Synopsis:~

Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they’re not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred–and it’s no longer clear whom she can trust.

My take:~

With a voice that is fresh, vivid, and beguiling, Amy Lynn Green unveils a debut novel that will captivate your heart and engage your mind. Things We Didn’t Say is one of the most remarkable novels I have read and that it has been penned by a newbie author is nothing short of astounding.

Epistolary novels are technically difficult and maintaining the reader’s ongoing emotional engagement is often a challenge. Green seems unaware of both, with every page eminently readable and engrossing. Her heroine’s voice is exceptionally strong – Johanna’s personality, wit, and intelligence leap off the page – but what surprises is that every letter, including those written by her friend Peter Ito, the camp commander, and Johanna’s language professor, are perfection, the voices unique and distinctive, in both language, personality, and fervour.

The complexity of the story is a literary treat, exploring the fear-driven prejudice against Japanese and German Americans on the home front and the struggles of women who defied social expectations merely by pursuing their own dreams and desires. With a featherlight touch, intrigue, suspense, and romance are interwoven seamlessly resulting in a book that with have all your senses firing.

Things We Didn’t Say heralds a bright new talent and I can’t wait for more from Amy Lynn Green and her brilliant voice.

With thanks to Bethany House for my review copy. My opinions remain my own.

Stay tuned for a fabulous upcoming feature and giveaway from Amy and Bethany House. Yes, it’s a character spotlight!!

Amy Lynn Green is a publicist by day and a freelance writer on nights and weekends. She was the 2014 winner of the Family Fiction short story contest, and her articles have been featured in Crosswalk, Focus on the Family magazines, and other faith-based publications over the past 10 years. This is her first novel. Learn more at www.amygreenbooks.com.

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