Anchor in the Storm, by Sarah Sundin

Friday, May 06, 2016

Anchor in the Storm, by Sarah Sundin

Genre: Historical Romance

Book 2 in the Waves of Freedom series

Rating: 5 out of 5 hearts ♥♥♥♥♥

About:

Nothing slows Lillian Avery down- not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II. She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The demands of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenburg's attentions only annoy- even if he is her brother's best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves- and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

Description from back cover

My Review:

I've been looking forward to reading this book ever since the first in the series (Through Waters Deep), the first book I ever received and got to review for a blogging program, came out last year (you can read my review for it here). What I failed to mention in that review was exactly how much I really, really loved that book! So I had high expectations for how this one was going to be- and I wasn't disappointed in the least. Get ready for the longest review I've probably ever written!

The cover looked great, and I love how in each book so far, a dress or coat the main character mentioned in the story shows up on the model on the front cover (I'm guessing the one on this front cover was supposed to be Lillian's "bottle-green" coat?). It just makes everything seem so much more real.

The characters were just as good as I remembered them, and since this story takes place just after the first one lets off, we get to see what happens next for everybody, and it was great "seeing" Jim and Mary again. Jim and Arch still have the charm and sense of humor they did in the last book, and it was fun getting to meet Lillian and the rest of Jim's family. Honestly, they're all such good, well-rounded characters, I can't say enough how I enjoyed them all. They're not perfect, they have their flaws, and that's what makes them so much more interesting. Just because Jim and Mary's story was written down in book 1, their problems worked through, doesn't mean they're perfect. Lillian and Arch's trials may not be exact copies of the ones I struggle with, and I may not relate to them as much as I did Jim and Mary, but I still found ways I could sympathize with them. Their problems and the hope they found gave me hope to overcome the similar trials I face in my life.

The story plot is just as good as Through Waters Deep's was, just as gripping in its telling. I found myself reading so fast towards the end I could hardly comprehend what I was reading and had to try to force myself to slow down (although, I have to admit, I didn't succeed). Everything in it seemed so realistic, as if I was reading a true-life story from way-back then. I had to smile at some parts, close the book in embarrassment for the characters in others, and I even almost cried in one part- which I never do while reading. Not everything turns out perfectly in this novel, but neither does real life. And I love that realistic quality about it. As I said in my review for Through Waters Deep, however, suspense lovers and others may not enjoy this book quite as much as I did.

Actually, I'm not sure exactly why I love this series so much. Mrs. Sundin just does such an amazing job with them!

The only problem? Book 3 doesn't come out until next year!

Note: I got this book free from Revell in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own.

4 Comments

Korin

4 lovely thoughts

RissiMay 17, 2016 at 5:36 PM
CANNOT wait to read this one. It's coming up next for me (soon as I finish Becky Wade's newest). I'm sure it's a delightful read. :)

Sounds like you really enjoyed it, Korin (I'm not reading your review since I have a review due!), and I'm glad.
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Sarah SundinJune 10, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Thank you for the lovely review, Korin! I'm so glad you enjoyed Arch & Lillian's story!
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KorinJune 26, 2016 at 5:42 PM
You're welcome! I really enjoy your books, and although I haven't read all of them, I'm looking forward to being able to sometime. Also, sorry I didn't get to your comment sooner- I was away for a few weeks. :)
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