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rinabal's review
4.0
This is my first time reading a book by this author and I have to say it was a hard book to put down! Something that I really loved about this book was that the characters were real and imperfect but throughout the story you get to see if they grow through their circumstance or if their circumstances take them down. Overall a very suspenseful book and definitely captured my attention to the very last page. I will definitely be reading more books by this author!
I grateful that I had the chance to read this book and write a review!
I grateful that I had the chance to read this book and write a review!
authoralenamentink's review
4.0
My Review: 4.5 of 5 Stars
This is a book that echoed in my mind long after I finished the last page.
With many of the books that I read, they begin to fade after I mark them as “read”, but this one just kept lingering. Powerful seems too mild a word to describe it.
William and Isabella were characters who came to life and lived and breathed in my mind. After reading just a couple chapters, I was so worried for William that I couldn’t focus on any of my work.
Their meeting was absolutely delightful. All the mysteries of their past mixed with the danger of the present kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time that I felt I was startling unravel the answers to the questions, another truth would bomb, sending me reeling right along with William.
And I have to mention that Hannah has such a way of writing. She used so many unique, but perfect words that the setting and the story took on a life of its own. The climax especially was a scene I’ll never forget.
There was so much that I loved about this book, but I do need to mention two things that detracted from the story. One, there was a side character who used some British profanities (which, since I’m American, I didn’t even realize it was a profanity until I looked it up later). And two, there was a moment at the end when the main character decided to “forgive God.” The scene came so close to giving the book a sweeping conclusion, but that gave it a “not quite” feel. God doesn’t need to be forgiven. I believe the intention behind the scene was of the main character releasing his bitterness toward God, which was a good theme. It just had odd wording.
That said, this is a story that will probably rank toward the top of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a book that echoed in my mind long after I finished the last page.
With many of the books that I read, they begin to fade after I mark them as “read”, but this one just kept lingering. Powerful seems too mild a word to describe it.
William and Isabella were characters who came to life and lived and breathed in my mind. After reading just a couple chapters, I was so worried for William that I couldn’t focus on any of my work.
Their meeting was absolutely delightful. All the mysteries of their past mixed with the danger of the present kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time that I felt I was startling unravel the answers to the questions, another truth would bomb, sending me reeling right along with William.
And I have to mention that Hannah has such a way of writing. She used so many unique, but perfect words that the setting and the story took on a life of its own. The climax especially was a scene I’ll never forget.
There was so much that I loved about this book, but I do need to mention two things that detracted from the story. One, there was a side character who used some British profanities (which, since I’m American, I didn’t even realize it was a profanity until I looked it up later). And two, there was a moment at the end when the main character decided to “forgive God.” The scene came so close to giving the book a sweeping conclusion, but that gave it a “not quite” feel. God doesn’t need to be forgiven. I believe the intention behind the scene was of the main character releasing his bitterness toward God, which was a good theme. It just had odd wording.
That said, this is a story that will probably rank toward the top of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
marcus1969's review
5.0
This is the second book I read by this author. I liked the first one well enough, but this one was far better and a more enjoyable read.
A lot of Christian fiction books center more on females. This one centered more on the male lead in the story, William. The author came up with a quite likable character in William. He basically loses everything, and keeps his faith and integrity no matter what happens to him in the book.
Isabella was also a likable character - most of the time - but she came through in the end.
I admit the author had me stumped for a while on the relationship between William and Isabella. I can't say why and how without spoilers, but there was a welcome surprise at one point.
And this book was not without its share of mystery and suspense, and of course bad guys. The guy who was the bad guy made such a great villain, and I so enjoyed disliking him all throughout the book.
This was a great read and one I enjoyed a lot. Great plot and characters, and a great ending and epilogue. It is only the third book this author has published, and it is obvious she is finding her place in the Christian fiction market.
Special thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
A lot of Christian fiction books center more on females. This one centered more on the male lead in the story, William. The author came up with a quite likable character in William. He basically loses everything, and keeps his faith and integrity no matter what happens to him in the book.
Isabella was also a likable character - most of the time - but she came through in the end.
I admit the author had me stumped for a while on the relationship between William and Isabella. I can't say why and how without spoilers, but there was a welcome surprise at one point.
And this book was not without its share of mystery and suspense, and of course bad guys. The guy who was the bad guy made such a great villain, and I so enjoyed disliking him all throughout the book.
