Book Review: Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

From http://www.anntatlock.com/book-sweet-mercy.php:

When Eve Marryat's father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve's uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

Eve can't wait to leave St. Paul, a notorious haven for gangsters. At seventeen, she considers her family to be "good people," not lawbreakers like so many in her neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a "safe haven," Eve soon forms an unlikely friendship with a strange young man named Link, blissfully unaware that her uncle's lodge is anything but what it seems.

When the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. Does she dare risk everything by exposing the man whose love and generosity is keeping her family from ruin? And when things turn dangerous, can she trust Link in spite of appearances?

My thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this book and watching Eve grow.  She was a seventeen year old and was responsible and an honest person.  But there was just something about her that makes you want her to change just a little bit.  She was just a little too good.  She had not fully experienced life.  As the reader, you watch Eve experience love and heartbreak.

Not to spoil the book, but as Eve is faced with a dilemma.  Does she do what she would normally do and be the perfect law abiding citizen or does she help out her family but walking away.  I enjoyed watching Eve grow as she faced this dilemma.  

Besides watching Eve grow, I learned about the feelings of prohibition.  I know what prohibition is and the reasons for it.  But I never realized how affected those that did not drink anyway but had to live during prohibition.

Link helped me realize how you can not judge a person by appearances.  There were hard times back than.  Eve learned this too has she helped link with food.  

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

And yes, I received this book for free from Bethany House for this review.  But I told the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

PS If you want to review books too check out this website www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers