Rosie the Reviewer {A Woman's Place}

5 *****

Synopsis:

They watched their sons, their brothers, and their husbands enlist to fight a growing menace across the seas. And when their nation asked, they answered the call as well. Virginia longs to find a purpose beyond others' expectations. Helen is driven by a loneliness money can't fulfill. Rosa is desperate to flee her in-laws' rules. Jean hopes to prove herself in a man's world. Under the storm clouds of destruction that threaten America during the early 1940s, this unlikely gathering of women will experience life in sometimes starling new ways as their beliefs are challenged and they struggle toward a new understanding of what love and sacrifice truly mean.

My Review:

Virginia – Ginny Mitchell wishes her family needed her and that she knew her husband still loves her. After a spontaneous urge to change the monotony in her life, Ginny applies for a job at her local shipyard, even though her husband doesn’t know about it.

Helen – Helen Kimball doesn’t believe in God anymore because her estranged parents coldness due to loosing all their children but Helen. All she wants to do is teach underprivileged children like her lost love Jimmy, but out of boredom Helen applies for a job at the shipyard.

Rosa – Rosa Bonelli-Vorhees hates the rules that her new in-laws enforce on her. Not sure what to do or where to go, Rosa loves her husband, but can’t seem to get along with his parents. After seeking help from the bottle, Rosa ends up getting a job at the shipyard and life after that will never be the same for her.

Jean – Jean has dreams of going to college and making an impact on the world she lives in. Once she is made chief of an electrician crew at the Stockton shipyard, Jean is challenged in more ways than she expected. From racism, equality for woman, and even an admirer, Jean does what she can to keep her crew together and her personal life as well.

The Story – Four different woman, four different lifestyles, and four lives changed all by a world war that calls them to do their part in a man’s world. Lynn Austin captures life on the home front during WWII as well as your full attention, and yes by the time this book is up expect to have a tissue handy. A Woman’s Place is not a romance at all, which is why I loved the novel. A Woman’s Place is so realistic that you could actually see it happening and the redemptive qualities in the books of how the characters find forgiveness and unconditional love melts your heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially WWII buffs like myself.