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Dearest Gunter: A German-Perspective Story of the First World War
Gunter Schrader was left behind when his brothers went to war in 1914. Two and a half years later, he makes his way to the front, though it means leaving the young woman he loves and lying to his widowed mother.
The need to fight refuses to let him go, even after the guns fall silent in 1918. Reunited with his brother Jochen and hungry to continue the struggle to secure Germany's borders, it is only the desire for a deeper connection that threatens Gunter's plans.
Discharged and no longer bound to his oath as a soldier, he is faced with a
Love for a woman, or love for his nation?
***
DEAREST GUNTER is the first book in SEPARATE WAYS, a German-perspective Historical Saga that spans the First & Second World Wars. Balancing intense battle scenes with heart-wrenching love stories and an honest treatment of history, this new series promises a next-level experience in the character-driven fiction for which Aubrey Taylor Books publications are known.
The need to fight refuses to let him go, even after the guns fall silent in 1918. Reunited with his brother Jochen and hungry to continue the struggle to secure Germany's borders, it is only the desire for a deeper connection that threatens Gunter's plans.
Discharged and no longer bound to his oath as a soldier, he is faced with a
Love for a woman, or love for his nation?
***
DEAREST GUNTER is the first book in SEPARATE WAYS, a German-perspective Historical Saga that spans the First & Second World Wars. Balancing intense battle scenes with heart-wrenching love stories and an honest treatment of history, this new series promises a next-level experience in the character-driven fiction for which Aubrey Taylor Books publications are known.
389 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2025
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February 20, 2025Well written story of a German soldier in First World War.
It’s been a while since I’ve read general market fiction, so I don’t really know how this story compares to others in the genre. I appreciate that the author avoided gratuitous detail about violence and sex. While this is a heavy book, it isn’t explicit and the difficult themes are handled with care.
This story shows the heartbreaking toll that war takes on the human soul. It was also interesting to see WW1 from the German perspective. They suffered so much and lost so much! I did not know about some of the military action that took place after the Armistice, so that was interesting too. It was a poignant look at the devastation and demoralization that later gave rise to Hitler and WW2.
It’s been a while since I’ve read general market fiction, so I don’t really know how this story compares to others in the genre. I appreciate that the author avoided gratuitous detail about violence and sex. While this is a heavy book, it isn’t explicit and the difficult themes are handled with care.
This story shows the heartbreaking toll that war takes on the human soul. It was also interesting to see WW1 from the German perspective. They suffered so much and lost so much! I did not know about some of the military action that took place after the Armistice, so that was interesting too. It was a poignant look at the devastation and demoralization that later gave rise to Hitler and WW2.
April 18, 2025
I am always hesitant to give my books five stars. Maybe it's false humility or maybe it's because I can find fault with all of them. This book, however--I don't know. I LOVE it. It is gritty, funny, and heart-wrenching all at the same time. I adore Gunter, as complex and maddening as he is.
This is my first attempt at a full-length WWI-era book, and readers familiar with All Quiet on the Western Front will probably recognize Remarque's influence. However, it extends beyond Remarque to his German contemporaries, Ernst von Salomon, Ernst Junger, and the war diary of Alexander Pfeifer. Battle scenes are gripping but short-lived enough that readers who don't enjoy action can move through them without losing interest.
I know that some of the implied situations between characters might offend the readers who, until now, have enjoyed my Christian Fiction books (published under Aubrey Taylor). This is my first book written for the General Market, and while I hold to my closed-door, low-spice standards, the characters involved are young and unmarried. It is an acknowledgement of what is real life for many people. That said, I do venture to explore the potential fallout from the characters' choices.
Dearest Gunter is certainly not all dark and brooding--there are some parts that always make me smile or laugh out loud as I read over them. I truly hope people enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it, reading it and re-reading it multiple times through edits and an upcoming audio book edition. Furthermore, I hope they enjoy it enough to read through the entire series as other books become available. Stay tuned!
This is my first attempt at a full-length WWI-era book, and readers familiar with All Quiet on the Western Front will probably recognize Remarque's influence. However, it extends beyond Remarque to his German contemporaries, Ernst von Salomon, Ernst Junger, and the war diary of Alexander Pfeifer. Battle scenes are gripping but short-lived enough that readers who don't enjoy action can move through them without losing interest.
I know that some of the implied situations between characters might offend the readers who, until now, have enjoyed my Christian Fiction books (published under Aubrey Taylor). This is my first book written for the General Market, and while I hold to my closed-door, low-spice standards, the characters involved are young and unmarried. It is an acknowledgement of what is real life for many people. That said, I do venture to explore the potential fallout from the characters' choices.
