Thank you Netgalley. I really wanted to love this book but I just didn't. The alternating timelines and characters were a little hard to follow. Overall the story was good.

Like Honey for the Bones by Brandy Heineman is a solid mystery. The characters were very distinct from other novels, although I found it hard to connect with them. The modern day story and related history were both interesting. The dialogue was in a mix of languages and that took some getting used to. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

When Solveig returns to her hometown after the death of her grandfather she is forced to tie up some loose ends, she has 11 days to tie up her loose ends and return home to her new job.

This book is difficult to get into and has a lot of storylines so it's easy to get lost. The love story is a little unbelievable.

Like Honey for the Bone is a well written time slip novel. Great plot and character development. I recommend this book.

What an amazing book! It begins in a mysterious way. Solveig flees Virginia after tragic circumstances to Norway. She returns after her beloved grandfather's death, to deal with selling his house and business. Who is the mysterious man who takes a horrible route to the funeral and why is Solveig so scared that she runs away? What secrets does she hide, as well as Kyle, her grandfather's employe? Added to the story is a discovered skeleton and stories Solvieg discovers around 1919, where Gussie is crazy for an American soldier fighting in France. How the book unfolds is simply mesmerizing and completely unexpected! How faith sustains and changes the characters for the better is heart-warming. I want to add the author's beautiful words, that Solveig "marveled that the shuffling pages should whisper their secrets across time. That love should link arms with sorrow. That out of moments she'd longed to erase, God had brought these she wouldn't have missed."
I very much appreciate being able to read this book, compliments of the publishers. The views expressed are my own.

As Solveig Borja returns to Virginia to sort out her Grandfather’s house and business, there are complications, harassment, and a growing romantic connection to sort out as well before her return to Norway. One of those being the skeleton that Solveig and Kyle find while searching for a prayer wall that had been lost over time. Interspersed with Gussie Rice’s experiences in 1919, the mystery of the cavern and the contested ownership of “the old Rice place” unfolds as links between past and present are slowly revealed.

With little idea what to expect from author Brandy Heineman, Like Honey for the Bones is a gripping dual-timeline story with complex characters that takes some surprising turns. Atmospheric and occasionally inducing a creeping dread, this is a story that may leave the reader with conflicting reactions but an overall feeling of being glad to have read it.

Recommended.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley that I voluntarily read through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

When I first started reading Like Honey for the Bones by Brandy Heineman, I wasn’t sure what expect. What I found was the story of two broken people, a present-day mystery as well as one from the past, and two couples I was rooting for.

The start of the book is heavy and a little confusing, but I hung in because of all the little hints about Solveig’s (pronounces Sol-vay) and Kyle’s pasts. Once I hit the historical story, I was even more hooked with the questions and mysteries surrounding these two stories.

Heineman doesn’t sugar coat the repercussions to choices we make, but her characters also discover God’s mercy in making them new creations. Yes, they revert to their former selves—some more often than others—but that just showed how big God’s grace and mercy are every single day.

Categorizing Like Honey for the Bones into one genre is difficult. This story is part romance, part literary fiction, part mystery, and dual time on top of all of that. And Heineman made everything work together so well, I didn’t mind that there was so much to keep track of. Because she made me care for each of the main characters in this book.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

Like Honey for the Bones
by Brandy Heineman
Pub Date 24 Jul 2023
Brandy Heineman,Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Romance

Through IBPA and Netgalley, I am reviewing Like Honey for the Bones:



Present Day. When Solveig Borja settles the family estate, she's Norway-bound and never looks back after escaping Virginia's guilt over one reckless night. As their hopeless romance blooms, Kyle Benton arrives seeking asylum from past sins-which Solveig shatters. A century-old mystery holds startling links to the present day when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns.


A new era begins with the end of World War I in 1919. In spite of Gussie Rice's longing for the return of her beau from France, she learns he's in a stateside hospital and her closest confidante is involved with the secret. Through time, her bid for love sparks a confrontation...


Despite Kyle's new life, bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle's brother's killer is lurking in the shadows.


A cavern's hidden places beckon with power, whether to enlighten their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness as the past rears up.


The startling conclusion of this intricately woven dual-timeline novel will captivate readers from its very first line. 


