Assessment:

Plot/Idea: August Adams is a soldier and his love interest, Basil Meyers, is a postal censor in this slow-burn, queer, epistolary romance set in 1942 during World War II.

Prose: While, in moments, readers may tire of the letter format, the author gives readers perfect insight into August and Basil's relationship, while capturing the tension of the ever-present danger the men face merely for being in love. 

Originality: Jones evocatively blends LGBTQ+ romance with historical fiction. Readers will relish the gradually unfolding relationship at the story's heart, while the backdrop of war adds verisimilitude and impact.

Character/Execution: Jones's characters are individually appealing, relatable, and brought to life via small details. The protagonists' love is rendered especially poignant by the backdrop of violence, loss, and their own internal conflicts. 

Date Submitted: June 30, 2024