The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock

The Water Women by Bonnie Blaylock

5 Stars

WOW. This book SURPRISED ME Y'ALL! 

A great secular historical fiction, multi-generation book. I found this on NetGalley and didn't end up reading it from there, so after it came out, I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook - which was FANTASTIC.

We start in early 1900s and end in the 1990s with the family we follow. We are in Sardinia, and at the heart of this book is family legacy, specifically a legacy passed down from mothers to daughters. Allegra and her daughters are the keepers of an ancient and sacred craft: the weave of byssus, a rare sea silk spun from mollusks into shimmering gold thread. So we see the way these threads tie generations together. We go through turmoil in WWII when the timeline shifts into heartbreak. 

Zaneta's (Allegra's daughter) storyline was absolutely heartbreaking. We see her go through loss and then a tough encounter with a German deserter. Because of her experience....you empathize with her, even through her harshness with her daughter, Mira. The experience shapes her life and she is desperate to keep the tradition and family legacy alive with Mira. She starts teaching Mira about the weaving....but Mira isn't sure she wants to continue the legacy herself.....

This author really did a great job capturing the emotions of generational trauma. The relationships in each timeline were real...and layered. Even when you were angry as the reader....it was real. You sat with the characters in their grief and circumstances. You felt for them. You really THINK about their choices. 

And even if you are not someone to real multi timeline or multi character stories, this author did great at naturally shifting us to each of the women's stories. 

If you enjoy historical fiction with emotional depth and strong generational themes, this one is well worth your time. It does have some heavier content but it was a realistic view of what really happened in wartime and families. I learned so much.

OH AND THE ENDING TOOK ME OUT. That reveallll!

Content/Trigger Warnings: 1 curse word, sexual assault, multiple miscarriages, grief, loss of family in war, WWII details of war, antisemitism, death, murder, genocide, dementia, infertility 

 Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Oy5AMt
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas

 

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas
5 Stars

Secular Historical Fiction

Standalone Book

Wow. Honestly y'all. This book blew me away. I have never read a Sandra Dallas book until now and while this had some heavier topics, I was completely immersed in the storytelling, the characters and the setting. (*See trigger warnings at the end if needed.)

Set in 1937 Colorado during the Dust Bowl period, lots of dust storms are brewing, food is scarce, times are hard, work is few and far between....We follow Martha Hellen, the POV throughout the story. She is I believe either 15 or 16. A young man by the name of Otis helps a young boy out of a dust cloud/storm and Martha Hellen's Mama wants to help him by letting him stay in exchange for work on their property. He is considered a "vagrant", an out of towner...not welcome by most of the community. However, they believe in helping the less fortunate....this leads to a story of heartache, loss, unknowns....

Like I said, I was completely immersed in this book. I listened to the audiobook for the first 50% (amazing narrator) and then there was soooo much going on, I had to stop and grab my e-book ARC because I NEEDED TO KNOW! 

I think what stands out for me on this is the ending with the twist - it TOOK ME OUT. I never saw it coming. 

Martha Hellen and her family - I loved them. Such good examples of parents during that time - good, hardworking people who had been through so much hardship but never gave up. Martha Hellen was a good friend, also someone who never gave up. 

What else can I say....I think the ending was brilliant honestly because it was so unexpected. I had to go back and re-read it like 4 times to make sure I was reading it right! That's how blown my mind was with it. 

I definitely want to read more of Sandra's books. She sure does tell a WILD and good story!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

*Trigger/Content Warnings: Death, Poverty, Language - 2 to 3 GDs, few other smaller words, situational language I guess you would say....I didn't care for the language personally. Sexual assault, murder, bullying, sexism - may be other things I missed but there is no romance really in this, it's a historical fiction story showing the realities of the hard things that happened during that time. It won't be for everyone but I really liked the story overall.

Libro.fm Audio (Supports Local Indie Book Stores):
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Sign up for Libro.fm here, I love it:
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8421617259
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sbNnCW
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links,

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee

 Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
5 Stars

Another favorite book of 2025

Wow. A story of enduring grace. A love letter to the Smoky Mountains. A beautiful, heart-tugging exploration of adoption, sacrifice and what family really means.

We have a dual timeline story - 1943 and 1973.

1943: We follow Bertie Jenkins and her sisters living in life in their family cabin. Bertie is a local midwife. Songbird, a pregnant and injured teen fleeing from her abusive father, stumbles onto their land. The sisters take her in and a heartbreaking story unfolds that changes their lives forever.

