The Land Beneath Us

Starred review from December 23, 2019
Sundin (Through Waters Deep) crafts an unusual love story in the third installment of the Sunrise at Normandy series. In Camp Forrest, Tenn., just before D-Day, Pvt. Clay Paxton trains with the Army Rangers and is driven by a recurring dream of his death on the battlefield. Betrayed by his two half-brothers, who stole his savings, he believes dying in combat could give meaning to his life. He meets and takes a liking to courteous Leah Jones, who works at a nearby orphanage library, is an orphan herself, and was abandoned by her uncaring adoptive family. When Clay saves Leah’s life during an assault, their bond deepens, and they decide to marry before Clay heads to Europe. As Clay fights and Leah convalesces, their relationship strengthens through letters, and they realize God’s plan may not have been what they were expecting. Clay and Leah are the embodiment of courage and fortitude as they find hope in faith, selflessness, and forgiveness. This ruminative, slow-burning romance is Sundin’s best yet.