The Anniversary Waltz

About 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 Comments:

I used to love to listen to my grandparents tell stories of the olden days, and this is the story of the olden days for one couple.  Since the book starts with them dancing at their 60th anniversary, the ending was never really in doubt--it was the story of how they got there, not the story of where they were going.  The story is full of references to post-war life including young adults who had to grow up early between the Depression and the War.  

A major event in this story happens as part of the wedding revelry--the shivaree.  My grandfather said he and my grandmother were shivareed.  They went home together for the first time on their wedding night, and their friends showed up at the house to make lots of noise and celebrate.  In this book the shivaree involves friends kidnapping (in good fun) the bride.  

I enjoyed this sweet "how we met" story and give it a B.