1943: 30 years later, famous country singer Walker Wylie discovers he was adopted after his step-father passes away. He goes on a search to find his birth mother, to find the midwife who delivered him - Bertie Jenkins - hoping to uncover the truth. He meets a midwife, Reese, also adopted, who helps him along the way.

This was just a beautiful story - faith filled...a tear jerker...but beautiful. I cried several times but the Lord is all over this book.

While this book deals with heavy topics such as miscarriage, adoption, abusive father, details surrounding birth from the midwife...it is handled beautifully and all point back to Jesus.

Highly recommend!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8106864027
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oAQAtr
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781496472441_appalachian-song

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.
 

Liar's Winter by Cindy K. Sproles

 

Liar's Winter by Cindy K. Sproles 

5 Stars 
Another favorite book of 2025

I met Cindy at a local bookstore in Tennessee a couple of years ago and purchased most of her books that day. It's been a long time coming for me to finally read one of her books and I am SO glad I did! She was so kind and I loved Liar's Winter so much!

As a Tennessee girl, specifically growing up in East Tennessee, I heard so much about the Appalachian Mountain stories and the history of its people. Cindy has a gift for capturing the grit and grace of mountain life. It is a story of secrets, identity and the heavy burden of shame in a mark our main character Lochiel has on her face. She has the "mark of the devil" as they call it, something to be afraid of. She was raised in isolation with everyone thinking she is cursed.

Her entire life she has been hated and felt less than over this mark. Tragedy strikes and she flees for her life. She is rescued by a peddler and shown the first glimpse of love she has ever known. She starts to learn all about her past and her family, but the danger continues to come after her every turn she makes.

This book was real, raw, gritty....but also filled with the hope of the Lord. While it deals with darker themes such as superstition, family abuse, deception, death, loss of a loved one, grief, etc., it is a grace filled book that has hope within the heartbreak.

It's also deeply atmospheric in the Appalachian setting (I LOVE these settings y'all) - Cindy brings you RIGHT in. 

This book made me cry but also had me filled with hope.

Another favorite book of 2025! Can't wait to read more by Cindy!

📚Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8106862970
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4p8x4VM

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.
 

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee

 

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee
5 Stars
A Favorite Book of 2025

Wow, what can I say? My first Michelle Shocklee book and not my last because WOW - 5 STAR FAV book for me y'all. Michelle truly brought Oak Ridge to life. I grew up near Oak Ridge. I attended community college there. My first job was there. My husband attended Oak Ridge High School. So many memories. As someone so familiar with the history and town, I appreciated the way she told this story. A piece of my heart will always belong to East Tennessee, and I’m grateful Michelle chose to write about it. I can't wait to attend one of her upcoming book tour signings!

The Lord really put this book in my path as someone who primarily reviews Christian Fiction books, this book being a Christian Fiction with a beautiful faith thread, all about a city very close to my hometown, was perfection for me. 

This is a Christian Historical Fiction, dual timeline in 1944 and 1979. In 1944, we follow Maebelle Willett, who arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to start her new Government job at K-25, one of the major facilities built in Oak Ridge during WWII as part of the Manhattan Project. It was a massive uranium enrichment plant that contributed to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Of course, no one knows this at the time Mae goes to work for K-25. Everyone is told to keep quiet and Oak Ridge isn't even on the map - it was the "secret city" for a reason...We follow Mae's employment at K-25 with her roommate when one day, her roommate Sissy goes missing. Mae starts to investigate when her boyfriend Clive isn't all that he seems....

Then we have 1979 - Mae's niece Laurel Willett, who is a graduate student in Boston and she is writing thesis research on the history of Oak Ridge, hoping to add a family connection to it when she learns her Aunt Mae worked at K-25 during WWII. But Mae doesn't want to discuss her time working in the secret city....She starts putting all the pieces of the puzzle together with the handsome police officer there and gets closer with her Aunt along the way.

The way Michelle tied in the history of Oak Ridge and the city was great. I liked her mentioning actual street names I was familiar with, Big Ed's Pizza (which we all LOVED growing up) and other parts of the history I remember so many talking about over the years. She also told the truth of the hard things that happened - didn't sugar coat it. That is so important in Historical Fiction to me so we can remember and learn from history.

Mae's journey was powerful, sad, heartbreaking, but the LORD was all over her story in the end. Oh how I loved the ending. We saw grace. Forgiveness. Mercy. I also love how this book is about an Aunt and her Niece. I have always loved spending time with my Dad's sisters when I could and that adds a layer of connection for me in this story. Seeing Laurel really grow with her family was also important. 

Overall, what more can I say? This Tennessee girl approves!! Highly recommend for a great historical fiction. This was my most anticipated release this year and I am so thankful for it.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*content warning for abusive boyfriend mentioned, no detail shown, death mentioned of someone close to someone, grief mentioned, feeling of shame but Jesus takes it all - nothing explicit in nature in my opinion.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7711236122
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46sbfZs
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/638156

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron

The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron 

3.5 - 4 Stars

Read if you love:
- Historical Fiction
- Undercover Operations
- Julia Child 
- Hidden Identities 
- Dual Timeline
- WWII Fiction
- Paris/France Settings
- French Language 
- Kitchens and Cooking in Books

Kristy Cambron really has the attention to detail in her books and this one was really interesting! We follow Kat, who is recruited by the OSS as an agent in 1943. She is hoping to find her missing brother and agrees to go to France as a spy. Years later in 1952, she is still searching for her brother and becomes acquainted with others she knew during the war time. We see different timelines here for the same characters, with multiple identities and plans. 

I really liked Kat's character, she is very sharp and in her undercover operations she is working in a kitchen that caters to the Nazi elite. She is tied in with the resistance and there is a lot of suspicion. 

In 1952, we see her marriage to Gerard, a man she married for several reasons...but not love. Kat does not truly trust him and their marriage is very unique in tension, small bits of affection but not a huge romantic one. 

As others have mentioned, this book takes a lot of brain power to keep up. We have many timelines, different POVs and code names that took me out of the story at times. I loved the writing style, the characters and food/kitchen bits, but I did struggle to keep up with what was going on. If I am honest, I believe I missed several pieces and this book deserves more of a deep dive, re-read from me one day. 

The ending was great to see so much resolved and the bit of romance development that occurred. 

Regardless of those things, this is a very immersive story that you should take time to sit with and anyone who enjoys a good WWII fiction story will like it. I think the added layer of Julia Child was also nice because so many know of her from her cooking/kitchen days. 

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, NetGalley and Kristy Cambron for a complimentary copy of the audiobook and ebook to read and review. I have this one pre-ordered as well and look forward to meeting her at our local bookstore on her book tour! All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7569676359
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/619927
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Uy94Oi

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry  

4 Stars 

What a beautiful book of mothers, daughters and the magic of storytelling. I really enjoyed this one. Patti sure does know how to engage you in a book and keep you there needing to know what happens up until the end. I loved Flora Lea and this did not disappoint.

We follow Clara - a daughter still haunted by the loss of her mother, Bronwyn. Her mother was a child prodigy and literary sensation who vanished off the South Carolina Coast in 1927. Cut to 1950s when Clara is now a mother herself and gets a call from a man in London, Charlie, who says he found her mothers dictionary of invented language, stories and a letter for her that brings her from America to London on a journey through grief, motherhood and discovery....all set against the 1952 Great Smog of London.

Overall, this was a really layered story with lots explored - loved Clara's daughter Wynnie, she added so much to the story. Seeing the circumstances around the Great Smog of London was also interesting to get more details and added higher stakes to the plot. 

My only issues I had with this was I wasn't in love with the ending with the aftermath once things were revealed, I would have liked a bit more exploration there with the ending. It felt like it was wrapped up too soon after things were solved and that things went "back to normal" almost too quickly for the family. Also, I was not a fan of Charlie and Clara's relationship - there is a "fade to black" scene with them, while not explicit, there is mention of them sleeping together all the time and they had only known each other a couple of weeks, so it did not really add anything to the story for me personally. That was very brief mentions though and doesn't necessarily take away much enjoyment from the story for me, I still really liked it. I think if Charlie and Clara had more developing feelings for each other vs outright sleeping together all the time so quickly, that would have been better and made more sense for the story.

Really liked the last chapter from Wynnie's POV - that added a lot to the end and the author's note where she explained all the real life story tie ins was nice. 

Reading this with my friend Melissa was also a wonderful experience! Looking forward to reading more books by Patti! 

Content: few mild curse words like H*ll, D*mn, fade to black bedroom scene before marriage, parental abandonment feelings, asthmas attacks, grief explored

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7351842278

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44FAB4Z

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green
4 Stars

Amy Lynn Green always delivers compelling historical fiction stories and this one blends wartime intrigue, mother-daughter dynamics and roles of women in intelligence work during WWI and WWII.

Read if you enjoy:

• Codebreaking and wartime secrets
• Strong mother-daughter dynamics
• Dual timelines with journal entries
• Hidden histories from the Great War
• Women working behind the scenes in WWII
• Historical fiction with emotional depth
• Uncovering family legacies
• Intelligence work through words

We follow Dinah and her mother Lilian. We see the behind the scenes work Dinah does for the OSS in DC as she breaks through code and ultimately learns about her own mother's work as a codebreaker in WWI, as she reads through her mother's journal entries. She is trying to make sense of the entries and uncover the secrets her mother has kept hidden all this time. 

We learn all about her mother's family history and struggles. Green also tackles mental illness topics in this book in a very important and respectful way.

This story is a slower paced, character focused one as we see the dynamics between mother and daughter play out. That is what elevates this book as Dinah is discovering so much about her mother's past. They have some conflict and a bit of a strained relationship, but the heart of the story is two brilliant women navigating their jobs, expectations and the complicated relationship between the two of them.

This was a very thoughtful, layered story that highlights some lesser known aspects of women's wartime contributions. 

A thoughtful, layered novel perfect for fans of historical fiction that highlights lesser-known aspects of women’s wartime contributions. The authors note really explained so much of what was reality from war time and I appreciate that! I learned so much. 

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7604820926
Baker: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618528
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4j1emM9 

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

                      From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

4 Stars

My first Elizabeth Musser book was By Way of the Moonlight in 2022. I loved that book so much, so her newest release, From the Valley We Rise was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. Set in 1944 following the D-day invasion of Normandy, leading up to the second D-day invasion, she once again wrote a deeply moving and unforgettable story of courage, sacrifice, and hope. This book weaves together the lives of three characters, Isabelle, Peter, and René. They each navigate betrayal, loss, and the high cost of freedom during WWII.

Isabelle’s commitment to rescuing Jewish children, even among the chaos was inspiring. Peter is an American chaplain grappling with past wounds and brings a powerful perspective of faith and healing. René’s journey from devastation to resilience was emotional. We really see a glimpse into France during WWII. 

With characters like this, it's hard to pick a true favorite, they all went together so well. Anyone who loves a good Historical Fiction would enjoy this. Now, I need to go back and read ALL of Elizabeth's books!

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content warnings: war violence mentioned, sexual abuse of a child briefly mentioned but not detailed.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7598396326
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618531
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z3sQnJ

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick

Across The Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick - 4 Stars

I love that Jane Kirkpatrick tells stories about real life people in history. This one is a story of Mary Edwards Gerritse, a woman who was adventurous and wanted more beyond her traditional role as a wife and mother. Mary and her husband John have been through a lot, living on the Oregon coast in the late 1800s. Mary is a very determined woman who wants more than just typical motherhood....she wants adventure, purpose and to learn about her family's past. 

She becomes the first female mail carrier in her region during that time and takes on the treacherous postal route of the "crying sands beach area". She definitely defied the expectations of her time, reminding you that sometimes you take a risk for what your dreams are, even as a young mother, and that's ok to pursue those dreams. Would recommend.  I related to her feelings of wanting more than just being a stay at home Mom too. She was looked down upon for leaving her children with her family to watch them while she went to work with her husband. For me, I can understand wanting that fulfillment outside of just those things and found it relatable. 

Looking forward to book 2 next April. 

Read if you like:

- Stories about real people in history
- Strong, independent women in history
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Themes of pursuing dreams, careers and
- Overcoming and walking through grief 
- Atmospheric settings on the Oregon coast 

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7451290793
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618551
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FhISUd

*Amazon links are an affiliate link and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links. 

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
4.5 Stars

This was a very powerful story about real women in history. Inspired by true events we follow three women:
- Caroline

- Kasia

- Herta

Caroline is a New York socialite and philanthropist working at the French consulate, whose efforts aid survivors of Nazi concentration camps. Kasia is a Polish Catholic Teenager who becomes one of the "Rabbits", women who are subjected to inhumane medical experiments at Ravensbruck concentration camp. Herta is a German doctor at Ravensbruck, whose involvement in the camp's horrific acts give a terrifying perspective in the eyes of the doctors themselves and just how brainwashed they were during this time.

This spans 20+ years or so post war, starting in 1939 through around 1959. We see some really hard events through this time, as expected, but it gives such insight on history and shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of WWII. I did not know about the horrors of Ravensbruck and the really delved into themes of courage and the complexities of war. We have the perspectives of victims and perpetrators here, making it a challenging read but an important one. 

I am thankful to have read this with my friend, Lauren, as the buddy read experience really enhanced the time reading. We both really loved Martha's writing style and I have found a new favorite historical fiction author. We plan to continue this series together. 

