When We Meet Again

I chose this at random because I find some amazing books that way. Not this time I am afraid. First off this is a novel about a baby given up for adoption and I really dislike that as a plot theme. There are estranged family members working things out and some fairly obvious mysteries. I knew where the book as going within the first couple chapters and it did not let me down.

The writing is just fine but many of the characters felt like stock roles rather than complex people. I did like the Florida locale writing a lot; it felt honest. If you really enjoy stories based on reconnections, this one might be for you.

I love Kristin Harmel’s books! This book didn’t disappoint it wrapped around me like a silken quilt, every time I would curl up to read. I loved the most Peter and that wonderful way he loved Margaret and his wonderful sense of care for others, including Jeremiah. I loved the part regarding the treatment of black people even kids during that time, and that Peter and Margaret both were at a rally for Martin Luther King even if they didn’t meet up with each other. I didn’t like Margaret’s dad dying. Louise wanting to make her lies right and going to Peter.

I have heard great things about Kristin Harmel's previous books so I was excited to have the chance to read her newest book! When We Meet Again was such a wonderful book, I found myself flying through the pages, it was so good! It was heartfelt and the characters were written so realistically. They were deeply flawed and completely relatable. I can not wait to get my hands on Harmel's other books!

This sweeping novel takes us through three generations of a family. We get a good dab of American history along the way. Basically, this is a novel with heart It's poignant at points, and weaves both romance and mystery into the plotline. This is a novel that will stick with you long after you've finished reading it. It's no casual summer read. It's a deeply plotted novel. Highly recommended.

This book was an interesting read. It wasn't one that I thought was great and couldn't put down but it was very readable so getting through it was easy. I liked all of it but never found myself thinking wow this is just amazing. I liked the characters. In the beginning I thought the wounded Emily was going to be too much of a victim for me to like but she grew on me and I appreciated her and her tenacity in uncovering her family's mystery.

Kristin Harmel has a way of writing touching, poignant stories that stick with me long after I've read the final pages. This holds true for her latest novel, When We Meet Again. As far as stories go, it has just about everything: romantic relationships, family relationships, mystery, drama, character growth, and overall depth. I was instantly drawn in by the protagonist, Emily Emerson, and her quest to find out more about the mysterious painting of her grandmother. It kept me guessing and kept me turning pages. A truly wonderful read and I'm sure I'll read it again soon.

Emily Emerson is a journalist. In her column on relationships, she spoke from personal experience. Recently, she shared the tale of her grandmother, who had been abandoned by her grandfather while pregnant. At least, that's the story Emily assumes, until a mysterious package arrives. A painting, original, of what appears to be Emily's grandmother, with a note stating that her grandfather never stopped loving er. But who sent the package? Who painted the painting?

Emily begins a quest that takes her far both geographically (Germany, Atlanta, Florida) and emotionally. In discovering her family's history, she also learns to confront her own. A trend of seemingly poor parenting choices may not be what they seem. Her own father had left Emily and her mother, but now he joins her to help learn about his own father. Emily also left her own child- given up for adoption- a choice Emily has yet to come to terms with.

This is a beautifully written tale. Chapters alternate between Emily's present day quest and her father's story beginning in Germany during the rise of Hitler. A truly tragic love story.

I loved the mystery of who Emily's grandfather was. Emily has her own issues to deal with, especially the abandonment of her father. I love any book that has historical references and it can be tricky to pull off. This author does a great job of describing, with accuracy and feeling, such a devastating time in history. A great story about regrets and living without them.

I loved this book for the history of German prisoners in FL (never knew that) and the wonderful love story. So entertaining and intriguing. It shows that love wins all even over the generations. Beautifully written.

A mysterious painting is delivered to a young woman who is haunted by the life changing decisions of three generations of her family. Emily has just lost her job and is at loose ends when she receives the painting, which seems to be of her grandmother (who has recently passed away) as a teenage girl. As a freelance journalist, Emily is used to following narrow leads and sets off to find what she can about the painting. The search sends her to rural Florida and Munich Germany, where she finds unexpected revelations about her grandmother’s past and how World War II changed her.

This story was well written, with an engaging mystery and a deeper story that shows how the actions of previous generations can continue to impact their children. Especially interesting were the flashbacks to World War II and the information about the POW camps for German soldiers located in the US. All loose ends are eventually satisfyingly (if a little too perfectly) tied up in the end of this story of family love and denial.

A wonderful book about a woman who finds a painting of her grandmother and uncovers a secret dating back to the internment of Germans in the southern United States during World War II. Nostalgic and bittersweet.

From the first paragraph, I was involved with this story. I could hardly put it down. Honestly, one of my favorite books of all I have read! This is the first book of Kristin's I have read and already have another to read. I loved it!

I enjoyed this story though some parts dragged for me, namely Peter's. But I'm not a fan of male POVs. I wish the past parts had been told by Margaret, not Peter, or at least a balance between the two. The modern story was my favorite, as the heroine learns forgiveness, both for herself and others, and comes to terms with things. When she finally does this, the rest of her life begins falling into place. There's a moral here. However, I must say some things fell into place too easily, all things considered.

But this story made me think about how fortunate some of us are to be able to actually sit with the ones we love. To not have forbidden love, a restricted relationship. The POW twist made a good story. The writing is great. I would read more by this author.

A beautifully written, emotional love story interlaced with mystery. It weaves from the WWII era up to present-day seamlessly. A deep and true love that began at a German POW camp in Florida. A connection that lasted their whole lives even though they were deliberately kept separate by both of their families. A story that uncovers many family secrets and broken relationships on the mend. When We Meet Again had me from the first chapter. It was written with such heart and I genuinely cared about the characters. The author is new to me and I’m eager to read her other books.
Received a free advanced ebook from Netgalley for an honest review. I’m purchasing a print copy for my “keeper” bookshelf.

This incredible book spans multiple generations and countries. It's about enduring love and loss. It's about how the mistakes and heartaches of another generation can ripple down to us. An amazing story that kept me turning the pages!