Historical fiction is always a hit or miss for me. Across a Broken Shore was a definite hit.
I liked the writing, it didn't flow as well as I would've wanted it, but it wasn't disappointing. The plot felt a bit repetitive at first, but then I realized that it was on purpose and that the way it showed the back and forth between what Willa wants and what her family wants from her was very realistic.
The characters were amazingly developed, the book has a character-centric plot so without good characters, without Willa being outstandingly written, it wouldn't have worked. I found that the relationships between the characters were dynamic, and I really enjoyed the romance set between Willa and Sam, it hit so many of the tropes I love.
Overall, it's a really good historical fiction, that I think a lot of fans of the genre will love.

As a native San Franciscan, I related to all the wonderful descriptions of my city. The Richmond District, the closeness of neighbors in “small town” SF, a world class city, and then the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
This is Willa’s story and her struggle to find herself and her destiny, be it a nun or a physician. This is about family expectation’s, losses that change the relationships in families, and the guilt they can carry. It’s about a young girl’s journey from girl to woman and the pull of family vs dreams and ambitions.
I love historical fiction,and this was a good one.
My thanks to #NetGalley, #NorthStarEditions and #AmyTrueblood for my ARC. Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love historical fiction and Across A Broken Shore will take you back to 1930s San Fransico and take you on a coming of age journey as Willa discovers who she is and what she really wants out of life.

This book will appeal to anyone that has ever felt pressured to pursue a certain path by their family. It's beautifully written and transporting.

This is my first book by this author and I went into it not remembering what it was about (and not reading the blurb) and I really enjoyed it. My only comment is on the flow of the story, it skipped ahead from one major plot point to another with little in between at times.

Overall, if you like historical fiction with inspiring, strong female leads you will enjoy Across A Broken Shore!

I loved this book just like I loved Amy Trueblood's first novel! The way she weaves together the historical setting and the character's life made me want to devour the book faster. I loved our main character Willa and the way her family dynamics affect her everyday life. The mix of the Great Depression-era was done perfectly, and I can't wait to see what other historical stories come out from this author!

I was provided with a copy of this ARC by Netgalley and Flux Paperback in exchange for an honest review.

At its heart, this is a wonderful coming of age story set during the height of the Great Depression. Willa's parents are struggling to make ends meet and care for their large family, and are pressuring Willa to take vows as a nun. The Catholic faith is an integral part of their Irish- American home, but the expectations of young women are very limited in scope.

Willa is being slowly suffocated by her lack of choices and the weight of her family's expectations. And then she meets a female doctor and becomes the woman's shadow- enthralled by the promise of a future she thought was beyond her grasp.

I loved this tight-knit family saga.

This book set in 1936 San Fransisco, is about the story Willa deciding wether to follow her heart, or her parents wishes. This book, for me, had some good parts and some not so good but by no mean bad.
I loved that was book was female driven. It just had strong female characters that I really enjoyed. Doctor Winston, who Willa, assists was a fantastic character. At a time when there wasn't many female doctors, it was fascinating to read her breaking boundaries and inspiring Willa.
There was a romance in that was a bit sweet, but not exceptional. It almost felt like it didn't need to be there. It was lacklustre and dull to be honest.
The character of Willa, was also a little dull. She really didn't have much personality. She was a bit of a goody two shoes. Very one dimensional. In fact this whole book was pretty one dimensional. For the minute I started reading it, I knew how it was going to end. Very predictable. There was little attempt to shock the reader, but it didn't enhance the story at all. It actually took away from it.
There just isn't much to say about this book because not much happened. It was just missing something. I don't think I'd recommend this one.

Across a Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood, is a historical fiction book, and not my normal genre. Wilhelmina “Willa” is 18 years old and her parents, especially her mother, expect her to become a nun. The year is 1936, and takes place in San Francisco, California during the building of the Golden Gate Bridge . Willa's family are strong Irish Catholics, who own a pub. Willa has 4 older brothers, who are very protective of her. Willa is fascinated with medicine and how the body works, but she keeps it a secret from her parents. When one of her brother's cuts the tips of his fingers off, Willa gets introduced to Dr. Katherine Winston. I really loved this book, and will be reading more by this author. This book has a bit of everything family, drama, love, and life changes. I found this book to be utterly delightful in every sense of the word. Be prepared to be swept up in this story and these characters. I strongly recommend this book.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

I love historical fiction but I've noticed that so much of what I read from that genre is set in Europe during World War II. So I've been on a search to broaden my choices of era and location. When I discovered Across a Broken Shore I was really intrigued by the idea a historical fiction set in San Francisco during the 1930s. I hoped that it would be an enjoyable read, while also teaching me something new about history. I wasn't disappointed.

