Moore's debut stands out for its historical authenticity, with charming descriptions of spring dances and sweet rendezvous after Sunday church, where it remains the custom for parents to approve—or disapprove—their daughter's marital choices, often favoring financially stable men. That spells trouble for Joel, but he remains unfazed, and Moore paints him as an admirable character who readers will find endearing. More than a decade later, as Joel’s story progresses, he finds Walter, his daughter Laura's suitor, in the same dire situation as he was when young, and his sister-in-law Beatrice is in love with a woman. Joel makes sure the passionate love he shares with his wife becomes their legacy, teaching a generation its ability to endure epidemics, winter storms, wars, and profound grief.

Despite the loosely tied plot and the absence of a traditional climax, Moore deftly uses subplots and a sprawling narrative to portray the ideal dynamics of marriage—contrasting Joel and Belle and their children's happy marriages to the violence Anna suffers at the hands of Bill. A novel powered by passion and sensuality, with brisk storytelling of domestic violence, trauma, and queerness, readers will appreciate the message that "love is good, no matter who it is for."

Takeaway: Story of generational love surviving war, calamites, and societal differences.

Comparable Titles: Adriana Trigiani's The Shoemaker's Wife, Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-