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When Tomorrow Came

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When Tomorrow Came is Hannah Linder’s sophomore novel. Her first being Beneath His Silence. Both are Regency romances told from alternating viewpoints. But When Tomorrow Came feels a bit moodier than Linder’s first book.

That’s not a bad thing, though. This more Gothic tone pairs well with the storyline, creating a hauntingly unique experience.

Nan and Heath are at the center of the story, but both of their romantic interests also play major roles. Each of the four characters are well explored and feel complete. Their personalities play well off each other, and they feel “right” together.

When Tomorrow Came isn’t a particularly fast read, but it does — for the most part — hold interest. Tighter editing could have strengthened the pacing. And there are some moments where Christian elements feel a bit heavy handed. But neither quibbles would hold me back from recommending the book. It’s a slow-burning romance that fits well into the chaste Regency genre.

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Wow! When Tomorrow Came is a well written tale reminiscent of Charles Dickens and Emily Brontë. It’s the story of sacrifice, disappointment, the meaning of love, revenge, murder, and ultimately hope. Hannah Linder weaves a suspenseful, tragic, lyrically beautiful story with a powerful message that immediately pulled me in. It’s the heartfelt story of a brother and sister torn apart by tragic circumstances who are finally reunited. But when the long awaited return of their papa brings only complication and demands, will they be able to find lasting happiness when tomorrow finally comes.

When Heath and Nan’s papa leaves for sea after their mother’s death, they hopefully wait for his return. The woman whose care they were left in is terribly abusive especially to Heath. They escape only to be separated when a kind man who accidentally hits Nan with his carriage takes her into his family. Instead of going to see Nan, Heath despairingly leaves her, not wanting to jeopardize her new life. A lifesaving letter reaches Heath helping him find a caring vicar who takes him in and teaches him a better way of living.

Over time, Nan thrives in her new circumstances. Her adopted siblings ease the ache in her heart. She’s especially close to Gil who always manages to comfort her. Unfortunately, as Nan grows into a beautiful woman, she attracts the notice of a wealthy aristocrat. Despite her misgivings, her papa pushes her towards accepting his proposal. Gil meanwhile has developed romantic feelings for Nan, but will she see him as more than a brother?

Told from four points of view, this is one of those epic romantic sagas that takes place over years. We follow Nan and Heath from young children to adults. Their harrowing adventures kept me turning the pages. Sacrifice plays a big part in the story. Usually thought a noble trait, this story explores the dangers of self sacrifice when the motivations are based on fear and trying to please others’ selfish demands. Juxtaposed with those who are cruel and manipulative, are genuinely good people who offer a haven for both Heath and Nan.

There are two romances in the story and I couldn’t help but compare Gil to Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables. Their situations are somewhat similar where they both fall first and the women they fall in love with want their close childhood friendships to remain the same.

The suspense really ratchets up when Nan and Heath’s papa returns bringing with him a hardened edge. There’s also someone threatening the local aristocratic family whom Nan’s papa wants her to marry into. Terrible secrets, villains, and murder threaten to separate the siblings once again.

It’s a heart wrenching, powerful story that stayed with me long after reading. Highly recommend to historical romance fans! Content: some violence, child abuse, threatened assault, mayhem, murder, attempted murder, mild romance. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

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“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙚𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚.”
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This book starts with a bang; the prologue and the mystery surrounding it had me hooked right away! From there we’re introduced to a young Heath and Nan and their unfortunate circumstances in life. My heart completely went out to these two siblings and I was immediately invested in what happened to them as they grew up.

I was not expecting the adventure and drama throughout this story! Though Nan and Heath were separated for a time, their eventual reunion sparks a series of events I never saw coming, all circling back to the prologue. We get not one, but two love stories that were completely different but swoony in their own right.

Heath absolutely stole my heart with his quiet strength and overprotectiveness of his sister Nan. He went through so much for the people he loved and no one deserved a happy ending more than him. Nan’s part of this story really kept me on edge. There were times I was frustrated with her decisions, but at the same time I completely understood them because of her tumultuous past and her need to please people. I absolutely adored who she ended up with.

When Tomorrow Came was such a wonderful surprise of a story! The romance was sweet and the mystery introduced a couple of fantastic villains and kept me guessing. This was the first book I’ve read by Hannah Linder, but it won’t be the last!

