MY REVIEW:
When I opened The Lines Between Us I expected to find a WW2 story. What I found was so much more. Instead of battles in Europe or other expected scenarios, I found conscientious objectors whose assignments as smoke jumpers placed them in frequent danger yet were considered cowards by the community. I also found mystery and danger and deception and even unexplained death.
The Lines Between Us is so well written and obviously well researched. The story itself moves along at a steady pace and the reader is as much in the dark as the characters for most of the book. Emotional and often heart-breaking, the narrative allows readers to experience the depths of the characters’ feelings.
While there is a limited amount of action, conflict and tension between characters is palpable. I did enjoy witnessing changes of attitude among several of them. One thing I gained from reading this book is that true heroes are not always who we expect. They might be hiding right next to us.
A wonderful book, The Lines Between Us would be an excellent gift for those who enjoy WW2 novels and might just be a welcome surprise. Don’t hesitate to add it to your own library!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A WWII novel of courage and conviction, based on the true experience of the men who fought fires as conscientious objectors and the women who fought prejudice to serve in the Women’s Army Corps.
Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gordon Hooper and his buddy Jack Armitage have stuck to their values as conscientious objectors. Much to their families’ and country’s chagrin, they volunteer as smokejumpers rather than enlisting, parachuting into and extinguishing raging wildfires in Oregon. But the number of winter blazes they’re called to seems suspiciously high, and when an accident leaves Jack badly injured, Gordon realizes the facts don’t add up.
A member of the Women’s Army Corps, Dorie Armitage has long been ashamed of her brother’s pacifism, but she’s shocked by news of his accident. Determined to find out why he was harmed, she arrives at the national forest under the guise of conducting an army report . . . and finds herself forced to work with Gordon. He believes it’s wrong to lie; she’s willing to do whatever it takes for justice to be done. As they search for clues, Gordon and Dorie must wrestle with their convictions about war and peace and decide what to do with the troubling secrets they discover.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Lynn Green (www.amygreenbooks.com) is a publicist by day and a novelist on nights and weekends. History has always been one of her passions, and she loves speaking with book clubs, writing groups, and libraries all around the country. Her debut novel, Things We Didn’t Say, was nominated for a 2021 Minnesota Book Award and received a starred review from both Booklist and Library Journal. Amy and her husband make their home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
