Saturday, December 13, 2025

Pressed Together Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Pressed Together

Author: Kim Garee

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: May 1, 2024

World War II is over at last, and the pier amusement park at Buckeye Lake, the “Playground of Ohio,” is lit up, loud, and ready to welcome a summer of better days. The energy of dance hall and roller coaster, though, is disorienting for Sgt. Drew Mathison, weary from battle and trying to track down the one man who can testify in his brother’s murder trial.

He’s not in the mood to celebrate when he simply cannot find that witness. Especially when he suspects Emily Graham, publisher of the Buckeye Lake Beacon, is hiding him. Doesn’t she understand the danger the fugitive has brought to Buckeye Lake?

Determined to save her childhood friend, the beautiful and quirky young woman manages to frustrate not just Drew but her family and community as she tries to fix a whole host of problems by herself.

As Drew and Emily square off amidst secrets and a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, falling in love might be the only way to save the summer … and another life.

MY REVIEW

It is time to sit back and enjoy a nice journey right after WWII has ended. Men are arriving home with war stories and trying to get their normal lives back. I like how the author brings us into a town where routines seem normal and the war is now a distant memory. For some though the war has changed them. They made friends while serving in the trenches together but have lost touch with them.

The author brings history and nostalgia to this heartwarming story. It was fun to read about the amusement park and how many people loved taking their friends and family to experience all the rides and food that was available. I could hear the laughter as people gathered in lines to wait their turn. The smell of cotton candy and popcorn filled the air as children ran to grab a treat.

Now this story is not just about an amusement park but for me it really gave me a touch of small town hospitality. Drew has come to the small town looking for someone. He is determined to find the person who can identify his brother’s killer. Drew is a strong character with convictions that allow us to see his faith. He can be a bit standoffish at times but I think he was so focused on his mission he didn’t want to get familiar with people.

Emily made me laugh so much with her quirky gum smacking and over the top never ending need to be in the know. She does run a newspaper but she sure seemed to be in everyone’s business. She holds secrets that could be worthy of printing in the paper but holds back until she gets all her facts straight.

Drew isn’t very receptive to being interviewed by Emily even though she is nice to look at. He wants to blend into the town so he can find his witness and return to get justice for his brother. I like that Drew has patience and shares his faith with others. There is a strong theme of family and the importance of helping others in the story.

Along with a mystery, historical theme, a sweet relationship and relying on God , the book will draw readers in. Be sure to give yourself time to enjoy each page as the story comes to life. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kim Garee is the award-winning author of The Together series, including Pressed Together (May 2024), Packed Together (December 2024), and Patched Together (September 2025). Set in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, just after World War II, these romances unfold at the height of the lake’s famous amusement park. Kim has worked as a journalist and college writing instructor. She loves her current work as a Library Innovation Teacher. She and her husband have three recently grown children and live in central Ohio.

More from Kim

Pressed Together, winner of a 2024 Angel Book Award for historical fiction, was inspired years ago when I was a newspaper reporter in Buckeye Lake. Historically, the lake was an “end of the line” stop for a railroad that featured a large amusement park, dance halls, and skating rinks. It was a favorite spot for the biggest of the Big Bands. A fire wiped most of the park out decades ago, but when I watched a crane pull old bumper cars out of the bottom of the lake, I knew the characters of this book series. I spent many happy hours in the historical society’s archives to accurately celebrate the post-war era in a small U.S. town that was also the “playground of Ohio.”

The Together Series represents the mystery, romance, and even humor of an era, even as it explores relatable faith challenges. Get ready to settle in with hilarious crowd draws, a flooded bait shop, a choking blue heron, and, of course, a hidden murder witness!