Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: February 02, 2021
Genre: Historical, Contemporary, Romance
Adventure Rating: 4 Stars
*Amazon and Bookshop are my affiliate links*
Caroline George sweeps readers up into two different time periods with an unexpected love story that prompts us to reimagine what it means to be present with the people we love.
2020: Chocolate and Earl Grey tea can’t fix Josie De Clare’s horrible year. She mourned the death of her father and suffered a teen-life crisis, which delayed her university plans. But when her father’s will reveals a family-owned property in Northern England, Josie leaves London to find clarity at the secluded manor house. While exploring the estate, she discovers two-hundred-year-old love letters written by an elusive novelist, all addressed to someone named Josephine. And then she discovers a novel in which it seems like she’s the heroine…
1820: Novelist Elias Roch loves a woman he can never be with. Born the bastard son to a nobleman and cast out from society, Elias seeks refuge in his mind with the quirky heroine who draws him into a fantasy world of scandal, betrayal, and unconditional love. Convinced she’s his soulmate, Elias writes letters to her, all of which divulge the tragedy and trials of his personal life.
As fiction blurs into reality, Josie and Elias must decide: How does one live if love can’t wait? Separated by two hundred years, they fight against time to find each other in a story of her, him, and the novel written by the man who loves her.
*Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!*
This was such a sweet story!! It was a bit like a breath of fresh air! Or a walk in the spring. Told in a series of emails, texts, letters, and a found manuscript, makes this story a very unique read. It was a bit slower than what I’m used to, definitely a historical fiction feel. Which I like, don’t get me wrong, I just had to read a fast paced book at the same time as reading this one! But that’s just me!
I loved Josephine’s character! She was quirky and I liked reading about her adventure in Caldwaller Manor and fixing it up. I loved reading about her journey in discovering the town around her as well as discovering Elias, who wrote to her 200 years ago! They were basically letters about his life and how he loves her. *insert tear filled eyes here*. I loved him. Very Mr. Darcy worthy! Well done Caroline! She also did amazingly well switching from modern day language to 1800s tone and writing. I want to visit the English countryside now more than ever!
So, I will say, the ending surprised me. And I liked it. It was a story within a story within a story. I really want this to be a movie! It would be so incredibly cute!! If you are looking for a slower, beautiful, sweet romance, definitely check this one out!
Storied Adventures 