Three Little Things, (Paperback)

Hattie and Arno's story charmed me from the first pages. Reading Three Little Things was like being transported to another place and time, experiencing life and love and loss on the American home front during WWI. Inspired by actual love letters passed between a German-American soldier and a young woman doing her part to serve her country from her small Iowa town, the historical authenticity of the story shines through. Patti Stockdale has a distinct writing style with charming turns of phrase that infuses her characters with larger than life personality. This is her debut novel, but from here on out I have a feeling people will be able to pick up one of her books and a few lines in be able to say, “This has to be a Stockdale novel!” Looking forward to more from this author.

This fascinating read really opened my eyes to the struggles German-American faced during this very anti-German period in American history. It was a sweet romance that started as a childhood friendship but developed into more through letters and brief meetings during WWI. It's a story of everyday heroes and the lives they lived at home, in camp, and eventually across the ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sweet, everyday romances; stories with a light touch on war and a view of life on the homefront; and relatable characters that feel like your best friend.