A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees
A trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago leads Jillian and Nolan to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.
When I Meet You is the third book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.
I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.
We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.
Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.
I’ve been married over 40 years and have two adult kids and a son-in-law. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)
Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.
The third book in the Tree of Life series. I just love dual timeline books and though this is part of a series it can well enough be read as a stand alone. Historical taking place in 1909 and contemporary taking place in modern day. Genealogy is fascinating and there where so many twists and turns taking place I felt as though I was there while the investigation was taking place. It was fascinating to read about an old abandoned steamer trunk and going back in time with the dual time line as past and present blend seamlessly to make for a fascinating story.
Published May 1st 2020 by Shiloh Run Press I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am so excited to finally be catching up with this series! This is the third Tree of Life book and I only have to read the fifth one to be all caught up -- which will be bittersweet because I love Jillian and her dad and their funny/tender relationship and the way they become embroiled in family history mysteries!
I'm especially excited about When I Meet You because there's a wee bit of romance -- as in Jillian finally meets her match (hopefully!) And their meet-cute is the stuff romance readers' dreams are made of...and I won't say more than that lest I spoil it for you. :-)
Following the formula in all the books, this is a dual timeline novel. Genealogist Jillian and lawyer/mediator Nolan can't resist the lure of a recently discovered traveling trunk dating back to the early 1900s. Trying to make sense of the intriguing contents inside leads Jillian on a genealogical hunt that includes the Pinkerton Agency. Eep! love the way Newport draws out the suspense in the historical timeline, introducing readers to a number of interesting characters and then leaving us scrambling to figure out who is friend and who is foe.
Meanwhile Jillian hunts down clues and follows up leads with some unexpected results -- including wandering into the path of the aforementioned potential love interest. Double eeep!! All while she faces some long buried secrets in her own past.
When I Meet You might be my favourite book of the series so far. And I listened to the audible edition, narrated by Madeleine Duaer who does a fantastic job bringing this setting and these characters to life.
"Wandering back through the museum rooms, she found brochures to take to Nia Dunston and Veronica O'Reilly before returning to the sunshine, waning now in the late afternoon with wisps of clouds stretching like spun cotton candy across a setting sky readying for nightfall. When the sun began to descend, orange and gold in hues would diffuse in shifting aspects fading into gray and then midnight blue, yielding the day one more breathtaking moment."
When I Meet You by Olivia Newport is an intriguing well written story that takes place near Denver Colorado in 1909 and present day. This is the third book in the series Tree of Life, and can easily be read as a standalone. Jillian works as a genealogist and has her office just off the kitchen in the three-story home she and her father share in the mountain town of Canyon Mines. Nolan, her father, works both at home and at his law office in town. Nolan claims that he learned to cook after his wife died leaving him with a hungry little girl to feed. He enjoys cooking and is well known around town for his culinary skills. More than once, I was wishing that I could eat the delicious food he was preparing. Jillian and Nolan work together to unravel the mystery surrounding a trunk and its contents abandoned at Denver's Union Train Station in 1909. I enjoyed reading this book and following Jillian as she searched for clues and would like to read more books in The Tree of Life series. 4.5 stars
***Thanks to author Olivia Newport, Shiloh Run Press, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for a digital ARC of When I Meet You #3 in the series Tree of Life in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
#WhenIMeetYou #NetGalley
May 13, 2020 Posted on Goodreads, NetGalley, Savvy Reader, Twitter
Are you guys a fan of the dual timeline books? If they are well written I love them. Newport has done a great job of writing a dual timeline story. I enjoyed this third book in the Tree of Life series. If you love studying genealogy then you are going to love going back in time in this masterpiece. I gave this book 4 stars and I cant wait until November when book 4 is released. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
As someone interested in genealogy, even though I’ve never really pursued it, the Tree of Life series intrigued me from the very beginning. I love reading about Jillian’s work and research because, although it is fictional, it is also based on the real efforts of contemporary genealogists, and it speaks to that desire in all of us to know where we come from and who our ancestors are. That is also where the faith element fits in so perfectly, because ultimately we are all children of our Father God, and He has given us such a glorious legacy through Jesus!
Of the three books in this series thus far, “When I Meet You” is my favorite. Author Olivia Newport is now, by book three, really settling us in to Canyon Mines, Colorado, and I feel like a part of this small but bustling town. This book is also the most personal for the characters, who are becoming more dynamic. I have enjoyed them from the outset, but I realized while reading this latest addition to the series that they are growing in their relationships with each other. For the first time, Jillian’s past grief comes to the forefront, making her very vulnerable and resulting in some uncharacteristic behavior. Her relationship with Nolan, her dad, hits a few poignant patches, making it much more credible and relatable than the sweet but perhaps too-perfect connection that we have seen prior. I can relate to Jillian’s perseverance and nearly obsessive doggedness in solving the mystery, and I would find it difficult to set aside also.
This is also my favorite mystery of the three. Each book is a split-time story, with the primary story occurring in the present, but also with part of the plot worked out through scenes from the past. The personal connection that the characters have to this story truly enhances it and adds a great deal of dimension. To me, it seems as though they moved from being on the periphery and being drawn into the story to having the story revolve around them and having the other characters become more peripheral. Without giving any spoilers, I will just say that the issues that they contend with in this novel are ones that are very prevalent today. And, if you ever happen to come across an old trunk in your attic, or at a yard sale, open it; you never know what life-changing surprises might await you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
When I Meet You by Olivia Newport is a fascinating historical and contemporary novel that had me enthralled from the start. It is the third book in the Tree Of Life series but can be read as a stand-alone. The novel is set in 1909 and present day. There is a mystery to solve as an old trunk gives up its secrets in the form of correspondence but vital pieces are missing. The search to reveal the story begins… clothes, a family Bible, letters are all part of a life but whose? Inheritance is important. We all want to know our roots and where we come from. We want stories to pass onto our children and grandchildren. The characters were well drawn and likable. The leading ladies are bold and strong with fiery spirits who are easy to empathise with. There is a question of trust. Not everyone is quite as they seem. Olivia Newport has woven a magnificent tale around actual historical facts and real figures. When I Meet You was a fabulous tale that kept me entertained and guessing. I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Good storytelling. That’s why. When an author can take you from “issues” with book one to not being willing to walk away from book three, you know you have a great series. Seriously, Jillian and Nolan are two of my favorite fictional characters. This book brings in a third who might just rank up there, and from what I’ve seen of the next book, I’m even expecting maybe a fourth. Olivia Newport has made this series that good.
One of the things that I love that Newport does shows in how she unfolds her mysteries. Half the time, you know the answer, even before she unfolds it. But she shows natural progression, the tendency for humans to jump to conclusions, and how good investigative work can uncover truths hidden for over a century! I had a pretty good idea of the facts she’d uncover, but she added things I didn’t expect, and didn’t add things I did. All amid a story that kept me turning pages and ignoring all the work I had pressing at me.
Gentle spiritual truths.
Yep. When I Meet You, does not beat you over the head with Scripture by any stretch of the imagination, but it sure does show how the Lord feeds our souls even—if not especially—when we have blown it. Big time.
When I Meet You, is recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery, a bit of history, and a wonderful story arc. If fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants mysteries and suspense are your thing, you won’t find it here… and that’s a good thing. You wouldn’t want this wonderful story told at that kind of speed. It would ruin it, and Olivia Newport is much too fine of a writer to let that happen. Well done. Am I glad I stuck with the series and requested a review copy? Oh, yeah. Thanks to the publisher for providing it.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this split time series with a touch of mystery as a genealogy addicted person myself. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Jillian, a professional genealogist, and her dad, a lawyer, have received a trunk discovered in a warehouse that had been left behind in 1909 at the Union Train Station in Denver, Colorado. Filled with a family Bible, drawers of business documents, and fashionable 1909 clothing. Jillian is determined to find the mystery behind the history and attach it to a family.
I love Jillian's persistence as following a trail of names and papers is how most genealogists spend a good deal of their time trying to connect the dots. When she connects some of the dots and meets Aunt Min who might possibly be a relative of Lynelle, the owner of the trunk, as sometimes happens, she doesn't want Jillian digging into the past. But Jillian like every good genealogist is determined to find the truth. All genealogists know that digging into the past can bring out "the good, the bad, and the ugly."
I sincerely hope that Newport will continue this series because I absolutely loved the touch of romance that snuck into the pages of this book.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Unopened trunks lying around. One from the turn of the century, old luggage never retrieved - evidence of an ancestor disappeared?? One holds present secrets. . .
This tale of a father and daughter team working to solve family genealogical mysteries kept me engaged as the stories of the past were interwoven with present research and characters. The passage of time added its own contributions to furthering the solutions. The father is constantly cooking, and supporting his daughter in her investigations of family connections and mysteries. Add some mild romantic heat and the beautiful aspects of a Colorado setting, and you have When I Meet You, third in the Tree of Life series.
A lifelong family history fan, I was tickled to find this – and will look for the previous books in this series. And, bonus! Evidently #4 is right around the corner. . . .
A Sincere Thanks to Olivia Newport, Barbour Publishing, Inc, Shiloh Run Press and NetGalley for providing me an ARC to read and review.
This is book three in The Tree of Life Series and can be read as a stand-alone but why would you want to miss getting to know these characters who are endearing. I love time slip novels and old trunks so this had me from the first. I felt like I was there solving the mystery. I am also interested in genealogy therefore Jillian captured my heart from book one. I can picture her father singing his heart out while cooking all that scrumptious food. You will be drawn into the lives of Jillian and Nolan, the friends they have made along the way, and the new ones that you are willing to get to know. Well worth investing your time into. I look forward to book four. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/netgalley. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
When I Meet You (Tree of Life #3) by Olivia Newport
#############################################Even though this is the third book in a series, it was a stand alone, I didn't feel lost or like I missed out jumping in here instead of book one. That said, I will look for the first two books in the series.
Jillian is asked to do genealogy on the contents of an old abandoned trunk. Her dad spends much of the book trying to perfect a dinner menu at a hotel where Jillian gives a speech.
The other part of the story flips back to the original trunk owner and her journey. I was captivated by the mystery of the original owner and Jillian's search for the truth. I enjoyed the flipping from past to present.
Highly recommended
Thank you, to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Another excellent dual timeline from Olivia Newport's Tree of Life series. This is the 3rd book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. The common denominator in all of the books of this series are legal mediator, Nolan Duffy and his Geneologist-extraordinaire daughter Jillian. This father-daughter duo find themselves in the midst of another mystery that requires both of their expertise.
In this story, Nolan is contacted by a small museum curator who has found a steamer trunk in his basement that had never been claimed from the Denver train station in 1909. He's wondering at the legal ramifications and asks Nolan to take a look. Jillian's passion for solving the mysteries of the past through geneology hooks her in to the mystery of the trunk as well and she almost loses herself in this case as it reminds her of her own history mystery. This one digs a bit deeper into the characters themselves. I enjoyed the timeline swaps from present day to 1909 where we see the trunk making its voyage to Denver and finally learn the mystery of its abandonment. This was a fun tale of mystery, intrigue and (unlike its predecessors), a touch of romance. I'll be interested in seeing how that plays out in the 4th book, which is slated to release later this year. The faith thread in this one hovers in the background. It's not a deep part of the story, but I appreciated how Lynelle in 1909 and Jillian in modern day both found comfort in the Scriptures.
If you enjoy inspirational dual timeline women's fiction with just a sprinkling of romance, I would strongly recommend this one and the others in this series. Special thanks to Barbour Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. I was under no obligation to post a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
The third book in Tree of Life Series. These books are all standalone mysteries that can be read out of order, with the main characters of Nolan and Jillian Parisi, a father-daughter team investigating. This story finds a client of Nolan's concerned about the legalities of finding a trunk that appears to have been abandoned years before at Denver's Union Station. The contents include correspondence with the Pinkerton Agency, which could be important. Jillian is called in and takes possession of the trunk and begins her genealogical search. As she begins to connect the dots, it seems that there could have been some wrong doing in the past. How far can she go with this investigation and will there be charges laid or property taken from a family that may or may not have anything to do with the original crime.
I enjoy this author's writing. She does a great job with the dual-timeline that is in each book. This book also has us learning a bit more about Jillian's past which was nice. The father-daughter relationship is wonderful with a lot of love, trust, support, yet also disagreement at times, which makes it realistic. The mystery is always sorted as the genealogy is figured out and Olivia Newport does a great job bringing both of the timelines together to a satisfying conclusion. Once again, if you enjoy genealogy, pick up this series for a good, clean and enjoyable story. I listened to the audiobook of this story narrated by Madeleine Dauer. She has a pleasant voice and adds just enough expression and tone to make this an easy to listen to story. I was gifted with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
An ancestral mystery told in split-time format, When I Meet You is a charming book that will leave readers fascinated and intrigued to discover the prologues of their own stories
I loved returning to Canyon Mines with more genealogy mysteries puzzled over by Jillian. This one was fun to solve alongside her. There were some expected and some unexpected twists, which I enjoyed.
