Family matters are to the fore and through the medium of letters and diary entries we see what Earl Timmings and Ruth Benson think about each other - and their faithful dogs. Courting by riding out in the wooded landscape, they laze away a happy summer. But with the call-up to war in 1942, the couple are parted. Again, their letters are a lifeline.

This book doesn't contain any great action, apart from some horrifying war scenes. No falling out or major disagreements; no witty banter or intelligent working out of tense problems. So the ideal reader would be someone who enjoys a look at the past, with memories of a life before ubiquitous celebrity society, and a determination to hang on to what matters. Every time Earl and Ruth encounter difficulties they seem to find comfort in prayer. Life is not smooth going, but the couple just accept what they can't change, and hope to be happy by riding alongside each other through the years. Provided their families survive the war in Japan.

I enjoyed the landscape descriptions and the companion dogs and horses. RIDE WITH ME will be followed by Brett Champan's next book A SPLASH IN THE WATER.

Book Summary