Independent author Jennifer Malech published her first book “Unkempt Secrets From the War” on Jan. 24. Malech writes historical fiction and recently published her second book, “A Song for Somme,” on Nov. 17.   

“Unkempt Secrets” follows orphan Nel Rosenberg, a German girl living in London in the wake of World War II. When Nel is sent to work in the heart of London, she meets William Beckham, who is neither her nationality nor social class. War enfolds, Nel falls for William and, as William heads to war, Nel’s family’s history is brought into question.

When doors open for Nel to work at a hospital in London, she encounters many soldiers and their stories and secrets. Along with working at the hospital and being confronted by the authorities, Nel begins to trace her father’s involvement in World War I.

Nel befriends Mr. Blackwell, an American writer, who offers her a position as a New York journalist in a male-dominated field. Nel heads to New York, risking her relationship with William and the reputation she has made for herself in society. Will Nel learn to forgive those whose own secrets tried to wreck her in the end?

I loved how this book taught me the simple lesson of forgiveness people can often overlook. Nel, though she didn’t realize it, was holding on to grudges, secrets and lies affecting her day to day living. This lesson helped me to forgive people who unintentionally hurt me, people who intentionally hurt me and myself.  

One of my favorite parts of “Unkempt Secrets” was how Nel viewed her family.  Since Nel and her sisters, Abigail and Jenny, were orphaned, Nel learned to cherish her small family. Without even knowing her parents’ secrets, Nel held a grudge against her dead father. And because of her parent’s sudden death and secrets, Nel had to learn what was important to her, and what she had to let go of.

“Unkempt Secrets” is an amazing book to read at any stage of your life, as it teaches the important lesson of forgiveness rather than letting your grudges consume you. I recommend “Unkempt Secrets” to absolutely anyone who loves history, literature and journalism.