Josie Chadwick dreams of marrying for love in Cornwall, England, but with her father’s debt threatening to destroy all she holds dear, her romantic options are dwindling. When her elder sister Delia is disowned, Josie finds herself heiress of Chadwick Park, torn between dreams and duty. After sacrificing her heart to atone for Delia’s sin, Josie clings to the hope she will learn to love a distant … distant husband, whom she fears is incapable of requiting her affection.
Charles Radcliffe’s heart has been scarred and hardened by rejection. He fears hurting his new bride, but his fears of betrayal and rejection are stronger, making it impossible for him to trust her love―let alone the love of her God.
As Josie and Charles face their new life together, ominous events warn of dark family secrets that could shatter them both. More than a loveless marriage is at stake if they cannot stand as one. Will they learn to trust God and each other before it’s too late?
more
With a well-developed plot, I was pulled into this unfolding story right from the beginning. It took me a little bit to get into the heart of the characters, mostly be because they hid their true selves so very well.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. About the time you think you have it all figured out, something changes and you discover that your ideas of who is behind the mystery fall apart like a house of cards.
There are some adult scenarios, alcoholism, spousal abuse, fornication, and attempted rape. It’s real and honest while reminding us of the matchless forgiveness and grace that God offers to us all.
Fans of Christian Historical Romance with Gothic undertones are sure to be well pleased with this page-turning story. There are a few areas I found repetitive. I give this story 3.5 stars and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Kaitlin Covel is a new-to-me author and I must say I was enthralled by this book. I was also enraged at the villain, a little disappointed with the fathers and amazed with the H/h. There was so much crying in this book and most of it was by the H/h. I understand the fear of rejection, but jumping to conclusion after conclusion, and all wrong, is a little bothersome. There was a certain amount of self-pity and self-doubt as well.
The plot was suspenseful and keeps ya guessing. It is well written and believable. I was correct in my assumptions of a lot of things in the story even though I did second-guess myself a couple of times. I really liked the story, except for the amount of crying. It seemed a bit much. I found the author portrayed each character’s faith, or lack there of, adequately. I did not find the story to be too preachy as some may have found it. The world could pay a bit more attention to the Good Book and the Almighty and we would be much better off.
After being rejected by one woman, Charles Radcliff is talked into marrying her sister, by said sister to save her family from ruin and to make his father happy. Josie Chadwick is the sister that talks Charles into marrying her. So basically she is martyring herself for her family as she helps her pregnant sister runaway with the father of her baby. Charles and Josie’s marriage starts out rather rocky and emotions run high throughout the book. Sacrifices are made, the two eventually fall in love with each other, however, no road to true love runs smoothly.
If you like clean, historical romance with some suspense thrown in, then you will like this book. I will be reading the next book from this author in the future. Enjoy!
Oh, wow! What else can be said about such a unique and moving story? No joke, I was hooked from the start right up to the very last sentence! I don’t know when the last time was that I discovered a new author and knew immediately that I would be reading anything and everything that she put out from then on. I feel like I’ve actually been living in another world because I’ve been so engrossed in this book! Reading “just one more chapter” until WAY too late into the night and then waking, only to be anticipating what will happen next and wanting to jump right back in at once!
Charles and Josie are characters that you just can’t help but fall in love with…even when you hate their guts and want to give them a good, sound slap! There was mystery, villainy, misunderstanding, and a long-suffering love story. It was the PERFECT kind of book, full of deep emotion and undying faith.
Ms. Cover outdid herself here! It’ll be difficult to top this one, but I’ve no doubt that whatever she writes next will be sure to live long in my heart, just as “Atoning for Ashes” is sure to do. This is a novel you’re guaranteed to remember and look fondly on for years to come!
Atoning for Ashes is a wonderful debut novel by Kaitlin Covel and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books by Miss Covel in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Atoning for Ashes is Kaitlin Covel’s debut novel. I thought it was a pretty good historical. It is full of adventure, action, romance, mystery, twists and turns. I never knew what would happen next that kept me wanting to keep turning the pages. I loved the various messages that I got from reading it.
I am giving Atoning for Ashes four and a half stars. I cannot wait to see where Miss Covel’s imagination will take her readers to next.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Atoning for Ashes is set in Regency England during the time when young girls dreamed of finding true love and marriage but often were forced to marry to save their family’s name or fortune. This is the case of Josephine Chadwick. Her father intended for his eldest daughter to marry into wealth but Delia Chadwick woud have no part of it. Josephine (Josie) observes her father’s distress and his increasing ill-health and she volunteers to wed Charles Radcliffe to save her family from bankruptcy. She actually has very good intentions but it becomes apparent that Charles is reluctant and he isn’t going to be a loving husband. I found their early marriage hard to read about because of his drinking and unpleasantness but Josie’s sweetness and devotion soon begin to influence Charles Radcliffe and he starts to change. It is through Josie’s goodness that he begins to believe in God.
This debut novel by Kaitlin Covel features mystery, intrigue and mistaken identities; there are shady business transactions, deceit and treachery, and even murder and attempted murder. Atoning for Ashes has some adult situations that aren’t always written about in Christian fiction but the author buffers them with a strong Christian message. She shows how some of the characters grow in their faith and she often uses scripture in the plotline. There are also some beautiful passages that show trust in God. As Josie recalls how she never felt truly loved by her mother and as she wonders if she will ever enjoy a deep romantic love, she realizes that “In all of her life, only God’s love had never disappointed. His love was without condition, constant and faithful as the sunshine”. And later, as she faces extreme danger and perhaps death, Josie is reminded by her long-time housekeeper Esther that “God is just, Josie,” she said gently. “He is fighting our battles even as we speak.”
Kaitlin Covel has successfully captured the culture and mores of Regency England and I was reminded that the goodness and evil that was present during that time are still present today. This may be her first published novel but I feel that it certainly won’t be her last! I recommend Atoning for Ashes for anyone who enjoys Christian historical fiction.
I received a complimentary advanced reader copy from the author but my review is voluntary.
This book was ah-mazing! So much drama and lots of twists and turns! Loved it!
Atoning for Ashes
This book definitely has some unexpected turn of events. I am not going to give any of them away, of course. I loved that it is an Christian fiction and a historical. Lots of action and suspense.
I really enjoyed Josie and Charles story. I never knew what was going to happen next. I loved the part when they went on the Gondola ride. They were on their sorta Honeymoon at the time but has to go home soon after. The book is interesting throughout but really got eventful when they got home. I am definitely look forward to reading more of the author books in the future.
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. The review is my own opinion.