The Secrets of Paper and Ink

Port Willis Romance

by Lindsay Harrel

Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, forgiveness, and finding the courage to write your own story.

A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England--a place she's learned to love through the words of her favorite author--and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she's renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.

Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.

Two hundred years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily's journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.

The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Christian, Books About Books

326 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2019

About the author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd with a B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English. She lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. Lindsay has held a variety of jobs, including curriculum editor for two universities, medical and business writer, and copywriter for a digital marketing agency. Now she juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with working freelance jobs, teaching college English courses online, and—of course—writing novels.

When she actually has time to do other things, she loves to sing, read, and sip passion iced teas from Starbucks. She loves to watch God work in ordinary lives to create something extraordinary, and she writes to bring hope to those who may have lost it along the way. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com and any other place she hangs out online, including Facebook and Twitter.

Reviews

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt such a connection to Sophia, She lost her husband and tried to lose herself in books. I just lost my only daughter and I try everyday to get lost in books. Sophia felt at home in a book store I to go to a book store on the weekends and feel at home. This book really was wrote for me. I loved all three ladies but Sophia was my hero. I gave this book 4.5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend it!
Thanks to my best friend for giving me a copy of it, I will reread it again and again in hopes that I to will find myself again!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm all warm and fuzzy after reading this.
What a lovely book. I found this well written and easy to follow. The different pov from different characters all flowed well together.
The secret of Paper and Ink is a wonderful story of three women, total strangers, whos lives are deeply entwined.
I loved the characters and didn't want to stop reading , desperate for the next piece of the puzzle to fall into place.
The writing is so rich and deep in places i re read some chapters.

I loved how It ended but would love another book to follow on with their lives
I will be looking out for more books from this author
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sterne (= sehr gut)

Sophia flüchtet nach dem Tod ihres (ziemlich fiesen) Verlobten von Arizona nach Cornwall und trifft dort auf Ginny, die nicht nur ihre frische Trennung verarbeiten muss, sondern auch mit ihrem kleinen Buchladen kurz vor dem Aus steht. Doch auf welche Weise sind die Heilungsprozesse der beiden Frauen mit dem historischen Notizbuch der unbekannten Gouvernante Emily verschränkt?

- sehr, sehr gut verdaulich geschrieben. Ohne meine Leserunde hätte ich es wahrscheinlich in einem Rutsch durchgelesen.
- Trotzdem war ich überrascht von der Tiefe dieser Frauengeschichte(n). Wie die Themen Selbstfindung, Trauma-Überwindung, Heilung und Hilfe Annehmen aufgegriffen wurden (immer wieder mit offensichtlich christlicher Färbung), war facettenreich und alles andere als oberflächlich.
- Die Stellen, die "vorhersehbar" erzählt waren, fand ich überhaupt nicht schlimm, weil die Geschichte nicht so tut, als wären das große Twists. Es blieb trotzdem spannend, wie bestimmte Dinge dann rauskommen/passieren.
- Am Rande wird immer wieder wunderbar das Cornwall-Setting beschrieben, ebenso ist der Buchladen schön gemütlich, und die Ergebnisse von Ginnys Backleidenschaft steigen beim Lesen angenehm in die Nase.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say first of all that, while Harrel’s books are more women’s fiction with a dash of romance, that dash is super well done. Romantic tension sparks off the page, and the tenderness of the romances on these pages made my heart ache at its beauty. If she ever wants to write a purely romantical novel just for fun, I will be first in line!

However, I will also be first in line for any future women’s fiction novels Harrel delivers. I loved The Heart Between Us, but The Secrets of Paper and Ink spoke to my heart and my soul. There’s something very special about this novel – a love letter to the healing power of books, a reminder that ‘happily ever after’ make look different than we expected it to, a peek at the messy-beautiful strength of women who have survived their own worst-case scenarios, and a beautiful picture of redemption, grace, and contentment. I am still sitting here, thinking about this story, and I don’t think it will leave me for quite some time.

