My review of “If the Boot Fits” by Karen Witemeyer

“If the Boot Fits” by Karen Witemeyer is an example of both historical and Christian fiction at their finest. As an added bonus, there’s a tie-in to the classic Cinderella story.

The story opens with the typical Cinderella elements (a ball, someone fleeing, and an abandoned piece of footwear). There’s a brief bit in which our heroine tries to match feet with the boot-wearer, but it’s not a key part of the plot. There’s a nice scene at the end linking the story back to Cinderella as well. I enjoyed these elements, and thought they fit into the book perfectly. However, don’t go into this expecting a true Texas retelling of the fairy tale!

For the most part, the book centers on the evolving relationship between Samantha and Asher. I found the slow-burn romance to be very authentic. The author includes enough scenes of the two together, talking and getting to know one another, that the reader can easily believe that their feelings are genuine. Since the course of true love never runs smoothly, the couple is hampered by Samantha’s father’s influence, Asher’s family’s financial problems, and some unknown villain attempting to kill Samantha.

I enjoyed reading about each main character separately, as well as the two of them together. The relationship between Samantha and her father, in particular, was well-written, and I liked getting glimpses into their past as well as witnessing their present-day interactions. Revelations about Samantha’s long-deceased mother come to light; these are interesting in their own right, and also affect Samantha’s understanding of her father.

I appreciated the faith aspects as well; as Samantha navigates the twin challenges of her blossoming romance and the attempts on her life, she grows in her faith and learns to rely more fully on God. All in all, she has a lovely personal growth arc, in her faith, in her familial relationships, and in her romance.

In conclusion, I have to say that this book has everything: romance, history, danger, and faith.

Definitely 5 slices of perfect sharp cheddar!

My Review of “The Warsaw Sisters” by Amanda Barratt

“The Warsaw Sisters” is a powerful, historical, emotionally draining, amazing novel about two sisters living in Poland during the German occupation in World War 2.

Both main characters (sisters Antonia and Helena) are incredibly well-written. The reader will feel like he/she is gradually getting to know real people as the story moves along and more and more about the characters’ pasts, family/friends, and personalities are revealed. While we are getting to know these two strong women, we also get to observe them as they take action to help lessen the suffering around them.

Although both Antonia and Helena have some degree of romance in their lives, this is only one small part of what this book has to offer. The reader will learn a lot about the occupation of Poland, and its many atrocities. There is also plenty of information about daily life, religion, clothing, food, and the vital roles played by some women during that time. Despite learning quite a bit, you will never be bored or feel like you’re sitting in a history lecture. All of this information is presented as part of the story, and is truly fascinating (although, in some cases, disturbing).

A fair bit of time is devoted to the dynamic between the sisters. As the extreme danger in their resistance efforts requires them to be secretive, the women find a division between them that they’ve never experienced before. How they cope with this change makes for a powerful storyline.

I highly recommend this novel for the incredible depth of historical content, the moving and exciting stories of Antonia and Helena, and the positive messaging about trying to make a difference despite overwhelming odds.

5 out of 5 slices of thinly sliced, ultra-sharp Cheddar!