The Weight of Air

by Kimberly Duffy

In 1911, Mabel MacGinnis is Europe's strongest woman and has performed beside her father in the Manzo Brothers Circus her entire life. But at his unexpected death, she loses everything she's ever known and sets off in the company of acrobat Jake Cunningham for America in hope of finding the mother she's just discovered is still alive.

Isabella Moreau, the nation's most feted aerialist, has given everything to the circus. But age and injury now threaten her security, and Isabella, stalked by old fears, makes a choice that risks everything. When her daughter Mabel appears alongside the man who never wanted to see Isabella again, Isabella is forced to face the truth of where, and in what, she derives her worth.

In this evocative novel from Kimberly Duffy, the meaning of strength takes center stage as the lives of three circus performers become entangled beneath the glittering lights and flying trapeze of Madison Square Garden.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Christian, Christian Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2023

About the author

Kim Duffy writes low-spice, swoony contemporary romance and historical fiction from her home in Southern Ohio. She loves whisking readers away—whether that’s through time or just to another place. When she’s not writing, she’s usually hanging out with her husband of twenty-five years and four kids, traveling, or cooking. She collects shoes and historical cookbooks.

Reviews

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came for the historical fiction circus setting and stayed for the gender stereotype breaking characters, realistic take on mental health and intimacy within a marriage.

The Weight of Air is about a woman who can't change the way she was born but somehow thats the only way the world wants to see her. Mabel is one of the strongest women in the world, and has grown up in the circus and doesn't know a life outside of it. Who is she beyond her looks, her strength..and how will she pick up the pieces when everything comes crumbling down.

I loved the relationships in this book— romantic love, love between a parent and the love for God given talents. There is a realistic portrayal of mental health/post partum depression and how deep darkness gets during these times. But what truly shines is the hope, the hope that we can live beyond our shadows even if they never go away. The hope that others can love us for who we are and love us for the things we can't change that make us truly unique.

"They are always so quick to point out that my femininity isn't diminished by my strength as though the two-things have not coexisted peacefully together in women for thousands of years"

I was rooting for this romance. Jake is an excellent character who grieves and has his own demons to conquer. His relationship with Mabel is organic and I loved how he embraced Mabel for all the things she was and wasn't insecure about her strength and ability to best him. The realistic romantic tension and chemistry is written well without going beyond fade to black. I liked that it was there because it strengthened that plot.

"He was a fire. a furnace. Everywhere his eyes touched, she burned. Everywhere he touched she melted."

This is a heavier book that tackles hard topics with characters who you grow to love, even in their imperfect nature. I can't wait to read more from this author.


TRIGGERS or WARNINGS:
*post partum depression(severe), suicide, death of a spouse (past), sexual assault (brief), sexual intimacy inferred but closed door. no language.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Kimberly Duffy Fan. Loved all of the other books I've read by her. The writing as always is superb and if you aren't triggered or upset by sexual content, you might still enjoy it. I just found this book with enough sexual content that it made me uncomfortable.

There was some detailed "longing" moments for a character that is grieving his dead wife. The woman who is in love with him agrees to a marriage of convenience to save them money on their trip to America, but she has some detailed thoughts imagining what it would be like to share a bed together.

The other scene that was too much for me was the other main character seducing a man she refused to marry in order to receive his help with something. Pretty detailed in the realm of touching, bodies, her attempts to flirt with him physically including a mention of her breasts touching his chest etc, and while the scene glosses over the actual act, there are a few paragraphs of her lying in bed afterwards explaining to the reader how it's been so long since she was with a man and what it was like etc.

The marriage of convenience and forced proximity tropes made me feel icky due to them not planning on staying married, the man's intense mourning for his recently lost wife, and the fact that one of the characters was attracted to the other and it wasn't reciprocated as of yet. It's just not my cup of tea in the way it was written and felt off and too detailed and uncomfy. Would not recommend for young girls, or unmarried women, or anyone who struggles with being triggered by sexual content or scenes, mentions of infidelity, etc.

Like I said, I adore Kimberly Duffy and her writing style, this one was just too much for me so I stopped reading and skimmed the rest.

[Kristina Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weight of Air is a unique, engaging historical romance.

