To Have and to Hold

Completely engrossing well written story about a woman who has already been taken care of by her uber organized and controlling fighter pilot husband until he is MIA in Viet Nam. Kate Starr grows from a dependent wife who spends her day doting on her daughters and making handcrafts without an apparent care in the world until she becomes a thorn in the military's side... the wife of a missing fighter pilot who wants answers.... who becomes a successful business woman. I cheered her as she reached milestone after milestone with her children and business, and especially cheered the unbelievable challenges she must overcome... no spoilers here.... trust me, the book is gut wrenching in the emotional toll we experience with Kate.One of Fern Michaels' best, and not just an ordinary light hearted romance for sure.

I really enjoyed this book. Kate Starr is a mother of two young girls and the wife of a man who belittles her but she knows nothing else.He is a hot shot pilot and leaves to join the war in Viet Nam only to be shot down and eventually ends up in Russia as a prisioner.Kate's world falls apart and she is helped by a loving Della and Donald.Kate constantly battles with government officals who deny her help because nobody can account for Patricks wherabouts and he isn't listed as dead or a prisoner of war but missing in action. Slowly she is able to put her life back together and finds that she isn't stupid like Partick always inferred. She goes to college, opens her own company and even falls in love again with a much younger man.That's when Patrick returns and her world is turned upside down again.Again the government steps in and makes the family sign papers releasing them from any wrong-doing and Patrick instead of getting a hero's welcome home is forced to pretend to be someone else, Harry. Patrick of course has many problems from his years as a prisoner of war both mental and physical. Kate, the dutiful wife, calls off her wedding and devotes her life to helping her husband recover. I won't give away the ending but it is a happy one. Fern Michaels has a way of making her characters come alive and that's not an easy task.

I really enjoyed reading this story regarding those that served this country during that terrible time period. A tribute to these men & told only a fraction of what they experienced. My husband served in Korea. War is never glamorous & when these men & women come home they should be celebrated NOT out sleeping in the streets.

I have read at least 96 percent of all of Fern Michaels books. I started this one (again) earlier today and could NOT put it down. Her books are like magnets, they are difficult to find a place to stop reading . If I am not feeling well they just take me to a dreamland that is so real, this book was so deep and yet not so graphic to give a body nightmares. What an amazing writer you are Ms. Michaels, thank you for so many hours of pleasure while restless at night, going through cancer (twice), many surgeries and illnesses over the past 20 or so years. I am including meeting you some day on my "Bucket List". Hugs

Kate is left to raise her two young daughters after her Air Force captain husband is shot down over Vietnam..what follows is a wonderful story of joy, heartbreak, old love and new love..and one woman who finds the strength to carry on..

Not one of her best, but I could not put the book down. About a young girl first love, her lost when her husband goes MIA. Her fights with the Government, problems she had getting information from them. Her problems raising two young children, with no training to get a job. She's helps helps out a lady who just lost her job and home. Who then helps Kate to go to school and raise her children. She becomes a success, even with her depression over her missing husband. After twenty years she plans to be married in two months. When the government just brings her sick MIA husband home in secret. They can't tell anyone outside her family that he is home. I will not tell you the whole story, you must read it yourself.

I always liked Michaels books but this one was exceptional. Didn’t read in one sitting but read instead of working. My deceased husband would have given it a whole box of tissues rating😥

A teacher once told me to read the first 30 pages of a book before deciding if I didn't like it. That's what I had to do because I thought this one was really slow and boring at first. I was really wrong. Once I got past that 30th page, I was hooked.It's a sad, but I'm sure, quite true story of what many families went through during the Viet Nam War. Even today, some families are just now finding out a loved one is officially dead and there still are many MIAs.....or are there? Reading this well written book will have you wondering as it's left me.

Never disappointed when I read Fern Michael's novels. I try to read her novels slowly so I can take my time enjoying it!!

Wow couldn’t put down fabulous twists Fern Michaels at her brilliant best recommend this book and this author was fantastic

Wonderful. I love all Ferns books. I go from one to the next. And when I see a new one coming out, I preorder on my kindle.

Great romantic book! You will smile and you will cry. A book of sacrifice for the love of your family.

Really good read. She'd a few tears. Didn't want to put it down.What a tragedy war is. How it effects many people's life.Patrick and Kate both showed courage, strength, and love.