By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: Pressed Together

Author: Kim Garee

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: May 1, 2024

World War II is over at last, and the pier amusement park at Buckeye Lake, the "Playground of Ohio," is lit up, loud, and ready to welcome a summer of better days. The energy of dance hall and roller coaster, though, is disorienting for Sgt. Drew Mathison, weary from battle and trying to track down the one man who can testify in his brother's murder trial.

He's not in the mood to celebrate when he simply cannot find that witness. Especially when he suspects Emily Graham, publisher of the Buckeye Lake Beacon, is hiding him. Doesn't she understand the danger the fugitive has brought to Buckeye Lake?

Determined to save her childhood friend, the beautiful and quirky young woman manages to frustrate not just Drew but her family and community as she tries to fix a whole host of problems by herself.

As Drew and Emily square off amidst secrets and a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, falling in love might be the only way to save the summer ... and another life.

My Thoughts:

Pressed Together by Kim Garee is a historical romance story that has a hint of a mystery that takes place after World War II. The concept of a story that takes place after World War II captured my attention since I have not read many of them. I have read plenty of stories that take place during World War II. One of the glaring issues I had with the plot is that it could have happened today. While the story says that it takes place right after World War II, it read like a contemporary story taken place in a resort town with a woman reporter and a PTSD officer who is running from something but comes to this small town. It reads like a contemporary romance. Similarly, the mystery that forces Drew to this small town wasn’t really explained. The opening chapter does talk about it a little, but I’m confused with the head hopping in the beginning to understand what is going on. The romance takes over the plot with hints of the mystery woven in, but not enough to really lead the plot line. The characters were stock characters who just happen to fall in love while they spend time in the small town. I’m sure this novel is great for contemporary romance fans, but it was really slow for me. I wanted more action. Maybe the bad guy comes to town early on and actually tries to hurt or kill Drew. Or worse, spread rumors about incidents Drew was running away from. Overall, Pressed Together by Kim Garee appeared to be a nice, sweet story of a slower time that I wanted to enjoy, but sadly, it seemed to be just not for me.

I received a complimentary copy of Pressed Together by Kim Garee through Celebrate Lit Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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About the Author

Kim Garee is the award-winning author of The Together series, including Pressed Together (May 2024), Packed Together (December 2024), and Patched Together (September 2025). Set in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, just after World War II, these romances unfold at the height of the lake’s famous amusement park. Kim has worked as a journalist and college writing instructor. She loves her current work as a Library Innovation Teacher. She and her husband have three recently grown children and live in central Ohio.

More from Kim

Pressed Together, winner of a 2024 Angel Book Award for historical fiction, was inspired years ago when I was a newspaper reporter in Buckeye Lake. Historically, the lake was an “end of the line” stop for a railroad that featured a large amusement park, dance halls, and skating rinks. It was a favorite spot for the biggest of the Big Bands. A fire wiped most of the park out decades ago, but when I watched a crane pull old bumper cars out of the bottom of the lake, I knew the characters of this book series. I spent many happy hours in the historical society’s archives to accurately celebrate the post-war era in a small U.S. town that was also the “playground of Ohio.”

The Together Series represents the mystery, romance, and even humor of an era, even as it explores relatable faith challenges. Get ready to settle in with hilarious crowd draws, a flooded bait shop, a choking blue heron, and, of course, a hidden murder witness!