I'll start this review by telling you that I absolutely loved this book. I have to really like a book to give it a 5 star rating but I would give this one ten stars if it was possible. It had everything that a great book needs. It was well researched, had a fantastic dual time line and well written characters. I got totally immersed in it and when it was finished, I couldn't pick up another book for a few days because this book stayed in my thoughts.

The story was well written and the two time lines flowed very well together. When everything came together at the end, it was just perfect. There was a bit of mystery and a bit of romance but the strongest part of this story was the attention to detail on the characters and their connections to each other. I love a book where the research is so well done that I learn things that I didn't know. I had no idea that German subs were lurking in the waters of the Atlantic near the US shoreline and that they managed to destroy several boats. In some of my goggling to learn more about this, I found out that in 1941 Germans sank five Allied merchant ships off Georgia shores. Either we never heard about this in school or I wasn't listening that day but I had no idea that German subs were so close to America.

This beautiful book is about bravery and family and an unlikely friendship that bonded three very different men and one woman for years. This is the best book that I've read in a long time and will definitely be one of my best books of the year.

"Never in the memory of man has there been a war in which courage, the endurance, and the loyalty of civilians has played so vital a part."

I love historical fiction and World War II especially has always captured my interest as I always learn something new.
This is an emotional novel that will tug at your heart. A story of resilience, love, courage, secrets, and forgiveness set during WWII.
Dual timeline historical fiction that beautifully weaves together that had me totally captivated and engaged in the story.
These are characters that will stay with me for a long time. This was a book that I didn't want to put down!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the opportunity to read this powerful book.

I was invited to read and review this book before it's public release and am thankful for that. As always with this author, the book is well written and well researched. I learned a lot of information about WW2 that I didn't know before, author notes was probably my favorite section of the book .
Not a big fan of romance novels but this was o.k. and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I much prefer one of her other books, Blue Hole Back Home and highly recommend it to those who enjoy her writing but not really into romance books

Thank you to Netgalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This is my first time reading this author's books, and I will be reading more! This was a dual timeline story that she pulled off very well. I loved the look into a time in history that I had never even heard about. I highly recommend this read.

It was so refreshing to learn something surprising and new from a period of time so well written about. Learning about the US East Coast casualties during WW2 really intensified the storyline. You read so many history books already knowing the ending because of the commonality of the events. The fictional story was poetic and engrossing. How three men came together from enemy sides to create a company legacy for future generations was so well told. Dual timeline and different characters is a tough combination, yet this author managed to find the balance beautifully.
I am going off to the library right now to read more of Joy Jordan-Lake.
Thankyou Netgalley for the ARC

I love a dual time live book, especially one with such rich history. Joy Jordan-Lake hot this one out of the park with such immense woven history into the plot telling such a pivotal story about WWII and the importance of woman and their work within the war. I also loved the diversity of the men's stories and their rich friendships. Couldn't put it down. A great read.

I have read many novels set in WWII, but Echoes of Us introduced me to new historical details like German U-boats off the coast of Georgia and the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Like Jordan-Lake’s other novels, this book’s richly drawn characters and setting made it impossible to put down. I loved the interplay between the modern-day characters and their historical counterparts, and the ending offered a marvelous twist! I found this story deeply engaging as well as hopeful. I also appreciated that Echoes didn’t romanticize WWII, but demonstrated meticulous research and careful reverence for this history.

Alternating between World War II and current times, Joy Jordan Lake weaves romance into a story about forgotten (if ever known) history. German US boat 123 attacks and sinks a merchant marine ship as it leaves St.Simons Island off the coast of Georgia, setting the stage for four very different characters to interact: Joanie, A local girl, Will, A Merchant Marine rescued from the torpedoed ship, Dov, A British exchange officer sent to St. Simons to to train Americans in the use of the new Radar systems, and Hans, the submarine engineer who deserts and is picked up as a POW and brought to the island as a prisoner until the war ends.
Jordan-Lake skillfully tells their stories, interweaving them with the party planners hired to organize a reunion of the decendants of the three men who formed a company after the war.
The author's attention to detail is impeccable. I had no idea that German subs killed more Americans than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, or that WASPs played an integral role in moving bombers and other aircraft to where they were needed during the war.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I am a fan of historical fiction, especially stories set in the World War II era and I also enjoy dual time lines, so this story was very interesting and an excellent read. The relationship between three young men and the young woman who was involved which each of them in different aspects was a very insightful, inspiring story. I was not aware of the fact that German U boats were off the southern coast and the ultimate consequences that ensued, and how these young people rose to the occasion and met these challenges. I do not want to give away too much detail, suffice to say this story had a little bit of everything that makes for good reading. I enjoyed the historical fiction details, the inspirational acts of these people, the friendship, love, respect that they had for each other, this story also weaved in some mystery aspects which I did figure out, but the author finished this story with a very neat twist that came as a surprise to me. I would highly recommend this story and I will be reading more books by this author.

Love this story ! Learned so much history ! Love the way the this author makes story fun , sorry for so may lost lives and the war was awful and such a love story . Will be reading more of Joys books for sure! Woman really had to fight to help with the war

Our family has lived visiting St Simons Island over the years and have good memories of the familiar landmarks referenced throughout this book. It’s a captivating story that brings out a piece of WWII history many may not know. The author artfully weaves storylines between the historical and contemporary characters with unexpected twists. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it whether or not you have been to the beautiful island of St Simons, Georgia!

This is a story of 3 men and 1 woman and how they work together to get through WWII. It is a great read that will stay with you. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. This review is my feelings towards the book.

Joy Jordon-Lake’s latest book, Echoes of Us takes little-known facts about World War II and builds a fascinating dual-timeline love story. From the first page of this brilliantly written novel you are hooked. It’s a story of secrets, friendships, courage and heroism. The author weaves little known historical figures and events into the story that you can’t put down and don’t want to end. Once again, Joy Jordon-Lake has produced a masterpiece. This is a must read! Nancy D

Via #netgalley, I read an ARC of this book. WOW! WOW! WOW! Joy Jordan-Lake makes the lives of these characters feel so real. This book transports us back in time and deeply immerses us into the painful, powerful, love-filled, and inspiring stories of these regular folks, from different countries, living during the horrors of WWII. I was so impressed by the research that went into this intriguing work and I learned SO much about our country’s history! I appreciated the moral strength of these characters as well as their desire to be true to themselves. I admired their loyalty, fortitude, diversity, and ability to see the best in people. They united to form a commitment to peace, kindness, and doing good in this world. All goals that we clearly need today. Brava!

I have been a fan of Joy Jordan-Lake's novels since Blue Hole Back Home, and I am an eager advance reader of each new book. If you like historical fiction with characters that jump off the page, you will love all of her books. With Echoes of Us, she has reached a new peak as an author. Her characters are richer and deeper than ever, with complicated lives of their own and personalities that make you want to get to know them. From the very first page, I was plunged into this story of generations, of wealth and poverty, of sisterhood and courage. And I even learned some WWII history along the way, involving U-boats and the Georgia coastline. Fair warning: don't pick this book up until you have several hours free, because you won't want to put it down. Truly it is the very best of her writing, and you need to read it.

Nancy Massand's reviewAug 18, 2024 · edit
it was amazing

I've been an ardent fan of Joy Jordan-Lake for years, since I read Blue Hole Back Home, and haven't missed a release yet. Even so, I can honestly say Echoes of Us surpasses her usual standard. She has become a master of dual timeline historical fiction, seamlessly weaving the present and the past into a continuous narrative that captivates our imaginations as it stimulates our intellects. Many times I found myself questioning bold plot devices: "Wait, what? A German sub on the eastern seaboard?" only to find that she didn't make this stuff up. I learned more about history from Echoes of Us than I did in my high school and college history courses. The women's angle is especially intriguing as she chronicles the saga of the WASP's in a poignant style that echoes the inequities many women still face today.

The theme of siblings runs strong in the book, in both the WWII and present day arcs, with love and rivalry intertwined convincingly. But both sets of siblings present a jolt to the reader in completely unexpected plot twists that shoot down all our expectations for their resolutions. Just when we think we know how it will all work out, the secondary characters with their own unique arcs get involved and up the ante, complicating an already tangled saga with new possibilities. It's no accident that references to Will Shakespeare keep surfacing as a trope, since the intertwined plots in this novel mirror those in some of the bard's most endearing plays.

Joy Jordan-Lake does not back down from controversial and even shocking material, but she treats sensitive subjects with finesse and subtlety. I would not hesitate to recomment Echoes of Us to teen readers as well as adult historical fiction aficionados. It is clean fiction at its best, appealing to romantics and intellectuals alike.

Don't miss this one! An emotional and suspenseful page turner, for sure!

Joy Jordan-Lake has found her place among those skilled writers who can draw us in and carry us along in multiple timeframes and with fascinating characters. Her ability to write characters that we feel we know and want to spend time with, while winding a story across specific historical settings and places catches the reader quickly and makes it difficult to put the book down.. In "Echoes of Us" the reader is invited to come along while a puzzle is solved, fall in love with people and families and see how hard it was for some to bring their gifts and skills to the United States involvement in World War 2. I particularly appreciate Jordan-Lake's way of bringing to light moments and movements that haven't gotten the spotlight but are worth our reading and knowing. "Echoes of Us" is also a fun read and a compelling mystery- well worth your time, and a wonderful gift to those you know who like to read, fly, ponder and care.

I was born and raised in middle Georgia. Vacations for my family usually consisted of visiting other family members. This was very easy when you have three grandparents and more than 15 aunts and uncles. One vacation spot was always St. Simons Island where I had my grandmother and usually at least one aunt and uncle and a few cousins living. St. Simons is the main setting for this novel and is a beautiful barrier island on the coast of Georgia. The novel is a dual timeline and multiple POV taking place during WWII time and also 2022. The reason for this is that you have three men who meet on the island at different times during these tumultuous times between 1942 and 1944 and they eventually after the war band together to form a multinational business. In 2022 they are having a reunion and two women, who own an event planning company are called to research a story and put together the reunion. But what goes on during each time period? Well, all I’m going to say is that Hadley and Kitzie, in 2022, are given a photo of a woman with two of the men on the beach and on the back, it says traitor. Who, what, and why? It’s all connected, and they aim to find out.

So, I loved this book! It was nostalgic for me in that I knew many of the specific places mentioned on St. Simons Island. It has so much history involved with what took place during WWII. I learned quite a few new pieces of information. It’s a beautifully written book that spans emotions and time. You are able to connect with it on a historical level, emotional level, and even with some mystery and romance. There is just a little bit for everyone. This book will transport you back in time and then bring you to the present in a magical way.

To put it bluntly, I loved this. It was a tale of bravery, resilience, hardship, and love of family. Well-written and well-researched, the story grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go.

I cried at the end, not from sadness, but from appreciation of the journey I had just taken.

Oh, and I loved the cover.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the author and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

True confession: When I was asked to read an early copy of Echoes of Us on NetGalley, I was torn. I love Joy Jordan-Lake's books (and Joy), but I was reluctant to read yet another World War II novel. Echoes of Us drew me in from the get-go, and the novel takes a different approach to the period, one that had me doing some of my own research even as I was drawn into the characters' stories in both the war years and the contemporary setting. Dual timeline stories can be tricky to sustain, but Jordan-Lake seamlessly blends the two timelines, weaving them together beautifully. The characters were compelling, and the novel manages to highlight aspects of World War II that you don't usually read about without neglecting the more typical elements you usually see in historical novels set in the period. St. Simon's Island came alive in the novel; you get a real sense of place in both time settings and the descriptions really draw you in. I loved the highlighting of the WASP program and its unsung heroines. I also loved how the novel built to an explanation of the bond among the three founders of Boundless, something that initially seemed unbelievable but became convincing. Echoes of Us sheds a light on some "hidden" pieces of history and does so in a wonderfully readable fashion.