Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham was a delightful story from the very first page. Sadie, ever the optimist, was so charming, so joyous and Otis, despite his challenges, was a true good-hearted gentleman. I loved the banter between these two characters. This story did my heart good. It gave me all the feels!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls is a beautifully written historical romance. I throughly enjoyed the beauty and the beast type plot. I definitely recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

This was my first book by Rachel Fordham and I loved this heart-warming story. I was drawn to the book by the Beauty and the Beast feel as well as the setting-- Iowa (where I attended college for two years). I never truly knew how it would end, and there were many touching and beautiful moment in this story. A fantastic read!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Both the female lead and the male lead were very likable characters. I found myself routing for them and wanting them to overcome their obstacles and unite. I usually know by the first chapter if a story has captured my interest and it certainly did with the appearance of Sadie, the female lead. Her struggles and endurance made me want better for her. Otis, the male lead, had me horrified with the tortures he had to endure which caused physical scars that crippled him socially. Once Sadie meets Otis, things start to change for them and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another. There is also a family secret but you have to read it to find out what it was. It was a touching story and I very much enjoyed it!

A beautiful story to remind us to look beyond the outward appearance to the heart within. A sweet Beauty and the Beast retelling, with some interesting historical details as well.
Otis tugged at my heart! His mental and physical scars are definitely deep but with Sadie’s help he finds hope again. Many beautiful pictures of true selfless love.
Otis’s staff and Sadie’s family were super as well.
Favorite quote: “In your presence I feel hopeful. You remind me that I am not alone and that I never truly was. Thank you for looking me in the eyes and believing that I, Otis Taylor, am merely a different kind of normal.”
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

This book was simply beautiful. The writing was gorgeous, the characters were vivid and dynamic and the story was fantastic. There really aren’t enough wonderful things I can say about this book - see how I’m breaking out all the big and flowery words? That’s how much I enjoyed this read!

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite story and this book has elements of the story that make it a great retelling.

This may have been my first book by Rachel Fordham but it certainly will not be my last!

I will tell you up front that I DNFed The Letter Tree halfway through because for me, it was moving too slowly, I could see how it was going to end up, and I was just too impatient to follow it there. That being said, I enjoyed every page of Beyond Ivy Walls and did not have the same experience. Rachel Fordham can spin a story, and this one was such a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast that didn't make it too obvious but still mostly followed that storyline. I so enjoyed it and had no problem whatsoever finishing it even though I could once again pretty much tell how it was going to end up.

I LOVED this heartwarming book. Otis and Sadie are the most delightful characters. The mystery is engaging and the Guilded Age historical content is beautifully brought to life in this very enjoyable book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

“We all have scars,” Mildred said. Shafts of light from the rising sun twirled through the gaps in the drapes, adding a dancing brightness to the dreary room. He looked at his hands, half in the shadows and half in the light. 'You don’t have to hide. People with good hearts won’t care. Anyone who does, let them talk. You don’t need them.'

If only it were so simple. Perhaps it was."

I truly enjoyed this Beauty and The Beast retelling. So many times when I was reading, I would remember the corresponding scene or element from the original 1991 animated movie, and it made it all the more enjoyable to read.

The romance was sweet, swoony and gentle. I appreciated that it wasn't
insta-love, but a slow-burn love that was sincere, deep and so beautiful to watch unfold.

I liked how Otis' scars didn't matter to Sadie, and that her lower status or station in life didn't matter to him because he saw her heart for others and how unselfish, hardworking and loving she truly was.

Negative Content

I found the scene by the creek to be honestly unnecessary to the story. While Sadie was more covered while washing up (I did a quick bit of research, and if she had typical 1900's underthings on, she was still fully covered and decently modest) than most women are today when going out in public, and only a dog seen her, this scene just would have been better left out because it felt so awkward and didn't add much to the story.

It's mentioned that Otis' mother read him some mythology stories as a child that included the false gods Zeus and Hades.

Other than the couple things mentioned above, I really enjoyed this story, and I do hope that the author writes more fairy tale retellings like this! Kudos on the cover too!

I received a complimentary e-book from Thomas Nelson Publishers to review. I was not required to write a positive review and the thoughts above are my own.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the early 1900’s. Sadie has left home for the city to try to make money to support her family that is experiencing financial difficulties. She finds herself living in an abandoned factory - a factory once run by the town’s elite Taylor family.

Otis Taylor is the outcast of his family. Forsaken at a young age by his family, but now he must return to the mansion that haunts his dreams to face the memories that plague him and sort out all the secrets his family has left for him to fix.

Complex characters and an ideal setting make for an enjoyable read.


I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publication date: Aug 13,2024

Beyond Ivy Walls
by Rachel Fordham
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Beyond Ivy Walls is another beautiful and rich novel by Rachel Fordham who wrote another book I enjoyed The Letter Tree last year. Beyond Ivy Walls is another historical fiction set in the Christian fiction genre.
One of the most intense parts was definitely when Otis finally goes to the attic and finds not only his mother's things but the chest of "tonics and oils" that represent all that is his father. And the moment he "loses it" is so cathartic to him emotionally and he was finally able to move on.
From the gorgeous cover to the stirring story within the pages, Fordham penned a poignant tribute to seeing beyond the scars to the heart that beats beneath them.
I highly recommend

I really enjoyed this novel. Sadie and Otis are great characters. Otis was banished to live with someone else due to a physical ailment that his father tried to “cure” because he was embarrassed by his outward appearance. Otis feels this abandonment sharply as he was raised very much alone. He meets Sadie on his return to Monticello when he goes looking for his dog in his abandoned factory.