What I Liked

The Setting: Across a Broken Shore takes place in San Francisco during the late 1930s, when the Golden Gate Bridge is finally nearing completion. It was really interesting to read about how the community came together to build this massive bridge, while still suffering from the Great Depression. The book doesn't shy away from how difficult life was during that time. There are Hoovervilles, men leaving their families to find work, and starving children. It isn't pleasant to read at times, but it was also nice to see Willa acknowledge that she lives a somewhat comfortable life and figure out how she is equipped to help those who are less fortunate.

Willa: Although she bothered me sometimes, I really enjoyed Willa. She was a strong main character, who was dedicated to her family, friends, and love of medicine. There was a complexity to her character as she learned how to balance her faith with her scientific beliefs.

Young Women in the 1930s: Something that I felt this book did really well was represent that expectations and prejudices that young women faced in the 1930s. Willa and Dr. Winston face a lot of judgement from others (especially men) when they try to give them medical care. The book does a good job showing how women during this time were beginning to fight back against people's expectations that they can only become mothers.

The MacCarthy Siblings: Willa was a great main character, but I also really enjoyed reading about her relationships with her four older brothers. We only get to see the boys from Willa's POV, but that was still enough for me to get attached to them. When they aren't being overprotective and bossy, we notice that they have their own hopes and dreams outside of what their parents expect of them. It was really nice to watch Willa and them realize this and bond over the fact that they all have secret desires for their futures.

What I Disliked

The Conflict: The main conflict of this book revolves around Willa's internal struggle. She wants to honor her promise to her parents and become a nun, but her heart pulls her toward studying medicine. Willa goes back and forth so much that it becomes really circular and tiring.

Thanks netgalley for an advance copy of this book. Set in the 1930s when the Golden Gate was being built I was immersed in Willa's life.

Satisfying historical fiction. Slow at times, but a solid exploration of the role of women in the early 20th century. Gives a vivid picture of San Francisco in the 1930s, and explores themes that resonate today, such as immigration, poverty, prejudice.

DNF 12% - I didn't feel that the writing in this book was very smooth and the pacing felt off. I didn't find myself caring about the main character or the choices that she needed to make. I feel like Willa could have been a really compelling character, but instead she came across as weak.

Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy is your typical 18-year-old girl. She is stuck between what her devotedly religous family wants for her and what she wants for herself as she strives to find her own way in the world as a young woman. It is 1936 and her family would like nothing more than to see her become a nun. However, Willa has other plans. She is ahead of her time and longs to find her footing in medicine, a field that is almost completely male-dominated at the time. Change is coming though, both within the ideas that are held for women and within the physical area where Willa lives and works. The Golden Gate Bridge is being built and in many ways can serve as a metaphor for Willa’s ow bridge between her family obligations and her own dreams for herself.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Dr. Maloy, the local physician has retired and in his place, Dr. Katherine Winston has arrived. The town is buzzing with news of a female doctor and many are unsure if she can handle the position. Willa and Katherine spark up a friendship which leads to Willa accompanying Dr. Winston on her appointments and visits to patients. In her journey of self-discovery, we also get to fall in love with characters like, Paddy, the brother who believes in Willa from the very start. There is also Sam, a total sweetheart, that makes for that subtle young love that makes both Willa and Sam completely endearing overall.

This novel was a quick read with an enjoyable backdrop that illuminated Willa’s journey. Depression-era 1930’s San Francisco drove much of the story and made the setting enjoyable overall.

BOOK INFORMATION
Across a Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood is scheduled to be released on November 5, 2019, from Flux: North Star Editions with ISBN 9781635830422. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

Willa just wants to be a good daughter and do what her parents long for the most- for her to give honor to the family by going into service to the church as a nun. Unfortunately, that is not what her heart longs for. The first time she picked up a medical book she was hooked. As soon as she met Dr. Katherine Winston, her eyes were opened to what could be available for her. This is a story about the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a story about women finding their way in the medical field. It's about life after the market crash when people were barely getting by. It's a story about family and what our duties are to them as well as to ourselves. It's a well-written story and I enjoyed it very much. The author did a good job showing the turmoil in Willa's mind as she strove to make the right choices in her life.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion .

This historical setting was right up my ally and it dealing with a girl who wanted something different than what her family wanted was one that I won't soon forget!! I have never read anything by this author but this surely won't be my last story from her. I read this one in one day and I want more! This one reminded me of another story set in our early history. In that one the main character wanted to work with the sick and was volunteering at a hospital without her families knowledge so this one is right on par with that one. They both stood out on their own two feet and I loved both of them!

Willa was just such a fresh breath of air when it came to characters. She felt so real in her mind set. Which just me love her more. She wasn't perfect and she wanted to make her family happy along with doing what she wanted.


Go Into This One Knowing: Talks about faith in story

I am so glad I had the chance to read this wonderful book for many reasons.

