Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.
1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.
2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.
Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.
I’ve only read a handful of Melanie Dobson’s fiction, and as I have enjoyed her previous work I really believe that this one is my absolute favorite. I love the whole dual-timeline approach and the women involved. They are characters that capture your attention from the very beginning. Via Belle is sweet and charming and Harper Rayne is so believable as a struggling screenwriter. Via and Harper are both dreamers that I can totally relate to. You are charmed by each one of these characters from the beginning of the story. But then you get caught up in the mystery as well. You really begin to root for the women involved. You just want it to end up as a happy ending. It becomes so encaptivating that you don’t want to put the book down. I really struggled especially the closer I got towards the end. I just had to know what happened next.
If you are a fan of Susan Messner or Lisa Wingate you will enjoy this. I recommend this book for the people who enjoy historical mystery and intrique. It’s clean and low spice. You can purchase the book from the link above or wherever books are sold. It will release on April 14th.
If you enjoyed this review check out my review for A Kingdom of Shadows.
If you want to read other historical fiction reviews check these out.
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