Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham!

“The scars of life are no match for acts of love”.

When recluse Otis meets young Sadie West they begin to form a deep friendship and soon discover the scars of life can’t compete against acts of love.

This beautiful story is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. I flew through this one! A must add to your list if you are in search of a compelling romance.

Hmmmm this 20th century retelling of the Beauty and the Beast is a great story!!!!!!!!! It is so refreshing to read this lovely story again in adult form.

This delightful vintage-style story really captured the essence of small-town life in early 1900s Iowa. Social spheres are much more casual than in swanky coastal towns and well-educated women might easily find themselves having to work in a local factory for a spell after a bad season of crops. Sadie is one of these, the eldest girl leaving home to work and keep up the mortgage payments in order for her family to not lose their farm after her father’s tragic accident.

I loved the interesting characters (except for Alta!) and definitely wanted to see Sadie and Otis get a happy ending. It was a delight to watch him slowly let down his guard and learn to let others show love for him.

The style and setting reminded me of a good Bess Streeter Aldrich or Willa Cather prairie novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

A mysterious estate, rumors of a handsome, successful (and single) son and his eminent return have the single gals at Hoag’s feather duster factory in Monticello, Iowa, wagging their jaws.

Sadie West can’t help but overhear as she works long shifts at the factory. The gossip takes her mind off her sad reality. Sadie left the family farm to save it when her father’s injury didn’t heal correctly. Now, she’s living in abandoned buildings to save money and eating only enough to keep her body and soul alive.

Sadie’s coworkers don’t care to interact with her because she looks different and smells odd. When they tell her the obvious, she tries hard to respond with humility—but hearing the truth from the lips of someone who doesn’t like her hurts.

Otis Taylor’s father abruptly banished Otis from his beloved home when his father realized none of the tonics or remedies would ever cure Otis’s peculiar ailment. Mr. Taylor unceremoniously packed his son off to a guardian who helped Otis pursue his musical talents but never communicated with him again.

Bereft and lonely for the company of his brother and closest friends, Otis comes to hate everything his father stands far. Even after the news of his father’s death, Otis can’t bring himself to return home. When his brother dies, too, Otis still hesitates to return home and reveal the truth of what he looks like to the townspeople.

When he finally enters town under the cover of darkness, he discovers that he has mysteries to uncover instead of simple financial affairs to wrap up before selling the estate. Who is the woman living in his abandoned factory? Did his brother have a child out of wedlock and then abandon it?

The elderly caretakers have known him since birth, and they encourage him to take his time wrapping up his affairs. They claim the townspeople will accept him despite his appearance. Is Otis too afraid to test their notion?

What I Loved About this Book

Rachel Fordham’s turn-of-the-century take on the Beauty and the Beast story will enchant readers. Sadie’s close-knit family and down-home wisdom bring spice and wit to the story of a man battered by the ones who should have loved him the most. Readers who have experienced great physical change or loss will relate to Otis. The research and loving details from the early 1900s will delight those who love historical novels.

Fans of Julie Klassen, Elizabeth Camden, and Roseanna M. White will enjoy this book.

Beyond Ivy Walls is a tender, lovely story. It is a type of Beauty and the Beast retelling that keeps all the goodness we love of that story, while completely making it its own. Set in Monticello, Iowa, Sadie, a poor, country girl moves into the nearby town to earn money to save her father and their farm. When she loses her place to live, she sneaks into an abandoned warehouse and sleeps there. That is until Otis, the owner of the building comes home and finds her living there. Otis has been gone for years after he lost all his hair and his father was embarrassed by him, They tried all sorts of treatments, but nothing worked and just left Otis scarred and in pain. Otis decides he must return to Monticello after the death of his father and brother, to tie up loose ends and sell their family home. But when he finds Sadie living in their old factory building, things in Otis's life begin to change. He asks Sadie to move into his home and help the couple that work for him get the house ready to sell. Sadie begins to see into the dark world that Otis has lived in since childhood and wants to help him overcome it. Their friendship is a beautiful thing and it's truly lovely to watch it grow. There's so much to love about this story, from beginning to end!

