Review Detail

WAIT FOR ME by Caroline Leech is an historical fiction set during World War II. The book follows Lorna, a young Scottish girl who lives and works on her father’s farm. When her dad accepts a German prisoner of war as an extra farmhand, Lorna must confront all of her prejudices regarding Germans, the “enemy” of her people during this time. Lorna, ultimately, comes to learn that above all else, Paul, the German soldier, is a human first; a human who has family and needs like anyone else, including Lorna. Consequently, though the story takes place in the past, the themes and subjects of this novel are incredibly topical and relevant to present situations unfolding in the world.

Interestingly enough, though the book may have some political undertones, it certainly is not about politics. Instead, the story is about humanity, and the way Leech decides to portray her characters feels so utterly relatable. Lorna’s internal battle over Paul, John Jo’s attitude when he visits home, Jock’s silent acceptance of his daughter’s choice, Iris’ decision to date William; all of these moments add up to create a vibrant, realistic world. Additionally, Leech constantly reminds the audience to empathize with these people rather than judge them, which is a message that could be applied to real life.

I especially enjoyed the romantic parts of this novel as they made me remember what falling in love for the first time feels like. Leech writes so beautifully and really builds up the tension between Lorna and Paul, which culminates in a gratifying pay off for the emotional investment in these characters. I was honestly terrified that the story would have a sad ending, as most books like this do, but I was relieved that Leech chose to go a different route.

Overall, WAIT FOR ME is a dynamically written tale of love, heartbreak, friendship, and life. It is one of those books that will grab you by the soul and never let go. Caroline Leech has certainly set the bar high for herself with this debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what she will do next.