Lynn Austin weaves a compelling story. This one has darker themes but life has darker themes as well and we all need to know when things aren't just there's still hope and light in the horizon. I would recommend this read to anyone.

A great piece of historical fiction encompassing the struggles of those living and serving through WW2 and for those left behind trying to comprehend the atrocities committed by other human beings. Mental health issues and treatment for PTSD are descriptive and of their time and upsetting to read but overall the story is of an wholesome nature.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review

Lynn Austin has written another beautiful story.
The hurt and devastation of war, along with the well written glimpse into the life of Jewish people—their unfair judgement and the horrors they faced are hard to read, and yet, it is important to read and never forget.
The love of God shines through it all, dispelling darkness.
This book is so very well done, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
I was given an advance copy through NetGalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to Tyndall House Publishers and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

The story-telling from two sides, of a German-Jewish nurse and a battle-worn American soldier, is riveting. The search for the mysterious girl in the photo held by the soldier as they try to solve the mystery of why he can't emerge from the prison of his suicidal ideation is very interesting. Intense friendships, undying love, perseverance, great things.

However, the reason I have to take it down in stars is the awkward dumping of religious discussion in the book. I'm in full support of the discussion of faith and incorporation of religious discussion, but it was clunky and oddly-placed. You'd hear no mentions of religion then suddenly a speech about God and faith, but it felt like a chapter in a Sunday school book rather than a real discussion. To be honest, the clunky religious discussion took me out of the story

Jim has returned home from service in WWII plus post service working with displaced Jewish people, and Jim is exhausted. He is drained and suffering PTSD. After he makes an attempt to take his own life, his parents place him in a psychiatric facility with hope to bring him back. Long-time friend and neighbor, Peggy, does some research for alternate treatment methods, along with some common sense.

Gisela, a displaced Jewish nurse, works through most of the war and experiences loss after loss while her family is placed apart and her fiancee is working for the Resistance.

We read through the whole store to figure out the connection between Jim and Gisela when Peggy finds a note about her in Jim’s Bible. Always full of compassion, Jim is breaking the hearts of his loved ones as he flounders under the treatment plan.

This was a really good book about finding healing after war. I loved how Peggy wanted to help her friend and did everything she could to try and figure out what had happened to him and to find a way to heal. I also liked that there were the two storylines. It was interesting to have one storyline follow a Jewish woman during WWII and all the things she experienced and then have the other storyline be after the war and people healing from that. I thought it was well written and did a good job of letting us see what life would have been like at this time.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Peggy's best friend, Jimmy went to war as a man who served and wanted the best for everyone. When he returned, he was a shell of that man and reached the point where he tried to end the pain the only way he knew how. At the time, the solution was to place veterans in a VA hospital where the treatment was quite horrific. Peggy is determined to help Jimmy any way she can and that led her to reaching out to fellow soldiers he served with. Letters and visits to Jimmy begin to sway his mental state, but it ends up being a 3-legged dog that reached his soul enough for him to see how rewarding his life could be.

As the wife of a soldier, I really appreciated this look at what happens to those that serve and how important love and support is for them on their return. I was horrified by the solutions the VA was using to "heal" these men. Ultimately I loved the story and the moral that was shared. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a beautiful, powerful story. Even though it took me a while to get through this book (I read it at a very busy time), it was well worth the read! Both parts of this book were equally well-written, and as I oscillated between post-World War II and mid-World War II, I related to each of the main characters and cheered them on. To my knowledge, I don’t remember reading about the St. Louis incident before; the way it was portrayed here was heartbreaking, and yet somehow Austin managed to still infuse some hope in the story. Helping someone recover from PTSD was also a heartbreaking, yet hopeful process—and combining the two stories created an unforgettable read. If you enjoy history, especially historical fiction that discusses some of the harder elements from the past, this would be an excellent choice for you.

I was given a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Lynn Austin's Long Way Home is a 5 star read for me! She really knows how to write an amazing World War II story that just captures your heart. Peggy is such a true and loyal friend to Jimmy who has been a long time friend and is suffering from PTSD after the war. His story really tug at my heart and I loved the compassion Peggy had for him. I loved the way Gisela's story intertwines with Jimmy's and how everything comes together in the end.

Beautiful story and I highly recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 21 June 2022.

This is one of those books that you read and it changes you. It changes your perception of life and of history- often in a hard but necessary way.

I have read other books that included the fateful trip of the St Louis, full of German Jews bound for Havana and each time I am horrified and determined that we MUST help refuges. If only those people had been allowed into Cuba, or the US, or ANYWHERE but back to Europe. Of course family trees would be changed but the hardships the continued to be forced to face are heartbreaking.

Gisela and her family were aboard the St Louis and then ended up in Belgium. Through the kindness and secrecy of these people she was able to become a nurse which was then used on the battlefields during WWII.