I would recommend this book for anyone who love character-driven stories that really showcase the many experiences of women during WWII and are looking to learn even more about history. This book will stick with me for a long time. My only complaint is I didn't love Caroline's love interest storyline with Paul, but I loved where her personal storyline went in the end to help these women. 

Note: Please be aware of content for sensitive readers, but it wasn't anything that was something I couldn't get through. We took our time with reading this over a week, so I would recommend taking breaks as needed to really soak up the story and process what is happening.

Specific Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, medical trauma, suicide, war-time language a few times, animal death, antisemitism, blood, parent death, self-harm, torture and overall war time details. Personally, while these topics were hard to read through, they are real events that happened and make for an impactful read and one that will stick with me. Just be in the right frame of mind if you decide to pick this up and be ready to cry!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7530782466
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43BCG2z

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

Book Review: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano 
4.5 Stars 

Wow, I really just need to read all of Joanna's books at this point - this was SO good! 

Read if you enjoy:

🛠️✨Steampunk Elements

🛠️✨Christian Fiction

🛠️✨Gothic Settings

🛠️✨Invention and Mystery

🛠️✨Pirate Elements

🛠️✨Bookish Engineer FMC

🛠️✨Mysterious House

🛠️✨1901 Historical Fiction

🛠️✨Inheritance Plot

🛠️✨Light Romance Thread

🛠️✨Faith Elements

🛠️✨Hidden Family Secrets

🛠️✨Strong Female Protagonist 

This was a very good blend of classic mystery meets whimsical invention! 

We follow Sydney Forrester in 1901 who is a clockmaker that inherits Blakely House, an estate of an estranged uncle she has never met. He left behind lots of inventions and many of his family members and workers on the estate do not want Sydney there. They are all convinced she had something to do with his death, turning this into a mystery of who killed him....Sydney finds an ally in the estate's butler, who is an ex-adventurer from the island. A mysterious man shows up and puts a "cog in the wheel" so to say.....Sydney has to prove so much in these high stakes moments.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric setting! Blakely House becomes its own character - creaky halls, strange contraptions, automatons, inventions, and haunting beauty in its own way. It's very gothic in nature. 

Also loved Sydney, she was a very unique character. She's innovative, inventive, independent, sharp - a real refreshing thing to see. She had a faith thread I think we was really well done too. It was a natural point in the story, she was skeptical and finds the Lord through this journey. 

The mystery was so interesting to me, we really got to follow her throughout the house and island and try to figure out what happened. 

My favorite part is the ending - loved how it was wrapped up and everything was revealed. The only thing keeping it from full 5 stars was some of the steampunk elements were hard for me to understand, as I am not normally a steampunk girly, but I really enjoyed it overall.

Highly recommend!! Thank you to Revell for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7171469609

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598759

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iS27CN

 

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

 

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys 

4 Stars (3.5 to 4)

Set in 1950, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, 17 year old Josie Moraine wants to get out of the Big Easy more than anything. She is the daughter of a prostitute, works in a bookshop and has always helped clean/pick up the brothel ran by Willie Woodley. She has a dream to get out of this life and go to college because books and learning new things are important to her. We follow this story of Josie's dreams, heartbreaks, and involvement in a murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. My third Ruta book and while it wasn't as impactful as I Must Betray You and Between Shades of Grey, it was still a great story that I think is worth the read. Be aware of the content in this one -- some language, domestic abuse, prostitution details (not explicit but discussed), a brothel as a main location, innuendo (not graphic), a mother who mistreats her daughter, and mild violence. The content did not bother me for the most part personally as it was a realistic viewpoint of Josie's life trying to get out and live a better life -- but I want my followers to be aware of content to make their own decision. There is one part in this that bothered me but it's a spoiler for a character so I don't feel like I can say that in the review. 

I loved Josie's character, she felt like a girl you just ROOTED for in this book and wanted to see her get out of this town and make it to college. It felt like a coming of age story for her throughout the book, even though I wish the ending was a bit more finished. 

It was devastating what Josie went through with her mother and how horrible she treated her. We see a murder mystery with her mother/mother's boyfriend at the forefront as suspects and Josie gets wrapped up in that too, which is heartbreaking. I do think I would have liked a bit more details about why her mother was the way she was, what happened in her life to make her this way.  

The side characters in this book were great too. Charlie, Jesse, Patrick - they were great. Even Willie gave me mixed emotions because you could tell she cared about the people around her, despite the nature of her business, but you also felt she did many things for her own selfish gain so it was a lot of different emotions with her. I think Ruta wanted us to care for Willie in some way because Willie cared for Josie -- even if she didn't want her to flourish away from her in college.

