In Every Heartbeat

Bethany House also sent me this book by Kim Vogel Sawyer to review.  In Every Heartbeat follows three friends as they venture off to college together on the eve of the First World War.  Libby, Pete, and Bennett all grew up together in the same orphanage and have been the best of friends since childhood.  As the orphanage's only three graduates, they are also the only children who were never chosen for adoption.  They are offered scholarships at the University of Southern Missouri, where women are allowed to study alongside men; though they all have very different lives planned, each one is determined to maintain their friendship.  Libby hopes to become a famous journalist; Pete studies to become a minister, and Bennett plans to pledge a fraternity and have as much fun as possible.  It isn't long before they realize their friendship is slipping from their fingers, and when Libby discovers something shocking about Pete's family, it seems a final wedge will be driven between the three.

This book was okay; the storyline had a good beginning, but then it seemed as though Bennett's character wasn't as developed as the other two.  I was hoping that there would be more discussion about the war and how it affected the characters' lives, but it seemed as though the actual setting was somewhat of an afterthought.  What I did thoroughly enjoy however, is that the author made no qualms about presenting the characters as they are- with all of their flaws.  It is encouraging to read a book which have characters that are not the stereotypical 'knight in shining armor' and 'damsel in distress'.  I would like to see more of that; the author also did bring into light some deeper social issues- mainly poverty and class- with which I was impressed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."