I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

In this turn of the twentieth century Beauty and the Beast-adjacent story, readers travel to rural Iowa in 1903 when Sadie West has left her family farm for a factory job and the higher wage -- especially since her suitor has left for college without her. Desperate to save money and support her family, Sadie sneaks into an abandoned building to sleep, except the building is no longer abandoned because Otis Taylor, a reclusive and scarred musician searching for his lost niece, has returned to Monticello, Iowa. As proximity and circumstance force Otis and Sadie into contact as housemates and perhaps friends, Sadie and Otis realize that they can help each other in their times of need. With the judgy eyes of the town on them, readers will sympathize with Otis and Sadie’s struggles and see how their relationship grows over the course of the novel. The characters are the star of the novel, with dominant and complex perspectives which allow readers to delve into their minds and the world of 1903 rural Iowa. Fordham is a brilliant writer whose strength is in her characters and their relationships, both of which drive the novel’s plot forward and really engage readers throughout the novel as the heart of the story.

I loved this charming retelling of Beauty and the Beast! It had a touch of Cinderella and Phantom of the Opera vibes as well. I found it interesting that the author chose the 1920s in Iowa for the setting instead of France. I also thought the Skating Masquerade Ball was very creative and clever. I didn’t realize roller skating was popular in the 1920s! It added another layer of whimsy and romance to the story. I loved the characters! They were charming, spunky, full of life, and willing to help each other out. My favorite characters were the caretakers. They had a solution for every problem and gave wise advice. I also loved the banter between Otis and Sadie. It had a mix of feistiness with a bit of mystery in it. The letters they wrote to each other made me giggle. The reading of Daphne’s story also had me laughing uncontrollably. There were also tender moments in the story where I had tears in my eyes. The audiobook was wonderful to listen to. Since the book alternates between Otis and Sadie’s points of view, it was helpful to have two narrators. It made it easy to know whose point of view you were listening to. I highly recommend reading and/or listening to this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A true beauty and the beast retelling! Loved this book! I will be picking up more books by this author in the future.

NOTE: This is the same review I submitted for the audiobook. I just removed the part where I mentioned the narrators.

4.75 stars rounded up to 5! This is my second book by Rachel Fordham and I enjoyed it very much, just as I did the previous one. This is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I’m not typically one for fairytales but this was so well done. I grew very fond of Sadie, Otis, and the minor characters, too.

The characters illustrated that we all have scars of some sort. Not all of them are visible. There was so much raw honesty and it was beautiful. We all must see each other without judgment.

My favourite quote is: “The world needs both the timid and the bold.” I highly recommend this novel.

*** My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, #ThomasNelson, for an advance copy of this audiobook. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words. #BeyondIvyWalls #RachelFordham

Romance and mystery. Heartwarming and beautifully written and captures the early 20th century. The writing is rich and atmospheric transporting the reader to a different time and place. There are several twists, making it an engaging read.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sadie West's father has long been ill, and her family is struggling to pay for his care as well as other costs of living. She takes a feather duster factory job in a nearby town to help keep them afloat and sleeps in an abandoned factory. Only, that factory belongs to the elusive and reclusive bachelor Otis Taylor, who is both emotionally and physically scarred. When he catches Sadie and she starts working in his mansion, he is amazed that she sees past his appearance and shows him kindness. He starts to rely on her, but she is waiting for a man to return from college and court her. Plus, he has life-changing family secrets and an inquisitive town to deal with.
I love this book! One of my absolute favorites. The notes between Otis and Sadie are hilarious. He is very intriguing (though his name made it hard to not picture the drunk guy on The Andy Griffith Show for a while), and her affection toward him and her family is beautiful. He did think that their relationship stitched their souls together "beyond mere friendship," but that statement reflects our cultural undervalue of friendship. Remember, Jonathan's and David's souls were knit together in Kings. Love the family (mostly) and friend relationships. The towns seem charming, too. Cannot recommend this enough! Sweet, beautiful story. You should read it.

