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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You know it’s a great read when you finish the book and sit there…still feeling like you’re sad it all ended. “The Secrets of Paper and Ink” is the first read I have had the pleasure of enjoying by Lindsay Harrel, however, it is her second novel. (Her first, “The Heart Between Us,” is waiting on my Kindle for me to devour as soon as time permits. 🙂 )
Sophia is a woman facing a life after the tragic end of a tough relationship. She is a women’s counselor, and so she should be able to compartmentalize, get over and move on, right? Although she is trained to teach others coping skills, Sophia realizes she can’t just jump back into her life–she must take a breath, examine where she is now, and begin to take steps forward towards change. And she’s not going to be able to do it in Arizona, with work and family demands pulling at her each day. So she checks into some travel and finds an unlikely blessing–a small apartment for rent in Cornwall, England, in exchange for helping out at a bookstore located nearby. For a book lover like Sophia, seeking to escape, this is the perfect compromise.
Ginny is the quirky American owner of the bookstore, facing some very difficult challenges of her own. Her husband, Garrett, has been MIA for about 6 months, leaving his dream of owning the bookstore in her hands, rarely speaking to her. As she begins to open up herself to the community that supports this out of place American, she learns that often those working and living near us become closer than family. Once Sophia arrives, an instant connection between the two women begins to unfold. Both are wounded, both seeking true love and both wonder what faith has to do with any of it.
The secondary portion of this time slip novel is Emily and Edward’s story, set in Victorian England. We learn more about them through a mysterious handwritten copy of Emily’s diary, tossed in with donations to the bookstore’s used book drive. While Sophia begins to help Ginny clean up the bookstore, she comes across this journal and wonders what happened to the author, Emily Fairfax. The journey towards this answer will bring life to new relationships, cement friendships, and give these women their voices back. This adventure will also change their lives.
I won’t divulge much more at risk of sharing too much, but I have to say this was one of the most affecting reads for me so far this year. Very different from what I first expected, I was left with the sense that everything does not have to end perfectly, but we can learn, grow and love after that, too. I was impressed with the detail and character development. Each of the female characters are stronger than they think, and I loved the arc that began and stretched to completion in each ladies’ lives. I truly didn’t want the book to end! This would be a great book club read or a book to savor with a good cuppa tea. Laughter, tears, struggles…this book reflects real life, which I love. Realism with a shot of hope will always leave me wanting more from an author. Lindsay Harrel has done just that.
I received an early reader copy and was thankful to take part. I was not required to leave a review and all opinions are my own. *I would LOVE to see this made into a movie!*
This book is beautifully written. It’s a wonderful story about 3 women overcoming difficult situations in their lives. I loved the positive message in this book! I was sad to see this book end. I loved it! The characters were all excellent! This book makes me want to run away to Cornwall! I highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel is an intriguing story of brokenness, loss, and heartbreak, but also Love. Hope. Second Chances and, above all, finding one’s worth—one’s value, not in things, people, or experiences, but in the God who was there all along and who is more than trustworthy.
The background to this story was beautiful, and the descriptions were marvelous!! (Disclaimer: Be prepared to desperately want to take an impromptu trip to the English Coast after finishing this book! )
I really enjoyed the split-time aspect, and while having Three main characters might sound like a bit much, I thought the author did an excellent job of crafting the story so we saw (and fell in love with) each character’s individual story.
Also, the heroes were swoony, the mystery was riveting, and the character journeys were thoroughly compelling! Overall, this was an excellent read—definitely a keeper!!
~Sophia is struggling to make peace with a past of brokenness and guilt, trying to find a way to write the story of her own heart.
~Emily is struggling against the prejudices of her time and also with a love that just might break her apart.
~Ginny Rose is struggling to keep someone else’s dream afloat, and in the ashes of betrayal, finding what her own heart’s dream truly is.
Each woman is on her own journey of healing, of worth, or identity, but as they each struggle with their hurting, losses, and disappointments, they learn that true peace and hope can only come from God, the one who holds all of their futures and can give them the strength to face uncertain tomorrows.
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is one of those books that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go, but not because of any suspense or cliff hangers. No, The Secrets of Paper and Ink is filled with so much real and raw emotion that you’re likely not going to forget this powerful story for a long time to come.
At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the multiple perspectives in the book because I really just wanted to follow Sophia and see what happened with her. But when Sophia met Ginny, it was actually really nice to be able to see life from both of their perspectives.
One thing that absolutely loved was Emily Fairfax; oh man, her story really reminded me of Jane Eyre! I also though that Harrel did an amazing job of writing in a style that fit the century the Emily lived it, which I know can sometimes be challenging.
