The American Boys

A sweeping, emotional WWII romance inspired by the arrival of American Marines in New Zealand — perfect for fans of historical love stories filled with courage, heartbreak, and hope.

Wellington, 1942. With her brothers fighting overseas and the Pacific war closing in, Lorna’s world is already steeped in fear and uncertainty. When 20,000 U.S. Marines arrive to protect New Zealand, the city is thrown into turmoil — and possibility. Most Americans find their new post cold and unfamiliar, but the local Kiwi girls offer warmth, curiosity, and connection.

Dragged along on a double date, Lorna meets Stan, a charming Marine from Chicago who quickly becomes a comforting presence. Kind, steady, and adored by his family, Stan seems like the safest harbour in a world at war. But when he’s deployed to Guadalcanal, everything changes.

Stan’s rebellious younger brother, Alfie, soon arrives in Wellington with the Marines. Infuriating, impulsive, and nothing like his golden-boy brother, Alfie gets under Lorna’s skin in all the wrong ways — and then, unexpectedly, in all the right ones. As Alfie prepares to face the front lines, Lorna can’t quiet the pull she feels toward him.

As the brutal reality of WWII closes in, Lorna must confront an impossible question:
Which brother will return home — and whose heart will survive the cost of war?

A powerful, unforgettable story of love, loss, and resilience set against one of the most dramatic chapters of New Zealand’s wartime history. Let me know if you'd like it shorter, punchier, or more retailer-friendly.