Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is a sweet Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction told in dual timelines. In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. She meets the owner’s grandson David and initially is concerned that the plans he has for his grandmother’s house serves his needs more than his grandmother’s, but eventually those concerns dissipate. She has personal reasons for wanting to explore the area – her parent were married here and she’s desperate to find the father she’s never known.

In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. Gwen discovers Charlotte’s journal and reading Charlotte’s struggle helps Gwen deal with her own.

This is a gentle book that deals with heavy issues, including unfaithfulness and feelings of abandonment. Using the strength of their faith, both women come to terms with events in their life and find a way forward to accepting love in their life.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Austen Prose and Bethany House Publications. All opinions are my own.