Jolene Larsen learned from a young age that the only person she could count on was herself.Growing up in an alcoholic family with parents who were never there for her, made her independent. Watching her mother chase a man who didn’t love her, colored Jolene’s perception of love and marriage. When her parents were both killed in an accident Jolene was on her own at seventeen. With no family and nowhere to go Jolene joined the Army National Guard looking for a way to make a life for herself and find a sense of family.
When she meets Michael Zarkades, her feelings about love change. Jolene and Michael build a life, have two children and after twelve years of marriage, they have grown apart. Michael works long hours and is not as involved with his family. Jolene is competent and in charge, still guarding her true feelings as she learned to do as a child.
Two events occur that tilt Jolene’s world on it’s axis. Michael tells her he no longer loves her and then she gets the news that she will be deployed.
In two weeks Jolene has to prepare her family for a year without her. Michael will essentially be a single parent when he’s been mostly an absent parent. Jolene worries about her daughters, Betsy at twelve is struggling with friends and figuring out who she is, Lulu is five and very much a momma’s girl. Jolene also has the added worry of wondering what will be left of her marriage when she returns especially since Michael has never been supportive of her career.
No one in the family realizes how this time apart will change them. The challenges they face seem mountainous, Michael doesn’t know his daughters and is at a loss when it comes to interacting with them.
The family challenges are enough but no one is prepared for how combat will change Jolene and their family.
Be prepared to cry, Kristin Hannah tugs at your heartstrings, you feel for Jolene, Michael and the kids. You will turn every page hoping they can save their family.