I am so excited about this wonderful story! The description had me at “charming bookstore,” “dreams,” and “love.” I was fully engrossed in this heartwarming story spanning two time periods and a cross-country journey. Harrel has crafted a beautiful, unique story for readers of historical fiction, romance, or good books of any kind. Thanks so much to the publisher for the advanced copy.

This seemed like a catnip book for me: a woman trying to find a way out of the morass created by her past moves across an ocean to work in a bookstore. The book opens with her returning to work... and realizing she's still not ready to be there. So she answers and work in a bookstore where the owner has problems of her own.
This is a really well-written book and I liked the way the characters were developed. But-- there was a deep dive into Christianity that was NOT explained either in the synopsis of the book nor in the tags for genre. I don't mind reading books that do this but I appreciate a warning when you think that you're reading a book about women who are figuring out their own lives and then you're told that, no, actually, God has been steering them all along.

Three stars
This book comes out February 26th
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and publisher

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is the story of three women, each dealing with her own pain.

Sophia has lost her fiance who also happened to be her abuser. She travels to England to heal. There she meets Ginny, who is struggling to find herself as well as trying to keep her failing bookstore open and give her husband the space he has requested. We also have Emily, the author of a journal Sophia finds in Ginny's bookstore and her story of trying to be independent in the late 19th century because she cannot be with the man she loves.

Each of these characters is well rounded and the story is engaging but it could use tighter editing - less flowery description and repetitiveness. This was a sweet Christian fiction story that can be consumed quickly. Recommended for readers who like a sweet romance with a little depth.

"The author champions the soothing balm of friendship and community, all while exuding a spiritual strength, hope, and irrefutable faith-based identity in the face of brokenness, desperation, and betrayal." reviewed for Hope By The Book magazine's online bonus content

A pleasant read that follows the paths of self-determination for two contemporary women. I enjoyed following Sophia and Ginny, each of whom are at a stage in their life when they can break free and understand the true source of their identity and personal worth.

At times there seemed to be too many threads to follow, considering the inclusion of the century-ago parallel life of Emily who also needed to find who she was and what gave her value as a person. But the resolution of all the stories tie those threads all together, satisfying so. The ending made my happy.

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

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel
Source: NetGalley and Thomas Nelson
My Rating: 3/5 stars

For those of you who have been with me for a while, you know how much I adore a good past meets present read! In fact, this is one of my favorite tropes and I generally always rate these types of reads quite highly . . . . generally, but not always.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink appealed to me most in the chapters dealing with the present, rather than the past. While I completely understand the need for the chapters related to Emily Fairfax and the past, how her story tremendously impacts Sophia and her own life in the present, I found myself rushing through Emily’s chapters to read more of Sophia’s story.

From the beginning, I found Sophia’s strength to be her most admirable quality. Though she certainly doesn’t feel strong, or capable of moving past her pain, she is still willing to take a great big leap of faith to help herself. In Sophia’s case, the leap takes her across the big pond to Cornwall, England where she finds cheap accommodations and an ideal position working part time in a bookstore. On some level, Sophia knows she has found her salvation the moment she enters the bookstore. What’s more, she instantly recognizes another broken woman in the face of her new landlord/employer, Ginny.

In no time flat, Sophia has not only made herself at home, but made herself a fine new friend in Ginny. Together, the two women work hard to revitalize the flagging bookstore and make it a place that can serve and support both their needs and wants. For Sophia, the bookstore isn’t just an escape, but a chance to find her way toward a truly happy and healthy future. For Ginny, the bookstore represents a struggle to hold on to her failing marriage and make something of the mess she finds herself in. What neither woman expects is that not only will the bookstore save them both, but it will do so in most unexpected ways.

Within her first few days at the bookstore, Sophia finds an old novel that takes her on a journey into the past in order to solve the mystery of the past and uncover the identity of Emily Fairfax. With the help of Ginny’s handsome and attentive brother-in-law, William, Sophia searches and searches for the story of a woman who has all but been forgotten. The novel is the story of this young woman, one who wanted desperately to tell her story but was prevented from doing so because of her time and place in history. In so many ways, Sophia identifies with Emily Fairfax and with every step closer to identifying Emily, Sophia comes one step closer to her own moment of revelation, the moment when she can finally tell her own story, let go of her terrible past, and step forward into her bright future.

The Bottom Line: The very bottom line is this, I sincerely believe I would have liked this book even more if Sophia and Ginny’s stories alone had been covered and Emily’s left for another book altogether or not at all. Sophia and Ginny are by far the strongest of the characters and I found Emily, though somewhat interesting, to be nowhere near as strong as Sophia and Ginny. This is one of the few instances in which I did not care for the past coming back to impact the present. In fact, I could have done without that aspect of the read at all. What kept me at three starts is just how much I did like Sophia and Ginny. Each woman is at the lowest point in her respective life and with the help and support of one another, each is able to pick herself up, put herself back together, and come out stronger on the other side. With each page, each event, each new bombshell, Sophia and Ginny must dig deep, and I so enjoyed seeing them blossom and take control of their own lives. In the end, each finds a life only once dreamt of and now made possible through their own hard work and determination. As always, I do so love a character, male or female, who takes charge, takes control, and makes a better life for him/herself!

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a beautifully written story about three incredible women on a journey of healing, forgiveness, faith and discovery. Lindsay Harrel has an amazing talent for writing characters that truly come to life on the page, and right from the beginning, this charming story will draw readers into the heart warming journey radiating throughout.

The story focuses around two women in the present time, Sophia and Ginny, and the story of a woman unfolding in the past named Emily. Sophia is a woman's therapist, but trials she recently went through as the victim of domestic abuse have made her unsure of her place anymore, and she decides a change of scenery may lead to the healing she's in desperate need of. Ginny has recently been handed some harsh life circumstances. She left her family on not great terms after they refused to accept her for who she truly is, and she began a fresh chapter in her life in a new country with her husband and the town of Cornwall's bookstore that they purchased as newlyweds. However, her husband has walked away from both her and the bookstore, and she's struggling to keep the bookstore afloat that was never her dream in the first place.

When Sophia answers Ginny's ad to come and work at the struggling bookstore, the two begin a powerful friendship that will help both on the journey to healing and discovering God's master plan for their lives. When a discovery of a journal in a box of donated books hints at a story that appears to never have been finished of a young woman from the eighteen hundreds, Sophia and Ginny are compelled to try and figure out the mystery behind the journal. In the process, they end up drawing upon the help of Ginny's brother in law William to help them upon their quest.

Words can hardly describe just how amazing this lovely story is, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed it from start to finish. Lindsay Harrel speaks to the truth that there's a story inside each and every one of us, and whether or not we ever get to finish it, depends upon whether we can truly learn to rely on God's direction, and trust Him to truly reveal the perfect plan He has for our lives. I found both the contemporary and historical chapters to be equally compelling, and while I enjoyed that romance plays a component for each woman in her own way, I also liked that the story doesn't strictly focus on romance, and instead is also heavily about healing, friendship and faith.

From reading The Heart Between Us, I knew that Lindsay Harrel does not shy away from writing about tough subjects, and that continues in this one with themes of domestic violence, and abandonment running throughout. While this may not be a truly heavy story, it's a beautiful story that's not afraid to tackle tough subjects, and showcases just how important healing truly is before one can ever fully move on.

I couldn't have honestly enjoyed this more, and I highly recommend it. Also, if you're a fan of Lindsay's previous novels, you'll want to look out for small reference to The Heart Between Us!

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay Harrel is quickly becoming a voice to watch for in the Christian fiction market, and I look forward to seeing what else she has in store for her reader's in future book releases.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this!

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

That title alone!! 😍😍😍😍

A split time novel, my heart raced back and forth throughout hundreds of years.
All three of these women had beautiful and compelling stories.
While there is romance, I like that it wasn't the main plot.
Instead of the book being overpowered by romantic relationships, it was full of beautiful friendships. Women supporting other women. It was a refreshing trope.
Especially for someone who has gotten just a little sick of romance lately. And to all who personally know me, I know, I know. What a shocker! 😂
I loved the sweet, kindred spirit friendship between Ginny and Sophia. It was so sweet and there friendship was so spontaneous, I believe God makes people to fit together, and these ladies fit.

I did love the romance that was in put in though.
Sophia's friend William was adorable!! His lighthearted humor but huge heart were just what she needed.
I won't give away anything else. 😉

Emily was somewhat of a Jo March. Spending hours writing, unaware of how the hours had slipped away. Hers and Sophia's love for all things literature was familiar to my own. We're still working on Ginny. 😉
I loved the love of all things books and writing!! Lindsey has a way of perfectly describing these "other worlds wrapped in cardboard and parchment. "


Sophia was a victim of abuse, she goes to Cornwall to recover and find herself in the process. Her close friend Joy thinks if Sophia writes her story, it will allow her to heal.

Ginny is a "runaway," she's never felt like she's belonged. Sure, she's pretended, but the life she's living just isn't what her soul is saying is right.
Her husband has left, Ginny has sectioned herself off from her friends, but when Sophia comes into her life, both ladies have an impact on each other they could never have imagined.


The writing was gorgeous! Poetic and beautiful, Lindsay has a way of putting you in the scene. Her descriptions made my heart sore and my soul happy. Her poetic writing will not soon be forgotten.

I would have preferred more Faith content.
While a few of the characters did have a relationship with Christ and purposely gave their lives to Christ, it just wasn't enough for me.

My heart ached for lost love, displaced hearts, and the sad influence society has on our decisions.
Even though this story is fiction, it has a way of touching your soul like no other has before.

Some of the story lines were predictable, but not too predictable you couldn't enjoy it. others story lines were a complete surprise!


There was a sex comment I didn't like, and wondered why it was in there.
But it was about a married couple, so nothing impure.


"A lot of people deserve happiness and don't get it."
"But a lot do. Maybe we just need to keep walking, even when it takes us somewhere we don't want to go. Maybe on the other side, that s where the happiness is found. But if we give up when we're wading through the muck and mire, we'll never discover . . ."Ginny paused.
She continued, "If we give up hope, we'll never discover the ocean of possibility spread before us."


Lindsay is a new to me author, I was not disappointed.
You will definitely want to grab this book up as soon as it releases on February 26th!!

But for now, you could pre-order it here.


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

I really didn’t expect to love this book, but I did. I have become somewhat tired of books with dual time settings, but in The Secrets of Paper and Ink, the author made the transitions seamless. I liked all three of the main characters and loved the setting which is familiar to me.

I look forward to recommending this novel to many of our female patrons.

A lovely and engaging book, heart warming and full of emotions.
I liked the three main female characters, they were well written and relatable.
I loved the descriptions of Cornwall and how the stories were told by different point of view never causing confusion.
It was a good and emotional read, I will surely look for other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

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.

This book. Fantastic. It involves the lives of three woman, total strangers to one another, who's lives are intertwined. This novel is charming, emotional, and just beautifully written.

I loved the characters and their distinct, but complimenting one another. Sometimes books with multiple POVs tend to either be way off from each other or too similar. Harrel just put them together just right.

I felt like it ticked many boxes for me as well. It wasn't just a romance, it had mystery, intrigue, emotional conflict, and redemption.

Love, love, loved this!
4.5/5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review*

This book was the first I’ve read by Lindsay Harrel, and I must say the story drew me in and kept me turning pages until I’d finished!

The story mostly takes place in Cornwall, England. That’s a pretty charming and unique place, if the scenery from PBS’s series Doc Martin and Poldark are any indication. And it’s largely about books, of which I am a fan!

It’s also the story of three women, two in the present and one in the past, (whom we get to know through her journal discovered in the bookshop donations in the present). This is kind of disjointed but the bookshop is where much of the story in the present takes place.
All three women seek to find meaning, purpose and healing in their lives, all of which take unexpected turns as all lives do.

I think the author wrapped up her story pretty well, although the last two or three chapters seemed a bit forced. All in all, a good book, one I will likely purchase for my church library and recommend to my book club!

