For those who like historical romance, but don't really care if the characters and language fit the time period, you will enjoy this. Personally, I was disappointed in this, because while the story line was good, there are so many things about this that don't fit the historical time period of 1903, like the way people talk to one another, the unlikeliness of things happening the way they do, and the impropriety of some parts of the story, which would not have been acceptable in 1903.
I enjoyed this author's last book, but this one was just not as good or accurate.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls is a beautiful historical romance with Beauty and the Beast vibes!

Rachel Fordham’s writing has a way of pulling you in and making you feel like you are a part of the story. Filled with themes of love, healing, and acceptance, this book deeply touched my heart!

There is no doubt that Sadie West’s life is difficult. She is working hard in a feather duster factory to help support her family when her father gets hurt. Sadie’s life takes a turn for the worse when she is forced to live in an abandoned factory as her only means of shelter. Otis Taylor's life has been a mystery to a lot of people. When he returns home in secret to sell the family property, he stumbles across Sadie living in his factory. Otis unexpectedly offers Sadie a place to live and a job, which is an answer to her prayers. As the two spend time together they start to share details about their lives. I think for Otis this is the most challenging part because he has the physical and mental scares to contend with. Sadie looks beyond Otis's appearance which takes him by surprise. Sadie’s outlook on her life makes Otis examine his own life and what he’s been through. It is lovely to see how much growth and healing takes place for both characters. As their friendship blooms into something more there is a real possibility of a happy future for them if only, they can get past a few obstacles first.

What I loved:
-Small town
-Dual POV
-Wounded hero
-Letter exchanges
-Nicknames
-Themes of love, healing, & acceptance
-Roller skating
-The mystery elements
-The romance
-The epilogue

This story and these characters have captured my heart. I love the sweet romance that formed between Sadie and Otis. There were a couple of moments throughout the book that just warmed my heart and had me reaching for the tissues. The epilogue is one of them and is just absolute perfection! With wonderful side characters and a little bit of mystery this was the most enjoyable book!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance readers copy of Beyond Ivy Walls in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When hope lives alongside heartache, life is tangled, just like the ivy that grows on the walls around the property. Rachel Fordham has written an enchanting book that delves deep into the lives of Sadie and Otis, two characters that have each known heartache of a deep and abiding kind. This heartache can become all encompassing unless someone steps into that grief and exposes it to hope. This is what makes this story such and enchanting and exciting read.

Sadie is striving to hold onto her positive outlook while living in complete squalor and dejection but working hard at providing for her mother, her sisters, and her severely injured father. Hope is hard to find sometimes but Sadie looks to her family for purpose. Pushing ever onward, she is discovered by Otis living in the abandoned factory on his property. His aching for something worthwhile causes him to push past what his father or brother might have done and to offer his own version of hope to Sadie. Little does he realize that by doing so, he also reached for the hope she offers him.

As Sadie and Otis' friendship grows, we see the depth of the characters Fordham writes. They are courageous in the face of fear, stepping just to the edge of it each time, pushing slightly further toward it each time. This touching the edge of fear and pushing just into it each time was something I loved the imagery of. This image really brings to life the highlight of the story. Each push forward brought more hope and less heartache.

It was a joy to read Beyond Ivy Walls. It contains a depth of character not often seen in historical fiction and I found myself drawn into the story more and more with each passing paragraph. "I couldn't put it down" is a somewhat cliche statement but it was true of this story for me. I read late into the night, drawn more and more into finding out how Sadie and Otis would handle the hope and heartache, love and longing that were living next to each other in their daily lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a very sweet story. I'm already planning to read it again. I enjoyed the wholesome, Christian themes and the happy ending!

A Reclusive Bachelor. A Historical Beauty and the Beast. Family Secrets.


This christian romantic fiction takes place in the Early 1900s. Sadie West enjoys her position at the Hoag duster factory when her family is struck bankrupt, penniless. Except, the money she earns doesn't go to her boarding and food, it goes home to the distraught family. Sadie West is then forced to take up residence in an abandoned building. This is the where our lead girl meets the town's enigmatic bachelor.

We meet the other half of the story, protagonist Otis Taylor, having been recently returned from spurned exile. Sadie West catches his eye, instantly requesting her service with his estate. Not only that, but she can breathe to no one that the exiled man of the hour has returned. The eligible bachelor is brooding and mysterious and Sadie quickly finds that memories haunt this lonely man forced to vacate his own home. A childhood masked in pain and tragedy.

However, there is light in the darkness. Otis finds himself watching his new hired hand, noticing that she is quite literally the star in his night sky. The moon that lights up the dark crevices of the eerie midnight hours. His once shriveled heart begins to beat once again, for this woman who he found hiding on his family's property.

The story is sweet and a slow-burn romance. Our Beauty slowly begins to thaw the Beast, unraveling warm feelings and thoughts, removing the cobwebs in his dreary heart. Sadie makes Otis trust again. To feel again. To love again. The pair begin to investigate Taylor's ancestry tree, casting the mansion in a dark shadow as they learn horrific truths to the Taylor bloodline.

This clean historical romance was an emotional ride for me, and the family's depleting financials hit too close too home. Though in the past, I flinch when I read about hardship when it comes to house and home. Surviving is not living. Then, with certain events in the book that come to light, made me gasp out loud. It has been a while since I have audibly expressed surprise and horror.

Overall, I loved the character development. The historical nuance and facts felt immersive, believable. Not cheesy in some ways that others of the same genre feel. That end was also so satisfying in a way that I cannot even express. Read to find out why! 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

Set in Monticello, Iowa in 1903.
An old mansion full of secrets, a musician in hiding and a young woman in need of a safe place.

Sadie West is 23 and works at Hoag Feather Duster Factory where she sorts feathers. Sadie is supporting her family and everything she earns she sends to her family. When she loses her room and board, she sleeps in an old dilapidated, factory owned by Otis Taylor.

Otis is a musician who returns to his family home after many years away with the intention of selling it and moving away. Before he can sell his mansion, he needs to sort out what secrets his brother had been keeping.

I loved the way Otis and Sadie meet and work together to discover the secrets hidden in Otis’s house.

A romance of families, secrets and a need for love and acceptance.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There isn’t a book this author writes that I don’t love. The character gets are always so developed. The historical details are always so interesting and the storyline always keeps me interested.
Really an enjoyable read. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This was an entertaining story set in early 1900s Monticello, Iowa. The Beauty and the Beast themes such as Otis's disfigurement and reclusiveness, the townspeople's prejudice, and Sadie's kindness were all well done. I felt like the story ended a bit abruptly but that could have been because of breaks I took in reading it. Other than the romance, I enjoyed Sadie's family, the feather duster factory, the skating, and Wolf.

Rachel Fordham's books always hit the right spot for me, and Beyond Ivy Walls is no different!

The heartfelt Beauty and the Beast inspired retelling is set in the early 1900s Midwest, and futures a cast of unique and fresh characters. I loved Otis and Sadie, obviously, but Leon and Mildred were just as sweet a couple!

There are some deeper themes touched on during the story, but they are all handled with tact and thoughtfulness, as I've come to expect from Fordham.

This is a book that will touch readers hearts—speaking from experience 🥰💕

This was such a beautiful book. I loved both Otis' and Sadie's characters. The deep pain both physically and emotionally that Otis had to go through was enough to break anyone's heart and to watch Sadie try to help him through it was simply beautiful. Leon and Mildred were just perfect supporting characters. The love and laughter they bring to the story add so much and they are just the cutest little fill in grandparents. Definitely book a greatly enjoyed.

In "Beyond Ivy Walls" by Rachel Fordham, sacrificial love is honored to the utmost, to the point where it hurts the most, when life leaves you with excruciatingly painful experiences that leave permanent scars upon your heart. This poignant, deeply moving book is about healing, acceptance and forgiveness. Rachel Fordham dives deep into the human experience to write heartmoving stories with warmth and grace, involving memorable, unforgettable characters, who become an integral part of our hearts and lives, appealing to our intellects and emotions in a way that causes us to think about everything that is praiseworthy, honorable and good. "Beyond Ivy Walls" has a compelling, captivating title that captured my attention instantly, making me want to know urgently what went on behind the scenes. When I received a complimentary review copy from the publishers, I excitedly hung onto every single word and I could not put it down. Readers, you won't be disappointed. Get your own copy right away and step into a fascinating world that will keep you there forever!

I breezed through this book in just one day. It's far from your typical Beauty and the Beast tale. The banter between Sadie and Otis, or should I say Jane the Squatter and Mr. Rochester (an inside joke; if you want to know more, read the book 😉). I also loved the secondary characters, Leon and Mildred, and the family dynamic between Sadie and her family. I really hope there'll be a sequel, as I would love to read more about the West sisters and the loving town of Monticello.

It's a great book and I look forward to reading more words by Rachel Fordham.

This was beautifully done and I enjoyed the idea of the use of Beauty and Beast element. The characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed the overall concept of this book. It had everything that I wanted and enjoyed the overall feel of the book. I really enjoyed the overall feel of the romance element and thought it was realistically done.

When Otis Taylor returns to his family mansion after being banished since a teen, his lonely life and medical condition collide to a depth of hurt and anger. Sadie West comes from a loving family that has fallen on hard times and she is only in his area in order to help provide for her family. I loved how two such lonely souls connect in friendship but are left wanting for more. The community likely won’t be kind to these two, as they are oceans apart in societal status. There is a tender depth of emotion in both characters that comes shining through. I follow the Ms. Fordham pretty closely and can clearly see how her experience with fostering and adoption surfaces with another cute little character. She always puts a little bit of her experiences into her novels. The warmth and compassion of her characters is something that really attracts me to her writing. I have no qualms about highly recommending this newest offering!
Rachel Fordham is an auto buy for me and I have read and thoroughly enjoyed everything she has published. My favorite was The Hope of Azure Springs, but I think this newest release has eclipsed even that. She has a five more books to catch up on, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of her titles.
I received an early e -copy of this book from Net Galley and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

This was a lovely read, full of deep love, This was my first Christian Fiction book and I'm glad that it had some good spiritual elements to it without showing Bible related things at you all over the place. I felt pain for Otis, pride for Sadie's choices, and SO much anger at Otis' father. I really enjoy books that capture all of those bigger emotions throughout.

Oh, my, what a touching story! A profound story. I loved it and captivated me from the very beginning. Amazing, as always, Ms. Rachel!
I love Otis and Sadie. The author created beautiful characters. Very relatable characters facing fear and struggles, but also success as they overcome their own monsters within.
A story of love for the best of a child triumphing in spite of life long dreams and desires. How true love is sacrificial for the good of others, putting aside our own wants. This story truly touched my heart. I love how the author put it, “a different right way to love a child.”
Perhaps this excerpt will say it better than my own words…
“It would take time to grieve what might have been, but beside the grief was happiness. Somehow, pain and joy were walking side by side. He did not understand it, but he felt it.”

And oh, how much I enjoyed the West family home with all the sisters having fun and standing for each other. It gave me some LW vibes and some of my own family since we’re three sisters, and are the best of friends besides being sisters.

I love all the Jane Eyre references, it had me chuckling more than once…
“I wouldn’t want to be in company with a vagrant, but a man who has read Charlotte Brontë cannot be all bad.” 😀

Leon and Mildred are the best friends anyone could ask for, loved them!

And as always, I love sharing excerpts and quotes that find touching in the story, so here are some…

“Unwanted. It was a label no child, no person, should have.”

“It’s a shame, the way we shun when we should rally around those who struggle.”

“One cannot understand sorrow if one has no heart.”

“…sometimes we only have to go to the edge of our fear… if you could only take a step toward being braver.”

“The world needs both the timid and the bold.”

“What is normal?”
“Why can’t it be normal to be varied and different? In a world full of colors and shapes and backgrounds, who decided we were all supposed to be the same?”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Beyond Ivy Walls is a cosy historical fiction and a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Sadie is bereft, working in a factory by day, and sleeping rough at time as she saves money for her farming family. She is taken in by Otis, a reclusive wealthy gentleman who has returned to his family estate after being abandoned by his father as a child, due to his appearance. This is a slow burn romance with a gentle mystery woven through.

I really enjoyed the light pacing of this story, and the growth of Sadie and Otis. I loved Sadie’s spark and integrity, and the way that she helped Otis to work through his trauma. I liked Otis’ forthright character and willingness to step into discomfort. I loved Otis and Sadie’s meet-cute, and the beautiful messages throughout the story about acceptance, judgement, facing fears, family and love. The authors note at the end of the book about her research and personal experiences was really interesting and gave me a greater appreciation of the story.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

This story is a wonderful, gentle style historical tale. I enjoyed the characters and the historical setting. I have read many of Rachel Fordham's other stories, and I always appreciate the details she adds on the historical setting.

Beyond Ivy Walls by author Rachel Fordham is a Christian historical romance. It reminded me of an interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. It was a beautiful story.

Set in early 1900s Monticello, Iowa this is the story of Sadie West. Due to a family tragedy, she has left her home and gone to work in a feather duster factory. It is also the story of Otis Taylor. He is returning home to handle the estate after the death of his brother. The way the two meet is so imaginative.

The author has such an inviting style of writing. I became invested in the lives of the characters as well as the book. The characters were crafted with great care. They had depth, issues, and were believable. Some of them were absolutely lovable while others were despicable. The secondary characters were lovely, too. There were a few twists, a sweet romance, and history that provided knowledge on feather dusters.

I highly recommend this exquisite tale. It will give you all kinds of feels. This would make a nice choice for a reading group to dissect. I plan on buying a few copies as gifts. It gets a 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by NetGalley but these are my honest thoughts.

Beyond Ivy Walls
by Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: None
Rated: 4
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.
Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.”

Impressions: This was an enjoyable book with moments where I felt like I was in another story. For example, there were Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast vibes. The characters were playful and had engaging banter but felt pretend. Sadie was a hard worker but had a fairytale imagination that led to a whimsical, airy disposition; while Otis was struggling and had a heaviness to his character. I felt like Otis too easily overcame his past and Sadie faced her situation with too much optimism. I did however, like the moral lessons that were woven into the characters lives. I would recommend this for being an easy read with a clean romance. I also love this cover!

Quotes: “‘You are on the edge of your fear. That makes you strong, not weak.’” – I loved this line as it is a good rule of thumb when facing fears. We can ease into fearful situations sometimes to help us with being courageous. Getting close is scary but when we do get there it is an accomplishment that can propel us forward.

“‘You are the only person who makes me forget my scars.’ ‘You don’t have to forget them,’she whispered, their hands still touching. ‘Just remember there is more to you than what happened in the past. I’ve seen pieces of your heart- others will too.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.