Jimmy Barnett was a medic in the war who held up against difficult circumstances but was changed by his encounter with Gisela. Returning home, he is no longer a faith-filled boy but a broken man who tries to take his life and ends up in a mental hospital. His parents and best friend Peggy seek to unravel what he experienced in order to bring him back from his extreme depression and PTSD.

This book bounces between Gisela's life before and during the war and largely Jimmy's after. These books help me appreciate the life we have now and remind me of the sacrifices that have been made by individuals.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is touching and thought-provoking as so many Lynn Austin books are.

I received a complementary ecopy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Long Way Home, by Lynn Austin, is a profoundly moving novel. Set in Europe and the United States during and after WWII, this beautifully written dual timeline story is absolutely riveting as it tells the story of two women, the men they care about, and the devastation of war and its aftermath. With tremendous talent, Ms. Austin has crafted a gripping story that highlights human heartbreak, perseverance, resiliency, and compassion. Though filled with scenes of tragedy and despair, this novel finds an emotional balance by offering honest moments of hope and redemption bolstered by gentle reminders that healing and restoration can be successfully kindled in the presence of love, kindness, and grace

Within the pages of this book, the well-developed characters are authentic and vulnerable. Their will to fight for significance and survival is utterly compelling. Their questions, their insecurities, their fears, and their needs are certainly believable. When confronted with deep loss, cruelty, and uncertainty, their struggle is genuine and raw especially as the foundations of their faith begin to crumble. Yet, even in the face of overwhelming obstacles they display courage and determination to help one another to restore a sense of purpose, hope, and belonging.

Ms. Austin is an exceptionally talented writer and storyteller. In Long Way Home, she offers the reader a truly surprising, enriching, and profoundly memorable novel. Page after page, it is a tender and touching story of loss, love, faith, and family. As it explores relevant themes like cruelty, racism, and trauma, it also reveals the power of love, friendship, and perseverance. Every minute spent reading this book is a thoughtful, immersive, and meaningful experience. I recommend it wholeheartedly.  

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

When it comes to historical reads, those set during or around the time of WWII tend to be some of my absolute favorites. That said however, they can also tend to be a bit heavy. As such, I really have to be in the right frame of mind to pick one up, and some tend to weigh a little heavier on my heart, needing to be sandwiched between much lighter reads.

Long Way Home was definitely that type of book--- taking on some heavier topics like PTSD and the hardships of those in Europe during the war. I cannot say that this was always the easiest one to read, or even the most enjoyable when it came to the subject matter... but it was a beautifully written story and one that I think is still such an important story to be told. These things still matter, and when we look at PTSD in current military, we see that this is still very much an issue. The author did a great job of covering these topics with grace.

Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story with fantastic characters that draw the reader in. If you enjoy a good WWII fiction, this is most certainly one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Long Way Home by Lynn Austin is a wonderful well researched historical fiction about several women during World War 2.
I rate it five stars plus.

Compelling journey of friendship, and faith.

Peggy Serrano is on a quest to help her best friend, Jimmy, by finding out what happened to him during the war in hopes of unlocking a start to healing.

A compelling story of family and friendship, that explores the questions of faith, pain and suffering. Peggy is a hardworking young woman, I loved the friendship between her and the Barnett family throughout the story, as well as her determination to help Jimmy and Joe. This book does a great job of not only showing the horrors of the war, but also the aftermath and its toll. I loved how the author brought Jimmy to life through the eyes of those who loved him best, showing the man he was before and throughout the war.

Overall, a beautifully written book that explores hard question of hurting and why God allows suffering. I admired Gisela for her strength throughout her ordeal. Lynn Austin doesn't disappoint in this latest WW2 novel filled with faith, hope and love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Long Way Home is my first read from author and I enjoyed my experience with this heartwarming story about companionship between childhood friends.

Peggy tried so hard to help her friend Jim who got war traumatized after going home. She tracked Jim's mysterious girlfriend to help him get through his trauma. Told from Peggy and Gisella POV this story unravel beautifully in amazing writing style. The pace is slow but in good ways to make readers can absorb and think about the post of wars crisis. This story will make us appreciate our veterans more, teach us about empathy and true friendship.

Thank you Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishing for let me read my copy. I am grateful and my thoughts are my own.

