Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.Everyone at Crestwicke has … feelings–mostly negative ones–about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa’s search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.
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The Love Note is an intriguing and captivating story of a family in need of more than just medicinal healing.
The characters in this novel are outstanding! Willa Duvall is a gem! I really enjoyed her spirit and determination. I was really glad her point of view was in the first person. The other Gresham family members’ viewpoints are written in the third person, and the blend of the two was flawless!
This poetically written mystery will leave you guessing over and over again!
Don’t miss this book!!! I absolutely recommend it! I can’t wait to read more from Joanna Davidson Politano!
The Love Note is available now! Visit Baker Book House or Christian Book to purchase your copy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Joanna Davidson Politano and Revell. A positive review was not required. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
A thoroughly enjoyable romance with layers of depth. There are multiple characters that add richness and multiple points of view. I love how all the story archs creatively weave together through a single note. I was pleasantly surprised several times and was not able to predict the story early on, which made it engaging and captivating. Perhaps my favorite part of this book are the scientist’s observations on love at the beginning of each chapter. There are multiple lines I have highlighted for future reference because they are full of wisdom, insights and hope. Highly recommended, thought provoking book that will stay with you long after the conclusion. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
This is one of those stories that utterly sweeps you away and invites you into its precious pages within seconds!I have been eagerly anticipating this new novel by Joanna Davidson Politano and it not only exceeded expectations but it deeply touched my soul with its profound and beautiful message.The Love Note is a complex novel with wonderful characters. Willa Duvall passionately desires to become a doctor, but first she has to make an agreement with her father….Successfully complete a Nursing Position within a month’s time, or wed the man of her father’s choice. She discovers a Love Note that leads her to the Nursing Position of a Mrs. Golda Greshem. The Love Note’s writer remains anonymous and causes utmost disruption throughout the house as it falls into everyone’s hands at different times. As she tries to solve the mystery of the dearly written letter, she also battles with her Patient, who is not all warm and fuzzy about her presence. ;)It truly is an enrapturing plot, and the characters leap off the page right into your heart.I loved Willa, and I loved Gabe so much. Their friendship was so precious, and I loved watching it. This book will easily make it on my favourites -of-2020 list, with its stunning message, strong characters, and fantastic plot. I loved every moment of it, and the entire story reveals itself at the perfect pace. I highly recommend!!
The Love Note is a reading delight. Mystery, romance, and beautiful writing are all present in this lovely, atmospheric story. Willa is an interesting character in that she longs to be a doctor, so scientific thinking and being a caretaker is second nature to her. Despite turning down four marriage proposals, she is also a romantic at heart. When she finds an old love letter in her desk, she is compelled to seek out the writer, as well as the intended recipient. This letter just so happens to mention a place that holds a piece of her past, and contriving to go there to convince her father that she can make it in a male dominated profession, she unwittingly puts her heart as risk, too.
I enjoyed the inclusion of the perspective of several side characters. It made for a clever way to see how the letter impacted different members of the household that Willa is now a part of. While at first I was unsure about her connection to this household, as the story progresses, the reader is shown how this connection formed. I think that works much better than just dumping the information on the reader in a paragraph or two. I did sometimes think that a woman as smart as Willa would not be that obtuse about her feelings toward a man, but I also understand that she was singularly determined to make her way in the world. She knows a marriage could potentially ruin her prospects at becoming a female doctor.
I thought the ending was well done. It’s not rushed together just for the sake of a happily ever after. When the reader gets to that point, it’s so satisfying to watch things fall into place. The Love Note is a story about the hope and healing that both the written and spoken word can bring, and as a reader, that’s always a story worth experiencing!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Beautifully and thoughtfully written, The Love Note is full of the things I’ve come to love about Joanna Davidson Politano’s books—colorful, brilliantly drawn characters, richly painted settings, and carefully developed layers. Her stories are always fascinating, but I can count on finding submerged meanings and messages that go beyond the surface story.
Set in England in 1859, this book captured my interest from the first page and kept me eagerly reading and guessing to the end. It was an emotionally charged journey with many twists and turns. The author did a masterful job of revealing snippets of the plot at a time while keeping the reader in doubt as to the final outcome of the story.
Willa Duvall is a spunky, ambitious heroine who sets about to find the writer and intended recipient of an old love letter she found. This sets into motion some unintended consequences.
“I had a healthy obsession with love stories, after all—as long as they were not mine.”
Gabe Gresham is a quiet, unassuming hero who loves working with horses, and I was immediately drawn to him.
“Yes, the man needed a wife—he was the sort of blessing who should not be wasted on a life of seclusion.
I enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. They gave a little hint of what was to come and a bit of wisdom to ponder.
“I cannot decide if marriage would be a waste of the only life I have . . . or if avoiding it would be.” –A scientist’s observations on love
“Love may come unexpectedly by getting to know someone different, or getting to know them differently.” –A scientist’s observations on love
I recommend this story to those who enjoy historical fiction that stays with you long after you finish the book. It’s another exquisite offering from one of my must-read authors.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Revell. All opinions are my own.
There was so much depth and intrigue in this story, I was invested from pretty much the first chapter. I absolutely adored how the letter wove into every character’s story and impacted their lives. It is just one example of how the message of the power of words is threaded through the entire story.
This was a solid story with what I consider a good Christian message. While not every aspect of the theme was presented from an exact Christian perspective, because the main character was a Christian, it was interpreted that way. So the message of the importance of our words as well as remedying past grievances was presented with the Christian backbone.
The romance was so multi-faceted, it was amazing. Though the entire story on the surface is about love, the message of true love is so much deeper than just romantic relationships. Basically, the message of love was for every individual with every relationship, be it lovers, spouses, siblings, or parents and children. There were mentions of pregnancy out of wedlock and some impassioned kisses.
Because of a few situations in the story, which I do think were handled very well and discreetly, I would not necessarily recommend this for a young teen.
I enjoyed the artistic beauty with both the storyline and description. Toward the end, things kind of seemed to be sped up with one of the characters suddenly making an effort to right her wrongs as well as a chapter that spanned three years. It worked, it just seemed to change the style of writing toward the end.
*I received this book from Revell and happily provided my honest review*
I’m going to be straight up with you that my review will probably not do this book justice because I am so overwhelmed at all of the intricacies of the story and the family. I was blown away by the twists that were revealed, the history of the characters, and the multitude of quotes that spoke to my heart. So don’t go into this book expecting a sweet romantic story, it is so much more than that as I quickly discovered.
Willa Duvall is a woman after my own heart. She wants to be more than just someone’s wife. She has aspirations to help people with her medical skills and knowledge as a nurse and from working with her father in his clinic. I loved that she was pushing for cleanliness and so much more when that was not the practice of doctors or hospitals. I hated that she was put into a position that she had to barter for her future with her father to pursue becoming a doctor when he just wanted her to be married. As part of the barter, she ends up as a nurse to Golda Gresham, mostly in part due to a letter that she finds in her desk. She doesn’t know who wrote it or who it was meant to receive it, as it was neither addressed nor signed. Golda is quite the character and she does not take any guff from anyone including her children, much less Willa. The interaction between these two started off shaky but in the end, they had a firm friendship and mutual understanding.
Let’s talk about this letter that Willa found. It is one heck of a love letter and I can see why Willa wants to find who wrote it and return it to the proper owner. What she doesn’t expect is for this letter to make its way around the various characters who all think the letter was written for them. The story of this letter is pretty amazing too and just when you think you understand the who and why of the situation, a new piece of information is released changing your whole perspective on the situation.