I give Like Honey for the Bones five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Title: Like Honey for the Bones
Author: Brandy Heineman
Genre: Fiction; Historical Fiction; Dual Timeline
Main Characters: Solveig; Kyle
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I liked this novel really well, but it did confuse me when the dual timeline started. I really don’t know why, but it was hard for me to understand how the past timeline figured into the present storyline. Maybe I just had a moment of confusion, I don’t know, but I was confused at the start of the past timeline, but then after continuing to read, I started to understand more how it connected. So that kind of had me confused for a while, but all in all, I liked it. It was a good read. I liked all the mentioning of faith and the Lord and prayer. I really loved that. I liked all the mystery and the love between Solveig and Kyle. I really loved the story of the prayer wall in the cavern. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publishers and author for the opportunities to read and review #LikeHoneyfortheBones with my honest thoughts and opinions.

An excellent dual timeline that I really enjoyed seeing come together.
My favorite however was the past story. Too many interesting things going on that kept me turning the pages.
It took me a couple of days to finish this story because I wanted to savor it. It's a treat coming from this author because I rarely see her in print so you know that you're getting something special.
I've read her before and I loved her other books. She's great!
Wonderful characters with an excellent plot line that I enjoyed.
This story shows that secrets never stay hidden. Eventually they do resurface and when they do sometimes it's not all good either!
My most favorite was the faith filled themes scattered throughout this book.
I liked how Solveig and Kyle worked towards forgiveness which is the big theme of this story.
Forgiveness brings peace for yourself if nothing else.
My third favorite was the mystery part.
I happily give this story 5 stars for keeping my interest all the way through.
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own

Like Honey for the Bones by Brandy Heineman is a dual timeline novel and is full of intrigue, danger, unsolved mysteries, secrets, and romance.

Solveig discovers all was not what she thought regarding her bestepappa (grandfather). Secrets from over a hundred years before surface to reveal the truth. She also discovers Kyle's secrets.

Though both are scarred from their pasts, will Solveig and Kyle be able to extend mercy and grace to each other as it has been given to them?

I received a copy for my review, but all opinions are my own.

While Like Honey for the Bones is a very well written and interesting premise that I'd really hope to fall in love with, I must admit that I struggled to get into this one at this moment. I am definitely a mood reader and I believe this really has more to do with my personal mindframe right now than anything about the story itself, so I hope to come back and try it again at some point later instead.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

This dual timeline book has everything I love to see in a good Christian fiction book — romance, self-discovery, a mystery that spans generations — what more could I ask?

Solveig has come from Norway to the US to settle her grandfather’s estate. Memories take her on an emotional journey, stirring up old hurts escalated by vandals who can’t forget her biggest mistake, and a clue leading to secrets and a skeleton long buried in a cavern.

Kyle is a man living the consequences of old mistakes, seeking justice or perhaps revenge for his brother’s death, and walking a new life of faith, not perfectly but forgiven. He feels drawn to Solveig and finds a way to help her deal with her grandfather’s death. Along the way his past battles with his new feelings for her. What choice will he make when he must choose the man he will become?

As they seek answers to the mystery of who died in the cavern and why, we travel back in time stepping into the lives of Gussie Rice and Harvey Englewood two friends who could be more.

The book is well paced but I found the beginning bogged down a bit with information I couldn’t connect. This made me hesitant to continue on but I’m glad I did. The mystery drew me into the story as I tried to unravel the clues. The book was engaging, and I loved the overall story.

I was given a copy courtesy of the author through Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Solveig left her hometown with no intention of returning in an attempt to outrun guilt for one terrible night. Now, she's back to tidy up her grandpa's estate, but she's due to leave as soon as she can. She didn't reckon for an unwanted attraction to Kyle, an employee of her grandpa's who is fleeing his own demons. And when they find a skeleton in a local cavern that seems to be tied to a century-old mystery, Solveig can't just leave it. But unbeknownst to her, ghosts from Kyle's past are gathering and the pair of them may end up in their cross-hairs. Will Solveig and Kyle escape the dangers hovering over them? And can they solve the mystery of the dead man and put their own pasts to rest?

I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into this, and I did have a little trouble at times keeping the characters from the different times straight in my head. But once I really got into it, I found this book quite hard to put down. A basic level of connection between the two timelines was clear from the start (as I find isn't always the case), and they were woven together expertly to produce a slowly crystallising picture. When the two timelines finally converged, everything became clear and brought a deeply satisfying ending - and one I definitely didn't predict. Despite the slow start, the writing was good and the two stories each had me coming to care for the characters - with the total being more than the sum of its parts. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more by the author.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a novel that has completely consumed my thoughts and imagination but that’s exactly what Like Honey for the Bones did for me.

There is a strange vibe and a somber mood from the very beginning that shadows the narrative in its weight, yet as you delve deeper into the story you begin to feel a sense of hope, like a sunrise slowly peeking over the horizon, shining light on the darkness. Then you are hit with a mystery that transports you back in time to another dark era and a whole other cast of characters that are dealing with their own issues. There is a lot going on, with Solveig, in present time, trying to clear out her grandfathers house and get it ready to sell, paired with a mystery that takes the reader to 1919, where Gussie is awaiting the arrival of her sweetheart after the war has ended. The overall mystery of why these two seemingly differing stories connect, as well as other subplots, is what made this novel incredibly hard to put down and is a breathtaking feat that shows the talent of the author masterfully.

The relationship between Kyle and Solveig is poetic at its core. How they are able to see one another, and to be their authentic selves without judgement, is something I always love seeing in stories like this. The spark between them is intriguing and watching their relationship evolve is so beautiful. The same goes for the past timeline with lifelong friends Gussie and Harvey. Though they are just friends it’s obvious that the feelings go deeper, even if those feelings aren’t necessarily known, and seeing their interactions were some of my favorite scenes in the book as Henry is truly the knight in shining armor just being himself.

In the beginning the dual timelines threw me a bit, but once I began to realize the connections between present and past it all became clear, and my excitement for the story grew exponentially. The guilt of past choices that were life altering is something all of the main characters carry in their own unique ways, so the burden of unforgiveness of self is prevalent in this novel. The overall story lines for both timelines are alluring in their own right, as is the writing and overall mood. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and I am blown away with how much depth there is to the characters and plot.

I fell in love with Like Honey for the Bones and though it wasn’t a quick read for me it was one that I could pick up time and again and instantly be back in this moody world where mysteries are slowly revealed and forgiveness and true love is found in friendship and support during dark times.

This is quite the book. You’ve got dual timelines going on. And honestly, I think either timeline could be amazing as their own full book. They both drew me in and I really wanted to know more. I hated switching back and forth because I felt like I was leaving my favorites and going to the lesser story. But I did that no matter which story I was leaving! They’re both that good.

I also think this is a book you could read more than once and each time pick more out of it that you might not have noticed or picked up on the first time.

THERE ARE A FEW HIDDEN GEMS IN THERE!
When I started this book I did not expect it to have as much suspense in it as it does!

It’s got suspense! It’s got murder and mystery! Oh, and there is romance! Add in some WWI storyline from one of the timelines. Throw in a cold case to solve and you’re starting to get the picture of just how much is in this book!

Our main female modern-time character is from Norway but comes to the US to settle up her grandfather’s estate. That might sound simple but her short plans of in and out are thwarted right and left. She gets help from someone who worked for her grandfather, Kyle, and the story really grows from there as they both have past secrets and issues that show up in the present day.

In our historical context, we’re back in the times of WWI and a young girl waiting on her man to come home from war. Only unbeknownst to her he’s in a stateside hospital. But it’s a secret that was kept from her. By people who are supposed to be close to her. And if that doesn’t make you raise an eyebrow I’m not sure what will!

YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO READ THIS BOOK NOW!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

This story has a lot going on, since we are imminently thrown in the middle of things with Solveig home to bury her Grandfather. Things take an odd turn on the way to the funeral, and things get even weirder when her Grandfather's house is vandalized. As she is thrown into contact with Kyle, a young man who has secrets of his own, the two of them must solve a mystery.

I have to admit, I felt a little lost at times, since both of the characters have their secrets and the reader isn't privy to them, making me feel left in the dark for longer than I would have liked. The characters are interesting, with a lot of baggage to work through, all while solving a mystery. There is a lot going on in this story!

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

Not a cheery, light read but well written, filled with suspense and mystery. Like Honey For the Bones is slightly slow paced but absolutely held my interest. It is a good smooth flowing split time story, both parts equally interesting, both parts with the theme of the redemption Jesus offers even amidst bad choices.
I have not read any books by Brandy Heinemann but definitely would again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

This is a dual timeline story that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It has just the right amount of suspense, drama, mystery and romance to keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. This book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It's a great read that you don't want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy from Brandy Heineman, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Very hard to get in to, lots of different storylines and unbelievable situations make this novel difficult to like. Both Solveig and Kyle are running from the past. It takes awhile for their pasts to be revealed.