Scan barcode
library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
5.0
I recommend this novel to readers looking for a clean historical romance, with strong Christian themes.
When I picked up A Distant Melody I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew Sarah Sundin's newer novels were lovely, so I was very curious what her debut novel would be like. I wasn't disappointed. Though, Walt's lies and Allie's deceptions stressed me out, it made for a great love story. Besides, I tend to get stressed out when character's make bad decisions and I just have to make myself relax, knowing it will turn out alright in the end. I don't think it counts as a spoiler to say that this one is no exception. It has a very happy ending. :)
I appreciated that the faith journey both Walt and Allie go on throughout this novel is naturally integrated into the story and doesn't feel forced. I also believed they were in love despite the fact that most of their correspondence was through their letters. I noticed a few parallels to Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (though I haven't read the book, only watched the movie). Both are sweet stories about couples separated by conflicts over seas. I prefer Sundin's novel for many reasons. For one, it has a lot of Christian influence which makes the story so much more satisfying, and full of truth. Secondly, it's a lot more wholesome. Sparks' stories tend to err on the side of sensual, at least they are in the movies. I can't speak for the books, however I've been told he is never graphic. I think the cleanliness in Sundin's book is partly due to the Christian influence.
The more I read Christian fiction the more I become convinced that when done well, Christian fiction is stronger than non-Christian fiction. The messages are stronger, and the characters undergo more change. This is true for A Distant Melody.
I'm excited to read the second book in the Wings of Glory series, and looking forward to an excuse to pull out my 1940s music playlist. Music was just better then. ;)
Thank you Sundin for sharing your work with readers. It's truly a blessing to girls like me who love romantic fiction but want to keep it clean. :)
When I picked up A Distant Melody I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew Sarah Sundin's newer novels were lovely, so I was very curious what her debut novel would be like. I wasn't disappointed. Though, Walt's lies and Allie's deceptions stressed me out, it made for a great love story. Besides, I tend to get stressed out when character's make bad decisions and I just have to make myself relax, knowing it will turn out alright in the end. I don't think it counts as a spoiler to say that this one is no exception. It has a very happy ending. :)
I appreciated that the faith journey both Walt and Allie go on throughout this novel is naturally integrated into the story and doesn't feel forced. I also believed they were in love despite the fact that most of their correspondence was through their letters. I noticed a few parallels to Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (though I haven't read the book, only watched the movie). Both are sweet stories about couples separated by conflicts over seas. I prefer Sundin's novel for many reasons. For one, it has a lot of Christian influence which makes the story so much more satisfying, and full of truth. Secondly, it's a lot more wholesome. Sparks' stories tend to err on the side of sensual, at least they are in the movies. I can't speak for the books, however I've been told he is never graphic. I think the cleanliness in Sundin's book is partly due to the Christian influence.
The more I read Christian fiction the more I become convinced that when done well, Christian fiction is stronger than non-Christian fiction. The messages are stronger, and the characters undergo more change. This is true for A Distant Melody.
I'm excited to read the second book in the Wings of Glory series, and looking forward to an excuse to pull out my 1940s music playlist. Music was just better then. ;)
Thank you Sundin for sharing your work with readers. It's truly a blessing to girls like me who love romantic fiction but want to keep it clean. :)
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
The year is 1942.
Allie Miller is leaving for a week to attend her good friend, Betty Jamison’s wedding. While on the train ride, Allie meets Lt. Walter Novak. Lt. Novak is a fighter pilot. Instantly, Lt. Novak feels something for Allie. What he doesn’t know is that Allie has a boyfriend back home. His name is J. Baxter Hicks. Allie's parents are already planning their wedding, though Baxter hasn’t proposed to Allie yet.
Allie and Walter develop a friendship that lasts even when Allie goes back home. Of course it starts to blossom into something more. Now Allie has to make a choice whether to continue her friendship with Walter and risk everything that was planned for her future.
