Drumbeats (The Drumbeats Trilogy, #1) by Julia Ibbotson

Drumbeats is a saunter through the mid-1960s with Jessamy, a young Quaker from England who convinces her rule-following, overbearing mother to allow her a gap year before university to teach English in Ghana. Saying goodbye to her betrothed, Simon, is difficult for Jess, but she does her best to keep him in her life by continually writing him.

While in Africa, Jess helps two outlying villages on Sundays with lessons and rudimentary first aid. And as many who have ever volunteered, Jess is the one who learns many of the lessons that need to be taught.

When Jess and her roommate meet Jim and Hank, two men from the U.S. who are in Ghana with the Peace Corps, Jess is instantly drawn to Jim through music and loneliness. But in keeping honest with Simon, Jess keeps Jim at an arms-length and in the friend zone.

True to history, Drumbeats introduces the coupe of 1966 in Ghana, and Jess gets some scary, first-hand lessons about politics, power, and deceit. During this time, Jim disappears, and Jess is desperate to find him. However, a series of unfortunate events forces Jess home early without locating Jim. And now, she must face Simon and decide if her love for him was immature or strong enough to bind them still.

Drumbeats is a well-written, sweet romance that is a fast cover-to-cover read. There is much to uncover regarding Africa, its environment, and the time of the coupe; it is in no way religious or preachy. Think wholesome and good morals. This book could be safely given to a teen (in fact, teens may learn some suitable lessons here).

My only downside was that, on occasion, the author brought in too-recent dialogue that didn’t fit the times. But this was only a slight hiccup in an otherwise wonderful story. You will love the character of Jess and swoon for Jim.

Drumbeats is the first of a trilogy and a very solid read. Well done, Julia Ibbotson.