Tides of Honour

This poignant love story takes readers from WWI battlefields in France to small-town life in Nova Scotia where a young couple weathers war, its aftermath, and a horrific Canadian disaster which all impact the early years of their marriage.

At the heart of this book is a love story between Danny Baker and Audrey Poulin. Danny is a Canadian soldier whose regiment receives shelter on Audrey's family farm in France during the war. Their connection is immediate, but their love will be long-distance as Danny goes back to the front and Audrey finds important work of her own. Once reunited in Canada, their relationship is tested by many forces.

Within this love story, Graham weaves slices of Canadian history, important historical elements (WWI, suffragette and labour movements ..) as well as emotional themes of PTSD, loss, alcoholism and journeys of self-discovery. Through her vivid descriptions, Graham captures the emotions, fear, panic, and the decimation that occurred in 1917 when Halifax experienced the largest human-made explosion (at that time). The author places her readers in the heart of the destruction and in the middle of Danny and Audrey's faltering relationship. 

Despite the issues in their marriage, readers will root for Danny and Audrey. They are a sweet, young couple - Audrey is a positive force and, while at times it was difficult to read, I appreciate the attention given to Danny's struggles with PTSD, depression and ongoing feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. 

This heartwarming, well-researched sweet historical romance weaves one couple's relationship and their experiences with war and its aftermath with pivotal Canadian history within a story that features themes of loss, love, perseverance and ultimately, hope.

Disclaimer: I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. 

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Genevieve Graham

Genre: Historical Fiction, Canadian

Type and Source: Trade Paperback gifted by author

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: April 1, 2015

Book Description from GoodReads: USA TODAY and #1 bestselling author Genevieve Graham brings to life a little-known chapter of history in this unforgettable story of survival and sacrifice about a young woman and a wounded soldier caught in the horrors of the Great War and its aftermath.

In the summer of 1916, Private Daniel Baker marches into battle with the boys of Nova Scotia’s 25th Battalion. Out of brutal necessity, Danny has steeled himself against the horrors of war, but he is completely unprepared to meet the love of his life in war-torn France.

Audrey Poulin has the soul of an artist. She lives alone with her grandmother in the quiet French countryside, where she finds joy in her brush and palette. By chance, she encounters Danny and the handsome young soldier captures her heart and inspires her painting.

But when Danny is gravely wounded at the Battle of the Somme mere months later, the couple’s future is thrown into uncertainty. Soon, he and Audrey find themselves struggling to build a new life in Halifax, a city grieving its lost men. As the grey winter of 1917 sets in, Danny’s shellshock and Audrey’s feelings of isolation continue to grow, pulling the two apart just as a new catastrophe threatens their existence.

From the battlefields of France to the shores of Halifax, Tides of Honour is a moving novel about love and loyalty—and a testament to the power of second chances.