I enjoyed all of the characters for one reason or another, but I think my favorite is Aunt Maisie or “crazy Maisie”. This woman had firm beliefs and thoughts and I chuckled at her book of words. Words she wanted to use someday so she kept track of them so she was prepared. With the other characters, you had the gamut of personalities from loving, to controlling, insecure to confident. All of these personalities round out the story nicely with just enough tension to make the story engaging.
I can’t forget to mention the romance portion of the story. For Willa, she doesn’t feel like she needs a man to make her life whole but there is one man that seems to fill the bill, Gabe Gresham. They have been friends since childhood and there is something that pulls them together. But don’t think that their path is easy because it is not and that is one of those twists I mentioned. There are several other love stories occurring, but you will have to read the book to discover those for yourself.
Here are some of my favorite quotes (and I did trim the number back – so many more I could have shared!)
“Every day, every moment, I choose you.”
“It was as if God had wrapped his directions up in my friend’s voice so I’d be sure to hear them.”
“You needn’t be afraid of your words, Miss Duvall. Only careful. They’re as easy to gather as rocks, and just as easy to throw about, but don’t underestimate them.”
“Don’t waste a moment when you find the one you love.”
“That letter had been shaking up the household ever since it had been unleashed here, and now it seemed to have somehow landed with her.”
“These words have a life beyond the page. They’ve taken flight in this house, moving where they will, seeping into the cracks of hearts. It’s woken something up in them, opened them to the possibility that love exists and they are worthy recipients. And that is vital.”
“Allow yourself to be caught by a man, Miss Duvall. The right one is worth the risk.”
“…everyone had a story, some with cracks deeper than anyone could imagine.”
“Matched souls always find their way back to one another, for they seek refuge in the same place.”
Overall, I highly recommend this book. The author takes us on a journey that will not be forgotten and many wise words are spoken that we could take to heart even today.
We give this book 5 paws up.
Miss Willa Duvall was the daughter of Dr. Phineas Duvall, a Dr. of renowned intelligence and knowledge. He wanted to open a Spa clinic to help his patients. She had tried to get into a medical school but was turned down because she was a woman. She had just turned down her fourth proposal.
She wasn’t interested in marriage but being a doctor was her aim. She made a deal with her father and she picked a job and if she did a good job then she could choose and when. If she failed then her father chooses. She decided on Crestwicke and Golda Gresham.
Gabrial Gresham’s second son and best friend. She hadn’t seen him in five years and she had missed him. He ran the stables and hoped to raise the perfect horse and race him. He was still handsome, “with deep maturity, untold strength, the freshness of youth and traces of hurt”.
She had found a note hidden in her desk and had come here to find to whom it was written and who wrote it. It was misplaced and Essie the maid got it and her whole attitude changed, she was lonely. Each one of the ladies somehow ended up with it and it changed them. It was a sincere and lovely note. There are a lot of stories woven into this book. It was romantic and so much was going on. She and Gabe had a lot to do even if they had to do it alone. Five years is a long time. It is written so it is romantic and leaving the person feeling better. I loved the writing and sentiment. It was so entertaining and engaging. You could not put it down and it was so worth the time. I was mesmerized.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Title: The Love Note
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Pages: 400
Year: 2020
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Willa Duvall is a woman who has but one desire, to become a doctor and fulfill her father’s vision of opening a hospital for the poorest of the poor. Willa has turned down any suitors who refuse to let her work outside the home or allow her to use her talents, knowledge and gifts. To Willa’s father’s chagrin, he cannot get his daughter married, so a contract is written between Willa and her father that sets Willa on a path of discovery.
Willa discovers a note while still living at home and takes it with her to Crestwicke. Then, she loses it, and the course of the note touches every living soul at the manor. The woman that Willa is called to care for at Crestwicke Manor has a very well-hidden history that may come to light because of the note Willa brought with her. Many different characters in the tale are touched by that note, and their lives will never be the same.