While this could have very easily turned into a dark and questionable mystery, it didn’t. Overall, it was a light read with no unpleasant surprises.
I especially enjoyed Nolan and Jillian's father/daughter relationship.
The spiritual content was basically only in the historical setting, not in the modern one. I found in her last book that the spiritual thread was one of the weak points. I will say, though, that what was in the historical plot was fairly consistent and threaded through the story with references to the Psalms for comfort and prayers to God for safety.
There was some romance. It was the sweet and just-starting romance type. I don’t recall anything that made me cringe or would keep me from handing this to a teen reader.
I find Olivia Newport’s strength to be in creating gripping scenarios. And the Parisis! Oh my! Because the maffia?! All I’ll say.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
When I Meet You #3 Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport
I have done a bit of genealogy on my family and found the tracking down clues from the abandoned trunk fascinating. Jillian is one determined genealogist as she looks for those clues. I also like the time-slip aspect of the story as we get a glimpse Lynnelle, the owner of the abandoned trunk, unfold. It is very interesting how the lives from the past, 1909-1910 and the lives of present day overlap. I was somewhat confused as to who some of the characters were at times but the confusion was cleared up as I continued to read. There is mystery and danger, secrets uncovered, faith and love woven within the story-line. I enjoyed Jillian’s singing father and their relationship. A fun, heartwarming story.
~I received an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
*Thank you to NetGalley for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*
I was initially drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover, and the blurb looked interesting as well. This book is about Jillian, a genealogist who comes across an abandoned trunk with mysterious letters from a private detective agency. Jillian and her father start diving into the descendants and find that something definitely happened — someone’s identity was lost, or worse, stolen.
On paper, this seemed really interesting, but execution somehow fell flat for me. This story is written in a dual timeline from Jillian’s perspective as she discovers history and from the historical timeline itself.
While I have no issue with this style, I found myself caring more about the modern-day characters but caring more for the historical plot. Essentially, I wanted to read about the process of Jillian gradually going through the steps to figure things out, but and I felt like information was being thrown at me during historical chapters, while Jillian’s personal plot really wasn’t that interesting. It just felt like there were no real stakes, and any legality talk went over my head.
Honestly, I never connected much with the historical characters — it felt like I was just being told what had happened, and as I stated previously, I wanted to see the story through Jillian’s perspective.
And so, the only characters I were really interested in were Jillian (as a discoverer of history and less so as her own person) and Aunt Min, who was surprisingly tied into the plot really well and had an intriguing personality on her own. Her character development at the end was palpable, and she was honestly one of my favorite characters, despite how prickly she was at the start. It really helped add tension to the story as well — with her presence, you just KNEW that something was up.
The writing style was okay. There was nothing that really stood out to me, and for the most part the book was a little bit hard to get through. Still, I'd recommend this for anyone interested in genealogy who might like a hint of mystery.
Another good read by Olivia Newport. I love the action between dual timelines and how they tie together somehow in the end.
In the current timeline, Jillian gets lost in the details when she comes into possession of a trunk that has been abandon at the Denver Union Station 🚉 over 100 years ago. With the information inside this truck leads her to a new friend by the name of Drew. After meeting Jillian and learning what she does for a living, he wanted to know more about his families mysteries past.
Nolan, I just love this guy. He bites on more than he can chew when asked to prepare a meal for 200 without help.
In the past timeline, Lynnelle is traveling trying to take care of her fathers business affairs but come across some shady people that leave her hiding away from all and who she knows. Her life is forever altered by the most recent chain of events.
I enjoyed this story, but not like the first two books. There were some lulls, but then the pace picked back up and with interesting revels.
I've now read all three in this series, but each one really can stand alone. The joy of a series with the same characters is the depth of personality gained from book to book. If you haven't read the others, it's fine to begin with When I Meet You. If you are like me, you will want to read the first ones.
Genealogist. Genealogy. History. Family. DNA. All of these words put me in my happy place. And all of them are here. I want to hire Jillian (the heroine) to delve into my family history. The author pinpoints a job I would love to pursue. With Jillian, there's always a mystery to find the one or two pieces to unlock the tree.
In this book, I am encouraged to look around my house at my family heirlooms, at my story. There is inspiration to be found in our ancestors, their struggles, successes, and failures. I'm still looking for that "skeleton in the closet."
Enjoy the mystery as the author takes you from the present to 1909-10 on a long train journey with a twisted final destination.
I really enjoyed the dual timeline stories. The historical timeline had a suspense element building at a perfect pace, always moving forward to fill in the blanks as they occurred in the contemporary storyline. The characters were believable and I cared about them and wanted to keep reading to confirm that things worked out safely and happily. I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
3.5 to 4 stars. Enjoyable book that alternates between the present day and early 20th century Colorado. It was interesting getting a bit of a look at the Pinkerton agency and life in Colorado in those days. I thought, however, that the behavior of some of the characters was kind of over the top (Min's for example). The present-day characters were well developed and their relationships were probably my favorite part of this story.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book, for which I was not required to write a positive (or any) review.
Once again Olivia Newport weaves a unique dual time line story that intertwines the past with the present in the scenic town of Canyon Mines, Colorado. Working her magic once again with genealogy and research is Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her attorney father, Nolan. The opening of a mysterious, antique trunk complete with all its contents begins the fascinating historical story filled with cross country train rides, bank fraud, Pinkerton agents, and a multitude of other fascinating adventures in the year 1909.
The usual cast of characters living in Canyon Mines from the previous novels is alive and well and contributing to the central story. Adding interest to the story is a handsome young man named Drew Lawson who happens to have ties back to the mysterious trunk. As Jillian finds herself drawn to Drew, she finds herself pulled in another direction with her own family issues which blurs the lines for her between professional and personal behavior.
The flow between the past and the present stories is smooth and consistent. The theme that resonates through the book for me was how the past reflects on the present. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Readers of contemporary and historical fiction alike will enjoy this book. The book can be read as a standalone.
This ARC copy was received from Shiloh Run Press and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
I simply adore time slip books. The author is very well versed in taking readers on a journey in this emotional and intriguing series. Even though this is book three in the series, I think readers can still read it as a stand alone. I would recommend however to read the first two books to get a feel for who the characters are. Jillian has a gift for details as she uses her knowledge as a genealogist. I was so impressed with her character and how thoughtful she was at unraveling the mystery of a long ago forgotten trunk. It was easy to visualize the time period and the young woman who will risk her life to save her family's name and wealth. Jillian has her hands full with digging up records that could destroy a family or finally give them closure about a trunk left many years ago at a train station. Why would someone not pick up their belongings? Lynnelle is a fascinating character who travels by herself across country to deliver papers that could help save her father’s reputation and business. Along the way several characters seem to take interest in her. I was very interested to see who could be trusted as two couples are drawn to Lynnelle. Can you imagine traveling by yourself with secrets that put your life in danger? The author does a great job weaving a mystery that spans generations. My brother was always interested in genealogy and has left me many documents on his search for answers about our family. We had sone very interesting relatives and the more my brother searched the deeper the mystery became for us. In this story as I read about the different ways to search for information, I realized I needed to finish what my brother had started. The author has written a story that explores a family who opened the door to expose the ugliness of greed and deceit. The faith element is light but just enough to get a sense of the characters belief in God. As I finished the book I had so many questions I wanted to ask. I’m glad to know there will be a fourth book coming out soon. I loved Jillian’s father and how gifted he is as a chef. I loved reading about the different recipes he tried and wished I had been at the table when he served up the savory and sweet menu. There is a bit of a hint of a romance between Jillian and someone who becomes vital to the story. He was a bit unsure why Jillian was interested in where he lived and who his relatives were. The author lays a foundation that spans generations and brings it full circle in this exception story of the value of family. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father Nolan Duffy are at it again in Canyon Mills, Colorado and this time their genealogy research involves them in a mystery that revolves around a trunk that was left unclaimed at a Denver, Colorado train station. As Jillian searches through letters found in the trunk, a story comes to light of Lynelle Bendeure's efforts as she traveled by herself across the United States to try to save her father's business. A young lady traveling by herself in 1909 was unheard of and the two couples who took interest in her may not have had her best interests at heart. Was Lynelle able to accomplish her goal and did the Pinkerton manager who corresponded with her help her in her attempts?
This is a time-slip novel so this mystery alternates with Jillian and Nolan's present day activities. I enjoyed learning about Nolan's fantastic cooking talents and his efforts to aid a community fundraiser and the clever use of a trunk in Jillian's own attic as a tool to link the two stories.
