Review of NO OTHER

[Tracy Krauss]

No Other by Shawna K. Williams is a beautifully written romance set in post WWII America. Anti-German sentiment is prevalent, and one family in particular has had to endure much hardship because if it. Now that the war is over, twenty year old Jake must brave a regular classroom in order to finish his schooling. This would have been bad enough, but he wasn’t expecting to fall in love with his teacher! It’s a dilemma that will test his will power and his faith.

Jake and Meri’s romance is gently woven, despite their very human struggles with temptation. Williams treats every aspect of their relationship with honesty and care. There is nothing shocking or untoward for those readers of a more delicate bent, but she does not sugar coat the realities of life either. It is a refreshing look at two people in love during an era that was still naïve in many ways, but also quite hypocritically hardened.

Especially enlightening was the way Williams was able to weave the travesty of WWII internment camps into the story – not something that most proud Americans like to celebrate, but part of US history none the less. Even though this travesty is exposed, Williams purpose throughout is to gently lead the reader on a path toward forgiveness – a recurring theme that seems to be the story’s foundation.

No Other is a lovely and satisfying read – not too difficult with just the right amount of poignancy to keep the reader going. Williams herself aptly describes it as “Grace Inspired”. I would recommend this book to readers looking for a romance that is somewhat different than the norm, yet still delivers on the ‘romance-meter’