Book Review // Until Our Time Comes
Back of the book:
American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.
Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.
Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.
My review:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
4.5 stars!
In her debut book, Until Our Time Comes, Nicole M. Miller captures two of my favorite things to talk about: Horses and WW2 Christian Fiction. This is a story filled with adventure, close calls, and well-written characters.
Adia Kensington had grit and a stubborn streak that gave her a unique advantage in her field of work. As an American horse trainer living in Poland, she demanded a level of respect and this confidence helped her later on when her job held a higher level of risk. I admire how she saw the good in people when others quickly judged them based on their rank or outward appearance. Adia knew how to work with many different people coming from different backgrounds. And she always kept her goal in the forefront. She never wavered from her life's calling and devotion to the Arabian horse breed. I especially loved this because our first horse was an Arabian, so they hold a special place in my heart. Arabian horses are spunky, spirited, and so loyal!
Bret Conway, (or shall I call him Asia's Casanova *winks*) was a complex character. He played many roles and he seemed to be good at all of them. Olympic horseman, check. British intelligence, check. Adia's personal bodyguard, check. Fearless soldier, check. Throughout the whole book, he carried a heavy weight. Without sharing too many spoilers, it had to do with the death of his brother-in-law. I was glad he was able to make amends with his sister, although the accident could have been explained more in the beginning.
The setting at Janów Podlaski stables was perfectly described and had me picturing vast pastures, and a large operation for breeding. It was Adia's haven, although, that haven was interrupted... twice. Again, I can't share too many spoilers!
One thing I noticed about this book was the steady stream of excitement, adventure, and drama. Most books I read will start slow to build the plot and then reach an exciting plot twist or climax. This book had lots of events taking place, making it a fairly quick read. I also adore the cover!
One area that I would have liked to have changed was the amount of Ewan content. We needed more Ewan!! The little Myszko (mouse) was always up to mischief and pickpocketing. His role in Adia's life was so sweet and I was sad to see him taken out of the picture for a time. Although, just wait for the ending! *smiles*
I wasn't expecting this book to fan out over the course of 7ish years, so that make some of it feel a bit choppy due to the speed and not being able to fill in those missing years. I also didn't care for killing off one of the characters (I won't say which one) but due to it being a WW2 novel, I can understand the author making it more true to that time in history.
Other than a couple nitpicks, this book was an exciting adventure and a wonderful debut novel by Nicole Miller! I was thrilled to have gotten the chance to read and review his copy! Thanks Revell!
I also got to read this book by the lake which was a highlight of my summer thus far!
Lainey came too! :)
What has been your top summer read?
Have you read Until Our Time Comes?
Comment below!
Blessings,
Brooklyne Elysse
