Rachel Fordham is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed listening to this story. Beyond Ivy Walls is a sweet historical romance version of Beauty and The Beast in a sense. Otis returns to his family estate after years of being away. Now having to make the decision to stay there or get his families affairs in order and leave, he meets Sadie who happens to be squatting in the old factory on the property. They both have circumstances that they have to work through, past traumas from childhood and current family health issues, and through the chaos they find comfort and friendship in each other. I really enjoyed this story, and can't wait to dive into Rachel's collection to read more!

I was given the audio version of this book via NetGalley, and this is my honest review of this book.

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Romance, Proper Romance, Christian Romance
Spice Level: Kissing. An affair is mentioned.

BEYOND IVY WALLS explores what it means to belong.

Family is the most important element in all of the main characters' lives. Both the pain and acceptance, the bad and the good. The elements of *Beauty and the Beast* come through.

I enjoyed the characters. Sadie is one of five sisters, and as the oldest has gone to the city to work when her dad is injured. She's working in a factory, sorting turkey feathers—which sounds pretty awful! But I was impressed with her work ethic and kindness.

Is Alta over the top when being mean? Maybe. You'll have to decide, but she does convey how Sadie isn't accepted.

Otis wears a hat. His life has been one of fear and pain from his father. Having good experiences with a family is a distant memory from before his mother dies. He has never moved forward and lives as a hermit.

When these two meet, it's under terrible circumstances. But then . . . they slowly change their opinions of one another.

I like how the characters talk through their problems. It's great to see that in a book.

This was an audio book for me, and I was so excited to have a male and female narrator. Sadly, I became disappointed in this because of the choice to have narrator read the entire chapter. That means the male was doing all the voices in one chapter, resulting in him acting for Sadie and the other women. An of course, that means the female narrator was also doing all the male roles. This added double the number of voices to connect to for each character. I wish, wish, wish the narrators had been able to read for the characters that matched their sex. See what you think.

This is a sweet romance with great themes. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading!

The narrators were a wonderful match for the tone of the story. This is a 1900’s Beauty and the Beast vibes story set in Monticello, Iowa. I loved the history that was woven into the narrative, so this book is perfect for fans of historical fiction and fairytale retellings alike.

The roller skating was something I was not aware of for that time period. It lead me to research and discover the most adorable part of American history around. It gave me the warm fuzzies to know that something as simple as roller skating has bound us all together across time.

I relished in the concept of love coming after self-acceptance that was present in this story. You can’t really love anyone well if you don’t accept and appreciate who you are yourself.

This is a beautiful story with quite a few romantic moments that just melt a person. Closed door, very proper, and there’s a dog so— you know I was sold on it.

CW: descriptions of child abuse, adoption proceedings, child abandonment
Spice: 🫑

This was a sweet story. I enjoyed the vintage feel and the writing style of the author.

I had a complimentary copy of the audiobook and while I don't think I've ever shared thoughts about an audiobook before (I listen to a LOT of them)...

The female voice actor did an excellent job as Sadie. The male voice guy did an excellent job as Otis. But when they would each switch to the voice of the opposite sex, as in, they both did the female and male main characters as well as others. It would interrupt the flow of the story for me every time.

I felt that a few scenes were a little dramatic, and the miscommunication made the middle lull for a bit.

But the nods to Jane Eyre were lovely and funny at times. The Beauty and The Beast vibes were good. And the PRECIOUS sacrifice that Otis ultimately made almost started the waterworks.

Absolutely Loved this read! This did remind me of a mix between Beauty & the Beast and a 1991 Feature Family Films, Rigoletto. If you're not a fan of "sweet" historical fiction or sweet romance style fairy tales, then this would not be the read for you. BUT, if you do, or love a good "Hallmark" style story - you will love Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham.

From the very beginning, I was pulled into Sadie's & Otis' world. The author did a great job of bringing the visuals and with the narrator (audiobook) I was swept away and could not stop listening. I've often said to library patrons, a really good audiobook I have a hard time remembering - did I physically read it, listen to it or watch it - and this could be said for this read! Although, it really would make a great tv movie ;)

Sadie comes from humble beginnings and when an accident changes their family, as the oldest she heads to the city to work in a feather duster factory to send much needed money home. When circumstances cause her to stay in an abandoned factory, she meets a pup who gives her comfort.

Otis, the last of the prestigious Taylors, returns home to settle his family's accounts. Otis has his own issues that stem from his childhood and has lived in isolation most of his life. After having many nights of his pup leaving him at night, he goes in search of him and he stumbles across Sadie.

