She’s willing to do anything to follow her plan.
Debutante Alice Knight is ready for her first social season in London. She’s determined to impress society and her mother with an affluent match, at last escaping her past and embracing a future of her own making.Peter Strauss, an American reporter visiting England, isn’t exactly what Alice had in mind. However, his friendship proves invaluable as … However, his friendship proves invaluable as Alice faces the challenges of her debut. Almost immediately, she attracts the attention of a well-born gentleman—perfect save for the simple fact that he’s not a Christian.
The life she longs for is finally at her fingertips, but between her own heart and the convictions of her faith, she isn’t sure she ought to grasp it.
At Her Fingertips, a romantic women’s fiction novel, is the third novel in Kellyn Roth’s Christian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy.
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*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.
What can I say? I think it’s common knowledge by now that I have thoroughly enjoyed Kellyn Roth’s novels and that I view her as an amazing writer, in league with Christian literature’s top authors. Every installment of her Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series was entertaining, deep, unique, and so very well-written.
So naturally I jumped at the chance to beta-read At Her Fingertips and then later to read the ARC (both of which I barely finished in time).
The things that struck me while reading it the first time haven’t changed, but seriously, guys. It’s better the second time around. This novel is without a doubt a five-star read (but I’m unofficially giving it four and a half so that Ivy’s story can get the full five stars)!
First, I just have to say that I absolutely love Roth’s writing style. Now that Alice, one of the POV characters from The Dressmaker’s Secret and the heroine of Becoming Miss Knight, is eighteen years old, Roth’s prose has flourished! In some ways, it’s still seven-year-old Alice talking—because though all of her characters have grown and matured, they haven’t changed a bit—but in others there is this Austen-like slant to her voice that makes every paragraph such a pleasure to read. There’s something about the way Roth writes her characters’ thoughts, intersperses their opinions through a distant third-person perspective, and crafts such deep and witty dialogue that reminds me greatly of Austen.
On top of that, everything else is basically an Austen novel—albeit set almost seventy years in the future—from the pacing to the settings to simply the way the story unfolds.
I love it.
On that note, Roth inspires a lot of thought in AHF. To be honest, she’s done the same with her past novels—which I absolutely adore—but this time we have a message, almost a problem that must be solved. And like Austen, Roth presents multiple points-of-view on the subjects of love and marriage, developing each perspective (from Alice’s and Ivy’s to Nettie’s and Claire’s to Gibson’s and Peter’s) so perfectly that you can’t help but understand everyone’s opinion. In the end, we’re led to mull over what we’ve learned (and all the thought-provoking comments Peter made that could’ve started arguments in their own right) and draw own our conclusion from the outcome of each character.
Make sense? Eh, probably not, but weird philosophical stuff like this is seriously my jam, so I enjoyed it. And I enjoyed listening to Peter put in his two cents—er, pence, I should say—every so often. The man is unceasingly full of wisdom.
I love him.
But have I made it to him yet? No. I’ve still got to talk about Alice and Gibson and Nettie and probably gush a bit about Kirk too.
(Did I mention that this review is going to be really gushy? No? Oh, well, you’ve been warned now.)
Remember what I was saying about Alice not changing? Yeah, let me expound.
So y’all know how Alice was stubborn and didn’t always listen or understand when she was a child? She still the same. Still has the same mannerisms and voice and little nuances that haven’t ever left her—and that’s one of the main things I like about Roth’s characters and just like about how Roth writes in general. I honestly don’t know if I can think back to a single series I’ve read that had characters so vibrant and real in it. From the children to the grandparents, they’re all so well-developed and they retain their individual personalities throughout the entire series! Not to mention, the way the side characters (like Claire and Gibson and Mr. Parker, etc.) are portrayed is just as strong from the perspective’s of other characters as it is or would be from their own.
Without a doubt, Roth is a master with characterization. She never misses a single beat.
