This story was so good. I loved the characters, history and storyline between Sara and James. Sara has been working as a laundress and doing all she can to get her and granny to a better place. Evie, a student of Mrs. Cooper’s has gotten herself in some hot water and when Sara steps in to take blame, she loses her position. How could she do this with granny counting on her? James has always tried to do right by his daughter with doing all he can to be both parents to her. But when Evie falls deathly ill and the only person she asks for is Sara, he knows he must find this woman. He can’t lose his daughter also! With the help of Evie’s friend, the stable boy Henry, they go in search of Sara. Willing to pay anything, James finally gets Sara to agree to take care of Evie’s sickness. Although tongues start wagging about James taking in a nurse governess for his sick daughter, he knows it was the right choice. When word about an uprising starts to spread, James and Sara both have to make some hasty and hard decisions to save each other and Evie. Can Sara really live a life like this again and can James love once more? I really enjoyed this story! Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to Austenprose for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Christine Hill Suntz, the Author of “The Lawyer and the Laundress” has written a captivating, intriguing Historical Romance. This novel is based on the Upper Canadian Rebellion on December 5, 1837. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Christian Historical Romance, and Fiction. In this well written novel, the author vividly describes the timeline, the scenery, the costumes, food, and the dramatic and colorful characters. My favorite characters are the two young children, Evie, the lawyer’s daughter, and Henry, a boy that works in the stables. The children speak their minds and take action. Lawyer James Kinney is a widower, and has a difficult time bringing up his independently young daughter. He feels school might be what Evie needs. The Laundress that works near there, isn’t a typical worker. There is a touch of class about her. Sara O’Connor is trying to hide her identity and has secrets. At the school that Evie goes too, Sara gets involved in helping and saving Evie.

There are adventure, twists and turns, danger, rebellion, lack of communication, betrayals, and secrets. Somehow in this hostile environment, James offers Sara the opportunity to marry, and take care of his daughter, and James will take care and protect Sara. When the rebellion threatens their safety, Sara must make important decisions. This is a delightful and romantic book, and I highly recommend this to others

I loved everything about this book! What fantastic characters, including the delightful Evie. James and Sara are well-developed and intricately layered and their upstairs/downstairs dynamic was more than met the eye as we learn about Sara’s past. I loved how protective James was, and how what started as practicality and protection so easily shifted into adoration. I was cheering for their relationship from the start- both of them so likable and genuine. I was also fascinated by the Canadian history I knew so little about. I’m so eager to read more from Suntz- she’s a fantastic new voice in historical fiction. This did NOT feel like a debut novel!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review and my opinions are my own.

What country would you set a new book? I realized that while I love L.M. Montgomery, I don’t read many books set in Canada. The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Sutz is set in Toronto Canada in 1837.

Sara O’Conner is a young widow trying to make ends meet as a laundress. She befriends a motherless child, Evie, and through her, her father James. After Evie falls ill with scarlatina, Sara nurses her back to health and stays on as her governess. Sara’s new role in the home causes scandal across town. Why is a laundress so educated? What secret is she trying to hide?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I loved the romance between Sara and James. It was slow burn, and a marriage of convenience.

• I loved Sara and Evie’s relationship. It was made all the more special as Sara had lost her own mother as a child. She sympathized with Evie and did not want her to have the hard life that she herself endured.

• I loved Henry, a poor young waif, who is sharp and knows all that is going on around town. He helps Sara, Evie, and James through many pickles. They help him too.

• Ivanhoe is featured prominently throughout the novel and the characters enjoy reading and discussing it. I still need to read Ivanhoe!

• I had never heard of the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. I enjoyed learning about it in the story and the author’s note at the end of the novel.

• This is my first book by Christine Hill Suntz and it won’t be my last! It is hard to believe this was her debut novel. It was very beautifully written with great characters.

• Sara has lost her faith through life’s trials, but James has kept his own faith. Sara has a journey back to faith in this novel.

• This was a clean read.

• There were great discussion questions at the end of the book.

