I love Rachel Fordham's book and this one was another great book by her!
This book is set in Monticello, Iowa in 1903. When Sadie West's father has a terrible accident and has to recover, Sadie and her sisters pull together to help run the farm and pay the bills. Sadie moves to Monticello to work at a factory so she can send home money to help her struggling family. She is evicted from her residence there and ends up staying in an old abandoned factory.

Otis Taylor is returning to Monticello after being sent away many years ago by his father. Now that both is father and brother have died, he left to settle the family affairs. When he finds a girl staying in the factory his family owns, he wants her to leave. But then he decides to show grace and invites her to work for him to get his family home ready to sell.

Will Sadie be able to see past Otis' grumpy demeanor and shy ways to who he really is? I really loved this story line. Such a cute historical romance. Definitely give this book a read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham is a sweet, tender love story between a reclusive, wealthy bachelor and a spirited but poor girl.

There is also a good doggo! Now, go read the story.

Otis Taylor, the youngest son of the Taylor family, returns home after many years. All his family members have died, and he has come back to sell the family mansion.All these years, he has never been called home. Disclosing the reason will be a spoiler.

Devoid of care and comfort of familial relationships, Otis has become a recluse and a bitter man, unable to even harboring the hope that he is worth loving.

Enter Sadie West, a woman who comes to the Hoag duster factory (owned by the Taylors) to make ends meet for her family, impoverished due to a recent accident. After sending all her earnings home, she hasn’t left anything to pay for boarding and ends up residing in an abandoned building where she meets our good doggo, Wolf, and eventually Wolf’s master, Otis.

Otis and Sadie strike a friendship, which gradually evolves into love. Sadie breaks down the walls that Otis had put up around him due to years of isolation. Consequently, Otis learns to trust people and becomes hopeful of having his own family.

However, Sadie is not alone in mending Otis’s heart. She has plenty of help from the kind-hearted caretakers of the Taylor mansion, Leon and Mildred, as well as from Sadie’s gang of sisters and, of course, from our good doggo.

Further, Fordham’s rich and lucid prose as well as consistent pace throughout make it a breeze to read this book.

It is a clean, historical romance set in 1900s Iowa that will uplift your spirits through its beautiful romance as well as the meaningful life lessons smattered across the story.

3.5/5 stars, rounded up

“Why can’t it be normal to be varied and different?”

This was really sweet.

This is essentially a 1900s Iowan take on Beauty and the Beast, and it’s an enjoyable read you can (and will want to) finish in a few sittings.

BEYOND IVY WALLS is the story of a rich, lonely recluse named Otis, who with physical and emotional scars but lots of musical talent meets down-on-her-luck Sadie, the plucky yet seemingly simpleton woman who is squatting on his property and trying to bringing her family out of dire financial straits.

This was my first Rachel Fordham, and while I wasn’t *overly* impressed with the writing itself, I did enjoy the read overall. It was sweet and touching and I really liked experiencing Otis and Sadie’s journey of acceptance, growth, vulnerability, and love.

Also, I love a growling, tortured recluse, and especially one that reads Jane Eyre! I appreciate that we get an atypical MMC who has enormous amounts of heart and tenderness. Lots of gentle pining, sweet banter, and a loyal dog companion!

A very sweet, readable story.

*Note: I do not think we needed the epilogue, imo. Or maybe I just wanted an entirely different one? Ha. When I read THIRD IN SIX, I yelped. Also, the skating and “rules” were sometimes too much, too cheesy.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson And Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. BEYOND IVY WALLS is out 8/13/24!

The base story is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but from a Christian perspective. In this story, Otis (the Beast) suffers from alopecia and takes all sorts of 'medical' tonics that are supposed to cure him but just leave him more scarred, physically & mentally. Sadie is working to help support her family & ends up working for Otis as well as her regular job. It's a story about not only love but forgiveness, acceptance of one's self, and doing what's right despite what one wants. Enjoyable read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls
A Novel
by Rachel Fordham
Pub Date Aug 13 2024
Thomas Nelson Fiction
Christian| General Fiction \(Adult\)| Romance


Netgalley and Thomas Nelson fiction provided me with a copy of Beyond Ivy Walls for review:



All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away nurturing his musical genius. But his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis' appearance and the scars that came with it. In order to settle his family's affairs and eliminate his past forever, Otis has covertly returned. After discovering that he may not be the only abandoned Taylor, he begins a relentless search for his missing niece.



Sadie West was twenty-three years old when she began working at the Hoag feather duster factory. The job isn't romantic, but she's had little romance since her boyfriend left for college, leaving her with no future with him. Her desperate attempt to save money and help her family makes ends meet leads her to trespass and shelter in an abandoned building and into the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.



Otis' wounds are deep, but Sadie falls in love with the man behind the mask as their friendship grows. Otis Taylor's search for his long-lost niece, however, has proven more challenging than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to finding him.


I give Beyond Ivy Walls five out Of five stars!

A charming story with a nod to Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast that challenges us to look beyond the outward appearance into the heart on the inside.
Otis Taylor comes to Monticello, Iowa in 1903 in order to settle his brother’s estate and sell off his inherited properties with the objective of leaving his past behind. Sadie Westlake has taken a job in a feather duster factory and sends home money since her father is laid up by an accident. After losing her lodging, she squats in an abandoned factory owned by Otis.
The letter writing between them as Jane Squatter and Mr. Rochester was the start of a great relationship. I liked the way Otis and Sadie finally accepted one another and tried to bring out the best in each other.
Moral of the story: Do not hide behind Ivy Walls but venture out and serve others. Do not impose your right on someone if that is not the best option. Find your true worth.
There was a faint but solid faith element underlying this brilliantly told story.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction with good life lessons.
* I received a complimentary copy of thes book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Lesson learned (again!!) Never, never judge a book by its cover or title.
I wouldn't have guessed I would find this to be quite as enchanting of a tale as I actually found it to be. Why am I saying this?! Because I've just wasted (in a manner of speaking, but no, not really!!) a few hours this morning finishing this beautiful story!
I loved these characters! This was a rather easy read, but it was perfect for today, and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves a sweet, historical romance.
Beauty and the beast?! Kinda, sorta.... but oh so beautifully written!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

A man scarred physically and emotionally returns to his childhood home to sell, and encounters a young women staying on his property while working in a local factory to send money home to her parents and sisters to help save their family farm. This take on "Beauty and the Beast" offers a sweet story of the search for love and acceptance.

‘...People are much like plants. There is so much more to them that cannot be seen. Ambitions and dreams. Fears and hopes. Buried beneath the soil, overlooked, but vital...'

Sadie West grew up in a loving, hard-working, and supportive family. I know not all families are this way, but authors will more often write about completely dysfunctional families. Not every family is perfect - including Sadie’s - but it was refreshing to see our main female character have the support and loyalty of her family to the degree that she did. This, of course, contrasts directly with our main male character and his experience and upbringing. Otis Taylor returns to his home, battling memories best left in the past. He struggles to cope with and work through not only the mounds of papers and stacks of ledgers but also the whispers of memories too painful to relive. Sadie’s role in his life was beautiful to watch. While many would say that she saves him I would also argue that he saves her as well.

The themes of love and loss, self-sacrifice, inner turmoil and pain, working through and toward forgiveness, and opening up to trust after hurt were all beautiful to watch unfold. This was a wonderful story and I would recommend it to anyone. It was a fast read! This was my first by Rachel Fordham but it will not be my last!

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

This was another sweet romance by Rachel Fordham! This historical takes place in Monticello, IA. Sadie is a young woman who has taken it upon herself to move to the city to get a job to help her family when her father becomes injured. It is about this same time that Otis Taylor returns "home" to clear out his childhood home and sell it to get rid of the bitter memories contained within. When Sadie's and Otis's paths cross, the unexpected happens! I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I believe Sadie and I would have been good friends. The meddling servants, the friend who serves as Sadie's postman and Sadie's sisters all added some fun dynamics to the character interactions as well. And of course the dog was among my favorite of the characters. This story had a beauty and the beast vibe, which added a bit more fun to it as well. And it also had roller skating, which is a hobby not often seen in books, which added another element of fun too.

This story was primarily a story of character growth and development. But for this plot-loving reader, there was enough of a plot-line to keep me turning pages. There was a mystery surrounding Elisabeth, some tension in the romance plot, and some question regarding Sadie's father's health, as well as the plot surrounding preparation for the masquerade. I enjoyed the letter-writing element and the orphan aspect in the story as well, which are themes this author does very well. I also enjoyed the banter between Sadie and Otis and the family dynamics of Sadie's family. This is marketed as Christian fiction, but was what I would consider "Christian-light" as the faith thread was pretty subtle, but it was present. All in all, this was an enjoyable historical novel and one I can easily recommend. Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Sadie is a young woman who moved to Monticello to work in a feather factory in order to send money back to her family. Her father has been confined to bed after an injury, and her mother and sisters are trying to keep the farm going. Working in the factory is a lonely experience for Sadie. Between the coworkers and the job itself, she just tries to get through every day.

Interestingly enough, the women gossip all day, and Sadie has heard about Otis, the son of a rich family in Monti. He left town years ago to develop his musical talent, and the rumor is that he is returning anytime. All of Monti is excited to see how this handsome, rich man has turned out, and the young ladies are hoping for a chance to be courted by him. But Otis doesn’t want anyone to know he has returned. He just wants to finalize his family’s affairs and leave Monti for good.

But Sadie has other dreams, though. She is anticipating the day she can return home, and the man she loves will return from school and declare his love for her.

This is the 4th book I've read by Rachel Fordham, and I am enjoying them. I loved this story! It took me a little bit to get into it, but once it got going I was all in. Sadie is sweet, compassionate and hopeful, while Otis needs a friend to pull him out of his pain. I loved both of them. With Sadie it was the writing, and with Otis it was his music.

If you want to swoon over your books, this has some scenes that will make your heart melt. Just 😍!

