From the Bookshelf of Buddy Read Zone…

"Love is," she repeated slowly, "when he is hungry and you feed him. Love is knowing when he is hungry."

"Love is, to be loved," said Alexander, "in return."

"Love is," she repeated slowly, "when he is hungry and you feed him. Love is knowing when he is hungry."

"Love is, to be loved," said Alexander, "in return."

"I found my true love on the banks of the river Kama," whispered Alexander, staring at her.
"I found my true love on Ulitsa Saltykov-Schedrin, while I sat on a bench eating ice cream."
"You didn't find me. You weren't looking for me. I found you."
Long pause. "Alexander, were you...looking for me?"
"All my life."

"When Tatiana looked up from her ice cream, she saw a soldier staring at her from across the street."

"Oh, Alexander," she said, "what do you want from me..."
"Everything!" he whispered fiercely.

The awful living conditions during the war in Leningrad only become more brutal during the winter time. The hunger, the loss of family and friends...they all start to take their toll on Tania. And honestly, reading those scenes was pure torture at times, especially because of the whole(view spoiler)[Dasha situation (hide spoiler)]. But, Tania os strong and determined and Alexander does everything in his power to help her through. Despite Tania being so young and vulnerable, she's one of the strongest and most admirable female characters I've ever come across.

And then comes my favorite part of the book: Lazarevo. ♥

"Ask yourself these three questions, Tatiana Metanova, and you will know who you are. Ask: what do you believe in? What do you hope for? But most important - ask: what do you love?"

I know who I am, she thought, taking his hand and turning to the altar. I am Tatiana. And I believe in, and hope for, and love Alexander for life.

"And that's my point: all great things worth having require great sacrifice worth giving."

"Good-bye, my moonsong and my breath, my white nights and golden days, my fresh water and my fire. Good-bye, and may you find a better life, find comfort again and your breathless smile, and when your beloved face lights up once more at the Western sunrise, be sure what I felt for you was not in vain. Good-bye, and have faith, my Tatiana."