A Nice Continuation of A Wonderful WWII Series | Review: As Time Goes By by Melody Carlson

As Time Goes By

by Melody Carlson

About The Book

 In 1942 San Francisco, war has touched every part of the Mulligans’ lives. With their brother killed at Pearl Harbor, their father recovering from tuberculosis, and their eldest sister a nurse in the Army, those at home are left to keep on, wondering if it’s possible to thrive…or only to survive. 

Pragmatic Margaret struggles with the gap between the dreams she’d always fostered of married life and the reality of having a husband an ocean away—combined with the concerns for the family store in uncertain times. Colleen has always been considered the superficial sister, but when a chance at her dream of Hollywood makes her second-guess her hopes and tragedy shakes her to her core, her family sees a side of her they never expected. Molly, always the hopeful one, dedicates herself fully to the war effort at home—but can all the optimism in the world guard her against harsh reality? Who can she talk to when troubles come? 

Each of the Mulligan sisters must do her part to keep the family going—and each must find her own new place as the world shifts under their feet and time goes by. 

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I loved it just as much as I loved the first book in The Mulligan Sisters series. Melody Carlson is one of those writers whose books I just tear through. I just can’t put them down! And this series is my favorite series by her. I love WWII fiction and this series is like a time machine; it takes the reader right back to the 1940s. Carlson deals with the war tastefully, incorporating the sadness and grief that affected everyone’s lives and balancing it with stories of those on the home front as their lives continue in the midst of war. Elements of faith weave throughout the story subtly, while not being too preachy, but still there.

The story is full of vivid characters who seem like people you know in person. I’m glad to see Colleen starting to grow up and become mature. She’s not a perfect person, but she’s learning, and this makes her a more realistic character. The only thing lacking in this book is that I wish there had been more about Bridget. I’m hoping that she’ll be featured more in the next book, because she’s a good, likable character.

All in all, As Time Goes By is a great continuation of a series that I love. I recommend this book to all fans of Christian fiction set during WWII. Can’t wait to read String of Pearls!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.