Robin Windsor has spent most of her life under an assumed name, running from her family’s ignominious past. She thought she’d finally found sanctuary in her rather unremarkable used bookstore just up the street from the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and the past is hot on her heels.When she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father’s … father’s scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the long-lost summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. That book–a first edition Catcher in the Rye–is soon followed by the other books she shared with Peter nearly twenty years ago, with one arriving in the mail each day. But why would Peter be making contact after all these years? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she’s about to be exposed all over again?
With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words–the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write–have more power than we imagine.
*****
”The Words between Us is a story to savor and share: a lyrical novel about the power of language and the search for salvation. A secondhand bookstore owner hiding from a legacy of scandal, tragedy, and heartbreak must unlock the secrets of the past to claim her happiness. I loved every sentence, every word.”–Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise between Us
“Erin Bartels has done it again. She’s created a story that has set up camp in my mind and now feels more like a memory, something I lived, than a piece of fiction. The added benefit is that it’s a story about books, some of the best ones ever written. If you are the kind of person who finds meaning and life in the written word, then you’ll find yourself hidden among these pages.”–Shawn Smucker, author of Light from Distant Stars
“Vividly drawn and told in expertly woven dual timelines, The Words between Us is a story about a woman who has spent years trying to escape her family’s scandals and the resilience she develops along the way. Erin Bartels’s characters are a treat: complex, dynamic, and so lifelike I half expected them to climb straight out of the pages.”–Kathleen Barber, author of Are You Sleeping
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This was an intriguing story. Almost every other chapter is a flashback to Robin’s, the protagonist’s, youth (starting about 18 years before the contemporary setting). Her journey toward both understanding her past and healing from it kept me turning the pages (actually, listening to the audiobook).
THE WORDS BETWEEN US is one of the most beautiful novels I’ve read, one in which every sentence carries power. Robin is a feisty young teen, a reader and a poet, who grows into a woman determined to defy a legacy of scandal and tragedy as she attempts to forge her own path in life and love. Told through a dual timeline, the plot keeps its secrets until the final pages. With sweeping themes about the power of language and the search for salvation, this is a book to savor and share.
I hardly know where to start with this review. The book is so beautifully written that I can’t really convey my feelings about it except to tell you that this is a MUST READ! I finished reading this book over a week ago and I am still thinking about it – to the point that I haven’t been able to start another book. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that kind of book hangover.
Robin is a teenager at the beginning of this book who is sent to live with her grandmother due to a scandal that happened in her family. She changes her identity and tries to become a new person so people won’t judge her by her parents. But even though she wants to present a new person to the world, her thoughts and her inner peace are still tied to her old life. She meets Peter at the cemetery before school starts and he interests her until she finds out that he is the football hero, prom king jock in the senior class at the high school. Their friendship thrives though the books that they begin to share.
I absolutely loved the world that Erin Bartels created in this novel. There are wonderful book references and her love of books is apparent throughout. Most of all, I loved the characters and the emotions that this novel and these characters gave me throughout the book.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Beautiful writing, beautiful story. A unique dual timeline with a super-satisfying ending. Having read both of these author’s amazing books, I’m hooked and looking forward to the next.
Erin is a first time author for me and not the last time either. I LOVED this book, and in relation to Robin’s love of books and this taking place in a bookstore hit a home run for me. I really like the way Erin brings these characters into real life for us, having real problems and issues that we everyday people experience.
I would not say that this is a Christian fiction book, as much as it is Women’s fiction, which did not influence my opinion of this book at all. Erin has written a beautiful story here and I will be a long time reader of hers for a long time to come. You will not want to pass on reading this gem.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
@RevellBooks @ErinLBartels #TheWordsBetweenUs #RevellReads
The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels is a bibliophile’s dream. A brilliantly written novel with numerous references to literary classics, it celebrates novels and poetry of old while exploring the power that words have in our lives whether they are spoken, read, or written.
Dual timelines in The Words Between Us created a captivating storyline. The novel held my attention from beginning to end with its unfolding mystery, intense personal struggles, and romantic tension. At times, each chapter felt like a mini-cliffhanger and I struggled to put the novel down! I would have loved a few more chapters or an epilogue to tie up the minor loose ends of the story, but the ending still satisfied.
