I've loved the history of my hometown in this series, and Drawn by the Current was no exception. The attention to detail was astounding, and I get such a kick out of reading about the sights and sounds in a place I love.

Jocelyn Green writes heavy subject matter, and this book dealt with domestic abuse. Unfortunately, plots about abusive men lying in wait for innocent women rank extremely low on the list of books I enjoy, so that whole plotline sullied the story for me. The double whammy was another personal preference item, being the portrayal of Olive as a "do it myself, don't accept help, therefore make blatantly poor choices out of my need to prove myself" character. I know a lot of people are like this and she was written correctly, but this personality is like the polar opposite of me and drives me crazy. So banging my head constantly did diminish my enjoyment of the story.
But, I recognize that these are personal preference items and don't speak to the quality of the story or writing. The mystery was engaging, the family relationships inspiring (I love Meg, Sylvie, and Kristof and am grieved that Nate has passed 😭), and I liked Erik except for his plot twist and Olive's overly dramatic reaction to it. Everyone shows growth and has a HEA at the end. The message was about relying too heavily on people, including oneself, and not God, and also references our identity beyond our jobs.

For me, definitely my favorite thing about this book is that it's a love letter to Chicago and highlights little known history about it. I'm pleased to have the Windy City series on my shelves.

I received a copy of Drawn by the Current from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I have always enjoyed Jocelyn Green as a storyteller. The publisher and Net Galley allowed me the privilege to read an advance copy of Drawn by the Current. It was historical, mystery with romance as well. The lead characters were female best friends. I read and enjoyed the first two in this windy city series and I was delighted to see a carry-over of characters from Jocelyn's story about the world's fair and then the great Chicago fire. This story begins with a tragic historical event, and then presents a good dose of dramatic mystery, but made lighter by the thread of romance. There were some surprises along the way, and the romance was tender but not sappy. I appreciate that Jocelyn writes a book that is hard to put down. I also like the author's notes that completes my questions about where fact and fiction blend. Write on Jocelyn and thank you Net Galley.

Drawn by the Current

The Windy City Saga

by Jocelyn Green

Bethany House Publishers

Rated: 5

Back of the Book: “Lives depend on the truth she uncovers.
She can't give up her search.
A birthday excursion turns deadly when the SS Eastland capsizes with Olive Pierce and her best friend on board. Hundreds perish during the accident, and it's only when Olive herself barely escapes that she discovers her friend is among the victims.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Olive returns to her work at a Chicago insurance agency and is immersed in the countless investigations related to the accident. But with so many missing, there are few open-and-shut cases, and she tries to balance her grief with the hard work of finding the truth.
While someone sabotages her progress, Olive accepts the help of newspaper photographer Erik Magnussen. As they unravel secrets, the truths they discover impact those closest to Olive. How long will the disaster haunt her--and how can she help the others find the peace they deserve?”

Impressions: What a wild ride this book was. I enjoyed reading the saga of Olive's life. The suspense was fun and engaging. I am sure my face was full of all the emotions while I read this book. That’s full disclosure if you read this in public. I was happy, sad, angry, and all the in-between. This was a great addition to this series and I’m glad I was able to read it.

Quotes: “’ If friends can’t be honest with each other, that friendship isn’t worth much.’”

“’ Ask the right questions of the right people. Do not rush to unproven conclusions. Do not settle for half-truths but pursue the whole truth instead.’”

“’ Where we came from matters less than the dream we all shared and the hard work we’re willing to put into it.’” -In context, the speaker is referring to immigration. I appreciated this imagery of immigration and the energy built up in this thought. It was no small move to immigrate to another country and I admire those who were brave enough and fought to have that opportunity.

“...think we’d find that much of what we love has a lot to do with the memories we’ve attached to it.’” -Isn’t it funny sometimes the small things that bring joy because of its attachment to a memory.

“’ I told you it was a long story. Not so much in the telling of it, I suppose but in the living it.’”

“’ What we do is not the sum of who we are. Is your identity as a human being tied completely to your job?” -I struggle with this idea. Our purpose, our hope is found in Jesus. It is easy to get caught up in what the world provides us concerning our purpose or hope but ultimately, I can find no peace apart from God’s intervention. My identity as a child of God brings a universal peace in all areas of my life.

“She couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t measured her worth by what she did, first with her role in her family and then in her career.”

“’ Have you considered that growing tired in service to the ones I love is far preferable to- to growing weary with idleness?’”

“’ A promise to keep me safe wasn’t yours to make. Ultimately, my life is in God’s hands, not yours.’”

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review shared here.

I didn't realize this is the 3rd book in a saga - it was easily a read alone, but I will be going back to read the other two.

It's set in 1915 Chicago. Olive is the main character - she's an insurance agent with MetLife. She's trying for a promotion to investigator. Olive and her friend, Claire, are anticipating a fun birthday celebration together but as the day starts, their on the Eastland boat in the river as it tips and more than 800 people are killed. Olive survives, but soon learns her friend didn't follow her to shore. She returns back to work to start the insurance claims of those aboard the boat - it's then she realizes there are some discrepancies and problems identifying people. She works with newspaper photographer, Erik, to solve some of the cases.

