My Mother’s Friend

by Sally Jameson Bond

FBT review:

Discover the award-winning literary fiction book, "My Mother's Friend" by Sally Jameson Bond. Set in 1944, this compelling story follows seventeen-year-old Phee Swensson, a talented pianist living in Algona, Iowa. After her mother's passing, Phee finds solace in friendship with a German POW at a nearby camp, who shares her love for music. As their connection deepens, Phee must navigate the forbidden nature of their relationship and the conflict of her conditioned beliefs. Will she follow her heart or succumb to societal expectations? With an age-gap romance, suspenseful nights, and life-altering decisions, this captivating historical fiction novel will transport readers to small-town America during World War II. Perfect for those seeking an immersive and thought-provoking read, "My Mother's Friend" is an unforgettable exploration of love, loss, and personal growth.

Publisher Description:

Winner of the 2023 Global Book Awards Gold Medal
Highly Recommended 5-Star Award of Excellence from the Historical Fiction Company

************

The year is 1944…

Seventeen-year-old Phee Swensson, a gifted pianist who lives in Algona, Iowa, is stressing about her senior year of high school while caring for her family after her mother’s death. When her pastor father takes her to visit the nearby prisoner of war camp, the last thing she expects to find is friendship with a German POW who shares her passion for music.

After she is recruited as the accompanist for the POW choir, Phee begins to spend more time with her new friend who she initially considers “the enemy.” But their friendship strengthens, and inevitably, they fall in love, a forbidden love. But Phee is a pastor’s daughter, and her conflicting feelings torment her. Can she set aside her conditioned beliefs and follow her heart? And if she does, what will be the result?

Their love deepens, but as the moment draws near for the POWs to leave Camp Algona after the war ends, Phee has a life-altering decision to make.

Read now for a moving historical fiction story set in small-town America during World War II. Young readers and adults alike will fall for this first-love story featuring age-gap angst, thrilling suspenseful nights, and impossible life decisions. My Mother’s Friend contains both a past storyline and a more contemporary one to tell its timeless story.