The atmosphere really felt like 1950s New Orleans too, loved how Ruta can draw you in her stories like this. Audiobook is wonderful too. Keeps your interest. 

Overall, fans of general historical fiction who can handle some of the content would enjoy this. Ruta really brings so much to her stories and I am glad I read this one.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738743217
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42zq5v8

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle 

4.5 Stars (Rounding up to 5 Stars on Goodreads).

A Powerful and Moving Story of Faith, Love, and Sacrifice - A St. Valentine Retelling 

WOW. This is a stunning historical novel. From the very first page, I was captivated by the gripping story of Valentine, a man of unwavering faith who stands boldly against an emperor. He is full of bravery, compassion, and devotion to Christ. There are some beautiful salvation stories in this book thanks to Valentine!

Iris truly stole my heart too. Her longing for physical and spiritual sight was beautifully written, and her transformation was breathtaking. The way she discovers faith amidst the dangers of Rome, all while navigating her relationship with Valentine, made for an emotionally rich and deeply compelling story. 

We see such an important focus on standing for Christ in this book. We see how hard it was to be labeled a Christian during this dark time of history. We see the trust in God's goodness here, even when He doesn't answer prayers when we think He should. Specifically in the ending. The ending made me CRY so much because of the beauty shown in sacrifice and faith. 

The author brings ancient Rome to life, from the political tensions to the early church’s desperate struggle to survive. The stakes felt real, and the danger ever-present. It puts me in the mind of the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers, which is also a historical fiction but it's set during biblical times. This book is not a biblical fiction, as its two centuries after the Bible was finished, but it is more of an early church historical fiction set during Rome, AD 270.

Overall, I loved this so much. While some of the romance elements were not my favorite as the pacing was a bit slower in that part, I completely see why the author added that in there. She needed someone to truly love Valentine for the faith impact at the ending to make sense. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of Christian historical fiction. It’s unforgettable. I know this is not biblical fiction, but I think if you like biblical fiction, this would be one you enjoy due to the early church history side of things in this. Certainly a favorite book of 2025 for me. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6266622296

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40P8f7U

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/540784

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barrett

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt - 4 Stars

This book an emotional one - telling the story of 2 sisters in the backdrop of WWII in Poland during the Nazi occupation. We see Antonina and Helena as their family and the city of Warsaw face imminent devastation. The sisters are separated on their own paths, determined to resist the oppression they face.

Antonina's journey leads her to helping shelter Jewish children and her deep love for Marek, who is now confined behind ghetto walls, adds a layer of personal stakes to her mission. Her sister, Helena, has a role within Poland's secret army and many resistance movements.

We see the sisters face many struggles in their retrospective journeys, from survival to freedom, during a time of unimaginable hardship.

While the story itself was good and I enjoyed the writing style, I would say I didn't fully connect with the characters as much as I hoped to. However, it was certainly a good story that I am glad I read. We had emotional depth, celebrating unsung heroes and the author captured the fear, hope and courage of citizens during WWII. I was more connected with Antonina's story I believe - leading me to wanting a bit more in the ending between the sisters as well.

Overall, if you like Christian historical fiction and a sister story, check this out.

Content: events of war but not too detailed compared to other books I have read.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5896118038
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/516398
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fEZEsD

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.
 

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

 Book Review: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - 5 Stars

I have already filmed my Winter Book Recommendations video, but if I hadn't, this would be the NUMBER 1 REC I HAVE! WOW. This book is a great blend of historical fiction and gripping mystery, shining a light on the remarkable life of Martha Ballard, an 18-century midwife whose diary remains one of the most detailed records of early American life. This story plunges you into the icy, Maine winter of 1789 and explores themes of justice, resilience and the power of a woman's voice in a time when society preferred it silent. 

The story kicks off with a chilling discovery: a man's body encased in the frozen Kennebec River. Martha, whose skills as a midwife and healer extend to forensic observation, is called there to determine the cause of death in her own opinion and skill. From this point, we move into the personal and political narrative as there is a trial to determine what happened to the man in the ice. The man in the ice turns out to be a terrible person who has sexually assaulted a woman locally so things turn into more of a mystery as the story progresses.....

Honestly, the strength of this book is the portrayal of Martha herself. Knowing she is was a real person and how the author wrote her as a strong woman, who is both deeply human and heroic in her role as a midwife. This book makes me want to do a deep dive in to the real Martha Ballard. The story’s tension is heightened as she seeks to prove the man's cause of death and investigating the assaults' made.

