Review: "The Anniversary Waltz" by Darrel Nelson

Reviewed by *Katie McCurdy for Legacy of a Writer

3/5 Stars

THE BOOK:

 At their sixtieth anniversary party, Adam Carlson asks his wife, Elizabeth, for their customary waltz. After the dance they gather the family and share their story...

A story of love and courage overcoming adversity and thriving in the face of overwhelming odds.

It’s the summer of 1946, and Adam has just returned from the war to his home in Reunion, Montana. At a town festival he meets Elizabeth Baxter, a young woman going steady with his former high school rival and now influential banker, Nathan Roberts.

When Adam and Elizabeth share a waltz in a deserted pavilion one evening, their feelings begin to grow and they embark on a journey, and a dance, that will last a lifetime.

MY REVIEW:

This book was almost a four stars for me…but because I had to urge myself to continue reading in some places, I decided to give it three stars. Darnell Nelson’s debut romance, The Anniversary Waltz, really is a precious story of family, love, tragedy, and God’s amazing grace worked through the lives of these characters.

The romance was my favorite aspect to the novel—it was so tender and sweet. Sure to please many readers who want a “sigh-worthy” book. Elizabeth is a very sweet character that becomes easy to endear yourself to as the reader. And Adam, in my opinion, seemed like such a swell guy!

I think what kept The Anniversary Waltz from really “clicking” with me was the writing style. Something about it rubbed me wrong, and that kinda kept me from really getting “into” the story. But this might just be me! The story plot was done very well—there were several events that unfolded that I wasn’t expecting. At all! Kudos to Nelson for creating such an engaging and emotional plot.

I really hate to give The Anniversary Waltz 3 stars—especially when I see I am in such a minority. But this book just didn’t click for me all the way. It was a nice-one time read, and I am glad I read it. A very promising debut. I look forward to seeing what else Darrel Nelson writes in the future.

* I reviewed this book for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Thanks to the publishers, Bethany House, for sending me my review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.