I've been a fan of Camille Di Maio's writing ever since I read her debut, so I was definitely eager to read this novel. The cover drew me in a lot too, as it has this old-time feel to it.

Until We Meet is a sweet story about love and friendship. Some moments were emotional and powerful. There was a good narrative with likable characters and I especially enjoyed the letter exchanges. Camille did well with capturing the feel of the time through her use of detail and wording. It was an engaging story, as I wanted to see what would happen for all of the characters.

The plot reminded me of Letters from Home by Kristina McMorris, but with a bit of gender reversal. The story itself also had a feel similar to that novel. It was a more easygoing story about WWII, as opposed to some of the grittier novels I've read. This would work well as a starter novel for someone who wants to read about WWII but just to dip their toes in the water, so to speak. It gives some imagery of what happened during the war, but it also shows what life was like on the home front at the same time.

I would have liked narratives from Dottie and Gladys, as opposed to Tom's voice being half the focus of the story. There were some scenes where his narrative worked well, but I could have done without the war scenes themselves. Dottie's situation was the most compelling and I would have liked to see it from her perspective, instead of Margaret's.

Overall, it's a worthwhile read and if you're looking for a gateway into Camille's books, you won't be disappointed. She's a great writer and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Movie casting suggestions:
Margaret: Darcy Rose Byrnes
Dottie: Maude Apatow
Gladys: Olivia Scott Welch
Tom: Jacob Elordi
William: Lucas Hedges
George: Leo Howard
Oliver: Harris Dickinson

"The Sock 'Em Club"

This is a book about Margaret, Gladys, and Dottie working at the ship yard in Brooklyn and John, Tom and William fighting in the Army in WWII. Margaret is John's sister and Dottie is John's girlfriend and Gladys is their friend from work.

In their spare time the girls decide to do something for the war effort and they start knitting sock for the soldiers. Then Margaret's brother asks Margaret to put a note in a sock for his friend William that doesn't receive mail from home. They begin writing to each other.

The story is of young people, the war and how they handle tragedy and life events. It is about trust and truth and loyalty.

Gladys is the most independent of all the girls but when she meets Oliver suddenly she has to take a look at her life and find out where her heart is.

Dottie is engaged to John, but when she finds out she is pregnant and John is off fighting the war she is devastated and knitting socks helps keep her mind off the war. When the unthinkable tragedy hits she needs her friends even more.

Margaret has freedom working at the shipyard. She enjoys her work and her freedom. When she starts writing to William she never thinks it will be more than a pen pal to a lonely soldier. Can letters spark a romance?

I enjoyed reading the thoughts, and the fears of the boys overseas and the letters that were written to Margaret. I also enjoyed the friendship between the girls in the shipyard and how they all stood with each other when life happens.

I really enjoyed reading this story, it was heartwarming and tragic. It was a different kind of war story and I really appreciated that. Sometimes it is good to read about the home front during the war and how those left behind are faring.

I would recommend this book it makes for some good reading.

Thanks to Camille Di Maio for writing a great story, to Forever Grand Central Publishing for Publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

Until We Meet by Camille Di Maio is a beautiful, well crafted, heartfelt novel about WWII. Set in Brooklyn, as well as in Europe during the 1940's, the author was able to brilliantly knit together a colorful and interesting web of friendships, letters, bravery, love, heartbreak and perseverance. I really enjoyed following these incredible relationships as they developed and resolved. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early review copy. All opinions are my own.

Until We Meet is a beautifully written and well-researched novel set during WWII. Camille Di Maio has done a brilliant job crafting a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Readers be warned. While you will visualize these characters, through Di Maio's gorgeous prose and description, you will also FEEL every nuance and emotion along with them. She brilliantly captures the deep love between friends, as well as a blossoming love story shared through poignant, handwritten letters. Fans of Di Maio are in for a real treat.

Until We Meet is set in WWII in both Brooklyn and the Allied Front. Much of it takes place in correspondence between Margaret and her enlisted brother's fellow soldiers. That part is filled with very readable descriptions and what's going through the minds of those involved. The rest of the story is a mash up of life back in Brooklyn and soldier banter.
I have read everything by this author and love her books. Her research is thorough and her characters are usually deep and well thought out. This book has chunks of great historical facts and details mixed with conversations with what read like stock dialog. There are bits of women's rights movement, but only statements tossed randomly in there. There was a lot of repetetive introspection, like "is it really love?" It felt choppy. Which I hate to say, because I truly enjoy this author's work. But. I was asked for my honest opinion, so I'm giving it. I was quite excited to get an early copy.

