It meant taking the hand of a Savior and letting him lead her, where that might be.”
Lindsay Harrel has written a delightful tale of love and discovery and overcoming one’s past in “The Secrets of Paper and Ink,” a tale that tells the story of three women who live a century and a half apart.
It’s 1850s England and Emily Fairfax finds she cannot have the two things she wants most dearly — a career as an authoress (much frowned upon in society) and Edward Bryant, the man above her station whom she has loved since childhood.
In present day, Sophia Barrett finds herself still reeling from the death of her abusive fiance. And since Sophia is a women’s therapist, she still torments herself for “being a victim.” When her first patient the first day back after a leave of absence is also an abuse victim, Sophia realizes she isn’t ready to return to work. She can’t help others until she helps herself.
So following a dream of hers to visit Cornwall, England, she finds a great deal that appeals to her book-loving heart — to live above and occasionally work in a bookshop for three months.
Fellow American Ginny Rose is desperately working to keep her and her husband’s bookshop in Port Willis, England, open. Then only problem? Her husband has given up on her, the shop and their relationship to “find himself.” So when Sophia arrives to stay at and help with the bookshop, Ginny develops a new sense of hope, searching for ways to combine her love of baking with her love for the independence from her domineering family the shop brings.
And when Sophia stumbles upon a donated journal written by a mysterious Emily, the stories of these three fiercely independent women searching for their own identities come together.
Lindsay Harrel does an amazing job of building very real and very relatable characters, ones that you can’t help but cheer on. As they each face very real-world problems — looming divorce, abuse and overcoming one’s “station” in life — readers will laugh with them, cry with them, and sigh with them. She also creates wonderful supporting characters, like Ginny’s brother-in-law William, who just might be good for Sophia; Steven, the web-designing friend of Ginny’s husband; and Kathryn, a wise woman who helps bring their stories and journeys together.
But in addition to being a delightful love story and a tale of strong women who learn their identity, “The Secrets of Paper and Ink” also offers several amazing themes: we can’t focus on the pain and things out of our control; discovering the ocean of possibility; second chances are often the most beautiful; life is often like a puzzle, not always easy to solve or decipher; you are more than you think you are and more than others label you; don’t settle for someone else’s dream; and it’s OK to give your heart permission to fly.
Three major themes that run throughout the novel, and throughout all three women’s stories, is having a sense of belonging; the knowledge that we all have story; and the importance in knowing what or Who defines us.
As Steven says to Ginny: “I guess I don’t think of ‘belonging’ being about a physical place. It’s not even about family. It’s more about embracing who we are. Identity and how we view ourselves is a large part of feeling ‘at home’ somewhere. It doesn’t change no matter where we are or who we’re with.”
I loved this story! It’s the type of story, that, after you read the final page, you ask: What next?!?! Quite similar to a time-jump novel, fans of authors like Kate Morton will enjoy this book. Also, Emily’s story has a bit of a Jane Austen vibe for those who love Austen’s wares.
And please, if you find yourself in an abusive situation, get help. Call 1-800-799-7233.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.