alice-Ann"?

Everson crafts her stories, doing intense research and breathing life into imaginary people on paper.  I had no trouble imagining grabbing a pop at the local five and dime with Alice-Ann.  Every letter she received from Mack had my heart pounding as well.  And when...oops!  Almost dropped a spoiler!

I'll just say this.  The romance was so sweet and so powerful I had to put my book down to run and kiss my husband and tell him how proud I am to be his wife!  And, no, he never wore the uniform, but he does wear a three piece suit as the pastor of our church!

I loved every page, and I'm giving "The One True Love of Alice-Ann" my 'oh, the feels' award and urging you to pick up a copy today.  My thanks to my friends at Tyndale Publishing for my advance copy via NetGalley, with no services promised or provided.  Until the next novel...

Mark Your Place,

Deena