Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two Love Story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Christie Mitchum

Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greetings From Asbury Park was a heartfelt, emotional read!

I’m not usually a fan of WWII books, but this one was different. It didn’t take place in Germany. It depicted the brutal German occupation of Rome.

Mariella and Jack are the main characters, although Jack doesn’t appear until much later in the book. A good portion of the book is about Mariella and her family. They had already endured a horrific tragic event in their lives, and as the book opens, they are suffering from brutal treatment from the Germans and possible starvation. Fear rules their lives.

Mariella is forced to give up so much, like her education. However, her tenacity and perseverance is incredible. As the war ends, she meets a handsome American soldier and spends an unforgettable day with him. There is an instant connection between them, but he has to leave. The two become pen pals for years. As the years pass, readers see how the two of them are living separate lives, but that connection is still there. I liked that their love story wasn’t rushed, making the story so much more believable. They get to know one another through their letters to each other.

This was truly an incredible read. Vecchione’s ability to make me feel everything Mariella and her family felt is a testament to her skill as a writer. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series to see where Mariella’s journey takes her next.

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