The author does not shy away from the brutal realities of this time, particularly the vulnerabilities of women in a male-dominated legal and social system. I found this to honestly be very real to the time from what I have seen depicted. 

I love that the author showed us a beautiful marriage between Martha and her husband. He was such a great character and seeing everything they went through personally was heartbreaking but also inspiring to how they handled things together. 

Martha's diary entries woven into the story add authenticity and depth, making Martha’s voice feel very compelling. I really enjoyed the details about Martha as a midwife - it was very interesting to learn about during that time what it would have been like and all the women and children she saved in her time. Also, as an Autism Mama I loved seeing the portrayal of her mute son - how she loved him and supported him no matter what - beautiful.

The Frozen River is more than just a historical mystery, I think this is truly a tribute to such an extraordinary woman whose contributions to history have often been overlooked. 

Highly recommend. ** Please see content / trigger warnings below. **

Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault is a major focus in the story. A woman goes on trial and explains what happened to her, there are multiple birth scenes (with difficult births presented too), murder, physical altercations, miscarriage, etc. However, I feel like the author handled these topics with grace and did not go to far. Sexual content was not explicit - the married couple of Martha and her husbands had some romantic bits, but it wasn't detailed to bother me. Language was minimal.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6251729098
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CU2KuO

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens

 

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens

4 Stars 

Fans of Agatha Christie will enjoy this one! 1956 England - Naomi Stephens weaves an intricate and atmospheric mystery in The Burning of Rosemont Abbey. The story centers on Louisa Everly, a young woman determined to uncover the truth behind the smoldering ruins of the abbey and the disappearance of her twin brother, Paul. Everyone in the village accuses her brother of being the arsonist but Louisa is certain of his innocence - as she felt as though her twin died before it was set ablaze.

This book was so engaging to me - they mystery really reminded me of a classic Agatha Christie like story. Lots of side characters and small-town dynamics, where suspicious spreads like wildflower. Louisa stands out as a determined woman to figure out what happened with her brother, balancing possible grief with her unwavering devotion to prove his innocence. 

The setting of Rosemont Abbey felt like gothic ruins with mysterious history and will appeal to readers, specifically during the fall time with its haunting atmosphere. Light faith elements add a layer to the story as well.

Overall, a perfect read for fans of British mysteries with a modern twist. Thank you to Bethany House for proving a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6867499425
Baker Book House (Recommended): https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579800
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eNZboh

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

 The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry - 4 Stars 

A woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past.......long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed. 

We are in 1939 and 1960 for this story where we follow Hazel as a young girl and grown woman. Her sister Flora disappeared when she was young and no one was able to find her. Cut to 20 years later when Hazel is working in the bookstore and receives a package that has illustrated books representing the made up world "Whisperwood" that she and her sister created when they were young. Only Hazel and Flora should know of Whisperwood so what does this mean? Is Flora still alive out there somewhere? Did someone else know of their made up world and create the story themselves? Why did she receive this package? The plot thickens as we follow this journey to see what really happened so long ago....

I really enjoyed this story of these two sisters. The dual timeline gives us so much backstory in what happened but also while keeping the reader engaged to try and figure it out along the way. Patti really has such a great writing style that makes you think and feel like you are right there in the moment. This book really takes a look at what it was like during the war time when many parents sent their child or children off for safety purposes. We see what this family endured together during this time and how their lives were changed, but also we see the hope that remains even 20 years later.

I love how Whisperwood was almost like a Narnia type of world and how it was almost like its own character in the story and how it was the key to the mystery of Flora missing.

Did I see the plot twists!? Absolutely not! Very well done!

My only criticism is I wasn't crazy about the romance stuff going on with Hazel and there were times I thought maybe we should have more of the current 1960 timeline vs the previous but I understand why we had so much back and forth. I just got confused sometimes of where I was at since I was listening to the audiobook and had to make sure I paid very close attention to what was going on. 

Overall, recommend to anyone who loves a good historical fiction story about family, specifically sisters.

Content: missing child, some war details, a few curse words, small bedroom scene but nothing crazy or explicit in my opinion.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5911497669
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WVgIUZ

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchase from these links.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

 

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys - 5 Stars 

"I Must Betray You" is a gripping historical fiction novel set in 1989 Romania, during the final days of Nicolae Ceaușescu's brutal communist regime. The story is told through the eyes of 17-year-old Cristian Florescu, who dreams of becoming a writer but finds himself ensnared in the web of the oppressive government.

I was absolutely blown away by this story. Ruta truly wrote a compelling and thought-provoking novel that sheds light on a lesser-known period of history, while also telling a story of courage, resilience and the human's spirit longing for freedom. I knew nothing of what happened in Romania during this time until I read this book, and that is a sad thing. I truly believe we should all take note of this story and what happened and learn from it. 

Many part of the story were eye opening because they really made you sit down and think about how fortunate we are here in America. So many around the world do without and their struggles are or were unknown to us. We have a fridge full of food, while many others wonder where there next meal will come from. 

One character that stands out in this story is Cristian's grandfather. He plays a significant and complex role in the story. He is a character who adds depth and highlights the moral ambiguities faced by individuals living under oppressive regimes. Cristian learns valuable lessons from him about resilience, sacrifice and the complexities of human nature in times of extreme adversity. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book. If you love historical fiction, this is one to pick up. It's certain to leave a lasting impression.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6539639666
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zqbC9Z

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

 

The Women by Kristin Hannah - 4 Stars 

The Women is such a hyped book right now and I see why! What an impactful read where Kristin skillfully weaved in the details of the Vietnam War, showcasing the women who served as nurses there during that time. I absolutely loved this book and you will not be able to put it down - that's for sure. The only reason it wasn't a full 5 star perfect read for me was some things going on with the romance throughout the story but I overall enjoyed it. This one is going to grip you, pull at your heart strings and not let go.

We follow our main character of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a "good girl at home" with her family in the 60s. We see her brother go off to war and she is inspired to follow in his footsteps after graduating nursing school and being told by her brother's friend that "Women can be heroes too." War heroes are very important to her father so she also wanted to make her family proud as well. Unfortunately, things do not go to plan as she hoped. Her parents are so scared and disappointed when she enlists in the army so she can go serve in Vietnam because of the circumstances surrounding her brother's service. We follow Frankie's journey to Vietnam and it's real, raw, gritty, emotional, sad, violent - everything in between. 

Grab your tissues because the tears throughout this story yall! So many. I learned so much about Vietnam and the war that I was unaware of or only saw bits and pieces of in the movie Forrest Gump. It was tragic how our Veterans were treated back then when they returned from war and the horrors of war itself. 

We really see Frankie go through so much in her experience with loss, grief, depression, PTSD - so much that she has no idea how to handle on her own. She really needs help, therapy and can't get anyone to help her. She goes to the VA only to be told there were no women at Vietnam and treated as if she is crazy. And her parents have no sense of being proud of her when she returns so she is just lost on this journey to figure out what to do.

Her best friends, Barb and Ethel, were my favorites because they really stood by her, even when they left they would check in on her and they were not going to let her just sulk or be alone. They were going to make sure she was ok and could begin again back home. I loved their female friendship group.

This is really a coming of age story for Frankie as we see  this young girl from such a conservative family, go to war and grow up in a sense from all the horrors of war she sees as she saves many men's lives. 

I loved seeing Frankie's journey. The poor girl just about couldn't catch a break but by the end - the happiness I was seeking was worth it. 

Now, let's chat content for those who are interested because on my channel and page, I make sure to explain content where I can:

Content discussion: 

Trigger/Content warnings include: Sexism, Infidelity, Attempted Suicide, Miscarriage, Psychiatric Hospitalization, Graphic war details for blood, gore and injury depiction, Medical procedures, Death of a family member, Explosions, Bombings, Child death, Gun violence, Military and Vietnam War chemical gassings and violence, Mistreatment of our Veterans, War Time Language, 2 Mild Open Door Sexual Scenes that lead to fade to black so very little detail.

Overall, the content did not bother me except for the infidelity. I did not like the infidelity depicted in this story, even if you feel empathy during the situation, it's not something I agree with having in the book. I see why the author did it for the plot and character growth in the situation but still didn't like it. The sexual scenes in this were not something I loved but they didn't ultimately take away from my enjoyment of the story. They were very brief and not too too detailed as other books would be. To me, Kristin is not trying to write smut here, its what the characters are going through during the time and makes sense in the scenes so I overlook it personally. But want to mention there were those 2 scenes for others to be aware of. I will say, the act of sex is not specifically described and it does fade to black in those situations. 

Regarding the war time violence, I believe it was necessary to truly show the shock and horrors of war and what Frankie and her fellow nurses went through in Vietnam. But if you are sensitive to this type of details, you might skip this book because there are a lot of details surrounding lost limbs, blood, gore etc. 

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good war story, coming of age story and in depth historical fiction and can handle the content above.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6289001651

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aKilsu
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1w4D7iqbpA&t=

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.