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kimreadz's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this book was a good one. Willa wants to become a doctor, which is not something done at that time. Her father wants her to marry. Willa discovers a love note and wants to track down the intended recipient. While the premise is a good one, the book was a struggle for me. To be honest, I almost gave up about a third of the way into the book. It's not a bad book, or a bad story—it just moves s-o-o-o-o s-l-o-w-l-y. To be fair, I'm sure many readers would describe the book as beautiful and lyrical, but I'm not the reader for that sort of book. If you are, you will probably like this one very much.
For me, the book did pick up a bit right about a third of the way through, but it wasn't long before it stalled out again. And seeing the letter fall into so many different hands frustrated me—it was like watching game of 'telephone' work it's way around the room. Another issue for me was that, though the book moved slowly, making me feel like it was going on too long, I did get left at the end wondering what happened with some of the characters. I felt like other than the Willa storyline, many of the threads were left hanging, or the storyline was wrapped up very rapidly with no real development. I came to like some of these characters and would have liked to know what happened with them. I did finish the book, and I did like it ok—but it was just ok (for me).
I received an advanced copy of this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.
For me, the book did pick up a bit right about a third of the way through, but it wasn't long before it stalled out again. And seeing the letter fall into so many different hands frustrated me—it was like watching game of 'telephone' work it's way around the room. Another issue for me was that, though the book moved slowly, making me feel like it was going on too long, I did get left at the end wondering what happened with some of the characters. I felt like other than the Willa storyline, many of the threads were left hanging, or the storyline was wrapped up very rapidly with no real development. I came to like some of these characters and would have liked to know what happened with them. I did finish the book, and I did like it ok—but it was just ok (for me).
I received an advanced copy of this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.
lizisreadingagain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Miscarriage
midlife_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Every book I’ve read by Joanna Davidson Politano is great, but this is without a doubt my favorite. What a beautiful love story.
jan1234's review against another edition
Couldn't get on with the audiobook (borrowed) I may try again sometime.
reading_romance19's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jessicatelian's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent writing and great message in a storyline that had me guessing until the very end. I was incredibly impressed, and left wanting to read everything else by this author. So good!
freddikb's review against another edition
DNFd it, did not keep my attention. Could not connect with the characters.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable Victorian novel, featuring a woman who wants to be a doctor as the main protaganist. It was an excellent story of love lost, found and rediscovered, and the conflict between love and duty, which also explored subjects such as gender roles and the differences between social classes.
The faith message was put across well, without feeling preachy or like on was being hit over the proverbial head. These days, Victorian fiction tends to have to stand out from the crowd, and this one does it with the air of mystery, and the ususual subject matter without being inaccurate.
It sort of reminded me of a Julie Klassen novel, although they are set slightly earlier in the Regency period.
Thanks to the publisher, Revell for an e-galley of this title to review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
The faith message was put across well, without feeling preachy or like on was being hit over the proverbial head. These days, Victorian fiction tends to have to stand out from the crowd, and this one does it with the air of mystery, and the ususual subject matter without being inaccurate.
It sort of reminded me of a Julie Klassen novel, although they are set slightly earlier in the Regency period.
Thanks to the publisher, Revell for an e-galley of this title to review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
skymama's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I was introduced to Joanna Davidson Politano. She has a talent for crafting stories about real people living real lives. Her Christians make mistakes--sometimes serious ones--but still manage to find strength in their faith in God. Not everything goes the way they (or the reader) want or expect, but that makes it even more satisfying.
The one distraction I had with this book was the math. With the few dates provided, not everything added up. I can forgive that, though, because of the strength of the story.
The one distraction I had with this book was the math. With the few dates provided, not everything added up. I can forgive that, though, because of the strength of the story.