#bellewether

[waltdisneyconfessions]

The scene where Nick squeezes Bellewether’s hair (wool) irritates me. I know it’s a gag, but as someone who wears their hair in an Afro at times, I’ve my share of people who are like Nick: they pat my hair without asking me. I do not appreciate being treated like Bellewether one bit. My hair is not a novelty.

[mysoul4books]

Recsmas Day 8: A Good Romance

Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley. As a general rule I avoid books that are strictly romantic but if I have to claim a favorite romance author you bet I’m going to name Susanna Kearsley as it. I adore her historical romance books and Bellewether was wonderful. I loved how Charley, in present day, starts to uncover the story of Lydia Wild and her romance and the flashbacks to Lydia, just as things were happening in her time, between the two different time periods to build Lydia’s story up. 

[jacnaylor]

books in 2018

bellewether, susanna kearsley

The house, when I first saw it, seemed intent on guarding what it knew within its walls as long as it stayed standing; but we all learned, by the end of it, that secrets aren’t such easy things to keep.

[turningpagebooks]

ARC REVIEW: “Bellewether” by Susanna Kearsley

Title: Bellewether Author: Susanna Kearsley Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada Publication Date: April 24th, 2018 Format: ARC Source: Publisher Page count: 414 (paperback edition)

Plot summary: Some houses seem to want to hold their secrets. It’s 1759 and the world is at war, pulling the North American colonies of Britain and France into the conflict. The times are complicated, as are the loyalties of many New York merchants who have secretly been trading with the French for years, defying Britain’s colonial laws in a game growing ever more treacherous. When captured French officers are brought to Long Island to be billeted in private homes on their parole of honour, it upends the lives of the Wilde family. Lydia Wilde, struggling to keep the peace in her fracturing family following her mother’s death, has little time or kindness to spare for her unwanted guests. French-Canadian lieutenant Jean-Philippe de Sabran has little desire to be there. But by the war’s end they’ll both learn love, honour, and duty can form tangled bonds that are not broken easily.

Their doomed romance becomes a local legend, told and re-told through the years until the present day, when conflict of a different kind brings Charley Van Hoek to Long Island to be the new curator of the Wilde House Museum. Charley doesn’t believe in ghosts. But as she starts to delve into the history of Lydia and her French officer, it becomes clear that the Wilde House holds more than just secrets, and Charley discovers the legend might not have been telling the whole story...or the whole truth.

Bellewether on Goodreads | Chapters Indigo | Amazon CA

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I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It's available in stores and online April 24th!

Bellewether is a sweeping tale of family, love, and healing.

Susanna Kearsley, a Canadian author, wrote The Winter Sea, which I absolutely loved (review here). So when I had the chance to review her upcoming book, which is set in the U.S. and features a Canadian character, I was beyond excited.

As usual with Kearsley's books, I was immediately swept into the story. Kearsley knows how to craft interesting, rich stories full of unique characters. As is common with her books, part of the story is set in the present day, and part of it is set in the past. Sometimes I did want more of the present day plot, but other than that the switching time period didn't bother me.

This book is a ghost story. Let me just say that. And since I was reading this at night, in the dark, I'm not above telling you it did creep me out a bit. Kearsley crafted creepy encounters so well that my imagination got the better of me.

Charley is a fantastic protagonist and I loved seeing her thrive, overcome obstacles, and interact with her family. It felt like a real family, and that's what I loved. The depiction of grief was also done well, something which is personally very important to me. Lydia is sometimes a less sympathetic character due to her discrimination against the French, but you do understand why she might feel that way.

The romance from both time periods is lovely, though very slow burning. They are definitely quiet romances, so I do wish we'd gotten a little more from them. But the ending is rewarding and sweet.

What I love about Kearsley's books, and Bellewether is no different, are the mysteries the present day protagonist has to solve. In this case, it's finding out what happened to Lydia and Jean-Philippe. I appreciate the attention to historical detail, and that topics like slavery and discrimination are handled pretty well.

Honestly, Bellewether was a book I didn't want to put down, even when I grew too tired to hold the book. The story is a quiet one of family, love, and loss. It's about building a life again after tragedy. Sure, the romance was very subtle and quiet, but the end was nevertheless lovely. This book reminded me why I love Kearsley's work, and made me want to read more.

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[turningpagebooks]

I’ve Got Mail (20), March 2018

Thanks to @simonschusterca, @harlequinteen, and @hccfrenzy for sending me these exciting ARCs. I can’t wait to read them!

Add them to your Goodreads TBR: • Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley • Toil & Trouble edited by Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe • Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno   

[turningpagebooks]

Currently reading.

I loved Susanna Kearsley’s The Winter Sea, so I can’t wait to dive in to her upcoming release! Thanks @simonschusterca

[courageous-pages]

Wars lay easier upon the conscience, Lydia decided, when you could not see the faces of the people you were fighting.

Bellewether, Susanna Kearsley

[thekimdelacreme]

Finished reading Bellewether yesterday.