By Connie Lacy
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 2 April 2024
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
Book Synopsis
Historical fiction set against a backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis
In the autumn of 1962, Cheryl Donovan falls in love with an Army pilot. But all is not right with the world. President Kennedy announces that the Soviet Union has deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba, and they’re aimed at the United States. As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war, Cheryl can’t be sure she’ll even wake up tomorrow.
It seems like the stars are aligned against her as she faces one crisis after another. She discovers the handsome pilot she’s falling for thinks a woman’s place is in the home, which won’t do at all. An overheard conversation puts her in the sights of a dangerous criminal. A good buddy from high school is keeping a secret that confuses her about an important decision. Her best friend Tina has a secret too that makes her question whether she’s been a true friend to Tina. Cheryl is also worried about Tina’s little boy having the chance to grow up.
With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Cheryl is pulled in different directions as she struggles to remain true to her heart.
My Review
"The October That Changed Everything" tells a story based on real historical events during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.
Cheryl Donovan works as a secretary at a questionable real estate firm with potential ties to money laundering and drug trafficking. Early on Cheryl meets a charming Army pilot who sweeps her away with his attention. Cheryl lives with her roommate Tina, and Tina's son Ricky, and the trio faces challenges involving Tina's incompetent ex-husband and Tina's pushy and judgemental mother. Also, Cheryl's close friend Allen has romantic feelings for her, but she only sees him as a friend. She still wonders if she is making a mistake in not giving him a chance at a relationship between them.
Against the backdrop of personal unrest, the plot weaves into the significant events of October 1962, especially President Kennedy's announcement of the Soviet Union's deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba aimed at the United States. As global tensions rise toward possible nuclear conflict, Cheryl's father, brother, and boyfriend Paul prepare for potential combat against the Russians.
The book clearly shows the fear and uncertainty felt across the nation during the crisis, along with Cheryl's own struggles, including threats to her due to overhearing her boss and his criminal sibling.
The October That Changed Everything is filled with action, strong emotions, apprehension, and intimidation. The story also explores Cheryl's difficulties with a boyfriend who wants to control her by staying home having babies and not pursuing her dreams outside of the home. By telling this story, the novel focuses on how national or global crises profoundly affect individual lives and reveals human resilience in the face of adversity.
This novel is a well-crafted mix of romance and historical fiction that shows how people overcome challenges in a chaotic world.
Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon
Connie worked for many years as a radio reporter and news anchor with a couple of brief forays into TV news along the way. Her experience as a journalist shows up in some of her novels. She also dabbled in acting in college and community theater. She uses those experiences in some of her books as well.
Her novels are fast-paced stories featuring young women facing serious challenges set against the backdrop of some thorny issues. She writes time travel, speculative fiction & historical fiction - all with a dollop of romance. Social justice is a theme of many of her books.
She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a degree in Journalism and Creative Writing. She and her husband live in Atlanta.
Author links:
- Website
- Goodreads
- Newsletter
- Amazon
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