Book of Lost Friends - Lisa Wingate

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lisa Wingate has a gift for finding things in US history that aren't well-known (even though they should be) and couching those events in a compelling story. In the case of The Book of Lost Friends, Wingate shares the true story of advertisements placed by former slaves in a Methodist newspaper in the hopes of reconnecting with lost or sold, stolen or run away family members. The narrative moves between post-Civil War times and 1987. I found the stories both disturbing and fascinating. All of the families torn apart, lives forever changed by greed and the awfulness of owning others. And then the more modern story that ties us all together.

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The Memory House - Rachel Hauck

The Memory House by Rachel Hauck


Oh man. So I only received a sneak peak at the first chapter from the publisher via NetGalley. The introduction to one of the main characters seems like a major departure from Rachel Hauck's usual work...and I think I'm going to love it. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest.

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The Love Letter - Rachel Hauck

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In Rachel Hauck's latest dual narrative Christian romance, we move between Revolutionary War South Carolina and present day California. In the past, Esther Longfellow - daughter of a Loyalist - is in love with Hamilton Lightfoot, who leans Patriot. What will become of their love?

In present day, Chloe Daschle pours her heart and soul into an unlikely role, hoping to right her acting career. She is playing "Esther" in the screen play written by Hamilton's descendant, Jesse Gates. Is romance brewing there too?

Of course romance is brewing! Didn't I already mention the genre is Christian romance? The end result is generally predictable, but the journey there is what's important.

The characters, while I liked them, confused me with their decisions. Mainly in the current day plot line. Who leaves a wedding reception (when part of the bridal party) with a stranger to eat pizza at said stranger's house? Also, Esther is the only one who didn't waver in what she wanted.

I did like the Smitty character. I had my suspicions about him and am glad with how that character line ended up.

The historical plot was interesting to me. Revolutionary War books (and even history lessons) seem to focus on the New England colonies. In fact, I don't know that I've ever considered there were colonies in the south that were involved in the fighting. But there were. And I enjoyed the unusual, but still accurate, locale of the past story line.

This book overall was decent. I liked it and was engaged in the quick read. But I lean towards the "okay" side of I liked it instead of the "I really liked it" side of liked it.

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Before We Were Yours - Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Memphis 1939 and South Carolina present day. A family of orphans. A family of wealth. What are each of their stories, and how do they intertwine.

This book grew on me as I was reading it. So I think the 3 star rating instead of 4 start might be a result of wrong book for the time. The first half I didn't have big chunks of time to read. So the stories were disjointed, and I had a hard time engaging with the characters or either of the plots. The second half I was more invested in because I had longer reading sessions. I could really lose myself in the tales even though I knew how they were involved. Or maybe I enjoyed it because I knew how they were involved.

Regardless...how in the world is none of this ever taught in history classes?!? I even went to 3.5 years of school in Tennessee and took Tennessee history. The truths of Georgia Tann and the families she tore apart, lives she destroyed and ended. Atrocious.

I think it's definitely worth the read, even if purely from a historical interest.

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Writing Desk - Rachel Hauck

Genre:  Christian Fiction; Christian Romance; Dual Narrative

Pages:  352 pages

Publishing Date:  July 10, 2017

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Tenley Roth’s first book was a literary and commercial success. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who merely found a bit of luck?
With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.
Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Yet her life is not her own. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams of her own. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has literally destroyed her dreams, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.
Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds. Yet when Tenley discovers Birdie’s manuscript, their lives intersect. Birdie’s words help Tenley find a way home. Tenley brings Birdie’s writing to the world.
Can two women separated by time help fulfill each other’s destiny?

My Thoughts:
Rachel Hauck is one of the authors I stalk on NetGalley so that I can get first reads on her new books instead of languishing in the hold list at my library.

While this book harkens the Wedding Dress, Wedding Shop, Wedding Chapel series with its item tying a past and a modern story together, I didn’t find this one as engaging and heart-warming.  Not surprisingly, I found the story of Birdie more interesting.  I do have a soft spot for historical fiction.  I also just couldn’t really get attached to Tenley.  I found her to be flighty and a bit dramatic.  Additionally, the development of her relationship with Jonas just seemed too quick and odd to me. 

The unique ties between the characters past and present were interesting, though. 

I did enjoy the tidbits about writing and publishing, both in the Gilded Age and modern times.  The pressure to create no doubt takes some of the creativity out of it. I’ve seen that in many Young Adult trilogies I’ve read in recent years where the first book was great and then the following two not so much (or even rotten).

It was a quick and easy read.  I think fans of Rachel Hauck or of stories with dual timelines would find it worth their time to read.

2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
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