My review of: The Space Between Words by Michèle Phoenix
Thomas Nelson
The Space Between Words

When I read historical fiction, I want to be transported to the place. The Space Between Words by Michèle Phoenix did that for me. While one might think that a setting of modern day Paris a few years ago is not historical enough, they would be wrong. History is made each day. With each terrorist attack, the last recedes in history a little.

The Paris attacks of 2015 is roughly the basis for the modern-day aspects of this book. The France of 1695 is certainly historical enough. Persecution of the Huguenots is not a well-known subject. The author does a very good job of weaving the events of 1695 and 2015 into a thought provoking tale.

I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

The Space Between Words is just an okay read. I found to be confusing at times and too slow at other times.

The Space Between Words is a hauntingly beautiful, well-written novel that I couldn't put down. This compelling story is full of history, loss, heartache, and hope. Michele Phoenix definitely has a gift and I look forward to reading more of her books!

This is the type of novel that would typically grab my attention, but I didn't connect with this and didn't finish it.

Though Space Between was beautifully written, it lacked a couple of elements that would have elevated it to a five star read. For one thing, information about Adeline's family could have been filled in more so that we could relate better. It's hard to really connect when you don't know very much about the people.

It also could have had a stronger historical background. The story felt a little thin because we didn't get as much information regarding the religious persecution in the 1700s as we could have.

Finally, - and this isn't a criticism, but just my personal tastes - I think there would have been better balance with more duality in the two stories. This was mostly about Jessica's journey with a few references to Adeline's family. Since I thought they were equally interesting, I would have liked more of a 50/50 in the storytelling.

Still, this was a great story, and well worth your time to seek out.

*ARC via netgalley*

I was given an advance copy of this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is really about a 4.5 stars book. I have struggled between a 4 and a 5 rating for this.

First, it is a fascinating combination of a history of the persecution of the French Hugenots in the 16th century and of current terrorist times in Paris. The premise is good, the characters are good, but maybe a little less development for the Hugenot family.

I was fascinated by the book and read it quickly, but when I was 95% done with the book....I just felt like it was not enough time to wrap up the story. Other than that----it was a great read and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to readers and would definintely look to read other books by the author.

All in all, a brief look into the history of the Christian religions and the fight to retain all in the Catholic faith.

I enjoyed The Space Between Words, but I think maybe some of the magic was lost in the telling. The story itself is pretty interesting - I really enjoyed the focus on 17th century Hugoenot persecution in France, as it definitely isn't a topic you see much (read: at all) in historical fiction (or maybe you do, and I'm just totally ignorant of a rich subset of Historical Fiction that focuses exclusively on this). I was excited to learn more about it, as I honestly didn't really know much at all about Hugeonots in general to begin with. It's always refreshing to find a book that really educates you about the world and its' history.

Unfortunately, I wasn't very drawn in by the prose style. There were quite a few errors that kept jolting me out of my reading experience (the most glaring of which was that an entire sentence got repeated only a couple of pages after it was first uttered), and I had a hard time connecting with Jessica. Obviously, she is the survivor of a massive terrorist attack, so I suppose that could be a contributing factor in why she seems to stay so infuriatingly BLANK, but seriously minor characters had more personality than she did. And maybe that was the point (see the above thing about surviving a massacre) but it fell flat for me.

I'm glad that by the time I dived into this book I had completely forgotten the blurb because it made the initial shock more authentic (I totally didn't know what was going to happen), and the whole contemporary storyline was kind of up and down. I liked Grant, but predicted the role he would play in the story early on, and I felt a little bored with their interactions/relationship. I liked the hint of magical realism, but thought the Connor's "ability" was kind of forced/strange/awkward. I thought the horrors of Jessica's time at the Bataclan were intense and suspenseful and doled out in small doses perfectly, but then thought her recovery felt stilted and not as realistic.

I don't know. I just feel a lot of conflicting feelings about this one, okay? It's overall a solid historical ficiton title, which tackles a period of history people should learn more about, while also trying to strike some parallels with issues we deal with in the modern world. It doesn't always hit the mark, but when it does, there are definitely sparks flying.

I received a copy of The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix from the publisher and Netgalley. After Jessica wakes up in a Paris hospital after the attacked in Paris. Her parents want her to return home but Patrick her friend want her t9 stay. After Jessica finds a sewing box and in the bottom there is a page from a Bible that tells the Huguenot persecution and how the feed France. Two terrible events in life.that happened centuries apart. I love historical books and to learn about history while being told a good story is a win-win. This also covers the subject of Post trumazied stress disorder. I really enjoyed the subject matter in this book. It was a very emotional book. Going through what these people did changes you. I am giving this book 5 stars.

The first time I tried to read this book… I couldn’t’ seem to focus on what was happening. However, the second time I absolutely couldn’t put it down. This book was not what I was expecting at all. There was a mixture of friendship, terror, relationships, grief, healing, history, tragedy, family, and so much more that was woven throughout the storyline.

