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Behind the Pickle Jar
Amy Hewston, Assistant Manager of Ultra Luscious Relaxation Spa, is so stressed she can barely function. Her anxiety on overdrive, she finds herself forced to take some time off work, despite her Type A, goal-oriented personality. Her well-meaning husband Matt decides the best road to recovery would be to rent a farmhouse north of the city, where the whole family can relax and regroup. Their two teens are far from onside when their family van pulls into the old farmhouse on Concession 5.
While fixing a broken window in the cellar, Amy and Matt come across a diary behind a long-forgotten jar of pickles. The diary belonged to Isabel Huntly who lived in the farmhouse at the turn of the 20th century. As Amy gradually reads through its pages, the history of the century home and the family who lived there, takes hold of her psyche. Fascinated by the simple farm lifestyle and the intricate community, in contrast to her own harried existence, there is something about the diary that speaks to her.
Suddenly her life choices, which once seemed so clear and obvious, are put to the test. She finds herself torn between the need to return to her stressful, high-paced career and her desire to live a simpler life, following her passion for opening a piano bar in a small town. Fraught with indecision, whichever choice Amy makes at this crossroad will affect herself and her family forever.
This historical fiction, partially narrated by the old farmhouse itself, takes the reader on a journey through yesteryear, from horse-drawn buggies and church socials to Instagram and iPhones. Many people today can relate to Amy Hewston’s hectic life. Her daily struggles, eventual crisis and life altering decisions, would lead to great discussions over a glass of wine at any book club.
While fixing a broken window in the cellar, Amy and Matt come across a diary behind a long-forgotten jar of pickles. The diary belonged to Isabel Huntly who lived in the farmhouse at the turn of the 20th century. As Amy gradually reads through its pages, the history of the century home and the family who lived there, takes hold of her psyche. Fascinated by the simple farm lifestyle and the intricate community, in contrast to her own harried existence, there is something about the diary that speaks to her.
Suddenly her life choices, which once seemed so clear and obvious, are put to the test. She finds herself torn between the need to return to her stressful, high-paced career and her desire to live a simpler life, following her passion for opening a piano bar in a small town. Fraught with indecision, whichever choice Amy makes at this crossroad will affect herself and her family forever.
This historical fiction, partially narrated by the old farmhouse itself, takes the reader on a journey through yesteryear, from horse-drawn buggies and church socials to Instagram and iPhones. Many people today can relate to Amy Hewston’s hectic life. Her daily struggles, eventual crisis and life altering decisions, would lead to great discussions over a glass of wine at any book club.
379 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2023
About the author
Wendy McQuaig
1 book21 followersWendy McQuaig is a psychotherapist in private practice. She and her husband live in the Orillia area. They have three grown children,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 12, 2024
An excellent read! A great historical fiction from an up and coming debut author. Told between yesteryear and modern day, this book has quite a tale to tell. I recommend this title for anyone looking for a cozy winter read.
March 21, 2024
Synopsis✨
Amy Hewston is so overwhelmed with anxiety that she is forced to take some time off work. Her husband feels it would be a good idea to rent a farmhouse north of the city so the whole family can get away from the daily grind. One day, they discover a diary from 1900 behind a forgotten jar of pickles in the cellar. The diary belonged to Isabel Huntly who lived in the farmhouse with her family at the turn of the 20th century. As Amy reads the diary the history of the old home and the family who lived there takes hold of her psyche. It helps her reflect on her daily life and all she is going through as well as difficult decisions that lie ahead.
Thoughts✨
Such an interesting read! I initially picked it up because it takes place local to my area and I’m always interested in Canadian literature. The story is fiction, but read like it could be a real diary. The author did a beautiful job of weaving together the two timelines… A farmhouse tied together by two families 120 years apart.
I found myself much more interested in the past diary chapters than the current pov, it was heartbreaking and historically well written. I also found interesting the third narration from the houses point of view. It was a refreshing additive to the overall story.
Amy Hewston is so overwhelmed with anxiety that she is forced to take some time off work. Her husband feels it would be a good idea to rent a farmhouse north of the city so the whole family can get away from the daily grind. One day, they discover a diary from 1900 behind a forgotten jar of pickles in the cellar. The diary belonged to Isabel Huntly who lived in the farmhouse with her family at the turn of the 20th century. As Amy reads the diary the history of the old home and the family who lived there takes hold of her psyche. It helps her reflect on her daily life and all she is going through as well as difficult decisions that lie ahead.
