Review: The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

About the Book

Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women 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.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

The Secrets of Paper and Ink follows three women, Sophia, Ginny, and Emily, and spans two timelines, Cornwall 150 years in the past and present day. It was my first time reading anything by Lindsay Harrel and I absolutely loved it! I'm definitely looking forward to more from her.

I was completely sucked into the story and read about 60% of it in one afternoon, which is pretty fast for me. I couldn't put it down. I had to know how the story ended, how the mystery resolved, and if everything worked out.

I was afraid I'd find one POV more entertaining than the others, or possibly not enjoy one of them at all, which has happened to me a few times before with books like this. But I had no need to worry. All three women were likable, interesting, and compelling to read about. They were so connected to each other and the story flowed really well switching between them all.

This was a beautifully powerful story of the journey, struggles, triumphs, and second chances of three women. And the healing power of paper and ink.

4.5 Stars