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Molly's Momma

World War I Historical Romance, Teen-(And mature tween) Appropriate

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018

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Here's another great book to add to your inter-generational book club! I'm reviewing Ellen Gable's Julia's Gifts on behalf of myself and my YA-reader-daughter.

I bought this for my daughter for Christmas and she devoured it within a couple weeks, so I got my hands on it and finished in a couple days. We both hated for it to end! I chose this because we both love historical fiction and wanted to read more about WWI (The Great War.)

Julia Murphy is a smart, strong, sweet, dreamer of a girl who has conjured up in her mind exactly what her future husband must be like, right down to the color and texture of his hair. She even began purchasing Christmas gifts for him (her "beloved") since she was 17! So far she has stored away a Miraculous Medal, 2 pairs of socks, and a leather pocket journal embossed with a maple leaf on the cover. The story opens at Christmastime 1917, and she has saved up to add a silver pocket watch to her collection of gifts for her future hubby.

She turns 21 in 1918 and feels called to represent her family in joining the war effort since her father is too old and her younger brothers too young to enlist. Julia transitions from a fairly sheltered oldest daughter, coming of age in Philadelphia, never having been farther from home than the Jersey Shore, to a world-traveler. As a mother, this part of the story was especially moving to me. I was delighted that Julia met some kind and lovely friends along the way. (And we get a really cool piece of news at the end: some of those friends are going to be main characters in future "Great War, Great Love" books by Ellen Gable!) The importance of friendships, selflessness, and a heart open to God's will--there are so many beautiful lessons that this story subtly imparts upon YA readers.

As far as maturity level, be aware that there is a little bit of (necessary) violence and gore, appropriately so since this is a book set in a time of war. My daughter is especially sensitive to anything bloody, but she had no problem at all reading Julia's Gifts. There are appropriate and tastefully-depicted scenes about leg amputations, pus-filled wounds, mustard gas skin blisters, and even outbreaks of a stomach-flu. It is shocking what little training these Red Cross volunteers received before their "baptism by fire." The romantic scenes do not go beyond very chaste embraces and one or two "kisses on the lips," so it is appropriate for almost any age in that regard.

HUGE SPOILER:

My daughter's favorite part was when Major Winslow wrote that he needed a time piece. Ok, I admit, I didn't immediately realize "Julia's Gifts" were the yearly Christmas purchases she was storing away, lol! I had assumed the title referred to the main character's many virtues and selflessness in caring for injured soldiers. So there is a cute twist regarding the gifts, developed throughout the story, that YA readers will delight in realizing.

Do not hesitate to purchase Ellen Gable's Julia's Gifts for, I'd say an advanced 12-year-old reader and up, or yourself! It is such a sweet historical romance with lots of important life lessons cleverly woven throughout its pages.

C. C. Blunt

Wonderful Historical Romance!

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2017

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Imagine if a young woman were to make or purchase a special Christmas gift for her future husband. And then another special gift, the next Christmas. And again. All without being engaged in courtship with any man --- let alone being certain of who that man would someday be.

Sound weird? You bet it does --- but also quite touching, and romantic, all at the same time. And that's the premise of this wonderful historical novel. Set around the time of American entry into World War I, Julia is a recent high school graduate living in Philadelphia. For several Christmases in a row, she has been accumulating gifts for her future beloved: hand-knit wool socks, a nice journal / notebook, a Miraculous Medal (because she's sure he'll be Catholic), and an engraved pocket watch.

Julia and her best friend decide, almost on impulse, to volunteer as medical assistants with the Red Cross. Soon thereafter, they are crossing the Atlantic on a ship with many other young women, destined to serve at a field hospital in France.

As you'd expect, Julia does meet her beloved (Major Peter Winslow, an officer in the Canadian army) soon after arriving. What I was not expecting, however, is the way Julia's gifts ultimately make their way to that beloved. I enjoyed the plot twists which deliver each gift to Major Winslow, sometimes without Julia even intending to give him a particular gift.

Due to the circumstances of the war, Julia and Major Winslow must spend significant time apart. He is on the battlefield; she is at the field hospital. Although they do spend some time together in face to face conversation, much of their romance ends up unfolding through letters. The hero and heroine thus grow together through a wholesome connection of minds and hearts, saving the connection of bodies for a day when they are able to make a lifetime commitment to each other.

I also appreciated the way the story's faith component was woven naturally into the story. Major Winslow is a lapsed Catholic whose faith has gone dormant. His brother, who is also deployed in Europe, is much more devout. Over the course of the story, events play out in a way that leads Major Winslow's faith to reawaken spontaneously --- and all of this serves to further deepen his connection with Julia.

The cover describes this as "Book 1" of a series. I'm not sure how many more there will be, or when they'll be published, but I'm looking forward to reading them when they are.

Joan L. Kelly

Engaging historical romance

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2020

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Julia's Gift is a well-written, engaging historical romance. The theme of faith and hope enduring even through the troubled and war-torn months of WW1 is heart lifting. It is clear that the author had done research to allow the reader to visualize the horror and sadness experienced by the nurses and volunteers near the battlefields of France. At the same time, she weaves through the story a romance between volunteer, Julia Murphy and Major Peter Winslow. Thought provoking, yet enjoyable read.

Joan L. Kelly

AnnMarie

Sweet Love Story

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2020

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This is a wonderfully sweet romance. There were themes of hope and sacrifice throughout. This is a work of historical fiction, so the harsh realities of war are included. The story can be gritty and sometimes sad; but it's a love story, not a fairy tale. I enjoyed the mix of joy and sadness. Older teens and young adults will benefit from the examples set in the book, of praying for your future spouse. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.

esther

Good down-to-earth reading

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020

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It's 4:30 AM. I read this book in one sitting which I haven't done in years. There aren't a lot of characters to follow. The flow is logical and not hard to understand. While I'm sure the sonnets are beautiful, poetry has never been my cup of tea. But they got the idea across even to me. Although this is a historical novel, it isn't bogged down with ill places historical facts.

Kindle Customer

Love This Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2020

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The setting for this book was so real. Made me feel as if I were right there in the middle of the hospital with all the injured soldiers.
The Red Cross nurses were amazing and had a lot of gruesome jobs to do. Nothing exciting about war! Julia had been buying up presents for her future husband for several years. She had a idea what he would look like, and she didn't recognize him at first. Events happened to cause her to fall in love with the Major!

Top reviews from other countries

Steven R. McEvoy

An excellent read.

Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2017

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I must admit as a middle-aged man this book would not be my normal reading. I do read a lot of YA, but hardly any romance. And this book is really so much more than that. As a father of daughters this is a book I look forward to rereading with my girls in a few years when they are a little older. Full Quiver Publishing has a tag line of their website of "Theology of the Body Fiction", and after reading this book I understand that goal better. And will likely read other titles by both the author and publisher.

When this book was recommended to me I looked it up. A few authors I respect had given it rave reviews, so I thought I would give it a try. The description of the book is:

"Religious Fiction. As a young girl, Julia began buying gifts for her future spouse, a man whose likeness and personality she has conjured up in her mind, a man she calls her "beloved." Soon after the United States enters the Great War, Julia impulsively volunteers as a medical aid worker, with no experience or training. Disheartened by the realities of war, will Julia abandon the pursuit of her beloved? From Philadelphia to war-torn France, follow Julia as she transitions from unworldly young woman to compassionate volunteer."

Once I started reading this story I was immersed in the world at war. I could hardly put the book down and I read it in three sittings in one day. This book got me thinking about a lot of things. I have heard of other parents that started praying for their children's spouses as soon as the children were born. I also while in university had a list of things I was praying for in a spouse. And in this book Julia took it one step further, not only was she praying for her future husband, she bought him a Christmas gift each year. When she volunteered to go to Europe and serve with the Red Cross as a medical aid worker. When packing she packs the small box with all the gifts that she has purchased 'just in case'.

The story is not a typical courtship or romance novel. It is a story of faith. It is a story of answered prayer, often in unexpected ways. It is a wonderful read. I really appreciated the realism in this story. It captured the essence of war, and the reality of serving at an aid station. There are some very hard parts of the story to read, parts about injured and dying soldiers. The cramped conditions in the medical tents. A suicide. And other elements of war make this book a mature read. Because of that I would recommend this book for older teens, or very mature younger teens.
This is a book that completely took me by surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made me think back on my grandparents who met during the war, and both grandfathers who had served in the European theatre. It also made me thing of my paternal grandmother who was a war bride and came to Canada after the war. It made me reflect on the future for my own three children, and start praying again for their possible future spouses. It is a fiction book that made me thing and inspired me to pray more and in new ways. As such I can only say this is an excellent read, I am very thankful I took the chance, and gave it a try and I recommend you do the same.

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