Thoughts✨
Such an interesting read! I initially picked it up because it takes place local to my area and I’m always interested in Canadian literature. The story is fiction, but read like it could be a real diary. The author did a beautiful job of weaving together the two timelines… A farmhouse tied together by two families 120 years apart.
I found myself much more interested in the past diary chapters than the current pov, it was heartbreaking and historically well written. I also found interesting the third narration from the houses point of view. It was a refreshing additive to the overall story.
December 31, 2023
Debut novelist Wendy McQuaig weaves together two storylines chock-full of anecdotes of everyday rural life in 1900 and present day, set primarily at a farmhouse in small town Ontario.
No doubt the author was able to draw from her experiences as a psychotherapist to incorporate a multitude of life issues with sensitivity, balance and wisdom.
I particularly enjoyed being transported back to 1900 and became engrossed in the characters brought to life by the author. I will miss them!
No doubt the author was able to draw from her experiences as a psychotherapist to incorporate a multitude of life issues with sensitivity, balance and wisdom.
I particularly enjoyed being transported back to 1900 and became engrossed in the characters brought to life by the author. I will miss them!
March 1, 2025
A rather sweet little story that takes place in 1900 and present day.
I found it most difficult to read 3 fonts that were off putting. It made the first 1/2 of the book hard to read. After awhile it became easier but why such horrid choice of font? I get the idea of the font depicting the era but really?
Knowing that part of Orillia and Jarratt, Coldwater too makes it fun to imagine life there 125 years ago.
I found it most difficult to read 3 fonts that were off putting. It made the first 1/2 of the book hard to read. After awhile it became easier but why such horrid choice of font? I get the idea of the font depicting the era but really?
Knowing that part of Orillia and Jarratt, Coldwater too makes it fun to imagine life there 125 years ago.
March 18, 2026
I liked this one more than I thought I would. I think it could have been edited a little more, and I didn't follow some of the stylistic choices, but these intertwined stories captured my attention. I really liked the idea of the house narrating some of the story, but the execution of this portion fell flat for me.
March 25, 2026
A lovely book. A new Canadian author to keep an eye out for. I loved reading about places near me, and chuckled that to get to Brechin from Orillia in 1900 was a half day excursion!
June 30, 2026
I gave it a 7. It was somewhat interesting but there seemed to be a lot of repetition and was more sad and gloomy. The use of the house appeared to mostly reflect the poor state of the world.
March 16, 2026
One of the best historical fiction novels, centering on local Ontario homesteaders, that I have read to date. #1570
August 21, 2024
Behind the Pickle Jar is one of those special stories where the characters worm their way into the reader's heart. I loved that the old house itself was one of the three narrators and how clever it was to use a separate type font for each of them!
When I arrived at the last page, I wasn't emotionally ready to bid farewell to all the beloved characters so I simply turned the book over and began a second read, which I am enjoying every bit as much as the first one.
Kudos to Wendy McQuaig! I very much look forward to reading her next book.
When I arrived at the last page, I wasn't emotionally ready to bid farewell to all the beloved characters so I simply turned the book over and began a second read, which I am enjoying every bit as much as the first one.
Kudos to Wendy McQuaig! I very much look forward to reading her next book.
Read
July 22, 2024This was one of my favorite books of all time...it sure gave the reader a lot to think about how life has evolved... and the ending was so great...but I didn't want it to end. I know it's a book of fiction but it sure seemed like real life as you were reading it...well done Wendy. 5 out of 5 stars from me
January 25, 2024
An excellent book and I give it ten stars out of five. Waiting for her next book to come out👍👍
January 25, 2024
A beautiful novel, weaving together two timelines that each happen in this rural farmhouse - just 120 years apart. Really enjoyed it.
Read
April 5, 2024Loved this book. Hope she writes more books.
November 22, 2024
While I enjoyed the parallel stories, the book could have been shortened and tightened. Quite drawn out. Choice of fonts (italics) was awkward.
June 9, 2026
Behind the Pickle Jar by Wendy McQuaig is a reflective and emotionally grounded contemporary fiction novel that explores burnout, identity, and the tension between modern ambition and the desire for a simpler, more meaningful life, all woven into a dual timeline story enriched by historical discovery.
