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A review by meezcarrie
The Innkeeper's Sister: A Romance Novel by Linda Goodnight
4.0
Time-slip novels (aka dual timeline story threads that connect in some way) have recently become one of my go-to genres. So I was beyond thrilled to discover that the Honey Ridge series, including The Innkeeper’s Sister, is a time-slip story!
In the present day we follow Valery and Grayson, childhood friends who are reunited when Grayson and his brother Devlin arrive for an extended stay at Peach Orchard Inn which is run by Valery’s family. Sparks reignite immediately but both are harboring past failures and fears that affect their current actions and may put some obstacles in the path of their happily-ever-after.
Not to mention the skeleton unearthed when Grayson’s company begins to excavate a nearby abandoned mill with plans to turn it into a restaurant.
Which brings us to the historical portions of the novel.
A post Civil-War era mystery waits to be solved, and we are drawn in through peeks into the 1870s as well as clues left behind in the present and an eccentric old man who may know more than he’s telling. We know the main players from the 1870s mystery but what we don’t know (until it’s revealed, of course) is which of the intriguing characters match the skeleton discovered in the present day.
I loved everything about this story – from the contemporary Southern flavor to the post-Civil-War storyline to the romance and the gentle nudges of faith. It touches on deep issues from the past and in the present, hitting all the feels before all is said and done. The most intriguing aspect (for me) is the music that only Valery and Grayson hear – when no one is at the piano – and figuring out where Lem Tolly fits into it all.
Bottom Line: The Innkeeper’s Sister is a beautiful story of history, healing, and hope. Although this is the third book in a series, it works well as a stand alone. The romance is both tender and fan-inducing, and the historical elements add an element of intrigue to the overall story. Great characters and a poignant message of forgiveness and healing tie it all together.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
In the present day we follow Valery and Grayson, childhood friends who are reunited when Grayson and his brother Devlin arrive for an extended stay at Peach Orchard Inn which is run by Valery’s family. Sparks reignite immediately but both are harboring past failures and fears that affect their current actions and may put some obstacles in the path of their happily-ever-after.
Not to mention the skeleton unearthed when Grayson’s company begins to excavate a nearby abandoned mill with plans to turn it into a restaurant.
Which brings us to the historical portions of the novel.
A post Civil-War era mystery waits to be solved, and we are drawn in through peeks into the 1870s as well as clues left behind in the present and an eccentric old man who may know more than he’s telling. We know the main players from the 1870s mystery but what we don’t know (until it’s revealed, of course) is which of the intriguing characters match the skeleton discovered in the present day.
I loved everything about this story – from the contemporary Southern flavor to the post-Civil-War storyline to the romance and the gentle nudges of faith. It touches on deep issues from the past and in the present, hitting all the feels before all is said and done. The most intriguing aspect (for me) is the music that only Valery and Grayson hear – when no one is at the piano – and figuring out where Lem Tolly fits into it all.
Bottom Line: The Innkeeper’s Sister is a beautiful story of history, healing, and hope. Although this is the third book in a series, it works well as a stand alone. The romance is both tender and fan-inducing, and the historical elements add an element of intrigue to the overall story. Great characters and a poignant message of forgiveness and healing tie it all together.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)