Today I am reviewing Listen for the Chickadees by Terri Wangard out Tuesday
Book description
She’s loved him forever.
He’s never seen her as more than a memory from home.
Then Pearl Harbor changed everything.
December 7, 1941, shattered the illusion that anyone is safe.
Navy nurse Gloria Bloch wakes to the thunder of enemy planes over Pearl Harbor, certain of only one thing: John Walsh, the boy she has loved since childhood, is far from danger aboard an aircraft carrier. Or so she believes.
When panicked American gunfire brings John down over the harbor, their reunion is brief and breathtaking, forged in chaos neither can escape.
As the Second World War drives the United States into the Pacific conflict, Gloria and John are swept onto separate paths of duty. Gloria serves aboard the hospital ship USSÂ Serenity, tending shattered bodies and wounded souls. John flies combat missions as a Navy fighter pilot and combat photographer, risking everything to document a war that refuses to leave him untouched.
Their paths cross again and again in fleeting moments between air raids and surgeries, courage and fear, longing and loss. With every meeting, the feelings they have buried deepen. But war demands more than love. It demands sacrifice, tests faith, and steals time without warning.
When separation stretches into silence, Gloria must face the terrifying possibility that hope itself has become another casualty of war.
As war and distance threaten to pull them apart, only the smallest signs remain: a whistle, a painted bird, and a promise worth holding onto.
Listen for the Chickadees is a Christian World War II historical romance set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy, and the Pacific War. It is a story of steadfast love, quiet faith, and the courage it takes to trust God when tomorrow is uncertain.
Perfect for readers who enjoy WWII historical fiction, Christian wartime love stories, and emotionally rich fiction set in America and the Pacific theater
My Review
Thanks to the Author for my review copy.
This is my first book by Terri Wangard and it won’t be the last. This book is set in WW2 at the start of the Pacific campaign. We start the night before Pearl Harbor where we meet our heroine Gloria Bloch. As the morning of December 6, 1941 Gloria is staying on the Hospital ship in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attack happens. The way Terri describes the scene and the casualties I couldn’t help but cry. Reading what happened made it even more real. I have been to pearl harbor which I think added to this story cos I had seen the where the events happened.
John Walsh is a pilot who the following day takes friendly fire and ends up in an aid station and sees Gloria. Gloria is the cousin of one of his best friends and is now all grown up and a navy nurse. This is the start of the Pacific Theatre. John returns to his ship as a pilot and Gloria transfers to a hospital ship. John and Gloria cross paths many times and both are clearly drawn to each other.
The book takes us through different battles in the Pacific with different events that happen during the war. I know of some of the places and events, but I know now so much more. At times I did do a search on locations to know exactly where they were. There is also a very strong faith element in this book. It tackles themes such as forgiveness and trust.
I mentioned I cried in chapter one, it wasn’t the only place. There were several places where I could feel the emotions, pain, suffering all associated with war. It takes a lot to make me cry in a book and this one I cried several times. I am not sure I have read any other books set in the Pacific area for WW2 but hope we will now see more. I have read quite a few that were more concentrating on the war in Europe. Of all the WW2 books I have read this is my favourite. It flows well and I just needed to know what next.
If you enjoy historical books with factual information about the war, give this one a go. This is my top read of the year. I have just found out this is book three in a series but each one is its own area of the war. I see it’s on the cover but if you haven’t read the other two you don’t be at a loss. They will be on my TBR list.
Thanks Jenny, sounds real-to-life & you convinced me. I just placed my order. My dad was in the airforce during WWII so I have an affinity for these wartime stories.
Hi Rita, I am sure you would enjoy this one. My uncle was in the Airforce in WWII also but I don’t know where. My dad was a machine gunner and in Darwin at the time the Japanese bombed Darwin.
Hi Jenny, You’ve sold me on wanting to read this book (and series)! I agree, there aren’t many WW2 Christian historical romances set in the Pacific. I remember my late father looking for them (20th century historical fiction was his favourite genre) and struggling to find them. Thanks for sharing your insightful review. 😊
I really did enjoy reading this book I think having been to Pearl Harbor made it even more interesting.