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When I Fall in Love
Love Letters in the Sand
The tide of World War II washed away her happily-ever-after dreams and left heartbreak in its wake, but Julia Hilton dares to consider another chance at love.
However, the jilted teacher's past catches up with her when battle-scarred Stefan Zimmer re-enters her life in 1957. Together they attempt to navigate the shifting sands of their relationship as painful truths come to light. Will Julia ultimately discover that, though the tide washed away their once-upon-a-time love letters in the sand, she and Stefan have a love that will be forever written upon their hearts?
317 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Diann Hunt
39 books45 followersDiann Hunt wrote romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction targeted to Christian women of the Baby Boomer generation. She'd lived in Indiana forever, had been happily married forever, loved her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate. Her book "For Better or For Worse" is being made into a Hallmark movie, with production beginning in November, 2013.
After a four-year battle with ovarian cancer, Diann went home to be with her Lord and Saviour just after Thanksgiving, 2013. She leaves behind a legacy of words of blessing, love for her Lord, her family, her close friends, and fans the world over who have come to know and love her and call her their friend.
After a four-year battle with ovarian cancer, Diann went home to be with her Lord and Saviour just after Thanksgiving, 2013. She leaves behind a legacy of words of blessing, love for her Lord, her family, her close friends, and fans the world over who have come to know and love her and call her their friend.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 28, 2011
Well, this was a bit of a challenge for me. If you can suspend reality it was a fun read. I had to keep telling myself it was 1957 so bets in those days were something people were held accountable for. I checked with someone who was young in those days and they said that bets were serious business and you paid up if you gave someone your word and lost the bet. Otherwise I had a hard time believing that it could be that big of a deal. I could see this story as a novella as there were about a hundred pages of story that didn't need to be there. How many times does someone need to remember over and over what happened and then tell themselves again and again that they didn't want to get hurt again. The parents holding back the communication from two young people was a bit cliche.
Now before you think I didn't like the story, I did. I just didn't buy all of it. Plus the issues in the story seemed to fit people in their early twenties, not their mid to late thirties. And his face being that much different? Well, let's just say I had to stretch that one, too. What about his voice? That had to sound similar, right? And the guy from the war showing up in the middle of the resolution to clear up some things? Um, too convenient. Anyway, lest I sound too negative, it was a sweet romance, even if much of it was a big stretch for me. People who enjoy sweet love stories will enjoy this read regardless. I did find the kisses pretty hot, and the conflict between the parents was quite entertaining. All in all, this story was okay.
Now before you think I didn't like the story, I did. I just didn't buy all of it. Plus the issues in the story seemed to fit people in their early twenties, not their mid to late thirties. And his face being that much different? Well, let's just say I had to stretch that one, too. What about his voice? That had to sound similar, right? And the guy from the war showing up in the middle of the resolution to clear up some things? Um, too convenient. Anyway, lest I sound too negative, it was a sweet romance, even if much of it was a big stretch for me. People who enjoy sweet love stories will enjoy this read regardless. I did find the kisses pretty hot, and the conflict between the parents was quite entertaining. All in all, this story was okay.
July 1, 2012
They met in secret for a walk on the beach at night with a lover's promise between them. Julia Hilton and Stefan Zimmer agreed that two years from today, August second, they would meet back here at seven o'clock in the evening. If one of them needed to change their plan, they would send word through her brother somehow. The love in his eyes, the gentle touch of his arms...the moment burned in her heart, branding her to him forever. Why couldn't the world leave them alone, let them be happy?
Once their song finished, Stefan picked up a nearby twig, bent down, and drew a heart in the sand. Then he wrote their initials inside the heart. Above the heart, he wrote the one word. Forever. Then he stood, intertwined his fingers with hers, and looked into her eyes.
"I love you Julia Hilton."
"I love you too."
They would spend the time apart, staying in touch by writing letters as often as they could.
She would wait. No matter how long it took, Julia would wait for Stefan. Nothing could separate them for long. Not her age. Not the war.
Definitely not her mother.
That was in the summer of 1940, just as Stefan Zimmer was called to serve in World War II. Now 17 years later, Julia's heart still remembers that love. The love of a man who never wrote her one single letter. Why couldn't she ever forget her past and find a new love, what kept her heart bound to the love of a man, she never heard from? Only time would tell, and perhaps God would reveal to her what happened to the man she once loved. Had he remarried, moved on in his life, was he even alive?
Now that summer is here, her parents have asked her to house sit while their lakeside home is undergoing a room addition and for Julia, spending a month at the lake sounds perfect. Perhaps here she can find the answers she so desperately needs if only she can escape her mothers relenting control issues in her daily calls to check on the progress of the construction from Europe. Besides having her best friend Becky nearby will help her sort through her feelings hopefully.
Lukas Gable is fighting his own bad memories of a painful past and he hopes that by coming to Lake Michigan, he can find a way to pay off his mothers mounting healthcare bills, sell her house once the remodeling plans have been finished, and find a way to move forward in his own life. When he learns he might have a way to save some money on the renovations on his mothers house, he decides to work for George Hammer, a local construction man who desperately needs help to finish a room addition. If Lukas agrees to help, he will discount out his mother's renovations for him. Can't argue with that! Now if he can only find a way to avoid dealing with Julia Hilton, everything will work out perfectly. Yet little does he know, that is the construction project, George needs his help on!
In Diann Hunt's latest summer novel, Love Letters in the Sand joins the "When I Fall In Love" Series of books. In working with a song, the novel weaves a beautiful story around Love Letters In The Sand by Pat Boone. This one is such a wonderful story that I relate it to parts of the Notebook. Both of the characters, Lukas and Julia have pasts that are keeping them from moving forward and until they can work through it, they will be forever bound to the pain in their hearts.
I received this novel compliments of Summerside Press for my honest review and have to rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. I actually pick this one up to read at my trip to the beach and LOVED every single page. It has found a forever home in my personal library and highly recommend this one if you're looking for a perfect summer novel to fall in love with.
Once their song finished, Stefan picked up a nearby twig, bent down, and drew a heart in the sand. Then he wrote their initials inside the heart. Above the heart, he wrote the one word. Forever. Then he stood, intertwined his fingers with hers, and looked into her eyes.
"I love you Julia Hilton."
"I love you too."
They would spend the time apart, staying in touch by writing letters as often as they could.
She would wait. No matter how long it took, Julia would wait for Stefan. Nothing could separate them for long. Not her age. Not the war.
Definitely not her mother.
That was in the summer of 1940, just as Stefan Zimmer was called to serve in World War II. Now 17 years later, Julia's heart still remembers that love. The love of a man who never wrote her one single letter. Why couldn't she ever forget her past and find a new love, what kept her heart bound to the love of a man, she never heard from? Only time would tell, and perhaps God would reveal to her what happened to the man she once loved. Had he remarried, moved on in his life, was he even alive?
Now that summer is here, her parents have asked her to house sit while their lakeside home is undergoing a room addition and for Julia, spending a month at the lake sounds perfect. Perhaps here she can find the answers she so desperately needs if only she can escape her mothers relenting control issues in her daily calls to check on the progress of the construction from Europe. Besides having her best friend Becky nearby will help her sort through her feelings hopefully.
Lukas Gable is fighting his own bad memories of a painful past and he hopes that by coming to Lake Michigan, he can find a way to pay off his mothers mounting healthcare bills, sell her house once the remodeling plans have been finished, and find a way to move forward in his own life. When he learns he might have a way to save some money on the renovations on his mothers house, he decides to work for George Hammer, a local construction man who desperately needs help to finish a room addition. If Lukas agrees to help, he will discount out his mother's renovations for him. Can't argue with that! Now if he can only find a way to avoid dealing with Julia Hilton, everything will work out perfectly. Yet little does he know, that is the construction project, George needs his help on!
In Diann Hunt's latest summer novel, Love Letters in the Sand joins the "When I Fall In Love" Series of books. In working with a song, the novel weaves a beautiful story around Love Letters In The Sand by Pat Boone. This one is such a wonderful story that I relate it to parts of the Notebook. Both of the characters, Lukas and Julia have pasts that are keeping them from moving forward and until they can work through it, they will be forever bound to the pain in their hearts.
I received this novel compliments of Summerside Press for my honest review and have to rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. I actually pick this one up to read at my trip to the beach and LOVED every single page. It has found a forever home in my personal library and highly recommend this one if you're looking for a perfect summer novel to fall in love with.
January 28, 2019
Review To Come....
November 25, 2017
Love Letters in the Sand is set in the 1950s and follows the life of thirty-something Julia Hilton who hasn't seen the man she once thought she'd marry since he left to fight during World War II. A fun story with unexpected twists and turns. It wasn't my favorite, but it kept my interested and was an easy enough read. And it ended really sweetly.
June 24, 2023
I picked up this book from an exchange. It was contributed by someone with whom I generally share taste in books. I'm never sorry I've read a book, but had I known some of the themes and story lines, I'm not sure I would have started this one. The overall story is predictable and it's not especially well written. It wasn't a bad read, but it's not a book I'm recommending.
January 9, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had an amazing storyline and left you guessing what happened at the beginning of the book. I love these types of books where they give you a story then a time gap and eventually fill you in on what happened. I definitely recommend reading it.
September 17, 2023
A sweet story mixed in a tangle of deceit. There were definitely moments of frustration at the characters for not talking things over. But everyone stayed in character making it easier to figure out what happened in the past.
November 21, 2013
Julia Hilton loved Stefan Zimmer, even though his German heritage made their relationship difficult during the early years of WWII. She swore her unending love, he swore his and the two agreed to write every day while he was away fighting. Stefan never received any letters from her, she never received any from him.
Now it is the summer of 1957. Pat Boone's cover of Love Letters in the Sand, the song Julia and Stefan had loved back in 1940, is on all the radios. And Lukas Gable has moved into the Zimmer's old home and begun working with the construction company that is doing the addition on the Hilton's home. But this is a summer for secrets and Julia is about to find herself in the middle of many of them.
Some of the secrets were easily guessed, some readily explained to us and some were deep surprises. But the sheer number of them is what made this novel a bit of a hot mess.I loved the time period and enjoyed the characters but the plotting left a lot to be desired.
Now it is the summer of 1957. Pat Boone's cover of Love Letters in the Sand, the song Julia and Stefan had loved back in 1940, is on all the radios. And Lukas Gable has moved into the Zimmer's old home and begun working with the construction company that is doing the addition on the Hilton's home. But this is a summer for secrets and Julia is about to find herself in the middle of many of them.
Some of the secrets were easily guessed, some readily explained to us and some were deep surprises. But the sheer number of them is what made this novel a bit of a hot mess.I loved the time period and enjoyed the characters but the plotting left a lot to be desired.
December 2, 2011
There were several parts of this book that I didn't like- he got plastic surgery from a war injury so she didn't recognize him, her parents hid his letters and stole hers so they didn't get mailed, two bets going on about whether she will date him or not, and his dishonesty when he comes back. Don't worry, it all works out in the end.
June 24, 2013
A cute, quick read. Julia had given her heart away to Stefan, but had it crushed when he never came back from war. In walks Lukas Gable who has surprises all his own. There's an interesting twist in this story, but the reason for the mom's reaction to Stefan being a German I felt was a little overdone. Overall a nice read.
June 14, 2015
It's a sweet love story. I love the time period, it was easy to picture the scenes; however, there was such a build up to Julia knowing who Lukas really was, that the actual time they discussed it was a big let down. I think some other things could have been left out and to give that conversation more attention.
June 23, 2011
Absolutely wonderful!!! So sweet a story!!
August 19, 2011
Loved this book. What a nice romance on love lost and love found.
January 23, 2012
Very good. I'm going to read more by this author.
July 18, 2012
When I Fall in Love Series
April 3, 2014
I didn't read more than just a few chapters. bland...no.flavor...figure out what's coming before you even get there.
June 8, 2015
Awesome book! I will definitely read more of this author's books!
July 9, 2011
Nice book to read. Nothing complicated but a good read.
September 30, 2014
Good story of lost love!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews