Becoming Mrs Smith

This was a lovely read. So beautifully written. A family saga set pre, during and post WW2 it tells the story of John and Violet growing up in a small farming town in South Dakota. The story really highlights the fear and complete lack of communication while waiting for loved ones to return. A real heart wrenching read with wonderful characters. A definite recommendation for lovers of historical fiction. So pleased there is more to come.

Violet has known John since they were children. She took a job until he finished school and in her heart waited and hoped that one day they would settle down and have a family. When war approaches and John enlists things take a very different turn from what she imagined. The most of this story is about Violets wait for John and the letters they write to each other and what the rest of the town and her friends are going through. This is very well written and takes you to the heart of Violet’s feelings and of those around her. I am not usually into historical fiction but this one somehow struck a chord and made a very enjoyable read. Compelling characters and an excellent storyline keep this alive right to the very end.

This book wasn't what I expected, but it was pretty good. There was background information given that left me hanging wondering "why did they make such a big deal of it?" until the very last page. It was an interesting perspective and short enough to be read in one sitting.

I very much enjoyed this novella. It was written in the first person by a young girl growing up in rural America in the run up to the second world war, and follows her through the war as a young adult. Her voice was clear and strong, and the insight into her world was charming. Although a big fan of books set during this era, I hadn't thought much about what the every day American experience of WW2 was, but this gave me an idea. It is a quick read and kept me engaged. I wanted to know the outcome. I will read her next book. Thank you for giving me the chance to review the book.

This is the first book about Mr. Smith with this one focused on his childhood and growing attraction to a neighbor who eventually becomes Mrs. Smith.

A majority of this story is set during World War II and you see the struggles that are faced by those who fought and those they left behind.

Overall, it was a nice read with the promise of another title to come focused on Mr. Smith and his life after the arrival of 2 kids with his beloved.

A lovely historical love story set in WW2 in the country area of Dakota.
Violet and John meet at school and fast become each others world. Violet contracts scarlet fever as a child, which her mother thinks will cause her to die young and with a broken hart.
Over the years John and Violet become everything to each other, then John signs up to the military.
Whist he is away, life moves sadly forward for Vi, then the death of her friend’s beau makes Vi realise she needs to not be sad and read John’s letters and correspond with him during the toughest time of his life.
A lovely story of a young women, whose life is threatened with her health, but goes forward towards love and what the future holds.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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

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 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!!

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.

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 *

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!