Jessica is on a journey that she (or the reader) have no idea where it will lead. I found myself hurriedly reading each page in anticipation of what might happened next.

The emotions that Jessica experienced were illustrated so wonderfully throughout the pages.

I love this book and am looking forward to reading more books written by Michèle Phoenix.

This book is VERY timely, as it speaks to survivors of any tragedy. While speaking of a shooting, it could apply to those form natural disasters as well. It's the first book I've read that looked at survival from a CIVILIAN persective, ie one who isn't trained in survival skills. It's VERY different, but some of the PTSD is the same.

The author does such an excellent job with Jessica's voice, that when the surprise comes, readers will be catching their breath like Jessica, and in much the same denial. It's a credit to Michele that the reader feels this way. BUT, it almost made the book feel like 2 stories put together. while the search for Adeline was a way for Jessica to recover, it read different and heightened the idea of before and after.

The book is interesting in concept, and Michele does a great job with it. but teh last part of the book was just more blah, than the first part. While not making it a bad story to read, you may find yourself skimming more to get to the key moments. But if you're looking for an interesting Fall read, this is might be the one you're looking for. And for older teens, having them read that first section to see what happens to survivors of shootings, might be a valid experience for them to read.

The description of this book snagged my attention, and I couldn’t resist reading it. Now, I’m grateful to have read it, for it has given me a new perspective: a deeper understanding of the effects of terrorism, both in our world today and in our history.

How do I put the beauty of this novel into words? Phoenix has crafted a novel with genuine characters, flawed and loveable and completely real; with drama that is timely and relevant, yet still hauntingly beautiful; with history and heartache and healing and hope.

This is a book that uses the power of fiction to present truths that will affect you profoundly. Read it with an open heart and a box of tissues.

Many, many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own.

Excerpt from review:
"The message and the historical element were the things I most enjoyed. It was a quick read with a very simple writing, but the heavy religious element did not sit well with me; I respected it but as an atheist, it isn’t something I connected well with. If this is something you can relate with, then I’d highly recommend it."

I don't really read many Christian fiction books, but will do so if the synopsis grabs my attention. Nor do i really enjoy stories that has dual timelines. 'The Space Between Words' is one of those novels whereby not only did it grab my attention from start to finish, but the timelines didn't put me off. A very touching novel, with plenty of twists and turns. It is the first time that i have read any novels by this author and shall be looking forward to more. Recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

A beautiful, touching story filled with mystery, history and tragedy. A story of grief and healing. Michele Phoenix effortlessly blends past and present for a very satisfying read. While it started slowly for me, I soon had trouble putting it down and really enjoyed the twist that I didn't see coming. Well done!

Michèle Phoenix's novel, The Space Between Words, is a living, breathing, swirling, ever larger black hole; mysterious, dangerous, it draws the reader in from the start. There will be no escape until the final page.

Presented are two alternate time realities, both times of unimaginable terror. One holds the answer to survival in the second.

In the 1680's and 1690's, Adeline Baillard leaves a diary of persecution of the Huguenots. Promised safety by the crown, that promise has been revoked and fierce atrocities are committed against anyone not following Roman Catholicism.

The present day terror involves a young woman named Jessica who is in France with her good but platonic friend, Patrick. Following a rock concert at the Bataclan, Jessica
wakes up in Parisian hospital, uncertain of what really happened. She and Patrick decide to take a pre-planned trip to the south of France. A great surprise awaits at the B&B, where new friends Grant, Mona, and Connor enter the picture.

Such an excellent book. The psychological terror and confusion was well laid out and believable. How real both the Huguenot persecution and the Bataclan shooting became for me! I loved the aura of mystery that Phoenix embued in her storytelling. If you like French history, current history and psychological thrillers with real answers through faith, this is a book not to miss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

The Space Between Words is really the story of two women, Jessica and Adeline, and the tragedies they faced in their respective times. While both stories are interesting in their own right, I found the bouncing back and forth to be a bit distracting. Add Jessica's flashbacks of surviving the Paris attacks along with an almost separate story of her resistance to romantic relationships and the story becomes quite busy. The story has a good premise and the characters are very well developed, but with so much going on, I found it hard to stay focused. The author seems to be making a comparison between the Huguenot persecution and the Paris attacks, but I failed to see the connection, other than the fact that both women faced extreme circumstances. I actually laid this one aside several times and came back to it, determined to finish and see where Jessica's journey would lead and I suppose the book does have a fitting ending, but it felt like it took a meandering route to get there.

I do not read a lot of fiction (I tend to prefer non-fiction) but enjoyed this book a great deal. It was a fast and compelling read. A thought-provoking novel that takes current issues and balances them with events in history to make an important statement about how we deal with difficult times. A timely look at human resilience in the face of adversity. Well worth the investment of your time.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I chose this book. The Space Between Words sounded intriguing and definitely different from what I would normally read. The background of the story concerns a girl who is involved in a terrorist nightclub shooting in Paris, France. She escapes but from there her life takes a strange turn. With so many of these tragedies happening in the world today I was really interested in how the survivors were coping. Not only do we get a look at the horrific events during the shooting but we follow the main character on her journey to recovery. Throw in an intriguing Huguenot historical mystery and a stay at a beautiful bed and breakfast in France and you get a story that is difficult to put down. Even though I'm not familiar with French Huguenot history or traveling through the French countryside I still found the story fascinating. The author has a gift of tying the past to the present and keeping the storylines clear and concise. I think this is a wonderful book for anyone who has gone through a life-changing event. But it is also a wonderful story with some interesting twists and turns. I highly recommend the space between words by Michele Phoenix. I was granted early access to this book through NetGalley for an unbiased review.

Engrossing and very well written book! The author writes with compassion and authenticity. The characters` plights and struggles are tangible and relatable. You grow alongside them, cry with them and cheer for them. I was thoroughly involved in this story and it will be on my mind for awhile.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

This book turned out to be a bit different from what I expected it would be, though not necessarily in a bad way. Originally, when I had read the synopsis of the book (which is what had prompted me to request it from NetGalley in the first place), I was expecting a dual timeline historical fiction novel with equal (or near equal) emphasis on both the historical and contemporary storyline, as this type of narrative structure seems to be the norm nowadays with this genre. Michele Phoenix’s The Space Between Words turned out to be a “different” type of book in that the story is actually a contemporary one, albeit with some historical elements woven in. The main narrative revolves around events that took place not too long ago (in 2015), with a small portion of the book jumping briefly back to a historical event that took place back in the 17th century.

The story takes place at the end of 2015, right after the horrific terrorist attacks on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France. The main character is thirty-four-year-old Jessica, who was in attendance at the concert along with one of her friends when gunfire erupted in the main chamber of the concert hall. Jessica endured injuries during the shooting and even though she survived and was physically on the path to recovery, the emotional wounds were far from healed. Wrestling with the emotional trauma from her ordeal and haunted by memories from that fateful day that she wanted desperately to forget, Jessica’s first instinct was to flee France as soon as possible. However, after some persuasive encouragement from her roommate and best friend Patrick, who had been steadfastly by her side the entire time, Jessica decides to take his advice and continue on with the treasure-hunting trip that the two of them had planned prior to the attack, in the hopes that it will help Jessica with her healing process. During the trip, Jessica discovers an antique sewing box with old documents inside, which she finds out upon having them translated that they date back to 1695 – pages written by a young French woman named Adeline during a time when the Huguenots in Catholic France were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. Seeking emotional healing from her own ordeal, Jessica is drawn to Adeline’s narrative and, along with the new friends she meets during her trip, she sets out on a journey to find out the rest of Adeline and her family’s story as they attempted to flee religious persecution in 17th century France.

I struggled a bit with how to rate this book, as I definitely enjoyed the story overall: the writing was excellent, the characters were likable, and the author did a good job weaving past and present events into the narrative. I especially liked how the history of the Huguenot persecution from the 17th century was presented in the form of Adeline’s story – this was a time period and event that I knew next to nothing about so I appreciated getting some exposure to that part of history in a way that was accessible but also heartfelt. The timeliness of the novel in taking on the Paris terrorist attacks and its aftermath also makes this a book that is necessary and should be read given the current situation not just in the U.S. but also around the world. With all that said however, there were definitely some issues with the plot – mainly the contemporary part about Jessica and her experience – that I found difficult to ignore and detracted from the story. Some parts of the plot felt a bit too “contrived” and at times, I found myself questioning the plausibility of some of the things that occurred. I also felt that some parts of the book came across a bit “preachy,” which I guess wasn’t too surprising given the religious context with the main events in the book (I found out later that this book is being marketed as Christian fiction, which, while it has no bearing on whether I would’ve read this book or not, since I read across genres and base my decision to read on the book’s synopsis as well as recommendations from friends, it did explain where the “preachiness” came from). Fortunately, the religious aspect wasn’t too overdone so I think those who aren’t interested in the religious part can still read and enjoy the story. On the positive side, there was a “twist” at some point in the narrative that was totally unexpected and I felt was done well. The “mystery” element with Jessica discovering bit by bit what eventually happened to Adeline’s family was also done well and for me, the history part was a huge redeeming factor for the flaws in the main narrative.

In the end, I decided on a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, as I felt the positives outweighed the negatives for the most part and the writing was truly very good, plus the story was engaging. I would definitely recommend this one for those who like contemporary stories with a historical element as well as a little mystery and romance thrown in. I would also recommend reading the final published version of the book rather than an advance copy, as the ARC I received was missing the Author’s Notes section. I’m a huge fan of Author’s Notes and actually feel this section is necessary (perhaps should even be mandatory) when the book deals with real life historical events. I will admit to being a little disappointed with the lack of Author’s Notes in my version, though not really a deal-breaker since I can borrow a final version later on and read the notes at that time.

Received ARC from Thomas Nelson / Harper Collins publishing via NetGalley