Bethany House

Review: “Beyond the Clouds” by Elizabeth Camden
by

Review: “Beyond the Clouds” by Elizabeth Camden

Thanks for dropping by to hear about Elizabeth Camden’s recent historical romance release, Beyond the Clouds.

About the Book

They lost each other once before; now the clouds of war may give them a second chance.

Book cover of Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden, featuring a couple embracing in the foreground with a castle-like fortress in a foggy background and a bluish cloudy sky.

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together–until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. Little does he know that this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir–until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them–or the possibility of falling in love again?

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden concludes her “Women of Midtown” trilogy with the story of Delia, another tenant in the famed Martha Washington complex in New York City. What begins as a benevolent homefront campaign reunites Delia with her former childhood friend and first love, Finn Delaney, now a hero and even more a threat to her carefully guarded heart.

This story offers a fascinating perspective and details of the Belgian relief efforts ongoing throughout WWI with a few real historical characters making appearances. When Delia and Finn reluctantly join forces for a greater cause, sparks fly and old wounds resurface. I love how their dynamic brings a history with it and causes friction reminiscent of an enemies-to-lovers trope alongside their second-chance romance. Instead of bringing their individual bitterness into their present, their reunion quickly grows into a rekindled friendship and stronger connection. The frightful circumstances of war are a catalyst for both their reconnection and to reveal the depth of their feelings for each other.

I appreciate the way Camden’s stories are rooted in real-life history and challenges, sparking curiosity for the facts and heroic true-life individuals at the heart of everyday life.

My thanks to the publisher for the ebook review copy. I purchased an audiobook copy for my collection. This is my honest review.

by

Book Review: An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon

Evangeline and Tai of An Overdue Match with some of their literary friends

I’m thrilled to be sharing my thoughts on a newly-released contemporary RomCom from Sarah Monzon: An Overdue Match. It’s the first in her planned “Checking Out Love” series with Bethany House Publishers.

About the Book

If the covers of every romance book ever published hadn’t convinced librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection—even if it’s not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn’t surprise him when the town’s quirky new librarian does the same thing and believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can’t help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline’s secret matchmaking scheme, he’s not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can’t judge a book—or each other—by the cover.

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon

Review

With An Overdue Match, author Sarah Monzon has written a bookish romcom that caters to the romantic-at-heart fans of the genre itself. With self-aware humor and tropes, it balances hilarious woodland creatures, all the pop culture and literature references, and a deep story twining romance, friendship, and inspirational healing.

This is a *he falls first* romance! Their connection and chemistry are evident from the start, but it takes some banter-filled time to develop at an ideal pace with an equally important friendship alongside their romance. My favorite part of their flirty dynamic is how he sees beyond her self-image doubt to truly see *her* and, in turn, loves her to him. His artist’s eyes help her see her own beauty through his.

Monzon does amazingly well drawing out empathy in the reader and highlighting unique aspects of the characters. She is bravely bringing attention to self-worth and image through a personal (for Monzon) perspective of alopecia, Tai’s childhood limitations with a chronic health condition, and the way the world judges beauty and worth at a skin-deep level. The story has subtle and natural faith themes, with an intentional echo of God’s loving pursuit mirrored in Tai’s determination and encouragement of Evangeline to see herself as loved by God.

I typically connect with a character’s emotions and can be moved to tears from time to time, but let me tell you, at Evangeline’s emotional climax I had tears streaming down my face. They were heart-deep, healing, and happy tears of empathy for her character. The happy ones were due to Tai’s particular response, comfort, and honest devotion he exhibits toward Evangeline in that moment.

Truly hilarious moments, a transportive Tennessee setting, cousin dares, library happenings, a particular rose tattoo, and one precocious cat named Kitty Purry round out the reasons to try this story. I highly recommend it for fans of Sarah Adams or Bethany Turner who seek out unique character perspectives with a balance of humor and depth.

My thanks to the publisher and author for the complimentary review copy. This is my honest review.

by

Review: “Born of Gilded Mountains” by Amanda Dykes

Thanks for reading! Today is all about the recently released Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes, a historical fiction tale.

About the Book

A lost treasure. A riddled quest. The healing power of friendship.

Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.

In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain’s lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago–along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that–if found–could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.

Goodreads

Review

When I read an Amanda Dykes story, I know I am going to have a reading experience of wonder as she delivers deep characterization, adventurous tales, brightly painted settings, and characters with vibrant personalities, and deeply meaningful + overarching themes. The added brilliance of her storytelling prowess includes the ever-changing eras, settings, and varied storylines. With Born of Gilded Mountains, readers are swept into a tale of adventure and discovery as the protagonist, Mercy Windsor AKA Mary Beth Spatts AKA Rusty’s pen pal, seeks a haven in to the town of “Mercy Peak” in the Colorado Rockies.