In an exciting and very touching novel, author Joanna Davidson Politano draws the heart and soul of readers into this world of mystery, romance, and faith. It’s a story of redemption, healing, the power of words, whether written or spoken, to change peoples’ lives. Willa Duvall is a woman who speaks truth, and is adventuresome, witty, and stubborn. She just wants to heal the people who need her skill and provide a place for those who are unable to pay for their care. Willa wants to honor the vision her father birthed but wants above all else to please God.
My other favorite character is Gabe. He is a man of means but that hasn’t stopped a lifelong friendship between him and Willa. Gabe has a way in which he can train, mend, and care for any horse. Gabe speaks little but his actions show the depth of his faith, love and willingness to help no matter the cost. Gabe’s personal history comes into play when Willa finds out the author of the note and its intended recipient.
As with her other novels, this author touched my heart. The Love Note will be a book I will read again and again, as well as share with others. It is a story of hope that I believe will reach out and touch any audience willing to open the cover. When I finished the book, I thought that this novel ranked as high as Francine River’s Redeeming Love did so many years ago.
Grab a copy, gift a copy and watch as lives are touched in ways you can’t imagine. Hope and faith are very powerful, and this book is filled with both. To God be the glory.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
The characters were mostly well developed. The story flowed quite well, though it wasn’t just through the eyes of Willa, the main character. Spread throughout the book were the prayers and encouragement of some of the character’s faith in God.
The editing was quite well done. I didn’t notice any punctuation or spelling errors nor did I notice misused words. Sometimes I did feel like the story rambled a little, but not to distraction by any means.
The one negative I have is that I feel the story ended too soon. If I say more, I’ll give away the ending but I would have liked to have seen the story continue a little longer.
Overall I give this a 4 out of 5 star rating. I debated between 4 or 5 stars but the ending made me choose 4 stars. Yes, I would recommend this book. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. A positive review was not required and I am freely giving this review.
“The Love Note” by Joanna Davidson Politano is all about the unravelling of a peculiar mystery involving a long-forgotten letter, a secret love and a vast estate. Can a determined young lady seek to assemble all the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together?
All set for a promising career in medicine, Willa Duvall discovered a never-before-seen love letter in her old escritoire. Willa is driven by a strange compulsion to find the passionate person who painstakingly penned it, and the would-be recipient who unfortunately by a strange quirk of fate, never received it.
This Victorian-era tale of love lost-deferred-and-found, laced with hidden mysteries waiting to be discovered, is the perfect blend of historical romance, intrigue and mystery.
This tale is written in a powerful, lyrical style, with a complex plot, about noble yet broken characters, in an intricate tale of intrigue, that uncovers latent longings, multi-layered, deeply hidden and carefully concealed secrets and profound spiritual truths .
This highly engrossing historical fiction illustrates the awesome power of words, both expressed and unspoken, to have the power to affect Iives drastically.
Words have the extraordinary power to break hearts and hurt feelings. Words hurt, heal and love. Words with eternal impact are treasured forever.
Written in multiple layers with multiple points of view, the story takes shape and gathers momentum in intriguing, unpredictable and surprising ways. The noble characters are very well drawn and properly developed. Last but not least, a strong theme of feminism runs through the novel, assertive but not aggressive.
The Love Note,” with its prayer-filled content, is the poignant tale of how a mysterious, unsent love letter transforms the lives of the noble people at Creswicke Manor. I highly recommend this stunning book to all who wish to know the true story behind the layers within the layers!
The Path of True Love is Never Smooth!
All Willa wants to do is become a doctor, but no medical school in 1865 England will accept a woman, and her doctor father will not support the idea.
Then she accidently finds a love note tucked in an old piece of furniture that originally came from Crestwicke Manor. Beautifully written, unsigned and not addressed to anyone, Willa is so intrigued by it she wants to go Crestwicke to find the true owner.
In order to make the trip, her father forces her to agree to return home in one month with a man she is willing to marry, or wed the one her dad picks out.
Crestwicke is a hot bed of unhappiness coming from a host of things. There is the prickly, difficult mother of the family Willa must nurse, open hostility from the adult children, and a quirky aunt who seems to lurk around every corner. Willa loses the love note shortly after she arrives. It is found by at least four others who each believe it was sent to them, and it causes no end of upheavals in all their lives.
Willa gets herself into a number of situations, and you will love how she tries to work her way through them. I adored this clean, five-plus star story, including the elements of faith, and all the twists and turns. I would, however, like to know more of what happens in Willa’s life, along with the other characters. Fiction lovers will enjoy the romance, unexpected revelations and surprises mixed throughout this yarn, and I highly recommend it.
Revell Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Love Note, for the purpose of review.
“If I should happen to fall in love, the outcome of such a plight depends, like any big fall, on who is there to catch me.”
Willa DuVall has no intention whatsoever of falling in love. Summarily dismissing her fourth suitor, she re-focuses on the future that she has chosen for herself, becoming a physician; not an easy aspiration for any young woman in the 1860’s, and as you might imagine, Willa’s father had an altogether different plan. Who would have thought that an unopened love note, discovered deep within the recesses of Willa’s antique desk might provide an opportunity to please them both. Oh, the mighty power of words.
Travelling to the familiar Crestwicke Manor estate as a private nurse for the Gresham matriarch, Willa is re-introduced to members of the family with whom she played as a child, happily accompanying her father on his visits to the grand property as the family’s physician. With the mysterious love note tucked unobtrusively into her pocket, Willa is determined to use the only clue it bore of its intended recipient. Instead, she loses it . . . . . .and is forced to watch the missive circulate amongst members of the Gresham family and their staff, causing a havoc that Willa could only pray would not ruin what she had hoped to restore.
Utterly enchanting would describe this romantic venture! Readers will find themselves urging each and every member of the Gresham family to rediscover that, “Matched souls always find their way back to one another, for they seek refuge in the same place.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
In this highly engrossing, totally original Christian historical romantic fiction, Ms. Politano mixes science and faith to show the power of words. Words both expressed and unspoken, written words, careless words, honest words all have the power to affect lives. They hurt feelings, break hearts, change events. They also heal, give hope, and express love in various forms.
The full review is on my blog Carpe Diem Chronicles.
Joanna Davidson Politano has written an enchanting story about the power of words and the way they can touch our hearts. The story centers around Willa Duval, a nurse who wants to become a doctor in a time when that’s not a woman’s profession, and an anonymous love letter she finds in her desk. As the letter makes its way through the manor, touching each person in a different way, it sets changes in motion that alter the lives of its readers forever.
I absolutely loved the author’s writing style and the beautiful way she crafted this deeply layered story. Willa is a bold and confident heroine, determined to reach her goals and still longing for a love that will give her the freedom to pursue her dreams. Gabe Gresham is a delightful hero, understated but charming in his own way. His tender heart allows him to see beyond the surface of everyone around him. The final chapters brought an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion – I never guessed the true author of the letter until it was revealed! This was the first of Joanna Davidson Politano’s books I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What I Loved: Love is in the air in the most unlikely of places. Where only bitterness and strife seem to survive, the members of the Crestwicke household has the makings for true love hidden around every corner. From the distant husband and wife, the unappreciated servant, the miscommunication between spouses, secret love between friends, and the desire for affection from all of those involved, the unsigned love letter touches everyone in its path in the most peculiar way.
It didn’t take long for me to be swept up in its path myself. And I promise you, this isn’t a novel you’ll want to miss reading for yourself.
The Biblical truths of genuine love and the destruction of bitterness are woven into every chapter in the most natural way.
I could go on and on, but some stories are best experienced, so please take my advice. Go. Pick. Up. A Copy. Then you can tell me how this memorable love letter touched your heart.
Rating and Recommendations: As one of the top books I’ve read all year, I give it 5 stars and then some. I highly recommend it to Christian historical fans of all shapes and sizes. Trust me, you’re going to love it.
