This is the very first time I have read a book by Sarah Sundin! I am so glad I discovered her book, The Sea Before Us! It is the first book in her new series Sunrise at Normandy. I typically read 19th century historicals, so this World War II book felt new and interesting to me. This series will follow the lives of three brothers who are each on an unplanned path. The Sea Before Us is about the oldest of the Paxton brothers, Wyatt.  After tragedy strikes his family, Wyatt fleas his life in Texas and eventually joins the war effort in Great  Britain with the U.S. Navy. It is there he meets Dorothy, a Wren in the Royal Navy. While her heart belongs to someone else, Wyatt can’t help his growing affection for Wren.

While this book is definitely a romance, it also is full of substance. There is mystery, love, war, and so much history in this novel. Sundin clearly does her homework before writing. If I had one critique of the book, it would be the amount of technical information included. I got a little lost in all of the Navy speak, but it did not cause me to lose interest.

If you are looking for a new favorite author, you will find one in Sundin. I am anxiously awaiting book two, Sunrise at Normandy. I have also made a list of the other novels by Sundin to read in the meantime. I requested a review copy of this book from its publisher. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.