You will enjoy this book if you like...
🌿 Sweet, clean romance
🌿 Family secrets
🌿 Beauty & the Beast vibes
🌿 Strong female characters
🌿 Character development
🌿 The swoon factor

Content:
❤️ Only sweet kisses
⚠️ Mild descriptions of physical injury & emotional abuse, child abandonment

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

When her father is injured, Sadie goes to work at a feather duster factory to help her family pay the bills. She doesn't enjoy all the gossip the other girls engage in, but listens just to help pass the time. Otis Taylor, younger son of a well to do family, is the subject of much of the gossip. Will he ever return to town and share his music with them? Could one of the girls get him to fall for her? Sadie loses her room in the boarding house and stays in a vacant factory by the Taylor home, she becomes friends with Otis's dog and eventually meets Otis. He is not the man the townspeople think he is. As the friendship between Otis and Sadie develop, she helps him overcome some of his insecurities and his reclusive nature. In turn, he helps her father. In Beyond the Ivy Walls, Rachel Fordham give us a window into the world of someone who suffers from a debilitating condition, someone who was rejected by his father, someone who is afraid. She helps us see what kindness and acceptance can mean.
It was a wonderful read. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I love everything Rachel Fordham writes, and this one is no exception.
An overall delightful and enjoyable read, with some of the sweetest and likable characters.
The plot kept me intrigued, and I ended up reading this all in one night.
Highly recommend this sweet and wholesome story set in turn of the century Iowa.

Early 1900s

Sadie is forced to go looking for work when her father is hurt in an accident and can’t work on their farm, as the eldest, Sadie takes a job at a duster factory to send home the money to help her family.

Otis Taylor has returned home after the death of his brother after being sent away by his father who can’t handle his son’s disfigurement. Otis is a talented musician and can sell his music but he longs to return home, he is afraid of people’s opinion of how he looks. Otis impulsively decides to hire Sadie after meeting her and seeing how much his dog Wolf likes her almost more than Otis.

Beyond Ivy Walls was a wonderful read for me. I loved Sadie’s grit, and her encouraging spirit towards Otis, her family, and those around her. Right now, this is my favourite book by Rachel Fordham, it just made me smile throughout. The relationship between them started as a friendship, and slowly they both had their eyes open to something more between them. Sadie saw past Otis’s physical flaws.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. I received a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls was an enjoyable yet fairly predictable story. It has many similarities to Beauty and the Beast, but with some other elements as well. Sadie is a enjoyable character who works hard and definitely loves her family. It is enjoyable when her nemesis receives her comeuppance. Recommended for those looking for a light, enjoyable clean book to read.

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I thought this book was an easy read. I was able to finish it in 1.5 days on the beach. Easy read. Great character development.

I loved this story that had some Beauty and the Beast vibes! Sadie and Otis are both such great characters, and seeing them persevere and heal was what really made the story great.

I loved all the little historical details - the roller skating, the factory life, and all the societal nuances of the time period. I also love that the story takes place in Iowa in 1903, which was definitely not a common time and place found in books! I always love a historical fiction where I can learn something.

I recommend this one to anyone who loves historical fiction! Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Rachel Fordham for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

What a delightful, enchanting tale, with an almost ethereal, magical beauty at times—reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and the classic, Jane Eyre. I was instantly drawn in with amusement when our lovely heroine, Sadie, who happens to be squatting on grumpy Otis Taylor's land, instantly dubs him Edward Rochester and he in turn nicknames her Jane Squatter. When the wealthy, reclusive, enigmatic man hires Sadie to work in his mansion—a precious, but awkward friendship ensues.

Otis isn't your stereotypical storybook hero . . . tall, dark, and handsome. However, Sadie sees past his appearance to his sweet, gentle nature. It's so sad how the world judges the outward appearance of a person, when God looks on the heart. The only thing I truly didn't like was the hero's name, Otis Taylor. All I could think about throughout the entire book was Otis and Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith show. lol But please don't let that ruin it for you. Beyond Ivy Walls is a heartwarming, well-written novel with a HEA I highly recommend!

"I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a favorable review."

I was provided the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel by Thomas Nelson, the author and NetGalley. I went into this novel fairly blind as I adore Rachel’s novels and trust that her works are amazing! I quickly realized this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I was hooked! It is a tale as old as time and a classic near and dear to me. Rachel’s take on this novel was absolutely fantastic. It is a historical fiction however is not a novel set around a war. (Rare I know!)

This novel focuses on Sadie a worker in a local factory whose boyfriend is away at college. Otis is a male whose family exiled him a long while ago and he has been away working on his music. Sadie and Otis spark up a friendship and she is so patient and kind towards him despite his traumas.

This novel is everything and more!

This is the best retelling of Beauty and the Beast I have ever read! I loved it! It’s everything you want in historical fiction that doesn’t cover a war. Sadie is a little headstrong and unruly from being raised on the farm. Otis is wounded and skeptical of others after being rejected and abused by his father. Circumstances bring the two together and Sadie’s determination gets directed towards Otis’s healing. She is so patient with him as she gently pushes him towards being free from his past and breaking the chains of lies spoken over him. I loved the banter, the letters exchanged, and the subplot oh my 🥹 What a beautiful story of healing, walking in freedom from the fear of man, and defining what true beauty is.