Book Review: Captured by Love

Book Review: Captured by Love

By Jason Hooker

Captured by Love is a non-fiction book combining multiple accounts about the real love stories that developed in the lives of the Vietnam War POW’s and their wives back home. It is co-authored by Lee Ellis (a former POW) and Greg Godek (relationship and romance author), who have done a remarkable job of shining light, hope and beauty into the horrific experiences of the POW’s. This positive outlook threads the writing style of every account, each of which is made from interviews and writing from the real people behind the stories. It truly is wonderful to read these true stories of beauty arising from the least likely of contexts. 

At the end of every account, the book takes a moment to pause and reflect on the values we can apply to our romantic relationships, as inspired by the real-life goodness lived out in the lives of the POW’s and their wives. Many of them were men and women of faith and testify to the powerful role their faith played in giving them endurance and hope. We are also intermittently given small insights into the factual history surrounding each story, so that we are grounded in knowledge but not so distracted by facts that it feels like a history book. Every account feels personable and emotionally evocative. 

This book is incredibly inspiring and heart-warming to read. It is an amazing experience to read about the perseverance, devotion and bravery that the POW’s and their wives upheld during times of trial, and it is a wonderful testament to the power of faith. For anyone interested in inspiring true stories, the beauty of romantic relationships, or world history, this book is a wonderful blend of elements that will inspire and uplift you. 

The authors dedicate the book to “couples everywhere that aspire to keep the love-of-their-life, soulmate-relationship vibrant and growing for a lifetime”.