"All We Left Behind" by Danielle R. Graham was a wonderful and insightful story of two young friends who realize they are in love in a very trying time in history.  A did not realize that Japanese internment camps were also in Canada, making this very interesting from that perspective.  The plot shifts could be a little confusing at times, and I could have done without the profanity; but I'm sure I will read another book by Danielle Graham in the future.  Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter publisher for the opportunity to receive and ARC to review!

While this book opens people's eyes to what happened in Canada during WWII and is a wonderful example of how one man's devotion to his sweetheart can keep him alive, it is ultimately a missed opportunity to truly highlight the unjust treatment of Japanese-Canadians. The novel focuses on Hayden and his love for Chidori as he deals with being a pilot and ultimately a POW during WWII. Through flashbacks, the story highlights their friendships blossoming into a romantic relationship and then the devastation of her family's forced relocation because they are Japanese. Through out it all, Hayden's belief that they will be together in the end is what keeps him going.
This story does a good job of showing his love and dedication to Chidori despite the hurdles they face - first for town's disapproval of her heritage and then for the separation of war. In terms of a love story, the novel works. However, the novel presents a number of larger issues that do not receive the attention they should. There is an attempt to show how horribly the Japanese-Canadians are treated, from property taken away, forced relocation, terrible living conditions, and bans from returning home. Unfortunately, all that is told to the reader rather than shown. It is all exposed through letters or conversations or Hayden witnessing what happens to Chidori's family. It would have been a much stronger story had it been shown through Chidori's point of view. Then the reader would have "experienced" the degradation rather than simply being told it happened. At the same time, this novel touches on the severe mental impact being at war has on a person between what happened to Hayden's sister and his own nightmares and depression, but the subject doesn't really seem to get the attention it deserves. Come the end it seems to be wrapped up in a neat little bow and made all better. 
This is a sweet story, but it could have been much more impacting. Too much time was spend on the romance between Hayden and Chidori rather than exposing the harsh reality of the Canada's treatment of the Japanese. While this was a great example of how love can keep one strong in the harshest of conditions, it ultimately felt like a missed opportunity to do so much more.

This is a really sweet story of forbidden love, set during WWII. I love historical fiction, especially WWII, but this one takes place in Canada and focused on Japanese Canadians which is an aspect of this era that I knew nothing about. The main characters, Hayden and Chidori, were likeable and well-developed, as were their friends and family. I loved following their relationship from children to young adults in the small fishing community of Mayne Island in British Columbia. The story is told primarily from Hayden’s perspective, interspersed with Chi’s journal entries, which was an interesting concept. I'm a sucker for a great love story so I loved the theme of love transcending all. However, this book isn't just a love story, the author gives a solid portrayal of Hayden's time as a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, followed by his experiences in a military hospital and then as a POW. There was one part of the story line at the very end of the book, which I won't disclose here, that kept me from giving it 5 stars. Otherwise I loved this book! Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

Every emotion you can think of is thrown at you in All We Left Behind by Danielle R. Graham.  Growing up together on Mayne Island, Hayden and Chidori know they are meant for each other and plan a future together.  A future that will be torn apart by circumstances over which they have not control.  As the tensions and bigotry of war come to their island, each must go in different directions, directions which will separate them and will test their love as well as their belief in the goodness of man.  A very intense novel which does, in the end, help you believe in love and hope.

The love story has merit, albeit a bit laborious. I had to scan Chi’s diary, as it was repetitious. The research into the horrid way the Canadian Japanese citizens were treated during WWII,  has to be acknowledged. Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the opportunity to reads and review this ARC.

This book is amazing.. Everyone should read it. It was touching and beautiful. Highly recommend. I really enjoyed this story

True love can last through anything. Or can it? Chi and Hayden fall in love at the same time WWII is happening. They live in Canada and their relationship is looked down upon because Chi is Japanese American. Even though she was born in Canada, her family is forced to leave and live in a specified are by the government. Hayden and Chi are determined to make their love last and promise to find each other when Chi can return. Hayden enlisted to help being the war to an end sooner. After everything is over, can Chi and Hayden find each other?

The story is told mainly via Chi’s diary written before she is forced to leave and Hayden’s letters/diary during his service. At first this is confusing because I could did not realize this at first and the years are different. Once I realized it the book made more sense. I really loved the relationship between Chi and Hayden. It is a reflection of true love. Everything they do is meant to bring them together. Hayden even hears Chi’s voice in his head and it helps him get him through.

The story also gives us glimpses into WWII but different than what I have read before. I’ve read many books from this time period and always like to hear new things. It was such a terrible time in our history but books like this help us remember so we can learn from the past.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the cover. It is gorgeous and was drew me into the book from the start. If you enjoy love stories, you will absolutely love this book.

Absolutely loved reading this book! I find reading about WWII important and it was good to read one about the injustices against Japanese people living in Canada & the US during that time. I loved the way the author told the story. She kept me guessing until the very end on what happened to Chidori. I am happy she gave the characters a happy ending as there were already so many negatives they had to endure.

This novel centers on Hayden and Chidori, living on Mayne Island near Vancouver at the outset of WWII. The plot shifts between pre-war and war time and from Hayden's perspective and Chi's diary, with no paragraph or clear chapter breaks between.

