I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good Christian novel. Highly recommend.

The Love Note by author Joanna Davidson Politano is a Christian historical romance novel. Set in 1860s England it is the story of Willa Duvall. Willa has a heart for medicine and healing, but because she is a woman she is unable to go beyond nursing without help. This is the first book I have read by Author Politano. I really enjoyed her style of writing. The conversations and descriptions were authentic to the era. I was immediately drawn into the story. It gets a 4 star rating from me. A copy was provided by NetGalley but these are my honest words.

Love alllll her books! Such gorgeous prose and character depth. I will be a one-click buyer of Joanna's books for life. I've gifted this author to friends and family alike--The Love Note is a perfect Christmas present in case anybody is wondering! <3

I really enjoyed the way the author made the love note a character in the book. Each human character stumbles on the love note, and each of them draws their own conclusions about what the note means.

While I didn't love this one. I did enjoy the writing as well as the bit of suspense in the book. I'm willing to give the author another try.

This is an okay summer read, or one for those lazy afternoons.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Another masterpiece by Joanna Davidson Politano. Beautifully written. Rich character development. A captivating read. Inviting cover art. Highly recommended. Five stars.

The Love Note Book Review

What a lovely read this was! It felt like I was a reading a book from the early 1900s. The author writes so beautifully. This is my first time I’m reading from this author but it definitely won’t be my last. This book is about an aspiring doctor named Willa who made a deal with her father, a doctor himself, to take a nursing assignment so she can fulfill her dreams of practicing medicine in the future. She takes a nursing job at Crestwicke Manor (only because she found a love letter from her writing desk that came from the manor) to tend to the crabby matriarch of the home. She used to spend her younger days there when her father tended to his patient in the house and befriended the Gresham children. Willa’s biggest goal is to become a doctor and had no time for marriage. There we meet the Gresham family and other folks living in the manor. This book is Willa’s story but we do get perspectives from almost everyone in the house in regards of the life-changing letter. The letter that Willa had found gets lost among the house’s occupants and has shaken up the entire home including Willa herself. She finds love in her childhood friend Gabe Gresham. I love that each character had some growth. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The Christian perspective was also woven beautifully. I’d totally recommend this story!

Very enjoyable Victorian novel, featuring a woman who wants to be a doctor as the main protaganist. It was an excellent story of love lost, found and rediscovered, and the conflict between love and duty, which also explored subjects such as gender roles and the differences between social classes.

The faith message was put across well, without feeling preachy or like on was being hit over the proverbial head. These days, Victorian fiction tends to have to stand out from the crowd, and this one does it with the air of mystery, and the ususual subject matter without being inaccurate.

It sort of reminded me of a Julie Klassen novel, although they are set slightly earlier in the Regency period.

Thanks to the publisher, Bethany House for an e-galley of this title to review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

In search of her place in the medical field, Willa Duvall strikes a deal with her father after Willa rejects yet another suitor. Set in England in the 1860s, Willa's options are limited as far as medical school goes. She wishes to move beyond her nursing training and is compelled to improve hospital conditions and hygiene practices in the medical field. She wants to be independent in an era when women were without such opportunities.
Willa takes a nursing job in the Crestwicke Manor which belongs to childhood friends of hers. That is a wrinkle, of course. And, the patient is challenging and hasn't accepted other help so far. Willa has to approach this delicately.
This same family brings back to her life a longtime friend, a best friend, who happens to be a guy. Willa is delighted to be near him again as she appreciates his deep friendship. But, he pines for more.

What a beautiful, atmospheric story of intrigue! From the authentic characters, to the genuine storylines, to the differing POVs - it was all wonderfully done. The writing style is almost artistic, like a craft that has been refined over the years.

I have never read anything from this author before, but this book will not be my last. And oh that cover. It's pure gorgeousness.

All in all, a solid story of hidden desires and a mysterious love note that turns everyone's life into turmoil. I am definitely going to reread this book again this year!

I think this might be my favorite read of 2020. Politano does such a fantastic job of telling a story, of giving you little tidbits about the mystery, but careful about not giving too much. She has a moral tot the story that will leave readers in awe. And she draws you into the characters and their stories like no other.

The Love Note may be a story about love, but not in the way that you think, and I think that is what surprised me the most. Words - they have meaning. The way we use them, when we use them, and to whom we use them. Politano pierced my heart about just that - am I using my words like I should? Am I using them to be an encouragement, or to tear someone down? Am I trying to be a better person, a better Christian, or am I just trying to be selfish. Not one book I have read this year has convicted my heart as much as this one. Not one. And quite honestly, that's why this is my favorite read of the year.

Aside from a great message, The Love Note includes a great cast of characters. Willa, bless her heart, is a joy to read about. She is kind, spunky, and doesn't always say the right thing or do that right thing. But that makes her human. That makes her a character I can relate to! And relate to her I do. :) There's so much more than Willa in this book however. Politano offers you glimpses into several different characters, which added depth and intrigue to the overall story.

All in all, I loved this book. I could read it over and over and over again, and if I didn't have a mountain TBR pile, I probably would. I highly recommend reading this book. I also highly recommend using it in a book club. It would bring up great topics to discuss!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An achingly romantic historical steeped in Politano's deft research and wrapped in a voice that pays perfect homage to the period, The Love Note is a winsome letter to the power of words. More still, it made me want to write letters. Subtle faith themes and lingering hope were also welcome.


