A beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

I loved The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham so I knew I would love this book also!

The story of Sadie and Otis is a beautiful tale that explores trust, love, inclusion and kindness. I love how the story includes the trials and tribulations of both characters and how together they can work through their issues. What a gorgeous story!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Uplit Reads for the honor to read and review this book!!!

I think I can understand why this book so far is loved, but I feel I may just not be in the right demographic for this.


Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

THIS STORY. Oh my! I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved Otis and Sadie. Their story is so sweet and lovely. Every interaction makes you fall in love with both characters more and more, even during their less than perfect moments. Which is one of the things I loved most about this story, the characters are so relatable and so GOOD to their core. The themes of loneliness, forgiveness, resilience, and acceptance were so well threaded throughout the book. I will be gushing about this one for a while to come!

This book gets all the gold stars as far as I’m concerned! I loved every moment and the ending leaves you feeling warm and happy, with a smile on your face.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Set in Iowa in 1903, Sadie West, a 23 year old, moves to the town of Monticello to find a job to help support her family while her father is unable to work. She starts working at the Hoag feather duster factory when she finds herself homeless and living in an abandoned warehouse. This warehouse belongs to Otis Taylor who has been away from town for years and when he returns, his dog takes off every morning to visit Sadie in the abandoned warehouse. Otis ends up giving Sadie a place to live and work after her job at the feather duster factory. They both have wounds and troubles to overcome and over time become friends who help each other more than they ever thought.

I will be honest, I was not expecting to love this story as much as I did! I read this in two days and loved the small connection to Beauty and the Beast with Otis having scars on his head from traumatic hair loss that his dad could not get over. Sadie’s family on the other hand was loving and kind but struggling and she had to leave them to go work and send money back. Otis’s niece storyline was a good addition and even though he was so determined to get her back, he realized that the life she had was a good place for her to be at that he could still support her without uprooting her whole life. I loved how Sadie dealt with the bully at her work and the older couple that worked at the estate were the sweetest individuals. Overall, I felt like there was a good romance, family connections, mystery of finding his niece, and trials with his appearance and Sadie trying to provide for her family. Such a good, clean, Historical Fiction read.

This book was delightful book set in the progressive era in America. I do not believe I have read anything set during this time and place before.
I adore the concept which is very lightly based on beauty and the beast. It is a moving story of Otis and Sadie who both have to overcome such big obstacles before they can find joy in their lives. I definitely have never read a book with roller-skating as the desire activity before and did not even know it was a thing over a hundred years ago. It was little things like this that made this book interesting. The history that took you to that time and place.
The characters in this story are strong, each one necessary and serving a purpose. One thought I ponder is why a factory full of low income workers believed that they would be able to socialise and interact with a man of wealth (to me this isn't historically correct)

Wow, this book was incredible. One night I started it, and the next night I couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about it. One late night later, I finished it with tears of happiness streaming down my face. Beyond Ivy Walls is a complex story of love, ailing family members, and the quest to uncover family secrets. Rachel's ability to weave together a story of love, old homes, and missing family members kept me engaged the entire time I read it.

Here are some of the themes that I enjoyed in this book:
- Recovery from cruel medical treatments
- Feather duster factory
- Small town gossip
- The complexities of adoption
- Family connections

Overall, I think this is a fantastic novel. Be sure to pick it up soon! I would categorize this as a clean historical romance, with kissing only. Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

Thank you to NetGalley, UpLit Reads, and Rachel Fordham for the ARC of Beyond Ivy Walls. I love a good retelling, and this was no exception -- Beauty and the Beast, but with a twist. It was sweet and romantic and transported you back in time. The characters were very well-developed, and while I didn't realize it was a Christian novel when I began, the religious aspects were very nuanced and not in your face. Pick this one up if you're looking for a chaste romance with sweet characters.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
Please make sure you have plenty of time when you start reading this book. I couldn't put it down! This story takes place in Iowa in 1903. It is the story of a beautiful friendship between Otis Taylor and Sadie West. Both characters are dealing with trials in their lives, and their friendship makes them strong. I have read other books by Rachel Fordham, but I think this one is my favorite. I liked all the characters, and the plot was so engaging. I would definitely recommend to all readers! It is a beautiful story!

Beyond Ivy Walls was such a delightful book! I was unsure of the premise going in, as I am not generally drawn to books that are loose retellings of classics or fairytales. This story's new take on, "Beauty and the Beast," however, was lovely. I loved both Sadie and Otis, the development in their relationship, and the growth within their own hearts. I enjoyed this book in a special way in that although conflicts arose throughout the book, I felt that I could trust the author and the characters without feeling the anxiety that some books facilitate. While not perfect, (I did roll my eyes a bit at "Alexander Darling's" reading), this was one of my favorite books this year and one I definitely encourage everyone to read!

I loved this story so much! It was such a beautiful and charming story, and an absolute pleasure to read.

I loved the themes of healing, sacrificial love, and finding home. I really enjoyed the letter writing, the fabulous banter, the romance, the wonderful heroine, and the wounded but lovable hero.

It was a lovely and captivating nod to Beauty and the Beast, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

OVERALL STAR RATING: 6/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

I adored this book…absolutely adored it! I’ve had my eye on this author for a while and I’m so glad I picked this one up. The story grips you right from the start. I don’t know why, but I expected this to be a slower paced read. I was wrong. You wind up with so many questions that you want answered. I wound up flying through it. It’s one of those books where you must force yourself to stop for dinner and can’t stop thinking about diving right back in. And how gorgeous is this cover!?

The year is 1903 in Monticello, Iowa and Sadie West’s father has had a terrible accident which leaves her and her sisters to hold down the fort. Sadie finds work at a feather duster production company and winds up living and sleeping in an old and dirty abandoned part of the building. While Sadie oversees earning an income for her family, her sisters are off working the land on the family farm. Not too far off in the distance from the old factory is a gorgeous mansion…walls covered in ivy. The estate was once owned by the infamous Taylor family. Only now, the Taylors have passed away and Otis Taylor, the outcast son, must return to take care of selling the estate. Otis was so outcast by his own family that he lived his life as a complete recluse. He tries to keep his return to Monticello a secret. He doesn’t want prying eyes on him because to be honest, he’s probably not at all what others might expect having descended from the acclaimed Taylors. An unexpected run in with Sadie West gives way to his secrets. Sadie learns of Otis’ deep rooted challenges and he learns of hers.

There’s a lot to unpack in this story. It’s so beautifully written and such an inspiring reminder that true beauty doesn’t lie solely in one’s outward appearance. It’s what’s within our hearts that really matters. This book gives hope to those who may feel alone and different in the world. Your happily ever after may just come when you least expect it in a way you could have never anticipated it would.

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

This book is what Rachel Fordham does best. Heartwarming without being cheesy. Romance that ignites but never burns. Historical immersion that doesn't bog you down. No insta love. Friendship to more. In This beauty and the beast esce story Otis has scars he's trying to hide and Sadie is trying to take care of her family. Thier journey together is so sweet. Otis learns to trust in love and Sadie finds where her true home is.
Oh, and there are roller skates and turkey feathers. You'll have to read it to know more.
4.5 star
Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

To me, this was all so comformingly uninventive and bland, and not very believable. It almost read like the characters were following a set pattern from a story that is not theirs until they get an unearned happy ending, with a sentimental epilogue to present the characters’ children. So much promise, yet so much hollowness in the delivery.

Absolutely loved it! Beyond Ivy Walls is the kind of book that is truly a pleasure to sit down and read, a charming story that reels the reader in and lets them get lost in. A beautiful story of healing, sacrificial love, and finding home. I so enjoyed the letter writing, the banter, the friendship, the romance, the spunky, hard-working, and caring heroine, and the wounded but lovable, letter writing, musical, hero. A captivating nod to Beauty and the Beast. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, Sadie and Otis, Mildred, Leon, Sadie's family, Peter and Bessy, and completely enjoyed their journey. I simply couldn't put it down!

"Whatever caused such scars must have hurt not only his scalp but also his soul."
"You, poor dear, should have been wrapped in loving arms, not sent away."
"You must think me a weak man." "No. You are at the edge of your fear. That makes you strong, not weak."

I HIGHLY recommend Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham. You're in for a treat!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this story set in turn of the century Iowa. The story will remind many of the Beauty and the Beast. Sadie is an admirable character, working hard to help her family while Otis, having felt rejection of his family hides away from all. It’s enjoyable learning about the feather duster industry during this time period. Readers can probably guess correctly about Otis’ mysterious appearance. Overall this was a sweet story.

I’m so in love with the characters in this book! Not only great characters, but a plot that invokes emotions pulling you completely into the story. With each page the world around me disappeared and I found my self slipping into a fictional world that I didn’t want to leave. Although the characters witness sorrow and hardship there is a whimsical side to the story that keeps the reader smiling and rooting for a romance to erupt between Otis and Sadie. A most beautiful colliding of two worlds. Both need healing in different ways and only stepping out in faith and facing fears can mend what is broken. As the story unfolds things of the heart among family and friends bring a twist adding another riveting portion to the book. My heart swelled with each dream that was sacrificed for the love of another wrapping this story up in a most breath taking way.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I loved the characters in this book. I love Sadie and her positive nature and loving kindness. She is brave, sassy and strong. I love Otis for his courage, his willingness to forgive and unfailing love. I love the growth that takes place in each of them throughout the book. I love that this book addresses different kinds of beautiful. Ultimately what is inside is what really counts and makes people beautiful. Outside beauty is in the eye of the beholder and when you love someone and see their kindness and love reflected back at you, they are beautiful. This book is joy, love, forgiveness, hope and beautiful. I can't recommend reading it enough.