Overall, The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz was an engaging historical romance with wonderful characters set in Toronto in 1837. I highly recommend this fabulous debut.

Book Source: Thank-you to @christinehillsuntz @tyndalehouse @crazy4fiction @austenprose for the review copy as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.

I loved the premise of this book. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good Cinderella story? And the fact that the author threw in Canadian history piqued my interest even more.

But I just couldn't get into the story. I felt no connection to the characters, and it all felt quite stilted to me.

As much as I wanted to love it, I just didn't.

This sweet and heartwarming debut historical romance completely won me over! Set in 19th-century Canada, it was so refreshing to learn about a time and place not often explored in romance novels.⁣ 🇨🇦
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A widowed lawyer with a young daughter. A laundress with a hidden past. Throw in a marriage of convenience, adorable children (Evie and Henry totally steal the show!), and a journey from rags to riches, and you’ve got a story that feels both classic and unique.⁣
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Told in dual POV, Sara and James’s story is one of slow-burning, respectful intimacy—clean and wholesome but full of emotion and connection. There are some twists along the way, especially when Sara’s past comes to light (seriously, wow), and the family reconciliation aspect gave it even more depth.⁣
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If you love tender romances with strong characters, a dash of mystery, and an uplifting ending, this one’s for you. 💛
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❤️ Sara + James forever! ❤️

Christine Hill Suntz has given readers a well-written and interesting work of historical fiction. The story has a good plot, excellent character development, and just the right amount of intrigue. Sara is a laundress who is barely scraping by as she tries to provide for herself and Granny. She meets a young girl, Evie, and from that time on, Sara’s life feels so different from before. Henry is a stable boy who becomes friends with Sara and Evie, and his little personality makes me wish I could meet him. James, Evie’s father, is a hardworking lawyer who is single-handedly raising his young daughter with the help of his housekeeper, Mrs. Hobbes. Sara and James unexpectedly meet and James discovers that this laundress is not the usual servants he is accustomed to. James finds himself needing Sara’s help when Evie falls ill, and then life becomes a bit more complicated. Throw in some villainous and unscrupulous characters and the plot thickens. This is such a well-written story. The reader will be pulling for Sara and James and Evie as the trouble stacks up in this plot. I highly recommend this book, whether you enjoy historical fiction or you just need a good story to take you on a literary adventure. This is a new author name for me, and I will look forward to reading more from her.

This book was so beautiful. I’m honestly shocked that it’s a debut novel because the writing is so lyrical, so beautifully composed, so completely entrancing. I adored it.

James and Sara were wonderful protagonists, and having both of their povs as they faced theirs pasts, the turbulent social and political environment of the city, and their own increasing attraction brought the story to life in the most wonderful and romantic way.

And precious Evie and Henry—oh those adorable kids!! I loved their friendship, and their roles in the story added sweetness and humor to throughout the book. I truly just adored this book from start to finish, and I absolutely recommend it!

The Lawyer and the Laundress kept me engaged from start to finish. It's a story of history, love, loss, found family, and second chances. Showing that God moves in mysterious ways and always in his timing...

Oh my goodness I loved this book! Its set in Canada in the early 18oo's, which is a place and time period that I know nothing about, so I found every aspect of this book fascinating. The book showcases some of the rebel tensions and class differences that were happening in Canada in the 1830's. Sara is a laundress who has a past that she keeps close to her heart. James is a widow and a lawyer with a little girl. The two end up in close proximity when James' daughter becomes gravely ill. They end up in a marriage of convenience after a while, and that is when their love story really begins to take off. I really enjoyed the ending of the book where Sara is able to reconcile her past with her present.

Overall this is a fantastic book. I would consider the romance to be clean, kept to kisses only. I would give this to teenagers and older to read. Thank you to the publihser and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

The Lawyer and the Laundress is a beautifully written Christian historical marriage-of-convenience debut novel by Christine Hill Suntz. Filled with just the right mixture of love, faith, and adventure to keep readers totally interested from beginning to end.

I became totally enthralled in this fantastic story featuring a down on her luck laundress, Sara O’Connor, and single father, James Kinney, who was trying to raise his daughter, Evie, while performing barrister duties and dealing with the rebellion in 1837 Upper Canada.

Suntz is a great storyteller and her style of writing is so engagingly captivating that I immediately connected with the characters and could visualize everything throughout this awesome story. I am amazed that this is her first novel, and am looking forward to reading what she writes next.

If one enjoys reading sweet historical marriage-of-convenience stories, I highly recommend The Lawyer and the Laundress. You will not be disappointed!

A complimentary copy was provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

All the stars for this book! I cannot believe this is a debut novel. Christine Hill Suntz weaves a fantastic story that kept me captivated throughout. The Lawyer and the Laundress deftly combines intriguing historical detail, political tensions of the time period, a lovely forbidden/marriage of convenience romance, endearing characters, & a plot line that kept me eagerly turning the pages to see what happened next.

Twenty-nine year old Sara O’Connor’s such a strong, sympathetic character. After a series of heart aching events, she finds herself working as a laundress to provide for her deceased husband’s sick grandmother living in Irish Town. When she meets young Evie Kinney, the daughter of a lawyer who’s taking lessons at the inn where she works, her heart aches for the child who’s mistreated by the governess. But, standing up for Evie only lands her in trouble. Though her father, James Kinney, has growing admiration for Sara, he decides it’s best Evie stay away, until she contracts scarletina.

Widower James Kinney has his hands full with his precocious 10 year old daughter, a demanding law practice, & rising political tensions. He hopes Evie will enjoy classes with the local children, but her growing friendship with the laundress is troubling despite Sara’s mysterious knowledge & obvious intelligence. When Evie’s life hangs in the balance & she calls for Sara, James puts aside all his reservations & asks her for help. Seeing the rapport Sara has with Evie, he offers her a governess position, but can he prevent his growing attraction to her.

I absolutely loved this story! I’m always a sucker for a good governess story & this was fantastic! I loved learning more about the political turmoil in Upper Canada in 1837, & Irish town. James’ friend & former brother-in-law Andrew’s caught up in the rebellion & I was on pins & needles as James carefully walks a tightrope between societal expectations & keeping Andrew safe. There’s also a despicable villain who knows Sara’s true identity & poses a threat to her & James.

I adored Sara’s & James’ forbidden romance. There’s such a delicious undercurrent of romantic tension between them that was palpable throughout. I enjoyed seeing that sizzling attraction grow to more.

Evie & her friend Henry were so delightful & clever. They definitely enhanced the story. I also appreciated the thread of faith woven throughout. Sara feels abandoned by God because of all that’s happened to her. I loved Granny’s & James’ gentle faith that helped bolster hers.

Highly recommend this amazing story! Can’t wait for more by this author. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

A heartfelt thank you to @christinehillsuntz @tyndalehouse @crazy4fiction and @austenprose for the #gifted book.

This debut novel is an absolute gem that’s hard to put down! As a devoted fan of historical fiction, I can confidently say this book exceeds all expectations. The captivating story propels you forward with richly developed characters and exquisite writing that keeps you eagerly turning the pages to uncover what happens next. The romance, the intrigue, and the historical setting are simply extraordinary.

Sara is an exceptional character—fierce, independent, and deeply compassionate. Despite her losses, she remains open to love, particularly with Evie, James’ daughter. James, having lost his wife, recognizes the warmth and kindness Sara brings to their lives. The romance between Sara and James unfolds beautifully, showcasing how seamlessly Sara integrates into their family dynamic. It’s heartwarming to see James guiding Sara back to her faith, adding depth to their connection. While I adored the resolution, I found myself yearning for more moments with Sara and James.

Exploring this captivating time in Canada’s history was a delight. The author skillfully immerses us in the tumultuous era of 1837, filled with Tories and rebels, which added a fascinating layer to the narrative. The polished and engaging writing allows us to forge a strong connection with the characters.