The ‘past timeline’ woven throughout the present is seamlessly done and absolutely captivating. I devoured every word of Emily’s story, as well as Sophia’s quest to separate its reality from fiction. The emotions grip your heart and hold it fast, both in Emily’s story and in Sophia’s & Ginny’s present-day narratives. All three women know what it feels like to suffer shattered dreams and to be uncertain if you’ll survive the aftermath. Their three-fold story in The Secrets of Paper and Ink gives hope to other weary souls in the same place in life … an acknowledgment that true restoration lies only in the One who writes our stories and that the dreams He dreams for us are so much greater than what we dare to dream for ourselves.

The bookstore feels like a home away from home, even for the reader, a comforting setting that wraps us up in all the feels. The heroes are completely yummy – good guys who may not be perfect but their hearts are in the right place and their tender strength is a place of safety. (I wouldn’t complain AT ALL about a follow-up novel or novella with these characters. Just saying. In case Lindsay is reading this. Ahem.) The story itself has depth and dimension, not skirting over tough issues like abuse, infidelity, divorce, but also pouring out grace and mercy to fill in the broken places without becoming trite or preachy.

Bottom Line: I realize we’re only at the end of February, but The Secrets of Paper and Ink will definitely be on my ‘best of 2019’ list in December. The characters have firmly taken up residence in my heart, and their story is still lingering there as well. The setting is everything-Jane-Austen-England-bookstore delightful, and it makes me want to book my own trip to live above a bookstore and work there during my stay. A creative, tender, and masterfully done story of life, love, letting go, and truly living.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower/a>

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read with pages that practically turn themselves. There are three POV characters, two modern and one historical. Sophie has most of the page time and the most complete emotional arc; Emily was my favorite despite her having the least page time, but she was so colorful. In all I think I’d have tripped over line from loving it to adoring it if it had been longer and the characters given a bit longer arc. (A good bit of the beginning of the stories are hinted at and some of the future is left to the imagination.)

I loved the bookshop atmosphere and how it was almost its own character. I liked the ending it got!

I wanted to string up Garrett for his babyish cowardice...ugh.

There’s some Christian content, brief and to the point, of the encouragement sort (as opposed to the evangelistic sort). There were a lot of hurting people and I thought there should have been a bit more pointing back to Jesus as a refuge for out hurt.

*note: dropping my rating two weeks after reading it. A storyline keeps bugging at me and I can’t just let it stand without mention. After a separation, a woman begins to keep company with another man who is a former friend of her husband’s. She is not yet divorced and she does not physically cheat, but emotionally she becomes romantically attached to another man. I cannot endorse such flaunting of vows before a divorce becoming finalized because then she also is breaking her vows. Moving on after a hurt does NOT include finding romance again right away and therapists generally recommend waiting at least a year to avoid rebounds...so why is everyone modern in this story so eager to jump back into new relationships?*

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

[Carrie Turansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and highly recommend it! Lovely setting, touching story, very well done.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely tale of three women going through difficult times. In present day, Sophia is struggling to recover after a dysfunctional relationship and Ginny is hopeful about reconciliation with her estranged spouse. Both women are Americans that have a passion for things English. In 1856, Emily is in love with her childhood friend that is deemed above her station.

Seeing the world through their eyes and the impact the women had on each other was beautiful and highlights the influence each person can have on another.

This novel was well written and engaging. My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to visit the bookshop in this book - it has a loft where you can read and delicious baked goods as well as the enticing bonuses - a free muffin if you buy a book - yum!

The bookshop aside, what this book is actually about is the journeys of three very different women. I enjoyed the historical section the best - Emily and Edward’s story was romantic and sad and mostly lovely.

There are a lot of messages Thank overtly stated in this text - don’t victim blame; pursue what makes you happy; make good choices; tell your own story - write it down; practice self-care; don’t believe lies about yourself; don’t believe the lies about yourself other people say; remember abusers are responsible for their abuse etc. The three women in this text embrace these ideas and watch their lives change.

There are Christian references here also but they are more veiled. I’d be curious to know how much a reader without a Christian background understood them and if they found the references a bit jarring because even I did (except Emily’s section 🙂 that worked a bit better because she is a clergyman’s daughter). William in particular makes some somewhat oblique comments about his faith but doesn’t seem very concerned about what Sophie believes although by the end she sort of slips back into her childhood faith partly because of his influence and Emily’s.