Thank you to Barbour Publish and the author for my gifted copy! My thoughts are my own.

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Hannah Linder is a new author to me, and I’m so glad I took a chance on her latest, When Tomorrow Came. Set in late 1700’s to early 1800’s England and reminiscent of a Dickens’s tale, Linder tells the story of two siblings, each raised in vastly different sets of circumstances. After reuniting and connecting with their long lost father, dangers and mystery abounds as well as romance for each of them.

I greatly enjoyed this story. The characters were memorable and the plot kept me guessing. I look forward to more books from this author.

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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BOOK REVIEW - When Tomorrow Came - Hannah Linder - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
I don't know about you but I just love discovering new authors! When Tomorrow Came is just Hannah Linder's second book and the first I've read but already I'm hooked on her beautifully haunting writing style. It's one of those stories that just gets better and better with every page read and keeps sucking you deeper and deeper into the story. The story is has a different more deliciously dark twist than your average Regency tale. I loved the deep brother-sister bond of Nan and Heath, I was rooting for them from page one and feeling all their emotions. The ending was so profound and impactful, I've never appreciated and understood a book title more.

THE ROMANCE
As I hadn't read Hannah Linder before I wasn't sure how much romance there would be so I was pleasantly surprised, not only on how sweet and lovely the romance was, but that I got to experience different two loves!

THE TRUTHS
“Whatever troubles you this day, the Lord thy God would like to know. He may not always change it, but He certainly showers it with grace.” My favourite line in the story. It's such a comforting thought, that no matter what we're going through or what kind of day we're having, God wants to hear us and shower us with His grace. He showers on us His love, His understanding, His forgiveness, His strength, His hope, His peace. Whatever we need to get through the day or even just the next hour. Share your troubles with Him and know that you are heard and that God is pouring out His grace on your life.

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This is a *Must Read* book! It grabs you on the first page and doesn't let go. It's full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. The danger, secrets and murder will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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First book by this author but definitely not the last. This book pulls you straight into it from the first page. You will fall in love with the main characters and root for them all the way through the book. I don't know how to describe how good this was written without giving away spoilers. You feel every emotion the characters feel. Just when you think all hope is lost, you will be surprised how it will end.

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To escape their guardian’s cruelty, two children flee to the streets of London where mere survival is a daily struggle. Heath comforts his younger sister, Nan, with the promise that all will be better when their papa returns—perhaps tomorrow. As the weeks and months pass, it’s a promise that becomes harder and harder to believe. When young Nan is rescued by a wealthy family, Heath continues on alone, finally finding refuge—and God—with a local clergyman.

Years later, “tomorrow” finally does come, and the siblings are reunited by the return of their long-lost papa. But what should have been a joyful reunion quickly turns into a nightmare of danger, deadly secrets, and murder.

With When Tomorrow Came, Linder has expertly woven a tight and multi-layered plot that is peopled with wonderfully rich and complex characters that I cheered for, shook my head at, cried a little for, and sometimes wanted to shout at. The tension and danger kept me turning the pages, and the mystery kept me guessing right up until the end. This book is a wonderful blend of Regency, mystery, and romance. You’re going to love it!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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OH MY THIS BOOK WAS SO SO SO SO SO AMAZING!!!!!!!

From the very beginning, this story had me hooked. The prologue kept me wondering the entire book! The mystery—ACK!!! It was so good!! I had my suspicions and I was partly correct, but it still kept throwing me curveballs and plot twists. Like, WOW!

And the characters… *melts*

Every single one of them, I adored them all! I loved Nan and Gilbert so much! It was Anne and Gilbert all over again and I loved it! They were such a dynamic couple and the best friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes. They were the sweetest. *Gilbert* was the sweetest!! But Heath and Temperance… they were adorable!! They went together so perfectly and Heath has my heart a million times over. <3333 He was so sweet and gentle with Temperance, especially after her recent heart break. UGH THIS BOOK!!!

Can you tell I loved it?

I’m already a huge fan of Hannah Linder’s writing style! And just her writing in general! If all of her books are as good as this one then she may be a new auto buy author for me! I really can’t say enough how spectacular this story was. I highly recommend it!!

