The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker

The Ragged Edge Of The Night My Rating: 4.8

Germany, 1942. Franciscan friar Anton Starzmann loses his place in the world when the Nazis seize his school. He moves to a small German village to marry Elisabeth Herter, a widow seeking a marriage in name only to a man who can help raise her three children. Anton is searching for something as well... atonement for his failure to protect his young students from the Nazis. But neither Anton nor Elisabeth expects their lives to be upended once again by the devastating reach of war.

Wow! I absolutely loved the characters in this story. Anton was such a good man, and I loved the influence he had on Elisabeth and her three children. You wouldn't necessarily expect a story set during World War II to be so warm, loving, and uplifting, but this one truly was.

My advice is not to read too much about this book before diving in. Just let the story unfold. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

My one disappointment was that, in the Historical Notes and Author's Remarks, the author brought her personal politics into the discussion. I really wish she had left that out. But set that aside and enjoy this wonderful story, including the fascinating way it came to be.