I would sing Beyond Ivy Walls's praises from the rooftops if I could! This is an absolutely beautiful read and in fact I can't say I've read a book quite like it, so unique was it in its storyline and the mysterious romantic adventure that ensued through the pages. It was perfectly delightful to come alongside these characters in this unique take on Beauty and the Beast. I really appreciated both perspectives and found the whole thing to be believable and realistic. I think this book has enough to offer for any reader regardless of preferred genre and is a book not to miss. I just can't belief everyone isn't talking about it! The characters and story touched my heart and made me fall in love with it all! A truly memorable story! I cannot wait to see what Rachel Fordham writes next!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

Last night, I finished reading this beautifully written book. I already miss the characters and I can’t stop thinking about them. I loved spending time in Monticello, Iowa in 1903.

In Monticello, wounds were healed and pain was relieved. Secrets were revealed and burdens were shared. Grace was extended and forgiveness was received. Fresh starts were available to those who needed them most. I was refreshed by the many intentional acts of kindness.

I loved when the characters shared moments of fun. My two personal favorites were a dramatic reading of a story and some ongoing roller skating lessons. So much fun!

I loved the romance between Otis and Sadie. It was filled with humor and tenderness and so much more.

This book will warm your heart, cause you to shed a few tears and it will give you food for thought for many meals. I loved it!

I received complimentary copies of this most enjoyable book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley through UpLit Reads. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A wonderful, unique, mysterious romantic adventure. Everyone will enjoy this story that has a little something for every reader.

This different take on the Beauty and the beast plot was refreshing, captivating and realistic.

I loved the time the author took to develop the relationship between Otis and Sadie. It was not insta love, but a civil acquaintance relationship, helping each other out, turning to friendship, growing into love.

Sadie had such a pure heart, and I enjoyed the influence she had on the grumpy, reclusive Otis and how she showed him beauty is far more than how someone looks.

I loved all the scenes between Sadie and her family, they were quite a loud lively bunch, and the old couple managing Otis’s estate was a perfect support couple who was almost like grandparents to Otis and Sadie.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I loved this story. I loved how it had a little bit of “Beauty and the Beast” vibes while being set in a setting that seemed real. I also liked that the main male character was dealing with a health issue that I also have dealt with most of my life. I felt like I could relate to the characters. I loved how the main characters fell in love and that they helped each other find joy in life. I loved how they were there for each other even when things were tough. I would highly recommend this story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I was hearing about this book all over Instagram before I read it and it did not disappoint!!!! I loved the reimagining of Beauty and the Best with a heroine who was brave, kind and strong in her own right. The hero was battling his own problems, but once he allowed his personality to shine, the banter was soooo good. I loved the easy romance that budded from friendship. The side characters in the meddling housekeepers and her family really made this book a stunner for me. Plus, a book without a "real" 3rd act breakup??? Love it! My only criticism is that the book is marketed as Christian fiction, but is very lacking in shining the light back to God. I really enjoyed it otherwise.

This is my first book by Rachel Fordham and it will not be my last. I enjoyed this beauty and the beast retelling that was faith filled. And the "beast" part was written in a way I never thought about. In Beyond Ivy Walls the story touches on the question no one's thought to ask or answer before, why did the beast come the way he is. Beyond Ivy Walls actually looks at it from the Beast's back story. Otis is now the only living heir to his father's estate. And Sadie just wants to help her family. You get the story from both their point of views unlike previous Beauty and the Beast retellings I've read before. And I loved that. I can't wait to read more of the author's books.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Otis returns home to sell the place. He faces memories and new friendship with a squatter who lives on his land. Absolutely wonderful story with Beauty and the Beast vibes. A twist that was enchanting. The storytelling perfectly engaged me to love Otis unconditionally and want him to find a happily ever after.

The town and friendships are heart wrenching and I was actually moved to tears. The entire ending is just so heartwarming and I loved it. There is roller skating was completely romantic. This is my second book by this author and I am a big fan!