Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
I loved this sweet holiday story set immediately after World War One. It was a nice change of scenery from the Regency and Victorian historicals more frequently published. The author did a terrific job of setting the scene, pulling me into a period I'm not as familiar with. I liked the attention to detail, such as the mentions of the pandemic and its effects, and little things, such as popular Christmas gifts of the time.
The story opens as George is about to arrive back in Albany after eighteen months of serving in the war. He feels very fortunate to have survived the war unscathed. He looks forward to finally meeting the woman whose letters meant so much to him and his fellow soldiers. His mind conjures up a young woman who could be the perfect wife for him, so imagine his dismay when the lady who meets his train is old enough to be his grandmother! But George is a kind and honorable man and treats Beverly Buttons with the utmost respect and gentlemanliness. He invites her and her young friend to the welcome home party his parents are giving him.
Unbeknownst to George, Beverly's friend Emma is the author of the letters he received. Emma is a relative newcomer to Albany and cousin to the woman George was engaged to at the start of the war. But Martha jilted George and eloped with a man who had come to Albany looking for Emma. Emma felt guilty about the broken engagement and started writing to George to make amends. She used a fake name so he wouldn't connect her with Martha. She never expected she would meet him.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between George and Emma. Though told that Beverly was his correspondent, it is Emma that he is drawn to. He makes his interest in her known, but as much as she would like to return it, her guilt keeps her pushing him away. Though he tries to abide by her wishes, Fate (and Beverly) keeps pushing them together. It doesn't take long for the little things to start adding up and for George to suspect that Emma was the one who wrote to him. I liked that they settled the truth early and didn't drag it on, though Emma left out her connection to Martha. That left them free to spend time together.
However, there is a fly in the ointment. Emma's Aunt Jill (Martha's mother) is a mean-spirited woman who actively despises Emma and her family. She constantly disparages Emma's father and denigrates their lifestyle. After her parents' deaths, Emma moved to Albany to escape New York City's poverty and start a new life. Jill continues her poor treatment of Emma, which comes to a head when she discovers that George and Emma are spending time together.
I loved George's immediate support and protectiveness of Emma. His solution to the issue was unorthodox but effective. There were some lovely scenes of them together. I especially enjoyed seeing George tell Emma about his plans for the family company and her appreciation of his efforts to help returning soldiers. The plans to help the city's children brought them even closer together. But Aunt Jill has another nasty trick up her sleeve, and this one nearly drives them apart. Thankfully, each realizes the depth of their feelings for the other which gives them the strength to fight for what they want. The scene in the train station was sweet and emotional. George's love and support for Emma remain evident in his calm but forceful interactions with Jill and Emma's boss. I loved the epilogue and catching up with them a few years later.
My only quibble with the story is that Aunt Jill got off far too easily for everything she did. I understood Emma's desire to put the past behind them, but she and her sister deserved better. Jill should have had to face some consequences for her actions.
#netgalley
The story opens as George is about to arrive back in Albany after eighteen months of serving in the war. He feels very fortunate to have survived the war unscathed. He looks forward to finally meeting the woman whose letters meant so much to him and his fellow soldiers. His mind conjures up a young woman who could be the perfect wife for him, so imagine his dismay when the lady who meets his train is old enough to be his grandmother! But George is a kind and honorable man and treats Beverly Buttons with the utmost respect and gentlemanliness. He invites her and her young friend to the welcome home party his parents are giving him.
Unbeknownst to George, Beverly's friend Emma is the author of the letters he received. Emma is a relative newcomer to Albany and cousin to the woman George was engaged to at the start of the war. But Martha jilted George and eloped with a man who had come to Albany looking for Emma. Emma felt guilty about the broken engagement and started writing to George to make amends. She used a fake name so he wouldn't connect her with Martha. She never expected she would meet him.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between George and Emma. Though told that Beverly was his correspondent, it is Emma that he is drawn to. He makes his interest in her known, but as much as she would like to return it, her guilt keeps her pushing him away. Though he tries to abide by her wishes, Fate (and Beverly) keeps pushing them together. It doesn't take long for the little things to start adding up and for George to suspect that Emma was the one who wrote to him. I liked that they settled the truth early and didn't drag it on, though Emma left out her connection to Martha. That left them free to spend time together.
However, there is a fly in the ointment. Emma's Aunt Jill (Martha's mother) is a mean-spirited woman who actively despises Emma and her family. She constantly disparages Emma's father and denigrates their lifestyle. After her parents' deaths, Emma moved to Albany to escape New York City's poverty and start a new life. Jill continues her poor treatment of Emma, which comes to a head when she discovers that George and Emma are spending time together.
I loved George's immediate support and protectiveness of Emma. His solution to the issue was unorthodox but effective. There were some lovely scenes of them together. I especially enjoyed seeing George tell Emma about his plans for the family company and her appreciation of his efforts to help returning soldiers. The plans to help the city's children brought them even closer together. But Aunt Jill has another nasty trick up her sleeve, and this one nearly drives them apart. Thankfully, each realizes the depth of their feelings for the other which gives them the strength to fight for what they want. The scene in the train station was sweet and emotional. George's love and support for Emma remain evident in his calm but forceful interactions with Jill and Emma's boss. I loved the epilogue and catching up with them a few years later.
My only quibble with the story is that Aunt Jill got off far too easily for everything she did. I understood Emma's desire to put the past behind them, but she and her sister deserved better. Jill should have had to face some consequences for her actions.
#netgalley