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its relatable central premise. Amy Hewston, an overworked assistant spa manager struggling with anxiety and chronic stress, represents a modern reality many readers will recognize. Her forced retreat to a rural farmhouse creates the foundation for both physical and emotional transformation as she begins to reassess the direction of her life.
The discovery of a long-forgotten diary behind a jar of pickles becomes the emotional and narrative bridge between past and present. Through Isabel Huntly’s writings, the novel gradually reveals a quieter, slower way of life rooted in early 20th-century rural living. This contrast between historical simplicity and modern overwhelm is one of the book’s most compelling storytelling devices.
The farmhouse itself, partially serving as a narrative presence, adds an atmospheric and reflective quality to the story. This unique storytelling choice enhances the sense of place and deepens the emotional connection between setting and character.
Amy’s internal conflict is thoughtfully developed as she is forced to choose between returning to a demanding, high-pressure career and pursuing a more fulfilling path aligned with her passion for opening a piano bar. This tension is both personal and universal, making her journey highly accessible to readers who have faced similar crossroads in their own lives.
The novel also succeeds in its portrayal of family dynamics. Amy’s husband Matt and their teenage children provide additional emotional layers, reflecting how major life decisions rarely affect only one person, but ripple through the entire family structure.
With its blend of contemporary struggle, historical reflection, and emotionally charged decision-making, Behind the Pickle Jar offers a thoughtful reading experience well suited to book clubs and discussion groups.
Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, dual timeline narratives, family-centered stories, emotional realism, and reflective life-choice themes will find Behind the Pickle Jar both engaging and meaningful.
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its relatable central premise. Amy Hewston, an overworked assistant spa manager struggling with anxiety and chronic stress, represents a modern reality many readers will recognize. Her forced retreat to a rural farmhouse creates the foundation for both physical and emotional transformation as she begins to reassess the direction of her life.
The discovery of a long-forgotten diary behind a jar of pickles becomes the emotional and narrative bridge between past and present. Through Isabel Huntly’s writings, the novel gradually reveals a quieter, slower way of life rooted in early 20th-century rural living. This contrast between historical simplicity and modern overwhelm is one of the book’s most compelling storytelling devices.
The farmhouse itself, partially serving as a narrative presence, adds an atmospheric and reflective quality to the story. This unique storytelling choice enhances the sense of place and deepens the emotional connection between setting and character.
Amy’s internal conflict is thoughtfully developed as she is forced to choose between returning to a demanding, high-pressure career and pursuing a more fulfilling path aligned with her passion for opening a piano bar. This tension is both personal and universal, making her journey highly accessible to readers who have faced similar crossroads in their own lives.
The novel also succeeds in its portrayal of family dynamics. Amy’s husband Matt and their teenage children provide additional emotional layers, reflecting how major life decisions rarely affect only one person, but ripple through the entire family structure.
With its blend of contemporary struggle, historical reflection, and emotionally charged decision-making, Behind the Pickle Jar offers a thoughtful reading experience well suited to book clubs and discussion groups.
Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, dual timeline narratives, family-centered stories, emotional realism, and reflective life-choice themes will find Behind the Pickle Jar both engaging and meaningful.
November 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. Being a photographer of abandoned houses, this story drew me in immediately as I would always wonder what stories the house I was photographing could tell. What families lived there, what memories lingered in the walls? What secrets did it keep and why was it now abandoned?
This story toggles between a modern day family who rents the house for the summer and the family who lived there in 1900. The characters were likable, not including Rose's husband, Patrick, and the horrid boy who attacked Nell. Much sadness happens in the earlier days since they did not have the conveniences of today, yet there was much they had then that is hard to find in today's world such as respect, commitment, selflessness, honor and love.
The storyline was well written and held my attention for the most part. There were a couple of times I didnt understand why we were discussing certain friends in the modern day that had absolutely nothing to do with the main storyline.
The only negativity of the book, read electronically on Kindle, was the amount of errors. There were a few spelling errors but mostly it was parts of sentences being repeated and sentences that were broken and out of order making it hard to follow at times. I do not know if these errors are in the physical hard copy. I would hope not but it is a concern as it holds me back from purchasing the actual book.
This story toggles between a modern day family who rents the house for the summer and the family who lived there in 1900. The characters were likable, not including Rose's husband, Patrick, and the horrid boy who attacked Nell. Much sadness happens in the earlier days since they did not have the conveniences of today, yet there was much they had then that is hard to find in today's world such as respect, commitment, selflessness, honor and love.