Speaking of Alice…have I ever mentioned I don’t like her? Like, at all. There are so many little things—from her personality to her attitudes and actions to her personal views—that I just don’t like. If she were any other author’s character, from any other series, or any other heroine, I’d probably just hate her guts and continue to love on my man Peter.
But she’s Kellyn Roth’s character and she’s Alice Knight (or, well, technically she’s not Alice Knight, she’s really—ach, spoilers; don’t mind me). Therefore, I must love her, because even if I don’t agree with her or like her, I still admire the strength of her character and how well Roth has developed her to the point where I completely understand every aspect of her skewed philosophy, even though I disagree with it. Make sense? She’s perfectly imperfect, and just so unlikable, and yet I can’t help but love her.
It’s complicated.
As for Peter? AUGH! I mean, every review that you’ll ever read for this book will be FULL of gushing over Peter, trust me…so I’ll try to keep my own gushing tamped down. Just…Peter was amazing. He was almost perfect, you know, but his being good was an imperfect in and of itself, so therefore he wasn’t entirely perfect—he was just the kind of guy every girl wants in her life, am I right? He was so sweet and awkward, but almost always confident…in a humble, his-assurance-comes-from-God kind of way, not in the least bit arrogant. He was kind and loving and compassionate and helpful and respectful and so wise and perceptive.
Not to mention he’s a writer. And German. And on top of that, American. I mean, does it get any better?
No. No, it doesn’t.
(Speaking of, am I the only one who’s noticed that most fictional Peters are German???)
Unless we’re talking Scottish doctors with questionable pasts or stable boys with even more questionable pasts…but I’ll save the Jordy talk for the next book.
However, I did just open things up for a Kirk discussion, didn’t I?
I MEAN, Y’ALL. KIRK IS SO PRECIOUS. My heart ached for him the entire novel. I mean, it wasn’t like I wanted him to get with Alice…because she’d tear him to shreds and my baby Kirk needs someone way better (ahem, me), but his heartbreak. AAAAUUUUGH. AND THEN THAT AT THE END. OH. MY. WORD.
Like, after The Dressmaker’s Secret, I didn’t think Roth could possibly conjure up any more plausible plot twists. But she did. AND THE SUSPENSE IS TEN MILLION TIMES WORSE. LIKE, NETTIE AND CLAIRE HAVE A LOOOOOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!
(I really need to get my caps-lock button under control, don’t I?)
On that note, Nettie was her regular awesome self in this book. If it weren’t for her and Peter… Anyway, she’s marvelous and I love her. End of story.
But I haven’t made it to Gibson yet, have I?
So…the love triangle—or was it a square?—in this was blatantly obvious…but there was always something about Gibson. The first go-round, I fluctuated between liking him and being extremely wary of him (for good reason), until the end, where I flat-out hated his guts. (#nospoilers) The second go-around, I for sure didn’t like him—he’s really not all that likable—but I sensed a lot more potential. He said a lot of things that were either wise or so stupid that I had to pause and think about them, and of course he’s got this nuance that sets him apart from every other man of his ilk…even though he’s still just like every man of his ilk. Make sense?
Eh, I know it doesn’t. Just read the book, for Peter’s sake.
So I say all that to say that I really like how Roth pulled off his character. He was simultaneously the annoying love interest that we all dislike and the multifaceted side character with a story of his own that must be told.
There were other things I wanted to say about this book—I’m sure there were. (I have them written down somewhere…all my thoughts and notes…in the laundry room…which is just soooo far away from my bedroom…) But to be honest, whatever else I could say doesn’t really matter.
What matters is that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, got a lot of Austen vibes, fell in love with Peter, understood Alice despite it all, want a Kirk story, and can’t wait for Beyond Her Calling!
Oh, and that you should totally buy this book. Like, now. Or yesterday. Yeah, yesterday’s good. Buy At Her Fingertips yesterday.
(Side note: just realized what a good title that is. Fits really well. Not to mention I adore that cover. OH! And I never mentioned Riley. Darn. Well, I loved Riley too. He was great. The End. I mean it this time.)
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
At Her Fingertips was my first of Kellyn Roth’s books, and even though it is the third in the series, I was able to read it as a standalone quite easily. At least until the end, when that cliffhanger was thrown into the epilogue. That’s a sure way to make me want to read the next one!
This book focuses mainly on Alice’s quest for a perfect marriage – not one filled with love, but a sensible marriage that will afford her security. There’s a lot of discussion about what marriage should and shouldn’t be. Does it have to include a bunch of dramatic emotions, or should it be basically a business partnership? I think this was addressed pretty well throughout the book – Peter was definitely the more sensitive, emotional side of things, and he was a good parry to Alice’s more stoic approach. Peter was probably my favorite character, given he was a kind, thoughtful writer. (And when he shows up in England and immediately declares that he’s staying … that’s my boy.) His comments about masks at the masquerade party were quite insightful, as well, and he didn’t even know what was coming …
The writing style fit this book, and I also enjoyed the research that went into making everything realistic. I had no idea how involved and ceremonial Seasons were in the late 1800s! Although there wasn’t a lot of action, the book picked up for me in the latter half where things started progressing a bit more. I also enjoyed the clear discussions about Christians not marrying non-Christians. I feel like a lot of Christian fiction books can kind of skate over that fact, or they’re ok with it as long as the person becomes a Christian in the end. Nettie’s input was much-needed, and I’m glad Alice had such a good confidante!
The romance element was completely clean (which was wonderful), as well as the language. I would recommend this book to those who enjoys historical fiction, especially fiction involving British, high-society activities.
Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book!
Coming of age in the Regency era in England was never an easy feat with all the rules and standards. Alice faces the marriage mart in her debut into society. She finds her dreams and lists regarding a suitor to be a challenge. Will she finally gain all she desires?
We confront life with our own lists and goals. What happens when our plans go askew? Where does God enter the scene? The beginning, the middle, the end, or after the fact?
Though not always successful, I want God to have total control of my life and its multitude of decisions. Alice is confronted with the pursuit of a husband at such a young age. What choice does she truly have?
I’ve followed Kellyn from her beginning as an author. I look forward to her future novels. Her potential is tremendous!
4.5 stars!
A confession before I begin … I’m more of a suspense novel reader than a reader of English historical fiction, so some of my comments will reflect that. 🙂
Characters: Both Peter and Alice were complex, well-developed characters. Their personalities were defined and guided the majority of their decisions. I did think Peter could’ve used a couple more flaws, but that might just be my sin nature wanting company 🙂 Alice’s spiritual state confused me at times. In the beginning, I almost understood her as not being a Christian, but later on, she was presented as quite devout. I did like seeing Alice’s character arc throughout the book. Out of all the side characters, Nettie and Ivy were my favorites.
Language: Clean.
Moral: I appreciated that this Christian novel was actually Christian. Too often, I read supposedly Christian books where God isn’t mentioned much at all. I’m happy to report this wasn’t the case with this novel. Now, onto the moral … At Her Fingertips contained themes of marriage, love, dealing with emotions, and following God’s plan. I really liked the emphasis on Christians only marrying other Christians.
Plot: This is where my suspense-reading self struggled. The plot seemed a bit slow, and I needed a little more action. I don’t think, however, this will bother readers who enjoy historical fiction set in this time period. This character-driven plot contained a gentle romance, family relationships, multiple love interests, and old family secrets.
Romance: Clean. I was a little surprised by how quickly Alice’s change of heart toward Peter took place.
Writing: Kellyn Roth has an easy-to-read writing style that worked well for this story. Unlike the writing style found in some books in this genre, her writing style isn’t stuffy or overwhelmingly poetic. The dialogue seemed natural for the time period, and readers of the classics will appreciate all the quotes from those works that Kellyn included through Peter’s perspective.
Overall: At Her Fingertips was a well-researched, well-written novel that will be enjoyed by readers of Christian fiction, historical romance, and historical fiction.
And before I forget … I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest thoughts.