It is truly an honor and a pleasure to have been asked once again by Julie to write this afterword.
I've been reading her work for about 3 years now and she always manages to transport me and make me dream, even more so with this story, which I loved from the very first chapter.
Nelly Delas said:
"The meeting of two hearts remains the most unexpected encounter in our lives. Nothing is planned in advance, yet when it happens, it's obvious. (...) You try to fight this feeling, you try to understand it, and yet it's stronger than anything: this heart you've recognized speaks to you. It hits you hard and it can call into question your whole environment."
I found this passage totally appropriate to describe this story.
Nothing destined them to meet, to love each other, and yet from the first glance, their hearts connected.
Despite an end date, life without each other and the worst trials of a lifetime, their love never wavered - quite the contrary.
We were able to experience their magnificent story, surprising for both protagonists even if it was obvious, but also their doubts, their fears, for which they always supported each other and always put the other first.
What was supposed to be just one chapter in their lives became the whole story.
Julie has managed to make us feel all the emotions in these 3 volumes, and I don't think I've ever cried so much at a piece of writing. But not only that, I also laughed, I was touched and I even felt angry sometimes (or often). This mix of emotions is what I look for in my reading, and once again Julie has risen to the challenge with flying colors. She also knew how to deal with important subjects, always taking the time to show us all the facets of each complicated situation and their feelings.
This story, these Marina, Jordan (a.k.a. Zita), Giulietta and Vittoria (a.k.a. Tic & Tac) will stay in my heart forever, just like the Ecole Militaire (first work).
A special thought for Charlie, whom I loved to pieces from the moment he appeared.
Melany Routier
Banane3009
