#BookReview: EVERY WORD UNSAID by Kimberly Duffy

I'd say the first few chapters in America were not my favorites in the story. I'd love to see Gussie's photographs though. I know they are beautiful. But I think her newfound purpose in India and the new kind of pictures she took were more interesting to me.

I enjoyed Gussie in India better. It was sad, fascinating and educational. I am unhappy about the bubonic plague so I did more research about it. Specs was a great doctor. Specs and Gussie went through a lot individually. Their inner pain and struggles made them unsuited for me. I didn’t feel their chemistry. But the events in Poona and how it affected everyone were heartbreaking. I liked those parts. It made me more thankful for every small blessings.

4 stars

Thank you Bethany House for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have to admit I wasn't really ready to read a book about any sort of plague so that did make this book less enjoyable for me. However, like always Duffy did a fantastic job combining research with her fictional characters.

I love reading her love for India in the pages of her books. I love how she brings to light the history of the country. I loved Gabe even when he had his annoying moments.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I wrestled with what to think about this book. I appreciate Kimberly Duffy’s ability to write in such a way that you are drawn into the story. This book was no exception. In fact, the pain that Augusta felt in the relational distance in her family almost pulsed off the page. And yet, I didn’t really like the characters and I couldn’t really believe their faith. Honestly, I also didn’t really want to read about a plauge, relevant or not, so maybe it was a perfect storm.

It’s a difficult thing to be caught up in a book without really enjoying the story. There was a lot of tension and in a show of excellent writing Duffy made me feel it. I also felt the beauty and contrast of India, which is a setting that she obvioulsy loves and excels at sharing.

Spoiler Alert…..

But Augusta’s journey just rubbed me a bit wrong. There was the sense that becoming serious meant that she was mature, but I don’t believe seriousness in writing is any type of a sign of maturity. To see the world in all it’s beauty and brokenness is something that never seemed lacking in Augusta so I think the real sign of maturity is not that she became a “serious” writer able to put what she saw into words, but that she was able to begin to see herself, her wounds and her selfishness. And yet, even that fell a bit flat for me, because the intimacy of relationship with Christ that enables transformation never made it’s way to center stage in the story.

I wasn’t too fond of Gabriel’s character either, so in the end, while this book was beautifully written it isn’t one that I particularly enjoyed. You might have an entirely different experience with the characters and content so I’ll encourage you to see for yourself if this book is your cup of tea.

I received a free digital galley of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my first taste of Kimberly Duffy’s writing, and I was not disappointed! The amount of depth she was able to weave in without sacrificing the pacing was remarkable—the mark of a truly great writer!

Gussie Travers was fascinating and multi-dimensional in every way. Her character voice was especially fun to read. As someone who has lived overseas myself, I could relate to her love for travel and how India was like a homecoming to her—I feel the same way about my overseas home! I would heartily agree with Gussie that traveling overseas is a most magical journey that changes you in a million wonderful ways.

Specs reminded me very much of Mr. Knightley—gently acting as the voice of reason to Gussie’s spontaneity—and my Jane Austen-loving self adored that! I loved watching their friendship flourish into something more. The only thing I didn’t like so much was that the physical side of the romance advanced a little too quickly and there were a few scenes that were too descriptive for my taste. But other than that, I thought it was well done.

Duffy’s prose was delightful to read! Her rich, evocative writing pulled me in from the first chapter and brought India to life before my eyes. I could almost taste India through her descriptions! And yet, somehow, they didn’t distract from the story or drag the pacing.

Although full of vivid descriptions, Every Word Unsaid has a surprisingly serious quality to it you don’t often find in historical romance. It holds that delicious bit of depth, the layer upon layer kind that makes you want to read more! Duffy did a fantastic job pulling off Gussie’s internal journey to discovering what her true purpose in life was. As a writer myself, I connected deeply with the theme of words and how they have the power of life and death. And as Gussie discovered, “How lovely people could be—more than the highest mountain peak or deepest ocean. And how much more interesting. There were stories to tell about places, but they were in people.”

