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lilac_cottage_library's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another beautiful story from a great storyteller.
_dcall's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I always find this author's books page turners. I listened to this in audio form and also always enjoy the narrator. I find the inflections and character voices well done. I'm drawn more into the story. I found the character Lily captivating, intriguing and a very interesting heroine. I loved the way the story was presented as we see the present/close to the ending then going backwards and bringing everything back full circle and to a conclusion of the story. I loved the symbolism in the book and the use of fairytales. I enjoyed the layers to the story and the themes. I equally loved the hero and his clam steadiness for Lily. Well written characters, pacing, dialogue, twists and flow to the story.
whatshereads727's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Elusive Truth if Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano
Is the story of Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, who has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.
Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face.
I do enjoy stories in the time period and setting. I could definitely see this book as a future movie. There are quotes at the beginning of every chapter, and varied from such works as Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Grimm fairy tales, etc. that was interesting. Lily uses A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens to tell her own story and I loved that. Very unique, and I happen to love that book. I just overall loved how storytelling was featured in this novel to advance the plot.
·overall, this is a story of loss, love, and redemption. Lily has lost her trust in God and through the course of the book, she finds her faith again.
I enjoyed the author’s note on historical research and the mystery was great. This is a Christian story. I gave this 4 stars.
erincataldi's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Inspirational historical fiction that will leave readers guessing all the way through. The story opens at the end, with Lily Temple appealing to jailers to let Peter Driscoll free. It's the turn of the twentieth century and Lily Temple has a story to weave and a man to save. The men scoff at her, but Lily is a good storyteller and soon she has their rapt attention. Peter is in prison for killing Lily Temple and stealing a blue sapphire. But she is Lily and she has the sapphire. That really gets their attention and she dives into what the truth is. With Lily there are lots of stories and not all are completely true. When Peter first meets her Lily was an actress with a man from Scotland Yard hot on her heels. But who is she really? She has lots of secrets and no one to trust, that is, until she meets Peter. Inspirational fiction with mystery and intrigue, a splash of romance, and fun twists and turns. Lily's story brings her closer to Peter and more importantly to God.
anyashadows's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingwithmrleo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
| THE STORY | Investigator Peter Driscoll is tasked with locating a sapphire which brings him to actress Lily Temple. As he tries to get information and solve this case, he discovers that there is so much more beneath all the costumes and acting that women put on and as mysteries unravel Peter cannot help falling under Lily's charm.
| MY REVIEW | This one was not my usual read and it was so fun for me to try something different. I was instantly intrigued by that story from the first chapter. It really pulls you in and you want to know how things got to this point. As you learn more about the characters, you find yourself falling for them more and more.
Peter is so clever, but also always so thoughtful and true to his belief, I really enjoyed that. He never pushed and he took his time to really learn more and make up his own mind about things, instead of just believing what would be easy to believe. Lily has quite a past and starting to learn more about it was really fascinating. The discussions between our characters were easy to enjoy and I love that we had some side stories with other investigations and even those really left a mark on us.
I did at times find the story confusing but then it kind of added to the mystery so it wasn't a big deal. I also found that the Christian side of this story was a little too pushed in our face sometimes but you have to know I am not big on that, I enjoy a more discreet approach to be honest and it turns me off when it's written in big letters, if it makes sense. This is clearly a "me" thing, though.
On a more personal note, I so enjoy the cinema vibes and setup for that story! I've watched many old movies, from A Trip to the Moon to Chaplin and so on, and I was happy to hear all about Cinema's history and get a look at how things were done, which brought me back to my studies in that field.
All in all, this was a really captivating story with heartwarming characters and lots of mystery that I recommend you pick up!
Thanks to the author and Austenprose PR for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
| MY REVIEW | This one was not my usual read and it was so fun for me to try something different. I was instantly intrigued by that story from the first chapter. It really pulls you in and you want to know how things got to this point. As you learn more about the characters, you find yourself falling for them more and more.
Peter is so clever, but also always so thoughtful and true to his belief, I really enjoyed that. He never pushed and he took his time to really learn more and make up his own mind about things, instead of just believing what would be easy to believe. Lily has quite a past and starting to learn more about it was really fascinating. The discussions between our characters were easy to enjoy and I love that we had some side stories with other investigations and even those really left a mark on us.
I did at times find the story confusing but then it kind of added to the mystery so it wasn't a big deal. I also found that the Christian side of this story was a little too pushed in our face sometimes but you have to know I am not big on that, I enjoy a more discreet approach to be honest and it turns me off when it's written in big letters, if it makes sense. This is clearly a "me" thing, though.
On a more personal note, I so enjoy the cinema vibes and setup for that story! I've watched many old movies, from A Trip to the Moon to Chaplin and so on, and I was happy to hear all about Cinema's history and get a look at how things were done, which brought me back to my studies in that field.
All in all, this was a really captivating story with heartwarming characters and lots of mystery that I recommend you pick up!
Thanks to the author and Austenprose PR for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
aprilslibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the way this story was written like Lily was telling her story. It was filled with happiness, but also sadness. It left you feeling a lot of different emotions. I enjoyed Lily’s storyline and how it took the reader for a ride. You slowly learn more and more about her. She was an interesting personality and someone you wanted to get to know more about. She has a mysterious air about her. I enjoy JDP’s beautiful prose. She writes so descriptively and her words are so beautifully written. I recommend this one!
