I did not finish this one. The writing just didn’t fit with the tone of 1907. The suffragette movement is such a great backdrop and I wanted to learn about it but this one wasn’t giving me anything.

First let me say that I am awed and humbled by what the suffragists and suffragettes have done for women and gender equality. They had to suffer unimaginable torture and ridicule, and had to employ violent fanatasicsm at times to get the vote. I’ll always be grateful. This book tells the story of Lilia Brooke who becomes a significant part of the movement and is passionate about the cause. She is not supposed to be soft and kind, she is supposed to be committed and zealous. But there is no balance in her character. No amiability or empathy - and that made her very unlikeable. There is a love story at the centre of this narrative between Lilia and a religious man - I can see that he deeply loves her. I just can’t understand why.
The love story doesn’t work, and the story, while probably accurate historically, did nothing to draw me in. I found myself bored by Lilia’s constant diatribes and inability to examine emotions, and frustrated by Paul’s frequent disappointment. It’s only 2 stars from me - mainly because the book is well-written and edited.

Rated 4.5 - IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS by Clarissa Harwood fascinated me with its unusual subject matter for a historical romance. It’s uncharacteristic, as well as depicts strong women who fought for their rights in the early 1900s. This “new” woman was sexually aware, smoked, and went to jail for what she believed in. These were the women who fought for our equality in a time when no one believed they could win. But they did.

Lilia Brooke taught at her father’s school until her attitude unbecoming to a village teacher forced her to move to London to teach at her friend’s girls’ school. She reconnects with her childhood friend and intellectual peer, Paul Harris, a clergyman at St. John’s Cathedral. Their on-again, off-again friendship is exasperating for both. Lilia isn’t religious and has no patience for the rules of the church, whereas Paul is a canon and striving to become dean. His faith is everything to him.

Lilia and Paul are interesting characters. Lilia’s involvement with the women’s suffrage movement fascinates Paul who is tied to his church. They rarely see eye-to-eye, but that’s what makes their relationship interesting. I couldn’t help but wonder if they’d become romantically involved, then I’d have my doubts, then I’d wonder again. Will their convictions suffer for it? Paul eventually realizes he has deeper feelings than he imagined for Lilia. She shuts him out after a tragedy. Will they ever come to terms with their feelings?

I didn’t like Lilia at first. She is so committed to her cause that she comes off as lacking emotion. But Lilia’s empathy grows as the story progresses. She becomes less militant and more understanding. Lilia is selfish, and her redemption follows tragedy. Paul was broken and confused. He floundered, and I wondered how he’d pull it together. Then we’re introduced to Will, who is quite a character. I couldn’t stop picturing Will as Johnny Depp when he played Sam in Benny and Joon. He’s eccentric and adds a thorn in Paul’s side while confusing Lilia.

Quite an adventure, IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS can be graphic. The forced feedings in jail were horrifying, but it was necessary to show how committed these women were to their cause. And what horrific things men did to hold them back during the British suffrage movement. I was surprised at how violent the women got to draw attention, but it worked.

The author’s note at the end explains how she addressed the timeline to suit the story. I was super curious about the Church of England and Paul’s role in it, but my questions weren’t answered. Some things are assumed, so if you’re not familiar with religion during this historical time, you’ll be like me and off on a research tangent. It’s hard to believe that the privilege earned was women’s right to vote, and it wasn’t that long ago. Women’s suffrage says it all.

Thought provoking and deeply moving, IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS is an exquisite addition to the historical romance genre. I loved the setting, the suspense, and the satisfying ending. And that cover! It’s what drew me to this new-to-me author in the first place. Great debut!

Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest.

When authors I love endorse or excessively talk about stories they love, I try to pay attention — even if a story is outside my “normal” reading scope (i.e. new authors, small publishers, different genres). When author Rachel McMillan gushed over Impossible Saints by Clarissa Harwood, a general market historical romance, I knew I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. And, I really liked it!

Impossible Saints is a flowing, layered general fiction title with subtle Christian overtones, exploring themes of conviction, purpose, and challenges to preconceptions or societal norms. Its two characteristics that stand out the most are its depiction of an era both tumultuous and expectation-laden, a relevant parallel with today in some ways; and its endearing characters, with even the secondary characters taking on vibrant tones. Rachel McMillan was right in referencing both Grantchester (ITV) and the film Suffragette(2015) in her review. This book has similarities with both “visual” depictions, but its storyline is distinctly its own. I would say it is like Grantchester without the moral ambiguity or mystery meets Suffragette with all the wit and verbal banter of the classic Hollywood era.

Oh, the romance! What starts as believable camaraderie between reunited childhood friends grows into an authentic friendship with sparks of attraction. Before long, Paul and Lilia must face what their relationship must look like in the face of the women’s movement, church and societal expectations, and personal motives as it morphs into a romantic dynamic. The push-pull of their relationship really represents the importance of broadening perspective — that being inclusive and choosing to care for someone doesn’t mean you must compromise your identity or convictions.

For my blog readers who typically stick to clean inspirational fiction titles, I do want to mention a few things about this novel’s content. It is a *little* more candid and sensual when it comes to the romance verbiage, it depicts tobacco use, and has a few very mild expletives.

Impossible Saints is equally candid, and refreshingly so, when tackling issues such as women’s roles or the contrasts between ritual in the church vs. faith in action. I would have liked Lilia’s growth in receptiveness to Paul’s faith to have been a little more by story’s end, though I think the door is left open to her for deeper faith after “the end”. But maybe that’s my personal convictions shining through in my perception of her character. Overall, I thought it an authentic portrayal of the era and a beautiful story of romance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ebook review copy. This is my honest review.

Harwood's debut novel is a well written, and researched, story of the Women's Suffrage movement in 1907 England. It is Historical Fiction at it's finest! She manages to join the feminism of the day-a women's right to vote-with a love story, without detracting from the Struggle or becoming sappy. Her research of the time, place, and subject are in depth, and her treatment of the various societal forces in play are woven into an excellent story.

Thanks Pegasus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Wow, this novel has so many things going for it. It will appeal to the religious and nonreligious like me. Can balance be found in life? This is the grand question for these two people in this novel. They go thru hell to find out. YOu'll be so glad you read this book at the end.

There's something magical about reading a book where the main characters are so well-drawn they transcend the page and pull you into their story. Paul and Lilia are two such characters. Their relationship does seem impossible (Paul is an Anglican priest and Lilia a suffragette) and their goals and ambitions do seem at odds with one another, but throughout the book, I kept hoping two such exceptional people would find a way to bridge their differences.
Impossible Saints is a history lesson, wrapped in a love story, wrapped in a fascinating tale. I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, but I'll buy this book and read it again and again.

IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS is a delightful, thought-provoking, well-written debut novel. The novel stars Lilia and Paul, and the plot follows their complicated love story and tells it from both of their perspectives. Alternating chapters/scenes between Lilia's and Paul's perspectives shows how both of them confront and question their beliefs. Lilia is a headstrong woman who defies the Edwardian conventions to fight (literally fight) for women's suffrage in early 1900s England. Paul is an Anglican priest who is driven by his desire to advance in the church - and, at first, he is (almost) willing to get there by any means necessary. It's their growing love for each other (as well as factors) that cause Lilia and Paul to grow and change as people. Overall, this novel was a very enjoyable read. It takes Lilia's and Paul's love story and sets it solidly in a history lesson.

Lilia, an advocate for women's rights, and Paul, an Angelian priest start out as friends. As time goes by, their attraction for each other grows. There is just one problem-their lifestyles do not really mesh. This is the story of their love and how they work it out. It is also a great story of fighting for women's rights. Lilia is a very strong character and she works very hard advocating for a better life for women. She even goes to jail and almost dies. I always like to read books about women who fought so hard for all the rights I have today and Lilia is a stand out character in this genre.

I was drawn to this novel mainly due to the subject matter. The suffragette movement strikes a chord with me and I'm sure many women and seemed especially relevant to today's recent events. I did not know much about the movement in England, so from a historical point of view I found it very interesting. The story of the women involved and especially their treatment from society and in jail was especially compelling. However, I felt at times the story was lacking. It's hard to put into words what was lacking but there were moments where I tended to lose interest. The romance between Paul and Lilia started off well. However, towards the end of the novel, I felt like the author was just trying to wrap things up quickly and give the characters their happy ending.

