Hello!
Time for another book review! Okay, so as I’ve mentioned on the blog before, in my 9-5er, I work with the military. As a result (and really the whole reason I got into that line of work), I feel very passionately about our Service members and their families, and the sacrifices they make (politics of the wars we’ve been involved in aside). I assume that’s why I tend to be drawn to books that focus on the military community and issues facing them today, which is partially what drew me to Kristin Hannah’s {#1 New York Times Bestseller} Home Front.
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I learned about this book, though, because the author has a review on one of my recent favs, Blackberry Winter. I figured anyone who is significant enough to have their name stamped on the cover of one of Sarah Jio’s novels (which I adore!) mustn’t be too shabby themselves. Easy logic. 
I truly enjoyed this book, you guys. It was written beautifully! I’d never read anything by Hannah before, but if Home Front is a testament to her past writing, then I think I need to hit the bookstore. It isn’t every day you find someone with such a way with words that can almost literally bring you to your knees with the emotion that’s swimming off the pages.
A number of my good friends are in the military community (Active duty members, veterans, and spouses), and, as ya’ll may recall, I also have experienced the life of a Service member’s loved one firsthand. Needless to say, this story touched me profoundly at certain points. I still vividly remember what it felt like to have someone I cared so deeply about leave for deployments and transition back to regular life (not to mention watching friends and their loved ones go through the same), and the experiences we both shared dealing with the curve balls of military life – both together and apart. That being said, personally I thought the author did a great job painting the picture of a military family, especially one with a spouse who doesn’t quite “get it” until it’s almost too late.
Though the storyline is without a doubt military family driven (it takes place during the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom), it’s still a tale about bigger issues, including friendship and resilience. I think it might appeal to people with zero connection or interest in the Armed Forces.
I’m not going to lie to you all though – this book did leave me with tears in my eyes at the end, and I could imagine that I might have cried more had not already been familiar with a lot of the circumstances Hannah brings up throughout her story. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, happy-go-lucky tale……. well, this sure isn’t for you. But hey – sometimes it’s good to really FEEL those feelings, you know? Including ones you may have tried to forget about or ignore.
Aaaaaaaaaaand now I’m on to a new (hopefully more cheerful) book! Let me know if you have any good book recommendations. 
Ever read any of Kristin Hannah’s books? What are you reading now?
I LOVE this book, but not as much as I LOVE Kristin Hannah herself. I have read every single one of her books and she is such a gifted author. Since you liked this book, try FireFly Lane next. It’s her most popular book and she is writing a sequel due out later this year.