This is a wonderful story of healing, and the power of forgiving and trust. I can't wait to try another one of Rachel Fordham's books!

Beautiful story of love and sacrifice and looking past outward appearance and focusing on what really matters. I would definitely recommend this one

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.

My favorite novel by Rachel Fordham! With references to my favorite classic Jane Eyre, the main characters pulled me into their unconventional romance. A strong female doing all she could for her family and a castaway wealthy young man with imperfections and insecurities. Toss in family secrets and unknown child, the tension couldn't get tighter as these two fight their attraction and focus on their responsibilities. Full of humor and plot twists, I couldn't put it down until the very end.

3.5⭐️ This was a sweet historical fiction with the barest touch of Beauty and the Beast retelling. It has found family, past traumas, and working class/opposites/Cinderella romance and overcoming appearances.
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Sadie’s father becomes ill and she leaves their farm to work in a factory. She finds herself squatting in an abandoned factory and crosses paths with a stranger. The infamous owner who’s been gone for years has returned.
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The last 3 chapters are sweet and made up for a lot of this slower pace. I don’t think this book needed to be as long since not a lot happens in this book. I listened to the audiobook and maybe I missed it but is Otis’ condition that he has alopecia? Why would he have physical scars from it?
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Sadie is spunky and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. She befriends Otis when it’s been a really long time since he had a friend. I do feel like Sadie is too perfect.
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I wish it were a stronger Beauty and the Beast retelling but it was interesting to read about feather dusty factories and skating in 1900s. The villain’s revenge was weak. I really love Rachel’s books so I’m sad that this didn’t exceed my expectations and that it wasn’t compelling to me.
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Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the audio arc/alc. This book released last month and the narrators did a fantastic job. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

This was my first time to listen to a book by this author and it won't be the last. Her story is very engaging and will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book and author.

A lover of historical fiction, the books I’ve chosen typically centered around WW2 so I was pleasantly surprised to enter a new time era with Beyond Ivy Walls.
Sadie has moved to Monticello to support her family financially. Having been in an accident, her father hasn’t been able to provide for the family and the doctor’s bills have piled up. That is how she finds herself squatting in an abandoned factory during the cold nights in this new city.
Otis has returned to Monticello after being sent away as a child. Sent under the guise of supporting Otis’s flourishing musical career, Otis has returned a famous musician but has gone sight unseen since his childhood medical condition kept him away from society eyes.
One supportive yet meddling dog later and Sadie and Otis come face to face, first corresponding with letters until Otis invites Sadie into the safety of the mansion where they become fast friends.
I loved listening to their friendship unfold.
I was fortunate to receive this audio copy courtesy of netgalley and enjoyed spending a few listening hours getting to know Sadie, Otis and their supporting characters.
One note of personal preference. The story, development and characters are wonderfully laid out. For that I would give 5 stars to the content. I ultimately reviewed with 4 stars for the audio version as I don’t enjoy when male narrators throw their voices for female characters.

Beyond Ivy Walls
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A super Beautiful story of a take away from a beauty & a beast. You will fall in love with Sadie & Otis. It's not your every day story. It is unique & great. I really enjoyed it! Sooo fun!!
Thank you NetGalley!

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. I definitely recommend picking up on Audio!

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.

Set in Iowa in the early 1900s, this charming and tender romance has a subtle hint of 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡, as well as, a few hints of 𝐽𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝐸𝑦𝑟𝑒.

Sadie is a young woman trying to make a living in a feather duster factory but is forced to live in an abandoned building. Otis is a musical genius, returning to the family estate he had been exiled from years ago. He is now the last of his family.

When Otis discovers Sadie, he offers her a job and room and board in his home while he cleans it out. Sadie discovers Otis has scars, physically and emotionally, but she offers him kindness and friendship.

I thought the characters were well-developed. As much as I enjoyed Sadie and Otis’ grumpy/sunshine relationship, it was Leon and Mildred, the older couple that worked for Otis’ family estate, who I adored. They were so kindhearted and saw the good in others.

The story is a clean romance, but it deals with seeing a person for more than their outward appearance, their past wounds, or even social status. There is also another family secret about which Otis must make some hard decisions on. This allows him to grow as a person, giving him a greater understanding of forgiveness and unconditional love.

Thank you @uplitread and @rachel_fordham for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

Thank you @harpercollinschristian for a gifted audiobook.

