4.5 stars

4.5 stars. Listened via Audible Audiobook. I really enjoyed the author’s previous (debut) novel and I can say the same for this one!

[I do want to emphasize two things before my review of the book itself:
1. The narrator has a nice, expressive voice that I liked. She’d be great for the right kind of book. However, I don’t feel she was the right choice for THIS book. Considering the MMC is British, and most of it takes place in England with other British people, using a narrator who has (or can do) a British accent, as well as American English, would have added so much more colour and further accuracy to this book.
2. Also, it was hard to distinguish characters sometimes because she didn’t really change her voice much at all. Just my two cents. Sometimes I felt like a bit confused at determining who was talking. I do wish I had bought the paperback or Kindle version instead. I am not letting this affect my rating however.]
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I really enjoyed this story! It had soooo many wonderful layers and pieces - a marriage trying to survive, grief/loss, mystery, codes, secret compartments, a treasure hunt of sorts, a castle, history, community, etc. The characters and setting were clear in their descriptions. There was a lot of action and growth of character.

I liked the FMC for her quirkiness, her passion for history, and the relationship with her grandmother. I can personally relate to the latter because of both of mine—whom I miss dearly.

Her focus on ‘self’ and her feelings was evident. She held grudges and resentment for things instead of communicating and doing what she herself expected from others. She tended to jump to conclusions and assume the worst. However, I acknowledge that we do see this in real life with others and in ourselves—especially in this world of ‘feelings over facts!’ I liked the growth and understanding she was building upon.

After the big climax of the story, I did find my attention wandering off for a bit. I felt that we leap-frogged backward with the FMC. It was a little anti-climactic for me. The FMC reverted back to the same assumptions and resentments and it didn’t seem to fit anymore. It felt repetitive and bogged the story down briefly. She eventually held up her attitude in the light of God’s ways and she saw the truth. I respect that.

I particularly liked Alex (MMC). I actually would have liked more from his character.

I do feel like this book could turn into a series with the other couple in this story. <Hint-hint???>

I think that I need to find the e-book and read the last couple chapters rather than listen. Again, I think having a different narrator could have added more distinction between voices, and who could perform a British accent, would have been the icing on the cake for the audiobook.

I really enjoy this author. Her first two books have been very intriguing with so many elements that I love. I don’t give 4.5 stars (or higher) easily and I gave 4.5 stars to both. I’ll definitely be reading her future novels.

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