The Heart Mender (Hardcover)

This is a tough review to write because it would be easy to say too much and give away the story and plotline. In a nutshell, if that is possible, Andy Andrews unearths a tin can of WWII memorabila that leads him on a heart-wrenching journey into the lives of real people during a real historic event during the WWII era. The book is not fiction though I am fairly certain some of the character development of the non-main characters and dialoque would have been created to add interest and the author is very much a story teller and not just a giver of facts. This only adds to the personalization of the story and, in my opinion, increases the value of the facts. I really do not want to say too much and instead would prefer to just say that the book has everything for a great read: romance, history, humor, thought provoking life lessons, sadness, joy and drama. I highly recommend it and though this is my first experience with an Andy Andrews book, I hope it will not be my last.

Kelly Wade

Although I've never been a fan of fiction, preferring biographies and recounts of heroic adventures, The Heart Mender and other books by Andy Andrews makes me a convert. His mix of truth and fictional storytelling results in a compelling book, one that elicits emotions of surprise, grief and elation. A book for both men and women, The Heart Mender volleys back and forth between a German U-boat and a seaside Alabama town in 1942. This alternating, at times, had me thrown off balance because just as I would become immersed in the WWII activities on the U-166, I'd be directed to Mobile, AL and become just as deeply immersed in the life of a young woman named Helen Mason. A lot of us should be able to relate to Helen, just swap out her tragic life experience for yours. Andy Andrews makes it clear that a person can choose to be eaten up by bitterness or make the liberating decision to forgive. This is what motivated me to read his book -- the concept of forgiveness. To read the product description at the publisher site, go here. Mr. Andrews' descriptions are not superfluous, rather they are appropriate and amusing. A couple examples..."The rain had stopped, but the southeast wind had built the waves along the shore into big rollers that fluttered the bodies in the water like a housewife shook out a rug." and... "He was six feet tall in his socks, which was how they measured him when he took the county exam for deputy." I expect a book to teach me something new and this one doesn't disappoint. Did you know Lucky Strike cigarettes used to be in green packaging? During WWII, green pigment was needed for dyes and paints so Lucky Strike switched to red and white. A few new words have been added to my vocabulary, albeit military ones. Good luck to me trying to work those into conversation :) My favorite quote from The Heart Mender: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you."

Kathleen Hills

It seems like an impossibility today, enemy war-ships from a foreign country patrolling the coastal waters of the United States, close enough to send landing patrols ashore. But that impossibility was in fact a reality during the Second World War. Somehow I missed that lesson in my days studying US history. Andy Andrews in his book "The Heart Mender" dives into an investigation of German U-boats and their patrols off the Alabama Gulf Coast. The historical facts get you hooked for continued reading, however it is the stories of the people who were affected by the facts that keep you reading. In the midst of the facts we find an intriguing story of acceptance, love and forgiveness as only Andy could tell. The book is a quick read and one that I had trouble putting down once started. I have already been talking up the book to family and friends. If you are looking for a good summer read that highlights the good that can come out of tragedy go out and find "The Heart Mender." I would also recommend Andy's other books: "The Traveler's Gift" and "The Noticer."

Michael Smith

I'm usually a non-fiction lover but when I saw Andy Andrew's name, I picked up The Heart Mender expecting some great wisdom, and some always needed Andrews advice (The Traveler's Gift way...). What I got was waaaay more than that. Barely into the first chapter, I was hooked. This is a story that branded the concept of forgiveness into my heart the way no other book could have. I have about 5 how-to books on forgiveness and "letting go" and "emotional healing" on my bookshelf that are great .... but I still can't say I recall the content. However, I know this beautiful story of Helen & Josef will forever be etched in my heart. I'm also going to hand to someone else who is stuck in "that place" of unforgiveness. This is an awesome portrait of what the bible teaches us to do . . . but what is the hardest thing in the world if you've been betrayed, wronged, or hurt deeply. I really hope Andrews writes more fiction. He's good at both but to me, this is his sweet spot.

Toni Birdsong

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews weaves two compelling stories together in a message of forgiveness and hope. This captivating story begins with a man's mysterious find in his backyard; a tin full of German artifacts and photographs from World War II. It is during the pursuit of the story behind these objects that we come to know the incredible story of Helen Mason and Lt. Josef Landermann. Widowed by the war, she happens upon his near lifeless body on the shores of her small Gulf Coast town and must decide whether or not to let him die. What happens next is a touching story that explores overwhelming loss, the healing power of love, and the gift of forgiveness. We journey through the dusty pages of history with the main character as he uses internet searches and interviews with long time residents of his sleepy town to pull together the true story of the U-Boat invasion of the American coast. Little known facts about the submarine attacks on our shores, the government's attempt to quell panic, and the brave acts of the small Gulf town all intertwine with a personal story of two broken hearts longing for healing to make a riveting tale. Not a war story buff, I was unsure of this book, but having been touched by the message of hope and love in this novel, I give it my highest recommendation. Filled to the brim with intriguing plot points, great tension, and a poignant romance, Andy Andrews delivers a compelling and powerful novel.

Raquel Byrnes