In Isabelle and Alexander by Rebecca Anderson, a marriage of convenience is tested to its already shaky limits after a tragic accident leaves Isabelle’s new husband, Alexander, paralyzed and depressed. There are many different dimensions to this story, several of which are elements I don’t see often in historical fiction. These same aspects to the plot kept me intrigued & turning the pages when I craved more sparks between the characters.

Anderson does a stellar job of instilling a sense of time and place with her readers. From the bustling (and bumpy) streets of 1850 Manchester to the idyllic countryside to the deafening roar of the mill – and a downstairs parlor-turned-sickroom fraught with tension – readers will experience the story right along with Isabelle. I loved the circle of fabulous supporting characters that surround her to provide her with emotional support and friendship, especially when she’s most lacking both in her fledgling marriage. Mrs. Burns, Doctor Kelley, Mae, Yeardley, Mrs. Kenworthy and dear Glory – all of them added tenderness and affection to the story and to Isabelle’s life.

Because the story is told from Isabelle’s perspective, I had a more difficult time connecting with Alexander, especially when he stayed so closed off from her too. I couldn’t get into his head to figure out what he was thinking, but I didn’t necessarily need to read his perspective in order to do that. I liked seeing the story through Isabelle’s eyes; I just needed for her to connect faster with Alexander so I could, too. However, I also understand why the romance was more of a slow burn than instant chemistry. It worked with the plot; I just wanted some more chemistry, even if it needed to stay repressed for a while. The last quarter of the book, though, made my romance-loving heart flutter.

Bottom Line: Isabelle and Alexander by Rebecca Anderson is a gentle Victorian romance with lots of intriguing layers to unpack. Readers will be drawn into Isabelle’s world and invested in her character growth, cheering at her triumphs and grieving with her in the struggles. I enjoyed gaining insight into milling & medical practices of that era, and I very much appreciated the honest and affirming portrayal of a supporting character with a mental disability. Life is not all sunshine and roses, and certainly neither is marriage, but Alexander and Isabelle have more potholes than most on their way to happily ever after. Watching their characters grow individually and together throughout this novel was the highlight for me. Fans of Elizabeth Gaskell and Lawana Blackwell will enjoy Isabelle and Alexander as well.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

Isabelle Rackham marries mill owner Alexander Osgood knowing it is a marriage of convenience. His good looks set women's hearts fluttering and Isabelle marvels at her good fortune. But his manner is cold and distant. Only his rare smile hints at the possible warmth within. Their married life does not progress as Isabelle envisaged it would. While he spends most of his time at the mill, she lives a solitary existence in a house that she considers his not theirs, in a dirty and grimy northern mill town so unlike the lake country where she was raised, with few friends to call or call on. Assured by his household staff and the two men that help run his mill that Alexander is a kind and well-respected employer, Isabelle believes the fault of their strained relationship must lie with her. She attempts to draw Alexander out in various ways, but all fail, making her even more unhappy.

When Isabelle agrees to visit Alexander's country estate with him, she is cheered by the change in him. Without the daily pressures of running a mill, he is more relaxed and approachable. She hopes that this will help them get to know each other better. Unfortunately, Isabelle's hopes are dashed when Alexander suffers a horse riding accident which leaves him paralysed. Once over the shock and panic, Isabelle is determined to nurse Alexander back to health, but acknowledges Alexander's right to determine his own medical treatment. Although some of his decisions cause her much anguish and frustration, she battles on courageously against her own perceived inadequacies, Alexander's taciturn nature and a very uncertain future.

Isabelle and Alexander is a romance about two strangers adjusting to an arranged marriage, with the added difficulty of dealing with a disability. While there is no doubt that they both want the marriage to succeed, their personalities are very different. Isabelle is the more outgoing of the two; her warmth and enthusiasm for life are apparent. Alexander's true character is hidden behind a facade of reserve and is gradually drawn out as the story unfolds. He seems to be in awe of Isabelle, but aware of her unhappiness. I loved how he gleaned information from Isabelle's deliberately silly conversations to surprise her with little acts of kindness.

The treatment that Alexander endured, prescribed by the spinal injury specialist, Dr. Fredericks, and so rigorously administered by the nurse, seemed horrendous. I could understand Isabelle's reaction to this and also the threat of Alexander being confined to an asylum to endure more of the same, but in a less conducive environment.

On a lighter note, as Isabelle, I found the workings of the mill fascinating. The processes, the atmosphere and the noise were so well described that I shared Isabelle's relief at the relative peace and quiet of the weaving room.