There is also this quote which bears discussion - “Moving forward and healing didn’t come from marching through life alone, determined to succeed with no help. And it didn’t come from wallowing in her shame. It didn’t even come from standing in her own strength. It meant taking the hand of a Savior and letting him lead her wherever that might be”. Note the preposition “A” Savior” not “THE” Savior and also note this the only overt mention of the idea of a Savior which as a Christian I presume is supposed to mean Christ but as a reader IDK 🤷🏼‍♀️ I literally do not know what this means based solely on my reading of the text unless the Savior referred to is William.

In short I find this an interesting attempt by the author to appeal to both the secular women’s fiction market and the Christian.

Overall this is the kind of novel that delivers the neat cheerful romantic ending that you expect. It’s an easy to read, clean, light romantic women’s fiction that meshes with modern sensibilities quite well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

My feelings are so mixed about this story. There were parts I completely adored and cherished and that made me want to guzzle the rest of the chapters, but there were others that bugged me and made me set aside the book to work on something else for a while. Thankfully, the author’s sweet style and voice resonated well throughout, and that is what kept me flipping the pages.

It was clear from the beginning that the author cared deeply about the characters and their very relatable, real-life issues. Her hard work and heart were evident on every page and in every chapter. The characters popped off the page and practically came alive as I read their stories, and the settings were realistic and easy to imagine, thanks to the beautiful prose. The writing style was quite immersive, which made it simple to get lost in the story and feel like I was browsing the aisles of the bookstore or soaking up time curled up with a book under the Story Tree.

There was a really sweet nod to a previous book in the author’s portfolio. I love moments like these that add a little something extra for readers of previous books by the same author. It might have only been a tiny mention of a certain blogger, but it made the biggest grin leap to my face.

I actually enjoyed the fact that there were portions that were unpredictable as well as some that I completely saw coming dozens or even a hundred or more pages prior to their happening. Usually I don’t like predictable stories, but there was just something charming about this one that had me chuckling about those moments that were too obvious to me. Sometimes you just want to know that you were right about whatever it was that happened… and smirk about it. However, I definitely got more enjoyment out of the events that came as surprise twists.

For the most part, I really enjoyed all three of the guys featured in this book. They were well developed and interesting fellows that were easy to get to know. Yet, there was one thing about each of them that really bothered me.

One of them apparently smoked cigars, and one of the ladies noted that “the smell of the cigar” was “a sweet, potent scent that was entirely too manly.” Was she praising or finding happiness in a nasty habit that causes lung cancer and other health problems? This one sentence tainted my view of both characters, though they were both charming in other scenes.

Another of the men said he “could spend weeks” in a room that was described as having a “ten-foot… statue of Buddha,” “crucifixes,” “incense,” and a “Quran.” This was a strange and uncomfortable moment for me, as it seemed to highlight and practically praise a wide variety of religions. The character’s comment made me question which religion of the mix he practiced. This created doubt in the character for me and made it hard to believe his faith in God was as strong as it seemed in a later scene, and I struggled to root for him for many pages after this. It was implied that his friend who owned the items was a psychic or something similar, and that bothered me as we are to “give no regard to mediums [psychics] and familiar spirits,” according to Leviticus 19:31, yet the characters took this gal’s advice and help in their search for some information. This character was only in one scene (and mentioned in another one later), so she didn’t become a bigger problem to my reading experience.

The thing that bothered me the most was that one of the male characters fell in love with a married woman and unapologetically admitted that to her. This was an emotional affair, which is something I cannot support. The leading lady of his thread recognized it as wrong, but he never did. He only said something to the effect of he would wait for her to be ready before he pursued any deeper relationship with her. Emotional affairs are just as wrong as sexual affairs, because “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Also, emotional affairs disregard Hebrews 13:4, which says that “marriage should be honored by all.” This issue made it impossible for me to root for the two characters involved.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story with interesting characters and beautiful settings. What I loved the most was the author’s style and writing voice. She tugged me in from page one and drew me back in after those mostly short-lived blips. This book, for me, was not as memorable as The Heart Between Us or One More Song to Sing, but I did still enjoy most of it.

Content: marital affairs, premarital sex (on-page briefly, though written without body parts shown), emotional affairs, pubs, alcohol, tobacco, three crude sexual terms

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Pathetic female characters, too predictable, horrible audio performance. Next.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a charming story, combing the stories of three very strong women as they face the challenges of love, family, heartbreak, and following their dreams.

Sophia Barrett is still wrestling with conflicting feelings after the death of her abusive fiancé. After a return to work goes badly, she escapes to the setting of her favourite novels, Cornwall, England. There she meets fellow American, Ginny Rose who is trying to save her bookstore in the wake of her husband’s abandonment. Together, Ginny and Sophia stumble upon the journal of Emily Fairfax, who dreams of becoming a published author and who loves her childhood friend, a man much above her station and someone she could never marry. As Ginny and Sophia try to track down the history of Emily and determine if hers was a true story, they must each determine what they want for their futures and heal from the traumas of the past.

I greatly enjoyed The Secrets of Paper and Ink and loved being swept away to another time and place. The three stories captured in this novel are beautifully interwoven, their stories coming together seamlessly. Ginny and Sophia’s sections are written in third person, while Emily’s sections are included as her journal entries. While each of the three women is dealing with different challenges and has a different dream for the future, their strength, determination and resilience is universal. While the focus of The Secrets of Paper and Ink is the journeys of the three women and the mystery behind Emily’s identity, there is also time within the story for romance. While each relationship progresses very differently and at a different pace, there are three romantic storylines to enjoy within the book.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is one part romance, one part mystery and one part story of redemption and overcoming challenges, of faith, friendship and love.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

“...I knew what I needed to do. ‘I surrender.’ The words returned to me on the wind. Opening my arms wide,I twirled in the radiant sunlight...a new sense of purpose burning in my soul.”

I really enjoyed this read...and I found it fairly easy to follow the three main characters throughout their journey in life. The reader becomes the characters...rooting for their victories and empathizing in their failures. Life doesn’t go the way we expect or plan, but our Creator knows what is best. God is the master storyteller, and the author brings that through so well in the pages of this book.

What we want...and what God wants for us don’t always line up...who knows best what we need?? That’s really the question posed in the stories of these three women as they are woven together in time and friendship. Go buy this book...and let the Master storyteller write yours!

“Life is more than a beginning, a middle, and an end. It’s about the countless moments woven in between the lines, the growth, the pruning.”

“Others might call it fate or karma. But I think it’s God. He’s been directing our steps this whole time, Ginny. Even when we didn’t believe.”

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. So here goes … first off, I loved the cover and to be honest it was what drew me to the book. Unfortunately the story did not stack up to the cover and it certainly did not wow me like most of the other reviewers. It was a pleasant enough read and I enjoyed the story line of Sophie and William trying to uncover the mystery of Emily. But overall I found it a tad too sentimental and predictable. And I felt the Christian message at the end was out of the blue and awkward. 2.5 stars from me.

[Heidi Chiavaroli · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Endorsement:

In a delightful weaving of past and present, Lindsay Harrel creates authentic characters around a moving story that both inspires and encourages. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is about broken people, second chances, hope, and—my personal favorite—the incredible power of story.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

"Books had always been her escape. Here, she hoped they'd become her healing."

Sophia Barrett has a story to tell, if only she could find the words. So when she takes an extended self-imposed sabbatical from her profession as a women's therapist in order to heal her own wounds, she finds herself temporarily planted in Cornwall, England . . . where another young woman, who co-owns a charming bookshop desperately needs to find her own path towards a new future.

Stumbling across a copy of an old journal, Sophia becomes absorbed with the story of a young governess, whose life story mirrors so much of her own heartache. When her hostess, Ginny Rose, includes her brother-in-law, who happens to be a literature professor, into the mix, the three friends begin a journey into the past that could provide Sophia with the inspiration that she needs to unlock the "secrets of paper and ink"; and so much more.

" . . . . who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives - the failures OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are."

An original, inspiring, and expertly penned story from the first turn of the page until the cover reluctantly closes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Lindsay Harrel’s The Secrets of Paper and Ink, with its bookstore setting and classic-novel references, is the perfect novel for a bookish reader.

While still in the process of healing, Sophia Barrett travels to Cornwall, England and begins to work in a bookstore. Here, she meets bookstore owner Ginny Rose and discovers the journal of governess Emily Fairfax. The stories of these three women intertwine as they sort through dreams and loves, heartaches and hopes, both past and future. Though they each have different circumstances in which to grow, they exhibit remarkable traits, like courage, strength, and determination, through it all.

Harrel expertly blends mystery, romance, and personal growth in The Secrets of Paper and Ink, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a story that I have a feeling will stick with me for a while, and I highly recommend it.

This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit, I received a complimentary copy of The Secrets of Paper and Ink and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Abby Breuklander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even put into words how much I love this story! Whether we realize it yet or not each one of us has a story to tell. Every single day that we've lived is full of experiences to share with others, both the good and the bad. Each one is a piece that only God could write, usually involving moments that can completely take us by surprise and steal our breath away. These moments may not be just for us alone either, we never know who God has waiting in the wings to bring into our lives and join into our story, adding to each other's journeys. We can all learn from each other. We may not see the whole picture yet, but He sure does. And that's the best Happily Ever After imaginable.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know that I have read a book that spoke to me as deeply as this one. It is hard to even describe it. I was sitting in a public place, reading and was struggling to hold back tears. For me, that is something that meant it touched me somewhere beyond the surface. 

I loved the story, both the modern and historical. The author did an incredible job of capturing the novel location, but also the hard topics that she touched on. Domestic Violence, abandonment, and discovering oneself all are packaged in this book, but don't assume this is a heavy story. It is one of those books that you will want to give as gifts to other book lovers. 

This book is to be released Feb. 26, 2019! I would highly recommend it. 


I obtained this book from the publisher through NetGalley. The opinions contained are my own. 

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! Split story lines are not favorite but I liked the mystery, setting and the characters. The author did a great job telling all 3 stories.

[✝✝ Ⓓaisy ❣ ✝✝ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is solid 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟for me. I certainly enjoyed this fiction. The characters were well-developed, and I cherish split time stories. It's unravelling a history mystery.

The story goes through numerous emotions and life challenges, and in the end, God brought them all together for their healing.

Nevertheless, there is a missing puzzle in the story that made me feel like this book was incomplete.

Genre: Christian Fiction.

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: https://bit.ly/2Ed8zBL

The Secrets of Paper and Ink – a delightful novel with a clever title that leads to a most pleasurable reading experience! This story, by new-to-me author Lindsay Harrel, has three elements that I greatly love – the genre is women’s fiction (with a dual timeline), the setting is British (Cornwall, England), and bookish elements are woven throughout (cozy bookshop, references to classics, and a most appealing literature professor). This well-written story drew me in from the first page and I wish for more like it in the Christian fiction genre.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a story of hope, grace, and healing, both emotional and spiritual. The characters are flawed and so easily relatable. Sophia and Ginny become friends almost instantly, soon discovering a shared past of broken relationships. I easily imagined myself in Ginny’s bookshop in Cornwall and became invested in her desire to save it. Sophia’s discovery of Emily’s journals added even more richness to the story. Emily, who also lived in Cornwall 150 years earlier, had a passion to write at a time when it wasn’t acceptable for a woman to be published, at least under her own name. I loved the creative way Emily’s story connected with the present-day characters.

