The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

*** Contest Winner: CONGRATULATIONS to Jill Jones, winner of a copy of The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews! ***

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews was one of the most fascinating “fiction” books I have ever read.

Andy—while digging up a tree in his yard—finds buttons, medals, and pictures that he soon learns are from a Nazi soldier during World War II. He begins researching to find out who they belong to and how they could have ended up on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. He begins learning about Helen and Josef, who lived in the area during WWII ...

Helen, recovering from the loss of her husband in the war and her aunt to sickness, lives a fairly solitude life in Orange Beach, AL during World War II. She is lonely and depressed and angry—at God and everyone else. One night while wandering the beach, she finds a man lying in the surf. Once she takes a closer look, she realizes he is a Nazi soldier—who was serving on a German submarine in the Gulf of Mexico. An unlikely … friendship … begins to form between Helen and Josef as she nurses him back to health. As time goes on, Helen realizes the value of forgiveness, letting go, and second chances.

The story is crazy. Hard to believe. Why have I never heard of Nazi submarines actively operating in American waters during the war?! This book is a very emotional one. Andrews writes in such a way that you can’t help but feel what the characters are feeling. You want Helen to win, you want others to get what they deserve, you want everything to be okay in the end.

I spent the first half of the book trying to figure out if the background info was true or not … and the second half trying to figure out if Andy was ever going to solve his “mystery.” It definitely kept me hanging on!

The Author’s Note at the beginning of the book states that all of the background information (dates, numbers, etc.) and most of the people and places are real. Many of the names have been changed ... but it is truly more of a true story than fiction.

This is a fascinating story that more people should know about! I can’t believe that this nugget of history has been covered up for so long. I would highly recommend this book!

5 stars (out of 5)

I receive this book FREE from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review.


BOOK GIVEAWAY:
Thomas Nelson sent me a second copy of this book. Post a comment below letting me know what you are currently reading and I will randomly select a winner on Tuesday, June 8. (Make sure I have a way to get in touch with you.)