An extended review of a 2026 book by Dorothy Bentley
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Perpetua Press, 2026. 284 pages. $18 (ebook $5)
From the first paragraph describing war-torn Ukraine, until the heartwarming end, The Good Girl’s Guide to Love + War, A Novel grabbed my attention and didn't let go. Told from a teen’s perspective, the story carved out a unique storyline.
The title gives a refreshing take on a teenager's mindset as she learns she has agency. The story begins as Juliet pleads with her dad not to fight in the war, and the devastating consequences of taking up arms.
The narrative is visceral – you can feel the bomb blasts and the sirens shrieking in the family's apartment. Later you feel Juliet's heartbreak as relationships change and she becomes a victim of someone she once trusted and held dear. And all this before her 15th birthday. These traumatic life experiences teach her to adapt to her changing world and test her resolve on what she's willing to settle for.
As Juliet and her mother begin life in a new country, you can feel the heavy longing for her former family, life and country, causing readers to appreciate our own homes and enlightening us to the plight of war-torn refugees.
I admired Juliet's ability to get along in difficult circumstances without compromising her values. One wonders if group homes and foster homes know the opportunities which lie within their walls to turn a life around or, conversely, to destroy it completely.
There is a talent or gift which Juliet cultivates and nurtures throughout her story, reminding us that amid the destruction of your former life, you can always construct a new perspective or reality for yourself, even without money, a home or many supports.
In the end we see Juliet is stronger than expected. As a teen wounded by war and other unexpected trials, she stays true to her values and herself. While it would have been easier for her to give up and let people take advantage of her, she finds her voice and uses it to be assertive, self-protective, kind, loyal and helpful. While not expressly Christian, Juliet's behaviour aligns closely with Christian values and behaviours, making this book a safe read for young adults.
This novel is Dorothy Bentley’s second young adult title. She drew from her own experience of having spent her 15th year in foster care in Hamilton, Ont., when her mother could not provide for her, as well as her parents’ experiences fleeing the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. While the author was born in Canada, she researched current events surrounding this work of fiction and traveled to Eastern Europe in order to add real flavour to several of the settings. Additionally, she enlisted sensitivity readers to ensure the story was authentic, and the book has undergone extensive developmental editing and finetuning over several years. It found a home with Perpetua Press where publisher Alice Murray took on the project, and it was released in June 2026.
Some of the notable themes of the story include, change, upheaval, family dynamics, abandonment, loyalty, friendships, independence, encouragement, support, moving to a new culture and country, and the blessing of Canada to newcomers. The threads woven throughout the story are tied together beautifully at the end, quite unexpectedly, leaving me in tears. It is an unforgettable journey.
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