A Distant Melody is the debut novel from author, Sarah Sundin. It is also book one in the Wings of Glory series. I instantly was captivated by this book and Allie and Lt. Novak. This book transported me back in time. This story is a classic love story but with deeper meaning than…girl meets boy…girl falls in love with boy…girl gets married. It has a powerful message as well. It was nice to see that Allie and Walter stuck to their beliefs and put their friendship as well as relationship in God’s hands. Author, Sarah Sundin has definitely made a name with A Distant Melody. I am flying high wanting for the next book in this series.
Allie Miller is leaving for a week to attend her good friend, Betty Jamison’s wedding. While on the train ride, Allie meets Lt. Walter Novak. Lt. Novak is a fighter pilot. Instantly, Lt. Novak feels something for Allie. What he doesn’t know is that Allie has a boyfriend back home. His name is J. Baxter Hicks. Allie's parents are already planning their wedding, though Baxter hasn’t proposed to Allie yet.
Allie and Walter develop a friendship that lasts even when Allie goes back home. Of course it starts to blossom into something more. Now Allie has to make a choice whether to continue her friendship with Walter and risk everything that was planned for her future.
A Distant Melody is the debut novel from author, Sarah Sundin. It is also book one in the Wings of Glory series. I instantly was captivated by this book and Allie and Lt. Novak. This book transported me back in time. This story is a classic love story but with deeper meaning than…girl meets boy…girl falls in love with boy…girl gets married. It has a powerful message as well. It was nice to see that Allie and Walter stuck to their beliefs and put their friendship as well as relationship in God’s hands. Author, Sarah Sundin has definitely made a name with A Distant Melody. I am flying high wanting for the next book in this series.
what_ella_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good,pretty exciting,and not too predictable.
I would reccommend this book to any one who likes realistic fiction set in the World War II era.
I would reccommend this book to any one who likes realistic fiction set in the World War II era.
susanp's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written book about romance during World War II. Got a bit preachy.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
I've been trying to read romance novels set in times/places other than Regency England, so this was another attempt, and it confirmed that inspirational romances are just not for me. Allie is a young Christian woman who lives under the thumb of her domineering parents; Walter is a young Christian man who has a slight problem with telling fibs. The two of them meet and fall in love, but Allie's parents are determined that she's going to marry her father's chosen business successor. Will Allie follow her heart or her parents' wishes? The couple are separated for most of the book but communicate frequently through letters. Religious faith works well here as a way to keep the couple connected emotionally - Allie finds herself called up to pray for Walt at times when he happens to be in serious danger, thereby neatly solving the issue of how to keep characters connected when you can't have them physically together - and, while I found both of the main characters mildly obnoxious, they were realistic characters. Like, I could believe they existed, and I am sure they would be very nice people, but we probably wouldn't be friends. So, basically, I think this is a good book but it's not one I loved - but then, it wasn't really aimed at me.
My biggest criticism is spoiler-y but not a major part of the book, so here it is:
My biggest criticism is spoiler-y but not a major part of the book, so here it is:
Spoiler
the book's villain (the young man Allie's parents want her to marry) is gay and wants to marry Allie as a beard. This isn't explicitly confirmed, but the author hints at it and other characters spread rumors about it later on. It's used as a plot device (the heroine feels terrible that all these rumors are going around about her fiancé! now she really can't leave him or everyone will think the rumors are true!) but it's not really used to humanize the character in any significant way. If you're writing a book in 2010 and you present a character as a closeted gay man from a devastatingly poor background trying to make a successful life in the 1940s, you really need to engage with that on some sort of level; it's a big issue to just drop in there and ignore. I don't think it would have hurt the book any to leave the character simply a controlling, unkind, uncharitable, un-Christian jerk without adding "and he's gay." Using homosexuality as an earmark that someone is Not The Right Man For The Heroine is a tired trope that should have been left in the seventies.leahmuss13's review against another edition
5.0
I could read this book a million times and never get sick of it. Walt and Allie are my favorite and everything you can love about two main characters.
seaton44's review against another edition
5.0
Sarah Sundin’s first novel is an action packed, romance filled WWII story that will keep you turning pages for hours. The importance of truth and obedience are highlighted in this story. The author brings to life the battles that raged in the sky over France and Germany. Get to know Allie as she defies California’s high society, and Walt in the cockpit of a B-17 soaring over Europe, and meet the characters of the next book in the series. If you are a fan of Sarah Sundin’s work, this will not be a disappointment!
