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Across A Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood

5/30/2019

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SYNOPSIS
The last thing eighteen-year-old Wilhelmina “Willa” MacCarthy wants is to be a nun.

​It’s 1936, and as the only daughter amongst four sons, her Irish–Catholic family is counting on her to take her vows—but Willa’s found another calling.

​Each day she sneaks away to help Doctor Katherine Winston in her medical clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District.


Keeping secrets from her family only becomes more complicated when Willa agrees to help the doctor at a field hospital near the new bridge being built over the Golden Gate. 
Willa thinks she can handle her new chaotic life, but as she draws closer to a dashing young ironworker and risks grow at the bridge, she discovers that hiding from what she truly wants may be her biggest lie of all.
Synopsis from Goodreads

PERSONAL REVIEW
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

After reading the synopsis, I was really excited to receive a copy of Across a Broken Shore! A mix of history, religion, and a woman trying to find her place in the world was such a draw for me. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction recently, so I enjoyed the chance to jump into the 1930s and what San Francisco would have been like at the time.

Love the History
I'm a huge fan of history, and the building of the Golden Gate Bridge was such a massive moment in San Francisco's history that I was really excited to read a fictional story of what it might have been like. I loved getting to watch Willa learn about medicine and then use it to help those working on the bridge. It was wonderful to read about this part of history through the eyes of such a strong young woman. 

Good Protagonist
Willa was a wonderful protagonist to follow in this story. It was great to watch her figure out how to balance her family's needs with her own and her relationship with the different members of her family. As the only daughter, she has a lot of roles to fill, and it's difficult for her to figure out how to voice her wants. I also loved that she was interested in medicine; women fighting against the social norms is always so wonderful to read about, especially when that fight is not a physical one. Finding a strong female who challenges the social norms through her studies was wonderful. 

I Question the Romance
Ok, this is what really confused me about the book. If Willa's family is so incredibly Catholic that they are basically forcing her to become a nun, there is absolutely zero chance they would be ok with her relationship with a Protestant man. While I appreciate that this relationship in general is part of her struggle, I really don't think it needed the extra step of Sam being a Protestant. Even if she doesn't become a nun, I doubt her family would ever accept Sam. I think it would have been enough for him to be in Willa's life; him being a Protestant felt like overkill.

I enjoyed this novel and thought it was a good story. I've recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction or about a character finding their voice. Across a Broken Shore doesn't come out until November, but I know I'll be rereading it before then to get another little taste of history!

FINAL RATING : 3.5/5
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    About Me

    Hi, I'm Alexandra! I love reading (largely YA fiction, but sometimes I'll read "adult" books), playing board games, Nutella, and binge-watching TV shows on Netflix with my husband. 

    I absolutely love to travel, but home will always be in Toronto. Books come with me everywhere and I can't wait to hear if you agree or disagree with my reviews. 


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  • Book Reviews
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