I enjoyed Becoming Mrs Smith by Tanya E Williams. I thought it was well written and the characters really popped for me. I would recommend!

A sweet and short historical fiction, of a young couple, and their blossoming relationships. Depicting the emotional hardships of a soldier fighting during WW2, and his sweetheart left behind. Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

I really don't read too many novellas, so I was a little apprehensive to pick up this one. While they are often quick reads, I sometimes find they can lack much substance to the story. I will say this title delivered more than I was expecting. The story takes place in a rural are and tells the story of Violet and John and their connection from a young age and beyond. It explores the toll the war can take on the soldier and the loved ones back home. Even though I enjoyed the story, I think the ending will keep me from reading the rest of the series. I was just disappointed and it left me disinterested. But as a whole, I found this novella an enjoyable, quick read.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

Not all of war's destruction takes place on the battlefield. Violet's heart still flutters as an effect of the scarlet fever she survived as a child and it beats even faster at the sight of John Smith, the man she hopes to marry. As America finds itself deeply entrenched in World War II, John enlists in the army and Violet is sure that she'll never forgive him for dashing their plans. As the realities of war set in, Violet struggles to hold on to her faith in John as her world crumbles around her. War stole the man she loves, and childhood illness weakened her heart, perhaps irreparably. As John faces war in Europe, the war Violet faces at home may be even more devastating.

I really enjoyed this sweet story. I loved Violet and John, both as a couple and as individuals. I thought they balanced each other very well. I could tell that the author did a lot of research into the time period and her hard work definitely paid off. The storyline flows smoothly and incorporated a lot of historical significance. She also managed to write a story that captures your heart. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

A really lovely historical love story set in WW2 that can be read in one sitting following the lives of Violet and John and the letters he wrote to her during the war, with an ending I certainly was not expecting!!

A brilliant and at times a poignant tale of love and survival. A great historical fiction novella that will tug at the heartstrings as often as it makes you smile. A must read for historical fiction lovers.

A sweet short story about relationships and blossoming love during Workd War 2. Made a nice bedtime read. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the ebook.

This is quite a short story that deserves a place on every bookshelf

A lovely easy read that starts off with you wondering if there is going to be a death in the first few pages

An excellent page turner with a little shock at the end which wasn’t expected

So looking forward to deq

The first thing I need to address - this book made me weep. For some reason I am a masochist when it comes to WWII set books, I love them but they love to hurt me. This is 100% a 5 star read!!! This novella knows how to pack a punch!

This book is based around a woman living in South Decota (USA) before and during the second world war, showing her life and how she matures from a young girl into a young woman attempting to keep going in a world which seems to be limping onwards into danger. As the book is a novella, a lot happens in a very short time which makes it hard to explain without giving anything away! Our protagonist Violet leads a life of constant worry when her childhood sweetheart signs up to the war effort and she is left wondering whether she will ever see him again. This book absolutely wrenched my heart out, made me weep and managed to make me have pretty intense feelings about the next book in this series within 2 small paragraphs at the end of the book. Definitely a series I am continuing and will be recommending to all of my friends!

Thank you to Tanya and NetGalley for an eCopy of this book in return for an unbiased review, I have found a new favourite book and a series I will follow!

A lovely read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Violet and John and their relationship which grew from childhood through to adulthood during the war times. Well written with great characters.

This is a short read that follows the blossoming of a childhood friendship into a serious romance.
John and Violet begin seriously courting just as war looms. How a decision to defend one`s country and cope with loneliness, loss and resentment play a key role in this book.
There are a few slow moving parts and it definitely ends with a sequel in mind.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for a copy of BECOMING MRS SMITH in exchange for an honest review.

What an enjoyable and beautifully written story. I realize this is just the first section, but I was sad that it ended. It definitely didn't feel long enough and I am eager to read the next part. The story followed Violet from a child through her high school years, and then into adulthood. It focused on her blooming romance with John Smith, and the letters they sent back and forth while he was overseas, fighting in the war.

The book was written from Violet's perspective, as she discovers her feelings for John, copes with sadness when he leaves and prays for his safe return on a daily basis. This was such a heart wrenching read, full of so many emotions. I came to fall in love with Violet myself and wanted nothing more than for her sweet John to return home so they could be together. What seems like a heart felt and straight forward story ends up taking an unexpected turn and left me completely speechless. What a beautifully written book. A solid 4.5 stars for me!

Not a lover of first person/present tense writing.
A dip into the world of South Dakota in the 1940's, although it had the feel of earlier times. The story reminded me of 'Little Woman,' and the girls waiting for father to come home from the Civil War. The letters were a lovely touch to this heart-rending story, even though I found it hard to believe that Vi would be able to contain herself for seven months before reading them (just because she was angry with John). I felt the title of the book rather ruined the suspense, as it is obvious he would return, to enable her to become Mrs. Smith. The ending was quite a shocker and made up for the long wait. 3.5

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review "Becoming Mrs. Smith" by Tanya E Williams. A work of historical fiction that felt like I had gone back in time and lived those moments. I really enjoyed everything about this book, except for the ending and time moving too fast. There were times where little was said and then at least a year or two had passed. I wanted more detail about Violet's life and wanted to know what happened in those missing years. Honestly, I wish this had been a full novel because I was so engrossed in the story. Violet is a very relate able character and it felt so real, seeing each event take place. I am eager to read the next novel, despite the ending. A wonderful work of historical fiction!