If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to preorder yourself a copy!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Prepare your heart for this wonderful story. I was taken through so many emotions while reading this story. You are immediately drawn into their lives, their hopes, fears and desires. There are many plot twists and oh yes the friends to lovers tropes. There is mystery and thrilling moments. you feel as if your heart stops beating during portions. I loved every moment of this book and cannot wait for others to read as well. I loved the Charles Dickens vibes. Hannah does such a an amazing job writing and bringing the era to life for you that you almost forget what century you are in.

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Happy pub day to this little gem!! It was a beautiful story of survival, hopelessness, strength, tribulation, doing your duty, and sprinkled with a dash of romance. This is faith based tale of two siblings Heath and Nan, and their road to survival after being abandoned as children and living on the cobblestone streets of London to their loving reunion many years later as they try to navigate relationships, adulthood, and pressure to please others.

I truly enjoyed the characters and the evolution of the characters! There was a lot of character development and to see the siblings go from young orphans to finding their way as adults. I am so thankful that the siblings were able to reunite when they were older and more secure in their stations. Their relationship stood the test of time and it was endearing when they finally had the chance to grow into adulthood together.

I think Gilbert is my favorite character of all of them. Going from someone who had major disdain for Nan as she arrived as a child to the Stanhope manor to falling in love with her and realizing “it’s always been her”. That just further solidified my love for that trope!

Papa Duncan was just a terrible character which was clearly intentional by the author. He abandoned his children and left them for dead only to come back and demand obedience.

I really enjoyed this book and it was my first Hannah Linder. I will definitely be looking out for other books by her!

Thank you Netgalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. My review is from my own opinion.

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This wasn’t a fast read for me. I had to take breaks to give myself a chance to think and get away from some of the depressing elements of the book. I realize the depressing parts helped to tell the story and showed that things could get better. I liked the main characters and the suspense.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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I adored this book from cover to cover. I could not put it down. Nan and Heath endear themselves to you from the first page and we get to watch their stories unfold. This book is gritty, real, and makes you think. Historical romantic suspense at its best!!! This author is now an auto buy for me.

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I love this cover and the premise of the story! It has all of my favorite things: Christian historical romance, gothic vibes, mystery, multiple POVs, protective brothers, two romances, he falls first, overcoming one’s past, finding faith. My only complaint with this book is that the scenes were much too short, especially in the beginning. it was like watching Days of Ours Lives on fast forward. I love multiple POVs and I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish with switching back and forth but it was a little frustrating. I felt like a child in a room full of secret doors, each one held something beautiful and intriguing; one door would crack open just enough to get me interested and then it would be slammed shut before I could register anything fully. I would have like to have more development in each scene and character interaction. Based on the first half of the book I would give 3 stars rating, but then last half absolutely sucked me in and blew me away! Stayed up all night to finish it. Great mystery, beautiful love stories!

Thanks to netgalley for my ARC, all opinions are my own.

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This was a JOURNEY!

I feel like you got to grow up and truly get to know these characters!

The story was moving and intense and will be one that stays in your head for a long time!

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I enjoyed the author's previous book, Beneath His Silence very much, so I was excited to receive a digital copy of her new book When Tomorrow Came from NetGalley. While I feel it is not quite as good as Beneath His Silence, I still enjoyed it.

After their father leaves them with an evil woman for protection, the siblings run away and decide to fend for themselves. While on the streets, Nan is slightly injured in an accident. The well-to-do gentleman involved feels sorry for her and brings her home to his family. The book jumps in forward in time a few times to build the characters and relationship between Nan and Gilbert, her foster brother.

When Nan is a young woman, Heath and her father suddenly come back into her life. Heath is the ever protecting brother, but her father is a shadow of his former self and seems bent on causing trouble and mayhem at every turn. Can Gilbert protect Nan and guard his heart as he slowly admits to himself his love for her?

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The story just seemed to jump around a bit in places and stall in others. But the characters are likable, the setting is real and the plot line is great!

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This heart wrenching novel tells the story of siblings Nan and Heath Duncan who were abandoned by their father and abused by the woman he left them with, so they have been living on the streets to escape the horrors at “home”. When Nan is unexpectedly given a path to a better life, Heath vows to never mess that up for her and sets about changing his own course. But, things don’t go as smoothly as one would hope.

