Customer Reviews

To End All Wars

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It's the hardest thing in the world to write a good romance that is gritty and true as well as entertaining and touching. In my opinion, Gail McEwen certainly pulls this off with 'To End All Wars'. The story is good and solid, the characters well-rounded and engaging and the time and place not only form the perfect backdrop but add to the story in both a complementary and enriching way. War is horrible - World War 1 will particularly stand out as a meaningless waste - but the human spirit is indestructable. This novel is a charming testament to that. Wonderful!

A young, rich, handsome Texan, fresh out of college, is not quite ready to begin the life that has been mapped out for him or settle down with his hometown sweetheart, so he naively uses the excuse of WWI, to find glory & excitement. His father uses his money and connections to get him posted as "an assistant to an assitant" to the General-- and Lt David Baugham finds himself in France, setting up headquarters in a Paris hotel. Although not in the heat of battle, Baugham soon discovers there is much to interest him at this posting by way of a French war widow, the thoughtful, serious and complicated, Holly Tournier, who works as a hotel maid. As their friendship --and attraction for one another grows, they both find themselves at a crossroads. And when David accepts a transfer to the front to battle along side British troups, I found myself on the edge of my seat. For a romance novel, I must admit the battles were high intensity and well-written. War is not pretty -- and the battles in the trenches, quite graphic. Author Gail McEwen masterfully depicts the blood and heart-pounding horrors of war -- and yet, she also keeps the heart pounding with this compelling love story. (I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. to finish!) I wept. And then I wept for joy! And went to sleep with a happy heart. More Baugham & Holly, yes please! A must buy!

Thank you Ms McEwen for this compelling story. Your portrayal of World War 1 was gripping and your characters were honest and real. A love story set during desperate times and situations that called for honest reactions. Written so well that I could not stop put it down.

To End All Wars is very well written, its spell flows through the mind, transporting the reader to a charming little hotel in Paris during World War I. However, do not let the talent of Ms. McEwen lure you into a false sense of comfortable security. Soon enough she takes you to the horrific, bloody trenches of Europe and spares no detail of their affects on the complicated relationship of her main characters, Holly and David. You will laugh, cry and cheer as the French girl and the American soldier learn about life, death and the real meaning of love and duty.