The Secrets of Paper and Ink
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4.3 • 9 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Brought together across time by a love of story, three women in England fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.
As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.
Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.
Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.
Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.
"A historical mystery and sweet modern day story entwine to offer a message of healing, hope and second chances set in charming Cornwall." —Rachel Linden, author of The Enlightenment of Bees
“In a delightful weaving of past and present, Lindsay Harrel creates authentic characters around a moving story that both inspires and encourages. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is about broken people, second chances, hope, and—my personal favorite—the incredible power of story.” —Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol award-winning author of Freedom’s Ring and The Hidden Side
“In The Secrets of Paper and Ink, Lindsay Harrel explores the power of love—and how it influences us to make choices that bless others, as well as ourselves. Or sometimes, we can do just the opposite and make choices that harm us and others—all the while calling it love. Harrel pens an honest, true-to-life novel that’s woven through with the Truth that offers hope when our decisions—or the decisions of the ones we love—wreck our dreams for happily ever after.” —Beth K. Vogt, Christy-award winning author
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Harrel (The Heart Between Us) intertwines the lives of two American strangers and a 19th-century governess in this uplifting tale set in Cornwall, England. In the present day, Sophia Barrett continues to grieve a year after the death of her fianc e. After suffering repeated breakdowns, she moves from Phoenix to Cornwall, a place she discovered because many of her favorite classic books are set there. She rents a loft above a small bookstore owned by American expat Ginny Rose. Though Ginny's husband has recently abandoned her, and the bookstore is on the brink of bankruptcy, Ginny maintains hope for her marriage and her business. As the women work to salvage the bookstore, they discover a notebook from the 19th century. Filled with Emily Fairfax's hopes and dreams of entering society and finding love, the journal sends Sophia in search of the rest of Emily's story. Aided by Ginny's brother-in-law William and inspired by Emily, Sophia and Ginny get the store in order and summon the courage to overcome the hurt of their broken relationships, heal, and pursue their own aspirations. The pace lags a bit as Harrell begins the book with long backstories for her trio of heroines. However, readers who stick with it will eventually discover a charming story about finding one's voice after letting go of the past.
Customer Reviews
The Secrets of Paper and Ink
I loved every single word of this book!
Charming tale
The Secrets of Paper and Ink is charming tale that combines the stories of three woman. We get to see them overcome pain and loss to move forward as stronger, fulfilled women. The authors flowery descriptions of Cornwall transported me to the area. I like how the three stories are woven together into one lovely story. While Sophia and Ginny’s section are told in the third person, Emily’s journal entries are her personal accounts (first person). The Christian element is light but pivotal. It is important to have faith and realize that only One person is truly in charge. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is well-written with thoughtful pacing. We get to see women overcoming adversity and taking charge of their lives. The romance is light and sweetly knitted into each ladies’ tale. I appreciated how the story comes together with a heartwarming ending. The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a perfect for those readers who like to read women’s fiction and watch romantic movies.