It was a megapack of Kleenex.

And I need one more star.

Sweet and moving. but not cloying or sappy. Wonderful. ( )

4.5

What a beautiful love story. Tender, heartwarming, sweet, poignant — all in the right measure. It made me tear up so many times, too. Lovely writing. Perfect ending. ( )

From the moment Daniel first saw Jacob on the deck of the Gageway, he was drawn to him. There was something about the young man that caught his attention and when the two of them finally connected, it's not surprising that the attraction is mutual. But in the U.S. Navy during World Ware II, being gay is misunderstood and certainly not tolerated. In a world that isn't going to make it easy, can Daniel and Jacob build a relationship that will survive - not to mention surviving the enemy planes and the bombs and the guns?

Overall, I liked this one. Daniel and Jacob's interactions are great, and I really feel like the reader can get a good sense of what life would have been like for a couple like them during the span of time portrayed in the story. (The only real detractor for me were a few occasional bathroom-related thoughts by Daniel that left me making a face - they just didn't seem to be necessary in the story. Nothing overly inappropriate, though.) ( )

( )

I cannot tell you how much I love this story! Kaje Haper has taken a grainy photograph and the few, spare words of a "Love is Always Write" prompt and created real, living, breathing characters.

The story spans 69 years - from Daniel and Jacob's first meeting, their first fumbling forays into a sexual relationship, the horrors of WW II, the difficulties integrating back into civilian life, leading a hidden life, Stonewall, adopting a cat, through to the tribulations of old age - and does it all the while showing the love and courage, flaws and foibles that embody these two men!

An absolute must read! ( )