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In Plain Sight
While her father is ready to embrace his job of refurbishing an abandoned lodge in a small Midwestern town, sixteen-year-old Emerson doesn't share his enthusiasm. Moving in the middle of January to such a cold, isolated location feels more like an exile rather than a fresh start.
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2025
About the author
Leslea Wahl
27 books153 followersLeslea lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. Their own life of adventure includes traveling, skiing, and scuba diving. Leslea strives to write fiction that will inspire readers to use their own talents and gifts to glorify God.
The Perfect Blindside has received a 2016 First Place Catholic Press Association Book Award and a 2016 Illumination Book Awards silver medal.
An Unexpected Role has was awarded a 2017 Moonbeam Children's book Gold Medal.
The Perfect Blindside has received a 2016 First Place Catholic Press Association Book Award and a 2016 Illumination Book Awards silver medal.
An Unexpected Role has was awarded a 2017 Moonbeam Children's book Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 16, 2025
4 stars, personally ⭐️ Catholic YA Fiction - Contemporary, Mystery
About this book:
“While her father is ready to embrace his job of refurbishing an abandoned lodge in a small Midwestern town, sixteen-year-old Emerson doesn't share his enthusiasm. Moving in the middle of January to such a cold, isolated location feels more like an exile rather than a fresh start.
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Finding Faith” series. Book #1 is “Into the Spotlight” (first published as “An Unexpected Role”) and was reviewed Here! Book #2 was reviewed Here!
Spiritual Content- A Scripture is shared & quoted; Prayers & making the sign of the cross (including Emerson praying for God to be with her and a Guardian angel to help her); Church and Mass going & messages/homilies (including one on Saint Valentine); Talks about God & prayers/praying; ’H’s are capital when referring to God; Emerson hasn’t been “fully invested” in her faith for a long time, but goes to Mass to make her Dad happy; Emerson doesn’t think God cares about her family’s circumstances and that He has ignored her prayers, so because she is tired of the “silent treatment” from Him, she’s done reaching out; *Spoilers* ; A quote from St. Ignatius is shared (“If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.”) and a side character shares it as it comforts her that God has plans for each of us; Mentions of God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, blessings over food, & characters making the sign of the cross; Mentions of churches, church and Mass going, church events, youth group, priests, sermons, & homilies; Mentions of saints (including St. Valentine, St. Ignatius, and Blessed Julia Rodzinska); A few mentions of a room with an altar & a cross; A few mentions of a “devoutly religious” family and then someone losing their faith; A couple mentions of those from the Bible; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of Lent; A mention of a nun; A mention of praying the Rosary; A mention of a godsend;
*Note: Emerson thinks that Reid must have magical powers to be able to get her to spend time outside in the bitter cold; Emerson later calls Reid “psychic” for figuring something out; Reid says he’s never seen anything “paranormal” at the lodge, but his family did have the place blessed by a priest shortly after buying it; Mentions of ghosts, reported ghost sightings, & rumors of a place being haunted; A few mentions of evil & facing it (during wars); A mention of it seemed like the “demons of war” haunted a man; A mention of some saying a family was cursed; A mention of a devilish grin; A mention of Cupid.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crummy’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘geez’, an ‘idiot’, a form of ‘shut up’, a ‘suck it up’, a ‘what the heck’, and four ‘stupid’s; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Eavesdropping (once); An explosion, Pain, Being shot at, Being held at gunpoint, Being attacked and chased, & Being threatened (up to semi-detailed); Grief & Guilt (including missing family members; Emerson for her mom and sisters); A dog is kicked, whimpers, & is threatened by someone with a gun (and seems to be hurt; *Spoiler* ; up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths, car accidents, families being torn apart, & grief; Mentions of murders, possible murders, & foul play; Mentions of mobsters/mafia members & disposing of bodies; Mentions of World Wars I and II, fighting/battles, concentration camps, & the Great Depression; Mentions of slavery & runaway slaves in the mid-1800s; Mentions of crimes, criminals, drugs, drug dealers, corrupt politicians and police officers, arrests, & jail; Mentions of Prohibition, a speakeasy, alcohol, drinking, & gambling; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of teens sneaking out at a sleepover (Emerson and her cousin, who later fess up to doing so); A few mentions of hunters; A couple mentions of a serial killer & imprisoning his victims; A couple mentions of a woman drowning & the possibility of another drowning; A couple mentions of divorced parents; A couple mentions of a teen girl having a rocky relationship with her father (from the book “Charting the Course”); A mention of money laundering; A mention of blackmail; A mention of a cigar;
*Note: Mentions of authors, books, & fictional characters (‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’, ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, & ‘Moby Dick’); Mentions of Alfred Hitchcock movies & characters and events from those books (Rear Window, Psycho, & 39 Steps); Mentions of a brand name (SPAM); A few mentions of other movies & quotes from it (The Princess Bride & The Sound of Music); A few mentions of horror movies (not named ones, but like comments about a place being a perfect setting for a horror movie due to it’s eerie surrounding and desolation); A few mentions of a place rumored to be an insane asylum; A couple mentions of bands/singers (The Beatles & Frank Sinatra).