Although Chidori was born in Canada, her family is ordered to report to a Japanese internment camp. Hayden enlists in the air force believing he can help end the war. He is shot down and we read a description of the horrors of a German POW camp. 

The writing went from high language to outdated-almost tv slang. I expected Hayden to say “golly or gosh darn it” half the time. It just did not suit good writing. The confusing plot shifts and the deep love of two seventeen-year olds was a bit unrealistic. I finished it because I felt I had to, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

I really enjoyed reading All We Left Behind.  The deep and touching love story between Hayden and Chidori was so sweet and beautiful to read.  Chidori was a Canadian-Born Japanese young woman who was forced to leave Canada during the early 1940s, separating her from her one true love, Hayden.  Through many difficulties, they somehow find a way back together after years apart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

The book was very interesting however I believe it could have been condensed down. I overall enjoyed the read and would recommend it

I'm not crying.. you're crying!
This book was fantastic. You can tell that Graham spent a lot of time studying the time period and the premise of the novel. The book was heart wrenching and everything I wanted and more. I fell in love with the characters immediately and read every second possible because I needed to see what happened.
Historical Fiction fans, this is a must to be added to your To Be Read pile. Push it right to the top.
Three cheers for Danielle R. Graham on her first Historical Fiction novel. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

The writing felt more like a middle grade children’s book. The story had promise, I just didn’t care for the writing style at all.

All We Left Behind shows the path of two lovers before, during, and after WWII. It is unique in that it shows the war from Canadians perspective and specifically the plight of Japanese-Canadians. It shows the horrible injustice of what the Canadian government did to Japanese-Canadians during and after the war. I would recommend to friends.

All we left behind by Danielle Graham
This is the first book I've read by Danielle Graham.  It was a likeable book and characters.  This was a book for everyone, romance, suspense and history.  There are areas that you question why, others makes you cry, and some areas of confusion.  The story was a very slow at the beginning but picked up after a while. 

Rating - I will be giving this book a 4 star's out of 5 star's

Recommend - I would still recommend this even though it wasn't for me.

I thought this was an interesting insight and perspective into a different aspect of World War 2 fiction. I haven't read many stories regarding the prejudice towards Japanese persons in North America during the war and I really loved the exploration of the relationship between Hayden and Chidori. I think the story was well written and engaging. The pacing was a little slow at times, but overall moved at a decent speed.

Canada, intolerance, pow-camps, ya-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, War-is-Hell, family, historical-novel, historical-research

Two young people living in Western Canada fall in love at the worst time in history for them. The girl is Nisei and the boy is not. She and her family are outcasts and sent to internment camp just like the indignities down in the US. He was already wanting to join up with a Flying Corps and does so. The book goes back and forth from fall of 1941 to their parallel incarcerations. It's a very moving book and I loved it.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Harper 360/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

The effects of war are far reaching and unending.  Families are torn apart by death and dismemberment.  Bitter memories remain through generations.  

Japanese were restricted by curfews.  Had to carry identification cards.  Lost their property.  Were finally  rounded up and placed in camps surrounded by barbed wire.  The similarities to the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust are impossible to miss.  As I read this story of forbidden young love, I found that I could substitute the words "Jew" and "Germany" for "Jap" and "Canada" in most cases.  

Hayden and Chidori have grown up together.  Have been friends who sought adventures all over Mayne Island, British Columbia, where they live.  They shared experiences.  Ultimately, they became more than friends.  They fell in love.  Then WWII intervened and Japanese were restricted to relationships with other Japanese.  Even friendships involving Japanese and non-Japanese were frowned upon.  Both sets of parents were vehemently opposed to the friendship between these two.

But, they made a vow.  To love each other forever.  No matter that they were separated.  After the war, when all this nonsense was behind them, they would find each other and be together.  

Why immigrants from Germany and from Italy were not subjected to the same rigid treatment is only one of the questions found in this heartwarming novel.  This tender story of an innocent couple caught up in world events beyond their control will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I read this EARC courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins.    pub date January 2020

I liked this book, though I wondered is this Christian fiction? It opened with a well written fire fight among aircraft, a situation during which anyone would pray. However, repeated references to prayer, church, God made me wonder about the author's objective. The novel also included cursing both the four-letter-word type as well as "taking the Lord's name in vain", both of which would offend typical readers of Christian fiction. By the end of the novel, I decided it is not Christian fiction; but, honestly, I wondered and changed my mind a few times throughout. Since the author's note included nothing about religion, that clinched my decision. The book also never became preachy, thank God. Pun intended. The story itself did not need this confusing religious element. It added nothing to the story. I would edit it out.
The POW story line was convincing without being overly gruesome. Minimal detail was included about the Japanese interment camps. The romance was sweet but predictable.
I have read a lot of WWII fiction. As an American, I never studied Canada's role in WWII. I have never read a novel or nonfiction book about Canada during WWII. I found this different (to me) perspective interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A well written story about a Canadian whom loves a Japanese-Canadian woman during World War II.  Harshness reality of POW camps and Japanese internment bring the story to the front of the reader's heart.