~ I received a copy from Revell. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano is a stand-alone novel set in England in 1865. Willa Duvall finds an unopened love letter in a crack of her writing desk. Determined to find out who had written it, she takes a nursing position at Crestwicke Manor. Willa misplaces the letter and it travels from person to person at the Manor with varying responses. Some find it brings hope and to others it is discouraging. I loved how the letter made the rounds and the different responses to it. It was just what everyone needed when they needed it most. The different mysteries in the story kept it entertaining. The characters were a great combination. The story flowed well and kept you guessing who the actual author of the letter was. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but I guess the story had to end sometime!
I received this book from the Publisher for my honest review.
Oh. My. Goodness!! This book is stunning! The suffering, the sorrow, the secrecy, the hope, the friendships, the love, and of course, the romance…absolutely stunning! The characters in this story are so loveable and difficult at the same time. They are multilayered and complex, making this story deep and heartfelt. I connected with so many of them! And above all, the thread of faith weaving this story together was ultimate! It’s perfectly written and exactly what this story needed. If you enjoy a story that will pull you in, sweep you away, and carry you to the last page…this is a definite need-to-read!
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
It started with a note. A love note found in a secret compartment of a desk. Willa needed to return it to its intended. When she and her father strike up an agreement with a contract, she chooses to go to Crestwick to be a nurse. That’s where the letter originated. As she seeks answers, the note is passed from person to person affecting them all in different ways. Every character is on a journey and it’s a beautifully written novel. I was in awe of the content and how it was presented. I felt like it was a classic literature read. Truly, our words matter. And this novel displays that over and over again. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.
I had a little back and forth debate with myself over reviewing this book. Mostly because I have been trying to stay away from overly romantic books right now. But it is by Joanna Davidson Politano and I knew it would be amazing. She did not disappoint.
I struggle to find adequate words to describe Politano’s books. This is the third one I’ve read and each is like a parable in novel form. Her characters learn deep lessons and you as the reader learn them too. Her little observations and notes at the beginning of each chapter are quite possibly my favorite thing about her books. She also has a unique way of writing in that the chapters from the main character’s point of view are done in first person but the other POVs are done in third person. Each book I’ve read of hers has taught me something and this one is no different.
Another reason I wanted to read this book was because it reminded me of a movie my grandmother and I both love called “The Love Letter”. The stories aren’t similar beyond both involve an old love letter in a desk but that’s what I thought of when I read the description.
About the actual book 🙂 While mystery would not be the first word I would use to describe Politano’s books, there is a mystery going on. Willa has found an old love note that is somehow connected to the home of her childhood friends and she is determined that the rightful owner needs to have the letter in their possession. She also wants to be a doctor and one of the family needs a nurse, so with that as her “cover”, she goes to try and fix things at Crestwicke Manor. She soon realizes that she’s stumbled onto more than she bargained for.
I would say that one of the big underlying themes is that everyone needs to hear words of affection at times in their lives. They need to be told they are loved and that someone is proud of them. The characters soak in tender words that they each believe are for them. The note brings changes and wakes people up to what they were doing (or not doing) and how much it was hurting those around them.
I LOVED AUNT MAISIE!!!!! She is far and away my favorite character. While I felt I could connect with Willa, I liked Gabe and Clara, and I found myself feeling more for Golda as the book went on, Aunt Maisie was a gem from the start.
There really were a lot of characters that were being developed through the story but I felt like each got their turns and a satisfactory resolution. This is not your normal book that has love as the theme because there were so many different versions or stages of love represented. Friendship, fractured marriages that needed healing, single women loving and caring for orphaned children, etc. In each relationship, you learn different things with the characters.
While I called one storyline from the moment the character was introduced, the letter mystery was indeed a mystery and I did not guess its trajectory for one moment. It was surprising, to say the least.
This book was even more wonderful than I would have guessed. I am eagerly awaiting her next book already. Many thanks to Revell for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.