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A love story set against the backdrop of World War II, Bonner's appealing book connects with previous ones set in McDade, Texas. In her return to the novel medium, Bonner spins a fictional account of a little-known piece of history featuring young Texan civilian pilot Lange DeLony. Following the tragic death of his estranged wife, a downtrodden Lange answers Great Britain's call for Americans with flying experience to join the Royal Air Force against the growing power and threat of Nazi Germany.
On the journey, Lange meets and falls in love with the older Mackie MacLeod, a Canadian ferry pilot. The two share commonalities, bonding over similar traumas in their lives. During Lange's service with the Royal Air Force, the war continues to weigh heavily on him, instilling doubt and fear that he may not survive and see Mackie again. But love propels him and maintains his survival.
This is not Bonner's first foray into fiction. With four novels under her belt, she writes comfortably in the historical romance genre. She captures this American period beautifully with vivid imagery and concise prose, which translates into an accessible read for a contemporary audience. Though the plot centers heavily on Lange and Mackie, Bonner also highlights subplots and secondary characters, like Lange's family and other pilots. The romance and humor help prevent the plot from getting too heavy despite its monumental subject and setting. The author keeps all of her characters and storylines wholly connected and engaging. The strength of the novel's narrative, combined with letters, diary entries, and prose, invites the reader into another time with a distinct feeling of witnessing a war unfold through communications from a bygone era. Overall, the author tells a winsome story of love and survival.