Miles From You by Marianne Arkins takes the reader back in time to an era where Truman and Dewey were headlines and Studebaker Champions owned the roads. In 1948, Millie is a spinster working at a diner. She has a crush on one of her regular customers, Paul, and makes a point of making his favorite pie in the hope that he’ll stop in for a slice. When he tells her he’s taken a job far from the diner, she realizes they may be spending their last moments together.

Miles From You is a touching, heartwarming story of love and hope. I loved it! I felt as if I was living in the age along with the characters, as if I could feel the tears Millie cried and hear Paul’s voice as he said good-bye. Ms. Arkins has given dimension to her characters, even in such a short story. I would have honestly loved it if this was longer, because I liked Millie and Paul so much that I wanted to know more about them. I am hoping for a sequel to this story, just to learn what happens next! Aside from making me care about the characters, Ms. Arkins has also given the reader a compact, yet engaging, story, complete with tons of details that made the images come alive. Miles From You is one of those great little stories that can be savored time and again.

Reviewed by: Marlene