There is a lot of twists and turns in this story, the characters are so impressively crafted and their stories are so intriguing you'll keep reading to see what happens next! It is a Christian novel, so there is religion but it's not overly preachy. I really enjoyed this story!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Fantastic mystery novel through and through! This piece of fiction is based on a historical event. “The SS Eastland really did turn over in the Chicago River on July 24, 1915, and the best estimate we have is that eight hundred and forty-four people lost their lives.” The author weaves fact into fiction as she describes what it must have been like to survive that disaster.

At that time, there was no understanding of PTSD, or anxiety but she adds her own mental health challenges to the main character which was enjoyable and added to the story.

The plot twist will send you reeling but in the end, the main character, Olive lives happily ever after. This book is recommended for teens readers. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

"Drawn by the Current" is a Christian romance set in 1915 in Chicago. The historical details were largely focused on the SS Eastland disaster and the many insurance claims that had to be investigated and processed. These details were woven into the story and brought the events alive in my imagination. The main characters were likable, reacted realistically to events, and matured as people as they had to make difficult choices and sometimes didn't make the best choices. Olive wanted to prove her abilities as an investigator, so she pushed hard for the truth even if she didn't always like the outcomes. Her life was made harder because someone didn't want her to succeed.

Erik and Olive didn't meet until after the SS Eastland capsized. They quickly clicked as friends, and Erik supported Olive rather than trying to tell her how to do things. They got to know each other as they worked together and realized how much they cared about each other. Olive felt like her worth was based on her job and what she could do for others, so she struggled when she felt like she wasn't succeeding at helping others. Her family reminded her that her value comes from God rather than what she does. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intense historical. How mind-blowing that so many people could die on a steamship that tipped sideways while at a dock with plenty of help present.

Just a heads up that this is book three in this series, and it can be read alone, the thing that ties these reads together, Chicago.

This is Olive Pierce's story, and I love that girl, she has such a big heart, and goes beyond to help those she loves and cares about.

Olive and her best friend Claire are on the SS Eastland, when disaster strikes, and according to the author's notes, more died here than on the Titanic, if you don't count the crew, and to be truthful I never heard of it.

This is a Christian read, and this girl wears her faith on her sleeve, she does risk everything to bring justice and closure.

This is a book that will grab you and never let go, there is so much going on, and you will never see it coming!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

What a fantastic story!
Jocelyn Green’s 2022 release, Drawn by the Current, is a story that invokes empathy while piquing curiosity and deeply rooting readers in 1915 Chicago. The Eastland Boat disaster was one that never should have happened. Jocelyn Green brings readers into a fictional story that brings all the emotions of the past to surface.
What was to be a birthday celebration, turns deadly for insurance agent, Olive Pierce. She barely escapes the capsizing of the SS Eastland, and learns that her best friend is among the victims of the disaster. Tasked to pay out the claims to family of victims, Olive searches out the truth of the whereabouts of those missing.
This story deals with some pretty hard issues – domestic violence, death, and protecting loved ones at all costs. There is a sensitivity the author displays to the raw reality that many live with on a daily basis. Despite this being a historical novel, it is a relevant story for modern times.
On a lighter note, there are delightful twists and connections that readers may not see coming.
And if you don't like romance, there's not much of it at all in this historical read.
This is one of those reads that will keep the pages turning.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green brings to life the Eastland boat disaster in Chicago. I have never heard of this disaster, but the way that Green crafted the story to life, I felt like I was one of the passengers on the boat when it tipped over. I love the two other elements that surround the heroine, Olive. A mystery at Metlife and her best friend's life was in danger. All of these plot points made for a strong and enticing story that I had a hard time putting down. I finished the novel in one day. Even the romance felt just right for the story. I have a hard time with hero's. Usually they are crafted a little wimpy, but the heroine's fall for them for some odd reason, but Erick, the hero, in this novel, was actually a strong heroine that I actually liked. He complimented Olive, not sidelined her. I felt his strength and his love for her as the story progressed. Overall, Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green is an intriguing story that fully captured my attention and allowed my imagination to run wild. I can't wait to own a physical copy and add it to my forever shelves.

I received a complimentary copy of Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

LOLOL (and also, _darn it_)!!! :D I just realized while starting to write this review that _Drawn by the Current_ is #3 in a series. Soooo there's that. Ha.

But, I will say, that lends credence to the potential for reading this series in any order you'd like, aside from general nods to characters in other books you can then assume survived. :D It also makes me feel a little better in that I did have the occasional hiccup in keeping characters straight; reading the other books will likely help with that.

That aside: This book is fan.ta.stic. (Which I also recently discovered is one of my go-to words. Double ha!) Really, though ... it spoke to me on #allthelevels and gave me #allthefeels. (Enough hashtags? I think so.) The "Anne of Green Gables" references spoke to my little Anne!fangirl heart; the Sherlock Holmes references made me literally LOL at times; and frankly, anything involving a bookstore will make me happy. So this hit a home run with bases loaded for me.

Green brought to life a topic I really wasn't familiar with (that of the SS Eastland), and after reading the author's note at the end, I'm truly amazed at the amount of research she did and historical persons she was able to incorporate here. Remarkable. And the attention she gives some really tough topics fleshed them out very well and made me stop and think! So good!

I'm really excited to go read the earlier books; if they're anything like this one, I'm sure they'll be great.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

DRAWN BY THE CURRENT is the third novel in the Windy City Saga by JOCELYN GREEN but it can easily stand alone. This author has an amazing way of drawing one into her characters’ emotions and I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
Olive Pierce only feeels good about herself when she is doing something for someone else. She seems to have misplaced her own identity due to her need to feel known and cared for. This is not helped by her boss at MetLife insurance agency, Mr Roth, who treats her as incapable of being an insurance investigator due to her feminine sensibiities, in spite of her bravery in getting two children and herself to safety when the SS Eastland turned over in the Chicago River on 24th July 1915, claiming the lives of eight hundred and forty-four people. When she is faced with the families’ enormous grief, she feels guilty that she survived.
Olive’s best friend Claire is desperate to escape her abusive husband. Her actions lead to a case of mistaken identity and cause Olive incredible guilt for keeping Claire’s secret. She asks herself the question, “when does the end justify the means”?!
This is a story about being grateful for loving families, the longing to belong (which we see in Erik Magnussen), God’s incredible grace and second chances. There is a sweet romance and a really good Christian message.
I cannot recommend the novel strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I can always depend on Jocelyn Green to deliver a fantastic read, but this one far exceeded my expectations! After reading Veiled in Smoke, set during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and Shadows of the White City, set during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, I didn’t think the Windy City Saga could get any better, but it did! Ms. Green has outdone herself with this third book in the series focusing on the tragic 1915 Eastland steamship disaster. This wonderful, unputdownable read is chocked full of history that comes alive thanks to Ms. Green’s amazing storytelling and expert research skills. The vivid, detailed descriptions make you feel you are at the scene witnessing the ship, still docked at the Clark Street Bridge wharf, rolling over into the river claiming the lives of 844 people! You can feel the fears and despair of the passengers as they fight for their lives in the muddy Chicago River. This intriguing story features well-crafted, endearing characters who will stir your soul; a fast-paced, multi-layered plot that will keep you anxiously turning the pages to solve the mysteries; a sweet romance that will tug at your heartstrings; and a faith thread that will inspire and encourage. I have added this book and the series to my Best Reads Ever list and highly recommend it. Even though this book is part of a series, it works well as a stand-alone; but you will want to read the other two books just because they are so good!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I literally paused in the middle of this story and just appreciated the talent of author Jocelyn Green and how reading this story was such a pleasure. Her superb writing, her amazing can't-put-it-down storytelling, and her impeccable research all combined to make this a perfect example of fantastic historical fiction. Drawn By The Current has many, many layers that reveal a beautiful depth and emotion in this intriguing story.

Olive Pierce lives above the family bookstore, the Corner Books & More owned by her Aunt Sylvie. Olive works for MetLife's main Chicago office and is trying to get a promotion while dealing with a male-dominated work force and their attitudes.

"Fetching was not the look she'd been going for when she'd dressed in the white shirtwaist, green jacket, and matching skirt. Capable. Ready for action. That is what she mean to project." "Train me to be an investigator." "I need investigators who think with their brains, not their hearts." Balderdash. "You don't believe women use their minds?"

Olive suspecting her best friend Claire is being abused by her husband Warren invites her on a day excursion. They boarded the SS Eastland on July 24th, 1915. I had never heard of the SS Eastland disaster until Drawn By The Current. It is such a tragic and unnecessary catastrophe that happened right at the dock, when the ship turned on her side and 884 lives were lost on July 24, 1915 in Chicago.

"Growing up in and out of her aunt's bookstore might have fueled Olive's imagination, but it was her father's blood in her veins that installed a hunger for truth." Olive hadn't had a reason to visit to the Tribune building since her father died. She was there checking out a lead when she ran smack into Erik Magnussen who she humorously nicknamed the "Viking. (He had at least 9 inches on her and "was a stern-faced Norseman from the land of Thor, with a physique built from swinging hammers or battle-axes, or rowing dragon-headed longships, or whatever it was Vikings did.")

Olive works hard to uncover the truth, this gets her in trouble and puts her in danger.

"She wasn't ready to wear a reminder that she'd been given more time on this earth while, for hundreds of others, time had run out."

Themes of intrigue, loss, identity, belonging, family, work ethic, your value (does your job define you?), women in the work force in the early 1900's, marital abuse, the trauma of surviving a devastating disaster, survivor guilt, friendship, romance and grace.

Thank you to the author, publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I also pre-ordered a copy from Baker Book House, the moment it was available. I cannot wait to add it to my keeper shelf with the rest of this stunning series. I truly enjoyed every minute of it, and I give this book the highest rating possible!