The beginning of this book really threw me for a loop.  It was straight up romance and I actually went back to the Goodreads synopsis to make sure I was reading the right book.  Part 2 starts the war portion of this book which is the focus throughout the rest of the story and is so incredibly well done.  I couldn't believe how in-depth and strong the descriptions of life during war were.  I could have done without the granddaughter's point of view and the ending seemed superfluous but the middle section make this book more than worth a read.