3.5 stars

The blurb and cover initially got my attention. I think the flow of the story just seemed liked it jumped in a few places that made it seemed like I was missing some parts in between. I can see why it was done but for me, I think it just made it that much more difficult to really get into the story. There are some war action scenes, but it was also interesting to see what women had to do in the early 40's when men went to war. Gladys was an interesting character as well. I loved the ending though. I think fans of Historical Fiction will enjoy this one.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Glen Miller playlist will put readers “In the Mood” for Until We Meet by Camille Di Maio. This World War II epistolatory novel begins in September,1943 with three best friends “doing their bit” at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. Filling roles of the men gone to war are Dottie, Margaret, and Gladys, who learn to knit socks while listening to tunes on the radio. Meanwhile, three airmen in “The Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne are bunking at the Brown’s farmhouse near Aldbourne, England. When William hasn’t received any letters from family, Margaret’s brother, John pleads with her to write to him. At this turning point in the novel, Margaret decides to write a note and slips it into a pair of socks for William. The plot now moves through the letters of Margaret and William.
Camille Di Maio creates great anticipation as bonds are formed through letters that take weeks to cross the ocean. Through the girls’ Naval Yard experiences and encouragement from Gladys to become involved in women’s causes, Di Maio captures the burgeoning interests of women in politics and business. As readers follow the three airmen from training in the U.S to England, themes of loyalty and family expectations are aptly explored as Virginian Tom Powel, only son in a military family, reminisces about his upbringing and decision to become an airman. The movements of the Screaming Eagles are reported through letters, including details of the Battle of Normandy, with foreshadowing of lives lost and the Eiffel Tower’s symbolism as a monument of human endurance. Di Maio’s forthright handling of grief, facing it and moving on, is empathetic and realistic. The touching analogy of “joy and sorrow like seats on a playground teeter-totter” is also perfect for Until We Meet.

Set mainly in 1943 Brooklyn, New York City, Until We Meet is an achingly beautiful story about what it means to live and love when the world changes drastically. Every spoken and written word and action counts and everyone lives as though each day is their last as World War II is raging. Its effects are felt in the United States, prompting blackout shades and driving with headlights off at night. Women are terrified as men leave, not knowing when and if they will return. Sorrow, loss, sacrifice, courage and hope are themes in this supremely fascinating and well-written book which enveloped me completely.

Three very different young women are bonded tightly by friendship. They also work at the Navy Yard. Margaret (Maggie) is the sweet girl next door, Dottie is kindness itself and expecting a baby (her fiance and Margaret's brother John is in England fighting) and Gladys is carefree and independent. John is part of the dangerous 101st Airborne along with close comrades William and Tom. John encourages Maggie to write to William as he is not receiving letters from home. Little does she know what was in store when she agrees! Many letters are revealed and are so lovely. The girls meet Saturdays to chat and knit socks to send to soldiers along with care packages to offer physical and mental respite.

My favourite aspects of this novel are the likeable and realistic characters; true historical information such as Wonder Socks, Victory letters and white feathers; friendships and haunting depictions of war and the unexpected subplots. Everything, really. Camille Di Maio is a new-to-me author (how?) but this gripped me so strongly I am seeking out her other books. Historical Fiction fans ought to gravitate towards this unmissable read.

My sincere thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this stellar Historical Fiction novel.

A gorgeous cover sets the stage perfectly for this heartfelt story set in 1943. The story follows two group of friends, one here and one abroad, woven beautifully together by a series of letters and dual storylines. With the horrors of war come hope, friendship, love and unexpected challenges for all. The cast of characters are so real, personalities coming alive. Friendships like this are rare and it is nice to see that it is not taken for granted. War scenes while not overly graphic, hit hard at what these young men had to go thru. Well researched. I highly recommend this unique historical fiction.

Thanks to Ms. Di Maio, Forever Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Three besties, Dottie, Gladys, Margaret, have done what most able women in 1943 did - filled roles of the men gone to war. The girls work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard but still yearn to be doing something else meaningful. They decide to meet on Saturday nights and knit socks for the troops. While listening to tunes on the radio, they encourage each other and keep busy.

Across the ocean, Tom, William, and John, three airmen in the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne, are bunked at a farmhouse in England. Margaret’s brother, John, pleads with her to write to his friend William because he hasn’t received letters from home. When Margaret pops a letter into a pair of socks to be sent to the boys, this simple act changes her life.

At this point the novel takes an epistolary form as readers are following Margaret and William’s developing friendship through letters. Readers can feel the anticipation as the two wait for communication from each other. The letters also are a clever way for the author to inform us about the hardships faced by the men overseas. We learn about the soldiers’ backgrounds, what prompted them to enlist and the effects of battle training and fatigue.

I love the title! I thought of Vera Lynn travelling abroad and singing to entertain the soldiers. “Until We Meet Again” was an incredibly popular song in WW2. I listened to Queen Elizabeth’s address at the beginning of the pandemic and remember hearing her reference this song as encouragement, so it’s still pertinent!

I’d never heard of Wonder Socks before reading this book. I can imagine there were plenty of economic knits for the wartime rationing era. I’m not a knitter but can imagine how difficult it must have been for them to knit on 4 needles. How clever to be able to change out the heels and toes of the socks when they wore out. The result was that there’d be no darning. Necessity really was the mother of invention!

You may already know what Tom, William and John are experiencing if you’ve read/watched ‘Band of Brothers.’ The author incorporated facts about Captain Richard Winters, the commander of Easy Company and the action they were involved in during Operation Overlord. I had flashbacks to visiting the Battleship Missouri when I was reading about the christening and launching of this naval monstrosity and goosebumps at the descriptions of soldiers/tanks in Paris. The quote about the Eiffel Tower as a “monument of endurance”, about the “bottle of Old Spice at home that he used on Sundays,” about George buying “not one, but two telephones. One for each floor of the house,” had me holding back tears or giggling. Di Maio knows how to elicit an emotional response!

“Would we even recognize perfect happiness if it existed without suffering its opposite?”

“Joy and sorrow were like seats on a playground teeter-totter.”

I was gifted this advance copy by Camille Di Maio, Forever Publishing, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

4 stars

I love WW2 novels and this one was another great addition to the genre. It was told from two perspectives, one in the US, a woman working in the shipyard doing what she thought was her duty to her country during this time. The second POV was a green soldier going through training and then onto the actual battlefields. You get the perspective of both of these young people and what is going on around them, their bubbles and the people that are around them. He is stationed with her brother, so they start writing letters back and forth and it is really nice to watch their relationship grow in this manner even though they had never met. It was a beautifully written story with some really heart breaking moments. The emotions are deep in this book but it has a lot of heartwarming moments also. The characters were well developed and have some real growth throughout the story. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Until We Meet" and all opinions expressed are my own. I've enjoyed all the books I have read by Camille Di Maio. This book is set in WWII and I enjoyed reading about that time period.

Until We Meet is a period piece that is about the strong women of WWII who worked sewing flags, making armor and welding parts of the USS Missouri. It follows the stories of three ladies, and three military men. The story begins with John and Dottie who are together when John goes to war. John is roomed with William and Tom and they become the 3 Musketeers. They are parachuters and become like brothers. John convinces William to write to his sister, Maggie. William introduces Tom to the letters by having him draw pictures.

While the men are fighting, the ladies are working their way upward at the Naval Yard. Gladys is a feminist who aims to get women respect in the workplace post war. She also aims to prove that she doesn't need a man, or traditional romance. Dottie experiences a plethora of emotions and adventures during the war and ber friends help her through all of it. And Maggie finds herself falling hopelessly in love with her letter writer.

This is a wonderful, empowering, romantic, realistic, forward thinking novel. The characters are strong, intense, wonderful, and quite what I expect from the time period. This is truly a must read

Until We Meet is a beautiful story of love and war. Set just after the United States enters WWII, this eloquent novel follows two sets of friends, a trio of women state side and a trio of men set on the edge of war. United by siblings John and Margaret, these young Americans lean on each other to get them through some of history’s darkest moments. Friendships are formed and lives are lost. Love is lost and love is found. What starts as a war time pen pal correspondence, turns into a beacon of hope until they meet.

