by Hayley Charlesworth
2014 marks one hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War, making this Remembrance Sunday all the more poignant. But while much of the world's attention is focused on that first conflict, Keira Andrews' latest book, Semper Fi, takes the Second World War as its source and setting, particularly the conflict between America and Japan. Splitting the action between the hellish experience faced by marines Cal and Jim and their post-war reconciliation in 1948, this friends-to-lovers story expertly explores both hope and despair, and a love born from terrible circumstances.
2014 marks one hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War, making this Remembrance Sunday all the more poignant. But while much of the world's attention is focused on that first conflict, Keira Andrews' latest book, Semper Fi, takes the Second World War as its source and setting, particularly the conflict between America and Japan. Splitting the action between the hellish experience faced by marines Cal and Jim and their post-war reconciliation in 1948, this friends-to-lovers story expertly explores both hope and despair, and a love born from terrible circumstances.
The war is over. The battle for love has just begun. As Marines, Cal and Jim depended on each other to survive bloodshed and despair in the Pacific. Relieved to put the horrors of war behind him, Jim went home to his apple orchard and a quiet life with his wife and children. Knowing Jim could never return his forbidden feelings, Cal hoped time and an ocean between them would dull the yearning for his best friend. But when Jim’s wife dies, Cal returns to help. He doesn’t know a thing about apple farming—or children—but he’s determined to be there for Jim, even as the painful torch he carries blazes back to life. Jim is grateful for his friend’s support as he struggles with buried emotions and dark wartime memories. Then Jim begins to see Cal in a new light, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expected. Can they build a life together as a family and find happiness in a world that would condemn them?
As proven with the two other Keira Andrews releases reviewed on I'm With Geek, The Station and A Forbidden Rumspringa, this author is a master of writing love stories based in difficult and unique circumstances. Her way of developing this particular novel defies expectations also. There are numerous stories out there about soldiers turning to each other for comfort during the horrors of war, but Andrews sets get love story in the aftermath, a quiet, delicate tale of repression and reconnection, but with a terrible backstory. The difficult circumstances Cal and Jim face together make their bond far stronger than a standard love story, and the direction and navigation of the relationship is entirely dependent on their traumas. Jim's nightmares of a horrific incident on the island of Okinawa are the catalyst for many of the book's major developments, and ultimately make for a more authentic tale.
Andrews' talent for description and atmosphere is evident throughout the novel, but particularly in the wartime sections of the novel. The wet, humid and unhealthy environment of the islands that the marines find themselves on is palpable, leaving the reader feeling just as wet and miserable as the characters. Her standout moment is in the Okinawa sequence, the terrible fate of Sully, and the pregnant Japanese woman whose awful death haunts Jim's nightmares, is an uncomfortable chapter to read, because it is such a visceral moment. Yet despite this, it is the stand-out sequence of the whole novel, and wonderfully written.
In the “present” of 1948, the development of an unconventional family unit with Cal, Jim, and Jim’s children is the main crux of the story, but this sweet family drama is juxtaposed by Andrews’ characteristically explicit sex scenes. But this isn’t just sex for the sake of it, or to adhere to the conventions of the romance genre. The sex here is crucial to the development of the relationship, and to Jim recognizing his true identity away from what the church and society tells him he should be.
Andrews has, once again, crafted a beautiful story with a unique premise and an important theme. The conflict between the honour of fighting for your country and the utter devastation and waste of life is just as well-realised in the conflict between love and societal expectation. Once again, Andrews has written something wholly immersive, sexy, tragic, and beautiful.
Semper Fi is released 11th November.
Read our interview with Keira Andrews here, and find her on Twitter and Goodreads.
As proven with the two other Keira Andrews releases reviewed on I'm With Geek, The Station and A Forbidden Rumspringa, this author is a master of writing love stories based in difficult and unique circumstances. Her way of developing this particular novel defies expectations also. There are numerous stories out there about soldiers turning to each other for comfort during the horrors of war, but Andrews sets get love story in the aftermath, a quiet, delicate tale of repression and reconnection, but with a terrible backstory. The difficult circumstances Cal and Jim face together make their bond far stronger than a standard love story, and the direction and navigation of the relationship is entirely dependent on their traumas. Jim's nightmares of a horrific incident on the island of Okinawa are the catalyst for many of the book's major developments, and ultimately make for a more authentic tale.
Andrews' talent for description and atmosphere is evident throughout the novel, but particularly in the wartime sections of the novel. The wet, humid and unhealthy environment of the islands that the marines find themselves on is palpable, leaving the reader feeling just as wet and miserable as the characters. Her standout moment is in the Okinawa sequence, the terrible fate of Sully, and the pregnant Japanese woman whose awful death haunts Jim's nightmares, is an uncomfortable chapter to read, because it is such a visceral moment. Yet despite this, it is the stand-out sequence of the whole novel, and wonderfully written.
In the “present” of 1948, the development of an unconventional family unit with Cal, Jim, and Jim’s children is the main crux of the story, but this sweet family drama is juxtaposed by Andrews’ characteristically explicit sex scenes. But this isn’t just sex for the sake of it, or to adhere to the conventions of the romance genre. The sex here is crucial to the development of the relationship, and to Jim recognizing his true identity away from what the church and society tells him he should be.
Andrews has, once again, crafted a beautiful story with a unique premise and an important theme. The conflict between the honour of fighting for your country and the utter devastation and waste of life is just as well-realised in the conflict between love and societal expectation. Once again, Andrews has written something wholly immersive, sexy, tragic, and beautiful.
Semper Fi is released 11th November.
Read our interview with Keira Andrews here, and find her on Twitter and Goodreads.
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