Blue Skies and Gunfire by K.M. Peyton is the story of a young, immature girl who is torn between loving two brothers which results in sadness and tragedy for all. Set against the backdrop of WW II in the summer of 1940, sixteen year old Josie is sent to her aunts in the country as the Germans are bombing London prior to their expected invasion. At first not pleased to be sent away, Josie soon meets a posh young man and embarks on a summer romance. When his dashing, older brother, pilot Chris turns up, Josie falls for him completely, breaking the heart of his younger brother.

Of course these three are living in wartime, and war has a way of taking over and controlling the destiny of everyone. This YA story with it’s earnest young love and adolescent yearnings coming up against the hard facts of life was a compelling story. I would have liked to have seen the characters a little more fleshed out, particular the two brothers as their relationship was supposed to be a close one, but had it’s share of secrets and guilt. My other concern was with the ending. I felt the way the author concluded the story left too much uncertainty for the future happiness of these characters.

These concerns aside, I enjoyed this book that contrasted the carefree feelings of adolescents discovering love for the first time with the daily terror people were living at that time with dogfights above them and bombs crashing down around them, ( )

Historical fiction about Great Britain during World War II...lots of rebellious attitude from Josie and then a love triangle that can't have a happy ending. ( )