The Bungalow
By Sarah Jio
(Plume, Paperback, 9780452297678, December 27, 2011, 320pp.)

The Short of It:

An easy, effortless read matched with a lush, tropical setting.

The Rest Of It:

It is the summer of 1942. Anne Calloway, in her early twenties and newly engaged, makes a split decision to join the Army Nurse Corps. She loves her fiancé but questions if their relationship has the passion to make it work. That, and the deep need she feels to do something for her country sends her to Bora-Bora, where she meets Westry. At first, they are just friendly, but when they begin to share a very special place with each other, they find that they cannot ignore the attraction any longer.

What I love about Sarah Jio is that she takes what could be a very sappy romance and turns it into something else. Yes, there is romance and many are always shocked when I read a book like this one, but it takes more than romance to pull me in. For one, the setting. A gorgeous, lush, tropical beach locale and a cozy little bungalow overlooking the ocean…my dream getaway. Two, the fact that World War II looms over them, a constant reminder that their world could be shattered at any moment. Three, a mystery involving the murder of a local and quite possibly, Anne’s closest friend.

I picked this up thinking that I’d read a few chapters and ended up reading it in one sitting. It’s a page turner, for sure. I will say, that the details surrounding the mystery seem a little out there. Not sure that part was as realistic as it could have been, but overall, the story was well-paced and enjoyable to read.

If you enjoyed Sarah’s first book, The Violets of March, you’ll enjoy this one as well. It has the same, easy feel to it and once again includes a fantastic setting.

Source: Sent to me by the publisher via Net Galley.
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