Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Reneé S. Clark (Review & #Giveaway)


I've really enjoyed this author's other books and have been looking
forward to her stepping into historical America after the end of WWII...

Beneath the Bellemont Sky
by Reneé S. Clark
Adult Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 196 Pages
Published March 2018 by Covenant Communications

Summary

As WWII draws to a close, war widow Vera Larsen Trumbell knows all too well the sacrifices of those left on the home front. Working on her family's farm has sustained Vera and her young children, but she now yearns for a sense of normalcy. The end of the war has been bittersweet for the Larsen clan as they and the residents of their small Wyoming town continue to pick up the pieces of their former lives.

Navigating the complexities of a postwar world, Vera and her family face the changing ideals swirling around them. From rising controversy surrounding women's presence in the workplace to the town's cold reception of the newest member of the family—a beautiful French freedom fighter—the American dream of days gone by has been thrown off balance. Even Vera's own life is set spinning when, despite her better judgment, she feels a growing attraction for the brooding and mysterious local schoolteacher.

As the Larsen family and their neighbors tread on thorny territory, will the people of this small town find the strength to embrace an unfamiliar and extraordinary future?

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My Review

BENEATH THE BELLEMONT SKY is a heartwarming story of the Larsen family after the end of WWII, who farm in a small town in Wyoming called Bellemont. It tells the story of the Larsen's two sons and two daughters, all of which have been greatly affected by the war and are all looking for happiness in their lives as they recover. One of the Larsen boys comes home married, but the other boy and the two girls are still searching for their happily-ever-afters. A sweet historical romance full of family, friendship and love that historical romance readers are sure to enjoy.

It took me a little bit to get into this story. I was expecting to be following one story line and so it felt slightly fragmented when there were multiple points of view and several different romances (five romances in total: the Larsen children and one of their daughter's friends). It was a different approach than I generally read, but after I got used to it and invested in this family it didn't bother me. Their lives are so entwined that it would be hard to tell one of their stories without telling anyone else's. I loved how close this family was and how involved they were in each other's lives. I also loved the genuineness, down-to-earth feel of this family and their story. Of course, it helped that I cam to love these characters as well! The small-town setting was another fun aspect of the story.

All the romances were lovely. There was chemistry, friendship, the awkwardness of new love, second love, the sweetness of newlyweds, a little bickering, and the comfortable love of a long-married couple. Pretty much every stage was represented by one couple or another. I also liked that the story wasn't all about romance. It also showed the difficulties of those coming home from the war as well as those who had stayed to keep things moving while most of the men were gone. One women wants to have a career while her fiance thinks she should be a traditional house wife. There is also those who think its wrong for a woman to have helped the war effort as a spy or in the resistance effort. I liked that it gave a fairly representative picture of the time and the little changes and effects the war had. There were a few parts that really brought out my emotions.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I thoroughly enjoyed this story! The characters were lovable and their happily-ever-afters well deserved.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect my review in any way.

About the Author


During her early years of reading, Reneé S. Clark devoured fantasy books, which continued into her adulthood—since she often believes that a well-written romance novel is a delightful fantasy. Though raising three boys can sometimes hamper both romance with her own Mr. Charming and her writing, she tries to get a little of both in every day. And most of the time she succeeds.


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