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Painting the Maple Tree
V-J Day, 1945
Veteran nurse Evelyn Johnson finds herself caught up in the joyous chaos of Times Square as New Yorkers celebrate the end of World War II. Amid the excitement, a mysterious soldier catches her off guard, sweeping her into a fleeting, yet passionate kiss before vanishing into the crowd. His blue eyes are hauntingly familiar, leaving Evelyn to Could her lost love have survived the war?
With her only clue, a discarded ashtray, Evelyn embarks on a quest to find the soldier she fell in love with overseas, while struggling to adjust to a world no longer shadowed by war. Along the way, she encounters two captivating men, each bearing their own wartime scars, forcing her to confront painful memories and consider the possibility of new love.
Will Evelyn choose to move on from the past, or will the love that ignited during her darkest days find its way back to her?
Veteran nurse Evelyn Johnson finds herself caught up in the joyous chaos of Times Square as New Yorkers celebrate the end of World War II. Amid the excitement, a mysterious soldier catches her off guard, sweeping her into a fleeting, yet passionate kiss before vanishing into the crowd. His blue eyes are hauntingly familiar, leaving Evelyn to Could her lost love have survived the war?
With her only clue, a discarded ashtray, Evelyn embarks on a quest to find the soldier she fell in love with overseas, while struggling to adjust to a world no longer shadowed by war. Along the way, she encounters two captivating men, each bearing their own wartime scars, forcing her to confront painful memories and consider the possibility of new love.
Will Evelyn choose to move on from the past, or will the love that ignited during her darkest days find its way back to her?
277 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2025
7 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Lisi Lopez
2 books1 followerLisi is an engineer-turned-writer and a second-generation immigrant, born to a Cuban mother and a Puerto Rican father. She lives with her college sweetheart and their three amazing kids.
In 2017, Lisi and her husband welcomed their middle son, who has Down Syndrome. Channeling her passion for writing, she began publishing advocacy articles to help create a world where her son's extra chromosome is celebrated rather than seen as a disability. Through that journey, she rediscovered her love for storytelling and hasn't looked back since.
She's beyond grateful for all your encouragement and support! Follow her on Instagram @lisiwrites.
Lisi's books include:
PAINTING THE MAPLE TREE - WWII ROMANTIC FICTION
STRANDED SERANDE - WWII FICTION
BEYOND HER SHORES - CUBAN HISTORICAL FICTION - COMING 2026
In 2017, Lisi and her husband welcomed their middle son, who has Down Syndrome. Channeling her passion for writing, she began publishing advocacy articles to help create a world where her son's extra chromosome is celebrated rather than seen as a disability. Through that journey, she rediscovered her love for storytelling and hasn't looked back since.
She's beyond grateful for all your encouragement and support! Follow her on Instagram @lisiwrites.
Lisi's books include:
PAINTING THE MAPLE TREE - WWII ROMANTIC FICTION
STRANDED SERANDE - WWII FICTION
BEYOND HER SHORES - CUBAN HISTORICAL FICTION - COMING 2026
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2025
This story truly pulled at my heart. Set against the backdrop of war, loss, heartbreak, and eventual healing, it takes you on an emotional journey. From the devastation of conflict to the hope that comes with peace and rebuilding, I was drawn into Evelyn’s world.
A year earlier, Evelyn had nursed a wounded soldier back to health. Though his face was mostly covered in bandages, a quiet connection blossomed between them...until danger forced them apart. At a a celebration a year later, a stranger kisses her, and his eyes stir a haunting familiarity. She searches for him but is left with only questions.
Then she meets Richard, who also shares those same eyes. Could he be her soldier? As feelings grow, she begins to wonder if it even matters... But Richard has a secret that could change everything. Can Evelyn move forward without ever knowing the truth about the kiss, and the man she once loved?
This was a powerful and emotional read. The romance, the tension, and the love triangle all tugged at my heartstrings. I’m so thankful I read it. It took a little time to fully pull me in, but once it did, I was a goner, lol.
Just a heads-up for readers: the romance leans more "fade to black" with a "cracked door" vibe... one scene, not graphic, and written respectfully. There's also some mild language. So if you are closed door/Clean Reader, this book may not fit for you.
For me... I gave this one a 4.5 started rating, rounded up to a 5!
I received a complimentary copy, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
A year earlier, Evelyn had nursed a wounded soldier back to health. Though his face was mostly covered in bandages, a quiet connection blossomed between them...until danger forced them apart. At a a celebration a year later, a stranger kisses her, and his eyes stir a haunting familiarity. She searches for him but is left with only questions.
Then she meets Richard, who also shares those same eyes. Could he be her soldier? As feelings grow, she begins to wonder if it even matters... But Richard has a secret that could change everything. Can Evelyn move forward without ever knowing the truth about the kiss, and the man she once loved?
This was a powerful and emotional read. The romance, the tension, and the love triangle all tugged at my heartstrings. I’m so thankful I read it. It took a little time to fully pull me in, but once it did, I was a goner, lol.
Just a heads-up for readers: the romance leans more "fade to black" with a "cracked door" vibe... one scene, not graphic, and written respectfully. There's also some mild language. So if you are closed door/Clean Reader, this book may not fit for you.
For me... I gave this one a 4.5 started rating, rounded up to a 5!
I received a complimentary copy, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
May 2, 2025
This flip flops between years at first it threw me off but after a while it shifted seamlessly. Make sure to read years when you see one.
Kept me engaged characters seemed real with real issues, good plot. Decent historical perspective and what it may have been like. Touched on emotional scars from war. Clean with innuendos of things happening, (closed door). Mentions death. Mentions how people change in war and sometimes life is not the same. (My grandma experienced this. Before WW2 my grandfather and her got along well after the war by he was not nice to her. It led to a divorce back when they were still very much frowned upon).
I won't say it's my favorite WW2 historical fiction but this is a good one and worth the read.
Lost love, second chances, war, promises, realizing things change, friendship, hurt, lost family, moving on after hardship, what war does to people. Soldiers, nurses. Injuries, will to live.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kept me engaged characters seemed real with real issues, good plot. Decent historical perspective and what it may have been like. Touched on emotional scars from war. Clean with innuendos of things happening, (closed door). Mentions death. Mentions how people change in war and sometimes life is not the same. (My grandma experienced this. Before WW2 my grandfather and her got along well after the war by he was not nice to her. It led to a divorce back when they were still very much frowned upon).
I won't say it's my favorite WW2 historical fiction but this is a good one and worth the read.
Lost love, second chances, war, promises, realizing things change, friendship, hurt, lost family, moving on after hardship, what war does to people. Soldiers, nurses. Injuries, will to live.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2025
I love historical fiction. Especially romantic books. This was no exception. Richard and Evelyn are everything. They really went through it to be together again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2025
One of my favorite books this year 🥰 This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys reading books set during WW2. It was such a sweet story that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next! I really enjoyed the different POV's. Please do yourself a favor and pick up this wonderful WW2 novel!
May 16, 2025
Painting the Maple Tree is written so descriptively that it will take you on a journey of historical events through a roller coaster of feelings. I felt like I was vividly walking through NYC during beautiful seasons and yet I felt the uncertainty and turmoil of the war era and then the celebration post war. Evelyn’s story gives light to stories beyond the battlefield. A story of fate, love and loss gave the feel of human internal conflicts beyond physical battles and wounds. The author does a remarkable job drawing parallels of living at war, fighting for freedom in an army and in one’s heart. Outstanding description within the story of American patriotism and yet highlighting the high cost of post traumatic effects of war on those who lived through it. Overall a wonderful story of fighting against all odds.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews