Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved the Southern setting of this book as well as the time period of WWII. I am so used to reading WWII novels that take place abroad, not within the United States. However, I did feel like I was reading a YA novel with the main characters, Lucy and Bert, who are friends, and try to solve a mystery like the Nancy Drew books they read. That was my only downfall about this book, because I don't like reading YA. Otherwise, like I said, I loved the setting and the author's writing style.

“Mama says hope is a road in life, and it’s easier to travel than despair. Sometimes a new perspective is all you need to make it through. So I wish you hope and a new perspective.”
Leah Weiss

Happy sigh. That was a fantastic trip back to the early 1940’s. I really, really enjoyed it.

All The Little Hopes gave me a peak into my beloved North Carolina during World War II…but really. This was a coming of age story. Told from the two perspectives of thirteen year old girls. I was entranced.

Bert and Lucy grew up in two different worlds. Just a week a part in age Allie Bert and Lucy grow together from best friends to sisters. All the while the war serves as a backdrop. I loved learning about what my home state looked like during World War II. We always see the overseas side….I loved watching the war effort at home.

I wanted to give this title five stars….but when it was all said and done. I wanted just a bit more. I needed more finality…more answers. Overall. Fantastic title for historical fiction fans.

Lovely historical fiction set in North Carolina during 1943-45. Bert arrives in town and she and Lucy immediately become best friends. Bert ends up moving in with the Browns, and finding a family. Set during WWII, we have men at war, a family business becoming a war-time government business, German POW camp with the prisoners working the local farms, and two teenage girls who think they can solve mysteries like Nancy Drew. The relationship between Lucy and Bert, and all the characters in the small town, is lush with description and atmosphere.

"Deep in the tobacco land of North Carolina, nothing's the same since the boys shipped off to war and worry took their place. Thirteen-year-old Lucy Brown is curious and clever, but she can't make sense of it all. Then Allie Bert Tucker comes to town, an outcast with a complicated past, and Lucy believes that together they can solve crimes. Just like her hero, Nancy Drew.

That chance comes when a man goes missing, a woman stops speaking, and an eccentric gives the girls a mystery that takes them beyond the ordinary. Their quiet town, seasoned with honeybees and sweet tea, becomes home to a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp—and more men go missing. The pair set out to answer the big question: do we ever really know who the enemy is?"

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Lush with Southern atmosphere, All The Little Hopes, is the story of two girls growing up while war creeps closer, blurring the difference between what's right, what's wrong, and what we know to be true."
This is one of those times I wish that you could give a book half stars. All the Little Hopes was a solid 4.5 stars for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the "southerness" of the setting and story and the sweet nuances of young girls becoming at first sweet friends and eventually sisters. This book hit all of the marks for me and I would love to read more books by this author. All of the cast of characters were unique, authentic, believable and lovable.

I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Set in North Carolina 1943, this is a story of Brown family and two young girls who come from different backgrounds. Lucy’s family owns beehives and the government is in need of beeswax offering Lucy’s father a good business opportunity. Lucy’s mother used to be a teacher and both parents have a great appreciation for books and storytelling. Lucy grows up in a nurturing environment. Bert comes from the other side of North Carolina and from a more complicated background.

The Browns’ two sons are fighting against the Nazis, leaving the family business shorthanded and forcing the father to hire two Nazis - POWs. And I hoped that through them and their work we would get to know both: first - how German prisoners happened to be on the US soil, second – the farm life would be better developed as both those aspects grasped my attention.

The characters are interesting, but I wished there was more to character development. I really liked Lucy’s mother, who is very nurturing, warmhearted, and pedagogic in her approach with children. The girls at some point play detectives, which is influenced by Lucy’s book hero Nancy Drew, which I’d say is more for YA readers.

The story is written with beautiful prose and it has interesting parts, but some parts didn’t hold my interest as I would categorize this story as fiction, which I do not read.

Allie Bert Tucker and Lucy Brown cross paths at age 13 in 1943, forever changing their lives. Sent away from home by a grieving father, Allie Bert lands at the North Carolina home of her aunt, who is mentally unstable. Seeking shelter at the Brown’s home one night after being locked out during a storm, Allie Bert is taken in by the Browns and raised as their daughter. When men start to go missing from the nearby town, Bert and Lu are determined to solve the mystery just as their heroine, Nancy Drew, would. In this novel of secrets, redemption, and friendship, readers will be caught up in this excellent work of World War 2 historical fiction.

Heartwarming book about friendship and family on the home front during World War II and centered upon two girls coming of age.

Set against the backdrop of small town Carolina during World War 2, the book follows two very different girls on their adventure to solve a mystery, Nancy-Drew-style. Bert and Lucy are both coming of age during this turbulent time and having to deal with things such as a brother fighting overseas, a crazy aunt, and carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders at varying times. They also have to cope with bringing German POWs onto their farm while also dealing with an injured soldier returning home. It's not pretty...but it's real life.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Set in North Carolina during WW2, thirteen-year-old Lucy Brown can't make sense of it all. When Allie Bert Tucker comes to town, Lucy believes that together they can solve crimes. Just like her hero, Nancy Drew."

Nicely written, charming coming-of-age story. The language, descriptions and characters were interesting and fun to read.

3.75☆

There’s so much to love about this historical fiction story. Plucky heroines who model themselves after Nancy Drew, family members who stand by each other no matter what, a little bit of supernatural intrigue and some disappearing men who might have been murdered, set in North Carolina during the Second World War. A wonderful read that will be great for book clubs.

When I read this synopsis, I knew I’d love All The Little Hopes by Leah Weiss. Friendship and North Carolina against a WWII backdrop? Need I say more?