The storyline was well written and held my attention for the most part. There were a couple of times I didnt understand why we were discussing certain friends in the modern day that had absolutely nothing to do with the main storyline.
The only negativity of the book, read electronically on Kindle, was the amount of errors. There were a few spelling errors but mostly it was parts of sentences being repeated and sentences that were broken and out of order making it hard to follow at times. I do not know if these errors are in the physical hard copy. I would hope not but it is a concern as it holds me back from purchasing the actual book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Loved... Local to me in Ontario Canada, the house perspective, the historical authenticity (I have read several diaries of women from that time and while the detail given is unusual it helps the book read smoother so understandable), the contrast (and similarities!) between now and then but most of all the PEOPLE! Lovely, realistic characters all.
Not so good... the fonts, the end felt too rushed - a cemetery wouldn't provide that many details of how the stories turned out, but a trip to the archives or through newspapers would give more details and make the ending better in my opinion.
Looking forward to more from this author!
Not so good... the fonts, the end felt too rushed - a cemetery wouldn't provide that many details of how the stories turned out, but a trip to the archives or through newspapers would give more details and make the ending better in my opinion.
Looking forward to more from this author!
July 9, 2026
I liked many aspects of this book. Having 3 narrator, from the past the present and the house was clever and the 2 stories of the 2 women one running concurrently with her reading of the other’s diary. Good insight into the life in the 19th century in Ontario as compared to the 2020’s. Women’s rights or lack of them and partner abuse, death and grieving in the different times are also addressed.
The writing was a bit tedious at times as it’s written as a journal and there was too much detail at times. But it kept me reading and I was anxious to find out what happens.
The writing was a bit tedious at times as it’s written as a journal and there was too much detail at times. But it kept me reading and I was anxious to find out what happens.
June 15, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would like for my daughters to read it, it may urge them to simplify their lives a little. These days we have far more wants than needs. A very good representation of that was demonstrated in this book in the comparison of 120 years ago to now. In other ways some very important issues have progressed with regards to women’s rights.
October 17, 2025
This was an enjoyable read. A good one for a cool down between the other heavier ones. Having said that though, I have to say, the family life way back in the early 1900's was sure no walk in the park. So many positives to that lifestyle and yet so many negatives too. This story really shows the contrast with a modern day family and its challenges.
April 21, 2026
This book started out really slow & at first I really wasn’t a fan of it but I wanted to finish. Some of the journal entries were interesting but most of them were boring. I’ll honestly say that the last 20% of the book is what saved it. I’m glad I pushed through though!!!
Also, the writing on kindle unlimited was a little messed up which made it a little annoying
Also, the writing on kindle unlimited was a little messed up which made it a little annoying
November 4, 2024
I found the first 2/3rds very interesting but found the last 1/3 hard to keep my attention.
Very interesting though. 2 story lines in the same farmhouse. One of life there a hundred years ago and life there in the present.
The last few pages of the ending was a nice way to tie up the story.
Very interesting though. 2 story lines in the same farmhouse. One of life there a hundred years ago and life there in the present.
The last few pages of the ending was a nice way to tie up the story.
April 7, 2025
I loved this book. Thought provoking representation of family life in 2 different eras. Heartwarming characters. I found the book extra special because I'm familiar with the area and my great grandfather was a teacher at the normal school.
June 27, 2025
Loved it! Even more being a local resident of Simcoe it was so great to imagine our community in those years when everything was so simple yet so trying.
I hope more people get the opportunity to read it because it was a very immersive story!
I hope more people get the opportunity to read it because it was a very immersive story!
January 27, 2026
This was a pleasant surprise. I had my doubts how the story would unravel telling stories about the family who lived in the house during the 1900’s and modern times. But it works. It’s nice to read about the little towns near where we actually live.
March 15, 2024
We need more Ontario stories! A well-told tale.
March 22, 2024
This historical fiction is brilliantly written. There are three narratives one being an old farmhouse. I couldn’t put it down!
May 7, 2024
Loved it. The way the story develops with different families is quite interesting. Very emotional and a comment on our lifestyle. Would recommend to anyone.
May 29, 2024
A wonderful story that really does a fantastic job of showing the difference in living then and now. The only disappointment I have is that there wasn't more of the story told by the house.
June 23, 2024
Excellent story about a found journal depicting a moment in time in 1900 in small town Orillia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews