Wednesday, April 04, 2012

The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: December 27th 2011
Pages: 290
Book Source: Penguin/Plume & NetGalley

Synopsis: A sweeping World War II saga of thwarted love, murder, and a long-lost painting.

In the summer of 1942, twenty-one-year-old Anne Calloway, newly engaged, sets off to serve in the Army Nurse Corps on the Pacific island of Bora-Bora. More exhilarated by the adventure of a lifetime than she ever was by her predictable fiancé, she is drawn to a mysterious soldier named Westry, and their friendship soon blossoms into hues as deep as the hibiscus flowers native to the island. Under the thatched roof of an abandoned beach bungalow, the two share a private world-until they witness a gruesome crime, Westry is suddenly redeployed, and the idyll vanishes into the winds of war.

A timeless story of enduring passion, The Bungalow chronicles Anne's determination to discover the truth about the twin losses-of life, and of love-that have haunted her for seventy years.

My Thoughts:
I'm sending a big it's all her fault letter thank you to Staci from Life in the Thumb for her glowing review that had me scouring NetGalley for The Bungalow. Luckily for me it was still available and on turning the last page on this book my verdict: Enchanting!! 

Sarah Jio made me care about the characters, they felt real, so much so that Anne & Westry made my heart leap, then sink, then leap, then sink ...  I had my hopes pinned on a HEA for them but at the same time I cringed over Anne's lack of honesty with fiancé Gerard.

He was there, of course - in uniform, shyly smiling at me as the waves fell into the shore. I could hear them - their violent crash, followed by the fizz of a million bubbles kissing the sand. Closing my eyes tighter, I found him again, standing there amid the fog of sleep that was lifting, too quickly. Don't go, my heart pleaded. Stay
Please stay.

My one disappointment: click only if you've read The Bungalow or curiosity gets the better of you (how's that for an all care no responsibility clause lol)
 

I fell in love with the beautiful island of Bora Bora and Anne & Westry's hidden bungalow, Sarah's lyrical descriptions put me right in the moment; perspiring in the humidity, the sand pushing up between my toes, inhaling the sweet scent of tropical flowers.

WWII, mystery, tragedy, secrets, love and loss, and being a former nurse I adored reading about the nursing corps but this wasn't the highlight, well not for me. Whilst it's all an integral part of the multi-layered plot, giving explanation if not justification for characters' behaviour for me The Bungalow was a beautiful story of relationships, both complex and fleeting, with lovers, family and friends and best of all ~ love that endures.



20 comments:

  1. Sounds a lovely story and with an attractive background as well.

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    1. the gorgeous cover is what first got my attention Mystica and thankfully the contents matched :)

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  2. Ha, I blame Staci for quite a few books in my TBR stack :) This one included. It's on my summer list. So glad to see you loved it!

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    1. That Staci is such an enabler lol. Can't wait to see what you think Mary!

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  3. That Staci does have a tendency to do that to readers! LOL!! This does sound WONDERFUL!!!

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    1. Looks like quite a few of us blame the very naughty Staci, she obviously reads way toooo many good books LOL

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  4. I'm over the moon that you enjoyed this so much and of course I had to click on the button! I agree...why not more time!!!!! Heartbreaking for sure. Did you read her debut novel?? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to go back and check. If not, YOU MUST!

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    1. Violets of March? I haven't read it Staci, but I've got it; probably your fault too hahaha

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    2. I'm sure it may be...I LOVED that book!

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  5. Oh, BTW..I like it when I make people read a book....blame away! Because as you all know I have no problem blaming others for my book addictions!! Ha!Ha! :D

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  6. So glad this one was enjoyable....I have it on my TBR pile. I thought The Violets of March was a wonderful book, and The Bungalow is getting good reviews, too. Looks like Sarah Jio is a new author to watch! Thanks for the review (and I skipped the spoiler!) :)

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    1. I picked up Violets of March, I'm so glad it's good, hoping to get to it soon!!

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  7. I read the spoiler, i am so bad! And well what you felt I would feel too and that..well you understand how I would feel

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    1. Bahahaha Blodeuedd, you are so bad, crack me up but yes that was a bit sad :)))

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  8. I finished this one Monday (due to Staci's recommendation too) and loved it. I agree with your thoughts on Anne and Westry.

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  9. Doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but fantastic review anyway! :) oh, and I just wanted to ask, what did your friend say about Lone Wolf?

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    1. Thanks Toni, regarding Lone Wolf my friend was really disappointed. We're both Jodi Picoult fans but she didn't enjoy it. However I just saw a great review from a blogger I trust. Guess I'll have to read it myself lol

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  10. I just started Jio's Vioets of March and have fallen in love with her writing.

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  11. I've seen this listed on a lot of blogs but have missed the reviews - it sounds great.

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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