What do you think?
Rate this book
What We Had: Birdie's story ~ 1929-1945 Historical Fiction
A nasty twist of fate turns a beautiful beginning into a tangle of deceit and regret. From the foothills of North Carolina to the mountains of West Virginia, Birdie weaves her story with homespun simplicity, creating a tapestry that vibrates with the colors and textures of her life and times, spinning a tale from the years before the Great Depression on up through the end of World War II.Enthralled by her first taste of womanhood, she follows her heart with the man of her dreams, only to find that life is not fair. Or perfect. Or easy. Will she find the courage to risk everything in order to reclaim what she once had?
- GenresFiction
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2016
242 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2017
A heartwarming and family-friendly book that kept me reading from beginning to end. This is a tale that feels familiar yet new and exciting at the same time and that is due wholly to the author’s wonderful hand and style. Wilson weaves a most interesting tale of a gusty and comedic young girl who is lost in love and caught up in her entertaining thrills and pitfalls of life.
Birdie is the protagonist every novelist aims to create: she is funny, charismatic, and real. I love Birdie because her personality is so very realistic and open it feels welcoming and pulls you into the story right away. She is a funny young girl who lives in the sweltering heat of the beautiful country with her Momma, Pa, and silly siblings. She has an honest way of putting things just the way they are and describing those around her in the way she sees them. Ned is gorgeous. Her sister is a whiny baby. Her Momma is strong. In some ways, you might say that Birdie lives a ‘normal’ life but through her eyes, it is anything but.
What I liked most about the story was the tone. Birdie is the best narrator you could ask for. Wilson does a great job at capturing her young love as we go on this ride with her and she leads us into more serious events with ease as Birdie matures and grows physically and emotionally. I liked the laid back southern attitude carried throughout the book—as someone born in Georgia, it was nice to go back to ham biscuits and long walks to church, fans swinging during service, and picnics afterwards. I had a lovely time with this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
My only complaint was the pacing. I loved the budding romance between Birdie and Ned and had expected to experience all the joys and butterfly thrills of their sweet love but I did not. The best part of romance is how it all comes to be and it seemed that on page one Ned didn’t know Birdie existed but by the end of page three he was having lunch with her and giving her googly eyes. This is just a subjective complaint, as I enjoy beginnings more than endings but that is not to say the story itself was not an overall enjoyment for me.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages especially those who enjoy witty romance and strong female leads.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Birdie is the protagonist every novelist aims to create: she is funny, charismatic, and real. I love Birdie because her personality is so very realistic and open it feels welcoming and pulls you into the story right away. She is a funny young girl who lives in the sweltering heat of the beautiful country with her Momma, Pa, and silly siblings. She has an honest way of putting things just the way they are and describing those around her in the way she sees them. Ned is gorgeous. Her sister is a whiny baby. Her Momma is strong. In some ways, you might say that Birdie lives a ‘normal’ life but through her eyes, it is anything but.
What I liked most about the story was the tone. Birdie is the best narrator you could ask for. Wilson does a great job at capturing her young love as we go on this ride with her and she leads us into more serious events with ease as Birdie matures and grows physically and emotionally. I liked the laid back southern attitude carried throughout the book—as someone born in Georgia, it was nice to go back to ham biscuits and long walks to church, fans swinging during service, and picnics afterwards. I had a lovely time with this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
My only complaint was the pacing. I loved the budding romance between Birdie and Ned and had expected to experience all the joys and butterfly thrills of their sweet love but I did not. The best part of romance is how it all comes to be and it seemed that on page one Ned didn’t know Birdie existed but by the end of page three he was having lunch with her and giving her googly eyes. This is just a subjective complaint, as I enjoy beginnings more than endings but that is not to say the story itself was not an overall enjoyment for me.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages especially those who enjoy witty romance and strong female leads.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
March 21, 2018
Great Historical Fiction
I loved this story it takes place during the depression as well as historical battles. It's really a story about love, forgiveness and family. And of course, the meaning of true love.
I loved this story it takes place during the depression as well as historical battles. It's really a story about love, forgiveness and family. And of course, the meaning of true love.
February 27, 2019
Awwww, I'm sad it had to end.
Great job. Such a sweet; clean love story. I enjoyed Birdie and Ned's characters. This book made me fall in love with them. Again, I'm sad it had to end. 😥
Great job. Such a sweet; clean love story. I enjoyed Birdie and Ned's characters. This book made me fall in love with them. Again, I'm sad it had to end. 😥
September 13, 2017
Romantic historical fiction
very good book. I felt like I was reading Birdie diary. I felt I was right there with her and Ned.
Easy to read and follow. Enjoyable
very good book. I felt like I was reading Birdie diary. I felt I was right there with her and Ned.
Easy to read and follow. Enjoyable
March 30, 2018
Interesting story of a marriage that is strong through the pre-depression years then is barely surviving by the time he enlists in WWII.
April 25, 2018
Birdie’s Story
Great book to read.This book is romantic, full of suspense, easy to follow the characters and has a happy ending!
Great book to read.This book is romantic, full of suspense, easy to follow the characters and has a happy ending!
November 4, 2018
Great read
I really enjoyed this book .from page one I was hooked .
Was a great way to spend a cold and rainy afternoon .
I really enjoyed this book .from page one I was hooked .
Was a great way to spend a cold and rainy afternoon .
May 9, 2019
Well written!
It's very easy to read. Nothing too sexy, just true love and a couple growing up together. Hard times more than a lot in the early years, deception, will love last?.
It's very easy to read. Nothing too sexy, just true love and a couple growing up together. Hard times more than a lot in the early years, deception, will love last?.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews