What a beautiful story this was! I must admit, I didn't read the blurb on this one before I started reading, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but right away the Beauty and the Beast vibes were evident to me. That just so happens to be one of my favorite fairy tales, so that was a pleasant surprise. While the nods to that classic story were evident, it was still very much its own unique story too. Sadie and Otis drew me in right away... they both had their fair share of struggles that they had to overcome in their lives. Among them, was Otis' alopecia and treatments that had left him scarred and ultimately living as a recluse. The actual condition is not named in the story, as I assume it was not as known at this point in history, which I thought made his story all that much more compelling. Sadie sees beyond his exterior and the two share a beautiful and tender love story that I absolutely could not get enough of. This was truly such a beautiful story with so much emotion... one of my favorite historical reads of the year so far! I absolutely loved it. If you love historical romance and/or fairy tale retellings, this is absolutely one you will not want to miss.

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book had well developed characters and I really began to care about them. The dialogue was sometimes clunky but once I was invested in the characters, that clunkiness was not too distracting. Overall, it was an enjoyable story about overcoming adversity and, of course, the power of love. I would recommend this story for anyone who likes historical romance.

I couldn't get enough! From the very first page I was so invested in Sadie and Otis, eagerly turning pages to see where their story would lead next. Not your typical "don't judge a book by its cover" story, this tale weaves the fragile but resilient human spirit in and throughout each character. Each chapter will tug on your heart, have you rooting for justice and love, and anticipating what comes next. A five star reading that I cannot wait to read again!

Rachel Fordham is one of the very first authors that I picked up when I started reading a couple of years ago. I was excited to get a chance to read this upcoming release. I will say that the beginning was a bit difficult for me. That was definitely impacted by a different book that I was reading. It was set during a war and was very heavy and rather depressing. This one started out with some heavier moments, and I was a little concerned. Never fear! Ms. Fordham came to the rescue and provided just what I needed.

There was humor sprinkled in with the romance. I appreciated other aspects of the story as well. Family relationships take centerstage throughout the book, in several ways. That was heartwarming as well. Having followed the author on some of her social media platforms, I could see how some real life events were being introduced in the story. Members of my family are embarking on similar journeys, and that drew me to this story as well.

I also appreciated that the main characters had flaws, both visible and invisible that were addressed in a tasteful manner.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley. I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I liked the Beauty and the Beast element of this story quite a bit and found Otis's backstory to be really interesting. There were some really sweet moments between Otis and Sadie that I enjoyed as well. The book didn't completely captivate me. I found Otis and Sadie to be a bit juvenile, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, or even inconsistent with their life experiences; I just personally didn't find either of them to be particularly engaging. I did quite enjoy the historical details--like the turkey feather duster factory and roller skating. All in all, it was a nice story and readers fond of wholesome romance should check it out to see what they think.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This story takes place in the early 1900’s in a small Midwest town. It kind-of reminds me of “Beauty and the Beast”. Sadie West is a farmer’s daughter who moves to town to work a job to help support her family. She comes to work for the mysterious Otis Taylor. Otis is the last of the influential Taylor family and was sent away years ago by his father. His return to town is kept a secret for reasons of his own. Despite Otis’ unpleasant personality, Sadie and he become friends. Otis and Sadie learn a lot about friendship, trust, and love from each other. Themes of acceptance, true love, and true beauty abound in this story. Rachel Fordham is one of my favorite authors and this is going up there as one of my favorites of her books.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

'...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...'

This is my first book by this author and I'm very excited to see her backlist AND what she writes next. I thought the writing was beautiful. It held my attention, it was emotional and I love a book that leaves you closing it wanting to be a better person-this book did just that!

This is a great Beauty and the Beast-esque book. The characters have their own stories to tell, their own challenges to overcome and being able to see it all wrap up in one story was a gift.

I thought Otis played his role well and was a great "beasty" male main character. Sadie has a heart of gold and I love that we got to see her thoughts so much. This is a dual point of view novel and the pacing was expertly crafted. The letter writing was a great aspect of this book and I looked forward to each and every single one of them. The setting was immersible and I thought the author did a great job of weaving information throughout to keep the reader hooked!

This is a book worth reading and I definitely recommend it!

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

Content: familial relationships (both good and bad), off-page mention of intimacy between a non-married couple resulting in a pregnancy, emotional and physical scars, romance- kisses only.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling with a heroine from a family that's a bit reminiscent of Little Women, too. Not my favorite of Fordham's, but a good clean read.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rachel Fordham has become an automatic buy author for me. I absolutely loved this story from start to finish.

A different take on Beauty and The Beast in the guilded age. The characters in this book were so likeable and each one was unique. You have Sadie, the young woman, who came to the city for work to help her family; Otis, who was scared as a child and sent away only to return as the sole heir to his family home. Mildred and Leon were great side characters that brought something more to the story.

I also loved the message that we are more than what is seen on the outside. Our hearts are what really matter. I will be buying this book as soon as it comes out.

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