Sexual Content- An almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed) and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Sparks, Warmth, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (including muscles/biceps, barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); When Emerson first sees Reid, she thinks that in her “previous life—back when things like that seemed important—he would’ve been just my type”; Emerson and Reid hang out alone together and Emerson isn’t sure what her dad will say about it; Later when researching the mystery, Emerson and Reid sit on a bed together, but leave “a respectable distance” between them (a bit later, he hugs her to give comfort, but because it suddenly feels too intimate, she moves out of his embrace); Mentions of couples, boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, & dating; Mentions of handsome and cute guys; A couple mentions of kisses, kissing, & the possibility of a kiss; A mention of a guy teasingly flexing his bicep; A mention of a homecoming date; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Emerson “Em”, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Emerson
201 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’ve been enjoying books by this author for years now because Contemporary YA is a favorite genre of mine and because I always enjoy a mystery, I’m always interested in the mysteries found in each of her books. This story had a dual mystery—there’s the mystery at the lodge and its history, but also a mystery for the reader to find out about what happened in Emerson’s past. I was probably more invested in the latter, but I was curious about the lodge’s history too.
We also see characters from the author’s other books, “Charting the Course” and “An Unexpected Role”/“Into the Spotlight”, which was a fun surprise!
Not being Catholic, the saints and mentions of them/their stories were a little lost on me, but else wise there was some decent faith content and Emerson struggling with God not answering her prayers. The faith content seemed very natural and paced well for what she has gone through.
Reid was a sweet guy and an overall good love interest for Emerson. I do wish the epilogue would have been a little longer, personally, because I was waiting for that moment! All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading what the author writes next. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
About this book:
“While her father is ready to embrace his job of refurbishing an abandoned lodge in a small Midwestern town, sixteen-year-old Emerson doesn't share his enthusiasm. Moving in the middle of January to such a cold, isolated location feels more like an exile rather than a fresh start.
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Finding Faith” series. Book #1 is “Into the Spotlight” (first published as “An Unexpected Role”) and was reviewed Here! Book #2 was reviewed Here!
Spiritual Content- A Scripture is shared & quoted; Prayers & making the sign of the cross (including Emerson praying for God to be with her and a Guardian angel to help her); Church and Mass going & messages/homilies (including one on Saint Valentine); Talks about God & prayers/praying; ’H’s are capital when referring to God; Emerson hasn’t been “fully invested” in her faith for a long time, but goes to Mass to make her Dad happy; Emerson doesn’t think God cares about her family’s circumstances and that He has ignored her prayers, so because she is tired of the “silent treatment” from Him, she’s done reaching out; *Spoilers* ; A quote from St. Ignatius is shared (“If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.”) and a side character shares it as it comforts her that God has plans for each of us; Mentions of God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, blessings over food, & characters making the sign of the cross; Mentions of churches, church and Mass going, church events, youth group, priests, sermons, & homilies; Mentions of saints (including St. Valentine, St. Ignatius, and Blessed Julia Rodzinska); A few mentions of a room with an altar & a cross; A few mentions of a “devoutly religious” family and then someone losing their faith; A couple mentions of those from the Bible; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of Lent; A mention of a nun; A mention of praying the Rosary; A mention of a godsend;
*Note: Emerson thinks that Reid must have magical powers to be able to get her to spend time outside in the bitter cold; Emerson later calls Reid “psychic” for figuring something out; Reid says he’s never seen anything “paranormal” at the lodge, but his family did have the place blessed by a priest shortly after buying it; Mentions of ghosts, reported ghost sightings, & rumors of a place being haunted; A few mentions of evil & facing it (during wars); A mention of it seemed like the “demons of war” haunted a man; A mention of some saying a family was cursed; A mention of a devilish grin; A mention of Cupid.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crummy’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘geez’, an ‘idiot’, a form of ‘shut up’, a ‘suck it up’, a ‘what the heck’, and four ‘stupid’s; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Eavesdropping (once); An explosion, Pain, Being shot at, Being held at gunpoint, Being attacked and chased, & Being threatened (up to semi-detailed); Grief & Guilt (including missing family members; Emerson for her mom and sisters); A dog is kicked, whimpers, & is threatened by someone with a gun (and seems to be hurt; *Spoiler* ; up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths, car accidents, families being torn apart, & grief; Mentions of murders, possible murders, & foul play; Mentions of mobsters/mafia members & disposing of bodies; Mentions of World Wars I and II, fighting/battles, concentration camps, & the Great Depression; Mentions of slavery & runaway slaves in the mid-1800s; Mentions of crimes, criminals, drugs, drug dealers, corrupt politicians and police officers, arrests, & jail; Mentions of Prohibition, a speakeasy, alcohol, drinking, & gambling; Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of teens sneaking out at a sleepover (Emerson and her cousin, who later fess up to doing so); A few mentions of hunters; A couple mentions of a serial killer & imprisoning his victims; A couple mentions of a woman drowning & the possibility of another drowning; A couple mentions of divorced parents; A couple mentions of a teen girl having a rocky relationship with her father (from the book “Charting the Course”); A mention of money laundering; A mention of blackmail; A mention of a cigar;
*Note: Mentions of authors, books, & fictional characters (‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’, ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, & ‘Moby Dick’); Mentions of Alfred Hitchcock movies & characters and events from those books (Rear Window, Psycho, & 39 Steps); Mentions of a brand name (SPAM); A few mentions of other movies & quotes from it (The Princess Bride & The Sound of Music); A few mentions of horror movies (not named ones, but like comments about a place being a perfect setting for a horror movie due to it’s eerie surrounding and desolation); A few mentions of a place rumored to be an insane asylum; A couple mentions of bands/singers (The Beatles & Frank Sinatra).
Sexual Content- An almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed) and a barely-above-not-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Sparks, Warmth, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (including muscles/biceps, barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); When Emerson first sees Reid, she thinks that in her “previous life—back when things like that seemed important—he would’ve been just my type”; Emerson and Reid hang out alone together and Emerson isn’t sure what her dad will say about it; Later when researching the mystery, Emerson and Reid sit on a bed together, but leave “a respectable distance” between them (a bit later, he hugs her to give comfort, but because it suddenly feels too intimate, she moves out of his embrace); Mentions of couples, boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, & dating; Mentions of handsome and cute guys; A couple mentions of kisses, kissing, & the possibility of a kiss; A mention of a guy teasingly flexing his bicep; A mention of a homecoming date; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Emerson “Em”, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Emerson
201 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’ve been enjoying books by this author for years now because Contemporary YA is a favorite genre of mine and because I always enjoy a mystery, I’m always interested in the mysteries found in each of her books. This story had a dual mystery—there’s the mystery at the lodge and its history, but also a mystery for the reader to find out about what happened in Emerson’s past. I was probably more invested in the latter, but I was curious about the lodge’s history too.
We also see characters from the author’s other books, “Charting the Course” and “An Unexpected Role”/“Into the Spotlight”, which was a fun surprise!
Not being Catholic, the saints and mentions of them/their stories were a little lost on me, but else wise there was some decent faith content and Emerson struggling with God not answering her prayers. The faith content seemed very natural and paced well for what she has gone through.
Reid was a sweet guy and an overall good love interest for Emerson. I do wish the epilogue would have been a little longer, personally, because I was waiting for that moment! All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading what the author writes next. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
April 23, 2025
In Plain Sight by Leslea Wahl is a cozy mystery romance with inspiring Catholic/Christian themes of trust in God’s Will, prayer, and friendship. Carrying some mysterious baggage from her past, Em and her dad move to the middle of the Minnesota forest to work on remodeling the Stevenson family’s historical lodge house. As Em befriends Reid, the two begin to uncover new secrets and hidden passageways in the lodge. While their relationship blossoms, Em is forced to confront the dangerous secrets of her past as well as the pressing questions of her faith life.
