Seattle Debutant Sofi Andersson will do everything in her power to protect her sister who is suffering from shock over their father’s death. Charles, the family busy-body, threatens to lock Trina in a sanatorium–a whitewashed term for an insane asylum–so Sofi will rescue her little sister, even if it means running away to the Cascade Mountains with only the new gardener Neil Macpherson to … protect them. But in a cabin high in the Cascades, Sofi begins to recognize that the handsome immigrant from Ireland harbors secrets of his own. Can she trust this man whose gentle manner brings such peace to her traumatized sister and such tumult to her own emotions? And can Nei, the gardener continue to hide from Sofi that he is really Dr. Neil Galloway, a man wanted for murder by the British police? Only an act of faith and love will bridge the distance that separates lies from truth and safety.
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This is the first book by Christine Lindsay I have read and it is quite delightful. The setting of 1913 Seattle is lush and clearly different in its rustic charm, the writing is fluid, the characters are enchanting and captivating, and the plot is well-paced with interesting twists and turns. The author handles many difficult topics like the life of immigrants, battle with opium tincture addiction, darkness in grief and depression, and suppression of intelligence and ability in women found during this time period with grace and sensitivity.
Neil, an Irish physician running from authorities, and Sofi, a third-generation Swede who is the daughter of a wealthy and successful bridge engineer, meet by circumstance when he starts working as a gardener in her home right before tragedy strikes her family. Both Neil and Sofi are strong, loyal, intelligent, and dedicated to helping others and alleviating suffering. Their love for family runs strong – strong enough to put their lives on hold or at risk to protect and serve them. Their friendship/romance buds slowly but is incredibly sweet to behold. Sofi’s faith, even in the midst of her greatest trials, holds steady and she helps Neil see the truth and comfort in leaning on God’s saving Grace.
I was given a copy of this book by Pelican Book Group and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Once I got into this book, I couldn’t put it down. The author masterfully wove her plot from a mysterious gardener in Washington state, to family traumatized by a father’s death, to a devious business partner, to Scotland Yard investigators. The final chapter seemed made for an action-packed movie. A great read!
Enjoyed reading this while visiting the Cascades in Washington, where the story takes place.
This is an entertaining romance and I did enjoy it. There are some words or phrases that aren’t used well; otherwise it is pretty well-written.
This was a very sweet story–two people determined NOT to fall in love with each other, who end up together in spite of themselves. Sofi and her dad like to design bridges–but Sofi lives at a time when women are homemakers–not bridge builders. Dr. Neil Galloway is running away from a dark secret, and the last thing he wants to do is get involved with Sofi; yet they are thrown together for various reasons. I loved this book!
The best yet of Ms. Lindsay’s novels I have read. I seldom give five stars, but this one deserves a high five!
I loved this book. The author has created wonderful characters and while the ending was great I was sad to say good bye to the characters. If there was a book two í’d be getting it right away.