Brought together across time by a love of story, three women in England fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.
As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.
Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.
Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.
Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.
“A historical mystery and sweet modern day story entwine to offer a message of healing, hope and second chances set in charming Cornwall.” —Rachel Linden, author of The Enlightenment of Bees
“In a delightful weaving of past and present, Lindsay Harrel creates authentic characters around a moving story that both inspires and encourages. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is about broken people, second chances, hope, and—my personal favorite—the incredible power of story.” —Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol award-winning author of Freedom’s Ring and The Hidden Side
“In The Secrets of Paper and Ink, Lindsay Harrel explores the power of love—and how it influences us to make choices that bless others, as well as ourselves. Or sometimes, we can do just the opposite and make choices that harm us and others—all the while calling it love. Harrel pens an honest, true-to-life novel that’s woven through with the Truth that offers hope when our decisions—or the decisions of the ones we love—wreck our dreams for happily ever after.” —Beth K. Vogt, Christy-award winning author
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This book is a weaving together of stories about three strong women (two present day, one from the 19th century). They are disillusioned by the men in their lives in various ways yet discover their own inner strengths and become who they are truly meant to be. The stories are told in three voices in alternating chapters. There were some slow moments and no surprises at the ending, but overall I enjoyed it.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
“But stories do not need to be read by others to have power. We simply have to believe in their importance and trust that the One who wrote them had a reason for doing so. We must embrace that story and remember that who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives -the failures OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are.”
What a powerful, enchanting, and gripping split-time novel by Lindsay Harrel! In her newest release, the author creates a written world worthy of the title “Secrets of Paper and Ink” as she melds the desperate and heartbroken Emily of 1856 Cornwall with equally desperate and heartbroken Ginny and Sophia who are American transplants in Cornwall of present day. The author’s writing will grab you from the first page and not let go, even after the last page is read. There is so much heartbreak, pain, and suffering portrayed, yet glimmers of hope, forgiveness, and joy will beckon you to travel the journey with these three women in the story. The characters indeed are raw, real, and completely broken but they need to hit that rock bottom to realize who they are and what they are meant to be doing. This story speaks of shattered hearts, deeply forged bonds of friendship, and pursuing dreams despite insecurities and past failures while gently touching on the topic of healing only through God’s grace and mercy. Anyone who enjoys a well-written split-time novel would absolutely love this book.
Emily, Ginny, and Sophia are all independent women who are strong and determined. But beneath their strength lie hearts that are vulnerable, tender, and needing love. Emily, though scorned by others, pursues her dream to be a published author while Ginny hides from her dream of becoming a pastry chef and Sophia has no idea what her dream even is. The men who walk alongside these women are all loyal, honorable, tender, and amazing but each relationship takes different twists and turns as the story unfolds.
I am holding my breath for the next book by Lindsay Harrel! I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and also via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is charming tale that combines the stories of three woman. We get to see them overcome pain and loss to move forward as stronger, fulfilled women. The authors flowery descriptions of Cornwall transported me to the area. I like how the three stories are woven together into one lovely story. While Sophia and Ginny’s section are told in the third person, Emily’s journal entries are her personal accounts (first person). The Christian element is light but pivotal. It is important to have faith and realize that only One person is truly in charge. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is well-written with thoughtful pacing. We get to see women overcoming adversity and taking charge of their lives. The romance is light and sweetly knitted into each ladies’ tale. I appreciated how the story comes together with a heartwarming ending. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a perfect for those readers who like to read women’s fiction and watch romantic movies.
I have fallen in love with Lindsay Harrel and her books. And this book did not disappoint.
You are immediately sucked into Sophia Barrett’s life. You will find your heart aching along with Sophia and you cheer her on as she escapes to Cornwall, England.
Once you get to Cornwall, you will fall in love with the lovely town and Ginny Rose…another American who has found herself living in Cornwall. Both of these ladies struggle with aspects of their love lives…currently and in the past. It was delightful to watch both of them grow and mature, learn to trust themselves, and being to open up their hearts and souls to new love and adventures.
And while you are getting caught up in the story of Sophia and Ginny’s lives, Sophia discovers a manuscript. The discovery of the manuscript will help lead the way to forgiveness, healing, and courage. It’s a slow process, but you will enjoy traveling along as you enjoy two different times in history.