This was a such a quick, delightful read. I loved the cozy atmosphere of wintry Minnesota and the Roaring 20s, speakeasy mysteries in the lodge. Em and Reid’s relationship was really sweet, and the themes of faith and trust were really touching and inspiring. My favorite character was Em’s dog, Zuri! I have not yet read the previous two books in this series, but I did not feel like I had to to enjoy this one. I thought the appearances of the other books’ characters were cool, and I would be interested in reading their stories also.
This was a such a quick, delightful read. I loved the cozy atmosphere of wintry Minnesota and the Roaring 20s, speakeasy mysteries in the lodge. Em and Reid’s relationship was really sweet, and the themes of faith and trust were really touching and inspiring. My favorite character was Em’s dog, Zuri! I have not yet read the previous two books in this series, but I did not feel like I had to to enjoy this one. I thought the appearances of the other books’ characters were cool, and I would be interested in reading their stories also.
February 5, 2025
I loved this YA Christian romantic mystery/adventure. Maybe I can trace it back to Fisher-Price playsets, the Weebles haunted house, or Scooby Doo re-runs, but I love me a secret passage or a secret room. Oh, the possibilities for mystery, suspense, and romance in the broadest sense of the term. Merriam-Webster offers one such definition of romance: a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious. Yes! Secret passageways lend themselves to Leslea Wahl’s romance, In Plain Sight.
The story is well-told and pacing is spot on as the author acclimates Emerson and the reader to the new world in which she lives: cold, dark, and remote Minnesota. Emerson’s past is revealed little by little, and the reader is kept guessing at why she and her dad are living on their own in this bleak landscape.
But, if you’re a teenage girl, nothing makes things better than the presence of a cute boy. Especially if said boy is as considerate and attractive as Reid.
Luckily, there’s a lot of property to explore and secrets to discover as Reid’s family, with the help of Emerson’s dad, restore a once-popular but long-vacant resort.
To my delight, Emerson’s dog, Zuri, brings a dose of fun and real life to the story with his antics. (I vividly imagined the daily struggle of getting booties off and on the reluctant dog’s paws!)
Get ready for some twists and turns, swoony moments, and, if you’ve read the other books in this series, the return of some familiar characters. I can’t wait to share this book with my teenage daughters.
The story is well-told and pacing is spot on as the author acclimates Emerson and the reader to the new world in which she lives: cold, dark, and remote Minnesota. Emerson’s past is revealed little by little, and the reader is kept guessing at why she and her dad are living on their own in this bleak landscape.
But, if you’re a teenage girl, nothing makes things better than the presence of a cute boy. Especially if said boy is as considerate and attractive as Reid.
Luckily, there’s a lot of property to explore and secrets to discover as Reid’s family, with the help of Emerson’s dad, restore a once-popular but long-vacant resort.
To my delight, Emerson’s dog, Zuri, brings a dose of fun and real life to the story with his antics. (I vividly imagined the daily struggle of getting booties off and on the reluctant dog’s paws!)
Get ready for some twists and turns, swoony moments, and, if you’ve read the other books in this series, the return of some familiar characters. I can’t wait to share this book with my teenage daughters.
June 17, 2025
Another great teen story by Wahl, although a reader of any age can enjoy it. Her characters are well drawn and the plot keeps reeling you in.
There is the mystery of what tragedy brought Emerson and her contractor father to refurbish the lodge. The history of the lodge itself is another mystery. Secret passages, anyone?
A great cast of supporting characters who are very real. Reid, the cute boyfriend, suspects something in Em's background is keeping her isolated. But he never pushes her to open up. He waits for her to trust him. Total cinnamon roll.
If you've read Wahl's other books, you recognize some of the youth group who befriend Emerson. But this can be read as a standalone.
There is the mystery of what tragedy brought Emerson and her contractor father to refurbish the lodge. The history of the lodge itself is another mystery. Secret passages, anyone?
A great cast of supporting characters who are very real. Reid, the cute boyfriend, suspects something in Em's background is keeping her isolated. But he never pushes her to open up. He waits for her to trust him. Total cinnamon roll.