This is a book that will captivate you from the moment you pick it up. It’s a delightful journey you won’t regret taking as you find yourself whisked away to the colorful world of late 19th century India with Miss Adventuress herself!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

First sentence: Nothing brought Augusta Constance Travers more joy than slipping away. And nothing frustrated her more than the companion meant to keep her from doing so.

Gussie Travers, our heroine, is Miss Adventuress. She takes photographs on her Kodak camera and writes [fluff] travel pieces. Her work is supposed to be anonymous. No one is supposed to know that she comes from society. But. All secrets come to light...eventually. Such is the case with Gussie's "big" secret. Much to her family's shame and disapproval. A daughter that TRAVELS the country on her own??? A daughter that WORKS???? Who would ever want to marry such a strange and unnatural girl?

After she is outed, Gussie travels to India--expenses paid by the newspaper/journal/magazine. She'll start her once-in-a-lifetime adventure (as Miss Adventuress) by spending some time with old family friends (who are conveniently living in India, don't you know). But to her utter SHOCK AND DISMAY they aren't exactly thrilled (jumping up and down at her arrival) because they are in the midst of a pandemic--bubonic plague. No worries for Miss Adventuress. Surely bubonic plague isn't dangerous or even all that contagious! She'll do just fine going wherever she wants and doing whatever she wants. No worries. She is free; she is independent. She is going to take photographs of everything and everybody! Hooray for full-time adventures!

She soon finds herself in love with the place and the people. Will she ever want to leave India? What if she wants more from life than adventure? What if she wants something completely different that she has always shunned before?

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, it kept me reading. I loved the hero--a doctor. And it's a friend-to-lovers romance. Also possibly marrying your best friend's brother??? Regardless of which it truly is, it has some satisfying moments. On the other hand, there were plenty of moments when I truly did want to shout at the characters. There were moments where you doubted the characters had any intelligence at all. (These moments were few, thankfully!)


There were definitely things that I enjoyed/liked about this one.

Just when I think I might not enjoy a book, I love when an author proves me wrong by writing an extremely engaging story. This was one of those books that I was concerned might not be interesting enough to hold me but did. It is unique in it’s setting and I loved Gussie and her determination not to be whatever one expects but her hearts desire to is to be loved by her family, yet she refused to conform to tradition.

I also loved the character of Uncle James. We all need an uncle like him.

Overall, an interesting read.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Every Word Unsaid
by Kimberly Duffy
Published Nov. 2, 2021
Bethany House

Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family's constant disappointment. As the nation's most fearless--and reviled--columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal at the worst possible moment, she's forced to leave America entirely.
As she grows closer to friends, old and new, and allows their words of truth to heal parched places, she pictures a new future. But when the fallout of her past decisions finds her in India, will it ruin her chance to finally stop running?
I enjoy reading books from Bethany House but this one was not a hit for me. I found Gussie to be very self-centered I would agree with the reviewer who posted quotes from the book and why they are not enough for a Christian. I would encourage readers who do struggle with their identity and find freedom in the idea from this book that your identity is not in others' expectations of you, to take it one step further and ground your identity in Jesus Christ, in His sacrifice and life-altering love for you. Please don't stop where Gussie stopped, because I believe it is not enough for true peace. This book is a good first step in the right direction, but the real richness can be found in a deeper place.
3stars

If you like historical romance, this is the book for you! An independent woman, who's a writer, causes a good bit of scandal. Lots of romance, in fact, too much for my taste, so if you like that, you'll love this story. Partly set in the U.S., and partly in India.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance e-book! All opinions are entirely my own.

Kimberly Duffy paints beautiful pictures with her words. She is adept at describing the sights and sounds of India and other parts of the world and bringing them alive for the reader. It was wonderful to again visit India and get to know the people, delights, and also the problems confronting India in the late 1890s. The characters in the book are colorful and interesting. Gussie is independent, courageous, strong-willed and wants to leave her mark on the world. Most of the time I admired her spunk and drive, although I felt she sometimes went a little overboard in her actions. Gabriel is an interesting and likeable hero as he helps Gussie see her self-worth. I recommend this book to those who enjoy seeing the world through reading stories. Duffy has written another absorbing tale, and I’m looking forward to what she has in store next.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Every Word Unsaid
by Kimberly Duffy
Pub Date 02 Nov 2021 |
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of Every Word Unsaid through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:


For the past three years Augusta Travers has been avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family's constant disappointment. As the nations most fearless Anne reviled columnist. Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But after her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.




When arriving in India Catherine only expects a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. What she comes to find instead is that she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel's sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she's long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.




I give Every Word Unsaid five out of five stars!




Happy Reading!

This wasn't the worst book I've read all year....but it wasn't the best. I chalk this up to personal preference, though, as I know Duffy has lots of fans. So I suggest trying this out from the library first. :)

Augusta Travers is a traveler photographer and writer for a woman's magazine in the late 19th century. She is known as Miss Adventuress and she is fearless. She feels smothered by the expectations of her family and that of New York Society so she escapes by traveling across America and even manages to elude her investigator Uncle who has the task of tracking her. Rather than be proud of her accomplishments, her family is disappointed in her. This hurts Augusta deeply to the point where she always feels the need to run. She feels unloved. She ends up going to India where her childhood friends live and discovers she can be more than just a superficial writer of adventures.

The author succeeds in bringing India to life, a country I have always wanted to visit. I liked that Augusta is a strong female character and unconventional for her day, although there were times when the story had a modern feel to it. I liked the secondary stories, especially the one based on the historical figure Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, a women's rights and education activist and a pioneer in the emancipation of women in India.

Although this is labeled as a romance, this is the story of a young woman finding her calling in life. The romantic aspect of the story was lighthearted, sometimes juvenile, with liberties in conduct that made it feel like I was reading a contemporary novel. There was a scene where Gabriel is sick with a cold, hacking and coughing and then... it turns into a romantic scene? Besides being a doctor who feared taking risks, I didn't really know much about Gabriel, Augusta's love interest. So as far as romance goes, I was not enamored.

With its exotic setting, feminist themes (and that gorgeous cover), however, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction looking for something different.

4.5 stars

Gussie is an adventurer. She loves to go and explore new places. Her passion for adventure translates into the written word as light and fun-loving. She writes for a woman's column in the late nineteenth century under the pen name of Miss Adventuress. The railroad takes her from place to place as she runs from her family and the disappointment that she finds each time she is found.

Every Word Unsaid takes the reader from the US Great Plains to India. With each stop in her travels, Gussie begins to understand more about herself, her life, and her family. The book didn't shine for me until she reaches India and is reunited with childhood friends.

In India, Gussie finally realizes what it means to belong. She sees real suffering and neglect during a Bubonic Plague. The people of India are dying and not left with dignity in their passing. At the same time, she sees resilience and some pretty amazing people. It is India where she "finds" herself and understands courage and friendship. She also finds her voice and her passions.

I really enjoyed this story. Kimberly Duffy showcased India in a very positive light. I could picture the places Gussie visited and the people she met. Her friends, Specs and Catherine, show her the culture and beauty of the country. It sounds amazing.

There is romance in the book too. Gussie has always considered Specs to be like a brother. The grown-up Specs is not the gangly boy she remembered and she realizes that there is a lot more to the man. She remembers his care and compassion from their time as children. They have a few volatile moments and they navigate their relationship as adults.

I loved the book. I loved the story. I loved the characters. I'm grateful that I read this book.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

It is amazing, heart wrenching and breath taking.

This is a new to me author and I didn't know what to expect just that she goes to India.

Augusta, aka Gussie (I had a hard time with that nickname everytime) wishes to travel and leave society expectations that she remain a lady in a parlor. Her parent's hurtful words punish and haunt her no matter where she goes so she keeps running to new destinations. She writes for a woman's newspaper and writes of her travels.

"While other girls yearned for princess castles and knights in shining armor, Gussie only wanted to explore the beaches of Cyrus, ride an elephant through India's forests, and climb dunes in Morocco" (location 231)

The author of Miss Adventuress is revealed and Gussie's reputation is questioned, her parents disgusted by her actions and send her to live with an aunt. Only Gussie flew to India instead to pursue more traveling and writing for her work.

Duffy is a talented author and has such a way with words, there was beauty entwined throughout this story that dealt with harsh realities with Indian caste system, the plague and finding yourself. There are so many quotes that I highlighted throughout, Gussie's growth is perfect, she takes two steps forwards and one step back. Her friends and new friends love and accept her for who she is and see her value, even when Gussie can't.

"We aren't responsible for where we have come from. Only where we go" (2278)

Gabriel, aka Specs (and I hated that she continued to call him that even when he said he never liked it as a kid) is a swoony doctor that I imagine as Gregory Peck.

"I just ask that you stay out of trouble this morning."
"Honestly, you act as though I'm incapable of having a perfectly ordinary day." He snorted, and she glared at him, but he only held up his teacup in a toast. "I've never known you to have an ordinary day." (location 1292)

This is definitely a historical fiction/women's fiction with a sub plot of romance, but the romance wasn't the main story. It was about Gussie seeing more to life, caring for others and wanting to make a difference in the world - more than writing her column. Duffy did an excellent job portraying the ugly side of life with illness, treatment of disease and the fear. I'm not familiar enough with India to know how accurate it was but the parallels that can be found with our current pandemic was astounding. With everything, do it with kindness and grace because we don't know the pain and suffering we can't see or even begin to understand the pain we can see.

"Dear reader, I assumed I would capture lovely vistas and interesting faces. It would be the making of my career, you see. But in the end, it turned out to be the making of me." (loc 5004)

Thank you to the publisher, Bethany House and Net Galley, for an e-arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions. This is a beautifully written story of finding one's self, love and trust, casting off fear and serving others.

Content: grief, mention of abuse, death, miscarriage

First Initial Thoughts

The story starts with Gussie traveling in South Dakota capturing the real life of the Wild West. A place a proper woman should not be. Gussie writes for a magazine under an assumed name - Ms. Adventures. The column does really well and Gussie has been writing for the magazine for some time. However, her family disapproves. Coming from a wealthy family they believe that if people find out that she is Ms. Adventures, her reputation will ruin. However, Gussie wants adventure. She feels suffocated at home and wants nothing of high society.

When the public finds out who is behind Ms. Adventures - her family is outraged. However, her editor Lillian thinks this is a great opportunity for her to travel abroad to an exotic location- India. Two of her friends - Catherine and Gabriel live there as doctor missionaries. She is soon set on a boat to travel to India to write and photograph all about her journey and travels.

Setting

Set in the late 19th century in India when the UK (Britain) occupied the country. A time of turmoil, rampant diseases, and inhumane actions. Despite the political surroundings, India was a new world to many. It was exotic and beautiful. India has been on my top list to visit and this book just made me want to go even more. I would love to see more novels set in India!

Final Thoughts

When Gussie arrives her friend Gabriel doesn’t want her to stay. There has been an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. Yes, the plague apparently still existed around that time! Apparently, it actually did happen in 1897 and millions lost their life. Crazy! However, Gussie is determined to stay and do the job she was paid for. At times Gussie I found a little too much. She was so determined to get away from her family and live a life of adventure. And because of that, she sometimes got herself in trouble. I could also see her side of it though. Sometimes we get caught up in the fantasy of it all, that we forget what really truly matters.

I think the title of the book means a lot to the art of journalism and photography. While Gussie was able to capture the hearts of her readers with her writing, no one will truly understand her experiences. As a photographer, I try to capture images that tell a story. While you may get a sense of what was going on in the picture, it’s hard to really feel a place or setting without really being there. Gussie’s experiences were felt throughout the novel and I think that is what Kimberly was trying to do - and she accomplished it!

Ramabai, a major character in the novel was a real person. She was a women's rights & education activist, a pioneer in the education and emancipation of women in India, and a social reformer (Wikipedia). It was hard to read about how woman were treated in India during this era. And not just woman, but also how the people who contracted the plague were treated in the hospitals.

While, the story overall was pretty long I found it to be an amazing story about one’s experience in India during a tumertous time.

Kimberly Duffy has a true gift for storytelling! Her beautiful prose draws you into the story from the very first page and makes you fall in love with the characters by the end of the first chapter. And her ability to develop characters throughout the novel is truly a remarkable talent. I loved Gussie. She has gumption, courage, and tenacity, and she’s willing to stand up for what she believes is right, almost to a fault. I also love how she changes and grows in the story as she faces new obstacles and fears. Additionally, Kimberly Duffy once again transports us to exotic India, with vivid descriptions that cause you to be lost in the sights, smells, and sounds of both the beauty and tragedy of this beautiful country. I have never traveled to India, but I almost feel like I have a better understanding of its culture just from reading her novels! My favorite part of this story, however, is the expert way the author weaves deep spiritual truths into the novel that have you, as the reader, pausing to reflect on your own spiritual journey as you realize your true worth comes not from others but from our great God. This book is everything that is fantastic and wonderful and I cannot recommend it enough. An absolutely incredible read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from an Austen Prose tour with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Augusta (Gussie) Travers is a photographer who writes columns anonymously for a ladies' magazine. Gussie's unwillingness to conform to her family's and society's rules has resulted in a scandal that only banishment from New York can avert.

James Travers, her uncle and ex-Pinkerton detective, understands Gussie's restlessness, for she has inherited his love of excitement and adventure. They play a strange game that involves James pursuing Gussie wherever her latest escapade takes her to ensure her safety and eventually restore her to her family. While being escorted to her aunt's home by James, Gussie escapes to India, the home of her childhood friends, Gabriel and his sister, Catherine.

India provides more of the excitement that Gussie craves and awakens a need to write more meaningful articles inspired by her reaction to the injustices and beauty of this colourful and exotic land and its people. She also faces a personal dilemma when her feelings for Gabriel become more than childhood affection.

In Every Word Unsaid Kimberly Duffy evokes the sights, smells and sounds of a vibrant India, and writes informatively of the beliefs, laws and traditions of Indian society. In particular, she draws our attention to the sad plight of widows, such as Bimla, who likens herself to Gussie as they are both perceived as worthless by their families and their respective societies.

Gussie was a character I didn't warm to at first. Her actions suggested she was a courageous young lady and a rebel, which indeed she was for the time in which the story was set, but rather than support this aspect of her character, they highlighted her selfishness and immaturity. However, as the story progressed, I enjoyed how Gussie reassessed her life, evaluated her feelings for Gabriel, and aided by a betrayal, found self-worth and a new direction for her career. I admired that she was willing to compromise without sacrificing too much of her personality and dreams.

The Indian setting is what drew me to this novel. Reading it proved to be an engaging and heart-warming experience and I'm happy to recommend this book to others.

It took me longer than is usual for me to read this book because it is meant to be savored. Mostly set in India, as are Duffy's two previous books, readers are immersed not only in the country's exotic beauty, delicious smells, and savory cuisine, but also in the poverty and disease. During the late 19th century, Gussie Travers travels to India to escape her family's expectations and censure. Driven by the echos of their voices, she sets out to prove her worth, only to discover that she is more valued and has a deeper purpose in life than even she could have imagined.

Duffy is a master of character development. It is unlikely that readers will be unable to find a character in this book within whom they could closely relate. They may even relate to more than one on different levels.

I do usually enjoy epilogues, discovering what happened down the road so to speak. In this case, I wish I had stopped reading with the final chapter and skipped over the epilogue as the writing of it felt out of sync with the body of the story. This however did not keep me from giving this book five stars.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Every Word Unsaid from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Every Word Unsaid is an uplifting and memorable novel about maturing and finding your place in the world. Kimberly Duffy does an amazing job penning this tale and building characters you adore. This story reminds me a lot of myself because the act of maturing, regardless of age, is a heady and indescribable feeling, yet Duffy does it well with Gussie.

Augusta Travers has an adventurous soul. She can’t abide staying in any one place too long, much to her family’s dismay. The only family member who understands Augusta, Gussie, is her Uncle James. When scandal catches up with Gussie, her family sends her away to settle down and make a match. But, Gussie has other intentions and finds herself on a boat to India. When her feet hit the ground on arrival, she knows she has found her home. Her feet are no longer itchy, and she knows she will find happiness in her new locale. But, terrible things happen in her adopted country, and her feeling of home is in jeopardy. Will Gussie find lifelong happiness in India, or will her feet find it necessary to keep wandering?

Gussie Travers is an enigma. I loved the introduction to her while out on the South Dakota plains. I loved her spirit and the adventure she sought. But, her eventual return home made me feel sorry for her. Her family belongs to the new-money society club, and they are awful people. Social climbers with snobby intentions are not my idea of a good time, and they are incredibly cruel to Gussie. When she hopped on that boat to India, I clapped. I mean, literally clapped. I was full of joy for her. However, when she arrives in India, her adventures take a new turn, and the Augusta that I fell in love with wasn’t the same person. As she grew and matured, she became someone completely different. I missed her teasing, lighthearted personality. Now, don’t get me wrong, I fully understand the necessity for this change in her, but I admit that I missed the “old” Gussie terribly.

The rest of the characters in this novel are just as lovely. Catherine, Gabriel, and Bimla are now a part of my soul, right along with Gussie. The way their stories folded and rippled throughout Gussie’s life was pure magic. Duffy has a wonderful way with words, and she made me fall in love with these people. I wanted to be there, to become a part of the story. These are people I would spend my days and years wanting to be around. They became my friends as I read. I would love to see another story spin from this one where Uncle James gets a happy ending. The poor man deserves one, and I hope he ends up living next door to Gussie.

The amount of research that went into this novel is extraordinary. I learned so much about India that I had never read or heard before. I’ve read many books set in India, but Every Word Unsaid is the first one where I learned more than a few random pieces of information. To know that some of the characters I adored so much were real, living people at one time makes my history-loving heart flutter. There is so much that I didn’t realize about the plague. Learning the reasons behind the misogyny surrounding young girls and widows cut me deeply. It has been a real eye-opener for me.

The only problem I had with an otherwise outstanding book was the way Duffy uses Christianity. Throughout the entire first three-quarters of the book, God’s name gets mentioned very sparingly, with a few references to silent prayers. But the last fourth added so many random references to God. Bimla, out of the clear blue sky, remarks about how God loves her, so it doesn’t matter that her family shunned her and caused unbearable torment for her. Bimla had made not one reference to God in the entire rest of the book. The religious passages felt forced, especially when there was no build-up to it. I love inspirational books, but I had a hard time with this. For me, it wasn’t inspirational but a message I didn’t see coming, nor did I want.

I award Every Word Unsaid 4 out of 5 stars. This novel is very good, and the title suits the prose perfectly. I love how the entire book revolved around the essence of the title. Not many authors can do that, and Duffy hit the nail on the head there. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good, hearty cry. The book is very emotional and lays bare the many attitudes and atrocities of the world. This one is not a lighthearted read, yet very worthy.

Prepare to be moved deeply by Duffy’s newest book, Every Word Unsaid. What I thought was going to be a standard historical fiction was a gripping tale that captured my heart. Gussie is a free spirit and just wants to find freedom from the stuffiness her current life provides. She travels and enjoys freedoms as a writer for a woman’s column, but she is still tethered to decorum and societal expectations. When a scandal erupts, she gladly sails away to India, determined that this will be the answer to her problems. I loved her experiences and descriptions when she first arrives. I love the rekindling of all old friendships, the beauty of new ones and the heart lessons she learns along the way. I laughed out loud at the chase between Gussie and her uncle. I savored the moments when Specks became more to her than an old friend. I grieved at the losses brought on by the plague. All in all, my heart was fully engaged this book and I gladly recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.