Title: Hallowed Ground
Author: Rebecca Yarros
First published January 25, 2016
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.33
Overview
Sisterhood runs deep, but sometimes it’s the secrets that lie beneath that threaten to drown the surface. For Katie, the news of her sister Mia’s death in Bali is a devastating blow, made worse by the police’s claim that it was suicide.
Armed with nothing but her sister’s travel journal, Katie embarks on a journey of discovery, retracing Mia’s steps across different countries, and unearthing the truth about her sister’s demise. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more Katie realizes that some secrets are better left buried.
Will she be able to uncover the truth without losing herself in the process? The Sea Sisters is a gripping tale of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
About the Author
Meet Rebecca Yarros, a passionate lover of romance and all things coffee. She’s a successful author, having written over 20 novels that have made it to the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists.
Among her literary gems are popular titles such as The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s even earned the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for her book, Eyes Turned Skyward.
Rebecca is particularly fond of military heroes, and is happily married to one herself for more than two decades. As a mother of six, she’s currently navigating the challenges of raising four hockey-playing teenage sons.
Want to stay up-to-date on Rebecca’s latest releases? Follow her online.
Editoral Review
Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros is a contemporary romance novel published on January 25, 2016. Yarros, a former Air Force officer, is renowned for her ability to infuse realistic military details in romance novels.
Hallowed Ground is the fourth installment in the Flight & Glory series, a series that addresses the challenges and sacrifices faced by military personnel and their families.
Hallowed Ground focuses on the love story of Ember Howard, a military widow, and Josh Walker, a former Air Force fighter pilot.
Ember is in Colorado to scatter her late husband’s ashes while Josh is on a mission to recover from the physical and emotional scars of his military career. Ember’s attraction to Josh is immediate, but their struggles to overcome their pasts threaten to derail their budding romance.
Yarros is skilled at weaving together themes of grief, loss, love, and redemption to create a gripping and deeply moving story. Despite being part of a series, Hallowed Ground can stand alone, as it devotes enough time to developing the main characters, setting, and conflicts.
The chapters move seamlessly from Ember’s and Josh’s perspectives, providing insight into their emotions and thought processes.
One of the strengths of the book is its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by military families.
Yarros highlights the toll that deployments, stress, and loss take on family members, and how difficult it can be to move on after such experiences. The military details are accurate, which enhances the credibility of the story.
The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and emotional depth that captivate the reader. The pacing is ideal, as the story builds up gradually, and never feels rushed.
The characters are well-developed, and their motivations and desires are conveyed in a relatable manner.
However, the book is not without flaws.
At times, the dialogue feels repetitive, and some of the romantic scenes are overly sentimental. Furthermore, some readers may find the issues raised predictable, given the genre.
Overall, Hallowed Ground is a compelling read that will resonate with readers who enjoy contemporary romance novels or have an interest in military life. Yarros’s ability to create realistic and multifaceted characters and her beautiful prose make for a moving and unforgettable story.
I recommend Hallowed Ground to romance novel enthusiasts, military personnel, and anyone who wants to gain insight intothe emotional struggles faced by military families. I give the book four out of five stars.
The Washington Post’s review praises the novel’s attention to detail and its ability to connect past and present societal issues.