If you've read Wahl's other books, you recognize some of the youth group who befriend Emerson. But this can be read as a standalone.
May 14, 2025
A fast paced book that pulled me in from the start. Definitely had me guessing for a hit minute there! The plot twist wasn't as big as I'd thought it would be but it still is cute and definitely perfect for kids.
Overall a fast quick read that is perfect for a palette cleanser.
Overall a fast quick read that is perfect for a palette cleanser.
February 11, 2025
First I want to state this is the twelfth time I have read a book or published story from the pen of Leslea Wahl, and I have read her contributions to Anthologies at least twice that many times. I love her characters and the ways she weaves both faith and mysteries into her stories. It is an excellent story in a wonderful series. I have read a previous iteration of the first story but after reading this plan to go back and reread it and the middle volume in this trilogy. I am not the target audience for these books, being a man in my mid-50’s. But I have a daughter in her twenties, 2 in their teens and a son in his teens. And as Young Adult literature goes this is a good clean read, even if there is some serious danger. But I am getting ahead of myself, back to the volume at hand. The description of this story states:
“While her father is ready to embrace his job of refurbishing an abandoned lodge in a small Midwestern town, sixteen-year-old Emerson doesn't share his enthusiasm. Moving in the middle of January to such a cold, isolated location feels more like an exile rather than a fresh start.
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?”
In another volume from Wahl the author we are informed:
“Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Christian Young Adult Novels. She enjoys writing about places she has visited causing some to classify her teen novels as Christian Teen Vacation Fiction. Although, she would be more apt to describe the books as Christian and Catholic Teen Fiction with storylines brimming with Mystery, Adventure and Romance for teens.”
Walh’s stories might be written and marketed to teens, but my children have loved them, including tweens. And I myself in my 50’s enjoy them greatly. The greatest strength of these stories is the characters. Wahl really brings the characters to life, the friendships, the family interactions, and the real struggles. The mysteries in this volume operate on many levels. We have the mysteries and legends surrounding the 100 year old lodge, that is fuelled by hidden rooms and secret tunnels. We have the mystery around Emerson and her father’s being in the middle of nowhere, and separated from part of their own family. And we have the mystery around the growing friendship between Emerson and Reid. It also has the ultimate mystery that of faith and finding out we all really do need God, and to learn to trust him even after things have gone so sideways or are so hard. The story is just good clean fiction and good clean fun.
It was great to read this story. I read it over a few days and a few sittings. It reached a point where I just did not want to put it down. It was hard to put down and we are left wanting to know what happens next with the young adults and their families. It is clean Christian fiction. It is great Catholic Literature. A great story. It is another wonderful read from Leslea Wahl’s masterful pen!
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
“While her father is ready to embrace his job of refurbishing an abandoned lodge in a small Midwestern town, sixteen-year-old Emerson doesn't share his enthusiasm. Moving in the middle of January to such a cold, isolated location feels more like an exile rather than a fresh start.
Despite Emerson's determination to keep to herself, the cute teen boy whose family owns the lodge draws her out of her shell. When Reid reveals the lodge's hidden secrets, she's captivated by the century-old mystery. As she delves into the history of her new town, Emerson is forced to confront her own secrets.
Could the intrigue of the past be the spark needed to thaw her frozen heart and help her put her life back together?”
In another volume from Wahl the author we are informed:
“Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Christian Young Adult Novels. She enjoys writing about places she has visited causing some to classify her teen novels as Christian Teen Vacation Fiction. Although, she would be more apt to describe the books as Christian and Catholic Teen Fiction with storylines brimming with Mystery, Adventure and Romance for teens.”
Walh’s stories might be written and marketed to teens, but my children have loved them, including tweens. And I myself in my 50’s enjoy them greatly. The greatest strength of these stories is the characters. Wahl really brings the characters to life, the friendships, the family interactions, and the real struggles. The mysteries in this volume operate on many levels. We have the mysteries and legends surrounding the 100 year old lodge, that is fuelled by hidden rooms and secret tunnels. We have the mystery around Emerson and her father’s being in the middle of nowhere, and separated from part of their own family. And we have the mystery around the growing friendship between Emerson and Reid. It also has the ultimate mystery that of faith and finding out we all really do need God, and to learn to trust him even after things have gone so sideways or are so hard. The story is just good clean fiction and good clean fun.
