Willa Duvall wants to be a doctor but she, unfortunately, lives in 1865 in England where there a very few female doctors and medical schools that admit women. Making a bet with her father that she can be a nurse to anyone otherwise he can choose her husband, she takes a position at Crestwicke Manor with a most difficult patient and a mysterious letter found within a writing desk. However, this is not her first visit to Crestwicke Manor, and will her past help or hurt her in the completion of this assignment? Politano has once again created a complex Regency tale filled with mystery, romance, and memorable characters.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano in return for my honest review.

The Love Note is not my usual reading genre, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. In 1865, Willa Duvall wanted more for herself than just marriage. She wanted to study to be a doctor and work side-by-side with her father during a time period that neither valued independent women nor their abilities or desires for themselves. Willa was also open to love, but a love that wouldn’t deny her hopes and dreams.

The story is fleshed out cleverly through a newly discovered, sealed love note hidden within Willa’s writing desk, originally belonging to the estate of Crestwicke Manor. After a pact made with her father, Willa becomes the nurse for difficult, curmudgeonly, elder Golda Gresham. Willa is not only on a quest to earn the right to continue her studies, but to reconnect the love note to its rightful owner. Almost immediately the love note is misplaced and passes to numerous supporting characters, each finding a personal connection to the note. I was particularly drawn to Gabe and Aunt Maisie, but there is a varied cast of characters for readers to choose their favorites. Well written and well done, I recommend it.

What havoc could a simple love note cause? Well this particular one has turned the Crestwicke Manor on it's head and every one is touched by the powerful words that someone has written to their beloved.

This was a deep and compelling story that was very poetic in its telling. Cutting to the heart of the matter is the question, what is love? And more importantly what is true love? Is it between a husband and wife, or a mother and her children? What author Politano does is show all aspects of true love, even the most important one- the one with our heavenly Father.

From the beautiful cover to the beautiful story on the inside, this is my favorite read by author Politano. As I have mentioned before this story is about love and I also really liked how this story has a bit of a mystery due to the unknown author of the letter. I liked the human aspect of this story and how everyone was touched by those powerful words. It made them stop and ponder life and opened many eyes to how precious living is. I also felt it had a touch of a gothic feel as well, in the sense that there was great sadness in Crestwicke Manor.

If you are looking for an authentic original read with a great story and a spiritual thread, The Love Note might just be your next read.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Engaging read with fascinating characters and a story line that truly sucks you in this was a hard to put down book!

The backcover summary of this book does it little justice; this story is so much bigger than a simple mystery of reuniting a letter with its intended recipient. Instead, this letter weaves its way through an entire household, igniting hope, sparking new loves, and fanning the flames of old relationships. The note not only creates new confidence and the possibility of being loved with such passion as the note infers, it opens the eyes of the men perceived as the potential senders to a new way of loving. While not every character whose heart is touched by the letter is expounded upon, the reader is left with the lovely feeling that Crestwicke Manor has taken on new life and new loves that will leave it forever changed.

"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance;
to seek him the greatest adventure,
to find him, the greatest human achievement."
Saint Augustine of Hippo

Perhaps even better than the romantic possibilities brought on by the wayward letter, is the discovery of love and healing that goes beyond romance. The entirety of the book points to the right kind of love, God's love, even as modeled by imperfect humans, but mostly in knowing that true love doesn't hinder or seek to change, but rather seeks to set one free in the knowledge that he or she is loved exactly for who they are.

I give this book 5 stars. This may be my favorite read of 2020 so far. I have loved every book by this author I've read so far, and this one was even better than anticipated.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

The Love Note by Joanna Politano is a Christian historical romance with a touch of mystery. I loved the path that the Love Note took as it weaved its way throughout the family. A well placed reminder that everyone needs to know that someone ‘sees’ them and loves them.

So many characters to love in this book. Willa, trying desperately to make a difference in the world and her desire to save lives. And once she read the love note, the desire to have a love like that. I was a tad frustrated with her that took her so long to realize it was within her reach.

Gabe was wonderful from his strong silent type to his way with horses. He was a well created character.