One – I love San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The history throughout the books was great even though I have been to the bridge and read all the information around the iconic bridge. It was wonderful to read it from the workers and families point of view.

Two – A strong female character that wanted to help everyone and to make her family proud of her.

Three – History. The book is set in 1936 during the great depression.

Four - A new author for me to explore.

So thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read Amy Trueblood’s great story.
The book is in Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy point of view at 18-year-old young Irish Catholic girl with dreams. But her dreams and her parent's dreams are totally different, she is very interested in the human body and medicine where her very catholic parents want her to follow in the families footsteps and become a Nun.

One day her dream of medicine comes a bit closer when she meets a female doctor Katherine Winston, Dr Winston is impressed with her knowledge and offers her a job in her clinic. But how can she do something her family would not allow. The is the start of the good catholic girl lies, lies to find her dream to help others and become a useful member of her community. But it has to be done without her family knowing a thing.

Willa and Dr Winston find themselves working in the field hospital at the Gate Bridge site where she will meet Sam a young man in need of help for his cousin. A friendship will form with the two as they both get involved in helping a young family living a makeshift camp.

Can Willa keep her duty to her family or will she strive to become a doctor?

I am so pleased that women in this century have more respect, opinions, choices, education and careers than the woman of this time. Even with faith to just send your daughters to a convent where they have to follow the strict rules is almost like losing them all together all in the name of family honour.

This is a fast-paced totally engrossing story that will give you so much to think about as you read as well as so much joy as you learn the family dynamics of this family. The author's description during this book was wonderful it had me rewalking on the bridge and around the area of San Fransico. One of this year's Must-Read Books in my opinion. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Outstanding historical fiction!

Across a Broken Shore takes you to San Francisco in the year 1936. Willa is the only daughter in an Irish Catholic family crammed with boys. As the only daughter, her parents expect her to become a nun—only Willa has a passion for medicine instead. As the day of entering the convent approaches, she begins to have doubts—and spends time assisting a doctor and discovers her true calling.

I LOVED this book. First, the setting is great. While reading the book, I could just picture the Golden Gate Bridge under construction and the San Francisco neighborhood. I could imagine the poverty and despair of the people living through what must have seemed like an endless depression. It transported me back to the time of my grandparents, when ladies were still expected to either get married and become mothers or go into a "respectable" profession, while certain careers were still generally expected to be off limits.

Willa was a great character who makes a great transformation throughout the book. She transforms from this obedient, mousy girl whose destiny is speeding towards a lifetime of unhappiness as a nun, to a girl who learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants. Part of this book was quite suspenseful, and I wasn't sure what was going to happen in the end. She was certainly torn, with both a desire to go for what she wanted, a desire to please others, a desire to help people, and the guilt of her past that weighed her down.

This was a great story and I'd definitely read more from this author.

3.5 Stars

This was a nice historical fiction set in 1930's when the modern world is starting to emerge in the shadows of the Great Depression. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is being built at the time the book is set and serves as a backdrop for the majority of the story. It was a quick read with just enough depth to not get bored and keep the interest in what will happen to Willa in the end.

Willa want to go into medicine but as the only daughter in a Irish-American Catholic family she's expected to join the local convent. But a meeting with faith shows her the kind of world that could lay in her future. Willa has to understand what consequences following your dreams can have on your life and the people around you, as well as the importance to find her own path in life. Even if it’s not what your parents wanted you to do with your life.
Throughout the book Willa experiences the importance of making the right choices for herself, even when they can be really hard to make.

I won't lie, I didn't have the stomach for this one: that said, any reader interested in medicine made of tougher stuff than this reviewer is in for a treat of accurate, detailed medical escapades made all the more fascinating against the backdrop of 19th-century, sometimes primitive, medical knowledge. Willa is a strong, likable protagonist, paving the way for feminism in the medical field while still understanding and dealing with the prevailing mindset of her time. While the convent is portrayed as a bleak, lonely place, the book's overall representation of the Catholic Church, especially among a group of 19th-century Irish immigrants, is reasonably accurate and sympathetic. A good read for historical fiction fans looking for a lesser-covered historical time and place.

I loved the concept of this novel, but at times found myself struggling with the story. I was intrigued by the time period and setting this story took place in. But unfortunately, it just didn't wow me. Because there were so many different things going on in the plot, it seemed a bit scattered at times and confusing. I wanted some of the issues to be wrapped up in the end and I didn't feel that it was ended satisfyingly.

I love a good Historical Fiction novel. It's by far my favorite genre and it's always fun to read stories of women stepping out of the constraints of their lives and making something of themselves. That made Across a Broken Shore seem like an amazing read. I couldn't wait to get started and see everything that the novel had in store. Unfortunately it was hard to get into. Honestly I wanted to love the novel and did everything to push forward to keep reading but in the end it didn't pull me in the way I hoped.