It was great to read this story. I read it over a few days and a few sittings. It reached a point where I just did not want to put it down. It was hard to put down and we are left wanting to know what happens next with the young adults and their families. It is clean Christian fiction. It is great Catholic Literature. A great story. It is another wonderful read from Leslea Wahl’s masterful pen!
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
April 21, 2026
This was an enjoyable book. Several mysteries were going on. At one point, I thought that there might be a few too many unknowns happening. Ultimately, though, the author did a great job connecting everything to provide an interesting story. I still have a few questions, but mostly I feel like the book resolved most of the mysteries.
I feel like the beginning of this book is really frustrating. I want to understand what happened to Emerson's mom and sisters. I played several scenarios through my mind, trying to guess. I was wrong. While the true story felt like it came way out there, once I thought about it, I realized there were a lot of clues. I thought the author did a great job allowing us to try to piece together the story. If, like me, you are frustrated with the lack of information at the beginning of the story, just keep reading. It's worth the later reveal.
This book has some Christian elements. For the most part, I felt like the author did a good job portraying the characters in a realistic light without making it feel like they were too preachy.
This is the third book in a series. I have not read the other books in the series. It makes sense on its own. The characters from the other two books are in this book, though, and while I'm interested in reading their stories now, I do wish that I'd read those before I read this one.
I was relieved to find a clean book. That's so hard to find sometimes, even when it comes to supposedly Christian novels. This has no swearing, sexual content, or graphic violence. There is some behind-the-scenes violence and one scene toward the end of the book that could have been graphically violent but is more suspenseful than violent.
For me, this book was so close to being a 5-star book. While I thought the plot was great, I felt like I didn't know the characters as well as I would like to know them. It might be a minor detail, but I just wanted more when it came to the personalities of the characters. Still, this was a great book. While it's a teen book, it's definitely something an adult can enjoy.
I got a free ARC from BookSirens, and I left a voluntary review.
I feel like the beginning of this book is really frustrating. I want to understand what happened to Emerson's mom and sisters. I played several scenarios through my mind, trying to guess. I was wrong. While the true story felt like it came way out there, once I thought about it, I realized there were a lot of clues. I thought the author did a great job allowing us to try to piece together the story. If, like me, you are frustrated with the lack of information at the beginning of the story, just keep reading. It's worth the later reveal.
This book has some Christian elements. For the most part, I felt like the author did a good job portraying the characters in a realistic light without making it feel like they were too preachy.
This is the third book in a series. I have not read the other books in the series. It makes sense on its own. The characters from the other two books are in this book, though, and while I'm interested in reading their stories now, I do wish that I'd read those before I read this one.
I was relieved to find a clean book. That's so hard to find sometimes, even when it comes to supposedly Christian novels. This has no swearing, sexual content, or graphic violence. There is some behind-the-scenes violence and one scene toward the end of the book that could have been graphically violent but is more suspenseful than violent.
For me, this book was so close to being a 5-star book. While I thought the plot was great, I felt like I didn't know the characters as well as I would like to know them. It might be a minor detail, but I just wanted more when it came to the personalities of the characters. Still, this was a great book. While it's a teen book, it's definitely something an adult can enjoy.
I got a free ARC from BookSirens, and I left a voluntary review.
February 12, 2025
Leslea Wahl has done it again! In Plain Sight is a heart-warming, engaging, and suspenseful page-turner. After a family tragedy, Emerson moves to Minnesota with her father who is helping to renovate a lakeside lodge with a mysterious past. Readers will enjoy exploring the eccentric lodge and its beautiful surroundings. But that’s not the only mystery. Wahl cleverly weaves several mysteries to create non-stop intrigue. Emerson befriends Reid, the son of the lodge owner, and the blossoming romance is written in a fun, appropriate way. It’s so refreshing that Wahl bucks the rom-com trend in which the leading man is the bad boy, and the protagonist overlooks his faults. No, Reid is the type of young man that young girls should aspire to date in real life. All the characters are likeable and real, especially the amusing dog Zuri. I was thrilled when beloved characters from Wahl’s books Into the Spotlight and Charting the Course had more than just a cameo. This book made me smile, exclaim, tear up, and laugh. The climax was full of surprising action, and the end was very satisfying. Let’s all ask Leslea Wahl to give us a fourth book in this series!
February 18, 2025
IN PLAIN SIGHT by Leslea Wahl
Emerson accompanies her dad to a lodge so he can renovate it for the new owners. She has no idea that her life is about to drastically change--again. She's still trying to get used to their new family situation. She misses her mom and sisters every day, but life still must go on.
When handsome Reid Stevenson steps into her shrunken world, a spark of life ignites in Emerson's heart. He's very good at distracting her, especially when he and his little sister divulge a secret about the old lodge--it has hidden rooms and corridors! It isn't long before Emerson is drawn into the mysterious past of the previous owner, and what she discovers is life-saving.
Leslea Wahl has crafted another novel that catches your interest and won't let go. Since you care about Emerson, you care about what happens to her. You also can't wait to see what happens next! There were a few surprise twists that I didn't expect, and the climax scene was really exciting.
I highly recommend this novel. You'll definitely want to add it to your collection.
Emerson accompanies her dad to a lodge so he can renovate it for the new owners. She has no idea that her life is about to drastically change--again. She's still trying to get used to their new family situation. She misses her mom and sisters every day, but life still must go on.
When handsome Reid Stevenson steps into her shrunken world, a spark of life ignites in Emerson's heart. He's very good at distracting her, especially when he and his little sister divulge a secret about the old lodge--it has hidden rooms and corridors! It isn't long before Emerson is drawn into the mysterious past of the previous owner, and what she discovers is life-saving.
Leslea Wahl has crafted another novel that catches your interest and won't let go. Since you care about Emerson, you care about what happens to her. You also can't wait to see what happens next! There were a few surprise twists that I didn't expect, and the climax scene was really exciting.
I highly recommend this novel. You'll definitely want to add it to your collection.
April 27, 2026
Emerson and her dad move to the frigid north, as she calls it. The reason only her, her dad, and her dad's new employer. I won't spoil the surprise by giving a spoiler.
Emerson doesn't want to be there. She doesn't like the cold and doesn't care if she makes any friends.
She's having a hard time with everything that has happened over the past year. So to take her mind of her troubles she starts to clean the library of the lodge her father is helping renovate. She becomes friends with Reid and Raina. Reid helps her discover that God is still here for you even when bad things happen. Also they discover hidden rooms and a hidden tunnel.
I will NOT spoil it by telling you what happens to lead Emerson and her dad to the frigid north in the middle of winter. I will say that I was not expecting it at all.
It was well written and I give it 5 stars for the writing, the faith, and the surprising twist. The ending was so good.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Emerson doesn't want to be there. She doesn't like the cold and doesn't care if she makes any friends.
She's having a hard time with everything that has happened over the past year. So to take her mind of her troubles she starts to clean the library of the lodge her father is helping renovate. She becomes friends with Reid and Raina. Reid helps her discover that God is still here for you even when bad things happen. Also they discover hidden rooms and a hidden tunnel.
I will NOT spoil it by telling you what happens to lead Emerson and her dad to the frigid north in the middle of winter. I will say that I was not expecting it at all.
It was well written and I give it 5 stars for the writing, the faith, and the surprising twist. The ending was so good.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 21, 2026
I enjoyed this Christian novel for young adults. Much of the novel explores 16 year old Emerson finding her way in a new place. She and her father are hidden away in witness protection. We follow her as she hesitates making new friends yet finds a good friend and support in Reid. They have adventures exploring the old lodge, even finding secret rooms. There is a brief experience of suspense near the end as Emerson must think quickly to stay alive.
This is a good book for young adult readers who would like a novel about a teen making her way in a new environment. There is an additional interesting theme of musical cryptography explored as the two teens try to solve a mystery. There are discussion questions included so this novel would be a good choice for a teen reading group.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent review.
This is a good book for young adult readers who would like a novel about a teen making her way in a new environment. There is an additional interesting theme of musical cryptography explored as the two teens try to solve a mystery. There are discussion questions included so this novel would be a good choice for a teen reading group.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent review.