What I first thought would be a story of identity and discovery grows into so much more in every way. It unfolds much like the history of the characters themselves in a careful, measured way which layers in meaning and magnitude to the tiniest of details. I’ll leave the details of the friendship and adventure to be discovered in the story, but I’ll expound on my favorite themes and elements. I SO love and appreciate the aspects of friendship and kindred spirits we see through the establishment of Rusty and Mary Beth from their young introduction. This element of friendship is built upon to expand into community and restoration, with further themes broaching grief, romance, honor, singleness, and trust.

And, if you have access to the audiobook in any way (maybe through a library?), I highly recommend it as a bonus to the reading experience. The narrator gets the emotions and excitement of the story’s delivery just right.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. I voluntarily purchased an audiobook copy for my shelves. This is my honest review.

by

Review: “While the City Sleeps” by Elizabeth Camden

I’m sharing a review for While the City Sleeps, a new release (this week!) from author Elizabeth Camden. This is a historical romance that starts a new “Women of Midtown” series set in early 1900s NYC.

About the Book

Katherine Schneider’s workaday life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her. And throughout it all, Jonathan fears what will happen should Katherine ever learn his deepest secrets.

Join award-winning author Elizabeth Camden for a sweeping and romantic adventure of dangerous secrets and wounded hearts fighting to overcome the darkness while the rest of the city sleeps.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Author Elizabeth Camden always writes fascinating heroes and heroines, and While the City Sleeps is her latest vibrant take on fictional characters with a sprinkle of real-life history. The New York City setting comes to life in the tale, as well, acting as a main character all its own with its interesting night life and unexpected personalities.

Secrets and potential crimes wind through this story of romance. The intrigue and reveals keep the pace flowing nicely as the reader meets and falls in love with the match between Katherine and Jonathan. While their acquaintance is already established off-page as the story begins, events in their lives thrust them beyond a tentative interaction to a mutual reliance on city knowledge and social connections. I especially love the details Camden incorporates to make an already complex situation feel like real life.

Romance is at the heart of the story, even as dangerous situations draw in emotions, sacrifice, and questions of loyalty. Jonathan is a Paul Newman-ish hero (at least that’s how I see him!) who has secrets of his own (like mad baking skills), a connection to an Italian community, a dry sense of humor, and absolute conviction to protect the innocent and stand for honor. Katherine is fully his match — when it comes to their relationship, I love how she is assertive in a way he isn’t and how their dynamic explores some believable realities of relationships right down to disagreements and some tough subjects.

I particularly empathize with the way Katherine approaches life: she’s spunky, determined, and brave. One tiny moment I noted that ticked all the romance boxes for me was when Jonathan had a cerebral attraction to Katherine’s handwriting. It speaks of their connection and their mutual respect for each other.

If you have enjoyed Elizabeth Camden’s stories in the past, this is a good place to get back into her writing as it is the promising start to a new series. I’d also recommend this book for fans of Jocelyn Green and Rachel Fordham.

Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. This is my honest review.

by

Review: “A Beautiful Disguise” by Roseanna M. White

Welcome to my blog! Today I’m reviewing a recent historical romance release from Roseanna M. White, A Beautiful Disguise, the first book in her promising “The Imposters” series.

About the Book

Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father’s death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend’s father as a potential traitor.

Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the most elite guard, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they’re creating a new secret intelligence branch, he’s intent on showing his worth. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.

Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend’s sake, and she’s more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can’t possibly be as noble as he seems.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

In true Roseanna M. White fashion, A Beautiful Disguise creatively imagines a plausible scenario of intrigue and found family amidst the glittering society of London in 1909. The romance at its center is nicely paced, beginning with attraction and moving swiftly to friendship and more.

Besides the wonderfully depicted characters and perspective on the Edwardian London setting, I appreciate the way this story doesn’t stick to the “norms” of its trope. It doesn’t have the often-used miscommunications or characters who react in anger when secrets are revealed. Instead, its characters behave with integrity and embrace the love and rightness of their newfound circumstances or relationships at many turns. Merritt, in particular, elevates the story with his likable demeanor, views of friendship, and verbal recognition of Marigold’s worth beyond her self-imposed masks.

This story will satisfy a longing for high stakes adventure, smart spy shenanigans, ZOO animals, and a deeper look at society’s effects on identity, perception, and worth.

My thanks to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

by

Book Review: “The Blackout Book Club” by Amy Lynn Green

I’m sharing a review of Amy Lynn Green’s latest historical novel, one with strong BOOKISH elements (much discussion of beloved literature): The Blackout Book Club.

About the Book

An impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European Front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different–a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they share more in common with each other than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is a great story of friendship and community, all centered on a favorite thing: books! The coastal setting and WWII home front elements make for a very interesting backdrop.