I would love to see a sequel develop from this book. I didn’t want to leave Sophia or Ginny…needing to spend more time getting to know them better.
Thank you to Lindsay Harrel, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Given that I enjoy reading as a bit of escapism sometimes I can be slow to pick up a story that has a weightier blurb. However, I’ve enjoyed this author’s stories before and I was sure I’d enjoy this one as well. Once I started I was drawn in to the story and glad I took the plunge. I love the title, cover and narrartor as I listened to this in audiobook form. I felt bad for Ginny in the beginning and was sad to see her fool herself and not give herself credit. Yet, her character growth was nice to see and had a natural, honest way about it. Sophia had her struggles as well & I felt she was written and her story handled very well too. I thought both H’s were fabulous, strong and gentle with the two h’s. Very complimentary and supportive. The dual timeline sub story tied to the theme of the book great and added to my enjoyment of the book and story very nicely. I can’t recall that H’s name but for a lot of the book I felt him undesrving of the h. By the end through the author’s writing I was able to give him a second shot, lol.
The Secrets of Paper and Ink, by Lindsay Harrel, is a contemporary novel that really spoke to my heart. I loved the way Harrel crafted a split-time story, taking place both in the mid-1800s and current-day England. This story of two women who must face their own brokenness as they undertake a quest to discover the mysterious author of an ancient notebook.
Sophia Barratt is a counselor who, after the death of her fiance, realizes she’s not ready to get back into her chosen profession because she has undealt-with issues of her own. Ginny Rose bought a bookstore in Cornwall, England, to fulfill her husband’s dream. Only now the bookshop is in trouble and her husband isn’t interested in the shop or her. When Sophia takes a break from her life and rents a room from Ginny, the two women become friends and embark on a journey to discover the author of an ancient notebook Sophia found in the bookstore.
As the journey unfolds, each woman comes face-to-face with their own lies they’ve believed, and they begin to learn the truths that will heal.
Harrel tackles many aspects of love and brokenness and finding healing. This story had me laughing and tearing up in places. Can I just say, this is my favorite story by Lindsay Harrel?
If you enjoy split-time novels, good women’s fiction, and authentic characters, you will love this story.
This is Author Lindsay Harrel’s first split time novel, but I hope it won’t be her last! I LOVED this book!! I thoroughly enjoyed traveling to the gorgeous coast of Cornwall, England in this lovely story that touches on some of my favorite elements – a bookstore and cottage, a charming love interest (with a British accent I might add!) and the main characters’ intertwining paths to redemption and faith.
This is my second book by Lindsay Harrel and I have to say that I was not disappointed in the least when I read this. Lindsay has this way of writing her characters to where if I didn’t think about the fact that the book was fiction you would almost think it really happened. She does such a great job of showing the journey towards healing from loss and tragic circumstances. I definitely recommend this book.
I loved this book! It was so hard to put down. The characters were very relatable and the story line really allowed for personal growth. The characters grew and learned new things at a reasonable pace without dragging. A well written novel that I’m very happy to say that I own!!
Just wow! This book is so beautiful. The way the author blends the 3 ladies stories together is just so lovely and masterfully done. I already recommended this book before I finished it. This was my first book that I read by this author and it won’t be the last. Well done!
I absolutely loved every moment of The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel. This book hit all the right notes for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of the stories in the dual timeline. It was a page-turner, a mystery to solve, a 150-year-old diary, a bookstore, much of it takes place in Cornwall, and hope is found in difficult situations. I highly recommend The Secrets of Paper And Ink!
Sophia and Ginny are both Americans who make their way to Cornwall, England. Ginny has moved there to help her husband fulfill his lifelong dream to own a bookstore. Unfortunately, he recently moved to London to figure out his issues and Ginny has been left to manage the bookstore alone. Sophia’s abusive fiancee was recently killed in a car accident and she is trying to make her way through the PTSD she is suffering from. The two become fast friends and embark on a journey to heal their wounds and fulfill their dreams for the future.
This was a delightful read, well written and very interesting. The characters were generally likeable and I strongly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Lindsay Harrel, and the publisher Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and enjoy an ARC of this wonderful book. This is my honest opinion.