Dearest Gunter is certainly not all dark and brooding--there are some parts that always make me smile or laugh out loud as I read over them. I truly hope people enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it, reading it and re-reading it multiple times through edits and an upcoming audio book edition. Furthermore, I hope they enjoy it enough to read through the entire series as other books become available. Stay tuned!
June 10, 2025
Aubrey Reiss Taylor delivers a poignant and beautifully crafted tale in Dearest Gunter: A German-Perspective Story of the First World War.
From the opening pages, the depth of character, rich dialogue, and vivid settings pull you into a world torn by war. It’s clear the author did meticulous research, not just on the historical events, but on the emotional and psychological toll of war as well. The result is a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
“My innocence died in the mud back in Cambrai. It’s time for my insecurities to follow a similar fate.” — Gunter Schrader
The above quote captures the heart of this novel. Gunter, who lies about his age to serve his country, is forever changed by what he experiences and survives. His journey is a raw and honest portrayal of a young soldier grappling with trauma, identity, and the impossible task of returning to a normal life in a world that no longer feels familiar.
Taylor masterfully explores the struggles of post-war Germany—where food is scarce, jobs even scarcer, and emotional wounds run deep. The story asks the haunting question: How does one build a normal future after surviving such horror?
While the novel includes battle scenes and tender moments of love, nothing is gratuitous. The focus remains on the inner lives of the characters—their pain, their resilience, and their hope.
This is the kind of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” until it’s suddenly 2 a.m. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel.
From the opening pages, the depth of character, rich dialogue, and vivid settings pull you into a world torn by war. It’s clear the author did meticulous research, not just on the historical events, but on the emotional and psychological toll of war as well. The result is a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
“My innocence died in the mud back in Cambrai. It’s time for my insecurities to follow a similar fate.” — Gunter Schrader
The above quote captures the heart of this novel. Gunter, who lies about his age to serve his country, is forever changed by what he experiences and survives. His journey is a raw and honest portrayal of a young soldier grappling with trauma, identity, and the impossible task of returning to a normal life in a world that no longer feels familiar.
Taylor masterfully explores the struggles of post-war Germany—where food is scarce, jobs even scarcer, and emotional wounds run deep. The story asks the haunting question: How does one build a normal future after surviving such horror?
While the novel includes battle scenes and tender moments of love, nothing is gratuitous. The focus remains on the inner lives of the characters—their pain, their resilience, and their hope.
This is the kind of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” until it’s suddenly 2 a.m. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel.
May 11, 2025
Dearest Gunter by Aubrey Reiss Taylor is a compelling and thought-provoking read. While I’ve never been one to gravitate toward history textbooks—much to the dismay of my professors—historical fiction like this has a way of bringing the past to life in vivid and emotional ways.
Set during the First World War, this story follows a teenager who lies about his age to enlist and serve his country. What unfolds is not just a journey through the horrors of war, but also an intimate exploration of love, identity, and the emotional aftermath of surviving so much loss.
War changes everything, and love in wartime can be as fractured and fleeting as peace itself. Though this book isn’t a “clean read” in the traditional sense many of my followers might expect, it doesn’t rely on graphic content, and it captures a raw, realistic view of how love and longing can shift amid chaos.
Aubrey Reiss Taylor has written a powerful, character-driven story that stays with you long after the final page.
Set during the First World War, this story follows a teenager who lies about his age to enlist and serve his country. What unfolds is not just a journey through the horrors of war, but also an intimate exploration of love, identity, and the emotional aftermath of surviving so much loss.
War changes everything, and love in wartime can be as fractured and fleeting as peace itself. Though this book isn’t a “clean read” in the traditional sense many of my followers might expect, it doesn’t rely on graphic content, and it captures a raw, realistic view of how love and longing can shift amid chaos.
Aubrey Reiss Taylor has written a powerful, character-driven story that stays with you long after the final page.
February 11, 2026
I read this book several months back, and am still thinking about it. That goes to show it was a memorable read.
I felt fully immersed in the setting, experiencing the adventure, heartache, and confusion right along with Gunter as he experiences the raw realities of war and tries to navigate difficult relationships and questions about human nature, himself, and others.
Taylor creates characters that stick with you and leave you wishing for more. I also enjoyed reading more of Lani’s story in her novella, “Born for Adversity” in the Every Life Treasured collection, and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I felt fully immersed in the setting, experiencing the adventure, heartache, and confusion right along with Gunter as he experiences the raw realities of war and tries to navigate difficult relationships and questions about human nature, himself, and others.
Taylor creates characters that stick with you and leave you wishing for more. I also enjoyed reading more of Lani’s story in her novella, “Born for Adversity” in the Every Life Treasured collection, and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews