Hope Rising

Starred review from October 27, 2014
Henrie’s second Of Love and War historical (after Hope at Dawn) highlights the tragedies and triumphs faced by a nurse during WWI. Evelyn Gray is a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. While serving in France, she meets Pvt. Ralph Kelley. Though nurses are forbidden from fraternizing with soldiers, Ralph’s charm wins her over. Ralph and Evelyn agree to marry when she learns that she is pregnant, but shortly after, he’s killed in battle. One of the survivors of that same battle is Cpl. Joel Campbell, and Evelyn helps nurse him back to health. As Evelyn attempts to come to terms with the loss of Ralph and figure out how to handle her unexpected pregnancy, she is surprised and dismayed to feel an attraction to Joel. Meanwhile, Joel holds a secret about Ralph’s death that he fears would sadden Evelyn. Henrie’s attention to historical detail and her ability to create multidimensional characters in a swiftly moving, immersive story make this a novel to be savored until the final page is turned. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds.