Ella's War

by Rusty Allen

★★★★★ “Beautifully wrought, heart stopping, spirit lifting… What a human brew!” Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Hope in the Unseen

It’s 1943 on the American home front, and Ella’s pent-up, common-law husband finally decides to leave their farm and enlist. Ella must either depart their seafaring town in coastal Delaware to pursue other dreams inland or try to save their farm. Their grade-school son, Reese, won’t budge, and Ella sees that farmers have a patriotic duty to stay on the land.

The bay and ocean waters before them have been preyed upon by German U-boats, and their village has become a refuge for survivors. When an officer from a surrendered German submarine is sent to her as part of POW farm labor, can Ella embrace the help in order to survive? And what happens when Dieter becomes more than a hand to her, amidst prying eyes and under her beloved but conflicted son’s watch? How will she choose when her explosive husband returns from Europe wounded from infantry duty against the Germans?

In Ella’s War, we travel a journey amongst women and men whose lives are deeply altered by the circumstances of WWII. What heroic or questionable choices must they make to be true to themselves and come through the great conflict?

Genres: Historical Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one can know what they would really do when faced with the complexities of war, either at home or on the front line, unless you’ve lived it, but this debut novel tackles a few of those situations. I chose this book because it had a unique perspective, one that is different than other historical fiction books that center on WWII. This story tells us about German submarines that prowled the waters off the eastern coast of the United States, laying siege on both military and passenger ships. It also reveals the use of German POWs as workers in U.S. factories and on farms until the war ended. But, it is more than that. It is about the nature of human connection and the consequences of choices.

Like many, the lives of Ella, Lee, their son Reese, and a German POW named Dieter, are challenged and forever changed by WWII. Once Ella’s common law husband, Lee, leaves for military duty overseas, Ella and Reese are put in the tenable situation of welcoming a POW into their lives to keep their farm running and profitable. A close bond forms between Ella and Dieter, and Reese is forced to grow up quickly. I experienced such a conflict of emotions for these characters. I was continually guessing about where the story might take them, while at the same time not wanting it to end.

Thank you to BookSirens for the free digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading historical fiction, and of all historical fiction, my favorite surrounds World War II, which is the backdrop of ELLA’S WAR. The novel tells a poignant story of love, loss, and sacrifice during a time in history that tested, like never before, the resilience of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds. It takes place on the American home front, brilliantly shedding light on the war’s impact not only on the soldiers fighting on the front lines an ocean away, but the families who were left behind to carry on.

With wonderful character development, it is easy for readers to completely immerse themselves in this story. You become so invested in what happens to our protagonists, that you lose yourself in the pages. And it touches on the war effort along the eastern coast of the United States, something I knew very little about. It was a fascinating, beautiful, and moving novel, at once heartbreaking yet also uplifting. I finished reading it only a few minutes ago, but I know it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time. I loved it!!

A huge thank you to BookSirens, Rusty Allen, and Vine Leaves Press for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read ELLA’S WAR before publication!

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWII changed lives everywhere and traditional male and female roles were upended. The angle of a woman organizing and managing a farm is dear to my heart as I grew up on a farm with chores, worries, weather extremes (-40C to +35C) and responsibilities but also freedoms. My heart was immediately captured by the author's achingly beautiful writing. Details are described so vividly I felt I was there with Ella and Reese on the farm through the seasons.

The perspectives of Reese, Ella and Lee are simple to follow and the switching back and forth is done seamlessly. Emotions are powerful yet subtle and I felt the rollercoaster of desperation, exhilaration, fear and disappointment but also love and what it means to be family. Though characters do not always make the right choices they are realistic and oh, so very human. Thoughtfully and insightfully written. I also enjoyed the letter snippets detailing the war.

Historical Fiction is one of my favoured genres. This would be a superb starting point to those new to the genre as well as to those who know and adore it.

For me a five star read has all the frenetic tension and longing between the two described so well but without the need for details. I'm also not a fan of cheating BUT can also see how it could happen under various circumstances, keeping in mind the war, relationships, future, etc. That's just a personal preference. Other than those minor details, I really, REALLY enjoyed this book and am eager for more!

Thank you for the privilege of reading Ella's War!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Vine Leaves Press for allowing me to read and review Ella's War by Rusty Allen on NetGalley.

Published: 05/23/23

Stars: 2.5

Simple writing, middle grade?

As a young girl I read The Nancy Drew Mysteries. I loved them. I knew the characters, they were friends. A few months ago, I reread one -- The Mystery of the Old Clock. The difference several decades makes is mind blowing. Keene's books are not timeless.

Ella's War gave me the same feelings I had reading Nancy Drew recently. It is simple. There is no sophistication. At best I read someone's high school history final exam.

Prior to recommending I would speak with a Librarian for his or her thoughts on historical accuracy and what age is this written for.

The unique historical promises didn't carry the book. While I'm always looking for nursing home read out loud books, family appropriate car books, and transitional teen to adult books, this is not one. I was bored.

[Steve Spindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story (historical fiction), well told, full of suspense, and relevant to today

This was a book that I both listened to on Audible and read on the Kindle because the story was so engaging that I didn’t want to put it down. As historical fiction, it gave me a perspective on what was going on during World War II and the experiences that people in the US might have had in their interactions with prisoners of war.

The whole concept of enemy became nuanced, and how people treat one another felt central to the story. Given conflicts in the world today, I feel like this story provided me with a way to see life and war from a new perspective.

Here’s why I would recommend it. It’s a great story. It’s well told. The audio presentation brings you into the story that much more, bringing out the tensions. Ella’s War is full of interesting challenges for multiple characters, and this are brought out in an original way.

[Karyn Lubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and Touching

I have read many books concerning World War II, but Rusty Allen’s work presents an entirely new perspective. I had no prior knowledge of the sinkings off the Delaware coast, or the role of POWs in the US. The story is told from the viewpoint of the four main characters, presented in such a way that I was able to relate to each of them. Additionally, the way Mr. Allen was able to juxtapose the farm life in Delaware with the combat in Europe was fascinating. Looking forward to Mr. Allen’s next novel!

[Rich Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The story immediately drew me in. The short sections within each chapter pulled me in. Made we want to keep reading. I felt the pain and struggles of daily life that families and communities experienced when a loved one went off to war. I also learned a few things that I did not know from a historical standpoint.

[Luna's Mom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ella's War is about a [common law] wife and mother who must keep her family farm afloat when her [common law] husband answers his call out to serve as a soldier in World War II. It's told from multiple points of view including that of Ella, Lee, their son Reese...and the German POW who is assigned to work on their farm throughout the duration of his captivity. I have a weird fascination with WWII and the historical fiction genre that are set in the time period, so I was really excited about this story! The plot itself had sooo much potential in my opinion, but unfortunately it was lost in the writing style. The author did really well making sure his characters' dialogue were in keeping with the slang and grammar of the time period, but I'm personally sad to say that so was the rest of the text. It's not a bad thing at all!! It just wasn't for me. It was often hard to keep up with and kind of made me dread sitting down to read, which I was really conflicted with the whole time because I so badly wanted to enjoy this story! I even found myself skimming at some points which made me feel super guilty so then I'd force myself to go back and reread what I skimmed. I also did not care for the ending which felt very anticlimactic to the only portion of the storyline that kept me interested and felt like it was building up the ending to go in a completely different (more satisfying) direction. If you don't mind reading what feels like very old-timey vernacular and it doesn't get lost on you, and your interested in how army families made it by during the war, you'll probably like this book!

***SPOILER ALERT***
Here are some of the more specific things that really annoyed me...

Reese was a bit of a jack ass. I know he's a kid struggling with the emotional impact of his father being away at war and his mother taking on both parental roles while also having a bit of a romance with the enemy, but Idk something about the way his character was written made it really hard for me to sympathize with him. I often found myself wishing I could tell him off lol.

Ella was an alright character, I guess. I wish she wouldn't have ended up marrying her [common law] husband when he came back from the war, but it is what it is. I felt like her connection with the POW and the way he gave her what she needed (emotionally and physically) was the only thing that kept me pushing to get to the end. But I guess it'skind of historically acurate in the way that it depicts how most women in that time were so prone to making themselves smaller. She also had this really weird and suuuper random out of the blue scene in her car where she sexually stimulates herself in the car smack in the middle of a traffic jam lol. It would've made a little more sense if even once before that the author would've mentioned her sexual frustration, because let's face it she's woman with needs and her man has been away at war for a while. But not once did we get even the slightest hint at that before this. It went "from 0 to 100" outta no where and just felt so out of place lol. Idk, maybe the author did hint at it and like I said it could've gone right over my head because the language used was too hard to keep up with for me.

Deiter (the German POW) was my favorite character and I found myself sympathizing with him the most. Even though he was the enemy, he felt the most human and was easily the most relatable. He was basically forced into the fight and was happy to have surrended and became a prisoner of war. He didn't support what he was fighting for, so much so that he sabotaged his own mission to purposefully surrender on American soil and willingly be taken captive. He wanted to become a US citizen and live out the rest of his days with Ella. He liked Reese and he didn't want to return to Germany where he knew his peers would be bitter and still pushing their agenda even after losing the war. I thought he deserved a better ending. Him and Ella should've been together, but again, I get the ending is a little more realistic in terms of reflecting the times.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rusty Allen has written a damn fine novel that truly brings home the experience of World War II in a way that's more tangible and recognizable to many readers who perhaps know only of the distant conflicts and global heroics need to stop fascism in Europe and imperialism in the East. Set in a farming community on the Delmarva peninsula in the war years, it reveals a little known history of shared fear, pride, communal defense, contribution, and responsibility for the greater US War effort. I really enjoyed the personal growth and transformation of each of the carefully chosen characters, whose unique perspective we are treated to vividly as players in this grand story. It's a story of woman's power, her doubts, the confines and struggles to transcend the mores of her era, her new found self-resilience and strength and ultimately a woman's sense of balance, forgiveness, and love. It's a child's journey from innocence, fishing, boating, and child's play to knowledge of adult doubts, practicalities, drives, and pleasures. It's a story of a father's conflict between duty to his family farm and the call of his Country to defeat a threat to civilized democracy, and it’s also a story of a captured Reich U-boat captain whose strength of character and inner sense of right and wrong endear him to this young American culture and transcend the Wehrmacht he now realizes was using him and his fellow Germans to evil ends.

Rusty's extensive research and knowledge of the 40’s, from the music, the movies, the farming lifestyle, and the downstate Delaware culture as well as the German language and homeland from which these POW's hailed is a special treat in this engaging and immersive tale. I thoroughly recommend reading Ella's War and nominate it into the pantheon of epic WW II stories that touch every aspect of human instinct, that illustrate the heart and emotion of individuals challenged in their daily lives in a way they never imagined, that through shared purpose they come to transcend the deaths and the hardships imposed on them, unfairly and tragically. It's also a testament to the human heart that can come to understand compassion, that can see through the eyes of a stranger, or even an enemy, that his life is full of the same struggles to be loved and to feel acknowledged that each of us feel. Well done Mr Allen!

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choices

War is brutal..it changes things, it changes people and it doesn't care who is hurt. In a small coastal Delaware town Ella and Lee Tingle tend a small farm with their son Reese. Ella and Lee are common law married as Lee never has actually committed to legalizing the marriage.

Lee is exempt from military service because of him being a farmer, but Lee wants to go and fight with the other's that are joining up. It is hard being one staying behind when others are risking their lives. Even though Ella doesn't want him to go, Lee enlists and is shipped overseas.

Ella and her young twelve year old son is left to tend the farm. She ponders whether to stay and try to save the farm or to go inland and live with relatives. Her town has been a safe place for survivors of several U boat attacks by the German's. She decides to stay on the farm, but finds she needs help that she cannot do it alone. Her cousin who works at the camp where the captured German POW's are kept helps her get POW's to work on her farm.

One of the POW's soon becomes more than a worker and in Lee's absence Ella has an affair with the worker. Ella's son Reese can see what is happening and is not happy about it. He likes the POW, but he does not like him with his mother.

Then Lee is injured in the war and comes home to recover. Now Ella must make a choice, run away with the German or stay with her husband and work the farm. Lee has changed since coming back from the war and so has Ella while he has been gone. Can they reconcile?

This is a story of the war and one family caught in it. A story of loneliness and of forbidden passion. A story of a young boy growing up in turbulent times without his father and with his mother's secrets. It is about how the towns people and the neighbor's feel about the situation with the POW's.

It is a good war story, romance, coming of age, prejudice and rumors. It is a story of choices made in need, in survival and perhaps in haste.

I enjoyed reading Ella's story, it was a good read.

Thanks to Rusty Allen for writing a great story. Thanks to Book Sirens for making an advanced copy available to me to read and review.

[Ann Epstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Battle of the Heart – Rusty Allen’s unique perspective in Ella’s War sets it apart from other World War Two novels. The story unfolds on the home front, not the battlefield, and a German soldier is a gentle helpmeet, not a feared enemy. In Allen’s sensitive narrative, passion wrestles with patriotism while love confronts loyalty. Like the best historical fiction, harsh facts are softened with tender moments. The tale alternates among four memorable characters. Ella, mother of a young son, struggles to manage the Delaware farm she inherited following her parents’ sudden death. Lee, her common-law husband and the boy’s father, chafes at being tied down but steps up to tend the farm. Reese, their resourceful child, vows to prove his manhood when his father impetuously overrides his Army deferment to enlist. And Dieter, the industrious first mate of a captured U-boat, strives to make amends for his countrymen’s inhumanity. With evocative metaphor, cinematic detail, and absorbing drama, Allen builds toward the book’s moral dilemma. Dieter, a prisoner of war, is assigned to work on the farm. Ella, initially wary, falls in love with him. Then Lee, changed by the wounds of war, comes home, ready to “do right” by Ella, their son, and the farm. Ella is wrenched by the choice she must make. Readers will be torn too. In addition to the main story line, Allen takes readers down lesser known channels of that era, such as the in-fighting between POWs who are hard-line Nazis versus those who don’t share their rabid antisemitism. He also illuminates the wartime challenges of running a farm, racial prejudice, belittling of women, and coming-of-age battles between boys trying to prove who is tougher. As a historical novelist myself (see my Goodreads author page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...), I can affirm Allen’s deftness at balancing fact and fiction to simultaneously inform and maintain the narrative’s momentum. The book will engage your mind, rouse your spirit, and shake your emotions. In a conflict without good guys and bad guys, Ella’s War is ultimately a battle of the heart.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ella’s War” is a story of the struggles of those left at home to keep their lives, and in Ella’s case her family farm, running smoothly in the absence of the menfolk. Ella Hall and Lee Tingle had a son, Reese, the product of a careless romp in their teens. They lived on the Hall family’s farm and by law if Ella and Lee married the farm would transfer into Lee’s possession, so Lee stayed with Ella, but he would not marry her.

As WWII finally reached the United States, Lee was torn
between running the farm (farmers were exempted from military service in order to provide food to the country) and joining up to fight the Nazis. When he left to fight in Europe, Ella had to assume all duties of running the farm. She was quickly overwhelmed and eventually found help using German prisoners who were held in nearby camps. One in particular, Dieter, had been a farmer before the war and was very capable as well as attractive to the increasingly lonely Ella. Together they improved and expanded the farm and their relationship.

Ella’s difficulties increased with the public’s negative sentiments against Germans, suspicions about her relationship with Dieter, and her son Reese’s conflicts between his love for his dad and his new friendship with Dieter. Then Lee was seriously wounded in battle and months later the war was over and Lee returned to the farm, bringing with him his hatred for Germans.

The story is well told and the conflicts throughout are very realistic. There were so many pressures from within Ella’s heart and mind and then from the community at large. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from BookSirens for my honest voluntary review. I enjoyed the story though it is quite lengthy. It is a very interesting look at WWII from the home front perspective,

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting! I hadn’t been aware of how much naval activity there was along the East Coast of the US during WW II. This book not only chronicles the German U-boat submarines that plagued Delaware coastal shipping, fishing and passenger ship lanes, but that also proved a real threat to America’s capitol of Washington, D.C. Nor did I know almost 500 POW camps were built in the US, mostly in rural areas, and how prisoners were loaned out as laborers.

The story, set in 1943, is told through the perspectives of Ella and Lee, a young common law farm couple; their son, Reese; and Dieter, a German U-boat POW assigned to help Ella work her farm after Lee enlists and heads off to Europe.

The characters are wonderfully complex in their changing desires related to attraction, loyalty and ethics. I particularly loved the dialogue, which draws on words and sayings of the region and era and that allows each person to sound unique.

The author’s attention to detail is outstanding, whether related to farming, U-boats, air raid procedures of the time or even just items in Ella’s farmhouse. I’ve never been to coastal Delaware, but now feel I have.

This story achieves what great historical fiction should: you don't just learn history, you feel it!

[Nancy Mazgajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for allowing me to read Ella's War by Rusty Allen. It was the story of how German POWs aided the agricultural communities in Delaware during WWII.

The main character, Ella, certainly faced war on several counts; her families farm near Lewes Delaware and the personal war which raged inside her on many different levels.

Living very close to this area in Delaware I had no idea that POW camps and a military fortification were located here. I found it odd that the farm owners paid the US government monies to hire POWS as farm labor and equally astonished that, in turn, the US government paid the POWS money for their labors as well.

Also the idea that POWS could use their money to visit the cinema in town and sit where they pleased while the African Americans were relegated to the balcony seems so controversial.

My least favorite character was Lee. He came across as somewhat of a drifter and easily shirked responsibilities to Ella's farm and his family. He certainly was not deserving of Ella and Reese's love.

I thought this book was just beautifully written and I was smitten with the story line.
For more info about the POW camps in Delaware I found this to be a good source: https://archivesfiles.delaware.gov/pu...

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella's War by Rusty Allen is a deeply immersive novel about the largely untold story of the role of American Women in WWII. This is not an era that I usually read fiction from, instead preferring non-fiction, but in this case, I was very glad I chose this book

It's 1943 and Ella's husband has decided to join up, leaving Ella to keep the family farm going. Being on costal Delaware, the towns inhabitants were at risk of attack from German U Boats, who were intercepted and surrendered. This results in POWs and in turn, farm labourers. One such labourer is Dieter and Ella's head begins to be turned, despite whispers in the community and her young son at home

Who will she choose?

Beautifully written and utterly immersive, I devoured this book. Rusty Allen has exception skill of creating emotionally charged atmospheres through nuance and careful description. The premise is intelligent and well thought out as well as being very well researched. A must-read if you enjoy historical fiction and the untold stories of the women who stayed behind

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Vine Leaves Press and the incredible author Rusty Allen for this wonderful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella's War offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of individuals grappling with the realities of World War II on the American home front. Set against the backdrop of a coastal Delaware town, the story follows Ella as she navigates the challenges of maintaining her farm while her husband enlists in the military. Amidst the backdrop of U-boat attacks and POW labor, Ella's resilience shines through as she grapples with difficult choices and unexpected connections. The author skillfully captures the complexities of wartime dynamics, crafting a narrative that is both captivating and emotionally resonant. As a reader, I found myself drawn into Ella's world, rooting for her as she navigated the tumultuous waters of love, duty, and sacrifice. Ella's War is a compelling tale of courage and resilience that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your hats, readers, because Ella's War is about to take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride through World War II! Set against the backdrop of a coastal Delaware town, this book dives headfirst into the challenges faced by individuals on the home front. From Ella's struggle to save her farm to the arrival of a German POW turned farmhand, get ready for a story packed with drama, romance, and unexpected twists. Ella's resilience and determination leap off the page, making her a character you can't help but root for. So, if you're ready to be swept away by a gripping tale of love, loss, and courage, grab a copy of Ella's War and prepare to be captivated from start to finish! Trust me, folks, this is one book you won't want to put down!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical WWll novel told from a different viewpoint from most. The story follows Ella and her son Reese on their farm on the eastern US coast. Her common-law husband Lee has enlisted in the service, leaving Ella to run the farm. Ella's War is more than just a war story with German U-boats and POW camps, it's also a story of love and loss, survival, and acceptance. This is an excellent debut novel by Rusty Allen that historical fiction fans should add to their to-read lists. I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[C.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rusty Allen's Ella's War takes us back to a well-known time, World War II, but not a well-known place for the events of that time, the East Coast of the United States, where a conflict an ocean away pairs the strangest of bedfellows, women farmers, with German POWs assigned to help keep the farms from failing. A dramatic, beautiful time and place the likes and sentiment of which this country may never see again, in full display by Mr. Allen's excellent literary prose and revealing storytelling. An extraordinary, rewarding read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Historical story which takes place during World War II. I liked the three character point of view because we learn what is going on at home as well as on the front. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was there. The story gives us a glimpse of what it was like for the women and children who stayed home while the men went off to war. This is a story of strength, family and love that I would highly recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Book Sirens and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella’s War is a quiet, emotionally rich WWII novel that focuses on the home front rather than the battlefield. Ella is a deeply believable character, and her struggle to hold onto the farm while making impossible personal choices felt honest and raw.

The coastal Delaware setting and the presence of German U-boats add tension, while the relationship with the German POW is handled with care and moral complexity. I appreciated how the story avoids easy answers and treats every character with nuance.

Thoughtful, human, and moving, this is historical fiction that lingers after the last page.

[John B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, warm, human tale of the complexities of wartime life stateside during WWII. Set In Lewes, Delaware, on the Atlantic coast, where U-boats were in fact a menace and occasionally captured, with the prisoners kept in camps nearby and used as labor while the local men were abroad in service. I had no idea. It's a well-told tale weaving together multiple themes presented by the complexities of war, race, and all the basic human emotions.

[Judy Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Insightful author who explores a love triangle at the end World War Two. Historically accurate.

[Eric Blomstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was fascinating to follow the story of WWII as experienced by the people of the farms and towns of coastal southern Delaware. The book really captured what life was like – how fully The War impacted the life of every American. In this region there was additional excitement and danger going on – an angle I hadn’t previously learned about. Never realized that the German U-boats attacked ships so close to our shores, and that German prisoners were captured there, too.

It’s a great, page-turning story, focused on Ella’s dilemma, and filled with evocative historical and cultural details from that time and place (very educational for this reader!). For me the book was right in that sweet spot: high-quality fiction and yet a perfect paperback for the beach. The style and voice of the author are really original, and I plan to read more of his work!

[Jennifer Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Vine Leaves Press and Rusty Allen for the opportunity to read Ella's War. This is a WWII historical novel from a different perspective. I did not have much knowledge of the sinkings off the east coast or the role of POWs in the US. I found this topic quite interesting
in this well written, multiple perspective novel.
I wanted more character development, especially background of Ella, Lee and Dieter. I also wanted to be more involved in the storyline. I felt I was watching from afar and needed more showing of emotions than telling of events. Most of the characters were stereotypical and I craved more complex and well rounded, unique people. The storyline was a bit predictable.
I enjoyed this story, just needed more depth.