This book just missed the mark for me. I had trouble identifying with the characters and the plot was heavier than I expected. I also wasn't anticipating a religious aspect scattered throughout the story. I know this book will resonate with some readers; it just didn't work for me.

Sophia, reeling from the sudden death of her abusive husband, decides to get away from the life that she is no longer sure that she wants. On a whim, she travels to Cornwall to rent a room and work in the struggling bookshop of Ginny, who is failing to hold it all together after her husband left to "discover himself". While sorting through books, Sophia discovers the journal of Emily, a governess without family who live centuries before and found herself in love with her charges older bother. The journal leads Sophia on the path to find out what happened to Emily, but will she find what she is looking for?
Harrel has written an engrossing story spanning continents and centuries. Readers will become invested in the lives of these three women as they navigate their own love lives and the world around them. As a librarian, I always love books about books. I saw that this book was tagged as Christian Fiction in Goodreads and I cannot say that I see a significantly Christian element to the story. I enjoyed the book and swept through it in two days.
#TheSecretsOfPaperAndInk #NetGalley

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one. I really struggled to get into it and struggled with the format.

Sophie and Ginny are two Americans currently residing in Cornwall, UK - Sophie is trying to mend her broken heart and soul after an abusive relationship; Ginny is married here for a man who does not seem that he wants to work on their lives together. They both also do not know how to follow their dreas, they are captured by the circumstances in their lives and they are not sure that there is a way for them to be fully free. Can a very old diary of a forgotten woman bring some wisdom for these modern women?

This is a very charming book. Probably because it mixes the authenticity and the warmness well - the stories are believable and the broken souls feel real - and the understanding and sweetness are like a hot chocolate in the cold rainy day, just what a heart needs.
This is also one of the best books with the dual timeline. Generally I do not like these kind of stories because the dual timeline feels over-used these days and full of cliches, but here it works. It even has this certain British tone and feels (and the American authors do not always get it right - no offence, just a personal observation). But this novel works and it is making me to make plans when the travelling is safe!

The guys are also very charming. Especially Steven, who is funny the British way. William is too much sweet for his own good, but thank God for the nice guys on the other side!
On the flip side - I would like more if the divorce would not be taken with such an easiness here. Maybe it is a reality of these days, yet the divorce is one of the hardest life experiences and the healing takes a long time.

The novel also makes me think about my own dreams.

Love, love, love the cover! Stunning! My feelings on the story are a little more mixed. I was confused by the way faith/God/religion was kind of tossed in randomly in the middle - and then became a focal point. This caused me to lose interest though I know fans of Christian Fiction will likely enjoy. Just wasn't for me.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

My feelings are so mixed about this story. There were parts I completely adored and cherished and that made me want to guzzle the rest of the chapters, but there were others that bugged me and made me set aside the book to work on something else for a while. Thankfully, the author’s sweet style and voice resonated well throughout, and that is what kept me flipping the pages.

It was clear from the beginning that the author cared deeply about the characters and their very relatable, real-life issues. Her hard work and heart were evident on every page and in every chapter. The characters popped off the page and practically came alive as I read their stories, and the settings were realistic and easy to imagine, thanks to the beautiful prose. The writing style was quite immersive, which made it simple to get lost in the story and feel like I was browsing the aisles of the bookstore or soaking up time curled up with a book under the Story Tree.

There was a really sweet nod to a previous book in the author’s portfolio. I love moments like these that add a little something extra for readers of previous books by the same author. It might have only been a tiny mention of a certain blogger, but it made the biggest grin leap to my face.

I actually enjoyed the fact that there were portions that were unpredictable as well as some that I completely saw coming dozens or even a hundred or more pages prior to their happening. Usually I don’t like predictable stories, but there was just something charming about this one that had me chuckling about those moments that were too obvious to me. Sometimes you just want to know that you were right about whatever it was that happened… and smirk about it. However, I definitely got more enjoyment out of the events that came as surprise twists.

For the most part, I really enjoyed all three of the guys featured in this book. They were well developed and interesting fellows that were easy to get to know. Yet, there was one thing about each of them that really bothered me.

One of them apparently smoked cigars, and one of the ladies noted that “the smell of the cigar” was “a sweet, potent scent that was entirely too manly.” Was she praising or finding happiness in a nasty habit that causes lung cancer and other health problems? This one sentence tainted my view of both characters, though they were both charming in other scenes.

Another of the men said he “could spend weeks” in a room that was described as having a “ten-foot… statue of Buddha,” “crucifixes,” “incense,” and a “Quran.” This was a strange and uncomfortable moment for me, as it seemed to highlight and practically praise a wide variety of religions. The character’s comment made me question which religion of the mix he practiced. This created doubt in the character for me and made it hard to believe his faith in God was as strong as it seemed in a later scene, and I struggled to root for him for many pages after this. It was implied that his friend who owned the items was a psychic or something similar, and that bothered me as we are to “give no regard to mediums [psychics] and familiar spirits,” according to Leviticus 19:31, yet the characters took this gal’s advice and help in their search for some information. This character was only in one scene (and mentioned in another one later), so she didn’t become a bigger problem to my reading experience.

The thing that bothered me the most was that one of the male characters fell in love with a married woman and unapologetically admitted that to her. This was an emotional affair, which is something I cannot support. The leading lady of his thread recognized it as wrong, but he never did. He only said something to the effect of he would wait for her to be ready before he pursued any deeper relationship with her. Emotional affairs are just as wrong as sexual affairs, because “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Also, emotional affairs disregard Hebrews 13:4, which says that “marriage should be honored by all.” This issue made it impossible for me to root for the two characters involved.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story with interesting characters and beautiful settings. What I loved the most was the author’s style and writing voice. She tugged me in from page one and drew me back in after those mostly short-lived blips. This book, for me, was not as memorable as The Heart Between Us or One More Song to Sing, but I did still enjoy most of it.

Content: marital affairs, premarital sex (on-page briefly, though written without body parts shown), emotional affairs, pubs, alcohol, tobacco, three crude sexual terms

3.75 stars

An easy read with pages that practically turn themselves. There are three POV characters, two modern and one historical. Sophie has most of the page time and the most complete emotional arc; Emily was my favorite despite her having the least page time, but she was so colorful. In all I think I’d have tripped over line from loving it to adoring it if it had been longer and the characters given a bit longer arc. (A good bit of the beginning of the stories are hinted at and some of the future is left to the imagination.)

I loved the bookshop atmosphere and how it was almost its own character. I liked the ending it got!

I wanted to string up Garrett for his babyish cowardice...ugh.

There’s some Christian content, brief and to the point, of the encouragement sort (as opposed to the evangelistic sort).

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

I read Lindsay Harrel‘s debut novel, The Heart Between Us, and thought it was fabulous. So, of course, I wanted to read Secrets of Paper And Ink. The problem was that I let it languish in the TBR pile much too long. What in the world was I waiting on? If you love books about books, you need to read this novel. If you love quality women’s fiction, you need to read this novel. If you love a book that gets to the heart of what is truly important in life, you MUST read this book! It is a very highly recommended read!

Secrets of Paper And Ink tells the story of three women — two contemporary Americans lost and found in Cornwall and a 19th century woman bound by her society. Harrel takes each woman’s story and knits them together in a beautiful narrative about finding self and the hand of the Savior. Sophia and Ginny came to Cornwall for different reasons. Sophia is hoping to heal from an abusive relationship, and Ginny followed a man to find her purpose. They meet up in the bookshop Ginny owns and become more than temporary landlord/employer and tenant. They also discover Emily’s story, although they don’t know if it is real or fiction. The novel is told through the 3rd person perspective of Ginny and Sophia and the first person account of Emily — and it really works! I loved each woman’s hard fought struggles and revelations of who they are in spite of others’ expectations. Emily’s story is especially intriguing and is the catalyst for the changes that Sophia and Ginny take to become who they are meant to be. The faith message is subtle throughout the novel until the very end. I loved that, because it followed the women’s lives as they first wrestled and then surrendered. Never preachy or overtly religious, the novel portrays a natural coming to God and faith.

For those who love story, The Secrets of Paper And Ink will be a joy to read. How could you not love a book that includes writers and bookshops!? 😉 I loved this book, and believe you will too.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

Lovely setting, cosy atmosphere and an intriguing hook. Skillful management of the many storylines. Would recommend.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a beautiful story of friendship among three women, separated by generations. It is about the way friendship can heal us. I liked the way Lindsay wrote setting into her story, it almost felt like a character in itself. I would recommend.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink was just what I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I liked how even though there were several storylines, I was able to remember who was whom and didn’t get confused.







The bookstore and journal aspect were intriguing and I found myself eager to see where the story would go. I loved the setting and I liked how the author wasn't afraid to address difficult things in the story.







All in all, Secrets of Paper and Ink was a great read and I recommend it!



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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.

Title: The Secrets of Paper and Ink

Author: Linsday Harrel

Chapters: 46 Plus Epilogue

Pages: 326

Genre: Christian Contemporary fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, dual time period

Rating: 5 stars

Sophie Barrett discovers when she goes back to work, that she hasn't completely healed from an abusive relationship. Her friend and boss encourages to take a vacation and heal. So she escapes to Cornwall, England. Where she finds herself staying above a bookshop. Every bookworm’s dream. The shop is owned by Ginny Rose an American who followed a guy to Cornwall we can guess how that one ends.