If you cherish an enchanting blend of romance, mystery, and intriguing historical insights, this book is a must-read. It’s available now, and I encourage everyone to support this talented new author—you won’t regret it!

I was immersed in this story from the beginning as I pictured the scenes, smelled the woodsmoke and felt sadness. I got teary several times due to the treatment of those considered "less than." I loved the characters and was invested in their lives and well-being. There was true darkness of heart but also true forgiveness and love. I love historical novels where people are willing to put human decency above status and what others think. The romance is wonderful. I enjoyed this story immensely and would love to re-read soon in audiobook format.

Set in Canada 1837, this story follows a laundress hiding from her past. As Sara struggles in the workforce, she finds herself in the household of a widowed lawyer, working to help his daughter's education.

Brief thoughts- the book is advertised as an MOC and it's really not because of where it is placed in the story. Should have happened way sooner to get the MOC romance feel.

This was a delightful read full of interesting historical elements and a forbidden romance. Excited to see what this author comes up with next!

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the history in this book, since I didn't know much about the rebellion before picking up the story. I did find Sara to be a little wishy washy when it came to making decisions, which was annoying. I thought it was interesting that the story is in the marriage of convenience genre and yet they didn't get married until towards the end, so it was different than I was expecting. It was still an interesting story, exploring some of the social problems that led to the rebellion and how hard it would have been to travel between classes back then.

💛 The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

🧺 About This Book:
- Christian Historical Romance
- Canada, 1837
- Marriage of Convenience
- Single Dad
- Found Family
-Published in 2025
-Parents Guide: kisses only, and mild violence

⚖️ My Thoughts:
When I saw this beautiful book cover and title I was immediately drawn to it. Marriage of Convenience also just happens to be one of my favorite book tropes. This was such a good read! If you are in the mood for a slow burn romance, a doting father and a happily ever after you should pick up this book!

This story takes place in 1837 in Canada during a time of political unrest. It reminded me of our own Revolution.
Sara and James have both lost their spouses and James has a 10 year old daughter Evie.
Sara has a troubled past, is estranged from her family and has fallen on hard times. Circumstances bring James and Sara together through Evie, a sweet, precocious and mischievous girl.
I liked watching the romance blossom between James and Sara. They were both strong personalities and had a solid faith among other great qualities.
This was a polished debut novel which showed that the author researched her subjects well.
I enjoyed learning more about Canadian history and look forward to another book by this author.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Set in the 1800s in Upper Canada, this is a book about the divide of the social classes, love and faith. I was very interested in this title but found it lacking and had a hard time getting half way with it. DNF for me. Not bad writing or plot, just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc.

“Was it God who’d led her to the love of a little girl and helped her feet find bedrock again?”

I hadn’t read too many sentences before I knew I was in the capable hands of a great storyteller, and so I allowed this new-to-me author to whisk me away to 1837 Toronto, Canada.

I had difficulty setting this book down.

I was wrapped up in a fantastic story featuring a 29-year-old laundress who was down on her luck and a single father who was trying to raise a young lady, while performing his barrister duties and dealing with the rebellion in Upper Canada.

My heart filled with empathy for Sara O’Connor as she tried to make the best of the bad situation. In choosing love, she lost family and finances, and things quickly spiralled downwards. When she comes to the aid of Evangeline Kinney, her life takes a turn for the better. I had equal amounts of empathy for James Kinney as he struggled to find a balance between home and work. The author reminds us that by placing importance on helping others, we not only reveal who we are but also demonstrate our humanity. I loved the thought that we can hold up each other until we are ready to stand on our own.

I’ve taught this period and events in Canadian history for many years, so I appreciated the effort Suntz went to in portraying the tensions of our country’s growing pains. The irony of the current events is not lost on me! I enjoyed going down the Google rabbit hole to learn more about Irish Town and scarletina. Have your tissues ready.

I’ve now added this debut author to my auto-read list!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.