February 20, 2025
Leslea Wahl has written another page-turner for Christian YA fans! I have read the first two books in the series, but I don't think it's 100% necessary to read this series in order. In Plain Sight could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Fans of cozy mysteries and teenage characters in suspenseful situations will surely love this. I appreciated Emerson's devotion to her family and her resolve to do the right thing in a very sticky situation. The mystery of what happened to her family was intriguing, and I loved her explorations of the lodge where she and her father have just moved to. I appreciate the author's ability to craft a story that highlights the value of true friendships and the Bible, and tosses in a sprinkle of squeaky clean romance. I recommend this book for readers ages 12 and up.
February 20, 2025
In this mystery for teens, a displaced girl named Emerson and her father try to make the best of living and working at a tourist lodge in a frigid Minnesota winter. Their family has been torn apart and scattered, and the reader slowly learns why, as Emerson opens up to a new friend named Reid. With the help of Reid, Emerson explores and discovers history of her surroundings as mysterious as her own background. I enjoyed watching Emerson's personal and spiritual growth throughout the story, as she begins to trust and to emotionally heal. Two other new friends, Josie and Liz, are characters from the two previous books of the series, and I look forward to perhaps a fourth book in the future. While the story contains some serious as well as criminal plot elements, it is overall a fun, clean read with characters who display their belief in God and good will toward others.
February 8, 2025
From the opening pages, the reader wants to know what has happened to teen Emerson’s family. Why have Em and her father moved to this new, frigid rural setting? When the answer comes—WOW! It’s a totally unique premise for a YA novel. Author Leslea Wahl has done it again. This wholesome book has it all: an intriguing family dynamic, a physical setting you can feel in your bones, a mystery (or two!), and a sweet love story that is sure to appeal to young readers. Weaving the Catholic faith throughout the tale is accomplished in an organic and honest manner, and it’s refreshing to read a contemporary novel that’s equally moral and entertaining. I’m glad to have discovered this book . . . in plain sight!
March 12, 2026
Emerson and her dad move to Minnesota to help the family who live there refurbish an old run-down lodge. She meets Reid a teen her own age, who is not too hard on the eyes, and his friends. Reid keys in on Emerson holding something back and soon discovers something about her she’s been wanting to keep hidden. Emerson finds comfort in finding someone she can share her secrets with other than her father.
Leslea Wahl has written has wonderful Christian YA story. The intrigue keeps you pulled in from the very beginning. The innocence of Emerson and Reid’s emerging relationship is very refreshing. It was good to see the author use positive young adult friendship building on faith. I also appreciate how the value of faith was used throughout the story and expressed how Emerson struggled with hers.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leslea Wahl has written has wonderful Christian YA story. The intrigue keeps you pulled in from the very beginning. The innocence of Emerson and Reid’s emerging relationship is very refreshing. It was good to see the author use positive young adult friendship building on faith. I also appreciate how the value of faith was used throughout the story and expressed how Emerson struggled with hers.
I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 7, 2025
How to combine a sweet romance with a killer plot? Leslea Wahl has figured out the magic in this latest book in her Finding Faith series. With mysteries within mysteries, the reader is always learning something new and more intriguing as the plot develops. What seems like an innocent, sweet romance story soon ramps up to a full-fledged crime thriller. All the while, strong family and Christian values are demonstrated through the characters and plot twists. A great read for any teen. Highly recommend!
March 18, 2026
3.25⭐
Even though this book was super short, I felt like it took forever to get through it. This book felt super fake and insta-love which I don't enjoy. I felt like the author was trying to add too many things to this book, but the execution wasn't great in such a small book. The only part that saved this book from being rated lower was the fact that for the last 25 pages or so I couldn't stop reading, I just wish that would have been the case for the rest of the book.
Even though this book was super short, I felt like it took forever to get through it. This book felt super fake and insta-love which I don't enjoy. I felt like the author was trying to add too many things to this book, but the execution wasn't great in such a small book. The only part that saved this book from being rated lower was the fact that for the last 25 pages or so I couldn't stop reading, I just wish that would have been the case for the rest of the book.
March 9, 2025
Get ready for a fun winter read full of adventure and well-kept secrets. Everything is not what it first appears to be in this fast-paced young adult novel. The characters, whether human or canine, are sure to steal your heart and keep you guessing!
December 29, 2025
A good finish to a good series. This book made me laugh, it made me sit on the edge of my seat, it pulled at my heartstrings. It did all the things, a good book should do. Truly enjoyed it.
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