I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable book. It held my attention from the very first page.

A lovely and heartwarming historical fiction reimagining of one of my favorite fairytales, Beauty and the Beast, with a mix of Little Women.Sadie, a young woman trying to help her family, ventures out on her own and finds a job but no place to live. Otis, a young musician with a literal and figurative scarred past, is now the owner of his family’s estate. They happen upon each other, finding themselves both equally awed and flawed, and develop a friendship with hints at love. The story is told in third person in a dual point of view. The vivid setting of the estate in the early 1900s, the addition of epistolary fiction with letter writing between the main characters, and the lively side characters captured the essence of those in the beloved animated version of the fairytale and brought to life significance of found family. The epilogue was very satisfactory! It was a pleasure to read a historical fiction/romance again, this book helped me remember why I enjoy the genre so much.
I was able to have an immersive experience with both a physical copy and audio version, I thought the narrators did a great job portraying the main characters.

BEYOND IVY WALLS is a story about a man with severe childhood trauma and the farmgirl who brings light back into his life. It's about assumptions, prejudice, loss and heartache. It's also about second chances, family, acceptance and love. An overall heartwarming twist on Beauty and the Beast!

I liked both these characters from the start. Both were easy to relate to and cheer on. Otis's life has been hard, and he holds that pain inside as well as it being apparent physically. It was horrifying to think of the things he endured, particularly at the hand of his own parent. He very much reminded me of the beast from Beauty and the Beast. Sadie is carrying the burden of trying to help provide for her family after her father was injured. It isn't easy and she is living basically like she is destitute until she meets Otis. She brings so much joy and lightness into the lives around her even though her family's situation is bleak. She works her way slowly into Otis's frigid heart and both don't realize how much their hearts change as time passes and they bare each other's burdens. It's not all easy. They face challenges and have to face their fears to find their own happy ending. I through the author allowed her characters to struggle while also balancing that with sweet and tender moments where they learn and grow. I loved the references to Jane Eyre with the letters these two wrote. I also loved the couple who care for Otis and his home and Sadie's family.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a heartwarming story and one that kept me turning the pages to find out how it would all work out. I could see the nods to Beauty and the Beast, but found this author made this story completely her own.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Not my favorite of Rachel Fordham. This book is definitely worth a read. A very well thought out plot. I was invested from start to finish.

This was my first novel by Rachael Fordham. I like the fact that though it was a romance it also was historical, and a mystery. I enjoyed the main characters of Sadie and Otis. I appreciated that they each had a challenge to overcome. I liked the setting in Iowa, and the inclusion of feather duster industry in 1905. It was satisfying to read a romance where physical appearance was not what drew the characters together. I will read this author again.

'Beyond Ivy Walls' is one of the best novels I have ever read! I've always loved the movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. Rachel Fordham has written a wonderfully complex novel that both expands upon the beloved tale and adds an interesting new setting, gripping adversity, and heart-warming relationships!

The majority of the time, I was reading this with either a huge grin from the wholesome romance or brought to tears by the rich emotional depth of the story. This book is everything I never knew I needed. I could not recommend it enough!

Special thanks to the Publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

dnf / I really wanted to enjoy this one but I could not get into the plot and characters as I had hoped! It's just not my cup of tea. But I appreciate the chance to read it and thank you to the author and publisher for the arc.

Rachel Fordham has a way of writing stories that will have the reader invested from the first page and sad to tell the characters goodbye at the end.

Beyond Ivy Walls is a beautiful example of Fordham’s talent.

Otis and Sadie both have things in their life they would prefer to keep private. Circumstances arise that makes being secretive harder and harder.

As Otis and Sadie get to know each other, they learn to trust not only themselves, but realize the other can be trusted with their deepest secrets. Will those secrets tear them apart though?

I loved how the story has so many layers, so many reminders that things and people are often not what they seem, that we are often more self-conscious that those who truly love us will be, and our stories can often help others if we are willing to open ourselves up and share.

Thank you to Uplit Reads and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Beyond Ivy Walls is a heartfelt historical romance that delves deep into themes of love, loss, and resilience. Set in a vividly portrayed period setting, Fordham crafts a story that is both emotionally engaging and historically immersive. The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations and growth arcs that make them relatable and endearing. Fordham’s prose is elegant, evoking a strong sense of time and place, which adds to the authenticity of the story. The plot is well-paced, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end, and the romance is tender and moving, providing a satisfying emotional journey.

Fordham's ability to weave together historical detail with a compelling love story makes Beyond Ivy Walls a standout in the genre. Readers who enjoy historical romance with depth and heart will find this book a rewarding read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Uplit Reads and Rachel Fordham for the arc!

I absolutely love the way Rachel Fordham writes! Her stories are heartwarming, her characters are genuine and every book flows with charm and meaning, drawing you into pages like a warm hug. I also adore her use of letter writing between characters … there is just something extra romantic about these exchanges that make your heart full to overflowing.

Beyond Ivy Walls is no exception!! With Beauty & The Beast vibes, this grumpy x sunshine historical romance uplifts and inspires and left me with all the sweet feels! The epilogue is a beautiful HEA and rounds out the entire hope filled story with perfection! One of my favorite books of 2024 for sure!

Such a tender book, a sweet love story, a story of living again, of friendship and of making tough decisions for the ultimate good. Also had its funny moments. An all around 5 star read.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I loved this book so much. I adored The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham and so I was excited to read another release from her. I was not disappointed!

Beauty and the Beast retellings have always been a favorite of mine. This book has realistic characters, with real-life issues to deal with. I very much appreciated that aspect of it. I also enjoyed the unique setting.

This is labelled under Christian romance, but has someone who does not read that genre, this is still a great historical romance. I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a super sweet and wholesome historical romance. It had a little mystery, forced proximity and grumpy/sunshine in it some of my favorite tropes to find in a historical romance. For a historical I actually enjoyed this one it is not normally a genre I would pick for myself.

It is beauty and the beast esque but definitely not a retelling.

I rated it 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"Why can't it be normal to be varied and different? In a world full of colors and shapes and backgrounds, who decided we were all supposed to be the same?"

Beyond Ivy Wall is a story of friendship, family, betrayal, hurt, shame, and true love. With some tidbits of Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast, this is a delightful read that is thought-provoking regarding how we treat people who are different. The author, Rachel Fordham, takes the reader to a time that seems far off, but really it's not that far from the reality we live in today. If you are looking for a lovely read on a weekend, Beyond Ivy Walls is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review.

Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, with a nod to Jane Eyre, Beyond the Ivy Walls was a very lovable read! The story is in Iowa 1903 in a small town of Monticello, where Sadie West has moved to, to get a job in a feather duster factory to help support her family’s farm. Also where Otis Taylor’s childhood home is located and visits after being exiled many years ago. There is a mystery, a slow-burn clean romance, light faith content, and wholesome values. 5⭐️

A historical fiction fairytale take on Beauty and the Beast. A rich heir has come home to settle family affairs after being sent away as a boy. Little did the town know it was because of scarring he had that couldn’t be cured (cue the beast of the story). Little does he know that a sweet young lady of a poor family has been squatting in his family’s abandoned factory while she tries to work to provide for her family back home bc her father has taken ill (cue the beauty.). Also has some hints of Little Women as well. Sweet storyline and not a deep or serious book but a must for Beauty and the Beast lovers like myself. ***Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.***

One of the best books of the year! Oh, how I adored this book! It is a story that will stay pinned on my heart and in my memory. Otis and Sadie are characters not often written. They, along with a host of secondary characters, bring this book to life in a grand way. The author’s voice rings out on subjects inside the story that are near and dear to her heart. That, along with her talent and passion, will keep you coming back for more. There is so much to glean from Beyond Ivy Walls, like: how to love one another, how to forgive, and how to look on the inside of a person. All wonderful things to put into practice in my own life.

What a wonderful, look behind the mask story. This historical romance mixes dedication, hard work, commitment, insecurities, family, acceptance, and love into a story to inspire everyone. This book is so easy to read, the characters breath life into the story. And Rachel Fordham delivers a detailed setting for the story to live in. I loved learning about the obsession of roller skating and how parties were built around it.
Witty banter between the characters had me laughing out loud at times, thoroughly enjoying how they built a relationship with each other. Faith is woven through each part of life, as normal as breathing for Sadie. Otis learns to turn to his faith through the unwavering acceptance Sadie provides. A wonderful dance throughout the book that adds more depth to the characters. The sweet romance blossoms through each interaction, and though not pain free it is more realistic and entertaining.
Rachel Fordham is such a marvelous writer, I always look forward to another book from her. This one did not disappoint at all. Make sure you plan extra time to read this book in as few as sittings as possible. It is hard to put down! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction -- Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review Beyond Ivy Walls, A Novel, by Rachel Fordham on NetGalley.

Published: 08/13/24

Stars: 3.5

My second Fordham came with a little disappointment, but still a nice read. The house characters are likable, each has a distinctive personality: I liked that. The outside characters are a mixed bag, all moved the story along. This was an easy and fast read. I enjoyed the feather duster factory backdrop.

I didn't see a Beauty and the Beast similarity other than a scar.

This was okay. I could see myself gifting this to any age. This is a nice waiting room book -- interesting but not mind blowing.

Thank Netgalley for letting me read this book.

I loved this book! It had a lot of elements that reminded me of beauty and the beast but was a whole new take on it. I love when I can see similarities but the story is it's own and I don't know exactly how they will get together. This story was so sweet in not judging someone by how they look and getting to know them first. Otis and Sadie were so cute together. I also liked how she threw in another part of the story about sacrificing what you think you want want or need for somebody else to be happy. I would highly recommend this book for romance lovers set in a different time period.