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

This was such a breath of fresh air to read because this book demonstrated what passion you can get for the love of reading and writing literature. Sophia was a prime example of the passion you have if you love what you do and are determined to find a new path and turn it into your dream job. What I found most appealing and my favorite part of the book was the use of the word authoress. With the setting a while back in Cornwall England it was sure to be brought up at some point but now since I found a new word and love it so much, I might use it often now. Such a relaxing breath of fresh air to read and I know our patrons are sure to love this.

We will consider adding this title to our Fiction collection at our library and that is why we give this book 5 stars.

This book piqued my interest immediately! Books, bookstore and strong women!
What I liked about the book is that you could really relate to the main characters. Though somewhat predictable, I found the story interesting. Entertaining quick read.

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!

Although the premise was promising and the setting lovely, I really didn't buy into the "Christian" aspect of the story---seemed like a little too late. The outcome seemed contrived from the beginning. Two and a half stars for the possibilities.

The title and the cover are the best things about The Secrets of Paper and Ink. I'm a sucker for a good literary mystery and this one seemed to be cheerfully using all the classic tropes - mysterious cult author and several spunky protagonists, a long-hidden journal discovered in a failing bookshop which promises to Reveal All, a gorgeous setting (Cornwall) where it all plays out. But I found the writing colorless, the characters blah and the plot twists not very convincing. One of my Read Harder goals for 2019 is to read genres I usually avoid such as Christian Fiction. I was not very convinced by any of the heroines' sudden conviction of spiritual awakening, especially since it came so late for all of them before their troubles were tidily resolved. Of course this story will probably resonate much more for those who feel a personal connection to the theme, but without the pull of good writing and a compelling story, my library will not purchase as the demand of Christian fiction is low.

I was excited to read this book. How could I not be when the main character loves books and runs a bookstore!

Sophia Barrett has yet to return to work after the death of her abusive fiancé, so she heads to Cornwall, England in hopes of finding herself again, and perhaps writing her own story. She rents a place that also provides her with a job working in a bookstore, which is perfect for Sophia, a literary lover.

Ginny Rose is struggling to keep Rosebud Books, the bookstore she co-owns with her estranged husband, afloat as she tries to figure out how to save her marriage. She’s hoping that Sophia will be able to help.

Emily Fairfax knew she wanted to be a published author, even though that dream (as well as a future with her best friend, whom she loved) was out of her reach.

Sophia finds Emily’s journals from over a hundred years ago among the donations at the bookstore, and Sophia is determined to uncover all she can about the mysterious woman.

Harrel’s sophomore debut weaves together the lives of these three women in this dual-timeline novel. It is a powerful story, with themes of friendship, healing, and forgiveness, as well as having the courage to tell your own story. There were some unexpected twists along the way. The historical aspects were well researched and done in a way that makes the reader feel transported back in time. Vivid details make it easy to get fully immersed in this gem.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to write a positive review.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a charming story, combing the stories of three very strong women as they face the challenges of love, family, heartbreak, and following their dreams.

Sophia Barrett is still wrestling with conflicting feelings after the death of her abusive fiancé. After a return to work goes badly, she escapes to the setting of her favourite novels, Cornwall, England. There she meets fellow American, Ginny Rose who is trying to save her bookstore in the wake of her husband’s abandonment. Together, Ginny and Sophia stumble upon the journal of Emily Fairfax, who dreams of becoming a published author and who loves her childhood friend, a man much above her station and someone she could never marry. As Ginny and Sophia try to track down the history of Emily and determine if hers was a true story, they must each determine what they want for their futures and heal from the traumas of the past.

I greatly enjoyed The Secrets of Paper and Ink and loved being swept away to another time and place. The three stories captured in this novel are beautifully interwoven, their stories coming together seamlessly. Ginny and Sophia’s sections are written in third person, while Emily’s sections are included as her journal entries. While each of the three women is dealing with different challenges and has a different dream for the future, their strength, determination and resilience is universal. While the focus of The Secrets of Paper and Ink is the journeys of the three women and the mystery behind Emily’s identity, there is also time within the story for romance. While each relationship progresses very differently and at a different pace, there are three romantic storylines to enjoy within the book.

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is one part romance, one part mystery and one part story of redemption and overcoming challenges, of faith, friendship and love.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.