Jeffrey Stepakoff's debut novel is a quick and satisfying read about young love that takes place as World War II is ending.
Lily Davis Woodward is married for only two weeks at age 17 before her husband Paul leaves for Europe to help with the war. Jump ahead three years and the entire town is anticipating the return of their sons, brothers, and husbands. Lily has spent the last three years getting their home ready and being the good southern lady her mother, Honey, raised her to be.
A chance encounter with Jake Russo is where the story really gets going. A pyrotechnics specialist, he is in town to set up the fireworks for the town's July 4th celebration. They only know each other for several days, but so much happens and, as the reader, you will be sucked into those special, passionate days they spend together.
The story is told as a a series of flashbacks so I was reminded of both The Notebook and Titanic. The story is like others you may have read before, but Stepakoff makes it fresh with his descriptions and inclusion of the art of fireworks.
Read this if you want a beautiful, quick story. This would be the perfect book to read while relaxing on a porch swing with a glass of sweat tea on a hot summer day.