As far as content, The Words Between Us has threads of Christianity and its values. Honesty, forgiveness, and a search for truth are embedded within the story. There is a supporting character whose actions (drinking and partying) may or may not offend more conservative readers. I wasn’t bothered by her, just giving a warning.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels and recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction that mixes romance, difficult issues, and fascination with books. Five stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
What an intriguing thought-provoking novel. I highly recommend “The Words Between Us” by author Erin Bartels. I loved her “then” and “now” way of storytelling. She writes a very compelling story sure to appeal to book lovers everywhere. Robin Windsor’s parents land in jail and she has to grow up fast. Her name is changed before she is shipped off to her Grandmother’s trailer in a small town in another state. She meets Peter Flynt and their six-month friendship in high school impacts them for years.
Here are a few quotes that I highlighted.
“A winter, no matter how long, cannot last forever.”
“What’s the point? Saying what you really think just leads to trouble.”
“Sometimes we’re handed adversity for our own good, so we’ll grow. Just because something’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for.”
” I know it won’t be easy. But easy things aren’t worth your time. It’s the hard things we really love in the end. The hard things we managed to do despite everything.”
I hope you get a chance to read this!
So I thought this was a story about a woman trying to save her bookstore from closing. I have honestly started no less than 4 conversations about this book in that manner since I started reading it. And I never ever talk about a book until I finish it on the off chance that the author royally screwed up the ending, but this book sent me into a whirlwind of crazy so hard I couldn’t seem to shut up about it. Everyone unfortunate enough to ask me about what books I’m reading in the recent past have been exposed to my various degrees of awe and confusion over the trajectory of this novel. I love coming of age novels, and this one is so very good. It reminds me a little of Ellen Foster with a twist of Anne of Green Gables via NCIS. And if you thought that was an odd combination, try being the reader who thought she signed up for You’ve Got Mail vibes. I loved this! My first thought when I finished it was that I wanted to go rescue a copy of this book from a used bookstore somewhere! I will be on the lookout for more of Erin Bartel’s work! If you have Prime Reading, add this one to your TBR stack pronto!!
It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. And yet, I’ve read many fictional stories that fly beyond what is realistic and believable from a human emotion capacity. There is a nebulous space between truth and fiction that balances the two in a believable yet compelling way. This novel is a rare example of that delicate equilibrium.
The characters in this story couldn’t be more authentic. They’re messy, passionate, and emotional. They’re real. Robin, Sarah, Peter, Dawt Pi… everyone is reflective of someone you might walk by going about your daily routine. Each has their challenges to face. And the way Ms. Bartels tangles those challenges between them provides invaluable insights, for both the characters and the reader.
I’m admittedly not much of a poetry person from a reader standpoint. It is difficult for me to immerse myself into the emotion of the intricate language sometimes used. But I learned something about myself over the course of this novel. While it might be cliche, patience truly is a virtue. In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the immediacy of everyday activities, forgetting to inhale and exhale-not physically, but instead, mentally and emotionally.
The poems included within this text spoke to me, because I had the patience and investment in Robin’s character to fully understand the emotion contained between and inside each word. And that’s a beautiful thing.
I have always believed that words have an innate ability to influence. And after reading this story, I realize there are so many varied dimensions to that statement. Spoken. Written. And even those that are simply thoughts inside our head. They each have the power to change a small piece of us, and maybe something even bigger.
“The Words Between Us” was a true pleasure to read, as much for the story as the exquisitely beautiful and authentic prose used to share it. Often indecisive about what my next read will be, there is no doubt I’ll be picking up Erin Bartel’s debut novel next, a testament for her ability to capture this reader’s emotional attention and never let go.
Wow. This book is so well-written. I was captivated from the beginning and didn’t put it down until I finished it- the blessing of having half a Saturday free! It was fascinating to see Robin’s point of view as a 14 year old and present day adult, her misguided perceptions and the fallout over years from the traumatic events that changed and shaped her life. I appreciated that the alternating then and now format didn’t feel like flashbacks, but rather two very connected stories told simultaneously. The details unfold and are revealed throughout the story and feel natural rather than strategic. The relationships in Robin’s life are few, but each are valuable and significant. I loved discovering what came next for Robin, her indomitable spirit in the midst of her well-founded fears, and the way she comes to recognize her own growth and experience the sweetness of forgiveness. Highly recommend!!!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
The Words Between Us is a carefully crafted story by a gifted writer. The two timelines in the story are deftly woven together, unfolding the gripping, heart-wrenching story layer by layer. Populated with lots of broken, hurting characters, this tale is emotionally charged and sometimes hard to read. Robin Windsor has gone through things no child should have to suffer, and her friend Peter has also had a tough life. Their friendship is partially built on books and the poems Robin writes for Peter.
I loved the beautiful cover, and the poems added so much to the story and gave extra meaning to the title of the book. In addition, the many classic books mentioned give another layer to “the words between us”, as does the fact that Robin owns a bookstore.
