Review: Things We Didn't Say

 Things We Didn't Say

"Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred--and it's no longer clear whom she can trust."

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Genre: Historical Fiction

Officially in a book hangover! This was such a powerful story and the way it was written was refreshing!

While there were a few times I struggled bouncing between all of the letters and correspondences I wouldn’t have changed a THING!

I honestly am struggling so hard to find the proper words to describe the brilliance and beauty that is this story!
I came away changed, forced to look at my own life and even unconscious prejudices and reevaluate all of it! Truly asking God to give me his eyes to see and love people the way he does!

Amy has an absolutely beautiful writing voice! I wanted to pick the story up and finish it all at once, but I also wanted to savor every little thing.

Jo was a great lead character! I loved seeing her change and grow as the story progressed. He character was truly challenged! But her snark and sass was my favorite! It made reading all of the letters feel so real.

Peter was a great character as well! I really loved his & Jo’s relationship. They shot straight with each other and their romance truly blossomed through the letters.

There was such a strong message of forgiveness and loving your enemy! And even though this was a work of WW2 fiction, that message is as real and important as they come!

This book holds a piece of my heart I’m pretty sure! My only wish is that the story would’ve been longer so I could’ve stayed in that world.

Don’t let the size of the book intimate you! Pick it up! You won’t be sorry!
5/5 stars
*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*