A Southern story of a friendship forged by books and bees, when the timeless troubles of growing up meet the murky shadows of World War II.

Deep in the tobacco land of North Carolina, nothing’s the same since the boys shipped off to war and worry took their place. Thirteen-year-old Lucy Brown is curious and clever, but she can’t make sense of it all. Then Allie Bert Tucker comes to town, an outcast with a complicated past, and Lucy believes that together they can solve crimes. Just like her hero, Nancy Drew.

That chance comes when a man goes missing, a woman stops speaking, and an eccentric gives the girls a mystery that takes them beyond the ordinary. Their quiet town, seasoned with honeybees and sweet tea, becomes home to a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp—and more men go missing. The pair set out to answer the big question: do we ever really know who the enemy is?

This incredibly compelling book will be out on July 27.

So, how was this book different from the other historical fiction I read? For one, it was set in the Deep South rather than anywhere in Europe. Secondly, while we do hear of fathers, sons, and husbands who are serving on the war, we don’t actually meet them. No, this is a book about those that are left behind rather than those that went to fight on the front line. We learn what it was like to contribute to the war effort at home, that feeling of dread of bad news, and the conflicted feelings when German POWs are sent to work on your land.

However, All The Little Hopes wasn’t necessarily a book about the war for me. No, it was more of a coming-of-age book that happened to take place during the war. The main bulk of this story is actually about Bert and Lucy’s friendship, how to bounce from being wannabe detectives to an interest in boys, and all that comes in between. It’s a nice story of how two young girls grow to love each other enough to go from being strangers to sisters.

Sadly, All The Little Hopes was lacking for me. I needed more to happen. The book’s quiet town was a bit too quiet for what I look for in a book. There was some promise with the girls’ pursuits as detectives but that came too late in the book.

All The Little Hopes is not a bad book, just not a book for me. However, if you prefer a more quieter, slow-paced read, it’s certainly worth picking up a copy.

I sometimes can't get into historical fiction but Leah Weiss did an amazing job at hooking me in. This story starts out with some heart-wrenching trials, especially for children so young. The friendship that Bert and Lucy form is kind of unexpected considering their differences. With a mystery to solve, these two little girls with big ideas and curiosity take it upon themselves to investigate.
Wonderful story of a sad time through the eyes of children. I also love the change of viewpoint from chapter to chapter. Makes it clear what each girl is thinking to have the whole picture of events taking place.

This book is what families are about. They stick together and live each other. During World War II the decisions they have to make and what they do to stay together is enjoyable reading. There is some hardship but lots of love and a love for books. A great read. Couldn’t put it down. When it was over I wanted more.

| 4 stars |

An overall solid, historical fiction (and also a hint of mystery) and coming-of-age story about two girls (Lucy and Bert) navigating the hardships of farm life during the second world war, loss, finding one-self, and the bonds of sisterhood.

The book itself is very well written in the first-person POV, and each of the chapters is narrated consecutively by both girls. However, I did find there were a few chapters that were a bit slow-pace and sluggish. But other than that, the story flowed wonderfully.

Would I recommend this: YES!!

Three years into World War II, the lives of two girls in North Carolina are about to change.  Deep in the mountains,  Bert Tucker is being sent to live across the state with her aunt Violet to attend to her while she has a baby.  Next door to Aunt Violet, Lucy Brown lives on a sprawling tobacco farm where the government has just granted the Brown family a contract to raise bees for beeswax.  Both thirteen years old, Lucy and Bert quickly bond.  They discover that despite their differences, they make a good team, especially when people start to go missing.

All The Little Hopes is a charming historical coming-of-age story combined with a mystery.  Told through the alternating viewpoints of Lucy and Bert, the adolescents shine an innocence upon the time along with an adaptability to the many situations that arise.  The writing flowed easily with bountiful description of the landscape and gave a distinct voice to each girl.  While the mystery of the disappearing men kept me intrigued and introduced wonderful side characters such as mystical Trula Freed and pragmatic Sugar Mayhew, it was the girl's experience growing up during World War II that kept me interested.  Through Lucy and Bert's eyes, I could see the effects of homecoming on an injured soldier, how Lucy's sister dealt with her husband declared Missing In Action, how Lucy's mother dealt with her son fighting overseas and how Lucy and Bert learned to welcome the German Prisoners of War onto their farm and into their family.  With a bittersweet ending, All The Little Hopes creates an atmospheric story of love and hope. 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but this book managed to grab me within the first few chapters. The main characters, Lucy and Bert, are engaging, and feel realistic for their ages. The community and time period is very well-researched, making for an interesting read.
My only quibble is that the book's description makes it sound like the missing men will be the main plot, when really it's just one of the many things that happen in the girls' lives over the course of the book. Also, the book is told in alternating chapters, and I will admit there were a few times where I forgot which character was the POV of the chapter. But other than that, I would highly recommend this book.

This book is so much more than 2 young girls trying to solve a couple of mysteries. In fact, that is just a very small part of this book. There is so much more happening in this book and it’s so much more. It tells a good story of the south and of a family trying to keep a family together and helping others in need.

All the Little Hopes is a charming and engaging coming-of-age story set in North Carolina during WWII. While, as an adult, I enjoyed this book, it would be a great for a preteen or early teen girl…helping foster body positivity a greater understanding of what family and community can be. I also learned about German POW camps in the US and the POWs interactions with local community members.

My mom read If the Creek Don't Rise first. She called me almost the moment she finished it to tell me about it. Since then, she's asked me multiple times a year if I knew when Leah Weiss's next book was being published. What a surprise it was to be able to read this early. Don't worry, I also preordered a copy for my mom! Bookclubs will flock for this book and its well-researched setting, characters that grab your heart and a story that keeps you reading long into the night.