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Review appearing in Historical Novels Review 94 (Nov 2020):

After Willa Duvall declines her fourth offer of marriage, she takes a position nursing Golda Gresham, matriarch of the British manor of Crestwicke. Crestwicke intrigues Willa because of its mention in an anonymous but deeply moving love letter she finds in her desk and because Gabe Gresham, second son of the house, was a dear childhood friend. Willa hopes to deliver the letter to its intended recipient while proving herself worthy of admission to medical school; her plans don’t include a husband.

As the letter travels through the house, it sets afire the imagination of everyone who reads it, bringing to light hidden longings and festering wounds; Crestwicke’s inhabitants are hiding a storied past, painful secrets, and unrequited dreams. The book moves from Gothic mystery and domestic drama to romance and family saga as Willa learns the truth about her patient and the many mysteries Crestwicke shelters. Willa’s deepening relationship with God and her evolving understanding of the women of the house prove the most well-crafted of the love stories, though in 1859, with Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell having recently established their infirmary in New York, Willa’s passion for doctoring feels convincing as well. A pleasurable read.

I was first introduced to Joanna Davidson Politano, an author whose prose you will never get enough of, when our book club picked Lady Jayne Disappears for our monthly read. Many of us were skeptical because we had never picked a debut author before to read. We had to take our hats off to this outstanding author whose debut read like a seasoned pro. Now we wait in anticipation of her next work of art.

This brings me to Joanna Davidson Politano’s newest great read. The book rating world only allows a rating maximum of 5 stars, however, The Love Note, in my opinion, deserves a mega million more, and this is why:
1. It’s uniqueness. Joanna gives us the insight of ~A scientist’s observations on love quote at the beginning of each chapter. I tried to pick a favorite, but could not, as they all were a favorite in a different
2. The actual love note which touches each character who reads it, including myself, in a very different way, and the chaos it causes.
3. The mysteries, yes, I said mysteries. Some created by the love note, some surrounding the individuals within Crestwicke Manor.
4. Willa Duvall’s interaction with everyone. My favorite were her conversations with Aunt Maisie. I wish I had had someone in my life when I was Willa’s age like Aunt Maisie to give me this advice, as it would have saved me a lot of heartache. “Make your heart a deep well of the Almighty by saturating yourself in his presence, and your words will come out drenched in him no matter what you say. I can promise you, no matter how many brilliant things you have to say, he has better ones.”
5. The ending of which is awesome I will not utter a word about.
My list of reasons why this book deserves so many stars actually is endless, so I recommend to everyone who reads Historical Christian Romance, with Mystery and Suspense give The Love Note a try you will not be disappointed.

My hat goes off to you again Joanna for taking me on such a wonderful enjoyable journey. Looking forward to next year’s journey, A Midnight Dance.

I received a complimentary copy (or ARC) of this book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a review, and all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Love Note is my first visit to the work of this author. Always a bit of a risk for this avid reader. There’s not a lot of spare space on my TBR (to be read) pile. This book rewarded me for my time spent reading it.

The opening pages, introduce a nurse desperate to become a doctor when women didn’t do that sort of thing. This problem grabbed my attention. From there we get a mission that might change everything for Willa, or end in a marriage she doesn’t want. And we are off…

Then add in a mysterious, heart wrenching love note and the mission to reconnect the author with its intended and you have a gripping love story.

The Love Note takes readers on a soul searching journey for love the way it was intended to be lived, rather than a union forced upon individuals for personal or family gain.

Beautifully written with a vibrant cast of secondary characters, this book kept me smiling each evening as I visited Crestwicke to see if Will and Gabe had found each other yet. Readers who enjoy historical romances are sure to enjoy their visit between these pages.

Visit Joanna Davidson Politano’s website here…

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For a excerpt or to buy a copy, click here…

I always love Joanna's imagery. This novel was no different, it pulled me in at the very start.
I loved all the little love stories in between the main characters love story. Joanna weaved them all together so I never felt lost in the story. I did feel like there were parts of it that were rushed, but I understand in the scope of the story being told that was probably necessary.
The mystery was fun, and kept me intrigued throughout the book. The author blended the emotions of heartache and loss with hope and love beautifully. It was a truly moving story.

The Love Note is by far my favorite I have read by Joanna Davidson Politano. I highly recommend it and giving it five plus stars.

From the moment I read the lost letter that’s at the heart of this book, I knew that this was a story worth reading, This author absolutely swept me away to another time and place, and the people of Crestwicke Manor came to life for me. This Christian historical romance was heart-touching in so many ways. I enjoyed every part of the book, especially the way the storyline came together in the last chapter. That will have me thinking about this book for quite a while to come. This book is romantic as it describes love that’s lost and found, but it leads the reader to the greatest love of all—-God’s love for us. Joanna Politano is a wonderful author, and I’m already looking forward to reading her next book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I love that the novel is based around a love letter. Willa, a woman in the late 1860s, works in medicine, which makes her a unique character. I liked that aspect. She's strong and competent and we sympathize with her right away. This book’s premise reminded me of the Hallmark movie The Love Letter from 1998, a movie that also inspired me as a writer. The author dedicates her novel to the “POstables,” a fun connection with fans of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, and Delivered series.

There are several mysteries and a bit of an eerie feeling to the novel, especially once we arrive at the estate where our heroine will serve as a live-in nurse. She’s stuck there, though, due to her father’s ultimatum. So, she must overcome. But she will not compromise her desire to be loved for who she is in her entirety—not just her body but her mind, talents, and abilities. Brava! In her era, this is a strong stand to take and I loved her for taking it. Modern readers will connect with her and root for her.

I set this book aside early because of the eerie aspect, but there's a lot of potential here. I don't prefer eerie stories, and was unaware that was the tone when I agreed to read it for review. I wish the author and publisher all the best.