Beyond Ivy Walls is the first book I’ve read from Rachel Fordham, though I’ve seen her name before. I’ve not been the biggest historical romance reader in the past, but it’s a genre that is growing on me, especially when they're coming from a Christian worldview. This book is a historical fiction reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. And a very sweet take on it, at that. The inspiration rang through the story loud and clear. The story got off to a bit of a slow start, but it grew on me. And the last quarter of the book was fantastic, with big emotions and some wonderful resolutions.

Sadie West has left the farm and moved to the city for a distinct purpose. Her father was severely injured in a farming accident, and Sadie, as the oldest of four sisters, has taken it upon herself to earn money to put the mortgage and doctor’s bills while her sisters do their best to run the farm until their dad can get back on his feet. She takes a job at a factory making feather dusters. Sadie’s family has no idea that she has been turned out of her boarding house and is living in another factory—this one abandoned—when our story begins. From here she meets Otis Taylor, a mysterious and famous pianist who hales from the town but has been gone for many years. He has only returned to clear up his recently deceased brother’s debts and sell the family mansion before disappearing back into his hermitage. But when he meets Sadie, he finds that there might be a reason to stay, after all.

I found this to be pretty well-written. The dialogue flowed fairly easily, though it wasn’t always believable. For instance, I found Sadie’s interactions with other girls at the duster factory bordering on absurd in places. Why she would care about them at all when she had so much on her plate outside of the factory is a mystery. The inner thought lives of the perspective characters were a bit more believable, if overly melodramatic in places. While Otis might have led a difficult life in some senses, his reactions to those hardships didn’t always ring true to me. They felt over the top. While some of these overreactions irked me, I was very impressed by how the author handled the big, important moments. Joy and sorrow and sacrifice were all beautifully rendered. There was one scene in particular, near the end of the book, that moved me almost to tears. And then there’s the way Fordham portrayed music. Music is the language of the heart, and she displayed it as such. Here, music is both a way to purge pain and a balm for the soul afterward, a powerful way to express joy and grief.

Onto the characters. One of the factory girls, Alta, was particularly awful. I couldn’t stand her. But I fell in love with the elderly housekeeper and groundskeeper of the hall—Midred and Leon—immediately. They were charming, and I could see why Otis adored them, and why Sadie took to them so quickly. I also loved Sadie’s family, her mother and father and all three of her sisters. There were other side characters, as well, but the most important is Wolf, Otis’s dog. He was fantastic. But Sadie and Otis were definitely the stars of the show. Both developed a lot as people over the course of the novel. Otis especially showed tremendous growth. I loved the two of them together. Their relationship was sweet, and I really enjoyed watching it blossom.

Beyond Ivy Walls wasn’t a perfect book, but it’s one that I enjoyed my time with. I especially enjoyed the importance of music, and the presentation of the “Beauty and the Beast” fairytale in such a realistic, concrete setting. I know a lot of people who are going to absolutely adore everything about it. I’ll definitely be recommending this to my Memaw, and to ladies in my church, as soon as it is published.

Side note about the digital ARC I received via NetGalley: This was a PDF file instead of an epub, and I felt that frequently. The formatting was pretty awful in some places.

Second side note: Isn’t the cover beautiful?

This is my fourth read by Rachel Fordham, and I'm now perfectly evenly split, heh! Two I really enjoyed; two, not so much. This belongs to the latter camp, along with Where the Road Bends.

I adore Beauty and the Beast (and Jane Eyre, frankly), and was very excited about the parallels between those and this read. They didn't really play out for me satisfactorily, and I quickly lost interest/became bored. It might have just been a timing thing, as I'm reading a lot of books I'm really into and excited about--perhaps I'll try again later--but for now, not really my jam.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham is a heart wrenching, beautifully written rendition of Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast. Fordham, with her easy to read picturesque writing style, immediately drew me into this charming, tender, historical Christian fiction story set in early 1900s Monticello, Iowa.

This delightful story has characters who will tug at your heart strings and bring hope to all that no one is forever a lost cause. Sadie West , beautiful both inside and out, always looks for the bright side in every situation. Otis Taylor, damaged both physically and emotionally, is a gifted pianist and composer. Mildred and Leon, acting grandparents of Otis, are the caretakers of the Taylor residence. Together, they help to guide both Otis and Sadie in the trials and tribulations of their respective lives and their growing attachment to each other.

Even though this story did not have any true Christian themes, it was a heartwarming, sweet, humerus, and clean historical read. I could not put this book down, as Fordham drew me into this enchanting story from beginning to end, thus I highly recommend!

Received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers via NetGalley. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.