I love Sarah Sundin’s Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom, Book 1) and Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom, Book 2), but I think I enjoyed When Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom, Book 3) just as much. What I love most about this book is how Tess Beaumont, a woman tired of being just a pretty face, joins the WAVES, the Navy’s new program for women, and continues a rocky relationship with Lieutenant Dan Avery, a no-nonsense naval officer who puts duty above romance.
The conflict between Tess and Dan, from chapter one, kept me turning the pages. Their personalities, so different yet complementary, rang true when each person risked a little vulnerability and stepped toward one another in relationship and life. Tess was an admirable character who recognized her own character flaws and did not resist the change required to become a better person and use her God-given gifts for her country during World War II.
The conflict inside Dan confronts career professionals today when they must choose whether to either dedicate their lives fully to their careers or take on the responsibility of family life. Dan longed to become an admiral, and under advisement from a trusted mentor and admiral throughout the novel, Dan must decide whether he is willing to give up everything to avoid distraction from wartime battles.
If you appreciated Through Waters Deep and Anchor in the Storm, you will likely enjoy When Tides Turn. For more World War II historical fiction, consider Lynn Austin’s Chasing Shadows and Long Way Home, or Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and The Women.