Mabel's, Isabella's, and Jake's stories pulled me right into the early 1900s. I loved how Kimberly Duffy developed Mabel's personality. Mabel was such a sympathetic, well-rounded character, and I appreciated that she was taller and heavier than the average historical romance heroine. Isabella was also a well-developed character. She'd made lots of mistakes in her life, but I couldn't help but feel for her. Jake was a great character, but I didn't connect as much to him. Maybe he had fewer scenes? I'm not sure.

The plot (and the fascinating parts about the circus) kept me reading right along even when one of my not-so-favorite tropes appeared ... the marriage of convenience. I did think it was handled pretty well, but there were still a few comments and moments that I could've done without.

Anyway, I appreciated the theme of depending on God that was woven throughout this story. Overall, I'd recommend The Weight of Air to those who enjoy Christian fiction and historical romance. I'm looking forward to seeing what Kimberly Duffy writes next!

Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. What a beautifully written story! I love historic circus books, and this was such a good one. The author also covers some really tough topics, including depression, in an honest and grace-filled way. This was my first book from this author and definitely won’t be the last.

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

I think A Mosaic of Wings will always be my favorite by Duffy, but this book was so good. To be completely honest, I've never been the biggest fan of circus-themed books (with the exception of The Lady and the Lionheart) because they've never really been my favorite genre to read. However, Duffy's book held my attention and had me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happened to the characters next.

I have to say, one of my favorite things about this book was the characters--especially Jake. He was so sweet, and just how he always treated Mabel with respect and dignity and honor was so admirable. Also, his character arc was one of my favorites because forgiveness and bitterness are struggles most everyone can relate to, and I found myself able to connect with his character a lot.

This book definitely has the heaviest themes, as it explores things such as abandonment, affairs, pre-marital s*x, contemplation of suicide, etc., so I wouldn't recommend it for a young teen audience (probably 17+ is good). However, I really want to clarify that the author approached these delicate topics with a wise and careful hand. None of those content warnings listed above were shed in a positive light in the story, nor were they supported in any way by the author. Duffy has her characters go from broken to healing to whole, and that journey can be messy, just as it would be in real-life.

If you're like me, I don't read books with s*x in them, but Duffy doesn't cross any lines with this book regarding inappropriate content. Everything is fade-to-black, closed-door scenes, and I never felt uncomfortable or as if I needed to skip the scene, which I've sadly had to do even within the Christian genre. Nothing graphic or explicit, but you're only aware of what's going to happen, if that makes sense. There were also mentions of intimacy between Jake and Mabel, but it was nothing sketchy at all.

I can tell that Duffy really wrote the romance between Jake and Mabel from her heart, because yes, she does acknowledge how the two are physically attracted to each other (as any real-life couple would be), but she goes deeper than that. The characters see past superficial beauty and to what really matters: their hearts.

This book does have a faith element to it, though it felt a bit more subtle to me, which honestly fit the tone of the story. A beautiful story of healing, finding love, and overcoming.

All in all, I'm super glad I read this book. Yes, it was heavy at times. Of course, with any book anyone has ever written or read, there were things I wished were maybe handled a little differently. But I have no regrets reading The Weight of Air, and I'm super thankful to NetGalley and the author for an eARC. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

A father/daughter ‘strong man’ duo in the circus is abandoned by their wife & mother as her melancholy threatens to consume her. When the man dies and the adult daughter is now left to carry their act alone, she also discovers her mother is still alive and goes out in search of her.

I loved a lot of things about this book and then some things, not so much…

This story has a reputation for tackling mental health, and while one character struggles with some kind of mental health issue, we are moreso only TOLD that she struggles and we don’t actually feel it (at least, as someone who has gone through mental health valleys, I felt like it was more tell and not show)

I didn’t like, how all we get from Mabel’s mom is that her dad was a bad guy….from what we get in the beginning, that’s not true. He kind of gets thrown under the bus. Also, twice it happens where the deceased person in a marriage comes up wanting to the new love in the widow(er)’s life….i hate that trope.

There is a marriage of convenience, which is a trope I enjoy, but I LOVE that the two people are actually friends before they agree to marry….its not a head-butting, conflict focussed relationship….(until later on???)

Quoting scripture without proper context throughout the first majority, but they correct it near the end. Throughout the story, there’s a glaring lack of Jesus discussed for a Christian book.

5 abuses of God’s name

[Milena Bookish❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ Historical Romance

1911 Europe-America

My favorite thing about this book was the characters, Jake and especially Mabel whose height and strength are celebrated.

The setting was unique, a historic circus, beautifully written. The writing is gorgeous with descriptions so beautiful… it makes a reader want to read.

You get multiple perspectives - Jake, Mabel, and Isabella(Mabel's mom), Honestly, I did not connect with or like Isabella, there are some mental issues mentioned regarding Isabella, but it's hard for me to have any sympathy for her when she abandoned her daughter..... All the characters are struggling, with depression, feeling inadequate, bitterness, forgiveness, and finding their place in the world, very relatable in our day and age.

✨My only complaint is "God's for everyone" without mentioning Jesus, assuming we all go to heaven.

✨Mentions of intimacy between Jake and Mabel. Everything is fade-to-black, closed-door scenes. Few comments and moments that I could've done without.

✨Final Thoughts... Christian Authors/Publishers should follow God's word period.

I received a complimentary eARC by NetGalley from Bethany Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other books by Kimberly Duffy but I think this was my favorite book by far of hers. I have really enjoyed the books I have read with a circus setting and this one was no exception. The author does a great job at placing you right in the middle of it all. Her descriptions are vivid and truly lets you experience circus life at that time period.

The storyline is unique in its own way. It is a marriage of convenience but with some underlying struggles and mysteries. Immediately at the opening of the story we meet Isabella and her daughter Mabel. Isabella is leaving to America to take her of her mother but she is escaping her life. She struggles with post-partum depression. She has no plans of returning and leaves behind a husband and her daughter.

Mabel has grown her whole life thinking her mother abandoned her because she was not good enough. When her dad dies she clams up and can no longer perform as a strongwoman. Jake, who is an aerialist, proposes marriage after Mabel makes the decision to go to American to find her mother. Jake also has some hurts in his past that he cannot get over.

We see this cast of characters that have hurts and pasts that slowly reveal themselves. There are a lot of emotions throughout the storyline and I think that they author does a great job at drawing you in as you see these characters change for the better.

I will say as a warning that there is a sexual relationship that occurs behind closed doors but we must remember that at this point that this is happening, the character is not a Christian and is not sure who God can be in her life.

Overall I thought this was a great story with a great ending. There was a faith thread but I thought it could be a bit more emphasized especially towards the end where everything is wrapping up. That being said this was a great story and I definitely recommend you give it a try.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[DianFlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

~4.5 stars~
I was so conflicted when it came to rating 'The Weight of Air' by prodigious author, Kimberly Duffy. There's no doubt it is a compelling, intriguing, emotive read and so beautifully written! However, is this book for everyone?

Although the main characters are delightful and there were humorous moments and a HEA, there are some heavy issues that may cause emotional triggers in some people—such as suicide, postpartum and overall bouts of depression, and childhood abandonment.

However, I was absolutely fascinated by the inner workings of the circus and how much time and energy went into training...not only to increase strength, but to prevent injury and grow in poise and flexibility. The little kid in me loved my trip to The Big Top—the astounding acts, diverse characters, and of course, the exotic animals. And the romance between the main characters was pretty sizzling! 😉

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to write a favorable review.*

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the 1900s that captured the romance of circus life.
The author does not shy away from sin and awkward topics but brings flawed characters with their triumphs and tragedies. It is a marriage of convenience story with secrets on all fronts.
Mabel is grieving her strongman father and she believes she cannot perform without his support. Having learned her mother is not dead but left her family years ago, Mabel sets out for New York City to find her. Her long time friend, Jake proposes a marriage of convenience. Mable wants to protect her reputation; Jake wants to protect his heart. “Love isn’t something you deserve. It is something you are offered.”
Isabella left Mabel and her husband because she was haunted by the shadows of depression. She has secrets aplenty including her real name.
This is a story of tangled emotions, relationships and motives. But through it all the characters find courage, forgiveness and faith. One of the verses from her childhood haunts Isabella: “I can do all things through Christ.”
Put this one on your *to read* list.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was nit required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Moriah Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you could want in a story of second chances. Told through the eyes of two women, Mabel and Isabella, it showed how the things we can’t let go about ourselves can hurt us the most.