The two side characters, Otis’s housekeepers, are wonderful as well. This just had a good storyline that was very wholesome. Great book.

It's a surprisingly clever and super sweet Beauty and the Beast retelling. I'll admit I was hesitant to read it when I noticed the Christian category—I'm just not familiar with what to expect—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt all of the feelings and couldn't put it down.

This book gave me serious Beauty and the Beast vibes! Maybe that's why I loved it so much, given it reminded me of my favorite Disney movie.

Apart from that, the story was so beautifully written, the character development was well done, and the plot was compelling. Also, the predominant theme and message of really thinking through how we treat people who look different than us is so very important. The author handled this so well! The main female character, Sadie, was someone I could see myself being friends with because of her kindness and compassion in how she treated Otis and others.

My only complaint about the book is that I did not want it to end! This was my first Rachel Fordham novel and it will not be my last!

Thank you to @netgalley and @ThomasNelsonFiction for this ARC. Sadie is living in an abandoned warehouse while she works at the feather duster factory to support her family after her dad is injured. When the owner of the warehouse shows up and can only take compassion on her situation, this story begins. Sweet, sweet story. If you haven't read Rachel Fordham, you should start! #BeyondIvyWalls #RachelFordham #ThomasNelsonFiction #Aug2024

It's a tale as old as time. With glimmers back to the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, strangers become friends and then something more.

It's a moving story. Sadie's family shares a deep bond and she would do anything to help them, even more to the city and face unending hardships to send money home. Otis' family was ripped apart by pride and shame and aside from the faithful family servants he has no idea how to maintain a relationship of any significance with anyone.

Tossed together, Sadie and Otis begin to discover more than either could have ever imagined.

I found Beyond Ivy Walls to be an enjoyable book. The historical setting was interesting and the character growth was believable.

I received a free digital copy from the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

I’ve read and loved all of Rachel Fordham’s books. Just like the rest of her books, this one is something special. I loved every minute spent reading this beautiful story. I couldn’t put it down and I felt all of the emotions while reading it.❤️

I absolutely loved the main characters! Sadie and Otis were both such lovable, beautiful characters. Sadie was the sunshine to Otis’s grump and I loved their sweet romance so much. Their banter made me laugh and their love for one another made me tear up. I loved watching their friendship develop into something more and I love that their romance is based on more than mere physical attraction. Oh, and I adored the letters they wrote to each other. It was one of the sweetest romances I’ve ever read. ❤️

This book touched my heart in so many ways and made me feel all the feels. There were lighthearted moments but there were a lot of deep, emotional moments too. I teared up more than once. Otis’s story was an emotional and heartbreaking one but beautiful too. Seeing his character growth throughout the book was beautiful to read. Seeing Sadie see him for more than his scars was also so beautiful.
And the epilogue was perfect.❤️

In conclusion, this book was absolutely beautiful! It’s now one of my favorite books by Rachel (and that’s saying a lot because it’s so hard for me to pick favorites since they’re all so good!)
If you’re looking for a book that’ll touch your heart, make you cry, and then put a smile on your face, I highly recommend you read Beyond Ivy Walls.❤️

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

I'm reading a very good book, Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham. This is a retelling of a Beauty and the Beast. A young pianist has been turned away by his father because he suffered from a rare condition of alopecia. At the time (1903) there was really nothing known of the condition. Otis employees a young woman who sees Otis for the gentle spirit that he has and with each chapter -- it gets better and better. There is also a mystery. It seems that his dead brother left behind a child. Since Otis was sent away, he is determined to find and raise his niece. Will he find love and the family he so desperately seeks? Read this book to find out.

What a book! Beauty and the Beast meets Cinderella with the flavor of a Jane Austen tale and a subtle nod to Jane Eyre. I loved this book so much and it's my favorite of Rachel Fordham's books.

This is a story of emotional healing, courage and sacrificial love. It's a sweet love story with well-developed characters, and every time I had to put the book down, I couldn't wait to get back to it!

Light on faith elements, but clean and wholesome, this story teaches important lessons about acceptance of " . . . a different kind of normal" person.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Net Galley. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I highly recommend it.

Rachel fordham Fordham has penned a sweet and precious retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (My favorite trope, btw.) I love a wounded man who finds himself being pulled away from his scars and his anguish to believe in hope and love again. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the historical content throughout the book. If you love an amazing epilogue that is a happily ever after, then you will love this sweet historical romance. You can pre order now at any retail site.
I appreciate the advance reader copy and all opinions are my own. achel Fordham has penned a sweet and precious retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (My favorite trope, btw.) I love a wounded man who finds himself being pulled away from his scars and his anguish to believe in hope and love again. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the historical content throughout the book. If you love an amazing epilogue that is a happily ever after, then you will love this sweet historical romance. You can pre order now at any retail site.
I waa given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars