Julia's Gifts (Great War Great Love)

Here's another great book to add to your inter-generational book club! I'm reviewing Ellen Gable's Julia's Gifts on behalf of myself and my YA-reader-daughter.I bought this for my daughter for Christmas and she devoured it within a couple weeks, so I got my hands on it and finished in a couple days. We both hated for it to end! I chose this because we both love historical fiction and wanted to read more about WWI (The Great War.)Julia Murphy is a smart, strong, sweet, dreamer of a girl who has conjured up in her mind exactly what her future husband must be like, right down to the color and texture of his hair. She even began purchasing Christmas gifts for him (her "beloved") since she was 17! So far she has stored away a Miraculous Medal, 2 pairs of socks, and a leather pocket journal embossed with a maple leaf on the cover. The story opens at Christmastime 1917, and she has saved up to add a silver pocket watch to her collection of gifts for her future hubby.She turns 21 in 1918 and feels called to represent her family in joining the war effort since her father is too old and her younger brothers too young to enlist. Julia transitions from a fairly sheltered oldest daughter, coming of age in Philadelphia, never having been farther from home than the Jersey Shore, to a world-traveler. As a mother, this part of the story was especially moving to me. I was delighted that Julia met some kind and lovely friends along the way. (And we get a really cool piece of news at the end: some of those friends are going to be main characters in future "Great War, Great Love" books by Ellen Gable!) The importance of friendships, selflessness, and a heart open to God's will--there are so many beautiful lessons that this story subtly imparts upon YA readers.As far as maturity level, be aware that there is a little bit of (necessary) violence and gore, appropriately so since this is a book set in a time of war. My daughter is especially sensitive to anything bloody, but she had no problem at all reading Julia's Gifts. There are appropriate and tastefully-depicted scenes about leg amputations, pus-filled wounds, mustard gas skin blisters, and even outbreaks of a stomach-flu. It is shocking what little training these Red Cross volunteers received before their "baptism by fire." The romantic scenes do not go beyond very chaste embraces and one or two "kisses on the lips," so it is appropriate for almost any age in that regard.HUGE SPOILER:My daughter's favorite part was when Major Winslow wrote that he needed a time piece. Ok, I admit, I didn't immediately realize "Julia's Gifts" were the yearly Christmas purchases she was storing away, lol! I had assumed the title referred to the main character's many virtues and selflessness in caring for injured soldiers. So there is a cute twist regarding the gifts, developed throughout the story, that YA readers will delight in realizing.Do not hesitate to purchase Ellen Gable's Julia's Gifts for, I'd say an advanced 12-year-old reader and up, or yourself! It is such a sweet historical romance with lots of important life lessons cleverly woven throughout its pages.

Another sweet love story that takes place during WWI in France between a Red Cross volunteer and a Canadian soldier. It depicts the horrors of war well, and the characters Catholic faith helps them through their struggles. Julia's gifts were a special part of the story. Ellen Gable is an excellent writer. This is a clean book but includes descriptions of what people suffered in war. Realistic!

Imagine if a young woman were to make or purchase a special Christmas gift for her future husband. And then another special gift, the next Christmas. And again. All without being engaged in courtship with any man --- let alone being certain of who that man would someday be.Sound weird? You bet it does --- but also quite touching, and romantic, all at the same time. And that's the premise of this wonderful historical novel. Set around the time of American entry into World War I, Julia is a recent high school graduate living in Philadelphia. For several Christmases in a row, she has been accumulating gifts for her future beloved: hand-knit wool socks, a nice journal / notebook, a Miraculous Medal (because she's sure he'll be Catholic), and an engraved pocket watch.Julia and her best friend decide, almost on impulse, to volunteer as medical assistants with the Red Cross. Soon thereafter, they are crossing the Atlantic on a ship with many other young women, destined to serve at a field hospital in France.As you'd expect, Julia does meet her beloved (Major Peter Winslow, an officer in the Canadian army) soon after arriving. What I was not expecting, however, is the way Julia's gifts ultimately make their way to that beloved. I enjoyed the plot twists which deliver each gift to Major Winslow, sometimes without Julia even intending to give him a particular gift.Due to the circumstances of the war, Julia and Major Winslow must spend significant time apart. He is on the battlefield; she is at the field hospital. Although they do spend some time together in face to face conversation, much of their romance ends up unfolding through letters. The hero and heroine thus grow together through a wholesome connection of minds and hearts, saving the connection of bodies for a day when they are able to make a lifetime commitment to each other.I also appreciated the way the story's faith component was woven naturally into the story. Major Winslow is a lapsed Catholic whose faith has gone dormant. His brother, who is also deployed in Europe, is much more devout. Over the course of the story, events play out in a way that leads Major Winslow's faith to reawaken spontaneously --- and all of this serves to further deepen his connection with Julia.The cover describes this as "Book 1" of a series. I'm not sure how many more there will be, or when they'll be published, but I'm looking forward to reading them when they are.

This was an endearing war time story of foresight, love, and determination. Ellen Gable takes the reader into the reality of the time period and up close to the harsh reality of war. I became attached to the two main characters, and I look forward to discovering more about the other characters in books two and three of the series.

This was a clean and easy read. Julia volunteered during WW11 as a Red Cross assistant. Prior to the USA entering the war, she moved in faith to pray for her future husband she had not yet met. Some difficult descriptions of the wounded but not graphic. Worth reading.

Julia's Gift is a well-written, engaging historical romance. The theme of faith and hope enduring even through the troubled and war-torn months of WW1 is heart lifting. It is clear that the author had done research to allow the reader to visualize the horror and sadness experienced by the nurses and volunteers near the battlefields of France. At the same time, she weaves through the story a romance between volunteer, Julia Murphy and Major Peter Winslow. Thought provoking, yet enjoyable read.Joan L. Kelly