The romance between Mabel and Jake was wonderful. I loved seeing their romance bloom and was a little anxious about whether or not it would end the way I wanted it to. This is the perfect story for anyone who loves marriage of convenience but doesn’t want to worry about open door scenes. While the romance between Mabel and Jake was new, the attraction between Robert and Isabella spanned half a lifetime. Isabella had never seen Robert the way he loved her, and his undying devotion to her was almost painful (in a good way) to see. More so by the fact that she wouldn’t open her heart and let anyone new in.

The book also addressed how women in society are seen, particularly in this time period. Duffy braced readers for many tough conversations about mental health, perception, and women in male-dominated fields. She did so in a way that showed femininity in fields that might not been seen as such and the balance between husband and wife in a marriage. I loved it.

If you love The Greatest Showman and Edwardian New York, then this is the perfect book for you. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t listening to the audiobook—the mark of a good story.

[Joy Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you might not be sure about at first, but then it winds up just blowing you away with the profound message within. My goodness. I don’t even have the words to describe this book. The only thing I knew going into this book was that it involved the circus. That’s it. Not much to go on…. But Kimberly Duffy is an auto buy author for me which means I don’t read the blurbs. I just trust that I’m going to love it and I always do. She tackles some big things in this one and yet wraps it all in this amazing acceptance and hope. This is a book every woman should read. Kimberly writes characters that somehow always break my heart for the things they go through. And for that I am grateful because she manages to open my eyes to the world around me without bashing me over the head with it. What a beautiful amazing story.

[Darcy Schock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

Topic or themes I saw: Low self worth, finding identity in your work, failure, seeing the world through past painful experiences, and depression.

Read it if you love:

✔️Christian fiction, light on the faith threads
✔️Circus settings
✔️Historical fiction
✔️Dazzling settings
✔️Women’s fiction
✔️Marriages of convenience

Story: The Weight of Air is a lovely story told in three POV’s: Mable, the worlds strongest woman who feels weak inside. Her mother who struggled with depression and thought it would be better for her to leave rather than raise Mable with her ‘shadows’ and Jake who struggles with bitterness over what happened to his first wife. it’s a story of wading through the shadows of depression, rejection, and abandonment. It’s about finding worth and acceptance separate from what you do and have to offer. It’s not a light and airy book, but it’s a topic I am glad is being explored in fiction.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! What a unique and beautiful story! I love the circus and the mystery and magic of it all. Mable is the strongest woman in the world according to the circus she is apart of. Her and her Dad have a very popular show together but then tragedy strikes and she can’t figure out how to continue the act with her extreme stage fright. This story has so many facets and it’s really written beautifully.

[Kerry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly memorable. 4.5 stars.

I finished The Weight of Air a few days ago and I'm still thinking about Mabel, Jake, and the rest of this remarkable crew. I enjoyed the circus aspect and how that brought out their personalities, and I became very attached to the characters and invested in their lives and love and trials.

There were a couple heavy aspects of the story (post-partum depression & Suicide), and I was surprised at one particular situation allowed in the story, especially because it's published by Bethany House. Also, I would've enjoyed a more muscular faith thread (little nod to Mabel there ;) for these characters, BUT overall, these slight negatives didn't detract from me greatly enjoying this unique book.

If you're a fan of historical circus fiction or just historical fiction with unusual settings and livelihoods, check out The Weight of Air. I'll definitely be reading more from this talented historical author.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeously written novel about a young girl who grew up in the circus and is now at a crossroads. The inside look at circus life in the 1900s is fascinating. The story is intricately woven together, and the characters literally leap off of the page.

Longer review to come later.

Thank you to Bethany House for the ARC. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

@authorkimberlyduffy is a fantastic writer! Highly recommend reading her for the historical details and depth into characters. This book feels unique to the setting - I can only think of a handful of books or films that even touch on the circus - and is full of characters to root for. I loved the romance and the mother/daughter relationship growth.
Mabel is known as the strongest woman in Europe and shares an act with her father in a traveling troupe. His passing brings turmoil to her life and an unexpected partnership with acrobat, Jake. They decide to travel to New York to unravel a mystery by finding Mabel's mother.
Thank you to @bethanyhousefiction for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25✨ This book was really good and unputdownable! I ended up finishing it in a day because I was so invested in the characters and the story, from start to finish. This was my first book to read by Kimberly Duffy and I really enjoyed it. I really like her writing style and I’m definitely planning on reading more of her books in the future!

It only took me a few page to get invested in this book. I was hooked almost immediately which is rare for me lately. I think what I enjoyed so much about this story was the uniqueness of it. Not only did I find the circus setting really interesting but I loved that Mabel wasn’t your typical female main character. She was taller, stronger, and heavier than the average heroine and beautiful in an unusual way. I loved that! I really admired her kind and forgiving heart. She was just such a great heroine and I loved her character! I found her relatable in so many ways. I felt so many emotions while reading her story and teared up several times.
Jake was a great male lead. I loved how he respected Mabel and was there for her through everything. I felt for him as he struggled with his grief and bitterness. Together, they were quite the couple and I loved them together! Their romance was a sweet one.❤️
As for Isabella, it was hard for me to like her in the beginning because some of the choices she was making. As the book went on, though, I enjoyed watching her journey and character development.

This book does touch on some heavy topics like mental health, depression, grief, and affairs. I felt like everything was handled well. The affair did make me slightly uncomfortable but thankfully there wasn’t too many details. Also, this is a marriage of convenience story which isn’t typically my favorite because they usually make me uncomfortable. The romance is closed-door but there is a fade-to-black scene. It wasn’t overly descriptive but did make me a little uncomfortable one or two times. There were a few parts I could have done without but those parts were brief and I could skim. I would recommend this book to 18+ because of more mature topics discussed and more romance.
The reason this book wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was because the affair and fade to black scenes made me a little uncomfortable. Other than that, I really loved this book!

One thing I would have liked to see more of in this book was faith. The faith content was minimal and subtle so I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more of it throughout the story. Other than that, I really did enjoy this book!

In conclusion, this book was really good! It’s close to a 4.5 star rating for me. While I did wish there was a bit more faith content and some of the content mentioned above made a little uncomfortable, I really did enjoy this book a lot! I teared up more than once. It’s a story about forgiveness, family, and love. It’s also a story about where we can find our true strength. If you’re looking for a good historical story that is unique and doesn’t shy away from heavy topics, I think you will really enjoy this one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Latisha Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah. This book was breathtakingly beautiful. The descriptions made you feel as if you were in the circus right along with Mabel, Jake, and Isabella. This was my first book by this author and her writing style is lush and draws you in from the first page.

I adored Mabel. She's such an amazing character and I loved that she didn't fit the stereotypical heroine. And Jake was just the sweetest, even though he's battling his own fears and his past haunts him.

While I felt for the things Isabella had gone through, I didn't like her as much with the choices she was making during the book. I do think that the author did a good job of redeeming her near the end, but I wish the redemption would have been stronger and clearer that she was finding it in Christ.

The romance between Mabel and Jake was amazingly done. I love a good marriage of convenience and this one was done perfectly, with the right amount of tension without being too detailed with the romance. Which I totally appreciate!

This book truly would have been a five-star read for me except for the fact that the faith is very light...almost to the point of not being there. And seeing as it is labeled as Christian fiction and the topics that are dealt with are very heavy, I really wish the faith would have been stronger. These characters are flawed and broken, but they seemed to be searching (and eventually finding) their strength from within themselves vs from Christ. I really think it was a missed opportunity for a super-powerful gospel message.

Overall, I was totally immersed in this story and loved being transported to the circus through the author's writing. I'm looking forward to reading more from her!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It kept me completely entertained and I wanted nothing more than to continue picking it back up. I loved the setting and the storyline and all of the themes woven in.

Mabel was a wonderfully beautiful FMC. I loved the exploration of beauty and strength and what it means to work hard and find your home. I loved every side of her and seeing her growth throughout the book brought out all the feels. Alongside that, Mabel’s romance with Jake? LOVED IT. A perfectly angsty slow burn build of these two recognizing all of the feelings they had for one another. When that moment finally came together I was giddy. I love books like this.

Isabella’s post partum depression rep brought me to tears. The way it was portrayed in a time period that wasn’t as forgiving squeezed my heart. It felt raw and honest and I loved seeing her journey too. It wasn’t all sunshine and high places and I appreciated every facet of her point of view too.

The circus setting was really cool and I loved the way it was used for the characters deeper stories. The passion the performers had and the strength it took to find that balance in life. I loved every minute of this book.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a father, brief assault, physical altercations, near death experiences, loss of a spouse (recounted), post partum depression and general depression depictions

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

I loved this book! The attention to detail was superb. The protagonist Mable was not what I expected and I just loved her. I’m a HARD SELL on what fiction I give my time too and I would highly recommend this book anyone who loves historical fiction. I’ve been in a major lull in my reading life and this book pulled me out of it!

Lots more that I could say but that’s all I have time for right now!

[Maggie - Busy Moms Read Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fiction is unlike any other that I have read for this time period. I am not sure I have ever read a novel set in the early 1900s revolving around circus performers and real life problems, such as postpartum depression, abandonment, female body norms, and self confidence. There were also heavy themes of grief, self-worth, and parental relationship tension.

Besides scoring points for originality, we become acquainted with a delightful lead character named Mabel. She is not the normal type of beauty we see in movies. She is not petite, but rather, she is tall and strong. She is strong enough to take down most men who try to best her in wrestling. Due to her body size, she struggles with confidence at times. We also hear the viewpoint from Polly, her mother, who deeply struggles with finding her place in the world. Both of them have unresolved trauma that influences their decisions in a relatable way.

I enjoyed the alternating POVs that gave us little bits of information at a time. It was like mystery solving throughout the novel. A marriage of convenience romance gives us some extra depth to the story that adds tension and sparks between the couple. Having stated all the components I did like, there were two that fell short for me.

1. Sexual content: There is sexual content within this story that is not graphic or explicit, but I did not feel comfortable with it in a Christian novel. Possible spoiler alert: There is a character that engages in a sexual relationship with a man in outside of marriage in order to obtain things. While it is said throughout the book that this is wrong, there wasn't enough repentance and mention of sin to justify why it is wrong. It is a destructive habit that our sin leads to and there was a grand opportunity to discuss the eternal implications, which was missed.

2. Light Christian message: There are moments towards the end of the story that talk about God being with us and we are not alone. This is a beautiful message that a believer can firmly cling to. What bothered me was that this was the only Christian message and it was so minimal in the story. In a book so heavy with real life issues, there was no biblical hope or mention of redemption through Jesus Christ. Throwing in one subtle touch of Christianity in it is, to me, an injustice to the grand scheme of all the Lord can do for us in our suffering.

Overall, I was entertained by the setting and unique qualities of the story. I do believe body norms should be challenged because being tall and strong does not make you less feminine. I also believe postpartum depression is something that must be discussed, especially having personally gone through severe PPD after the birth of my second child. Unfortunately, though, I found this book to be lacking in the theology department. There was such great opportunity to add in the hope and joy of the gospel through our suffering and destructive habits, but there was none of be found in this book.

[Erin Laramore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the circus at the turn of the 20th century, this book had a unique perspective and included a great deal of research, I'm sure! The book centers around Mabel, the daughter of the world's strongest man and the most well loved aerialist. Mabel's mother leaves when she is very young and her father trains her to be a strong-woman. When he dies while Mabel is a young woman, her world is turned upside down. When she learns that the mother she thought dead was still alive, she seeks out what she'd been missing for 2 decades. Jake, an acrobat that her father befriended joins her for her journey and what they learn about life and about themselves is much different than either of them envisioned.

This book covers very deep topics - including depression, suicide, abuse, abandonment, loss/grief, and fear. But it does so while shining the Light of hope into it. The faith thread in this one is in the background for most of the story, but it is ever present as that is the Light that shines in the darkness. In addition to the heavier themes, there are themes of grace, forgiveness, reliance on Christ and love throughout. I enjoyed the story itself, as well as the character development, the romance and learning all about the circus. This was a predominantly character-driven story, but there was a solid enough plot line to keep this fan of plot-driven stories turning pages. All in all, this was quite an enjoyable read and one I'd definitely recommend to fans of historical romance. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Carly]

DNF. I had high hopes for this book, but the writing style and characters made me uncomfortable. It was prob just me, but I was getting bad vibes. 😬

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a good while to get through this book - not because I didn't like it, but simply because is was very, VERY slow. That, and I was in a little bit of a slump as well. It being slow was really my only complaint though.
It was a very unique story. The point of views you got, the setting and time, and plot - it was all very unlike anything I can remember reading. I LOVED that it was about the circus because literally if a book has a circus as the main thing, I'm already in love with it. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between characters - again, very different than most books. Mabel and Jake have my entire heart. ✋😭

The book is Christian Fiction, but it honestly wasn't a main theme. Only mentioned here and there, but I was okay with that in the end.

