Eve met Audrey in the woods behind Audrey's house when they were both twelve years old. Through a series of circumstances, Eve ended up living in Audrey's house for four years as a maid. When Audrey goes to finishing school, Eve goes to typing school so that she can be more than just a scullery maid.
When the war started, Eve is working at what she feels is a dead-end job, while Audrey is forced to house over thirty children at the family estate. After the war is over, Audrey is a pregnant widow and Eve is pregnant, but without the benefit of marriage. Audrey has the opportunity to go to America and be with her late husband's parents, but chooses not to go. Eve takes her immigration documents and goes in her place.
It all falls apart when Audrey shows up four years later to claim her place in her late husband's family. Eve has so many lies to uncover and put to rights and it is so hard for her to come to grips with all that she has done.
Lynn Austin is one of my favorite writers, and this is a great book to read for those who like World War II fiction. She has a feel for the times and for the drama of the war. One of my favorite parts is when there was a call for all kinds of boats to ferry soldiers from France to England, Audrey and Eve took Audrey's family boat up the coast to Dover so that the Navy could use it.
Lynn never skips the spiritual lessons that can be learned through her characters, but she is never preachy about it. She makes it part of the warp and woof of the character's growth. Forgiveness and grace are spread throughout this book and make it deeper and richer. This is a five star book with two thumbs up and a lamb returned to the fold.
Tyndale House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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