Hola readers!
A second-post-of-the-day-just-because-this-needs-to-get-out-review. I was super excited for this read because the 1940s is one of the favorites....IT IS RELEASE DAY! Stephanie Morril's latest novel hits the shelves today -- what better day could I choose to review it?!



Evalina Cassano’s life in an Italian-American family living in San Francisco in 1941 is quiet and ordinary until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and that inter-racial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find away to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to a Japanese-American internment camp.

Degrading treatment makes life at Manzanar Relocation Center difficult. Taichi’s only connection to the outside world is treasured letters from Evalina. Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out against injustice, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home. Meanwhile, inside Manzanar, fighting between different Japanese-American factions arises. Taichi begins to doubt he will ever leave the camp alive.

With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichimust hold true to their ideals and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds. 

Within These Lines begins slightly slowly but ends beautifully. I was happily thrown into this romantic, slightly tension filled read. I loved Evalina and Taichi's romance which is both sweet and realistic. I just fell in love with this book overall! It's one of my favorite Blink books that I've received and was just such a darn good read for the beginning of my spring. It reminds me a bit of one of my favorite books (Summer of my German Soldier) and the writing is both solid and nostalgic.


It's also not your typical YA novel where the romance is just the center; no good YA book is. The plot revolves also around living during World War Two and the struggle for the Americans identified as Japanese. Stephanie Morril gives us an honest look at their world. The way they were treated is absolutely awful yet hope and strength shines through it all. I like to learn something when I read, she what she teaches us is sobering to see.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance, YA romance, and just historical in general. Definitely a sweet (yes, I will keep using that word) read to add to your trb list this March.

---

Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as the 1920s mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street, and the WWII era romance, Within These Lines. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook,and Twitter. 

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram

---

(5) First Prize winners will each with a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"

Be sure to check out each stop on the Bookstagram Tour and (upcoming) Takeover Tour, as well as this tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 5, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

---