This book was not my cup of tea. I tried to get through it, but it was just too depressing and I couldn't see that the book had an eventual uplifting message or outcome, or even a soul touching message. I finally gave up on it and didn't finish it, so I could be wrong.

A brilliant debut novel with a little bit of something for everyone--historical fiction, romance, suspense, relational drama, social issues--narrated alternately by both Sam and Annie in the first-person. There are a lot of twists in this one, and I couldn't put it down! My mom would have really enjoyed it, too. Very highly recommended, and I hope to see more novels from Janyre Tromp in the future!

Sam spent three years in the Navy in the Second World War and returned home to the mountains of Arkansas, planning to take care of his family and their farm. Annie had been waiting expectantly for Sam's return, but had not been told the exact date. They had married before he was drafted and she was carrying their first child. Sam had not seen his little girl yet. Imagine the struggles and anxiety of returning home still suffering from physical injuries and having mental wounds that no one understood. Annie quickly became aware that he was trying to function as a husband and father while still fighting the demons of war mentally. She was fighting some demons of her own after seeing the way her father treated her mother and then finding her mother drowned in a pond while Annie was still a teenager. The care with which the author handled the subject matter was intriguing and mesmerizing. Although I started reading the story thinking it might shed some insights into things my own father suffered after World War II, I soon learned that there was more at play in Sam's story than just his mental wounds. The story held my interest. I especially like little Rosie and her grandmother, Dovie May. The world could use a lot more women with the wisdom and faith of Dovie May. I appreciated the way she stood up to anyone who threatened her family. The story took some major turns from what I expected, which made it all the more appealing.

Sam isn*t sure of much these days, but one thing is for sure. There*s a monster in the hills outside Hot Springs. The problem is, everyone says he*s seeing things as a result of his experience in the war and he is certain something nefarious is afoot.

As a Higgins boat pilot in the Pacific, Sam spent the duration of the war just trying to make it home to his family. His wife Annie has worked to keep the family farm running and care for their little girl, looking forward to the day her beloved Sam would return to them. However, Sam*s homecoming is tainted by fears and anxiety about the way his experiences have changed the man she knew. He insists that he sees people in the woods, and his erratic behaviors are frightening Annie. As she watches his tumble into madness, she fears he might be a danger to his family, especially as his obsession provokes the local mob. The breaking point comes when Sam brings disaster to their doorstep and the family must find a way to work together.

With friends who shouldn*t be trusted and enemies who should, Janyre Tromp kept me up all night, devouring her debut novel!

Janyre Tromp, has skillfully woven an exciting, historical fiction novel rich with elements of suspense, intrigue, and mystery. Through her lovable characters, she delights readers with a twisting, turning story of life post-WWII as a soldier, forever changed by war, returns home to his family on their mountain farm, only to face the darkness that is creeping in the shadows.

Tromps characters and their dialogue is truly authentic to life in the mountains which created a world of simple goodness and a close-knit family of delightful characters who burrowed deep into my heart. I loved Sam and Annies marriage, their interactions and the in-depth look into their innermost thoughts and struggles as they worked their farm together and recovered after being apart for 3 years. Though they each battled doubts and darkness differently, their persistence, their strength and their love for each other and their family was admirable and inspiring.

The novel has wonderful historical aspects. I enjoyed the small town-America setting and the well-researched history of the American mob as a part of Annies backstory.

A bit of a slow build, with much groundwork and mild, mind-bending suspense early on. By the second half of the novel, the excitement and action picked up with more intrigue, a mystery unfolding, that kept me interested and gave the novel a bit of a whodunnit feel. The ending was a wonderful surprise and I liked how it played out.

Tromp rounded out this story well by diving into the heavy topic of post-traumatic stress and balanced it with hope, perseverance and a focus on working hard through troublesome times with the help of a strong family bond and tight-knit friendships. There was a resounding love-conquers-all aura to the novel that won my heart over!

Readers who enjoy novels such as the True Colors or Doors to the Past series as well as authors such as Allison Pittman or Jaime Jo Wright may like this novel. This novel is clean fiction and is not necessarily faith-based, but could be considered inspirational for the focus on family ties and finding hope in the darkness. I found it read more like a secular novel, therefore I believe it is one that both Christian fiction and secular readers might enjoy.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author as part of her book launch team. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.