What do you think?
In These Hills
Is the name Jack Daniel familiar?
What about Miss Mary Bobo. . . and what she owned?
How about the town of Lynchburg tucked into the hills and hollers of middle Tennessee?
This fall, journey with Tamera into a new standalone novel inspired by the true history of two beloved Tennessee treasures
A young suffragist on the run finds more than refuge in the hills and hollers of Tennessee in this gripping historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander.
1905. Josephine Dunham is running for her life. After a women’s suffrage rally in Atlanta turns deadly, she buys a one-way ticket on the first train out and lands in rural Tennessee. There, Dodge Coburn—a rough-edged stranger with undeniable appeal—begrudgingly offers her a ride to Lynchburg, a speck of a town where Josephine hopes to disappear.
Battered and desperate, Josephine has little to say when Dodge delivers her to Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. Hoping to work in exchange for room and board, she soon discovers the only job matching her skills is at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, an irony not lost on a suffragist committed to prohibition.
Dodge is skeptical of Josephine’s claim that she’s on the run from an abusive husband. But between running Jack Daniel’s cattle farm and raising his young niece, he has little time or inclination to press her . . . at first. But when Josephine’s convictions and compassion draw him in, Dodge begins to reconsider the life he’s chasing, while Josephine must face a world far more complicated than the principles she’s held to.
As Jack Daniel’s Distillery gains national recognition, Josephine’s secrets resurface. In a place where whiskey making takes time but justice is too often hurried, Dodge and Josephine must decide what—and who—they’re willing to risk everything for, and whether faith will hold when the cost is high and time is running out.
Standalone Southern historical fiction, set against the history of women’s rights, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and Miss Mary’s Bobo’s Boarding House in Lynchburg, Tennessee
A clean enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance perfect for fans of Francine Rivers, Julie Klassen, and Lynn Austin
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
What about Miss Mary Bobo. . . and what she owned?
How about the town of Lynchburg tucked into the hills and hollers of middle Tennessee?
This fall, journey with Tamera into a new standalone novel inspired by the true history of two beloved Tennessee treasures
A young suffragist on the run finds more than refuge in the hills and hollers of Tennessee in this gripping historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander.
1905. Josephine Dunham is running for her life. After a women’s suffrage rally in Atlanta turns deadly, she buys a one-way ticket on the first train out and lands in rural Tennessee. There, Dodge Coburn—a rough-edged stranger with undeniable appeal—begrudgingly offers her a ride to Lynchburg, a speck of a town where Josephine hopes to disappear.
Battered and desperate, Josephine has little to say when Dodge delivers her to Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. Hoping to work in exchange for room and board, she soon discovers the only job matching her skills is at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, an irony not lost on a suffragist committed to prohibition.
Dodge is skeptical of Josephine’s claim that she’s on the run from an abusive husband. But between running Jack Daniel’s cattle farm and raising his young niece, he has little time or inclination to press her . . . at first. But when Josephine’s convictions and compassion draw him in, Dodge begins to reconsider the life he’s chasing, while Josephine must face a world far more complicated than the principles she’s held to.
As Jack Daniel’s Distillery gains national recognition, Josephine’s secrets resurface. In a place where whiskey making takes time but justice is too often hurried, Dodge and Josephine must decide what—and who—they’re willing to risk everything for, and whether faith will hold when the cost is high and time is running out.
Standalone Southern historical fiction, set against the history of women’s rights, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and Miss Mary’s Bobo’s Boarding House in Lynchburg, Tennessee
A clean enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance perfect for fans of Francine Rivers, Julie Klassen, and Lynn Austin
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Tamera Alexander
35 books3,410 followersTamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops.
Her books have been awarded numerous industry-leading honors—among them the Christy Award, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, Library Journal's top honors—and have earned the distinction of Publisher's Weekly Starred Reviews. In 2020 she was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame which recognizes authors for their legacy and contribution to Christian fiction. Her deeply drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide.
Tamera and her husband love living in Nashville, Tennessee, and treasure the time spent with their grown children and grandchildren. They live a short distance from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for many of her critically-acclaimed novels. Tamera views her writing as a way to grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ—and her deepest desire is that those who read her novels will take steps closer to Him as well.
Her books have been awarded numerous industry-leading honors—among them the Christy Award, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, Library Journal's top honors—and have earned the distinction of Publisher's Weekly Starred Reviews. In 2020 she was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame which recognizes authors for their legacy and contribution to Christian fiction. Her deeply drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide.
Tamera and her husband love living in Nashville, Tennessee, and treasure the time spent with their grown children and grandchildren. They live a short distance from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for many of her critically-acclaimed novels. Tamera views her writing as a way to grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ—and her deepest desire is that those who read her novels will take steps closer to Him as well.
Ratings & Reviews
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Audiobook
Below is the endorsement I gave the book earlier this year. But now that the audiobook is out and I wasn’t in a hurry, I wanted to read it again so I could simply enjoy it. And enjoy it I did.
"In These Hills is a beautiful tale of struggle and redemption, fear and faith, love and forgiveness. Real history is woven throughout, and a reader can’t help but feel the love of the writer for the places as well as the characters (whether real or imagined) that people this story. Time and time again, I held my breath, afraid of what might happen next. And I cried real tears because of one simple paragraph in particular. An absolutely wonderful novel that should not be missed!" — Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award winning author of To Find Where She Belongs and To Fall in Love at Christmas
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Glad I read it. Will probably read more by this author.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
Below is the endorsement I gave the book earlier this year. But now that the audiobook is out and I wasn’t in a hurry, I wanted to read it again so I could simply enjoy it. And enjoy it I did.
"In These Hills is a beautiful tale of struggle and redemption, fear and faith, love and forgiveness. Real history is woven throughout, and a reader can’t help but feel the love of the writer for the places as well as the characters (whether real or imagined) that people this story. Time and time again, I held my breath, afraid of what might happen next. And I cried real tears because of one simple paragraph in particular. An absolutely wonderful novel that should not be missed!" — Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award winning author of To Find Where She Belongs and To Fall in Love at Christmas
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Glad I read it. Will probably read more by this author.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
March 10, 2026
*initial thoughts: It can’t be over! I wanted more!
I've been long overdue for a good historical novel from Tamera Alexander. She hasn't published a historical novel since 2022 (read that in bold so you can feel the shock I did when I realized that).
I'm not interested in books that heavily feature women's rights and the suffragist movement, so the face that this book got 5 stars from me should tell you a lot. In These Hills has the feel of western historical romance from years ago. It doesn't take itself too seriously, isn't too literary just for the quotable lines. It's a slice of life historical story that delivers a good story and a good time, with just enough tension and slow burn romance but not overdone. All of which are trademark of Tamera Alexander and what she excels at.
"We all got our story, don't we? Chapters we don't want to read aloud and other parts we pray to God nobody ever reads at all. But the thing is, He reads them... every page, every word, and loves us anyway."
The main character Josephine was a hard sell for me at first. Her passion and determination to her cause read more like prideful obstinacy to me, not to mention that she lied - justified, in her opinion - consistently throughout the book. This is the only thing I'd say I couldn't get behind, although she grew on me by the end.
Dodge, on the other hand, was everything I love in a book hero. I mean, he reads all the books his niece does because he cares about who and what is shaping her.
"I want to know what ideas she's taking in. What worlds she's visiting. Because sooner or later, those ideas will make their way out and shape who she becomes. I'd rather walk those roads alongside her now, help her navigate her path. And help her make the right choices that'll serve her well in life."
I enjoyed this book so much. I found the back and forth on temperance and alcohol, mainly between Josephine and Jack Daniels, both entertaining and thought-provoking. It also added a humourous touch. I can't say enough good things and I will be purchasing this book once it releases.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Netgalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.
I've been long overdue for a good historical novel from Tamera Alexander. She hasn't published a historical novel since 2022 (read that in bold so you can feel the shock I did when I realized that).
I'm not interested in books that heavily feature women's rights and the suffragist movement, so the face that this book got 5 stars from me should tell you a lot. In These Hills has the feel of western historical romance from years ago. It doesn't take itself too seriously, isn't too literary just for the quotable lines. It's a slice of life historical story that delivers a good story and a good time, with just enough tension and slow burn romance but not overdone. All of which are trademark of Tamera Alexander and what she excels at.
"We all got our story, don't we? Chapters we don't want to read aloud and other parts we pray to God nobody ever reads at all. But the thing is, He reads them... every page, every word, and loves us anyway."
The main character Josephine was a hard sell for me at first. Her passion and determination to her cause read more like prideful obstinacy to me, not to mention that she lied - justified, in her opinion - consistently throughout the book. This is the only thing I'd say I couldn't get behind, although she grew on me by the end.
Dodge, on the other hand, was everything I love in a book hero. I mean, he reads all the books his niece does because he cares about who and what is shaping her.
"I want to know what ideas she's taking in. What worlds she's visiting. Because sooner or later, those ideas will make their way out and shape who she becomes. I'd rather walk those roads alongside her now, help her navigate her path. And help her make the right choices that'll serve her well in life."
I enjoyed this book so much. I found the back and forth on temperance and alcohol, mainly between Josephine and Jack Daniels, both entertaining and thought-provoking. It also added a humourous touch. I can't say enough good things and I will be purchasing this book once it releases.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Netgalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.
October 2, 2026
In These Hills by Tamera Alexander is amazing.
I have loved all of the author's books and this one is now added to this list.
I very much appreciate a book so well researched as this one is.
Her books are written with an authenticity of knowing the area and subject she is writing about.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read and it's always a wonderful treat to learn in depth about a subject other books give just on the surface information about.
We are treated to in depth information about Lynchburg, Tennessee and the many happenings there along with characters written based on previously living people and past events.
I enjoyed reading about Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Mary Bobo and her Boarding House and the suffrage rally that led to a woman on the run ending up in the hills of Tennessee.
Women's Rights are important as she continues with her beliefs but at what cost as her past catches up with her? A Southern historical fiction containing a clean enemies-to-lovers romance.
Fully recommended!
I have loved all of the author's books and this one is now added to this list.
I very much appreciate a book so well researched as this one is.
Her books are written with an authenticity of knowing the area and subject she is writing about.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read and it's always a wonderful treat to learn in depth about a subject other books give just on the surface information about.
We are treated to in depth information about Lynchburg, Tennessee and the many happenings there along with characters written based on previously living people and past events.
I enjoyed reading about Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Mary Bobo and her Boarding House and the suffrage rally that led to a woman on the run ending up in the hills of Tennessee.
Women's Rights are important as she continues with her beliefs but at what cost as her past catches up with her? A Southern historical fiction containing a clean enemies-to-lovers romance.
Fully recommended!
March 13, 2026
Some historical fiction tells you about the past. In These Hills - lets you feel it! If you love “meeting” historical figures, you will love this story. You will see Susan B. Anthony's bravery and exchange your childhood perception of a "Mrs. Banks' suffragette" for a deeper appreciation of the grit, sacrifice, and conviction behind the fight for women’s right to vote.
How does a book tug at your heartstrings at only 7 pages in? You will be LIVING Josephines story. Her family situation. 💔 When things unravel, and she’s forced to flee. Problems pile up until you are gasping along with her.
Are you a book crier? Grab a tissue. Tamara Alexander crafts Josephine’s situation so well that you’ll find yourself mentally searching for solutions to help her escape. The writing itself is layered, immersive and believable. The small acts of kindness Josephine encounters from random strangers will likely have you tearing up.
Given everything she’s dealing with, it’s quite ironic and entertaining when Josephine ends up in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniel.
Difficult issues like alcoholism and battered women? This novel tackles them with thoughtfulness. Characters share real convictions, struggles and faith. They challenge each other’s perspectives and grow in ways that feel natural. Every character arc matters; you'll find yourself caring deeply.
Josephine herself is a compelling heroine, far from perfect, someone who makes very real mistakes but also someone brave enough to acknowledge them and keep going.
Dodge was another pleasant surprise. I appreciated that he isn’t the overused “tragic widower” archetype. Instead, you’re drawn immediately into his internal struggles surrounding his land and dreams. And refreshingly, he isn’t mooning over Josephine from the first moment. By the end of the first portion of the story, his harsh opposition raises questions that clearly hint there’s much more beneath the surface.
Then there’s Jack Daniel himself: Truly enjoyable, and how he comes across the page. It was a delight getting to “know” him through the story. Tamara gently challenges our assumptions about people while grounding the story in historical authenticity.
And Calla, what a wonderful character. Her compassion, her struggles, and her quiet strength made her feel incredibly real. Gold stars all around for her story arc.
The ending may surprise you. It may not unfold exactly how you hope. But I think you will agree that it’s the right ending for the story. The resolution stays honest to the characters and their world.
Summary: A beautifully written, emotionally engaging historical novel that invites you to reflect on courage, kindness, the love of God and the complicated paths people walk toward redemption and hope.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this Advance Reader's Copy, thrilled to read this early!
How does a book tug at your heartstrings at only 7 pages in? You will be LIVING Josephines story. Her family situation. 💔 When things unravel, and she’s forced to flee. Problems pile up until you are gasping along with her.
Are you a book crier? Grab a tissue. Tamara Alexander crafts Josephine’s situation so well that you’ll find yourself mentally searching for solutions to help her escape. The writing itself is layered, immersive and believable. The small acts of kindness Josephine encounters from random strangers will likely have you tearing up.
Given everything she’s dealing with, it’s quite ironic and entertaining when Josephine ends up in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniel.
Difficult issues like alcoholism and battered women? This novel tackles them with thoughtfulness. Characters share real convictions, struggles and faith. They challenge each other’s perspectives and grow in ways that feel natural. Every character arc matters; you'll find yourself caring deeply.
Josephine herself is a compelling heroine, far from perfect, someone who makes very real mistakes but also someone brave enough to acknowledge them and keep going.
Dodge was another pleasant surprise. I appreciated that he isn’t the overused “tragic widower” archetype. Instead, you’re drawn immediately into his internal struggles surrounding his land and dreams. And refreshingly, he isn’t mooning over Josephine from the first moment. By the end of the first portion of the story, his harsh opposition raises questions that clearly hint there’s much more beneath the surface.
Then there’s Jack Daniel himself: Truly enjoyable, and how he comes across the page. It was a delight getting to “know” him through the story. Tamara gently challenges our assumptions about people while grounding the story in historical authenticity.
And Calla, what a wonderful character. Her compassion, her struggles, and her quiet strength made her feel incredibly real. Gold stars all around for her story arc.
The ending may surprise you. It may not unfold exactly how you hope. But I think you will agree that it’s the right ending for the story. The resolution stays honest to the characters and their world.
Summary: A beautifully written, emotionally engaging historical novel that invites you to reflect on courage, kindness, the love of God and the complicated paths people walk toward redemption and hope.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this Advance Reader's Copy, thrilled to read this early!
August 24, 2026
I had issue with a few things, but overall, I loved this one and would recommend.
Fuller review + rating to come.
Fuller review + rating to come.
August 11, 2026
Josephine is a suffragist on the run after killing a man in self defense. She travels to a small town where they assume her husband is the one who beat her face. She goes along with that. Dodge works for Jack Daniel’s cattle farm. He is not sure about Josephine’s story. He also is the Uncle of a 9 year old girl who he has custody of. Josephine also gets a job working for Jack Daniel, but is not a fan of his business. I really enjoyed this story! I thought it was very interesting. Also a bit different to see a Christian book with a whiskey company in the forefront and Jack Daniel was a fun character. I liked that even though Josephine worked hard for women’s rights she realized she didn’t know fully what some women endure. I really liked Josephine and Dodge! They were great and even better together.
The only reason this book doesn’t get 5 stars is because there are a couple of swear words in it and that’s not ok with me for a Christian book. However, there is great Christian faith content throughout. Overall a great read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: 3 uses of “hell” and 1 of “ass”, assault, attempted sexual assault, talk of men beating their wives
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The only reason this book doesn’t get 5 stars is because there are a couple of swear words in it and that’s not ok with me for a Christian book. However, there is great Christian faith content throughout. Overall a great read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: 3 uses of “hell” and 1 of “ass”, assault, attempted sexual assault, talk of men beating their wives
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
April 20, 2026
Wow, what an amazing story! A moving tale full of human interest, history, drama, and a tender romance to cap it off. A suffragist on the run after a rally turns violent, finds herself at the mercy of strangers in the hills of Tennessee, in the heart of whiskey making territory.
Well-written with dialogue that shows the depth of the characters' personalities, with some fun literary references and banter at times. This incredible story brings together people who seem to be at odds with each other, yet circumstances prove to be a refining fire that brings out the best in them. The pace picks up with more peril towards the end especially, making it hard to put down.
Josephine's perspective changes as she is given help by strangers in her desperation, and she learns that not all things are as cut and dried in relation to alcohol. Her story was difficult with the trauma she endured, but hopeful as she is given so much grace and learns to extend that to others. Loved her relationship with Cally, as well as 'Dodge' and his niece, Bethie.
So many good moments of inspiration throughout, as they dealt with grief, disappointment, injustice, ethical dilemmas, and danger. A lovely redemptive moment in a dark place was especially moving, bringing tears and spiritual encouragement. I loved the conclusion and wrap up. Definitely worth the angst of what Josephine went through.
A terrific read from start to finish. Highly recommend to readers who like historical fiction with real people included, faith and a tender, clean romance. 5+ stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Well-written with dialogue that shows the depth of the characters' personalities, with some fun literary references and banter at times. This incredible story brings together people who seem to be at odds with each other, yet circumstances prove to be a refining fire that brings out the best in them. The pace picks up with more peril towards the end especially, making it hard to put down.
Josephine's perspective changes as she is given help by strangers in her desperation, and she learns that not all things are as cut and dried in relation to alcohol. Her story was difficult with the trauma she endured, but hopeful as she is given so much grace and learns to extend that to others. Loved her relationship with Cally, as well as 'Dodge' and his niece, Bethie.
So many good moments of inspiration throughout, as they dealt with grief, disappointment, injustice, ethical dilemmas, and danger. A lovely redemptive moment in a dark place was especially moving, bringing tears and spiritual encouragement. I loved the conclusion and wrap up. Definitely worth the angst of what Josephine went through.
A terrific read from start to finish. Highly recommend to readers who like historical fiction with real people included, faith and a tender, clean romance. 5+ stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
September 11, 2026
5 stars. I put off this review for a while because I had to figure out what to say! When I saw the book I knew right away I was either going to love it or hate it, and I'm so glad I tried it, because I really enjoyed it.
First of all, I REALLY appreciated the suffragette rep. Our modern idea of what feminists were is very one-dimensional, not to say often inaccurate; but the author did a great job showing why and what these women fought, and the different goals or motives they had. I appreciated how vividly she demonstrated women's vulnerability without whitewashing the power men have over them—but also how firmly she touched on bitterness and the reality that all men are not the same.
Next, I loved that Josephine didn't have a magical change of heart or a sudden 180° turn, instead slowly learning from life and those around her, and shaping her beliefs by the truth she discovered while still holding to her ideals. It was such a beautiful picture of maturity, growth, and integrity. I loved, loved, LOVED her discussion on alcohol and prohibition with Jack Daniels and on feminism and suffrage with Dodge. Again, the author did SO well portraying the truth on both sides.
Third, I appreciated the Christian content so much! While it wasn't the largest part of the book due to mainly Josephine's struggles with faith, it still shone through. I was bothered by the female preacher, though I'm not exactly sure whether she preached or just shared a testimony; but it wasn't a huge enough portion of the book to really affect my enjoyment, though I skimmed that scene pretty quickly.
Fourth, I loved the vibrant characters. Jack Daniels is a charming man and larger than life, leaping off the page. Mary Bobo was intrigued me; Calla Lilly broke my heart; Josephine was so loveable; Bethie and many of the boarders added so much humour; and Dodge was a splendid uncle + all-around great guy, while everyone else in town LIVED.
Despite the plot hinging on deceit and running from the law, it was written in a way that somehow didn't disturb me too much—definitely not as anxiety-provoking as it usually is!—and kept me hooked. The historical aspect was brand new and vert interesting; and overall, this was the first Tamera Alexander book I've read but hopefully not the last, because this was one of the best books I've read this year.
NB. This book openly mentions male-on-female s*xual & physical assault, with the FMC in danger to both by the same guy in two scenes (1 early on, 1 at the end). Recommended age: 18+
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
First of all, I REALLY appreciated the suffragette rep. Our modern idea of what feminists were is very one-dimensional, not to say often inaccurate; but the author did a great job showing why and what these women fought, and the different goals or motives they had. I appreciated how vividly she demonstrated women's vulnerability without whitewashing the power men have over them—but also how firmly she touched on bitterness and the reality that all men are not the same.
Next, I loved that Josephine didn't have a magical change of heart or a sudden 180° turn, instead slowly learning from life and those around her, and shaping her beliefs by the truth she discovered while still holding to her ideals. It was such a beautiful picture of maturity, growth, and integrity. I loved, loved, LOVED her discussion on alcohol and prohibition with Jack Daniels and on feminism and suffrage with Dodge. Again, the author did SO well portraying the truth on both sides.
Third, I appreciated the Christian content so much! While it wasn't the largest part of the book due to mainly Josephine's struggles with faith, it still shone through. I was bothered by the female preacher, though I'm not exactly sure whether she preached or just shared a testimony; but it wasn't a huge enough portion of the book to really affect my enjoyment, though I skimmed that scene pretty quickly.
Fourth, I loved the vibrant characters. Jack Daniels is a charming man and larger than life, leaping off the page. Mary Bobo was intrigued me; Calla Lilly broke my heart; Josephine was so loveable; Bethie and many of the boarders added so much humour; and Dodge was a splendid uncle + all-around great guy, while everyone else in town LIVED.
Despite the plot hinging on deceit and running from the law, it was written in a way that somehow didn't disturb me too much—definitely not as anxiety-provoking as it usually is!—and kept me hooked. The historical aspect was brand new and vert interesting; and overall, this was the first Tamera Alexander book I've read but hopefully not the last, because this was one of the best books I've read this year.
NB. This book openly mentions male-on-female s*xual & physical assault, with the FMC in danger to both by the same guy in two scenes (1 early on, 1 at the end). Recommended age: 18+
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
September 27, 2026
I always enjoy Tamera Alexander’s writing, and In These Hills is another beautiful story.
I loved the themes of forgiveness, redemption, fear, and faith, and the historical aspect was very interesting to me.
The slow burn romance between the MCs was a delight, and I really liked the light faith elements.
A great choice for historical romance fans.
I loved the themes of forgiveness, redemption, fear, and faith, and the historical aspect was very interesting to me.
The slow burn romance between the MCs was a delight, and I really liked the light faith elements.
A great choice for historical romance fans.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In These Hills by Tamera Alexander has a beautiful cover and an intriguing synopsis for the story hidden within the pages of the book. The plot does start out with plenty of intrigue and a mystery that wanted me to keep reading. However, after that time, the story really dragged. Not much is happening. Just normal day life stuff in Tennessee. Fights. Working. Household items. A little bit of romance. Alexander does a wonderful job at bringing the rural countryside to life and show what life is like, which is what I like about historical fiction. Overall, In These Hills by Tamera Alexander really didn’t hold my attention. I honestly couldn’t wait to finish the book and move onto another one.
I received a complimentary copy of In These Hills by Tamera Alexander from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of In These Hills by Tamera Alexander from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
September 29, 2026
A spirited women’s temperance worker committed to suffrage meets the foreman of the Jack Daniel Distillery (or possibly distribution?) cattle farm in sweet little Lynchburg Tennessee while she’s on the run? It’s the things fireworks are made of! This little-known history is woven into characters and events both real and fictional, and leans heavily on the atmosphere of the day. I admired Josephine for her pluck and lofty ideals, and Dodge for his down-to-earth approach in life, even when things didn’t go as expected. He ends up single handedly raising his niece (who is a charming character herself) but he has big dreams beyond Lynchburg. I adored everyone strolling the streets of Lynchburg (with a few exceptions) but especially loved Mrs Mary Bobo, Calla, and Jasper. You’ll fall in love with their stories too! I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and Goodreads, and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2026
This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the September 2026 issue of Library Journal.
Ardent suffragist and staunch teetotaler Josephine Dunham somehow finds herself working at a distillery owned by ladies' man Jack Daniel in Lynchburg, TN. Forced to flee her hometown as a wanted woman, Josephine hides her true identity to join the working class--even though she has few in-demand skills. The injustices facing women, Black people, and children whose parents abuse alcohol, hurt Josephine deeply, but Jack defies stereotypes with his generosity and concern for his workers. In fact, Lynchburg seems to be a beacon of integration and tolerance, even as the KKK rises nearby. As the business grows, however, Josephine's fake persona is more likely to be exposed. VERDICT: It's a bold move for a Christian fiction author to delve into the history of a notorious whiskey empire, but Alexander (A Million Little Choices) pulls it off with depth and heart in this riveting book. Fascinated readers may also want to delve into the nonfiction work Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver, which explores the history of formerly enslaved Nearest Green and his impact on Daniel and the town of Lynchburg.
Ardent suffragist and staunch teetotaler Josephine Dunham somehow finds herself working at a distillery owned by ladies' man Jack Daniel in Lynchburg, TN. Forced to flee her hometown as a wanted woman, Josephine hides her true identity to join the working class--even though she has few in-demand skills. The injustices facing women, Black people, and children whose parents abuse alcohol, hurt Josephine deeply, but Jack defies stereotypes with his generosity and concern for his workers. In fact, Lynchburg seems to be a beacon of integration and tolerance, even as the KKK rises nearby. As the business grows, however, Josephine's fake persona is more likely to be exposed. VERDICT: It's a bold move for a Christian fiction author to delve into the history of a notorious whiskey empire, but Alexander (A Million Little Choices) pulls it off with depth and heart in this riveting book. Fascinated readers may also want to delve into the nonfiction work Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver, which explores the history of formerly enslaved Nearest Green and his impact on Daniel and the town of Lynchburg.
Review of advance copy
"Because truth will always make itself known. It's usually just a matter of time."
Time is something that Josephine Dunham will never take for granted again, and she has a sinking suspicion that with every tick of the clock her deception is just that much closer to being exposed. Being an outspoken suffragette in a city like Atlanta was one thing, but defending herself against a bystander determined to kill her. . . . leaving had been her only choice. In her battered state, and aided along the way by the kindness of strangers, Josephine lands in the tiny Tennessee town of Lynchburg, fabricating a story that leads the townspeople to believe that she escaped an abusive husband.
Dodge Coburn doesn't quite believe the sparse details offered by the woman who hitched a ride in his wagon and neither does Miss Mary Bobo who begrudgingly offers Josephine temporary lodging in her boarding house. Pushing aside their doubts surrounding the enigmatic woman, Dodge tries unsuccessfully to turn his focus onto more pressing matters, namely raising his young niece and juggling his busy schedule as the local distillery's premier foreman, while Mary cautiously permits Josephine to continue living under her roof. A certain irony manifests itself in the entire situation when Josephine, a self avowed teetotaler, accepts employment from Jack Daniels himself as an office assistant, organizing multiple aspects of his lucrative whiskey enterprise. What could possibly go wrong?
Beautifully layered with silky smooth word flow, this story utilizes every square inch of its setting to set the stage for what turns out to be a masterful performance. Everyone who reads this story will be imagining themselves in the lives of these characters, wondering which path they would choose if facing similar circumstances. Witty, romantic, deeply inspiring and yet throbbing with injustices, revenge, and deceit, the author brings everyone down the same road to face an age old question, is God working out His will in the suffering . . . even "in these hills"?
"Two are better than one. But I can't be better without you."
Time is something that Josephine Dunham will never take for granted again, and she has a sinking suspicion that with every tick of the clock her deception is just that much closer to being exposed. Being an outspoken suffragette in a city like Atlanta was one thing, but defending herself against a bystander determined to kill her. . . . leaving had been her only choice. In her battered state, and aided along the way by the kindness of strangers, Josephine lands in the tiny Tennessee town of Lynchburg, fabricating a story that leads the townspeople to believe that she escaped an abusive husband.
Dodge Coburn doesn't quite believe the sparse details offered by the woman who hitched a ride in his wagon and neither does Miss Mary Bobo who begrudgingly offers Josephine temporary lodging in her boarding house. Pushing aside their doubts surrounding the enigmatic woman, Dodge tries unsuccessfully to turn his focus onto more pressing matters, namely raising his young niece and juggling his busy schedule as the local distillery's premier foreman, while Mary cautiously permits Josephine to continue living under her roof. A certain irony manifests itself in the entire situation when Josephine, a self avowed teetotaler, accepts employment from Jack Daniels himself as an office assistant, organizing multiple aspects of his lucrative whiskey enterprise. What could possibly go wrong?
Beautifully layered with silky smooth word flow, this story utilizes every square inch of its setting to set the stage for what turns out to be a masterful performance. Everyone who reads this story will be imagining themselves in the lives of these characters, wondering which path they would choose if facing similar circumstances. Witty, romantic, deeply inspiring and yet throbbing with injustices, revenge, and deceit, the author brings everyone down the same road to face an age old question, is God working out His will in the suffering . . . even "in these hills"?
"Two are better than one. But I can't be better without you."
September 16, 2026
A Beautiful Story of Love, Faith, and Courage
In These Hills by Tamera Alexander is a beautiful historical romance that completely drew me into its world. Alexander has a wonderful way of bringing history to life while creating characters whose struggles, hopes, and faith feel very real.
I especially enjoyed the romance. It develops naturally and is woven together with themes of trust, forgiveness, sacrifice, and finding the courage to move forward when life doesn’t turn out as expected. The historical setting adds another layer to the story and makes the characters’ challenges feel even more meaningful.
What I appreciated most was the Christian message. Faith is an important part of the story, but it doesn’t feel forced. Instead, it is incorporated naturally into the characters’ journeys as they wrestle with difficult circumstances, make choices, and learn to trust God.
This is a heartfelt and uplifting read with romance, history, faith, and plenty of emotion. Tamera Alexander once again shows why she is such a wonderful storyteller.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical Christian romance!
In These Hills by Tamera Alexander is a beautiful historical romance that completely drew me into its world. Alexander has a wonderful way of bringing history to life while creating characters whose struggles, hopes, and faith feel very real.
I especially enjoyed the romance. It develops naturally and is woven together with themes of trust, forgiveness, sacrifice, and finding the courage to move forward when life doesn’t turn out as expected. The historical setting adds another layer to the story and makes the characters’ challenges feel even more meaningful.
What I appreciated most was the Christian message. Faith is an important part of the story, but it doesn’t feel forced. Instead, it is incorporated naturally into the characters’ journeys as they wrestle with difficult circumstances, make choices, and learn to trust God.
This is a heartfelt and uplifting read with romance, history, faith, and plenty of emotion. Tamera Alexander once again shows why she is such a wonderful storyteller.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical Christian romance!
June 30, 2026
I liked this one! The middle felt slower but I loved the character development and the different sides of a nuanced topic
Read
September 29, 20263.5/5 I didn't expect a story about a suffragette to be a christian novel 🧍♀️
September 16, 2026
I admit, I was beginning to wonder if Tamera Alexander would ever write another book. In These Hills wasn't quite what I expected, but it ended up blowing me away.
What caught my attention first was the deep and complex themes. In These Hills looks like a simple story on the surface; Josephine is a suffragist, Dodge is not exactly against suffrage but strongly disagrees with Josephine's presentation of it because of his personal pain. Such a setup could've made the book preachy or "on the nose." Instead, both Josephine and Dodge confront the logical fallacies in their arguments, such as "not all men" or "not all women"--and learn to appreciate the other's side of things in real time. What I loved about this was, it gave them a romance that isn't built entirely on chemistry and sweet moments. These two have more than a romance--they truly build a relationship. They go from adversaries to friends to lovers in well-paced succession, which isn't something I see very often.
Additionally, the themes tie in so expertly with Josephine's character growth, they're almost seamless. Josephine seems like a tough, educated lady who maybe has some snobbery going on at first. Yet the more I got to know her, the more I saw that almost snobbish side to her came from vulnerability, a need for gentleness, that made her stronger and more feminine instead of a victim. My heart ached for her as I watched others, particularly men, lambast and even physically hurt her for her beliefs. I was reminded how far women have come and how far we still must go. But Tamera's handling of suffrage, temperance, and other issues, such that neither side is completely right or wrong, gave both her heroine and her book incredible depth.
I also particularly loved the characters because of how complex they are. For instance, Josephine is our heroine and she does embody heroic traits such as fierce compassion for others, determination, and after a fashion, humility. But it's that "after a fashion" that makes her human. It's her blunt honesty, mixed with fear driving her to almost constant deception, that makes her someone readers hope will have a happy ending. Calla and Miss Mary especially have similar arcs happening. They're stalwart, good-hearted people, and yet human weaknesses like a lack of grace for others or a tendency to carry heavy burdens alone, trip them up.
That complexity isn't limited to the female characters, either. Dodge Coburn and Jack Daniel surprised me just as much as they did Josephine. Jack Daniel in particular could've been written as a typical overly sanguine womanizer who became a bit arrogant because of his business acumen. Instead, he's a genuine person in terms of both strength and weakness, and he and Josephine in particular play off each other well. And Dodge could've been a typical single dad with ambitions and beliefs Josephine considered beneath her. Instead, they learn to guide Bethie together, and Dodge in particular appreciates Josephine for who she is almost immediately.
The plot itself is an absolute jewel. I found myself identifying with Josephine and cheering on her speeches and suffragist ideals--but I also experienced conviction because like her, albeit on other issues, I haven't always seen all sides. I've had to learn nuance and sometimes teach it to myself, extend myself grace and extend it to others. I also applaud Tamera for the fact, In These Hills could've turned mainly on a "liar revealed" conflict. In fact, it kind of does but mostly doesn't. Josephine's travails and choices drive the story forward, but she does a lot more than "becoming a mask," so to speak. And the people of Lynchburg aren't just people that facilitate lessons she needs to learn. Instead, Lynchburg itself stands out as a true community of multifaceted people, for Josephine and for those who've lived there all their lives.
As with any book like this, there are several "popping" scenes. As you read and find your own treasures, keep your eyes on:
-The opening suffrage rally scenes; they hooked me right away and had me on the edge of my seat for more than a chapter
-Josephine's relationship with Bethie; refreshingly, Bethie doesn't adore her right away. There's a lot of great banter and some painful moments mixed in, all of which contribute to a relatable relationship arc
-The birth of Honey the calf and how Bethie and Josephine connect over it
-Almost any scene focused on Calla or Miss Mary and who they are growing to become
-Josephine's quiet, spiritual scenes near the end. I'm not usually a fan of the type of epiphany she had because it could read as just her desire to get out of a bad situation. But to my surprise, Tamera made it work because of who Josephine is and how she processes what happens
Overall then, In These Hills is a rich, enjoyable book full of characters who feel like "home" and questions that will make you think. I highly recommend it and hope Tamera doesn't wait too long to give us another like it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
What caught my attention first was the deep and complex themes. In These Hills looks like a simple story on the surface; Josephine is a suffragist, Dodge is not exactly against suffrage but strongly disagrees with Josephine's presentation of it because of his personal pain. Such a setup could've made the book preachy or "on the nose." Instead, both Josephine and Dodge confront the logical fallacies in their arguments, such as "not all men" or "not all women"--and learn to appreciate the other's side of things in real time. What I loved about this was, it gave them a romance that isn't built entirely on chemistry and sweet moments. These two have more than a romance--they truly build a relationship. They go from adversaries to friends to lovers in well-paced succession, which isn't something I see very often.
Additionally, the themes tie in so expertly with Josephine's character growth, they're almost seamless. Josephine seems like a tough, educated lady who maybe has some snobbery going on at first. Yet the more I got to know her, the more I saw that almost snobbish side to her came from vulnerability, a need for gentleness, that made her stronger and more feminine instead of a victim. My heart ached for her as I watched others, particularly men, lambast and even physically hurt her for her beliefs. I was reminded how far women have come and how far we still must go. But Tamera's handling of suffrage, temperance, and other issues, such that neither side is completely right or wrong, gave both her heroine and her book incredible depth.
I also particularly loved the characters because of how complex they are. For instance, Josephine is our heroine and she does embody heroic traits such as fierce compassion for others, determination, and after a fashion, humility. But it's that "after a fashion" that makes her human. It's her blunt honesty, mixed with fear driving her to almost constant deception, that makes her someone readers hope will have a happy ending. Calla and Miss Mary especially have similar arcs happening. They're stalwart, good-hearted people, and yet human weaknesses like a lack of grace for others or a tendency to carry heavy burdens alone, trip them up.
That complexity isn't limited to the female characters, either. Dodge Coburn and Jack Daniel surprised me just as much as they did Josephine. Jack Daniel in particular could've been written as a typical overly sanguine womanizer who became a bit arrogant because of his business acumen. Instead, he's a genuine person in terms of both strength and weakness, and he and Josephine in particular play off each other well. And Dodge could've been a typical single dad with ambitions and beliefs Josephine considered beneath her. Instead, they learn to guide Bethie together, and Dodge in particular appreciates Josephine for who she is almost immediately.
The plot itself is an absolute jewel. I found myself identifying with Josephine and cheering on her speeches and suffragist ideals--but I also experienced conviction because like her, albeit on other issues, I haven't always seen all sides. I've had to learn nuance and sometimes teach it to myself, extend myself grace and extend it to others. I also applaud Tamera for the fact, In These Hills could've turned mainly on a "liar revealed" conflict. In fact, it kind of does but mostly doesn't. Josephine's travails and choices drive the story forward, but she does a lot more than "becoming a mask," so to speak. And the people of Lynchburg aren't just people that facilitate lessons she needs to learn. Instead, Lynchburg itself stands out as a true community of multifaceted people, for Josephine and for those who've lived there all their lives.
As with any book like this, there are several "popping" scenes. As you read and find your own treasures, keep your eyes on:
-The opening suffrage rally scenes; they hooked me right away and had me on the edge of my seat for more than a chapter
-Josephine's relationship with Bethie; refreshingly, Bethie doesn't adore her right away. There's a lot of great banter and some painful moments mixed in, all of which contribute to a relatable relationship arc
-The birth of Honey the calf and how Bethie and Josephine connect over it
-Almost any scene focused on Calla or Miss Mary and who they are growing to become
-Josephine's quiet, spiritual scenes near the end. I'm not usually a fan of the type of epiphany she had because it could read as just her desire to get out of a bad situation. But to my surprise, Tamera made it work because of who Josephine is and how she processes what happens
Overall then, In These Hills is a rich, enjoyable book full of characters who feel like "home" and questions that will make you think. I highly recommend it and hope Tamera doesn't wait too long to give us another like it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Josephine cannot believe she is standing on stage and speaking at the same event as Susan B. Anthony! The crowd is large, filled with supporters of the suffragist movement, as well as rowdy men telling them to go home and back to what they were meant to do: keep house, take care of the children and do what they say. It’s not long before they are out of control and Josephine is hit with eggs and a rock that dazed her when it struck her in the head. When whiskey bottles start to fly towards them, Josephine takes the 85 year old Miss Anthony by hand and rushes off the stage to seek safety.
Miss Anthony and Josephine have a few moments to share about their personal lives and motivations for joining the quest for women’s suffrage. Josephine is humbly motivated by SBA when the icon claims she sees her younger self in Josephine and pleads for her to speak her best, work her best and trust her own conscience, providing that it is guided by God.
As they hurry in separate directions, Josephine hears raucous men, chiding a group of suffragists, pelting them with rotten eggs and other physical abuse. The policeman who step in are worse, treating the women like animals, shoving them into vehicles to transport them to jail. Any attempt at refusing was met with a beating. Josephine was able to escape from the officer trying to load her into the wagon, running for her life.
On a side street, Josephine saw her good friend, Sarah, being manhandled. He struck Sarah in the face with a forceful blow, when Josephine couldn’t get there quickly enough to stop him. She did get there fast enough to plow into him, knock him in the street and allow the two women to escape.
The young women were not safe for long. While trying to avoid the wretched man who had thrown eggs and a rock at her, Josephine, whose being held by her hair and being beat with his belt, finds a brick and succeeds to knock him out. She and Sarah believe he’s dead.
Needless to say, the opening of IN THESE HILLS, by Tamera Alexander, begins with a literary bang! The remainder of the story is Josephine’s escape from Atlanta, new life in Lynchburg and all the quirky characters that live and work there. My two favorite characters are Miss Mary and Jack Daniels; yup - THAT one!
Something few folks know about me is that I’m a whiskey snob. If it’s not straight up whiskey, I’m not interested; sour mash or give me diet Dr. Pepper! No. 7 is my Nirvana. Don’t ruin it by adding anything other than a glass or on really hot days, a single ice cube. When I learned that Jack and Lynchburg were major players in this story, it earned 4 stars before I even began reading. I was ever so thankful the rest of the story was spectacular.
Tamera Alexander is a wonderfully gifted writer of historical fiction. The research is deep and exquisitely integrated; no info dumps. The setting, clothing, architecture, current historical events and thinking are immersive, drawing readers into the lives of the characters. Faith is integrated naturally thru daily life’s challenges and joys.
Being able to “hear” the thoughts and observe growth in a character makes it easy to care about them. In this story, there’s a mix of historical figures and fictional characters. Readers will be able to discover Jack Daniels from his little boy days up thru his waning days. He’s larger than life. Miss Mary is the real owner of the boarding house in Lynchburg, the only place for visitors or potential new residents to stay until finding a permanent home. There’s no biography about her but there is a cookbook that includes anecdotes that I’m planning to read. She is a wonderful character. Think “Granny” from the Beverly Hiilbillies” meets Martha Stewart. Her boarding house evolved into a restaurant that still serves Lynchburg as a National landmark.
Josephine’s journey to find her place after the events in Atlanta is full of adventure. This story is layered with multiple arcs, a bit of mystery, challenges of faith and family, seeking purpose and looking for acceptance and love. It’s expertly crafted and relevant for today.
The appeal for this book should be expansive: readers of Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Whiskey enthusiasts, Inspirational Fiction, Gentle Romance, Women’s Fiction, Women’s History and really fantastic stories without foul language or open door sexual content.
Highly recommended📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
Miss Anthony and Josephine have a few moments to share about their personal lives and motivations for joining the quest for women’s suffrage. Josephine is humbly motivated by SBA when the icon claims she sees her younger self in Josephine and pleads for her to speak her best, work her best and trust her own conscience, providing that it is guided by God.
As they hurry in separate directions, Josephine hears raucous men, chiding a group of suffragists, pelting them with rotten eggs and other physical abuse. The policeman who step in are worse, treating the women like animals, shoving them into vehicles to transport them to jail. Any attempt at refusing was met with a beating. Josephine was able to escape from the officer trying to load her into the wagon, running for her life.
On a side street, Josephine saw her good friend, Sarah, being manhandled. He struck Sarah in the face with a forceful blow, when Josephine couldn’t get there quickly enough to stop him. She did get there fast enough to plow into him, knock him in the street and allow the two women to escape.
The young women were not safe for long. While trying to avoid the wretched man who had thrown eggs and a rock at her, Josephine, whose being held by her hair and being beat with his belt, finds a brick and succeeds to knock him out. She and Sarah believe he’s dead.
Needless to say, the opening of IN THESE HILLS, by Tamera Alexander, begins with a literary bang! The remainder of the story is Josephine’s escape from Atlanta, new life in Lynchburg and all the quirky characters that live and work there. My two favorite characters are Miss Mary and Jack Daniels; yup - THAT one!
Something few folks know about me is that I’m a whiskey snob. If it’s not straight up whiskey, I’m not interested; sour mash or give me diet Dr. Pepper! No. 7 is my Nirvana. Don’t ruin it by adding anything other than a glass or on really hot days, a single ice cube. When I learned that Jack and Lynchburg were major players in this story, it earned 4 stars before I even began reading. I was ever so thankful the rest of the story was spectacular.
Tamera Alexander is a wonderfully gifted writer of historical fiction. The research is deep and exquisitely integrated; no info dumps. The setting, clothing, architecture, current historical events and thinking are immersive, drawing readers into the lives of the characters. Faith is integrated naturally thru daily life’s challenges and joys.
Being able to “hear” the thoughts and observe growth in a character makes it easy to care about them. In this story, there’s a mix of historical figures and fictional characters. Readers will be able to discover Jack Daniels from his little boy days up thru his waning days. He’s larger than life. Miss Mary is the real owner of the boarding house in Lynchburg, the only place for visitors or potential new residents to stay until finding a permanent home. There’s no biography about her but there is a cookbook that includes anecdotes that I’m planning to read. She is a wonderful character. Think “Granny” from the Beverly Hiilbillies” meets Martha Stewart. Her boarding house evolved into a restaurant that still serves Lynchburg as a National landmark.
Josephine’s journey to find her place after the events in Atlanta is full of adventure. This story is layered with multiple arcs, a bit of mystery, challenges of faith and family, seeking purpose and looking for acceptance and love. It’s expertly crafted and relevant for today.
The appeal for this book should be expansive: readers of Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Whiskey enthusiasts, Inspirational Fiction, Gentle Romance, Women’s Fiction, Women’s History and really fantastic stories without foul language or open door sexual content.
Highly recommended📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
August 4, 2026
Tamera Alexander has such a gift for writing historical fiction that pulls you into both the plot and the characters. This story starts in 1905 and right in the middle of a suffrage rally alongside Susan B. Anthony (!!). Things quickly take a dangerous turn, and Josephine, also a suffragist, is suddenly running for her life!
One of my favorite parts of this book was watching Josephine grow. Tamera Alexander does such a great job of taking her characters on journeys of faith, and Josephine's was especially compelling. As a suffragist and strong-headed person, she’s spent years seeing the world one way, but the people and experiences she encounters, while on the run and in hiding, force her to wrestle with and question what she believes in most. I appreciated that the story didn't offer easy answers but instead showed how messy, complicated, and full of grace life can be.
I also absolutely loved Dodge. He was such a steady, genuine hero, and I found myself rooting for him from the beginning. It was also fun getting a glimpse into the history of Jack Daniel's Distillery.
There were several quotes that really stood out to me. "Never forget—even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered."Josephine waited. "Pain draws us closer to God, my dear sister. It helps us to hear his voice... better than anything else."
I also loved: "And for what it's worth, Josephine... heartache teaches what happiness can't. Whatever it is you've been through, take the lesson and leave the pain, if you're able."
Even though this story is set in 1905, the questions it raises about justice, prejudice, grace, suffering, and trusting God in the middle of brokenness still feel incredibly relevant today.
One of the things I appreciate most about Tamera Alexander's writing is how naturally she weaves faith into her stories. It never feels forced, and the emotions and struggles her characters face are so relatable. Watching Josephine confront her own assumptions about life and men, deal with the consequences of her choices, and grow in both faith and humility made this such a rewarding read.
One content note for readers who appreciate knowing these details: there is one use of "jack***" and two uses of "a**" within the span of about two pages. They weren't part of a sermon or a discussion about language, and there wasn't any other strong language for the rest of the book. Because of that, the words felt jarring, random, and unnecessary to me. It certainly didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story, but I wanted to mention it for readers who are mindful of content.
Also... can we please have more epilogues in Christian fiction? I was so excited to see this book had one! I love getting that extra glimpse into the characters' lives after the main story wraps up, and this epilogue was the perfect finishing touch by Tamera.
If you love Christian historical fiction with memorable characters, plenty of heart and wit, and tender faith woven (beautifully) throughout, I recommend picking this one up as your next read!
Thank you to the publisher, Tyndale, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite parts of this book was watching Josephine grow. Tamera Alexander does such a great job of taking her characters on journeys of faith, and Josephine's was especially compelling. As a suffragist and strong-headed person, she’s spent years seeing the world one way, but the people and experiences she encounters, while on the run and in hiding, force her to wrestle with and question what she believes in most. I appreciated that the story didn't offer easy answers but instead showed how messy, complicated, and full of grace life can be.
I also absolutely loved Dodge. He was such a steady, genuine hero, and I found myself rooting for him from the beginning. It was also fun getting a glimpse into the history of Jack Daniel's Distillery.
There were several quotes that really stood out to me. "Never forget—even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered."Josephine waited. "Pain draws us closer to God, my dear sister. It helps us to hear his voice... better than anything else."
I also loved: "And for what it's worth, Josephine... heartache teaches what happiness can't. Whatever it is you've been through, take the lesson and leave the pain, if you're able."
Even though this story is set in 1905, the questions it raises about justice, prejudice, grace, suffering, and trusting God in the middle of brokenness still feel incredibly relevant today.
One of the things I appreciate most about Tamera Alexander's writing is how naturally she weaves faith into her stories. It never feels forced, and the emotions and struggles her characters face are so relatable. Watching Josephine confront her own assumptions about life and men, deal with the consequences of her choices, and grow in both faith and humility made this such a rewarding read.
One content note for readers who appreciate knowing these details: there is one use of "jack***" and two uses of "a**" within the span of about two pages. They weren't part of a sermon or a discussion about language, and there wasn't any other strong language for the rest of the book. Because of that, the words felt jarring, random, and unnecessary to me. It certainly didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story, but I wanted to mention it for readers who are mindful of content.
Also... can we please have more epilogues in Christian fiction? I was so excited to see this book had one! I love getting that extra glimpse into the characters' lives after the main story wraps up, and this epilogue was the perfect finishing touch by Tamera.
If you love Christian historical fiction with memorable characters, plenty of heart and wit, and tender faith woven (beautifully) throughout, I recommend picking this one up as your next read!
Thank you to the publisher, Tyndale, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2026
Wow, just wow!! I've been waiting for Tamera Alexander to release her next book and boy did she deliver with "In These Hills"!
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I just love it when we get to meet real life people between the pages of a book. In this one we get to see Susan B. Anthony and Jack Daniel - two very different people that I would have never thought of being in the same book but here they are, connected by events surrounding the main character Josephine.
We also meet Mary Bobo who had a boarding house in Lynchburg, TN where many visitors to the Jack Daniels distillery stayed and the restaurant remains a staple in the community. She's someone I never knew about but is definitely a historical figure in Tennessee.
Overall the story highlights both sides of prohibition very well. Josephine definitely sees how alcohol can ruin the lives of families when its misused but through this story, her eyes are opened to a different side where the business of distilling and distributing alcohol is a livelihood for some.
The main male character Dodge and his niece Bethie were characters I really enjoyed in the book. Calla is a side character that brought a lot of depth to the story and opened Josephine's eyes to so much of the world she never understood.
It also has the darker side of the women's suffrage movement and highlights some of the difficulties early suffragists faced, many years before women received the right to vote. There are also glimpses into the struggles of African Americans during this time period in the south and how different communities dealt with racial issues. There is some bad language, but not highlighted as a positive thing. To me, these words added authenticity to the story because it's language a person on the wrong side of the law and of Christian faith would use.
There are some excellent Christian faith elements written into the story and I loved how they were used in the story. This is a Christian Historical Fiction book written by a Christian author so any readers looking for faith-filled Christian fiction may enjoy this book.
Overall this book has so much packed into it and it's just so well written and I stayed up late just to finish reading the story one night which I don't do often. This book contains history, family struggles, loss, romance and an intriguing central plot in just over 400 pages that to me passed very quickly.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I just love it when we get to meet real life people between the pages of a book. In this one we get to see Susan B. Anthony and Jack Daniel - two very different people that I would have never thought of being in the same book but here they are, connected by events surrounding the main character Josephine.
We also meet Mary Bobo who had a boarding house in Lynchburg, TN where many visitors to the Jack Daniels distillery stayed and the restaurant remains a staple in the community. She's someone I never knew about but is definitely a historical figure in Tennessee.
Overall the story highlights both sides of prohibition very well. Josephine definitely sees how alcohol can ruin the lives of families when its misused but through this story, her eyes are opened to a different side where the business of distilling and distributing alcohol is a livelihood for some.
The main male character Dodge and his niece Bethie were characters I really enjoyed in the book. Calla is a side character that brought a lot of depth to the story and opened Josephine's eyes to so much of the world she never understood.
It also has the darker side of the women's suffrage movement and highlights some of the difficulties early suffragists faced, many years before women received the right to vote. There are also glimpses into the struggles of African Americans during this time period in the south and how different communities dealt with racial issues. There is some bad language, but not highlighted as a positive thing. To me, these words added authenticity to the story because it's language a person on the wrong side of the law and of Christian faith would use.
There are some excellent Christian faith elements written into the story and I loved how they were used in the story. This is a Christian Historical Fiction book written by a Christian author so any readers looking for faith-filled Christian fiction may enjoy this book.
Overall this book has so much packed into it and it's just so well written and I stayed up late just to finish reading the story one night which I don't do often. This book contains history, family struggles, loss, romance and an intriguing central plot in just over 400 pages that to me passed very quickly.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5+ Stars!
I cried when I finished In These Hills. This story is so full of living. People trying to love each other well. Trying to make choices that honor God. Struggling. Getting things wrong. Asking forgiveness. Offering mercy. Learning to see the person standing in front of them.
Josephine came into Lynchburg with strong convictions and very definite ideas about people and what was right. Then she started living among them.
That got very personal for me. I know what it is to find yourself in a completely different environment and later see how God orchestrated it. People you never expected become part of what He is teaching you. Your eyes open wider. You begin seeing things you could not see before. I felt that so deeply while reading Josephine’s story.
There was one point when I was furious with Josephine. I mean truly upset with her. I cared enough about these people by then that her choices hurt. Watching what came after that, and seeing her grow, made me love her and those around her even more.
The friendships in this book are beautiful. Miss Mary. Calla. Josephine. Dodge. Bethie. Jack Daniel. So much care between people. They show up. They listen. They forgive. They help. They try again.
“Love your neighbor” is lived out here.
The Jack Daniel’s Distillery setting fascinated me. I had no idea going in how I would feel about that part of the story. Tamera Alexander made Lynchburg and the people behind its history feel alive. I kept wanting to know more.
Dodge and Josephine were wonderful together too. I really enjoyed them, especially the way faith mattered in how Dodge approached what he wanted and the choices he made.
Jesus is throughout this story.
People pray and seek God’s guidance. They surrender things to Him. They cry out to Him. They talk about His grace and His mercy. They want to live in a way that honors Him. They seek Him and find Him.
Jesus is Lord and Savior and Master. That is what made this story so beautiful to me.
Compassion. Mercy. Grace. Understanding. Priorities. Loving your neighbor and wanting to do better every day.
I was overwhelmed by how beautifully these people lived and loved, and by the end I was crying because it had all become so very tender and eternally meaningful.
Amazing story.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, Tyndale Fiction, via NetGalley. My review reflects my honest, heartfelt opinion.
I cried when I finished In These Hills. This story is so full of living. People trying to love each other well. Trying to make choices that honor God. Struggling. Getting things wrong. Asking forgiveness. Offering mercy. Learning to see the person standing in front of them.
Josephine came into Lynchburg with strong convictions and very definite ideas about people and what was right. Then she started living among them.
That got very personal for me. I know what it is to find yourself in a completely different environment and later see how God orchestrated it. People you never expected become part of what He is teaching you. Your eyes open wider. You begin seeing things you could not see before. I felt that so deeply while reading Josephine’s story.
There was one point when I was furious with Josephine. I mean truly upset with her. I cared enough about these people by then that her choices hurt. Watching what came after that, and seeing her grow, made me love her and those around her even more.
The friendships in this book are beautiful. Miss Mary. Calla. Josephine. Dodge. Bethie. Jack Daniel. So much care between people. They show up. They listen. They forgive. They help. They try again.
“Love your neighbor” is lived out here.
The Jack Daniel’s Distillery setting fascinated me. I had no idea going in how I would feel about that part of the story. Tamera Alexander made Lynchburg and the people behind its history feel alive. I kept wanting to know more.
Dodge and Josephine were wonderful together too. I really enjoyed them, especially the way faith mattered in how Dodge approached what he wanted and the choices he made.
Jesus is throughout this story.
People pray and seek God’s guidance. They surrender things to Him. They cry out to Him. They talk about His grace and His mercy. They want to live in a way that honors Him. They seek Him and find Him.
Jesus is Lord and Savior and Master. That is what made this story so beautiful to me.
Compassion. Mercy. Grace. Understanding. Priorities. Loving your neighbor and wanting to do better every day.
I was overwhelmed by how beautifully these people lived and loved, and by the end I was crying because it had all become so very tender and eternally meaningful.
Amazing story.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, Tyndale Fiction, via NetGalley. My review reflects my honest, heartfelt opinion.
October 7, 2026
Wow!! My first Tamera Alexander novel and it did not disappoint one bit.
Set largely in Atlanta and Lynchburg in rural Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniel's Distillery, you get a authoritative, historically rich, evocative novel of 1905 America, the suffragist movement and the creation of Jack Daniel's whiskey.
Josephine Dunham, a young suffragist is on the run for her life, after killing the Mayor's son in self defense when a suffragist rally turned violent. She knows, Mayor Darden a deadly enemy of the suffragists won't rest until she pays for her "crimes".
Running for her life, she ends up in Lynchburg in rural Tennessee and has to taken on a job at a much hated distillery. Little does she realize this distillery is destined to be world famous for its product: No.7 Whiskey.
The events in Tennessee and thereafter change her perspective for the better on both the suffragist movement and the distillery. No longer seeing issues in stark black and white, she realises there are shades of grey on both sides of any issue.
Tamera Alexander has penned a rivetting, inspirational story of 1900s America. I was shocked to learn about the level of hatred, sheer antipathy and violence the mere mention of women's rights evoked in most men who saw themselves as superior. I never realised how rough the going had been. Most other novels set in this time period that touch on it, have just been fluff.
So be warned, there's some rather heavy content and some violence in the book. Yet, it was necessary to portray it, to show the evils of entrenched, narrowminded, bigotry & patriarchy.
On the opposite spectrum, there is the unexpected portrayal of a loving, kind, humourous, affectionate man who brewed liquor for a living: Jack Daniel, aka Uncle Jack. Uncle Jack knew that an individual is responsible for his choices on how much liquor he can consume and his behaviour thereafter. Blame does not rest solely on the instrument.
The novel is a rich tapestry of sight, sound, actions and thought, expertly woven together to present a pleasing whole. Even though it deals with serious issues, there's time for lighthearted fun, joking and even unexpectedly, falling in love. It's a realistic portrayal of life as it was threaded through with hope: a feat only an experienced novelist can achieve with deft, light but sure strokes of her pen.
I was given an ARC by the publishers, but these opinions are my own.
Set largely in Atlanta and Lynchburg in rural Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniel's Distillery, you get a authoritative, historically rich, evocative novel of 1905 America, the suffragist movement and the creation of Jack Daniel's whiskey.
Josephine Dunham, a young suffragist is on the run for her life, after killing the Mayor's son in self defense when a suffragist rally turned violent. She knows, Mayor Darden a deadly enemy of the suffragists won't rest until she pays for her "crimes".
Running for her life, she ends up in Lynchburg in rural Tennessee and has to taken on a job at a much hated distillery. Little does she realize this distillery is destined to be world famous for its product: No.7 Whiskey.
The events in Tennessee and thereafter change her perspective for the better on both the suffragist movement and the distillery. No longer seeing issues in stark black and white, she realises there are shades of grey on both sides of any issue.
Tamera Alexander has penned a rivetting, inspirational story of 1900s America. I was shocked to learn about the level of hatred, sheer antipathy and violence the mere mention of women's rights evoked in most men who saw themselves as superior. I never realised how rough the going had been. Most other novels set in this time period that touch on it, have just been fluff.
So be warned, there's some rather heavy content and some violence in the book. Yet, it was necessary to portray it, to show the evils of entrenched, narrowminded, bigotry & patriarchy.
On the opposite spectrum, there is the unexpected portrayal of a loving, kind, humourous, affectionate man who brewed liquor for a living: Jack Daniel, aka Uncle Jack. Uncle Jack knew that an individual is responsible for his choices on how much liquor he can consume and his behaviour thereafter. Blame does not rest solely on the instrument.
The novel is a rich tapestry of sight, sound, actions and thought, expertly woven together to present a pleasing whole. Even though it deals with serious issues, there's time for lighthearted fun, joking and even unexpectedly, falling in love. It's a realistic portrayal of life as it was threaded through with hope: a feat only an experienced novelist can achieve with deft, light but sure strokes of her pen.
I was given an ARC by the publishers, but these opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited and delighted to see that Tamera Alexander has written another book! She hasn't written one in a very loooooong time.
When I saw In these Hills I knew I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed at all!
Oh my this book was everything that I've come to expect from this amazing author!
How cool it would have been to time travel back to those times. I'd see first hand what those woman had to deal with and fight for.. They fought for our rights as women and I so admire and appreciate them.
Through this beautiful and sometimes hard story I was able to do that. There are places that I cheered Josephine in and other places I wanted cry for her. She's what made me keep turning the pages. She's the one who wouldn't let me go to sleep until she told me her story
Then we have Dodge Coburn. Skeptical, uncertain, and maybe leary at first but I found myself rooting for him and Bethie too. Especially Bethie.
I actually enjoyed meeting Jack Daniels too. No, I didn't like the idea of the distillery but I I enjoyed in getting to know the man himself. I thought he was the most charismatic man I've ever met.
I learned many things from this book.
The faith filled themes were wonderful. Some romance but not overdone.
I loved everything about this novel and I was sad when it ended.
I finished this book at 3am because I couldn't put it down.
My friend would agree with this quote from the book that
“We all got our story, don’t we? Chapters we don’t want read aloud, and other parts we pray to God nobody ever reads at all. But the thing is…He reads them, every page, every word, and loves us anyway. Whatever it is you’re carrying, remember that.” this also came from Nannie Calla's niece.
Secrets were never meant to be kept. They do tend to come out sooner or later.
Another favorite quote "You can run but you can't hide God always knows where you are.
"Bethie we shouldn’t judge all men by one. There are good men in this world. So to judge them as all being the same isn’t fair to them. Just like not all women, or girls, are the same.” I agree.
This was such a good read that I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
5 stars for a job well done!
I received this book from Interviews and Reviews through Tyndale via NetGalley
When I saw In these Hills I knew I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed at all!
Oh my this book was everything that I've come to expect from this amazing author!
How cool it would have been to time travel back to those times. I'd see first hand what those woman had to deal with and fight for.. They fought for our rights as women and I so admire and appreciate them.
Through this beautiful and sometimes hard story I was able to do that. There are places that I cheered Josephine in and other places I wanted cry for her. She's what made me keep turning the pages. She's the one who wouldn't let me go to sleep until she told me her story
Then we have Dodge Coburn. Skeptical, uncertain, and maybe leary at first but I found myself rooting for him and Bethie too. Especially Bethie.
I actually enjoyed meeting Jack Daniels too. No, I didn't like the idea of the distillery but I I enjoyed in getting to know the man himself. I thought he was the most charismatic man I've ever met.
I learned many things from this book.
The faith filled themes were wonderful. Some romance but not overdone.
I loved everything about this novel and I was sad when it ended.
I finished this book at 3am because I couldn't put it down.
My friend would agree with this quote from the book that
“We all got our story, don’t we? Chapters we don’t want read aloud, and other parts we pray to God nobody ever reads at all. But the thing is…He reads them, every page, every word, and loves us anyway. Whatever it is you’re carrying, remember that.” this also came from Nannie Calla's niece.
Secrets were never meant to be kept. They do tend to come out sooner or later.
Another favorite quote "You can run but you can't hide God always knows where you are.
"Bethie we shouldn’t judge all men by one. There are good men in this world. So to judge them as all being the same isn’t fair to them. Just like not all women, or girls, are the same.” I agree.
This was such a good read that I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
5 stars for a job well done!
I received this book from Interviews and Reviews through Tyndale via NetGalley
September 13, 2026
A female suffragette fleeing for her life & the nephew of the famous Jack Daniel, two seeming opposites & one amazing love story! Tamara Alexander brings history to life in this sweeping, inspirational story.
From the beginning, I was drawn into Josephine’s plight & learning more about the early suffragette movement & Jack Daniel’s distillery. I enjoyed the achingly lovely, slow-burn romance, witty & thought-provoking dialogue, the age-old discussion of freedom versus protection with Prohibition, & the inspirational messages sprinkled throughout.
Josephine Dunham is strong, stubborn, & passionate about women’s rights. When a votes-for-women rally goes horribly wrong, she runs for her life, eventually landing in rural Tennessee. With officers searching for her, she poses as a married woman escaping an abusive husband. But the town’s main source of income is Jack Daniel’s distillery, a business she vehemently opposes. As she gets to know handsome Dodge Coburn & the charming Jack himself, the lines begin to blur between staunch principles & the livelihoods of the people she’s come to care for.
I thoroughly enjoyed Josephine & Dodge! They’re complete opposites, & I loved the mutual admiration that grows between them. Josephine has such a narrow, prejudiced view of men, & I enjoyed seeing Dodge upend her beliefs at every turn. Their swoon worthy, slow burn romance crackles & I enjoyed watching them fall in love. I also appreciated Dodge’s more modern view of women & his & Jack’s respect for Josephine’s abilities.
Though I don’t drink, it was fascinating learning more about Jack Daniel & seeing how his business grew from a small whisky operation into a world-renowned brand. I also enjoyed learning more about the early suffragette movement & getting a glimpse of Susan B. Anthony too. And I loved watching Dodge’s niece Bethie’s relationship with Josephine grow from resentment to respect & love.
The ending had me on pins & needles as Josephine’s past finally catches up to her. Highly recommend to historical romance fans! I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
From the beginning, I was drawn into Josephine’s plight & learning more about the early suffragette movement & Jack Daniel’s distillery. I enjoyed the achingly lovely, slow-burn romance, witty & thought-provoking dialogue, the age-old discussion of freedom versus protection with Prohibition, & the inspirational messages sprinkled throughout.
Josephine Dunham is strong, stubborn, & passionate about women’s rights. When a votes-for-women rally goes horribly wrong, she runs for her life, eventually landing in rural Tennessee. With officers searching for her, she poses as a married woman escaping an abusive husband. But the town’s main source of income is Jack Daniel’s distillery, a business she vehemently opposes. As she gets to know handsome Dodge Coburn & the charming Jack himself, the lines begin to blur between staunch principles & the livelihoods of the people she’s come to care for.
I thoroughly enjoyed Josephine & Dodge! They’re complete opposites, & I loved the mutual admiration that grows between them. Josephine has such a narrow, prejudiced view of men, & I enjoyed seeing Dodge upend her beliefs at every turn. Their swoon worthy, slow burn romance crackles & I enjoyed watching them fall in love. I also appreciated Dodge’s more modern view of women & his & Jack’s respect for Josephine’s abilities.
Though I don’t drink, it was fascinating learning more about Jack Daniel & seeing how his business grew from a small whisky operation into a world-renowned brand. I also enjoyed learning more about the early suffragette movement & getting a glimpse of Susan B. Anthony too. And I loved watching Dodge’s niece Bethie’s relationship with Josephine grow from resentment to respect & love.
The ending had me on pins & needles as Josephine’s past finally catches up to her. Highly recommend to historical romance fans! I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed reading In These Hills, an early twentieth century southern novel set in Lynchburg, Tennessee—the home of Jack Daniel Distillery. Kitty is an idealistic suffragist from Georgia who has a heart for helping women. She speaks at a street rally in Atlanta and a scary chain of events leaves Kitty with no good options. She’s on the run and hiding in a small Tennessee town.
Dodge is a single parent of his orphaned nine-year-old niece. He’s a foreman at a cattle ranch owned by Jack Daniel. Dodge’s first meeting with Kitty is dramatic and stressful. He unknowingly rescues Kitty from a dire situation and mistakenly assumes she’s married.
Kitty needs a job in Lynchburg to pay for her accommodation at the charming Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. The only suitable work is at Jack Daniel’s distillery, which is a problem. Kitty is dealing with moral and ethical dilemmas, including how she’s keeping secrets and not being honest with the kind people in town who are helping her.
I loved journeying with Kitty in the story. She’s a strong woman and a complex character who’s struggling with past hurts, including grief and loss. Danger follows Kitty as she wrestles with faith matters and trust issues.
Kitty’s friendship with Dodge is complicated and she can’t ignore the romantic sparks flying between them. Dodge struggles with his attraction to a supposedly married woman and he’s dealing with his own problems. A wild ride ensues as Kitty’s past catches up with her.
Lynchburg is like a character in the story. I appreciated seeing real life historical figures and learning more about the volatile political climate. The story explores issues including women’s rights, prohibition, alcoholism, and domestic abuse.
I recommend In These Hills to historical fiction readers who like opposites attract and small town southern fiction with a low key friends-to-more romance, danger, mysteries, political intrigue, and strong faith elements that include forgiveness themes.
Many thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Dodge is a single parent of his orphaned nine-year-old niece. He’s a foreman at a cattle ranch owned by Jack Daniel. Dodge’s first meeting with Kitty is dramatic and stressful. He unknowingly rescues Kitty from a dire situation and mistakenly assumes she’s married.
Kitty needs a job in Lynchburg to pay for her accommodation at the charming Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. The only suitable work is at Jack Daniel’s distillery, which is a problem. Kitty is dealing with moral and ethical dilemmas, including how she’s keeping secrets and not being honest with the kind people in town who are helping her.
I loved journeying with Kitty in the story. She’s a strong woman and a complex character who’s struggling with past hurts, including grief and loss. Danger follows Kitty as she wrestles with faith matters and trust issues.
Kitty’s friendship with Dodge is complicated and she can’t ignore the romantic sparks flying between them. Dodge struggles with his attraction to a supposedly married woman and he’s dealing with his own problems. A wild ride ensues as Kitty’s past catches up with her.
Lynchburg is like a character in the story. I appreciated seeing real life historical figures and learning more about the volatile political climate. The story explores issues including women’s rights, prohibition, alcoholism, and domestic abuse.
I recommend In These Hills to historical fiction readers who like opposites attract and small town southern fiction with a low key friends-to-more romance, danger, mysteries, political intrigue, and strong faith elements that include forgiveness themes.
Many thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“In These Hills” by Tamera Alexander is a book that will hold readers captive from the excellent plot, to the rich character development, to the historical setting and content. Josephine is a single young woman with no surviving family, who is caught up in the fervor of fighting for women’s rights. She is so passionate about her cause, she even ends up speaking at a rally in her home city of Atlanta. Circumstances prompt her to need a swift exit from her home, and that leads her to meet Dodge. Dodge is from the tiny town of Lynchburg in the mountains of Tennessee. Events unfold from there, but I don’t want to spoil any of this story for you, so I will let you read them. Suffice it to say, Miss Josephine meets some mighty kind folks (and some not so kind ones, too) in this tiny little mountain town. Miss Mary, Calla, Bethie, Uncle Jack, Dodge, and a whole lot more characters all fill out this story well. And those kind folks will help Josephine learn a whole lot more about herself and about life, and about how one’s choices affect other people.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is not every day that I pick up a Christian book and read about a man like Jack Daniels and his whiskey, but I enjoyed the history I learned through reading about him and the current events of that time period. I think we can learn from the lessons that Josephine learned as well. I appreciated the richness of the characters as they flowed through the historical content to create a thoroughly engaging plot that makes me wish I could read more about these new book-friends. Tamera Alexander has written a story that draws the reader in, keeps them wanting to know more, teaches a few lessons and facts, and also provides an excellent literary escape. I highly recommend this book to lovers of books or just historical fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is not every day that I pick up a Christian book and read about a man like Jack Daniels and his whiskey, but I enjoyed the history I learned through reading about him and the current events of that time period. I think we can learn from the lessons that Josephine learned as well. I appreciated the richness of the characters as they flowed through the historical content to create a thoroughly engaging plot that makes me wish I could read more about these new book-friends. Tamera Alexander has written a story that draws the reader in, keeps them wanting to know more, teaches a few lessons and facts, and also provides an excellent literary escape. I highly recommend this book to lovers of books or just historical fiction.
October 2, 2026
I loved this book...not just because of the story and the fact I have discovered a new author to follow, but because I have discovered a new recipe. On the day I read about Calla and Josephine making the molasses gingerbread with lemon sauce, my cousin in Canada also posted a link to the same dessert on her Facebook. It was fate and telling me I had to make it (with treacle rather than molasses). I can report I made it with a bowl and wooden spoon, and it was delicious.
"In These Hills" has a thought provoking message of suffrage in America. But is also a love story.
Josephine adheres to the mantra "Failure is Impossible" but you would surely excuse her for giving in. Atlanta suffragettes have jeers and rotten eggs thrown at them. And God forbid if you laugh at one of the men condemning the cause. Severe physical assault sees Josephine fighting for her life....and shortly after, she is running for her life.
Thank God for small towns like Lynchburg. Behind the times and remote, small town gossip is rampant. But salt of the earth people are generous. So many loveable characters. Jack Daniels is a charming man, a lover of women and the founder of Jack Daniels whisky. His banter with Josephine is humerous and a show of affection. Mary Bobo is also generous and runs the boarding house. Calla Lilly is the best cook and a troubled soul and young Bethie is truely her mother's daughter. Finally Dodge....I could love him.
"In These Hills" kept me captivated and I would be keen to follow Tamera Alexander's upcoming books. Josephine and Dodge are a formidable couple. After all, men and women are better together, when driving to make meaningful change in the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Fiction for my copy.
"In These Hills" has a thought provoking message of suffrage in America. But is also a love story.
Josephine adheres to the mantra "Failure is Impossible" but you would surely excuse her for giving in. Atlanta suffragettes have jeers and rotten eggs thrown at them. And God forbid if you laugh at one of the men condemning the cause. Severe physical assault sees Josephine fighting for her life....and shortly after, she is running for her life.
Thank God for small towns like Lynchburg. Behind the times and remote, small town gossip is rampant. But salt of the earth people are generous. So many loveable characters. Jack Daniels is a charming man, a lover of women and the founder of Jack Daniels whisky. His banter with Josephine is humerous and a show of affection. Mary Bobo is also generous and runs the boarding house. Calla Lilly is the best cook and a troubled soul and young Bethie is truely her mother's daughter. Finally Dodge....I could love him.
"In These Hills" kept me captivated and I would be keen to follow Tamera Alexander's upcoming books. Josephine and Dodge are a formidable couple. After all, men and women are better together, when driving to make meaningful change in the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Fiction for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up….
Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to read In These Hills. This was also a first for me in terms of reading a historical novel set during the rise of the suffragist movement. I found the history fascinating and really enjoyed learning more about what these women believed in, and what they were fighting for.
From the beginning, I felt like Josephine was going to be challenged in ways that would lead to a significant character arc. I really enjoyed watching her beliefs and assumptions be challenged throughout the story. Jack Daniel especially pushed her to look at things differently, while Calla helped soften her heart toward people who were struggling with alcohol. And Dodge was such a sweet part of the story, he seemed to see right through Josephine and fell in love with the woman underneath all her walls.
This was a much heavier read than I was expecting. There is quite a bit of violence and difficult subject matter, and honestly, I don’t think I smiled once while reading it. The story carries a heaviness throughout, and I just wasn’t quite in the mood for that kind of book at the time.
I also found the ending a little confusing and jumpy, kept losing where I was. That seems to be a trend with a lot of publishers lately due to word count.
Overall, I would definitely recommend In These Hills to readers who enjoy historical fiction and want to learn more about the turn of the century with the suffragist movement.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to read In These Hills. This was also a first for me in terms of reading a historical novel set during the rise of the suffragist movement. I found the history fascinating and really enjoyed learning more about what these women believed in, and what they were fighting for.
From the beginning, I felt like Josephine was going to be challenged in ways that would lead to a significant character arc. I really enjoyed watching her beliefs and assumptions be challenged throughout the story. Jack Daniel especially pushed her to look at things differently, while Calla helped soften her heart toward people who were struggling with alcohol. And Dodge was such a sweet part of the story, he seemed to see right through Josephine and fell in love with the woman underneath all her walls.
This was a much heavier read than I was expecting. There is quite a bit of violence and difficult subject matter, and honestly, I don’t think I smiled once while reading it. The story carries a heaviness throughout, and I just wasn’t quite in the mood for that kind of book at the time.
I also found the ending a little confusing and jumpy, kept losing where I was. That seems to be a trend with a lot of publishers lately due to word count.
Overall, I would definitely recommend In These Hills to readers who enjoy historical fiction and want to learn more about the turn of the century with the suffragist movement.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m ashamed to say In These Hills is my first Tamera Alexander book, but the good news is she’s got an extensive publishing history for me to now go and enjoy.
The stort centers around suffragette Josephine who escapes violence and goes to ground in the Tennessee hills. Out of money and options she takes a job in the worst possible place for her convictions – the Jack Daniel distillery. After he helps her on her journey, Josephine strikes up a friendship with Dodge Coburn who runs the distillery’s ranch. But Dodge has no idea the secrets she’s keeping and Jospehine has no inclination to tell him.
Gosh there are a lot of moving pieces in this story. Dodge is raising his niece and dreaming of his own property far away. Josephine is stuck in a small town and unable to campaign for women’s rights. As truths come to light, the pressure mounts. This is a treatise in slowly ramping up the pressure on characters and watching them turn to God. You could also consider this a masterclass in how messy beginnings lead to beautiful endings.
EXCELLENT ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The thing I’ve learned about Tamera Alexander is she is meticulous about detailed research. This really shows between the description of the area, the phrases and behaviors displayed by the charaters, and the attitudes of different people. I also loved all the historical tidbits about the Jack Daniel Distillery and ‘Uncle Jack’ himself.
As I said at the outset, this was my first Tamera Alexander novel but it won’t be my last. Highly recommended for lovers of historical romance.
I received a copy of In These Hills from the publisher via NetGalley, the views are all my own.
The stort centers around suffragette Josephine who escapes violence and goes to ground in the Tennessee hills. Out of money and options she takes a job in the worst possible place for her convictions – the Jack Daniel distillery. After he helps her on her journey, Josephine strikes up a friendship with Dodge Coburn who runs the distillery’s ranch. But Dodge has no idea the secrets she’s keeping and Jospehine has no inclination to tell him.
Gosh there are a lot of moving pieces in this story. Dodge is raising his niece and dreaming of his own property far away. Josephine is stuck in a small town and unable to campaign for women’s rights. As truths come to light, the pressure mounts. This is a treatise in slowly ramping up the pressure on characters and watching them turn to God. You could also consider this a masterclass in how messy beginnings lead to beautiful endings.
EXCELLENT ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The thing I’ve learned about Tamera Alexander is she is meticulous about detailed research. This really shows between the description of the area, the phrases and behaviors displayed by the charaters, and the attitudes of different people. I also loved all the historical tidbits about the Jack Daniel Distillery and ‘Uncle Jack’ himself.
As I said at the outset, this was my first Tamera Alexander novel but it won’t be my last. Highly recommended for lovers of historical romance.
I received a copy of In These Hills from the publisher via NetGalley, the views are all my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"In These Hills" is a romance set in 1905 in Tennessee. Josephine's parents and twin brother worked to help others, but her brother was murdered and her parents died soon after, leaving her alone in the world. She's found purpose in the women's suffrage movement only to be attacked in an alley by the mayor's son who wants to teach her a lesson. She hits him then can't find his pulse. She certainly won't get justice even if it was self-defense. With unexpected help, she manages to get to a town remote enough that she hopes no one will hear the news about her. She believes that alcohol is responsible for men abusing women, so she's not sure how to handle the kindness of Jack Daniel, who offers her a job as his office manager. Dodge keeps an eye on her, not fully trusting her, but he has a cattle crisis to deal with along with raising his dead sister's daughter.
Josephine came to snap judgments about practically everyone she met, and she kept assuming the worst about Dodge despite the way he helped her. Josephine did grow as she got to know people and learned that some issues aren't as clear-cut as she thought. If you like 'justice wins out despite all odds' endings, this isn't one of those stories. The characters were interesting, acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story and brought the setting to life in my imagination.
There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting novel.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Josephine came to snap judgments about practically everyone she met, and she kept assuming the worst about Dodge despite the way he helped her. Josephine did grow as she got to know people and learned that some issues aren't as clear-cut as she thought. If you like 'justice wins out despite all odds' endings, this isn't one of those stories. The characters were interesting, acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story and brought the setting to life in my imagination.
There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting novel.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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