I LOVED every page of this book! I knew from the very first page that it was going to be a page turner. It was written in such a way that I was able to connect with each of the characters. They made me laugh, they made me smile and they made me cry…it doesn’t get any better than that! I was so invested that I didn’t want the story to end! In fact…can this puhlease be made into a movie?

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Camille Di Maio for early access to this stunning novel! It’s my first 5 star read of 2022

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Camille Di Maio, Forever, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Okay, the sign of a good book - I read it in over 24 hours and stayed up to 2:30 am to finish it!! Yes, UNTIL WE MEET was that kind of book. I had sworn off WWII books because I had read so many and because of my mental health during the pandemic. However, for Camille Di Maio, I made an exception and am glad that I did.

FULL disclosure - I have read all of Camille's books and have loved ALL of them. She writes what I love: true historical fiction. This book did NOT disappoint!

Basic storyline - Cyrano de Bergerac meets WWII soldiers meets young women on the home front all via LETTERS!!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

This is a historical novel centred around 3 young ladies who live in New York during WW2. They all work for the war effort at the Navy Yard. On Saturday nights they get together to knife socks for the men overseas, which includes the brother of one of them.

While there are some interesting war scenes depicted in the book, the book concentrated on the 3 women in New York. Margaret (whose brother John is overseas), Gladys and Dottie (who is engaged to Margaret's brother John). They are strong women who are always striving to reach for more.

As this author always does, history is woven into the story. In this case, it was Easy Company (that took part in the Normandy Landing and Dick Winters, its commander. I was not aware of them, I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn something new.

There's a little bit of everything: strong female characters, family ties, romance, war stories, a love relationship by proxy (you'll have to read it!).

All of Ms Di Maio's books have strong women. This one was no exception. I always look forward to her books.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy.

"Until We Meet" is an interesting historical fiction of World War II by author Camille Di Maio. The description of the book says that it is based on the experiences of three young women during the war years and that is accurate to an existent. At least half of the book is also the experiences of a brother and fiancee of two of the women. That part of the book also includes his two friends whom the author places in the 506 PIR Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne's Easy Company with the brother. She follows the journey of the Company throughout the war inserting various settings and places where they were engaged in combat and training in the story.

The story of the women is a good one. The women work in various jobs at the shipyard which was typical for the time and write back and forth to the brother and one of his friends while also knitting socks for Easy Company This book talks about and illustrates somewhat the plight of women in the workforce prior to and even after World War II. I would like to have heard more of that. The story of the men, however, I found distracting because of the author's use of real characters from the 506th and insertion of them in the story. However, other readers who enjoy World War II historical fiction of this type will enjoy this one. The author does a good job with the setting in the states and the general plot was engaging. Thanks to #NetGalley#UntilWeMeet for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Camile DiMaio has given her readers a beautifully written and well researched book about two groups of friends during WWII. The men meet in training and then stay together when they go into the war zone. The women all work at the Navy Yard and spend their free time knitting socks, writing letters and doing whatever they can to help the soldiers come home.

Margaret, Gladys and Dottie are very different from each other but they all work at the same place doing jobs that were done by men before the war. Margaret is the most practical woman in the group and is thrilled that she has so many opportunities for jobs now. Her brother is in the Army in Training. Dotty is in love with Margaret's brother and after he leaves for training she finds out that she's pregnant. Her parents kick her out and she depends on her two friends to help her. Gladys is an early feminist who believes that women can and should be able to do anything. The three men also become close friends and have each other's backs no matter what's going on. Margaret starts writing to one of the men and he shares his life with her. She wonders if she'll meet him in person after the war.

The thoughts and feelings of the three men as they faced enemy troops were beautifully written. They shared their feeling about their lives at war but they never quit fighting. This is the first book that I've read that not only talks about the feelings of the women at home but also delves into the emotions of the men who are at war.

This is a book that you don't want to miss. It's about war and there are some pretty brutal battle scenes but overall the book is about love, friendship and family. Family isn't always based on blood sometimes it's based on the people you care about the most. Until we Meet made me smile and it made me cry but the overwhelming feeling throughout the book was the love between both groups of friends.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Once again, Camille di Maio has pulled me into another world! Her stories envelop me, and I feel like the characters are friends of mine. A wonderful read!

You simply can not go wrong picking up a Camille Di Maio historical fiction. Delightful characters, an interesting plot and a well-researched story await you. A big thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the privilege of previewing this ARC. I highly recommend it.