I enjoyed Isabelle and Alexander. Reading it was a lovely way to spend a cold and wintry afternoon. I'm sure other readers of historical romance will enjoy it too.

This is a sweet romance, but not your typical romance. There were a lot of obstacles facing this couple and overall the tone was more somber than cheerful. However, there were plenty of happy sweet moments so it wasn't depressing. This book was all told from Isabelle's POV which made it hard for me to connect with Andrew. I wanted so bad to hear his thoughts. I really wish his letters had been shared just to get a little glimpse into his thoughts. Isabelle was a strong woman. I know if I was in the same situation I would have withdrawn. I was so impressed that she refused to give up on her marriage. She definitely had her moments when she struggled, but she was incredibly brave and strong too. I also enjoyed most of the secondary characters, particularly Glory, Mrs. Kentworthy and Dr. Kelly, as well as the servants.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.

Title: Isabelle and Alexander
Author: Rebecca Anderson
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Isabelle Rackham knows she will not marry for love. Though arranged marriages have fallen out of fashion, hers has been settled for some time. Alexander Osgood is handsome, well-known, and wealthy, but he is distant and aloof, spending much of his time at his textile mill.

Moreover, Northern England is nothing like Isabelle's home in the Lake Country, and her marriage is far from the fairy tale she expected. Conversations with Alexander are awkward, when they happen at all, and Isabelle struggles with loneliness.

Sensing his wife's unhappiness, Alexander brings Isabelle to his country estate. During their time together, the couple begins to build a friendship, opening up to each other about the details of their lives. But when a tragic accident leaves Alexander unable to walk, their fledgling relationship is tested.

Isabelle is determined to see to her husband's recovery, and in caring for him, she discovers within herself an untapped well of strength and courage. In learning to rely on each other, the couple has an opportunity to forge a love connection that they both have longed for but never dreamed could be.

This was a sweet read with the feel of a Jane Austen novel. Isabelle’s life and upbringing have been very limiting, so after her marriage, when she starts experiencing more of life and the world, she changes and steps into her own self. She learns who she is, what she wants, and how to stand up for it. Both Isabelle and Alexander are people who must learn how to be open with others and how to communicate, and I really enjoyed this read.

Rebecca Anderson is a high school English teacher. Isabelle and Alexander is her new novel.

(Galley courtesy of Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

I really enjoyed Rebecca Anderson’s writing style. The story dealt with a lot, but still had a sweetness about it.

The author portrayed the awkwardness of an arranged marriage really quite well. The story was emotionally compelling as far as Isabelle was concerned, but I felt lost a time or two not having Alexander’s perspective as well.

I often found myself wondering what Alexander was thinking and feeling. The nature of the story was such his thoughts and inward emotions would have drawn me into his character as well, deepening the story.

In spite of yearning for a little more of him, I did enjoy the story. The author handled the deeper topics with grace, showing the character’s growing compassion and love in a beautiful way

Isabelle Rackham will not allow herself to be disillusioned. She knows her marriage is not even close to a love match. However, she accepts it and facings an unemotional, business-minded husband every day. However, she longs for more - even if it is a glance, a touch.. But, it is not to be. Perhaps she will have a child and the void in her life can at least be filled in a bit.

Alexander knows that Isabelle is unhappy, but he is reticent, holding his thoughts and emotions close to the vest. However, he is a good man and does have an idea. He writes her a note and offers her to accompany him on a trip to his country estate. Has the window of opportunity opened for the pair of them?

Before much progress can be made, Alexander suffers a tragic accident that leaves him completely disabled. Isabelle is bound by duty, although certainly not by love, and she takes on the task of caring for Alexander while he begins the long road to recovery.

This is how things take a turn in this tragic story. Communication lines are open, and this starts to show a major difference between Isabelle and Alexander. As a reader, I could see how easily it was for her to love and how she did care for Alexander from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching Alexander thaw towards his wife, even though the tragedy of his injuries.

This touching story by Rebecca Anderson was evenly balanced with characters that warmed your heart and one or two that were really unlikable. This balance made an already good story even better. Although Ms. Anderson is new to me, she has definitely found a new fan, leaving me eager to see what else she has in store for her readers.

Many thanks to Shadow Mountain, NetGalley and Austenrose for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Oh this book is an absolute delight. Please read it immediately. Not a typical love story; it's about a love that grows deep and true over time. It's absolutely the opposite of instalove and the author did a stunning job unfolding their relationship. My heart ached for both of them. I wanted to yell and stomp my feet and order people around while I read it (ahem, mostly Nurse Margaret). The only thing that would make this book better is knowing Alec's point of view, especially at the beginning.

In summary (to borrow a quote from Veggie Tales): I laughed, I cried... it moved me Bob.

Isabelle and Alexander
By Rebecca Anderson

Isabelle and Alexander
By Rebecca Anderson

Isabelle and Alexander by Rebecca Anderson was quite the unique historical fiction read that had such a great concept and intriguing story line that I really enjoyed reading about. This was fantastic!

Isabelle Rackham's life had been planned long ago when her father decided to join upper middle class forces, and combine the wealth of their coal mines in the south, with Alexander Osgood's textile mills of the north. Through an arranged marriage, Isabelle's life in Manchester was certainly not what she had dreamed of. Alexander trying to make amends and forge a better relationship with his wife plans an escape to the country. As fate would have it, their lives takes a turn when Alexander fell of his horse and suffers a spinal cord injury leaving him disabled.

As I read the book, the story just kept getting better and better. I loved how much research went through in the medical world of the Victorian era and how injuries like this were handled then. It was amazing to read about it as a nurse myself. I followed closely what happened to our beloved Christopher Reeve, and to think with all the modern day advancement, there were still a lot to learn about spinal cord injuries.

I have not read anything like this in the historical fiction books, and this was a great change of pace and topic, where the love developed after the marriage and after such a tragic accident. The story arc was well written and beautifully told. I highly recommend this book.

Isabelle and Alexander is a gentle and poignant Victorian romance with protagonists facing a situation rarely explored in this genre: one of debilitating disability. While it compares in some ways to the classic North & South in setting and contrasts of the hero and heroine’s personality, its plot is distinct. I think it reads more like the latter half of a marriage of convenience trope when the couple is learning to exist together — in this case, each with little knowledge of the other’s quirks, expectations, and heart.

The story is told entirely from the Isabelle’s point of view. This allows it to be her story in many ways, as she grows more likable and empathetic to the reader along the way. Her change is most dynamic and obvious, and the themes of the story are shown to their best advantage through her eyes. As she comes to know the kindness of Alexander underneath his shuttered heart, her own heart learns to be grateful for simple things in life. These little moments she notices, and the growing tenderness between them, combine to show how love, happiness and a deeper joy cannot always depend on circumstances but can BE in spite of them.

There are many more aspects of this story I like. I appreciate the care with which Alexander’s struggle is portrayed. I think it is underrepresented in Victorian fiction. This unique challenge and the setting of Manchester and a cotton mill (again, think of Thornton’s mill in North & South!) provide a great backdrop to the love story. I especially loved the supporting cast of characters and their roles of encouragement, friendship, and foils to Isabelle and Alexander — Glory is my favorite! And, Anderson’s pen lends an array of realistic emotions to the story and couple, including anger, depression, longing, sacrificial love, joy, and the desire to have a fulfilling life purpose.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

I don't think I've read too many books with the premise of one of the main characters being in an accident and needing to have rehabilitation. I was really excited to dive into this one when I saw that it was about to be released.

My heart felt for Isabelle as her dreams of marriage turn out a little different than she thought would come. Meeting Alexander and he approaching her father for her hand in marriage without much conversation or anything to build their relationship upon left her hoping they'd get to know each other more later on. Yet she finds herself very lonely with an aloof and busy working husband.

We don't get to see anything into Alexander's thoughts as the story is written only in Isabelle's POV. It works but I'm a reader who loves to see what makes each character tick and Alexander is one such character whom I would have loved to see what was going on in his brooding mind. We do see some insights into him from his employees, his staff and the old family doctor who share with Isabelle some about him. But as a reader, we don't get much from him conversation wise. He speaks some off and on but not as much as I would have loved. I did like how the author showed that his broodiness wasn't necessarily him, he has a softer side. I loved when those little snippets shown thrown. Like when he first shows really acknowledges that Isabelle interests him after they are married. The little things he does for her. I won't go into more details because the author does explain some about this, through his servants voices rather than his own, but there is somewhat of an explanation.

I enjoyed watching Isabelle's character develop. She is of course a young lady with really no expectations on her except to look pretty, be a good hostess, play a certain part, get married and keep her husband's house. Leaving her home and her cousin Edwin, who is her one true friend and confidant, is hard and she has to deal with a lot of loneliness. But I loved watching her keep trying and venturing outside of her comfort zone to find joy. I liked watching her develop friendships, even if they weren't the most conventional friendships. It showed her goodness and sweetness. I liked her determination to make her marriage work and be more than just ok. I liked watching her find ways to connect with Alexander and show that she cared and wanted him to care for her as well.

Overall I enjoyed this sweet story. There are some conflicts and frustrations throughout the book for these characters but I thought they navigated them with dignity and determination. The secondary characters added a nice dimension to the story, I enjoyed them all.

Content: Clean. A character has an equestrian accident and ends up paralyzed, and must go through some pretty rigorous therapy.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This Is a book that stays with you as a thought provoker. I find myself thinking about it long after I’ve finished it. It was an emotional read in that I really felt the loneliness and isolation Isabelle experienced as a young bride. Although it seemed some of it was of her own making—couldn’t she have made an effort to socialize with other wives of her ‘station’ in her new city—it was easy to see how difficult it was for her to “settle in.” After her husband’s accident, as she took a greater role in his recovery and even her marriage, it was really heartwarming to see the growth she experienced. I would have liked to see his point of view through the letters he wrote to her, just to really understand his side a bit more, but it was an intensely moving story. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

Isabelle and Alexander was such a tender story. I've always found arranged marriages from this time period fascinating, and wondered how a relationship develops between the couple over time. In this case, Isabelle and Alexander are forced to endure many trials to build a beautiful bond.

Although Alexander seems distant at the beginning, over time he opens up to Isabelle when he suffers a tragic accident. He must rely on her and others for his needs. Told from Isabelle's perspective, we see that what starts as a friendly relationship grows into something much more romantic, based on a strong friendship and mutual respect. I loved the organic way their relationship was built. It would take time and trust to open up to someone you barely know. As Isabelle and Alexander learn more about each other, their attraction grows. While not packed with action, this book is perfect for readers wanting a relationship based story. If you love diving deep into what becomes a beautiful marriage, this book is it.

Lovely historical fiction novel from the Victorian era.

Isabelle is to wed Alexander - a business arrangement that she hopes might turn to love. But her new husband is aloof and soon has an accident which brings him down into a depression. He's confined to a wheelchair and can no longer oversee his mill.

It was interesting to see what would happen during this time to the type of injury he has. Most cases the injured would be sent to an asylum to give them sound the clock care. But Isabelle wants to prove herself capable of helping. There is a doctor and nurse employed but they seem very -professional only and don't seem to have much care for their patient.

I liked that Isabelle wanted to take an interest in the mill and her husband's work. I really liked the way that Isabelle warmed to her neighbor, Glory. Glory has some mental limitations and I'm so glad her parents wanted her to be with them instead of sending her to an asylum as they normally would in these days.

You have to wait until the end of the book to get Alexander to warm to his new wife. I can see him being depressed over what happened but I felt she waited so long for him to acknowledge that he could love her and that she obviously cared for him.

First Initial Thoughts

We start the story with Isabelle marrying Alexander. She feels quite lucky to be marrying the most eligible bachelor in the city. She doesn’t know much about Alexander as it’s an arranged marriage. She is hopeful that their relationship will blossom once life settles. However, as soon as they arrive home Alexander is quiet, reserved, and they barely interact. And it also read like that they slept in separate rooms. I am not sure if that was common during that time but I did find that odd. Isabelle is getting annoyed with Alexander not wanting to talk to her beyond the basic greetings.

The story itself is from Isabelle’s point of view so we never get a chance to see the relationship from Alexander’s point of view. Alexander suggests that they go to his country home for a short trip. There she is able to attract his attention and she suddenly hopes that maybe their relationship can deepen. On their second trip to the country, they go out horseback riding. While riding Alexander’s horse is spooked and he is thrown off his horse. After he wakes up the doctor finds out that he is paralyzed from the neck down.

Isabelle is suddenly thrown into the role of caretaker. Will she be able to commit to such a task? Will their relationship forever be just like “friends” or will they fall in love?

Setting

I always adore stories set in the English countryside and in England in general. It’s a beautiful country and Rebecca brought this out so well. She also had a knack for bringing the reader into the victorian time period, what it was like for women to live during that time, and the political vibe at that time. It was definitely not hard to visualize the story as I read!

Final Thoughts

What I found endearing was Isabelle’s commitment to the marriage. While during that time, women probably didn’t have the choice of leaving or going, there was a choice to send those that were paralyzed or disabled to hospitals. Isabelle wouldn’t have that. She wanted to take care of Alexander and make sure he didn’t have to be sent to somewhere deplorable. Isabelle barely knew him and was willing to do something that took a lot of courage and determination. That is something I think we all should aspire to. What would we do if our partner suddenly became paralyzed?

Speaking of hospitals, Isabelle became friends with Alexander’s employees’ family. The daughter is mentally ill. From the few interactions in the book, I could only guess that she may have had Autism or was developmentally behind. While the parents also could have sent their daughter to an asylum, they chose to keep her home and take care of her. This was admirable in this era. Many people would send the invalid and mentally ill to asylums without trying to help them first.

Isabelle and Alexander’s relationship was definitely a slow burn. At the beginning of the relationship especially the injury he was reserved and wouldn’t interact very much. He was very busy at the mill, as he claimed. I think this also highlighted the awkwardness of arranged marriages. Especially when one is probably introverted. While my husband and I connected right away and we can talk very easily, there are times that I just want to be alone and no talk at all. So I could see why Alexander was quiet in the evenings. We are just exhausted from being around people all day.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and it reminded me how important commitment is in any relationship. I definitely recommend this book!

First sentence: Isabelle Rackham stood in the morning parlor staring into the mirror, grateful to be alone for a moment; that nobody was fidgeting with buttons, bows, fasteners, or pins. She took as deep a breath as her corseting allowed and ran her hands down the waist of her bridal gown, allowing herself a little shiver of delight.

Premise/plot: Isabelle and Alexander have an arranged marriage, a bit of marriage of convenience. The two certainly aren't madly in love with each other at the start. Living side by side as strangers, the two face quite a challenge when Alexander is thrown from a horse and suffers severe injuries. Will his injury (and his recovery) bring them closer together or drive them further apart?

This one is set in 1850 in northern England. The two mainly live in a manufacturing town (Manchester) and he is a mill owner. Her husband also owns a country estate.

My thoughts: Isabelle and Alexander isn't your typical romance novel. For better or worse. This one isn't all about the swoon-y falling-in-love moments that happen before saying I do and making vows before God. This one is about marriage and the testing of marriage. For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They face challenges both together--as a couple--and as individuals.

I would say this one is more about the knitting together of two souls than focusing on the physical lusts. True it's a proper romance title so it wouldn't get too smutty anyway.

I believe this is my second title in my nearly thirty years of reading romance novels where one of the leads is in a wheel chair and is differently abled. (The other I read was an Amish romance.)

I also loved getting to know the Kenworthy family. I loved, loved, loved the character of Glory.

I have seen other reviewers comparing this one to North and South. I don't know that I'd stretch it that far. There are some surface similarities for sure: the manufacturing town setting, the owning of a mill, the awkwardness of a couple who barely know how to communicate with one another. But really the two are quite different.

This one doesn't really focus in on class differences nor does it focus in on unions, strikes, and disagreements between owners and workers. There's a tension in North and South that just isn't there in Isabelle and Alexander.

I would say upon further thought that this one is about Isabelle reorienting herself to her new circumstances. She's newly married, newly moved, adjusting to a new house that doesn't yet feel like a home. She doesn't have friends in the neighborhood--at least not at first. She is hoping that her husband will soon start to feel like a husband instead of a stranger.

I thought this book had potential with a unique plotline, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. I disliked the main male character. He was underdeveloped as a character and we know little about him except that he was very handsome as this was repeatedly mentioned when referring to him, and it was one of the main reasons Isabelle married him. As some of his family history comes to light, it does not justify his rude and unkind behavior. Theirs was a strange relationship with many unaddressed issues. My favorite characters were Edwin and Glory. They made the story interesting, but as for the "romance", there wasn't much of it.

I loved this story! What seems to start as a typical Victorian tale takes an unexpected turn that left me engrossed and fully engaged. While the story is told from Isabelle’s POV, if you have worked with spinal cord injury patients before, there are some great insights to be inferred. I loved seeing their relationship grow because of the situation they were placed in and how they each matured. There was no pretense to be had, just two people before one another, bound together by their vows and commitment to be there. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of their love story and the perseverance and dedication shown by Isabelle. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

Manchester - 1855

Isabelle Rackham and Alexander Osgood have entered into an arranged marriage. Alexander owns a textile mill which will bring Isabelle and her family up in the world. Even though Alexander is not a warm and outgoing man, Isabelle’s mother has instructed her on how to be a good wife.

Isabelle’s days are spent waiting for Alexander to return from the mill. Their evenings consist of sharing dinner together with little or no conversation and they sleep in separate bedrooms. Isabelle is bored and lonely. So when Mr. Kenworthy, business manager at Osgood Mills stops in and introduces himself, Isabelle is intrigued by his suggestion that she take tea with his wife and their daughter, Glory. Glory is a mentally disadvantaged young person but is a talented artist and is delighted when Isabelle offers to teach her to play the piano.

Alexander has a home in the country called Wellsgate where he keeps horses and it is a place where he is happiest. On their second trip there, Alexander invites Isabelle to join him in riding horses. This lovely time turns bad when his horse is spooked by something and he is thrown off. He is unconscious for several days and his doctor who has known him all of his life is there to treat him. When he finally awakes, it is determined that he will be paralyzed in his legs but may have movement in other parts of his body. Isabelle is beside herself with worry and is also hurt because Alexander has never shown her affection. What will she do?

Isabelle went into marriage hoping and expecting to have a loving husband. Instead she got a cold man who barely spoke to her and generally ignored her. As Alexander submits to an extremely vigorous and painful rehabilitation process doled out by an arrogant doctor and his equally arrogant nurse, Isabelle is at a loss of how to ease his pain. She is always concerned about Alexander who appears to look at her like something unpleasant. While it’s terrible that Alexander is left with such a abominable physical life, I felt sorry for Isabelle who kept trying to help him. Was it because she loved him or was it the proper thing for a wife to do? The saving grace of this story is Glory. While her temperamental episodes were scary, her general personality made her charming. Sadly, I found this to be a rather depressing story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In the first discussion question at the end of this book, the question begins with this statement: “Isabelle and Alexander is not a typical romance.” I wholeheartedly agree. Isabelle and Alexander is unlike any Romance novel I have ever read. This is a story of true love — of real and substantial love — and it is a novel I will never forget. I am blown away by the experience I just had with this story. It isn’t a case of, “I had all the feels,” but rather it is a case of, “I don’t even know how to describe the depth of all the feels I had!” I don’t know if that makes any sense, but truly this is a story that has made a lasting impression upon me.

I feel this story will resonate the most with someone who has experienced trauma early on in his or her marriage or other significant relationship. Isabelle and Alexander join in an arranged marriage and things are prickly from the very start. Then a very BAD accident happens and their already tumultuous marriage is literally tested beyond anything either one could ever imagine. Yes, this is certainly not your typical lovey-dovey romance. This story is hard and painful and frustrating and devastating, but it’s also filled with fight, courage, hope, awakening, and love. There is no flirty, witty dialogue. There are no sweet, longing looks across the ballroom dance floor. But there is choosing to love every minute, every day. There is choosing to respect rather than react every minute, every day. There is learning to put self aside and being present for a partner every minute, every day. And wouldn’t you know it, out of this hard work blossoms real, true, deep love. A fantastic TRUTH to share with readers! Reading Isabelle and Alexander is hard, not because it is slow-paced or boring, but rather because it confronts the reader with a mirror and in this mirror, the reader cannot get away from evaluating his or her marriage (or a relationship in general if the reader isn’t married). It makes one stop and consider, “Am I in my relationship for me, for what I can get? Or am I a partner in my relationship working to better the relationship for the both of us?” I admit this story had me seriously self-evaluating, which, to me, is a testament to truly outstanding literature.

Isabelle and Alexander is a powerful story about finding one’s self and discovering true, lasting love. This novel is a stellar example of masterful storytelling. I highly, highly recommend Isabelle and Alexander. This is a story you, dear reader, will NOT want to miss.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishers, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

So, I have some mixed feelings about this book. It's told in first person, entirely from Isabelle's perspective. This allowed a very extensive knowledge of Isabelle's thoughts and feelings, making her personal journey of growth obvious and gratifying. Sometimes I got a little impatient with her internal musings and found myself skimming. I liked Isabelle but I didn't love her. I did love how she stood up for Alexander and wanted the very best for him regardless of how she was treated.

I liked Alexander but I didn't love him. It was really hard to build a connection with Alexander given his personality and Isabelle's single viewpoint. Especially when she didn't understand him for most of the book. I didn't have a real emotional connection to either of them.

The textile mill was a great part of the book and I enjoyed learning about that through Isabelle's eyes. I liked this story, it was interesting and I liked the secondary cast of characters too. It was good, just not my favorite. Oh, and I think the cover is lovely.

3/5 stars

Content: mild peril

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.