This is a historical story with elements of women’s fiction and a little romance, with four main ladies and their POVs central to the story. I enjoy how they offer perspective and variety in class, profession, and personality yet all contribute to the story of enduring trials and joining together to support each other and the community. A small lending library happens to be the thing which brings them together, but they soon find common ground and develop strong friendships outside of their book club. One favorite element of the story is the continued “notebook” of notes from each book club meeting. They are often hilarious and show the characters in a unique light.

This is the first of Green’s novels I have read, but I am happy her previous two are on my shelves for me to go back and experience now. I recommend this story for fans of bookish fiction and authors like Jocelyn Green and Katherine Reay.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

by

Book Review & Blog Tour: “The Sisters of Sea View” by Julie Klassen

Thanks for visiting my blog today! I’m taking part in a blog tour for Julie Klassen’s brand new Regency historical and romance novel, The Sisters of Sea View. Read on for my thoughts and some exciting story extras.

About the Book

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family’s new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth’s many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars–both visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

Review

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen is an enchanting story of romance and sisterhood with an idyllic coastal setting (Devonshire, UK). The Summers sisters are sure to charm their way into the hearts of readers with their varied personalities and shared bond of family as they must pursue a new venture — one that puts a few eligible gentlemen and other new friends in their path.

In regards to the romance possibilities, the three older sisters have prospects. From a slight flirtation to a newfound friendship or two, each has a different dynamic. I was rooting for Viola and Sarah, especially, in their arcs. I am happy to see this is a series by Klassen and there will be more stories to come centered on this family in Sidmouth.

A deeper theme I note and appreciate within the context of the story is how the value of every individual person is emphasized. Many characters offer examples of this, from looking beyond outward appearances, behaviors, and circumstances to appreciating the gifts, qualities, and hearts of people. Viola’s struggles and emotional healing factor into this theme, as does her new friend, Major Hutton, in reinforcing her worth and confidence.

As one could expect with a seaside setting, customs of the time such as bathing machines, supposed “healing” dips in the waters, and society functions all take place in these pages. Julie Klassen nods to a few Jane Austen characters and situations within the story, and has included epigraphs which delight and enlighten the reader to the real history and accounts of the region. Fans of Austen and the Sanditon adaptation should take note, as this has similar appeal and an even better story.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Extra Fun Things

Click to read an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE KLASSEN on Austenprose.com

by

Audiobook Review: “An Hour Unspent” by Roseanna M. White

Thanks for dropping by to read my review of An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White, a book that wraps up her “Shadows Over England” trilogy. I have wanted to read this one for a while, and I’m so glad I finally got the audiobook copy and listened to it (mostly during drives!).

About the Book

Once London’s top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker’s daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can’t help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.

As 1915 England plunges ever deeper into war, the work of an ingenious clockmaker may give England an unbeatable military edge—and Germany realizes it as well. Evelina’s father soon finds his whole family in danger—and it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape it. 

Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Review

The main thing to know about this book: Barclay Pearce is my new book boyfriend. 🙂

An Hour Unspent is an excellent work of historical romance for the inspirational market. It has everything I love about a great story and characters in the genre. With its early WWI timeline, plenty of intrigue and interesting things happen to Barclay Pearce on the homefront as he works as a procurator for the admiralty — a nice label for a former thief now turned honest. The heroine of the story, Evelina Manning, has an unlikely encounter with Barclay that turns into a friendship with lots of sparks.

I very much enjoyed seeing the larger cast of characters around these two, especially Barclay’s immediate family, interact and be meaningful to the story. I appreciate the deeper themes White has included, like those of loyalty, family, and sacrifice, that weave naturally through the story. Seeing Barclay find a measure of romantic love and being cared for (instead of being the caregiver) is good for the heart, as is seeing Evelina come into her own with her familial relationships and asserting her strength and capability with Barclay — who faithfully supports her.

The narrative as told by Liz Pearce in audiobook form is particularly enjoyable, especially as the accents of the characters transition through classes from a posh society tones to a fun cockney one. I recommend the other stories in this series, and the follow up connected Codebreakers series, for a full story world experience and many beloved characters.

Thank you to the publisher for the ebook copy. I purchased an audio copy. This is my honest review.

My thoughts on Shadows Over England Book 1, A Name Unknown | Book 2, A Song Unheard

by

Review: “Written On the Wind” by Elizabeth Camden

I’m sharing a book review of Elizabeth Camden’s new historical release, Written on the Wind. It’s a fantastic piece of literature and romance, the second in her Blackstone Legacy series and a book that is going on my permanent favorites list.

About the Book

Natalia Blackstone is a rarity in Gilded Age America. As a trusted analyst for her father’s bank, she is helping finance the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. From her office in New York City, Natalia relies on a charming Russian aristocrat to oversee the construction of the railroad on the other side of the world.

But while overseeing the work, Count Dimitri Sokolov witnesses the deadly result of the Russian Monarchy’s will to see the railway built. To silence him, the state has stripped Dimitri of his title, his lands, and his freedom . . . but Dimitri has a key asset the czar knows nothing about: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone.

From the steppes of Russia to the corridors of power in Washington, Natalia and Dimitri will fight against all odds to save the railroad and share the truth of what happened, but how can their newfound love survive the ordeal? 

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

There is nothing typical about Written on the Wind. Camden bravely explores a story and characters whose path and traits set a new level of precedence in the genre, especially with the forming of the hero. With fascinating historical detail, a riveting romance, and brilliantly depicted settings from Russia to NYC and Washington, DC, this novel of convictions and purpose is one that will resonate with readers and cater to history lovers.

Count Dimitri Sokolov is as complex and multifaceted as his vast homeland of Russia. He cannot be easily categorized or labeled, exhibiting strength and tenacity and being, at the same time, slightly vain and needy. His emotional intelligence is exemplary, as exhibited when he sets his mind on pursuing Natalia. I swoon over all the tiny things that make him so atypical, one small example being his enjoyment of manicures, yet he is completely a masculine gentleman. Another big trait of his I won’t point out for spoilers’ sake, but I’ll say it’s a breakthrough in the inspirational fiction genre and one I am proud of Camden for tackling with such alpomb. Yay for a historical romance beta hero!

Natalia Blackstone is accomplished and has great tenacity to achieve anything she sets her mind to, yet the strictures of the business world at the turn of the century inhibit her progress at times. She is a counterpart to Dimitri’s personality, with the right contrasts in perspective and harmonically aligned goals. The friendship between Natalia and Dimitri and all of their interactions are full of wit and crackling with an electric tension the reader can sense. This friendship is an appropriate foundation for their romance, one that is as dramatic, at times, as the Russian literature Dimitri loves. My favorite aspect of their relationship is that, with every stage of their journey from friendship to romance and beyond, the allure of their connection transcends proximity and instead pairs them on a level of intelligence and integrity.

My love for this book can be attributed 85% to Dimitri and 15% to the rest of the story, and with a structure and characters as fantastic as this, that is a great ratio :). When it could be predictable in a particular climactic moment of choice for Natalia, I LOVE that it isn’t. I hope readers embrace this book for what it is: a declaration and perspective of love and sacrifice.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

by

Review: “Drawn by the Current” by Jocelyn Green

Thanks for stopping by to read my thoughts on Jocelyn Green’s latest historical novel, Drawn by the Current. It is the final book in her “Windy City Saga” series that follows different generations of the same family through significant historical events of Chicago. This third novel takes place in 1915 and encompasses the Eastland disaster.

Previous books in the series: Veiled in Smoke, 1871 and the Great Chicago Fire | Shadows of the White City, 1893 Chicago World’s Fair

About the Book

A birthday excursion turns deadly when the SS Eastland capsizes with Olive Pierce and her best friend Claire on board. Hundreds perish during the accident, and it’s only when Olive herself barely escapes that she discovers her friend is among the victims.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Olive returns to her work at an insurance agency and is soon caught up in the countless investigations related to the accident. But with so many missing, there are few open-and-shut cases, and she tries to balance her grief with the hard work of finding the truth. Is she just overwhelmed, or is someone trying to impede her investigations? When clues surface that impact those closest to her, how deep will she dig?

Newspaper photographer Erik Magnussen begins helping Olive with her cases, and they develop a fast friendship. Just when Olive begins to unravel the secrets, more setbacks arise. It will take everything she’s got to find the truth and stay ahead of those who want to sabotage her progress. 

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Drawn by the Current is a great conclusion to this generational family saga! It reads as a standalone story, of course, and brings the characters into the 20th century era. Readers of the previous two books will enjoy glimpses of the Townsend siblings later in life and the familiarity of their book store as a setting.

I enjoyed learning quite a bit about the history surrounding the Chicago Eastland disaster through the story. (I love when I learn real history in fiction!) The tragedy of the disaster impacts Olive in numerous ways, and like Green often does with her stories, the emotional fallout Olive experiences is drawn out as a major part of the story. It connects to her grief for her father and in her striving for a place in life, both in her career and personal life, and ultimately serves as a catalyst for Olive to have some profound revelations about her own worth.

I liked getting to know Olive and seeing her journey through friendship, tough choices, and her romance play out. She is one tough and intelligent heroine! I was cheering for her new friendship with Erik to grow — theirs is a subtle romance that plays out with a steadiness and some surprises. The romance, of course, is secondary to the main themes of the book which deal with deep issues such as honesty, loyalty, and the strength it takes to survive life’s challenges — and ultimately recognizing the source of that strength is from God.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.