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this novel. I appreciated that it was a realistic love story. It had so much detail but wasn't boring, only providing info so we understand the times. I can't wait to read more in the series. I was captivated with every page!
ccsmith23's review
2.0
Phew, I read this one quickly. The author really wrung out the lying and consequences theme; it made the characters seem flat and juvenile rather than catapult them forwards with beautiful arcs. I’ve read one of the author’s books before this and it holds true, to me at least, that her weakest area in her stories are the love scenes. I was left feeling like we should be embarrassed looking in on this intimate moment rather than rooting for the lovebirds to finally be honest with one another. I don’t know if I’ll read the second one, tbh. However, for a light read - this one did just fine.
tt_reads123's review against another edition
4.0
*sigh* so so so sweet.
The Good
Plot
I've seen a lot of reviews for this book, and they were all glowing, so I went in with high expectations, and this book certainly met them. Plot-wise, the book was really good, and there was a lot of action to keep me immersed and interested the entire way. Plus, with the writing, I was completely drawn into the book, and it felt like I really was in the 1940's. I could also tell that Mrs. Sundin did her research 'cause there was a whole lot of historical info put into this book, but it was done well and didn't feel overwhelming.
Romance
Just let it be known that Walt and Allie are absolutely adorable. Their romance felt natural, and it certainly wasn't love at first sight, which I appreciated. A warning though. There was a lot of drama and misunderstandings that occurred between them because they just wouldn't talk about their feelings to each other. Honestly, I don't think I've ever met a couple that I adored so much, and yet wanted to throttle so much either. At least I can say that they definitely made me feel something ;). But that aside, I think their romance was really the highlight of the book, and I loved reading all the letters they wrote to each other. As individual characters, they both impressed me in many ways. Anyways, point is, they were both great characters, and I was totally rooting for them the entire story.
Side characters
The side characters were all really well developed, and they made me laugh and smile the entire book.
The Bad
Honestly, not much to write here. Just a few instances where I thought the writing was awkward, or a bit preachy. The beginning was also a bit slow, but all those complaints are just me being picky.
Conclusion
I'm going to binge-read ever Sarah Sundin novel there is. And I must get my hands on the next book. NOW.
The Good
Plot
I've seen a lot of reviews for this book, and they were all glowing, so I went in with high expectations, and this book certainly met them. Plot-wise, the book was really good, and there was a lot of action to keep me immersed and interested the entire way. Plus, with the writing, I was completely drawn into the book, and it felt like I really was in the 1940's. I could also tell that Mrs. Sundin did her research 'cause there was a whole lot of historical info put into this book, but it was done well and didn't feel overwhelming.
Romance
Just let it be known that Walt and Allie are absolutely adorable. Their romance felt natural, and it certainly wasn't love at first sight, which I appreciated. A warning though. There was a lot of drama and misunderstandings that occurred between them because they just wouldn't talk about their feelings to each other. Honestly, I don't think I've ever met a couple that I adored so much, and yet wanted to throttle so much either. At least I can say that they definitely made me feel something ;). But that aside, I think their romance was really the highlight of the book, and I loved reading all the letters they wrote to each other. As individual characters, they both impressed me in many ways. Anyways, point is, they were both great characters, and I was totally rooting for them the entire story.
Side characters
The side characters were all really well developed, and they made me laugh and smile the entire book.
Spoiler
But when Frank died, I was heartbroken. I was expecting it, because I just know that authors love killing off the good characters. At first Mrs. Sundin led me to believe nothing would really happen to Frank, and then she hit me with it. That was painful, especially since Frank was my favorite. And then when Jim also died, my heart broke. I can tell you honestly that a few tears came when that happened.The Bad
Honestly, not much to write here. Just a few instances where I thought the writing was awkward, or a bit preachy. The beginning was also a bit slow, but all those complaints are just me being picky.
Conclusion
I'm going to binge-read ever Sarah Sundin novel there is. And I must get my hands on the next book. NOW.