With a captivating plot and a message of forgiveness and resilience, this book pulled me in and kept me turning pages to see what twists the story would take. I would recommend this book to those who are booklovers and especially those who enjoy plots with dual timelines.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell/Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.
If you love books, bookstores, literature, and parrots, this is the book for you! I knew I loved all those things except for parrots, but then I met the Professor and that did it. Bartels has given readers a deeply original concept (what if your father were about to be executed on death row?) and layered it with references to classic literature. Trust me. It works. My only complaint is that I wanted the end to happen a bit more slowly. Without giving anything away, I needed more time to savor the resolution and hope for . . . well, you’ll have to read it!
If you enjoy a good novel that’s Christian fiction without being preachy then you must read The Words Between Us. Destined to become one of the best of 2019, author Erin Bartels shows us the power of words. Even the power of words we don’t say.
The characters in this book are strong, and it was great to see them mature along the way. Set in Michigan, it even incorporates my home town of Grand Rapids, and our well-known event, Art Prize, so that was fun. And speaking of fun. The cover is incredible both in the way it looks and the way it feels. And the story is set in a bookstore. What could be better?
This is not a typical feel-good story. Difficult things happen to both main characters. But while these difficult things shape who they are, in the end they do not define them. Just don’t think this is an easy to read, feel good story. It’s raw and real and I loved it.
My one complaint was the ending. It just wasn’t neatly wrapped up like most books. I won’t say more. Just get a copy and read it. It’s well worth the investment!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
BRILLIANT! Bartels crafts an exquisite masterpiece of young love, tragedy and friendship. I was immediately engaged from the opening scene until the final word. This novel flows well and is hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Bartels.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, women’s fiction.
I obtained a copy through a book swap. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels is the story of the power of words. Robin Windsor has spent most of her life under an assumed name, trying to escape the stigma of her infamous parents. She thought she had finally found peace in an unassuming used bookstore in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and her past will soon come back to haunt her. On the morning of her father’s scheduled execution, Robin receives an eerily familiar book in the mail. The first edition of Catcher in the Rye transports her back to the summer 20 years ago when she met Peter Flynt, the boy who was her best friend, the boy who would ruin everything. Other books will follow, each with meaning for both Robin and Peter. Why would Peter be making contact now? Will she finally stop running and confront her family’s past?
The Words Between Us is told in two timelines: then and now. As Robin receives each book, the reader is transported back to when the book had significance for Robin and Peter. I loved the references and discussions the characters have about the classic stories we all know and love. Often giving me insights that I didn’t think about for those stories. The story itself was good, but slow moving. When I finished, I wasn’t sure how I felt. I enjoyed seeing Robin deal with the immediate aftermath of her parents’ crimes and trials. What happens to the children of infamous people? How do they move on and deal with the notoriety? Overall, I enjoyed the stories. The story about her parents’ crimes fell flat for me but I was more interested in Robin’s growth as she deals with moving forward. I recommend The Words Between Us.
The Words Between Us is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
I opened the cover of Erin Bartels’ THE WORDS BETWEEN US—peeked in the doorway of the first page and stepped fully into the world of Robin Windsor. The last coming of age novels to grab me were written years ago. I read Mildred Lee’s novel HONOR SANDS and SE Hinton’s THAT WAS THEN THIS NOW during the 1970s. They linger because the authors’ hearts found mine. They spoke to the youthful angst of my early adolescent heart. THE WORDS BETWEEN US moves between the adult Robin and the adolescent Robin in “Then” and “Now” chapters. I found myself fully immersed in Robin’s life. Her parents are in prison and she is living with her grandmother under another name. Once she meets Peter in the graveyard across the way, they connect over books his late mother left behind and a deeper friendship than she’s ever known develops. I will not retell the story here–no spoilers. No, not for anything. You must read this beautiful novel for yourself. Within lyrical but relatable prose, sprinkled with Robin’s delightful poems, treasured literature, and other characters you will never forget, unfurls a truly complete coming-of-age and finding-your-way-in-adulthood novel. Bitterness, trust issues, and loss are transformed by friendship, faith, truth, and forgiveness. Don’t miss this one.
I hard time staying with this book. It was depressing at times, yet perhaps life can be like that.
As a Michigan author, a lover of classic novels and a champion of bookstores, I loved reading The Words Between Us. Erin Bartels is a wonderful writer. Her sense of Michigan landscapes and towns, her sense of people, and her way with stories of the lost and found are a rare gift.
I loved it! Read it in two days.
I loved this book! It had a captivating storyline and was so well written. Highly recommend.