While staying in the bookshop Sophia discovers a journal over two hundred years of Emily Fairfax. She's determined to find out if Emily was real and help Ginny save the bookshop she most certainly doesn't plan on falling in love.

I enjoyed this one which has me wanting to pick up the first book by this author that I stopped. I love this dual time novel in which the lives of Ginny and Sophia are effected by Emily's. Not to mention I loved how Sophia favorite book series and author play a big role in the story.

This is a sweet contemporary novel that is a good read if you just want to curl up one day with a book and a cup of tea.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

After reading The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel I knew I had to read whatever she released next. That just so happened to be The Secrets of Paper and Ink. I didn’t even read the description of what the book was about. I just knew that I loved her writing and wanted to read whatever she wrote. I wasn’t disappointed.

This book was everything I was expecting it to be and more. The story centers on two modern-day women who meet when Sophia decides to get away and go to England. She has just faced the death of her fiance but readers soon learn that there’s more to her story than just the grief she is going through. In England, she meets Ginny, who has been left by her husband with a bookstore that is on the verge of closing. Sophia rents a room from Ginny and works in the bookstore. There she comes across a notebook in which there is a fascinating story about Emily Fairfax. Sophia isn’t sure if Emily is real or just a character but she is drawn to her story and it was a story that I was drawn to as well. It was so easy to like and relate to each of these three women. The author does an excellent job of writing three original characters that worked well in the same story.

The chapters in the book jump from character to character but that was something that I really enjoyed. I liked learning Emily’s story in bits and pieces and slowly over the course of the book. I (correctly!) guessed some of the events in Emily’s story and how she would be connected to the main story fairly early into the book but that didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I found that I enjoyed learning that my guesses were correct as the story unfolded.

Whether reading about modern-day Cornwall or the 1860s Cornwall the author does an excellent job of describing the scenes and transporting readers to England and letting them go on a journey with three very unique women who are facing difficult times in their lives. The author does an excellent job of writing a timeslip novel that gives readers two complete stories to enjoy as they combine into one fantastic read!

With her YA-leaning The Heart Between Us and now The Secrets of Paper and Ink this author has earned a spot on my must-read list. It doesn’t matter what genre or era she is writing, I will be reading it. I highly recommend this book which is quite possibly my favorite read of the year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel is a beautifully written novel about two modern day women and one in the past. All three have difficult lives to overcome. Together, they find hope for the future. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. This book was especially heartfelt and I absolutely love it! I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Let me say first of all that, while Harrel’s books are more women’s fiction with a dash of romance, that dash is super well done. Romantic tension sparks off the page, and the tenderness of the romances on these pages made my heart ache at its beauty. If she ever wants to write a purely romantical novel just for fun, I will be first in line!

However, I will also be first in line for any future women’s fiction novels Harrel delivers. I loved The Heart Between Us, but The Secrets of Paper and Ink spoke to my heart and my soul. There’s something very special about this novel – a love letter to the healing power of books, a reminder that ‘happily ever after’ make look different than we expected it to, a peek at the messy-beautiful strength of women who have survived their own worst-case scenarios, and a beautiful picture of redemption, grace, and contentment. I am still sitting here, thinking about this story, and I don’t think it will leave me for quite some time.

The ‘past timeline’ woven throughout the present is seamlessly done and absolutely captivating. I devoured every word of Emily’s story, as well as Sophia’s quest to separate its reality from fiction. The emotions grip your heart and hold it fast, both in Emily’s story and in Sophia’s & Ginny’s present-day narratives. All three women know what it feels like to suffer shattered dreams and to be uncertain if you’ll survive the aftermath. Their three-fold story in The Secrets of Paper and Ink gives hope to other weary souls in the same place in life … an acknowledgment that true restoration lies only in the One who writes our stories and that the dreams He dreams for us are so much greater than what we dare to dream for ourselves.

The bookstore feels like a home away from home, even for the reader, a comforting setting that wraps us up in all the feels. The heroes are completely yummy – good guys who may not be perfect but their hearts are in the right place and their tender strength is a place of safety. (I wouldn’t complain AT ALL about a follow-up novel or novella with these characters. Just saying. In case Lindsay is reading this. Ahem.) The story itself has depth and dimension, not skirting over tough issues like abuse, infidelity, divorce, but also pouring out grace and mercy to fill in the broken places without becoming trite or preachy.

Bottom Line: I realize we’re only at the end of February, but The Secrets of Paper and Ink will definitely be on my ‘best of 2019’ list in December. The characters have firmly taken up residence in my heart, and their story is still lingering there as well. The setting is everything-Jane-Austen-England-bookstore delightful, and it makes me want to book my own trip to live above a bookstore and work there during my stay. A creative, tender, and masterfully done story of life, love, letting go, and truly living.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only was the location amazing (bookstore and quaint small town), but the three storylines meshed together wonderfully, even though one took place generations before. The relationships in the story were substantial and sweet, with emphasis on finding your place and true self. I loved how everything connected! I adored the writing and underlined amazing quotes throughout the book. I look forward to rereading this book and sharing it! This was sweet and clean, I'd rate it PG, maybe PG-13 for thematic content regarding abusive relationships.

A novel that I didn’t abandon, but didn’t love. The setting in a bookshop was compelling, as seems to be a current trend, and I love books about friendship between women. And I was drawn by the two main characters being Americans in Britain. But I couldn’t get over my annoyance that the author didn’t do more research or get some Britons to read the novel before publication to correct the inaccuracies in language from the English characters.

Lindsay Harrel continues to blow me away with her stories. Sometimes I want to read a story just so I can get to the ending, to find out how the characters end up, or the answer to some mystery. Not so with Harrel’s books. With hers, it more about the journey. I found myself wanting to take my time with the story, to savor all the moving parts. I wanted to experience growth with the characters. I wanted to give each heroine the time and attention they deserved. As a quick reader, it is hard for me to do that, but trust me if you can fight the speed, it’s worth it.
Everyone has a story, and no one knew that better then these three characters – Sophia, Ginny and Emily. Each one had to figure out their place in the world, and how to deal with the circumstances that life threw at them. The relationship I enjoyed the most was that of Sophia and Ginny. Yes, they had completely different circumstances, but the emotions were similar in some ways, and I thought they really brought out the best in each other. They talked and worked like they had been friends forever, and I found myself right there with them trying to get in on the conversation! They had an ease about them, from the moment they met. Yes, there is a little romance in the book, and yes I enjoyed reading about Emily, but there’s also something to be said about forming the bond of friendship and how that can help a person.
Story line aside, Harrel easily transported me to the quaint little bookstore in Cornwall. I’m actually hoping that it’s based off a real bookstore that I can visit. Yes, it had it’s problems. But what Sophia brought to the mix, and the descriptions Harrel used made it sound so inviting. Like a place of refuge, relaxation, and comfort. I would gladly revisit this setting any time!
Overall, this big is a big hit with me. Harrel shows readers the importance of sharing stories, your own stories. She reminds a reader that circumstances happen, but God is still in control. Although circumstances do not define as as people, they do help mold us into who we are, and give us the opportunity to be a testimony to others. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is heartwarming, powerful, and a must read! I cannot wait to see what Harrel has in store for readers next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

The Secrets of Paper and Ink

by Lindsay Harrell

The lives of three women cross in Lindsay Harrell’s novel The Secrets of Paper and Ink. Sophia is a women’s therapist in Arizona who finds herself in the need of therapy. Ginny is a formerly rich American who abandoned that life to follow her husband to Cornwall, England, to open a bookstore. Their lives cross when Sophia, who needs more healing time, answers Ginny’s ad for a vacation rental. They find a notebook with the story of Emily Fairfax, a woman who lived in the mid 1800’s. Sophia becomes obsessed with learning more about Emily.

Each of the three main characters has to deal with a problem particular to women—abuse, abandonment, and discrimination. The author handles all of these issues with respect. The plot pops back and forth with each chapter focusing on one character, but with Ginny and Sophia’s stories overlapping in real time. Both ladies are impacted by Emily’s story, and there is a delightful surprise ending. Readers who delight in all things bookish will particularly relish this book as it includes a wonderful bookstore, journaling, and a female author in a time period when that was unacceptable. Readers who enjoy a good Christian romance will take pleasure in the gentle ways in which the characters’ interest in God is reawakened. Lastly, historical fiction buffs will appreciate the inclusion of Emily’s story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Christian Fiction

Publication: February 26, 2019—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

But no matter what she felt, she knew deep down that her story did matter. She had to fight against the lie that it didn’t. And if she didn’t protect her own story or have the courage to write it down, no one else would. No one else could.

My senses rang with the cacophony of the muffin man’s bell, the clamor of the clarinet player on the corner, and the clickety-clack of the pattens on ladies’ feet.

Someone had finally noticed me drowning and offered to point me in the direction of the shore. Now it was up to me to keep stroking through the water until I reached the sandy beach beyond.