The War Within Paperback – July 15, 2014

“Sometimes other people’s versions of happiness and ours are two very different things. That’s when you have to say, ‘Screw them,’ and live for yourself, not someone else.”+ • + • + • +During their annual summer vacation, a grandmother & her granddaughter revisit the past as they figure out their futures.

I'm not a combat veteran myself so I don't recognize it but I have now a greater appreciation of what the soldiers in the field went through, what this war was like for so many people. But this book is not simply a book about war but also about two awesome love stories. It's about grief, terror, survival, self-effacement and love. It's provoking, gripping, insightful. The fear of a lesbian soldier to get caught, the consequences thereof, the dishonorable discharge. Unimaginable but sadly it was reality. It saddened me to see and feel the hatred and bigotry of Lois and Steve. This war affected the lives of Meredith and Natalie in a huge way, it affected their love for each other and also the lives of Jordan and Tatum. I loved how the author captured the personal stories. They were incredible moving and touching. It was heartbreaking to see how the life of Billie in recent years had expired, it brought tears to my eyes. This book is very well composed and beautifully told. Four women bound by love. I loved it and I can highly recommend it.

This novel was quite enjoyable. The scenes set in Vietnam were harrowing and vivid. I loved the relationships of the three Army nurses, and also seeing them 47 years later and following their story. The subplot involves the granddaughter of one of the nurses and the relationship between the two is well drawn. However, the secondary romance plot involving the granddaughter and the niece of one of the nurses felt thin, and the story did not develop, but seemed rushed to an ending. I would have loved the book to take more time with their relationship, delving into the issues between them. I would have appreciated more novel, and then the epilogue would not be necessary, but could be incorporated into the plot.I am excited to read more works by this author.

This book is written in such way that is impossible to put down . The characters are so real ( maybe they're ) . you find yourself rooting for Natalie , waiting for Meredith to decide . I don't want to give the plot away . You need to judge for yourself . I laugh , cry and I didn't wanted to read the last page . It gave me hope , someday maybe I will find that kind of love .Thank you Ms. Wallace - I give you 20 stars and you deserve them for writing this wonderful book. I can't wait for the next one .

A superb story of friendship and love set over 47 years. Two women nurse's meet on a tour in 1967 Vietnam and make a friendship that one wants to be more but the other is afraid to follow. 47 years later and with her granddaughter it tow Meredith and Jordan head on vacation and meet her long lost love and her niece and the story heats up. The feelings and emotions are shared by all and the tears follow! A very emotional story that I would recommend to anyone and can't wait to read again!

What a great book and well delivered story. I must say that it is a realistic insite of what lesbian soldiers had to deal with to serve our country. The storyline may be fine tuned to the main characters Meredith and Natalie. The thinner sub plot of the granddaughters was a valuable story line but rather thin and felt rushed. Overall it is a well thought out and developed book enjoy some realistic history of our sisters in uniform and a touch of modern love stories.

It's amazing the events in life that can destroy, or reshape families, and the ties that bind those families together whether they were the ones that we were born into, or the families that we make for ourselves. Yolanda has created a moving story of lives intertwining, across generations, and through time. A heartfelt story of human spirit, and love can conquer all. A bit of a tear jerker, but definitely a good read.

The best parts of this book are about the older lesbian couple, from the flashbacks to their Vietnam days, barely adults, to the present day, after long lives lived. My absolute favorite parts were the Vietnam flashbacks as they reminded me of the TV show China Beach, allowing readers to view the world though the medics and nurses eyes. The younger couple romance was fine, but paled in comparison.

Decent attempt at a double headed romance where seemingly straight Meredith takes a road trip with her ‘out’ granddaughter Jordan to a small town in Georgia which she knows is the home town of her long lost love, Natalie. Meridith and Natalie first met many years before when both were nurses in Vietnam and both felt the fire of attraction whilst dealing with the atrocities of war. Meredith however ran scared from the possibility of a life with Natalie. Many years later, is she now ready to face up to the possibility of exploring her real feelings for Natalie? And is Natalie ready for Meredith to come back into her life - can she forgive?Meanwhile Jordan meets Tatum, Natalie’s niece and also an ex-Marine with paraplegia. Is Jordan strong enough to explore a relationship with Tatum given the difficulties life with a disabled Vet would entail?The story kept me engaged throughout but didn’t ‘rock my world’. And why, oh why, is it seemingly so necessary to have slept with a woman before ‘real’ lesbians accept your true nature?

This clever tale contains a number of love stories. The central theme of love and forgiveness across the decades is between Meredith and Natalie, stretching from the Vietnam war to present day. The second story is two generations later, between injured veteran Tatum and rebel Jordan. Both stories describe the effects of conflict and expectation on those who survived and the courage of those who refuse to conform or lose hope in the face of adversity. Top marks for enthralling storytelling. Each generation is given a clear voice of its own, with notes of humour along the way. A satisfying read. Enjoy.

Fantastic book, I loved this story.

A great book from start to finish