Interesting look at how struggles such as alopecia were viewed at the turn of the century….loved the beauty and the beast undercurrent!
Otis and Sadie were fun, realistic characters and their storyline was an intriguing glimpse into the time period. I especially liked learning about the Hoag feather duster factory and the roller skating!
Loved the side story of Bessie and tracking down her whereabouts, and liked how Otis came to terms with his relationship with his brother.
Great supporting characters, fun read, and especially satisfying ending, as the different is ok theme came full circle.
I listened to this book on audio and it was well done. I always enjoy having both a male and female narrator- it makes it so much more enjoyable to listen to.

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham is one of those books that just pulls you in from the get-go. Set in small-town Iowa in 1903, the story centers on Otis Taylor, a guy with a lot of baggage. The town thinks he’s been off mastering his music, but the truth is, he’s been hiding out, dealing with some serious scars—inside and out—after his father cast him aside. He’s back in Monticello now, not to reconnect, but to wrap up his family’s affairs and hopefully find his missing niece.

Then there’s Sadie West, a tough, hardworking woman who’s left her family farm and is trying to make ends meet at a feather duster factory. Life hasn’t been easy for her, but she’s not one to back down. When she stumbles across Otis while looking for a place to crash, she’s intrigued by this mysterious guy. As they get to know each other, their friendship blossoms into something more, and Sadie ends up right in the middle of Otis’s search for his niece.

Fordham does an awesome job mixing the mystery of Otis’s past with the slow-burn romance between him and Sadie. The characters are real, their struggles hit home, and watching them heal is so satisfying. The faith elements are there but super subtle—just enough to add depth without feeling preachy, which makes it a great pick for anyone who enjoys a clean, heartfelt story.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators totally nailed it. They brought the characters to life in a way that made me feel like I was right there in Monticello with them.

If you’re into historical romance with a bit of mystery and characters you can really root for, Beyond Ivy Walls is a winner. This was my first Rachel Fordham book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Netgalley. I received a complementary copy of this audiobook.. All opinions are my own.

This was another great read from Rachel Fordham. She is able to weave a sweet clean romance into an actually engaging historical fiction and make it seem almost effortless. Sadie and Otis are both lovable characters that you want to succeed, and yes, their story is definitely a bit Beauty and the Beast meets Jane Eyre, but not too much. As a audiobook is was an easy enjoyable listen. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the ALC 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. The make narrator was not my favorite.

Set in Iowa in 1903, Rachel Fordham's "Behind Ivy Walls" is a touching story about love and redemption. The narrative, reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast," centers on Otis Taylor, a scarred recluse, and Sadie West, a young woman searching for refuge and purpose.

Otis returns to Monticello to settle family matters and find his missing niece after being exiled by his father due to his appearance. Meanwhile, Sadie, who works at a feather duster factory and struggles financially, stumbles upon what she thinks is an abandoned building, only to meet Otis.

As their friendship grows, they reveal their true selves, showing that there's more to people than meets the eye. The novel's foundation in the classic fairy tale adds a familiar yet fresh twist, making the characters both endearing and relatable.

Being a Christian Romance, the book weaves faith into the story subtly, enhancing it without overwhelming the reader. The audiobook narrators do a fantastic job of bringing the emotional landscape to life, adding a layer of intimacy to the experience.

Fordham strikes a balance between light-hearted moments and thoughtful, emotional scenes, creating a story that's both enjoyable and meaningful. The satisfying ending brings closure and reinforces the belief that love can conquer all.

In summary, "Behind Ivy Walls" is a delightful read that combines classic storytelling with heartfelt themes. Rachel Fordham's novel is a treasure for anyone seeking hope, healing, and the transformative power of compassion.

4.75 stars
[AUDIOBOOK NARRATION: Em Eldridge is a fabulous narrator. She could have narrated the book in its entirety. She’ was a delight to listen to. I wasn’t a fan of the male narrator because of his female voices. Very off-putting.]

REVIEW: This is my second book by Rachel Fordham and I enjoyed it very much. This is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I’m not one for fairytales but this was well done. I grew very fond of Sadie, Otis, and the minor characters, too.

The characters illustrated that we all have scars of some sort. Not all of them are visible. There was so much raw honesty and it was beautiful. We all must see each other without judgment.

My favourite quote is: “The world needs both the timid and the bold.” I highly recommend this novel.

*** My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, #ThomasNelson, for an advance copy of this audiobook. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words. #BeyondIvyWalls #RachelFordham