About the book:
A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England--a place she's learned to love through the words of her favorite author--and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she's renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.
Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.
Two hundred years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily's journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.
The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.
My thoughts: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That title alone!! 😍😍😍😍
A split time novel, my heart raced back and forth throughout hundreds of years.
All three of these women had beautiful and compelling stories.
While there is romance, I like that it wasn't the main plot.
Instead of the book being overpowered by romantic relationships, it was full of beautiful friendships. Women supporting other women. It was a refreshing trope.
Especially for someone who has gotten just a little sick of romance lately. And to all who personally know me, I know, I know. What a shocker! 😂
I loved the sweet, kindred spirit friendship between Ginny and Sophia. It was so sweet and there friendship was so spontaneous, I believe God makes people to fit together, and these ladies fit.
I did love the romance that was in put in though.
Sophia's friend William was adorable!! His lighthearted humor but huge heart were just what she needed.
I won't give away anything else. 😉
Emily was somewhat of a Jo March. Spending hours writing, unaware of how the hours had slipped away. Hers and Sophia's love for all things literature was familiar to my own. We're still working on Ginny. 😉
I loved the love of all things books and writing!! Lindsey has a way of perfectly describing these "other worlds wrapped in cardboard and parchment. "
Sophia was a victim of abuse, she goes to Cornwall to recover and find herself in the process. Her close friend Joy thinks if Sophia writes her story, it will allow her to heal.
Ginny is a "runaway," she's never felt like she's belonged. Sure, she's pretended, but the life she's living just isn't what her soul is saying is right.
Her husband has left, Ginny has sectioned herself off from her friends, but when Sophia comes into her life, both ladies have an impact on each other they could never have imagined.
The writing was gorgeous! Poetic and beautiful, Lindsay has a way of putting you in the scene. Her descriptions made my heart sore and my soul happy. Her poetic writing will not soon be forgotten.
I would have preferred more Faith content.
While a few of the characters did have a relationship with Christ and purposely gave their lives to Christ, it just wasn't enough for me.
My heart ached for lost love, displaced hearts, and the sad influence society has on our decisions.
Even though this story is fiction, it has a way of touching your soul like no other has before.
Some of the story lines were predictable, but not too predictable you couldn't enjoy it. others story lines were a complete surprise!
There was a sex comment I didn't like, and wondered why it was in there.
But it was about a married couple, so nothing impure.
"A lot of people deserve happiness and don't get it."
"But a lot do. Maybe we just need to keep walking, even when it takes us somewhere we don't want to go. Maybe on the other side, that s where the happiness is found. But if we give up when we're wading through the muck and mire, we'll never discover . . ."Ginny paused.
She continued, "If we give up hope, we'll never discover the ocean of possibility spread before us."
Lindsay is a new to me author, I was not disappointed.
You will definitely want to grab this book up as soon as it releases on February 26th!!
But for now, you could pre-order it here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
