"Within These Lines" by Stephanie Morrill

Torn apart by war, held together by hope.


Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamaski shouldn't have fallen in love.
Not with her Italian-American family and his Japanese family.
Not with the recent attack on Pearl Harbor.
Not with Taichi being forced to live in the horrific conditions of Manazar Relocation Center far away from Evalina.
Fighting against prejudices at home, radicals next door, and lies everywhere, Evalina and Taichi must remain steadfast in order to make it back to each other.

I'm not much of a "romance" genre reader but when I found out about Stephanie Morrill's newest novel, I knew I had to read it.

"Within These Lines" is not a cliche or unrealistic romance novel typical to the Young Adult genre. Instead it is an emotional, intriguing, and heartbreaking love story that feels so real.

In every chapter, the point of view bounces between Taichi and Evalina, giving you only the details you need to read and enough questions and cliffhangers to keep you reading. (I don't want to spoil anything but this book will keep you flipping pages well past midnight, no doubt about that.)

*hops onto my soap box and clears throat*

TAICHI AND EVALINA ARE THE BEST.

*bows and hops off*

I honestly don't think I have "shipped" two character more than Tailina™ (or would it be Evachi?). Both characters fight so courageously for their love and against injustices done to them - him in his quiet strength and her with her feisty determination.

Stephanie Morrill's story transports you to San Francisco in the tumultuous 1940s in the middle of the Second World War. It keeps you captivated as you wish with all your might that the atrocities brought upon innocent families had never happened yet maintaining threads of hope. "Within These Lines" truly blows open the truth on the relocation of Japanese Americans and sheds perspective on all sides of the conflict.

Reading this book will make you feel as though you are doing something to help change the world.

And you are.

This story keeps dark parts of America's history alive and in the open and while bringing hope through the courage of the characters.

"Within These Lines" is a beautiful book that is raw yet hopeful.

I give "Within These Lines" 5 lucky oranges out of 5.


What is your favorite historical fiction era to read about? Tell me in the comments!


Until next time! :)


~ K.J. Haakenson