I loved Sarah Sundin’s Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom #1), but I think I enjoyed Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom #2) even more. Lillian Avery’s quiet resolve to overcome her physical challenges and become a pathfinder for women in the pharmacy profession during World War II swept me into the narrative. Set primarily in 1942 Boston, the story follows Lillian as she uncovers a dangerous secret at her new job.
Drawing on her vast knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, Sundin skillfully crafts a mysterious drug ring. She provides convincing evidence of how Navy seamen at the Boston Navy Yard, still rattled by battles at sea, might be tempted to turn to these drugs for help. Even after several plot twists, the reader remains uncertain which antagonist is responsible for endangering Lillian’s life.
The conflict between Lillian and Ensign Archer Vandenberg from chapter 1 piqued my interest and kept me turning pages. In the middle of the novel, I struggled a bit with the repetitive use of “darling” and a little too much mushiness for my personal taste, but Sundin quickly moved the plot forward with another unexpected turn and captivated my interest until the end.
If you appreciated Sarah Sundin’s Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom #1), you will likely enjoy Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom #2). Other World War II historical novels to consider include Lynn Austin’s Chasing Shadows and Long Way Home. You might also enjoy The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin and The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah. For a slightly different pace, you might explore the thriller Strangers in Time by David Baldacci, the historical fiction novel All the Broken Places by John Boyne, or the classic memoir The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.
