Hope Between the Pages

Loved everything about this story. It's a must read story.

I was drawn deeply into this novel from the very first chapter! There were smiles, tears and many more emotions while I read it. I don't often read historical fiction, but this was a wonderful mix of the past interwoven with the present. I could barely put it down, and am anxious to read another book by Pepper Basham.

"Books and imagination brought me love. Love inspired my hope, and hope led me to purpose...to serve others through generosity, kindness, and...books." Crafted with care and attention to detail, infused with nostalgic and captivating words, filled with noteworthy and unforgettable characters, and sprinkled with fairy dust and sense of wonder, this time-slip novel by Pepper Basham will entrance you from the first page. This is just what my heart and soul needed after a dreary week of rain. The author's mastery of words comes alive as she creates two very distinct yet connected worlds in 1915 and present time. The love of books and the enchantment of fiction draw all four characters together; each character encourages imagination, hope, unswerving faithfulness, and the ability to really see others as they are. Faith element rings true, especially in Sadie and Oliver's lives in 1915. Sadie, a servant who tends the Vanderbilts' library in their estate, and Oliver, a wealthy Englishman on holiday, completely captured my heart. Their story is told in Sadie's first person voice and has all the heart-wrenching elements of star-crossed lovers. Clara is the present day descendant of Sadie who's struggling to keep the family bookstore viable and her story is mostly in third person. Her romance with her hero doesn't start until halfway through the book and that worked out well to distinguish the two romances. Kindness and self-sacrificing love thread through all four of these lives and I loved each of these characters. There is also a bit of mystery that needs to be solved but Clara learns so much more about herself and her family history when she embarks on the journey to solve it. It's a must-read novel that will leave you with tears of empathy and smiles of pure joy. I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinion is solely my own.

I’m not a great fan of dual time stories, but Basham has so intertwined the two stories in Hope Between the Pages that I never felt like I’d been interrupted in either story. I’d call this a magical feat. It’s about hope and how love can set us free. The characters are all so likable, and you’ll care what happens to them. Oliver and Sadie’s story is an epic love story, and you’re going to need at least a box of tissue for them. Clara and Max’s love story mirrors the couple from the past, but in the present day Clara is Oliver and Max is Sadie. Max and Sadie both had limited expectations for a happily-ever-after. Sadie felt her station in life prevented her from being with the love of her life, and Max thought his appearance made him unlovable. The most beautiful moments in the book are when Oliver and Clara make it clear they see only the heart of the one they love and nothing more. It’s a story of faith and hope in the One who sees our hearts and loves us despite everything else. I received an advance read copy, but will be purchasing the book for my Pepper Basham collection.