Author Tanya Williams took me back to pre-World War II South Dakota and captured my imagination with panache. Farm life in rural America during the Great Depression. One of the most revered times in history. A milestone that helped carve out the nation. Given a front row seat, I got to enjoy babysitting the main protagonists watching them grow up. Both rich and rewarding. Their dispositions were clearly defined. Down to earth. The action in the scenes followed this character-driven narrative in chronological order. Easy to follow. I won't hint at the ending but I'll say this: it's worth sticking around for.

South Dakota is where we'll find 11-year-old Violet Sanderson along with her parents and younger sister Iris. They live on a farm just outside Cedar Springs. It'd been the only life she'd ever known. In 1935 Violet contracted scarlet fever and almost succumbed to the disease. Hung on for dear life with everything she had. The illness left its mark with a permanently damaged heart.

The years passed. Violet graduated high school and grew into a fine young woman. She found a job in town and took an apartment of her own. John had been a friend and close companion of hers since early school years. Into adulthood they'd formed a loving relationship with each other. Violet kept to herself a hidden desire for them to be married someday. The escalating war in Europe though had plans of its own. Life and all its many splendored plans had taken a back seat.

Rather than wait to be drafted, John enlisted. Just felt it was the right thing to do. He never told Violet of his plans. At first she was infuriated. It took many months for her to realize her anger was misdirected. Over the next few years some of the townsfolk's sons, brothers and husbands had become casualties of the war. The grim news spread like wildfire. Then one day Violet learned John was reported missing in action. Her hopes dashed - dreams shattered. No way to tell if John was still alive. All she could do was wait. And hope. The answer would soon come.

My thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

‘Becoming Mrs. Smith’ by Tanya E. Williams is a novella and the first in a series. The story is very well written and Ms. Williams has the ability to weave a wonderful story from beginning to end. The reader is captivated from the first chapter until the last word. It’s one of those books that are short enough to read in one sitting, however even if it wasn’t that short, I could find myself reading it until I was finished.

The story has great character development. The main characters are created with utmost care. They make tough choices, as well as, missteps and reveals to the reader what it is to love and be human. You find yourself cheering the characters on. ‘Becoming Mrs. Smith’ takes the reader through a myriad of emotions. Ms. Williams spins a tale that will creep into your heart. Taking place before and after World War II you can feel what it is like to be the one who is left home when a loved one goes to war. Waiting weeks and months for word from a loved one was so enlightening give our time of instant communication.

Cheers to Ms. Williams on her debut novel. I look forward to reading more from her.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ms. Williams and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Violet Sanderson lives on a farm in South Dakota. Having suffered from scarlet fever as a child, her heart is weaker than most, but this doesn’t stop her from loving with every bit of it. She loves her family, her friends, and John Smith. Violet and John have been in a relationship for years- she can’t imagine a life without him. She assumes that they will get married and start a family. Her plans are interrupted by World War II, however.

John joins the army. The only time Violet hears from John is through their shared correspondence. Several of Violet’s neighbors have lost their sons, brothers, and beaus. Will Violet lose hers, too?



I really enjoy reading historical fiction about WWII. It’s incredibly interesting, almost always poignant, and focuses on a very interesting time in history. I’ve never once regretted reading a book about World War II. I have to say, this one was not my favorite (for reasons mentioned below). However, it was still a very sweet story.

Becoming Mrs. Smith was a light, short read. It was a welcome break after reading several dark thrillers in a row. The story is, in a word, charming. I enjoyed reading about Violet’s life on a farm and later her life in town. The letter component that was introduced halfway through the book (letters between Violet at home and John in training/at the front) was a nice change from the usual book format.

Large swaths of time were skipped through in this story. You might have just read about something that happened in May and then the next chapter takes place in December. I like the breaking up of the book into sections by month, but I don’t know how I feel about the periods of time in between stretching so long.

At the beginning of the book, the author’s writing is awkward at times. It doesn’t flow as elegantly as it does later on in the book. I don’t know if this is because the narrator is younger at the beginning and the author is trying to evoke a sense of immaturity and childishness, or if this is just the author finding her footing in writing the novella. Either way, the writing does smooth out later on.

Lastly, the ending of this book is the best part of it. We’re left with a major cliffhanger. I think that I want to know what happens next. You may very well see a review of the next in the series, Stealing Mr. Smith, in the coming months!

I really enjoyed this little Novella, quick read, excellent view of life back then and it was very enlightening of how family members back home during WWII waited for letters and sat in the evenings listening to the radio for news coming from the front lines.
The storyline follows the life of Violet, “Vi” and John. As a child she contracted Scarlet Fever, leaving permanent damage to her heart. We follow Violet’s life on the farm, her first friendship with John Smith, having to leave the farm to live in town for high school and then coming of age as an adult. The timeline thru the late 30’s into the 40’s was easy to follow, describing the seasons and watching the dates of the letters, the people and the happenings during the war were excellent. This was a very pleasant short read.

A beautifully written story! John and Violet grew up in a small farming town in South Dakota. There was no one else for either they've been best friends since early childhood. Violet went through a bought of scarlet fever as a preteen and the doctor was unsure if she would survive. Survive she did but it left her with a weak heart. This book takes place before during and after WWII. With lack of instant communication that we have now a days it shows the extra stress families went through waiting for word of their loved ones status as they fought in the war. Some tragedies,uncertainties and happy moments are contained within. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Pub Date 03 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Although quite a short book, I enjoyed reading this and did it in one sitting !. The tale is quite fast paced and that is why I only gave it 4 stars as I felt if it had gone into more depth then the book would have been better. However, I did enjoy it and would recommend it for anyone wanting a quick read.