I found the storyline a bit hard to follow at times in the beginning, especially trying to decipher which current POV I was reading, and I wasn’t completely sure of the ages of some of the characters at certain points in the story. Over time it became more clear, and ended up being a lovely story, albeit a sad one!

Ultimately, this is a beautiful and emotional story about sacrifice, hope, and faith, and how one can find comfort in the goodness of God even in times of suffering and despair.

Thank you to the author and publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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From the very beginning, I was captivated by the characters in this charming read, and the way we are introduced to them has much to do with that. We first meet Nan and Heath as children forced to live on the streets of London under heartbreaking circumstances. Their mother is dead; their father abandoned them; their guardian abused them. The bond they share as siblings is emotional for the reader, and the moment that separates them, bittersweet. We follow their respective paths from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood, and in so doing we become deeply attached not only to Nan and Heath but also to other characters whose stories entwine with theirs.

The rector. Mr. & Mrs. Stanhope. Even young Charlotte. Each a beautiful picture of grace and security to Nan and Heath, standing in stark contrast to other, more unsavory, characters that also inhabit this plot. However, it’s Gil and Temperance whose POVs are added to those of our intrepid siblings, creating a delightfully different reading experience than we are usually given. To be able to be inside the heads of all 4 protagonists adds so many layers to the story and, particularly in the case of Gil and Nan, ramps up the romantic tension in ways we wouldn’t have seen had we only been granted Nan’s and Heath’s perspectives. And ohhhhh there is some yummy romantic tension as eyes are opened to feelings previously unacknowledged and hearts get all tangled up together.

Bottom Line: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder is poignant and redemptive, with sweet threads of swoony romance and a deliciously Gothic undertone. The unique narrative (in terms of multiple POVs) is skillfully done & kept me invested in the story, while the main characters easily grabbed my heart. (Some of the secondary ones did too!) I loved the Great Expectations vibes with a little bit of Austen thrown in too, but the author has a distinct style all her own. If you’re a fan of Abigail Wilson or Joanna Davidson Politano, make sure you check out When Tomorrow Came!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

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Nan and Heath Duncan found themselves on the street while they were very young. As a tot, Nan was taken in by a prominent and very caring family. Heath had a good life as well, although starkly different from Nan’s. When their father reappears in their lives many years later, one of the things that he does is places an expectation upon Nan to marry a rich suitor, someone that she truly dislikes.

Nan wanted nothing more than to make her father happy. However, as her heart eventually became torn, this could have placed a strain on the two becoming more reacquainted. Meanwhile, Heath starts to recognize the direction of his heart, but does not find his path easy. Then there is Gilbert, the son of the family that raised Nan, and it soon becomes evident that something is brewing in that direction.

Most the characters looked towards tomorrow and faith when it came to trying to make good decisions that would not make their lives any worse than they had previously experienced. While the story certainly had a tragic start, with more than one dark moment therein, as well as a mystery that unfolded, it soon became one of hope and comfort.

Many thanks to Barbour Fiction and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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Abandoned, abused, and separated in childhood, siblings Nan and Heath grew up in two different worlds. When their father returns, reuniting them, Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she does not love and Heath to leave behind the simple life he has forged as a clergyman. As danger, secrets, and death unfold, Nan and Heath must decide who they are and how much they are willing to sacrifice to hold on to the long-held dream of family.

A story of betrayal, heartbreak, and love, When Tomorrow Came explores the topics of family and forgiveness. Hannah Linder penned moments that elicited strong emotions — from heart-wrenching scenes that left me wanting to cry for two young children to scenes that had me wanting to crawl into the story and give a character, or five, a good tongue lashing.

My biggest struggle with this book is that it attempted to do too much. Not only did it span decades, it tried to be a family saga, a romance, and include a mystery thread all at once. Consequently, things often felt rushed or unexplored.

I liked Nan, Gilbert, and Heath. However, with more depth to their characters, stories, and motivations, I could have loved them. Sadly, that was not the case with Temperance. She was shallow, immature, and wishy-washy. Heath deserved more. The fact that he was drawn to her never made sense to me. I didn’t care for Nan’s love triangle either.

Nonetheless, When Tomorrow Came offers a nice read for Regency fans, and I will be on the lookout for more by this author in the future. I am especially excited for her next novel which will be a gothic tale — my favorite kind!

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