I love history, I love romance, and I love a fresh perspective. To Elinor: A Romance in Two Voices offers all three. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Beat and Elinor’s romance during WWII while Beat served in the Merchant Marines. Bartow’s thorough research into the era provided fascinating insights into both the serviceman’s experience and the experience of the men and women back in the states. Her attention to detail made me feel I was living during the war years. But, back to the romance. What an intriguing love affair. Elinor, a school teacher and the daughter of a Bishop, had big dreams which included fame and fortune in California. An additional complication - she had three serious suitors. During the war it was important to not disappoint the boys going off to war, so Elinor had to balance her attentions while being constantly drawn to the free spirited and insistent Beat, often hiding her true feelings from her family. Bartow based this story on the almost one thousand actual letters her father, Beat, wrote to Elinor during the war years, and copies of many letters are included throughout the book. This is an easy to read story that kept me turning the pages as I got caught up in the life of these two fascinating people who are trying to navigate their way through learning who they themselves are, the dreams they have, and their developing clandestine relationship. Beat’s letters were such an amazing find for Bartow and her sisters. I am recommending this book to my book club as our next read.