4.5 Stars
The Secrets of Paper and Ink follows three women, Sophia, Ginny, and Emily, and spans two timelines, Cornwall 150 years in the past and present day. It was my first time reading anything by Lindsay Harrel and I absolutely loved it! I’m definitely looking forward to more from her.
I was completely sucked into the story and read about 60% of it in one afternoon, which is pretty fast for me. I couldn’t put it down. I had to know how the story ended, how the mystery resolved, and if everything worked out.
I was afraid I’d find one POV more entertaining than the others, or possibly not enjoy one of them at all, which has happened to me a few times before with books like this. But I had no need to worry. All three women were likable, interesting, and compelling to read about. They were so connected to each other and the story flowed really well switching between them all.
This was a beautifully powerful story of the journey, struggles, triumphs, and second chances of three women. And the healing power of paper and ink.
Beautifully Written
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a beautiful story of healing, love, having to restart your life after things have changed. Sophia lost her husband David over a year ago but prior he made life hell for her, an as a therapist she didn’t know how to heal herself, after taking time away from her practice she came back but left in the middle session. Her friend and co-worker suggested to write about it. This when she ended up in England. Ginny was from Boston but her husband George, he was from England and when they decided to open a bookstore in his home town. Now he has left and is leaving her financially strained, she decided to rent the room above the store and over the person employment in the bookstore. This where Ginny & Sophia meet and start their journeys to healing. William is Ginny’s brother in law but is a great guy and Stephen is the man helping them with the website and a friend of Ginny & George. But while cleaning Sophia comes across a manuscript that tells a story of a women who loved but lost and had to find her way long before women were allowed to. This is a beautiful story and recommend everyone read it.
4.5 stars
“Books had always been her escape. Here, she hoped they’d become her healing.”
Sophia Barrett has a story to tell, if only she could find the words. So when she takes an extended self-imposed sabbatical from her profession as a women’s therapist in order to heal her own wounds, she finds herself temporarily planted in Cornwall, England . . . where another young woman, who co-owns a charming bookshop desperately needs to find her own path towards a new future.
Stumbling across a copy of an old journal, Sophia becomes absorbed with the story of a young governess, whose life story mirrors so much of her own heartache. When her hostess, Ginny Rose, includes her brother-in-law, who happens to be a literature professor, into the mix, the three friends begin a journey into the past that could provide Sophia with the inspiration that she needs to unlock the “secrets of paper and ink”; and so much more.
” . . . . who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives – the failures OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are.”
An original, inspiring, and an expertly penned story from the first turn of the page until the cover is reluctantly closed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
“I have always believed that everyone has a story to tell.… Stories do not have to be read by others to have power. We simply have to believe in their importance and trust that the One who wrote them had a reason for doing so.” Emily Fairfax from the book, “The Secrets of Paper and Ink”
This novel has everything, great dialogue, well-developed and engaging characters, plus believable circumstances that aren’t predictable.
I felt compelled to read it, like there was something in it for me. After finishing the book, I believe there is something in it for everyone. After all, our own stories do not always turn out like we had hoped or planned. Still, God is continually working circumstances for our good, and this book leaves the reader with hope in the end. And for me, hope is the most significant gift a book can give.
“We must embrace that (our) story and remember that who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives — the failures OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are” – Emily Fairfax from, “The Secrets of Paper and Ink”
Any narrative involving a bookshop pulls me in like the opposing pole of a rare Earth magnet. The power and influence a shared story can have on our present world, the people surrounding us, and those that may come across it at some point later is undeniable. And this particular tale by Lindsay Harrel does just that.
A diverse trio of stories are told from three very different perspectives, each with their own unique voice. With Sophia and Ginny’s story shared in the present, the manner in which Emily’s chronicles are shared from a period of time centuries in the past but intermingles and influences those of the present day characters warms my own author heart. It’s messages like this, that we all have a story to share and that it has the power to change the world, both today and in the future, that encourages many authors to keep writing. Myself included.
The underlying message in this book addresses some serious societal issues dealing with abuse of the emotional variety. But the way Ms. Harrel weaves a tale to address these issues in a subtle way, through the power of story on many different levels, is serendipitous.
“The Secrets of Paper and Ink” holds many hidden messages, but the undeniable power of story brings them to light in a satisfying and compelling way.
Life can be messy, painful…and beautiful…
I read Lindsay Harrel’s debut novel not that long ago, it truly moved me in a way that a novel seldom does. So it naturall followed that I would want to read her next book when it came out. The Secrets Of Paper And Ink was another excellent read, just a little different from its predecessor. I finished the book a short while ago but I know that it is one that I will be pondering, digesting, for awhile yet.
This book features the intertwined stories of three women. Two of them are contemporary and the third is from the Victorian Era. Over a century spans their lives but they intersect in a way that could only be called a God thing. Each of them has been hurt, by circumstances, and by the people closest to them. And each of them must work their way through the pain and find their identity in the only One who will always be there for them, and for us. This is the overarching theme that will resonate with women readers of all ages.
A thought-provoking story, The Secrets Of Paper And Ink is a book to both enjoy and ponder. It’s easy to get immersed in the lives of Sophia, Ginny, and Emily, but it is equally as easy to see the parallels in our own lives. To see that when life hands you lemons, search for the sugar that can only come from the hand of God, and make it into lemonade.
Lindsay Harrel may be a new author in what I would call women’s fiction but she is also one to watch. I for one, am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
This is a new author to me and this will not be the last book I read by her. This was a wonderful mix of contemporary and historical fiction. I loved the three main women that are in the book. There are Sophia, Ginny and Emily. Each woman has a secret that they are trying to conquer. I did not want to put this book down. I needed to know what would happen to each woman. I received a copy of the book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Through the depths of emotions comes a book so powerful that readers will have a hard time putting the story away. I read it in one sitting because it captured me right away. It is hard not to become attached to the characters as they draw you into their struggles. I love time-slip stories and this one is the best I have read. The author threads three characters through time and attach them forever in history. The beautiful way the author slips from past to present is seamless. I became committed to one time period and didn’t want to leave. The characters are three young women who all are looking for what we all desire. They want to be accepted and loved.
Emily is such a sweet person who has loved Edward ever since they were children. They have always claimed to just be friends, but Emily has ached over Edward for years. I loved how they would hide letters and other things at their special tree. Wouldn’t it be so romantic to have a special place where you find a note from that special someone? I could picture the tree with its branches that spread out in anticipation of secrets hidden among its beauty. Emily and Edward are two people who have hidden their feelings from each other. Can Emily’s dream of becoming an author ever come true? Will it be to late for them to find happiness when a wedding looms over their head? Will one marry to please their family or find the courageous to follow their heart?
Across the pond we meet Ginny. She has a wonderful bookstore and until a few months ago, a happy marriage. It was heartbreaking to see Ginny feel inadequate to make the bookstore a success without her husband. Her heart is crushed when her husband leaves her. Finding out that you were never loved by your husband crushes Ginny. I loved getting to know the dynamics of Ginny as she was growing up. She has always had this sense that she never was good enough, never as smart as her siblings and a disgrace to the family . My heart went out to her as this burden of rejection as followed her all her life. Will she discover how much she is loved by God? Can she let go of the past and allow someone to show her how valuable she is?
I saved Sophia’s story for last. This woman was who I felt a connection to. She has a great practice as a therapist for women. When she faces a tragedy in her life, it is too much for her. She takes time off to heal and try to understand how she allowed a man like David in her life. He was sweet at first but suddenly became this demanding and abusive husband. His death shakes her to her core. She is free of him but her guilt of feeling this way takes over her life. It’s time for a change. This is where Emily and Sophia’s lives intersect. The perfect setup for Sophia is waiting for her across the pond. She rents a room from Emily and works in her bookstore to help pay the rent for her little apartment above the store. It was just what she needed. Her love of books is refreshing . I could relate to her because she escapes into books like I do. They allow us to forget everything and find adventure in stories. Her discovery of Emily’s writing from so long ago intrigued her. Emily’ strength is what Sophia admired They both suffered a loss but Emily was able to move forward. Can Sophia find the truth behind the manuscript she found of Emily’s?
The ending is one that made me linger long after I read the last word. I don’t want to leave this story but I know it will never be far from my heart. We all have hopes and dreams. One word, one sentence, one moment in time brought three women together to find healing, forgiveness and the knowledge that they are worthy to be loved.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.