Wow—what a start! The book opened with Sarah accidentally marrying the wrong twin because of a cruel trick. I almost stopped reading because of how uncomfortable it made me feel, but I was glad I stuck with it. The way things came together later on made that tough beginning worth it.

Although I hadn’t read the first two books in the Pendleton Promises series, I had no trouble diving into the story and becoming invested in the characters and town. Kade (the twins’ dad) was a standout—perceptive and kind. Sarah’s father brought a gentle steadiness to the story, and I appreciated Rory, Brett’s loyal friend in action. On the flip side, Sarah’s mother—and especially Ben—played their roles well as antagonists.

The pacing was well done, and the author did a great job balancing the very different locations the characters passed through. It was definitely an emotional read, with strong themes of love, forgiveness, and growing up in the face of war. I would recommend it to fans of historical clean romance!

Special thanks to Wholesome Hearts Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

The Rawlings twins, Ben and Brett, are headed off to war at sixteen leaving Sarah squarely in the middle of them. This is the most unusual beginning I have ever read by Shanna Hatfield, but it certainly drew me into the three of these young people’s stories. Family, love, war, betrayal, heartbreak but forgiveness too. Sarah is truly a story of impact. I wholeheartedly recommend this historical fiction romance.

"Oh! what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!" (Sir Walter Scott's poem "Marmion") came to mind when I read Shanna Hatfield's "Sarah". Sarah has loved Brett since she met him in grammar school. His twin Ben is her nemesis, aggravating her every time he's near her. When war arrives on the European front, Brett and Ben want to join up but cannot due to their age and their dad's refusal. However, Ben devises a plan to go without permission. Will a secret destroy the relationship between brothers and between Brett and Sarah?

A slow start to the story almost had me not finishing. However, a plot twist snagged me into the story and I just HAD to finish. 'A sweet historical romance' is an accurate description.

Released May 22nd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sarah loved Brett Rawlings, but his twin brother Ben was another thing. Ben was always into mischief, or wrong doings, and Brett went along to try and keep him out of too much trouble. Ben was determined to fight in France during WWI, but they were only 16. When Ben came up with a plan, Brett agreed to go too, hoping to watch out for him. Before they left, Ben pretended to be Brett and eloped with Sarah, who thought she was marrying Brett.

After a year in France, a changed Brett arrives home. He and Sarah have some things to work out. Shanna Hatfield’s Sarah is a poignant story of love lost, the horrors of war, and of love regained. I read this on #NetGalley.com.

oh this book was too much. too too much but in all the best ways a book can be too much. too much heart. too much heart healing and heart hurting. but again in all the best ways. i loved this book so much. books that make you feel so much are true gems. they arent ever too much, they are always on it though with stealing your time from you. and you wont mind one bit.
Sarah and Brett(oh guuuuys) were always meant to be. they both new it. they both felt it. it was meant to be if ever there was such a thing. so when Sarah receives news they will run off and marry she is overjoyed. but sinister ways come her way when his disgusting twin trick her and marries her instead.
then this brother decides he will go to war and of course his brother had no option to go be with him. he couldn't not go with his brother.
but this leaves Sarah is broken and then some to contend with.
but war is worse than anyone dared imagine. war does thing to the people who are in it. it changes everything. will it change their love. their chance. their future?
what a beautiful book. i was rooting for the characters from beginning to end. infact i needed it to turn out ok in the end that is how much this book got me.