A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

Title: A Memory Between Us
Author: Sarah Sundin
Series: Wings of Glory, #2
Genre: Historical Adventure/Romance
Age-Range: 15+ (upper young adult/adult)
Era: 1940s (WW2)
Setting: England
Publisher: Revell Books
Source: library
Rating: 5/5 stars
Content: 3/5. First, obviously, there is a war going on, planes are being shot down, people are dying/almost dying/being gravely wounded. However, it’s never graphic. So, yep, violence and thematic elements. No language. Then … there’s Ruth’s back story. (SPOILER) Basically, she was raped as a young girl. (SPOILER ENDS) It’s never described (no flashbacks or anything). It was tastefully handled (just like ’40s movies always handled that kind of thing), but it’s still there and she’s pretty broken, obviously. Also, (SPOILER) a man tries to take advantage of Ruth later on, but nothing comes of it and the guy goes to jail. (SPOILER ENDS)

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge–until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth’s heart a top priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him.

Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she carries a shameful secret that keeps her from giving her heart to any man.

Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

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 Wow. Just wow.
I’m sorry. It’s been almost two months, and I still can’t form words into sentences to describe this book.
It is so emotional.
It is so heartbreaking.
It is so beautiful.
I am almost crying while I write this, guys. Just thinking about the book is making me tear up.
I can’t really tell you a lot about the book itself, therefore. It’s … it’s just amazing. Read it. Now.
Except … well, I do have some content concerns (which are mentioned up there ^^). Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend it to younger teens without parental guidance. Older teens, however, should be able to handle it. It’s very delicately written, just like any ’40s movie. Except this is a ’40s book. And it wasn’t written during the ’40s. Doesn’t that just blow your mind? Sundin is incredibly talented.
This is an incredible story, from wonderful characters – every one like a real person with their ups, their downs, their ghosts – to fast-paced action scenes, to slower romance scenes (that were often cute … or heartbreaking … or both …).
Because I’m not capable of being organized just now (having fond reminisces about this book), I’ll list my favorite things.

• Charlie and May, Jack and Ruth. Cutest foursome ever! Every scene with these guys … wow.
• Charlie. AAAAAH!!!!! *sobs and laughs at the same time* And his friendship with Jack was amazing. I want a friend like that! No, wait, I already have one … *grins at various friends* *leaves them to speculate which one I’m talking about* 😉
• May. Wow. Wow. Wow.
• Jack. I love his character, and I especially love this flaw! I am incredibly prideful, and his story … it touched me here. *points to heart* He’s a wild ride, a hilarious guy, too. Lots of layers. Like an onion. That’s why I was crying, probably … not like I actually got emotional or anything …
• Ruth. Okay, I’m going to stop listing the characters after her. She is really a standup gal. I can understand getting so obsessed with something that you ignore everything else. I … do that. Not for the reasons she did, though, of course; I’m just naturally obsessive. XD She was so realistic, too! I had to keep reminding myself she never actually existed … nor did her pain … so I could stop crying …
• Glimpses at Walt and Allie again. I loved these guys (not as much as Jack and Ruth), and whenever I heard of them, it was really cool.
• That scene where Jack confronts Ruth. Not to give away spoilers, but that one is so heartbreaking … I love it and hate it and aaah!!!!
• First kiss. You’ll understand after reading the book …
• “Long ago she’d clamped an iron shell around her heart and nothing and no one could pry it lose, but deep inside the tender flesh still beat.” Why do I love this quote so much!?!?!
• Everything I haven’t mentioned so far.

I’d recommend A Memory Between Us to any lover of books. Why? Because I’m not required to give specifics for a novel as good as this. ANY lover of books – and quite a few book-haters, too – would love this novel.
~Kellyn Roth