Yes, it was sad, but it also wasn't very good. Every chapter is 1 - 3 pages, and it's not enough time to care about these characters. I respect that she chose to lean away from pathos, which is the major reason I hate WWII fiction, but I never connected with any of them. The romance felt forced. I can't remember why I picked this one up, but I really need to stop reading WWII fiction.