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REVIEW
We'll Meet Again is an exceptionally written WW2 story set first in Hawaii and then the remainder in Canberra, Darwin and Sydney. We get a clear picture of what was happening in Australia in 1941 and 1942 and how the government formed an alliance with the Americans. Both countries were concerned over Japan’s activity but Australia, of course, was in a vulnerable position so having a strong ally was of utmost importance.
Mr Cardwell (a former Australian Navy Officer) is sent to Hawaii as an Australian government representative to meet with the American Navy. His two daughters Elizabeth and Maggie accompany him on this diplomatic mission. While there, the two girls have a bit of fun and enjoy Waikiki beach where they meet American brothers Tom and Cody Baker. A friendship and romance develop but how long will it last with the war on? The younger sister is attracted to the younger surfer brother and the older sister develops a friendly bond with the senior brother who is an electrician aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma. The four of them don’t spend much time together before the girls must return to Australia with their father. Maggie rebels at the order to go home but later realises it may have saved her life. For not long after they leave, Pearl Harbour is under attack. What happens to the two men they left behind? It is a question that lingers long in these women’s minds after their departure.
The two sisters are quite different. Younger rebel Maggie has a talent for singing and a desire to act. This leads her down an interesting path where she meets some shady characters. But through her trials, she grows up and becomes quite a strong woman and learns to handle herself well. I really enjoyed watching her throughout the novel as she has quite a vivacious personality! And the description of her voice plus the reactions it caused in listeners, helped me imagine what she would have sounded like. Older Elizabeth has been the more serious protecting sister who has her heart set on joining the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service. Her path to achieving this takes her to Darwin as a secretary for the Australian Navy but it is here in this location where she meets a previous acquaintance and experiences the hazards of war.
It is quite a fast paced and exhilarating ride for two Australian sisters and two American brothers who meet but then are separated. Some pretty horrific events occur on and off the battlefield. The descriptions of the bombings are so vividly written that I felt as if I was there, too. And with the more social scenes in Sydney, I was effortlessly transported to the possible hangouts and happenings of the time. There is a wonderful flow and style to this author’s writing which includes some clever wit. Splashes of Australian humour colour this already bright palette. The characters are realistic with their quirks and positive attributes. And the personal developments of these four men and women are quite refreshing and well executed.
I have read many WW2 novels with a few set in Australia. Cheryl’s characters are vibrant and so intriguing you feel as though you have slipped into their skins and are experiencing their war trauma, location changes and unexpected love. It did not take long to read this novel as I could not put it down. So, a big chunk of my day had me glued to the pages while I followed the plots, passions and surprises of Maggie, Elizabeth, Cody and Tom’s lives.
This is a great story with a fresh take on the Pearl Harbour and Darwin bombings with reminders of what was happening in Canberra and Sydney. It becomes real as we see and experience these traumas through these characters’ lives. The devastation and loss at these bombing events are gut wrenching and soul shattering but Cheryl gives us a clear and true picture from what I have read in historical accounts. The research for this would have been extensive as the details, including the current culture and social norms, seem authentic and reasonable to the times.
The author portrays realistically the relations between Australians and Americans, too, which was initially cordial. But as the war progressed and the foreign aiders settled in, ill feelings arose. American soldiers were paid better, dressed better and enjoyed wining and dining Australian women (who became charmed by them). Australians (particularly males) were upset by this activity and it set off a number of fights. Most likely in their minds they felt the Americans were stealing the Australian women and they could not compete. Some parents would have felt they were only here to use their daughters for their own pleasure and then break their hearts by moving on. Many times, this was true but, of course, not always. Real relationships developed just as Cheryl shows us in this story.
I certainly enjoyed this novel that covers an interesting time in Australia’s history. It portrays also the dynamics between family members, their differences, the dreams a person can have and achieve even against the odds, and how people can change over time or through events thrust upon them. The second World War certainly did that to many as seen in We’ll Meet Again. This is an outstanding novel that I happily recommend and give 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it deserves it.
Many thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a review copy.
