I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't tell you how happy I am about that fact. There is a 50/50 chance I won't like a book I am highly anticipating reading, and sadly the last couple books I'd been really looking forward to were disappointments. This book however was not. 
 Both MCs were engaging I found myself wanting to know how things would work out between the two. I wanted to see them succeed in their chosen paths. I wanted them to realize God's plan and intentions in their lives. I wanted them to be happy. I was invested in these characters. So much Yay about that. 
 Mary was an intriguing character as well as Jim. They're both examples of taking things to the extremes. (view spoiler)[ Mary with her constant need to be out of the spotlight and letting fear of being noticed rule her life. Although to be fair I can see why she didn't want to be in the pageant considering what happened to her when she was a child. However she leaned on God to give her the strength to sing the solo and to help her overcome her fear of being to prideful. on a side note am I the only one who was a tad bit upset with Mary for just stepping aside, and not fighting for Jim? 
 I get it she was all about putting other people first, but really, she'd just come from a straight up lip lock with the guy, she couldn't have waited to discuss their future with him, without just deciding to take a step back. He wasn't opposed to the kiss, and he'd even mentioned they would talk when the got back. He wasn't hung up on the best friend anymore. Speaking of the best friend. I was so excited to have a genuinely nice popular girl who'd the BFF. To be fair there was some tension but I thing that's all on Mary at that point. And even when Quintessa LIED about the kiss, I was a bit salty over that. I still could appreciate their friendship, especially when she apologized later for being arrogant in assuming she knew what was for the best for Jim. 
 Speaking of... Jim on the other hand is the example of what happens when you drift too much through out life. He floats, as he says. It's a nice philosophy on paper. But sooner or later, you're going to have to put your feet down and take a stand. But by the end of the book, both had prayerfully overcome their shortcomings and started living the life God wanted for them. Which makes me so happy. Truthfully this entire book just made me happy. (hide spoiler)] 
 Along with the characters the plot itself was interesting especially with the chosen time period. Given the book is set in the past, We (the readers) know it's inevitable the country was going to war. However it's interesting to see, pre war situations. Normally books I pick up (if I'm reading a war story which admittedly doesn't happen often) Put the action smack in the middle of war time. So I was interested in reading what life is like before war, before the fighting. Like it is now. Some people are all for jumping in with guns blazing, while others are all about staying out of it and letting other people deal with their own problems. Then of course there's the racism involved. In the story you see the German character being verbally and physically abuse, mostly verbal simply because of his race. He was German so he was automatically a Nazi. (view spoiler)[ Never mind he wasn't and his wife was actually Jewish which was why he'd run to the U.S in the first place. I like that mini moral lesson there. Never judge someone by where they come from, or who you THINK they are. Chances are you'll end up eating a piece of humble pie, much like the worker who tried to frame him did. (hide spoiler)] I can see the parallels in the book to what's currently happening in today's society. Isn't it grand when you can make real life connections. 
 Anyway, this is a wonderful book. 
 Recommended? Yes, definitely yes. Especially if you like historical books, and the like (Although I can't speak to the accuracy because I can barely remember what I did last week let alone, what happen some few years ago. 
 Buy/Borrow? Buy it. I'm going to.