Long Way Home by Lynn Austin
Austin wrote this book to honor the veterans who fought in WW2 and innocent refugees whose lives were disrupted by war. One of the main characters, Jim Barnett, returns from the war unable to resume his life. He attempts suicide and is placed in a VA hospital by his parents. His friend, Peggy, seeks to understand how the war has changed Jim and traces his experiences through the recounting of his comrades. His parents and Peggy are desperate to have Jim return to them, but it is a long journey home.
I am a fan of Austin’s books and enjoy her writing style. Even though WW2 was catastrophic for the soldiers and civilians, she conveys its horrors without graphic examples. She also laces hope through the story, which every character needs to survive.
I particularly enjoyed reading about “Peggety” who clings to hope despite her own unpleasant circumstances and shuns the bitterness she could have chosen. Peggy grows as a character and becomes someone to admire.
The author also deals with questions of faith that her characters wrestle with. I felt she answered these honestly from both a Jewish and Christian perspective.
Lynn Austin has done much research and gives her readers a better understanding of World War 2. I highly recommend this book and am grateful to the publisher for a copy to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

I didn't realize that this book was 817 pages! The story is very engaging from the beginning. I grew to care about Peggy, Jim, Gisela, Joe, Paul, and others except Pop and Donna. My faith is also growing more substantial and I feel like some questions I have about this kind of situation answered. I cried a lot and smile a lot.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with the eARC of this amazing book. It is one of my best reads in 2022 and of course one of my all-time favorites.

Wowee. This is the first book I’ve ever read by Lynn Austin (I know, I know) but color me completely impressed! I fell in love with the characters from the first few pages in both timelines—Jimmy, Peg, Gisela, Sam, Jimmy’s folks (especially his mom), Joe, and Paul, not to mention a whole slew of side characters who make appearances throughout the book, and Buster!Although the topic of PTSD or battle fatigue is never easy, the strong characters surrounding Jimmy each bring something unique to the table. I wholeheartedly love the premise of situations like Jimmy’s really taking a village to get through, and the book was just so filled with hope as the two timelines converge toward the end.

Peg’s dad and Donna, on the other hand, didn’t get what they deserved and were frankly just horrible people—I wish we could have seen some growth from them somewhere but they didn’t show any. It made me sad that Peg never really stood up for herself or believed that she was worthy of being treated like a person and that she had value just because she was Peg…somewhat a parallel to the pogroms endured by those targeted by the Nazis in the days before WWII, where things kept getting worse and worse until it was too late to fight back. I learned so much history from this book…the saga of the St Louis, more horrific details about Kristallnacht, a peek into what happened after the camps were liberated. A beautiful—if difficult—book from start to finish, and the audiobook version was spot on and I enjoyed the narration immensely. Such an unforgettable story, and I can’t wait to read more!

A terrible war has been fought and won, yet nothing has changed for us. Outrage is growing. Many are ready to say to the pharaohs of this world, "Let my people go? I believe the Red Sea is going to part. We are still hated. We would be fools to believe that anti-Semitism died with the Nazis. We are a people set apart from everyone else because we have been given the Torah, in which God speaks to humanity. It teaches that every person has dignity and value because we are made in His image. It gives the world morals and values, a conscience. This is why we are hated. If they can be rid of us, they can silence God's voice. ..Hitler does get the last word. God does. Our real home, our children's home, will be in the land of our ancestors. God is breathing new life into the precious souls of those who died in the camps in order to bring about the rebirth of the Promised Land. None of our fellow Jews will ever have to wander the world without a home, being rejected by the nations.

Many people do not realize that what had happened to the Jewish people in World War 2 brought them a prophecy fulfilled with the nation of Israel in 1948. This dueling narration of two women during World War 2 brought this alive and the hope we have when evil is called good. Peggy Serrano and Gisela Wolff. Each woman lives world apart but one man brought them together. Jimmy Barnett is Peggy's best friend but when he came back home from the war he was not the same. Peggy and Jimmy's family are concerned about him for he has lost all hope. Peggy's story is the relationship she has with Jimmy's family, her own brokenness and insecurities and with renewed purpose, she wants to bring Jimmy back home. She finds a picture of Gisela. Her story is told from Europe and trek for freedom from Nazi rule. How she met Jimmy and how her hope is renewed.

There are many spiritual takes that anyone can reflect from. One being hope when all hope is gone. I am reminded of the hope God gives thru his people. Their story brings home (no pun intended but it is the truth) of the blight of the Jewish people and how God brought a scattered people to the promised land. We have the same promise thru Christ. Even though Jimmy and Peggy are not Jewish they have a faith that is from a hope and purpose that we all need in every time. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest revie

I love historical fiction and this is historical fiction at it’s very best. Peggy and Gisela, our narrators, invite us to join them as they experience life during WW2 from opposite sides of the ocean. Reading this book was an exercise of deeply looking at the human heart. It was filled with good and bad, despair and hope. There were paths to healing and longings to be whole again.

The beautiful, skilled writing drew me into the storyline. I became deeply invested in the lives of the characters, many of whom I came to love. This was a very emotional read for me, I shed tears many times.

The characters were realistic, flawed and oh so lovable. There were many examples of kindness, courage and Divine Intervention. While reading this book, I was reminded that miracles do happen. I loved the roles that animals played in this book, becoming important, life changing characters themselves.

I think my favorite thing about this beautiful book is the way the characters took turns sticking up for each other, rescuing each other and caring for each other. Imagine that! Imagine a world where people did just that…that’s the kind of world I want to live in. What a wonderful world that would be.

I received complimentary copies of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.