The author continued to surprise me through the book and it was delightful.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano was a perfectly lovely read. I fell in love with the characters and the setting. The story was well written and beautiful.

I’ll be honest. I almost didn’t request this title. The vintage cover drew me in, though, and a fleeting glimpse at the synopsis made it sound promising, so even though I’m not much of a romance reader, I decided to give it a chance. Oh my word. I am fairly certain that this is going to be my favorite new release of 2020, and most likely the best fictional romance (historical or otherwise) that I’ve read to date. Very rarely, if ever, do I use the word “swoon-worthy,” but I have to say, this book fits that description perfectly, while also being tempestuous and haunting.

“The Love Note” is the first of Joanna Politano’s novels that I’ve read, despite her previous works being on my to-read list, and I now find myself wondering why I waited so long! From the first chapter, I was engaged in the story, and unlike so many others, this is one that does not lag at any point. Politano seamlessly blends an assortment of genres that keeps readers on their toes: romance, mystery, history, spirituality. As the final third of the story unfolds, the twists are so beautifully executed for maximum impact, right through the final chapter. Willa Duvall herself proclaims early on: “I had been right all along—the letter I’d found in that desk was a piece of something much larger, a story more epic than mere romance.” Nothing is clear-cut until the ending, and I love that! What’s more, Politano meaningfully brings all of the storylines together into one glorious whole.

With echoes of “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights,” “The Love Note” reads like a classic. Politano’s writing style reflects that of the nineteenth century but is free of antiquated words or phrases, thereby making this an easy-to-read book. That is not to say, however, that no hard issues arise within the story. On the contrary, for all of the romance, there is also a fair share of tragedy, as Willa notes immediately: “but I couldn’t shake the tenor of underlying romance lurking in the shadows of this house. It was there, pulsing and sweeping through like a ghost, even if everyone attempted to stifle and deny it.” Through characters such as Celeste, Willa, and Aunt Maisie (a personal favorite), the importance of using one’s voice for encouraging others and the significance of women’s rights is subtly explored. Pithy epigraphs called “A scientist’s observations on love” open each chapter, and a shifting narrative voice allows for the exploration of multiple points of view. The majority of the narrative is comprised of Willa’s story as told by the character herself in the first person, and occasionally another character with whom her story intersects provides a third-person account of something happening to them. Even as readers privileged with this omniscience, though, the surprises are astounding.

As with any Christian-based novel, the best attribute is transformation, and “The Love Note” achieves this remarkably well. Remarkably because the characters change their hearts and attitudes in spite of their fear and in spite of the leap of faith needed to do so. Willa realizes this in her own quest, remarking, “What makes the past so intriguing, anyway? Perhaps because understanding those stories that so enchant us, those ghostly echoes of long-ago mistakes and passions, means untangling the present and changing the future.” May we glean wisdom from the past as we all strive toward the bright future that awaits us as believers in Christ.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Brilliant in so many ways! The twist and turns were great and the love letter getting a different reaction from everyone was humorous. But the poetic way Joanna weaved her words had me weeping at the end. Definitely, a book that will leave you pondering long after you read it.

This enchanting novel has a classical feel, reminiscent of Victorian tales. The main character's only desire is to practice medicine in a world open to men alone. Willa finds a way to achieve that goal as a nurse at Crestwicke Manor, a place she has known all her life. This task will test all of her wit and push her faith to another level. She also searches for the owner of a lost love note found inside a desk she acquired years ago. What will Crestwicke Manor hold for her, and will she be the healer it needs?

I recommend this book of depth into the human condition, strength in God, and courage over despair. I received a copy from Net Galley and Revell. I did not gain compensation for this review. All thoughts are my own. #TheLoveNote #NetGalley

With an intriguing premise and a beautiful cover this book is sure to capture the attention of readers! The idea of trying to find the author and intended recipient of a lost love letter definitely held promise and made me really interested in seeing how the story played out. To say that it played out in unexpected ways would definitely be an understatement, there were constant surprises along the way. To be honest though I felt like the story would have benefited more from having less of the side stories/“mysteries”, none of them really drew me in and there were some discrepancies that took me out of the narrative. I think the story would have been more cohesive with less focus on those aspects.
Willa was also not the most likable of characters, her high view of herself and kind of selfish tendencies made it hard for me to really engage with this story. Gabe was sweet and I wish his character would have been fleshed out a little more and gotten some more page time.
Overall this just wasn’t the story for me but I know readers are loving it and I can definitely see how it will hit home with other people! If this sounds like your kind of book I encourage you to check out other reviews and not just take my personal opinion.

# The Love Note# by Joanna Politano is a Christian romance, mystery fiction book. This book takes place in the Victorian era in 1865 in Crestwicke Manor. The book is written with Willa as the narrator and from her perspective. Willa strongly desires to be a doctor. She has been years helping her Dad in his medical practice. She has mercy and compassion for the sick. She is a kind person. The book is written with beautiful prose . It is well written. The reader gets an idea of what life was like during the Victorian era. Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions are my own. I look forward to sharing my review on Bookbub, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, my blog, with church staff and CBD.com

This is such a charming story with all the right ingredients for an enjoyable read, great characters and a compelling plot. The way Willa wins over the irascible Golda, her charge at Crestwicke Manor, is just one example of the ways the different characters change once that letter starts to circulate.

As a horse-lover, I did enjoy the character of Gabe and his way with horses. I could see how Willa was drawn to him, yet reluctant to show her heart because of her dream to be a doctor. The tension between her desire and her heart was so deftly drawn, I could relate to her dilemma.

Aunt Maisie, or Crazy Maisie as some of the people at the manor called her, was a delightful character, and the teasing story she told about the mysterious Rose played out in perfect segments. The final reveal wasn’t a total surprise to me. I’d begun to suspect, but false leads as to the identity cast a shadow of doubt just when it was needed.

Overall, this is a very satisfying read, and I recommend it to all readers who like a bit of religion, and a bit of romance, in a story about a woman making tough choices and charting her own future. That wasn’t so easy to do in the 1800s, or even the early 1900s, and Willa’s courage and determination are to be applauded.

A forgotten letter. A secret love. A vast estate.

Can one determined woman put the pieces together?

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

My Thoughts: Words are important, they can uplift or they can cut and hurt. In this novel, we find that one little note can change so many lives. As Willa searches for answers to the mystery of the love note that she found in a desk, leads the reader into a mystery and a series of loves and lost loves. This was a joy to read, and the reader learns how important it is to let those we love know how we feel. The characters were wonderful and were appropriate to the period in history. This certainly is a novel that both historical romance readers will enjoy and those who love a little mystery.

This is the second book I have read by Politano and I absolutely love this book! In The Love Note, Willa Duvall returns to Crestewicke to find and return a letter to it's rightful owner--if only she can figure out who that is. The book was full of anticipation as to what would happen as the letter would often fall into the "wrong hands" and that person would think the letter was for them. The letter would have an unique impact on every individual it came in contact with, I loved the message of God's Love that was woven throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction. This is one of my Top 5 favorite books of 2020. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

This is such a great mystery and love story. Willa sets out to find out more about a love letter she found and in the process finds out much about the people involved. She also gets to know the occupants of Crestwicke Manor where she went to find out more about the letter. It is interesting to see how she went about finding the information with the resources that she had access to at the time.

I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.

Jane Austin would enjoy this entangled Victorian novel. Willa Duvall, a doctor’s daughter who intends to follow in his footsteps, thinks marriage could impede her medical work. When she goes to Crestwicke Manor to serve as a nurse for the matron of the family she discovers a household of troubled people. The love note she discovers in an old desk somehow finds its way into the hands of several there, each thinking it was secretly left for them. The intriguing tale compels readers to hasten on in order to clear up the suspense and find out who the original note was truly intended for. The theme of love and its healing power flows throughout the book. Each unique character adds to the depth of the tale, enriching its layered texture. I admire the author’s ability to weave it all together and toss in some delightful surprises too. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I am at an utter loss of words for this novel. This is one of those books that’s so achingly beautiful that you feel it has had a profound impact on you. It reminds you why it is you love to read. Oh, this book was marvelous. Reviewing it will be no easy task but I will attempt it... and I have a feeling it’s going to be a very long one. I have so many thoughts.

This story gripped me completely. This happened almost instantly which is so rare for me with books but when it does happen, I love it.
I was lost in this story. I was enraptured by it.

The writing. Oh my stars, the writing!!! It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The kind of beautiful that’s rare and leaves you in awe at the affect words can truly have. It felt like a classic in many ways. It was deep, rich, and beautiful in a breathtaking way.

The characters were phenomenal. I do not say this lightly. Every one of them had such personality, such character, such stories. They were all their own.
Willa is now one of my favorite protagonist I’ve ever read. She was incredible. She reminded me a bit of Jo March in a way but at the same time, she is all her own character and I admired her so much. Her faith in God and going to Him before anything else, praying to Him. It inspired me.
Gabe. How does one even do justice to Gabe?? How? He is a hero I could ramble about for hours and still not do justice to his character. He. Was. Amazing. AMAZING. He is what every hero should be. He’s wise in his ways, selfless in his actions, and loving to everyone. He puts his trust in God and doesn’t mind what other people think. He’s truly the kind of hero that takes your breath away and makes you fall in love and sigh... without even saying a word. His faith in God is undoubtedly the most attractive thing about him. I admired him so much.
Other characters in this story were equally intriguing and complex. I loved how complex every character was, how they each had a profound role in the plot. They were just added as “extras” that have no depth. They all had their places, even the side characters.
Mrs. Gresham and Aunt Maisie’s stories intrigued me entirely along with Mr. Gresham’s. I also got pulled in by the side character’s stories... Burke, Clara, Celeste.
They all felt so real. In my mind, these people lived.

Now, to the story itself. This beautiful, beautiful story. It’s the kind of story that pulled me in, gripped me... ultimately, it’s the kind of story that LIVED for me.
It has twists and turns. It has suspense and mysteries. Intrigue and romance. Oh, how romantic this book was! And not in the silly romantic way. No. This was truly romantic in every sense of the word.
The love stories in this book were so complex, so realistic, so deep. No shallowness. There are times when I feel like I’ve read so many similar love stories that I simply want something fresh, original, and deep— something that goes far beyond outward attraction and feelings. And this love story did that. It took my breath away. How these characters made God their rock and foundation of their relationship inspired me so greatly.

It has truths that touched me. Really, I read this book at the exact time I needed it. It really did touch me. It brought me to tears with it’s message.
We all have this deep desire and longing for love. We run to humans for it but really, there’s only One who can fill that desire, craving, and longing in our heart. Our Savior, God.
This book reminded me of that in such a beautiful way. That’s what I call a good love story, when it points you to the greatest love story of all. Really, this book was a blessing for me and I’m so very grateful I had the opportunity to read it. And it’s one of those books I want to reread over and over again... I never wanted to end.❤️

I could talk about this book for hours. I know it will be one of those books I think about months from now. It goes down on “my favorite books in the world” list because it was really that incredible.
It was everything I love in a book.

*Thank you to Revell Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I went into reading The Love Note by Johanna Davidson Politano with no expectations and came out the other side loving it. It’s such a simple premise with enormous heart and numerous lessons for readers about love.

“Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor. Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.”

I loved the writing and the secondary characters were all given a moment to shine. There are so many amazing things to love about this book. Don't miss it and put Politano on your automatic buy list from now on!
Thank you to #Netgalley and @revellbooks for this wonderful read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Willa longs to become a doctor and refuses several suitors. Her career means everything to her, she makes an arrangement with her father to pursue her dreams.

In her writting desk she finds a love note and decide to look for the author of the letter and deliver it to the right person. While working at Crestwicke Manor she can make her investigations and be reunited with …

Willa is a strong woman determined to accomplished great things in her life and this is something I like about her, but sometimes I wonder why she was so against marriage especially at the beginning.

The plot is interesting and I would recommend this book to fan of Regency novels.