Despite all of these things, the one aspect of this book that really stood out to me was the fact the I walked away pointed to the LORD. I didn’t walk away with an intense desire to move to England, but instead, with a desire to seek GOD out and follow whatever plans He has for me. To me, it is a sign of a good storyteller when I walk away not seeking things in this world, but seeking the LORD Most High.
**I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.**
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is an intriguing novel weaving the lives of two present day American women with that of a woman of the late 19th century from Cornwall. This novel is by writer Lindsay Harrel.
Sophia Barrett, a women’s therapist in Phoenix, is recovering from the breakdown that happened 14 months after the death of her abusive fiancé, David. Even after a three month nurturing hiatus, she finds she is not ready to resume the role of helping battered women when she couldn’t even help herself. After her failed attempt to resume her practice, her friend and employer Joy convinces her to do something that will nurture her soul. As an avid reader of Victorian author Robert Appleton, Sophia decides she would love to spend some time in Cornwall and answers an ad that includes a low rate second story studio rental in exchange for helping out in the bookstore below.
Ginny Rose, daughter of the wealthy Massachusetts Bentleys, finds herself a left behind wife as her husband has taken half their money to “find himself” in London, leaving her struggling to make his bookstore dream a reality. It’s looking like that might not happen, but Ginny refuses to accept another failure. Selling her grandmother’s diamond ring will help a little, the coming of her American tenant/salesperson will also help, but she needs much more than that.
Sophia is a huge help! When Sophia finds a photocopy notebook that intrigues her greatly, Ginny gives it to her and even introduces Sophia to her brother-in-law, William, a literature professor. They begin a tentative friendship as they seek to determine if this is a diary, as it seems, or a novel. Through William’s connections, they find many leads. The quest is powerful for the healing Sophia seeks.
And then there is the story of Emily Fairfax, detailed in the journal. As Emily’s story unfolds, Sophia finds herself drawn in farther, finding solace in Emily’s strength. Will Emily’s story be the puzzle piece that helps Sophia finally heal?
This is a well written story with rich characters and beautiful settings. It intertwines the three stories in an entertaining and enticing manner. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it.
Have you ever read a book that resonated with you and spoke the words that you were unable to. It felt like Sophia was speaking from my heart. I love the characters and when Emily steps into the story from 150 years ago through an old journal I’m a goner. It shows that when we get involved to help someone or something else it can bring healing to ourselves. God is never done writing our story and can help us through Chance encounters and change that we never see coming. The words to this story wrap around your heart like a cozy blanket and you fall into the depths of it hook, line, and sinker. You will walk away and say wow that was amazing and I wish it didn’t have to end. The ending will leave you needing tissues and feeling gobsmacked. If I had to describe this book in one word I would choose…..MAGICAL!
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Sometimes forgiveness is the most difficult thing a person can do. Forgiving others…and forgiving ourselves. In this story, Sophia, a women’s therapist and book lover, is trying to move on from her abusive fiance’s death, but being in the same places every day is making that very difficult. She decides to take the summer, leave Phoenix, Arizona and go to Cornwall, England to visit the place her favorite author wrote about. She finds an apartment to stay in, above a book store no less, and is required to help out while she’s there.
Ginny Rose co-owns the bookstore Rosebud Books with her husband who has left her “to figure some things out” and desperately needs help. Her store isn’t generating enough money to sustain itself and the bank has just denied Ginny a loan to help her get on her feet. So the arrival of Sophia, who has many great idea’s of how to help, is perfect timing!
While going through piles of old books that have been donated or sold to the store, Sophia finds a notebook with a story written by someone named Emily Fairfax. Sophia is instantly hooked and decides to see if she, along with Ginny’s brother-in-law and lit professor William, can find out more about the story, Emily, and why she feels such a connection and familiarity to the words in the notebook. As they search for Emily, Sophia opens up to William and the two become close.
Although this all takes place within a three month period, their relationship feels very organic and not rushed. The beauty of friendship is a very strong theme of this book along with the pull we can feel from words on a page. It’s a connection to another person, sometimes a person who lived long ago! I really enjoyed this story. It grabbed my interest right away and I never felt like the story slowed. I couldn’t wait to see if they would find out who Emily Fairfax was, if Sophia and William would figure out a way to stay together, if Ginny would keep the bookstore or move on to her real love of culinary school.
A wonderful, heart-warming story! I look forward to what comes next from Lindsay Harrel!
I received a complementary of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Be warned: I’m going to gush over this book in this review.
I finished this book with a sigh and the thought of “That was such a perfect ending to a great story.” As with most books that I’m going to review, I consider if there’s something negative about the plot or something with the characters that I’d change. Honestly, with this book, there’s nothing I’d change. Nothing. It’s a compelling contemporary love story with characters that capture your heart. This is a “split time” book with two of the main characters in the present and one in the past, and the story flows seamlessly back and forth in the storyline. All three of the main characters—Sophia, Ginny, and Emily—-are equally interesting in their own storylines. And the fact that the story is set in an English bookshop and an undiscovered book is a main theme, well, that’s just the icing on the cake.
This story is not all sweetness and light. There’s some sad themes throughout this book. Sophia comes from a broken home, and has herself suffered abuse from her spouse. She’s dealing with his untimely death and the guilt and fear from their relationship. Ginny is an American who has basically been abandoned by her husband in Cornwall and is trying to keep her bookstore open. Emily, whose story takes place in the past, is a governess who loves the heir to the manor, but knows that they could never be married because of her social status. All three of these storylines tie together in a wonderful way at the end. (Yes, I adored the ending of this story.) The romantic element of this story comes about as all three struggle to learn to trust and love again.
The story that captured my heart was Emily’s. It very much has a regency feel to it. We learn her story through her journal, and I think her story is the heartbeat to this book. I was amazed that the author could give Emily such a complete story in a few chapters. I know that Lindsey Harrel writes contemporary fiction, but I think she needs to give a regency story a try.
This is clean, Christian romantic fiction with no foul language or embarrassing scenes. If you love reading Christian romance, you’ll love this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Lindsay Harrel certainly knows the secrets of writing. With a beautiful use of language, three stories emerge in this touching novel against the alluring backdrop of Cornwall, England. I appreciated that not overnight, but through a process, three women dealing with difficult situations discover truth about themselves, their identities and their faith. Through that process, they find hope. I was drawn into each of these overlapping stories and learned lessons for myself as I joined their journey. Harrel successfully communicates the power of story and the importance of discovering one’s own story. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience that The Secrets of Paper and Ink offers and will be recommending it to my friends. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a delightful and heartwarming story. Ms. Harrel has given us three heroines to love. Sophia travels to Cornwall, on a journey of healing and self-discovery. She quickly makes friends with Ginny and her brother-in-law, William. Her discovery of an old journal leads them on a quest to uncover the secrets of its mysterious author, Emily Fairfax. Ms. Harrel masterfully entwines this quest with Sophia’s own emotional journey. Serious topics of abuse and infidelity are handled with care as all three women find that their truth, self-worth and happiness are not defined by their romantic or familial relationships, but in their relationship with God.
While there are many serious moments, there are also many light-hearted and swoon-worthy ones as well. Lindsay Harrel’s beautiful descriptions of Cornwall appeal to the senses, fully immersing her readers into the story. The many book references will appeal to any book-nerd’s heart. While I loved the fictional journey to Cornwall, it is the spiritual journey of Ms. Harrel’s heroines that spoke most to this reader’s heart.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“if we give up hope, we’ll never discover the ocean of possibility spread before us, or what it could hold.”
” We can have all the head knowledge in the world, but our hearts are often what lead us toward destruction-or healing.”
“Life is more than a beginning, a middle and an end. It’s about the countless moments woven in between the lines, the growth, the pruning.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Lindsay Harrel’s book The Secrets of Paper and Ink will be rewarded as the best book of 2019! The talent that Lindsey brings to the table is one to be etched into readers minds. Her book brings about such powerful emotion, from fear, remorse, anger, pain and friendship to love. Three different women all trying to find their place in the world. The Secrets Of Paper and Ink brought so much to focus in my own life and gave me a new perspective on it. This story is so beautiful and shows the reader how God see each of us. Watch for Lindsey Harrel she is not only taking the readers hearts with this book but awards in the literary world as well!
I read Ms. Harrel’s last book and enjoyed it, but I absolutely loved this one even more!!!! This is a fantastic must-read book! This book is a split time book, but also revolves around three main characters. Each character is going through something difficult and the reader is able to see their journey as they deal with life. Sophia is a counselor who has experienced a loss that is complicated. After realizing that she is not ready to continue with her life as she knows it, she decides to go to England for the summer. She rents a room and works for Ginny. Ginny is a bookstore owner who is trying to make ends meet. She needs a renter to help her financially. Sophia is a book lover who is excited to work in the bookstore. Together, they work to build the bookstore into a reputable business. As they search through boxes, they come across a journal from the 1800’s. The author, Emily, details life during this time and how she is trying to get a book published. Together all three journey to discover what life has for them and how to learn to live again. I highly recommend this book! You will discover it is amazing and you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.