I love historical fiction so I was especially interested in learning more about Denver in 1909 but When I Meet You has so much more. Romance, adventure, and mystery are included and author Olivia Newport once again made me feel like I was right there with Jillian and Nolan. I appreciate this daughter/father team for their love and respect for each other and for their obvious faith in God. I look forward to their next adventure and I recommend this book and the other two books in the Tree of Life series.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Once again Newport makes me want to dig up some history and look into my own genealogy, or someone else’s – it doesn’t even matter! This entire series has been so fun to read, but I must confess that I think this is my favorite of the three. Not only do I want to do some research, I’m hoping that some relative has some hidden trunk that I can look through. I mean, it could happen, right!?
Jillian is such a great character. I have really enjoyed watching her blossom in each and every story, finding her way in the world, and really owning her quirks and strengths. Most people would see an old trunk and not think twice about it. But for Jillian? You can see her wheels spinning as soon as she sees it. Good thing her father is around to keep her sleeping and eating!
Even better is how Newport presents the story. As Jillian uncovers little tidbits here and there, we get to travel back in time, via time-split chapters, and see the story play out first hand! It’s really a brilliant way to write about genealogy in my opinion, because the reader becomes involved. The story becomes more real, the characters (new and old) are relatable, and you get to see the why’s to the story that perhaps Jillian cannot. I can tell you this – you will not want to put this book down!
Newport has given readers a treat with the latest installment in the Tree of Life Series. It could probably be read as a stand alone, however the first two books are too good to ignore if you’ve not read them yet. Just block out a good stretch of time before you dive in. You’re going to need it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed the novels in this series. They are pleasant to read. The main characters are just nice people, people you'd like to have as neighbors. The community events are the kind you'd imagine for a small town. The relationships between the people involved are the kind that make you want to be a part of them.
There's no suspense but there is a mystery to be solved. It's a genealogical one. As in previous novels in the series, Jillian is out to solve the mystery. In this case it is a trunk left at a railroad depot over a hundred years ago. Who was the trunk's owner and what happened to her?
There are some interesting issues that arise in the novel. Do we sometimes hide from what we are afraid to find about our ancestors? Is it even important or worthwhile to find out about those who came before us? And from Jillian's father, when should we stop being obsessed with our investigation?
I recommend this nice, pleasant novel. You'll enjoy the family and community relationships and maybe just a hint of romance for Jillian. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
What an intriguing story with a dual timeline and suspense surrounding an old unclaimed trunk from 1909. Jillian and Nolan made a great team but there were humorous moments along with serious ones throughout the pages. The historical letters Jillian dug through trying to find answers gave insight into the past but the struggle to uncover the mystery wasn’t as easy. I enjoyed the history more than the contemporary events Jillian and Nolan were involved in. Although, Nolan’s culinary skills would be a bonus for any small town to have for major events. This tale is filled with adventure, suspense, history and romance to bring satisfaction to a variety of readers.
This book is the third one in The Tree of Life series by Newport with the father and daughter genealogy team. It can definitely be read as a standalone; however, some readers might like to read more adventures Jillian and Nolan encountered related to family genealogy.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Celebrate Lit with no obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own opinion.
When I Meet You" by Olivia Newport is the third book in the "Tree of Life" series and it is also my favorite of the three.
This is truly a story that clearly shows that sometimes things aren't what they appeared.
This book has a lot of food mentioned so you might want a snack while you are eating.
This book made me want a fourth book ( which is coming, but I don't know if it will answer my questions about Jillian's mother's family).
This story is told between split timelines.
While reading this story I was reminded of a trunk that my grandmother ( my father's mom) had gifted to me and I had to store in the garage and it got ruin, It didn't have any items in it from her past, but I remember she used to store her doll collection in it, Now, I am wondering where that collection went.
This series really makes me want to start doing my own geology research once again. I had started it and got lost so I gave it up.
There was a few pages I had to skip because Nolan sings in a foreign language, but it didn't really take away from the story. It fact it did the opposite and made it more interesting.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit . These opinions are my own.
I found this series completely interesting and Olivia Newport is one my favorite authors! So , when I seen this new series I knew I had to try it and just wow! I love genealogy! It's fascinating! Because you just might never know what you may find! Until I started reading this series I didn't know that genealogy investigators existed. I thought only PI's did that. I enjoyed this story to the fullest along with the twists and turns of the plot and mystery that surrounded the steamer trunk.. I think that Newport has done a fantastic job in bringing her characters to life and putting them through their paces in life. I really liked being drawn into the story along with Jillian and Nolan. Her job is certainly interesting and I bet it's fun at times too! I'm hoping that there will be more to come. I think Jillian and Nolan make a great team! My thanks to Barbour/Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.