5 Stars
Completed: May 08/25
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #1 of 50 -- "a book that starts with L"
Book #58 of 2025: debut author/NTM author
When you can't stop reading, yet don't want a novel to end, you know you've found an amazing story! When I first heard about this book a few months ago, I was happy to see it is set in my country of Canada AND written by a Canadian author. I was intrigued and kept thinking about it. So I didn't hesitate to take up the opportunity to read an advance copy.
From the first chapter, I suspected this would be a 5-star read and that feeling never left me. I don't often have that feeling from the start but it turned out to be right on target. I immediately liked Sara, the female main character. She is spirited yet so gracious and loving. Mr. James Kinney is a mixed bag but his growth in the story is admirable. He has a significant growth arc in so many ways that I grew to admire him. Sara's Granny is such a woman of faith and selflessness. The children within the novel, Evie Kinney and Henry the stable boy, are both such delights. There are other fascinating characters within the story as well.
Sara's story is touching. She's an incredible heroine. The riches to rags storyline is captivating. We learn her background, as well as James,' in chunks throughout the novel. The time period setting of 1837 with the Tories, the rebels, etc. was very interesting. Frankly, I found it ironic that Canada isn't much different in many respects today. Some have loyalty to the Crown and others want complete independence.
One of my favourite scenes within this novel are when Sara (& sometimes Henry) are learning. It is such a gift and the love and attention given causes them both to thrive. The scene with the piano and the gift is particularly beautiful.
Though I'm not typically a fan of marriages of convenience, this one made sense. And, of course, knowing there are sparks and an attraction of mind and body doesn't hurt! You can't help but want them together as a couple.
This is a phenomenal debut for Christine Hill Suntz and I will be reading whatever she writes next without hesitation. I felt such immense reader contentment reading this book.
>>> Huge thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy. A positive view was not required. My honest review is in my words alone.