***Trigger warnings: postpartum depression, suicide.
***Cleanliness: no bad words or inappropriate scenes. But things to note: there were a couple times where it mentioned one of the main characters trying to be with a man in order to have him help her. It was not in detail at all - like seriously nothing, and I wouldn't have that taken out of the book even if I could. It was part of her journey and played into the Christianity factor of the story. Some kisses, not in detail, and it was between a married couple, so it's fine 🤷‍♀️😂

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers for accepting my request to read and review The Weight of Air.

Published: 02/07/23

The cover is beautiful, and after reading the book I was able to appreciate it more. It makes sense.

There is a lot going on. If you are a person who seeks trigger warnings, probably should look elsewhere. This clicks several boxes. With that said, if you are a person who can read internal conflicts and demon-esque mental diseases -- this is well done.

I suggest you read the synopsis, decide your position on the warnings and proceed. I think some things are not spoilers, but better read in the story and not out of context.

I would gift this to a specific person, a personal handoff to a shelter, and a church ministry handoff. I wouldn't throw this in a donate box, but as stated would donate.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Come one, come all!”

This story was a definite unique work of art! The Weight of Air was my first book by Kimberly Duffy and I really enjoyed reading Mabel’s and Polly’s stories. This circus tale gripped my attention whenever I entered it and kept me properly enthralled.

The romance had a definite zing to it but I wouldn’t say it was inappropriate. The author was careful with her wording, and I appreciated that.

“I want the impossible. To catch a star.”

I loved the character development found in this book. I got a little frustrated with some of the timing, but for the most part I loved it! I appreciate that Mabel was not just some skinny girl that we see all over, but was in fact bigger than a lot of men. I love that Jake didn’t even blink twice about her size. Overall I just really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book before the release date. These are my pure unfiltered opinions.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t love this book. It was sooo redundant at times. The characters would say something or tell a story and that story would be repeated 4 more times. And then there were times when it was all confusing… the character would say something and then contradict it later on. It just wasn’t that great to me.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight of Air is a balm to any who struggle. It calls for vulnerability & meets one with compassion. The many messages we are conditioned to accept: be smaller, be quieter, be approachable, wear this not that, listen, don’t speak – when one’s experience, the very fiber of one’s being runs counter to the accepted norm, attempting to reconcile self with social mores can shatter. This is a novel that calls for grace even as it offers the same.

While my personal experiences could not be more different from Mabel’s (though I do share her height!) & Polly’s, I am hard-pressed to think of characters I’ve related to more. This is an unflinching look at the spiral of depression (post-partum, but as someone who battles depression I found Duffy’s portrayal writ with gutting, relatable, honesty). It does not exploit by any means, but unlike much (all?) of the “inspirational” fiction I grew up with, blessedly doesn’t shy away from an unvarnished portrayal of the cost & toll of mental health struggles.

To this day women must be our own health advocates as still we find symptoms belittled or ignored. And in the early 20th century the hope for medical validation was even bleaker. My great-grandmother entered early menopause in mid-20th century & combined with diabetes was admitted to a mental hospital, the scars of that experience my own grandmother carried close over 40 years later. What is kept hidden in the shadows cannot be dispersed by the light.

Mabel’s struggles with self-worth, appearance, & her passion for a world & work not defined as traditionally “feminine” all resonated. The messages fed through society about size, appearance, weight, clothing, work – if you do XYZ = happiness will follow: this calls those voices the lie they are & gently reminds that self-worth & contentment stem from within. If we give ourselves that grace, how much more so can we extend it to others?

This is that rare book that breaks your heart even as the hope woven throughout knits it back together. More of this please, for Duffy shows the beauty in the broken and ever, always, the hope of restoration.

[Amy Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. A very well-crafted, layered story that I immersed myself into, but it got knocked down from 4.5 stars to 4.25 when Jake was a knucklehead for way too long.