This was a great read and one I enjoyed a lot. Great plot and characters, and a great ending and epilogue. It is only the third book this author has published, and it is obvious she is finding her place in the Christian fiction market.
Special thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
baileyml's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kylieghreads's review
4.0
Hannah Linder’s writing is so captivating. I’ve read all of her books and they just keep getting better and better. I really enjoyed the duel POV. I always love know what the MMC is thinking/feeling as well. The plot flowed beautifully. I did not see the plot twist coming! I knew the villain was bad, I just wasn’t expecting what was revealed.
I love, but also hate, the angst that comes with a forbidden love romance. I was rooting for William and Isabella to find their way to one another, but Linder kept the angst alive for a long time. I knew a happily ever after was coming, but I was almost convinced that it wasn’t. The epilogue was perfect and gives the reader a glimpse of the HEA that we all love.
I love, but also hate, the angst that comes with a forbidden love romance. I was rooting for William and Isabella to find their way to one another, but Linder kept the angst alive for a long time. I knew a happily ever after was coming, but I was almost convinced that it wasn’t. The epilogue was perfect and gives the reader a glimpse of the HEA that we all love.
minreadsandreviews's review
4.0
This is the second book I’ve read from Hannah Linder and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Her writing just gets better and better.
Wow, what a beginning! The start of this book held an intriguing story and I was turning pages quickly to see what would come next. I enjoyed how the author plants those all important seeds throughout the story. William is running for his life and he needs answers. He finds Isabella while looking for someone who can possibly help him.
I enjoyed the gothic feel of this book. The mysterious setting was enough to pull me right in. Life for William and Isabella change dramatically when secrets open up and spill out.
There’s so many twists to the story, I enjoyed that immensely.
I received a Netgalley approval from the publisher for tour purposes. All views and opinions expressed are mine.
Wow, what a beginning! The start of this book held an intriguing story and I was turning pages quickly to see what would come next. I enjoyed how the author plants those all important seeds throughout the story. William is running for his life and he needs answers. He finds Isabella while looking for someone who can possibly help him.
I enjoyed the gothic feel of this book. The mysterious setting was enough to pull me right in. Life for William and Isabella change dramatically when secrets open up and spill out.
There’s so many twists to the story, I enjoyed that immensely.
I received a Netgalley approval from the publisher for tour purposes. All views and opinions expressed are mine.
verydazedragon's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hannah Linder does not have a bad book. Parts of the main characters inner monologue actually brought tears to my eyes. Dealing with the thoughts of abandonment and rejection was a theme in “ never forgotten”, the last book of hers that I read, but she handled it differently in this novel. The way that she approaches these characters is just so personable and relatable. I was extremely concerned in the first half with thinking that they were actually siblings, so that miscommunication could not have been cleared up faster. I do feel like plot-wise this book is a bit inferior than the others I’ve read from this author, but it was no less enjoyable.
brightside_83's review
4.0
4 Stars ✨
Historical Fiction
“You just have to forgive them, even if you have to do it over and over again, you’ve just got to forgive them.”
1809 England
I had no idea where this book was going in the beginning, I went into it totally blind. It started a bit slow at first but the pace kept growing and growing until I didn’t want to put it down. The story itself was about abandonment and rejection but overall focused on the power of forgiveness. The writing was so cozy. I just loved William and his moral character, with everything he had been through, it still didn’t make him any less of a man and he stayed true to who he was. Isabella grew so much as well over the course of the book. The romance was a forbidden one, who doesn’t love that trope? Such a beautiful story and epilogue so glad I read it! Would recommend.
**Clean Read
Historical Fiction
“You just have to forgive them, even if you have to do it over and over again, you’ve just got to forgive them.”
1809 England
I had no idea where this book was going in the beginning, I went into it totally blind. It started a bit slow at first but the pace kept growing and growing until I didn’t want to put it down. The story itself was about abandonment and rejection but overall focused on the power of forgiveness. The writing was so cozy. I just loved William and his moral character, with everything he had been through, it still didn’t make him any less of a man and he stayed true to who he was. Isabella grew so much as well over the course of the book. The romance was a forbidden one, who doesn’t love that trope? Such a beautiful story and epilogue so glad I read it! Would recommend.
**Clean Read
kimib79's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The FMC is spoiled and ridiculous. The MMC is very likeable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Classism