Bellewether

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author, Susanna Kearsley for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

I was so excited to see this book on Netgalley and even more excited to have been granted access to it! I have read every book that Susanna Kearsley has written. I was not disappointed with this book. I was hooked right from page one, I read it as quickly as I could because I couldn’t wait to see where it’s going but as slowly as I could because I didn’t want it to end. it was a haunting love story, literally.

I loved Charley, she was a great character with an interesting and sad backstory. I enjoyed all of the characters actually, the characters of the current day story and the past story. The story of Lydia and Jean Philippe was entrancing. I love the way Ms. Kearlsey writes her books, the dual timeline stories are always my favourites. She brings history to life and I love how she uses a few real people as characters and inspiration for her stories. I love the way she takes a timeline and works her characters in seamlessly. Loved the Acadian connection in this book and that the book took place during the French and Indian War, it was well researched and written.

Susanna Kearsley’s books always leave me breathless, they are books that years later, you will remember how much you enjoyed the story. This is one that will stay with me for a while. It is historical fiction at its best.

This is my 4th Susanna Kearsley book, she is a Canadian author and one of my favorites. Her experience as a Museum curator and love of history is evident in her writing. Her books have unique storylines with some romance and a touch of the supernatural mixed in. I have yet to be disappointed in anything she has penned.

That being said I found Bellewether to be more of a quieter book, there isn't a lot of action, it's pacing was slow but still a story that kept my attention while peaking my interest into historic facts on both sides of the border. Honestly I had never heard of the Seven Years War, billeted war prisoners or residential schools (that last one left me rather shocked). It's one of the reasons historical books are my go to, being educated at the same time as being entertained.

Bellewether is told from 3 different POV's, present day Charley and from 1759 we hear from Lydia and Jean Philippe. It's always a treat hearing from the male characters, I feel it adds much to the story. The romance part played out nicely with no 'insta love' and mushy 'best looking guy I've ever seen' comments, it was realistic and believable.

Bellewether is a story of war, grief, love, secrets, mystery, reconciliation and so much more. Susanna Kearsley brings to light an era loosely based on her own family history, the author's notes are well worth reading with many book recommendation of further interest.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advance earc in exchange for an honest review.