The author handles themes of abuse and infidelity with skill and effectiveness, bringing a touch of realism to the lingering effects, guilt, self-blame, and denial. At its heart, this is a story of hope, grace, and second chances. The conclusion is great, with a few surprise twists along the way. I look forward to more of Lindsay Harrel’s writing. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a delightful and heartwarming story. Ms. Harrel has given us three heroines to love. Sophia travels to Cornwall, on a journey of healing and self-discovery. She quickly makes friends with Ginny and her brother-in-law, William. Her discovery of an old journal leads them on a quest to uncover the secrets of its mysterious author, Emily Fairfax. Ms. Harrel masterfully entwines this quest with Sophia's own emotional journey. Serious topics of abuse and infidelity are handled with care as all three women find that their truth, self-worth and happiness are not defined by their romantic or familial relationships, but in their relationship with God.

While there are many serious moments, there are also many light-hearted and swoon-worthy ones as well. Lindsay Harrel's beautiful descriptions of Cornwall appeal to the senses, fully immersing her readers into the story. The many book references will appeal to any book-nerd's heart. While I loved the fictional journey to Cornwall, it is the spiritual journey of Ms. Harrel's heroines that spoke most to my heart.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"if we give up hope, we'll never discover the ocean of possibility spread before us, or what it could hold."

" We can have all the head knowledge in the world, but our hearts are often what lead us toward destruction-or healing."

"Life is more than a beginning, a middle and an end. It's about the countless moments woven in between the lines, the growth, the pruning."


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for novels that explore the idea of finding what is your passion but done so in a manner that isn't corny, and this book checks all the boxes for me on that front. This is my third book by Lindsay Harrel and this, in my opinion, is her best yet.

I really loved all the characters(except Garrett) but Sophia and Ginny were my favorites as they were brought together by their unusual circumstances, but I like how things have a way of working themselves out(at least in the fiction world). Ginny was able to go to Culinary school and Sophia had her happily ever after too.

I suggested to my local library to purchase this book and I am so glad they did buy this book!

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this totally blind and apprehensively, expecting it to be a semi-racy romance. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Christian fiction. No sir, no smut here! The plot was predictable, perfectly so, but I did enjoy it.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Secrets of Paper and Ink! Following the three ladies in their tales kept the pages turning and my mind engaged as I waited to see how the book would end. I would recommend others read this book.

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm beginning to think that time-slip novels are my favorites, which this one is. This is classified as Women's Fiction and it is, but it also has a mystery woven throughout.

I adored the bookstore with it's cozy C.S. Lewis feel that just makes you want to pull up a chair and enjoy all the cozy bookish feels.

I could identify with both Sophia and Ginny having personally experienced the pain that both of these women did in the book.

Healing from domestic violence is different for each person and Ms. Harrell portray's both the pain and the process realistically.

At the beginning of my healing process remarriage was the furthest thing from my mind. In fact I didn't want anything to do with men. But God had a different plan. He placed Godly men around me that made me feel safe, and I learned to trust again. He also gave me girlfriend's much like both Sophia and Ginny were to each other. Strong women friends experiencing the same pain are a balm to the broken heart when going through the healing process.

I loved how real and raw this story was. It was so real that memories of my own healing flooded my mind. I appreciate Ms. Harrell tackling a story with the theme of domestic violence and authentically showing healing and forgiveness. I can't recommend this book enough!

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this author’s previous book last year I was absolutely blown away! It was one of my absolute favorite reads from 2018 and the story stuck with me the way few books do. So to say that this book was one of my most anticipated reads for this year would be an understatement! And this book lived up to and exceeded my every expectation! It was beautiful and amazing and I was completely lost in this fictional world from beginning to end. I loved everything. The characters were wonderfully written in such a way that I felt their emotions along with them. And I dare you to find a more utterly charming setting than a bookstore in England!
There were so many things that in the hands of others could have gone horribly wrong, having essentially three stories in one, doing the time split, dealing with difficult subjects, but Lindsay Harrel wove it all seamlessly into this beautiful story!
Each of the three heroine’s stories were unique but still connected and it never felt like anything was lacking. I was equally invested in the lives of all three of them, never rushing through one to get back to another. Also the travel between the present day to the 1800’s was never jarring, it just all flowed together. And she handled the hard topics of things like abuse and unfaithfulness with grace and respect.
I loved watching each of these women grow, discovering more about themselves and God. And it was really cool to see the way God used them to help each other in ways only He could have orchestrated.
I am a die-hard romance lover but with this author’s books I never feel like romance is the main purpose of the story, and to be honest I love the way she does it. The romance is there, and it’s happy sigh worthy material, it’s just that the actual story, the characters journey, is what drives the book forward. And the romance just quietly slips in, joining the flow of the story.
In short this book was everything I wanted it to be and so much more! It’s definitely going to be one of my top books for this year and I can already tell it’s going to stick with me just like the previous novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing novel! Fair warning: though I will try my best there is no way this review will even come close to doing this book justice! I recently read this author's previous novel The Heart Between Us and loved it, so needless to say that made me even more excited to read this new one. This book sucked me in on page one and didn't let me go. I was delightfully surprised to discover that this is in fact a time-slip novel (which is one of my favorite things!) I instantly connected with (and rooted for!) present day characters Sophia and Ginny, as well the historical character Emily, and the pages flew because I just had to know what would happen next! As with her previous novel The Heart Between Us, Lindsay Harrel takes the reader on a journey through the pages of this book and once again I found myself inspired and moved by the lessons I learned from this story! The message of finding our identity in Whose we are was so profoundly touching that it flooded my heart with renewed peace and nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes! I loved this book SO much! The Secrets of Paper and Ink beautifully depicts the power of words and story to change people's perspectives and even their lives, something every reader can relate to! The Secrets of Paper and Ink gave me all the feels and I didn't want it to end, but the ending was so incredibly well done that I turned the final page with a huge grin on my face and a sigh of happiness on my lips!
In short, I adored every moment of this book and will absolutely be reading it again in the future! The Secrets of Paper and Ink will definitely be on my list of favorite reads of 2019! And I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us! I highly recommend that you do yourself a favor and buy a book by Lindsay Harrel, you won't be sorry!
(5 Stars!)


I received an ebook copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit team. Which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

[Molly Jaber (Audiobooks And Sweet Tea) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Lindsay Harrel novel and most definitely will not be my last! She has a beautiful talent for creating characters that will make you feel like family, and a plot line that is full of faith and hope.

I wasn’t sure what I would gain from this book, at first. It’s got emotional triggers, as someone who has gone through the emotional domestic abuse in the past. But, the way Harrel weaved the pain and heartache, the hope and faith, together, she created a novel that completely engulfed me. I loved that. I gained more than just a new author to read. I gained friends in the characters, I gained knowledge of letting go of the past and moving forward.

Sophia and William were two characters that will forever be with me. As they work together to save Ginny’s bookstore, as Sophia reads the words of Emily Fairfax through her journal entries, I was pulled into the sweeping novel and wasn’t set free until the last page was reached. The plot line was unique and absolutely breathtaking!

If you are looking for a tenderly written, powerfully moving novel, then grab this one up. It’s emotional, it’s hopeful, it’s definitely one to recommend to all. Five stars, two thumbs and hats off to an author whom will be on my auto buy list from now on! Well done, Lindsay Harrel. Well done!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins (Thomas Nelson) and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

[JaneReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time reading and I wasn't as hooked as I was the first time. While I really enjoyed the characters and following the journey they were on, I wish faith had played a larger role in the story.

Sophia has been struggling with mixed feelings after the death of her abusive fiancé. She is et to return to work after 3 months, but her first day back she realizes she is not ready and deciding she needs a change in scenery she makes the decision to go to Cornwall, England. When she arrives in England we meet Ginny, William and Emily. Sophia discovers an old journal at the bookstore that captures her attention and with the help of William she is able to not only discover who the writer was but quite a bit about her life. Along the way Sophia and William grow close. Can Sophia open herself up to the possibility of a new relationship after the hurt of the past? While each character captured my heart in a different way, it was Ginny’s circumstances that broke my heart. I was very pleased with the support she received from those she didn’t expect it from. I was very pleased with the ending we were given for each character. The story includes some difficult situations such as an abusive relationship, a husband’s abandonment, and a seemingly impossible dream the overall story was not depressing but rather I found it encouraging. The message I take away from it is that God is always there to help you navigate the hard times and rise above them.