*I was sent this book by the publisher. All my opinions are my own.
*I was sent this book by the publisher. All my opinions are my own.
melissasbookshelf's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“I accept your challenge, my dear flower. Change your story, your clothing, your name . . . but you’re still you, and I’ll find you.” Whimsical, enchanting, romantic, mysterious, inspiring! I adored figuring out the mystery of Lily Temple. Actress, storyteller, thief? This beautiful homage to fairytales and great storytelling captivated my imagination and didn’t let go. It’s a lyrical, gorgeously written story of redemption, seeking faith, finding love, and facing the realities of life. I loved the story within the story and the way these utterly endearing characters drew me in. I found myself missing them and can’t wait to reread the story knowing the full truth.
Lily Temple’s an enigma as she weaves her spell over audiences in the silent films she stars in and the stories she tells. When she’s accused of stealing a valuable sapphire known as the Briarwood Teardrop, Peter Driscoll, the man sent to retrieve it, finds himself enchanted not only by the beautiful supposed thief, but with the stories she tells. As he involves her in his investigations, he vows to discover who she really is.
I loved the journey this story took me on and the allusions to some of my absolute favorite stories of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, A Tale of Two Cities, and fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson. I loved the way Lily is both Wendy and Peter Pan, the gifted storyteller who doesn’t want to grow up. I loved the lovely romance between Lily and Peter. Peter while firmly rooted in reality is besotted with Lily who’s his complete opposite. His desire to find the truth about her not only mends his broken heart, but helps her finally reconcile her past and find her connection back to the Master Gardener.
The setting is magical and I was thrilled to find that the gardens, legends, locations, and some of the people mentioned were real. The mystery definitely kept me guessing. I loved the way all the pieces came together leading to a stunning conclusion.
All the stars for this book! It’s easily one of my favorites by this author and I highly recommend it to inspirational, historical romance, fairytale, and classic literature fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Lily Temple’s an enigma as she weaves her spell over audiences in the silent films she stars in and the stories she tells. When she’s accused of stealing a valuable sapphire known as the Briarwood Teardrop, Peter Driscoll, the man sent to retrieve it, finds himself enchanted not only by the beautiful supposed thief, but with the stories she tells. As he involves her in his investigations, he vows to discover who she really is.
I loved the journey this story took me on and the allusions to some of my absolute favorite stories of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, A Tale of Two Cities, and fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson. I loved the way Lily is both Wendy and Peter Pan, the gifted storyteller who doesn’t want to grow up. I loved the lovely romance between Lily and Peter. Peter while firmly rooted in reality is besotted with Lily who’s his complete opposite. His desire to find the truth about her not only mends his broken heart, but helps her finally reconcile her past and find her connection back to the Master Gardener.
The setting is magical and I was thrilled to find that the gardens, legends, locations, and some of the people mentioned were real. The mystery definitely kept me guessing. I loved the way all the pieces came together leading to a stunning conclusion.
All the stars for this book! It’s easily one of my favorites by this author and I highly recommend it to inspirational, historical romance, fairytale, and classic literature fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
melmo2610's review
5.0
Oh mylanta, can Joanna Davidson Politano weave a story! This is at least the second book I have read of hers where I have had a literal jaw drop moment. I loved the different threads of mystery and how they wove together to complete this book. It's a FANTASTIC read and definitely my favorite of Joanna's novels as well as a top 2024 read. Well done!
crinolinelaphroaig's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a good story even though it rambles a bit. Would have been a great story if the God twaddle had been left out. Ambiguous ending didn’t help either. After all the discussion of 'justice must be done' it wasn’t clearly shown. Your supposed to have faith that it happened.
I don't mind books with characters being people of faith, But I find those marketed as Christian Fiction are too simplistic. The underlying message of 'just have faith in God and everything will workout', is easy out for an author.
When I originally requested ARC from Austenprose I thought this was Historical Fiction. When I received the ARC through Netgalley, I realized it's Christian Fiction. I then Googled the Author and found her website with the heading "Hey, I’m Joanna, and I love Jesus." in bold print. I almost immediately marked it DNF. But I read the first chapter, was intrigued and continued on. I did enjoy the mystery of the story. It had potential for more. Hence the 3 stars.
Glad I didn't spend money on this I would have been disappointed. I would read this author in the future if she wrote Historical Fiction without the proselytizing.
I don't mind books with characters being people of faith, But I find those marketed as Christian Fiction are too simplistic. The underlying message of 'just have faith in God and everything will workout', is easy out for an author.
When I originally requested ARC from Austenprose I thought this was Historical Fiction. When I received the ARC through Netgalley, I realized it's Christian Fiction. I then Googled the Author and found her website with the heading "Hey, I’m Joanna, and I love Jesus." in bold print. I almost immediately marked it DNF. But I read the first chapter, was intrigued and continued on. I did enjoy the mystery of the story. It had potential for more. Hence the 3 stars.
Glad I didn't spend money on this I would have been disappointed. I would read this author in the future if she wrote Historical Fiction without the proselytizing.