I struggled with giving this 3 stars instead of 4. Clarissa Harwood is a gifted writer and the story is definitely interesting and worth the read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

Bored and unsatisfied with her life as a schoolmistress, Lilia exchanges the tedious doldrums of her rural village existence for one of drama and danger with the suffrage movement in London. Advocating not only for the women's vote, but for the highly controversial issue of contraception, Lilia is thrust into the center of a charged, often violent, circle. A priest in the Anglican church, Paul aspires to a position as dean with the St. John's Cathedral. Opposites in their religious beliefs and political involvement, childhood friends Lilia and Paul are nonetheless drawn to each other's intellect and passion. But reconnecting brings an unexpected disarray to both of their lives, particularly when a public association with a militant suffragette could mar Paul's reputation and ruin his chances of rising within the church. But his interest in keeping Lilia from harm's way, and Lilia's own irresistible draw to her close friend, despite her vehemence in resisting traditional marriage, will force the pair to confront their own stubborn beliefs and convictions while making impossible choices about their love for each other.

Impossible Saints is a unique read elaborating on a period of British history that is not typically seen in historical fiction. Harwood uses an unexpected romance to lighten the sober subject matter of this narrative, but in no way did I find it to be detracting from the significance of a story steeped in dark history. However, readers looking for an exclusively informative historical novel may find the flirting and courting to be distracting. While a majority of the novel flows seamlessly, the midpoint of Impossible Saints lags, with a surplus of romantic back and forth that grows tedious. But while my interest flagged during this portion of the story, my dedication to these characters and their unique stories kept me invested. Alternately verdant and harrowing, Harwood establishes a balance between narrating the heroism of fearless female trailblazers and the uncertainties of a developing love. Lilia is a stalwart and inspired character and a noble tribute to the women in history she represents. Impossible Saints is a testament to the power of fiction in its ability transport, transform, and inspire a reader. A must read for those interested in women's suffrage and the provocative relationship between faith and feminism.

There are two things I love to get from historical fiction, especially when I am thinking about whether it's a good book club book. First, does it teach me something I didn't know and make me want to learn even more? Second, does it lend itself to spirited discussion and debate? IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS nailed it for both of these considerations.

Clarissa Harwood clearly loves London of the early 20th Century, as well as the history of the suffrage movement. She weaves these historical elements through a story of a headstrong and intelligent woman bent on changing the world while falling into a relationship (with an Anglican priest) that seems contrary to all of her other life goals. After reading IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS, I feel armed with a foundational knowledge of British suffrage, and would love to dig through Harwood's sources to learn more.

As for the second consideration (good book club discussion), the headstrong Lilia and the decisions she makes are perfect for book clubs. I can't get into the specifics without spoiling things, but let's just say I expected a different outcome and would argue to the death about why (and probably get just as much in return from my book club mates). Further, the topic itself, women's fundamental rights, is ripe for discussion any time, but especially in today's political environment. I think any women's book club would have a great meeting based on this book.

“Impossible Saints” was a peak into the plight of women fighting for equal rights in the early decades of the 1900s in England, as well as a darling live story. Lilia Brooke is the best and worst of the Strong Woman, and Paul is (most times) a picture of what Strong Women want their partners to be. It’s impossible not to become wrapped up in the story and desperately want equal rights for women, but also for Paul and Lilia to live happily ever after, even when those two things seem at odds. What a wonderful read! Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to preview this lovely story!

I really enjoyed this book. A complicated and involving love story set during a period of change in Edwardian England. The women’s sufferage movement is not merely a back drop however but echoes the journey that Lillia, the MC, is taking internally as she struggles to balance principles and precepts learned in childhood with her growing awareness of the wider world and its injustices, whilst still maintaining the basic potential for rightness within that world. This is not a preachy book at all however despite its feminist perspective. If you want lovely prose, sweeping historical detail and a good plot, Impossible Saints offers all of that too. Really very good.

This book is so beautifully written I felt as though I glided though each page. I found Lilia and Paul both believable and likable. I am typically not as drawn to romance centered stories but I was quickly rooting for the love story and was interested to see what happened. My favorite part of the book was definitely the dialogue between Lilia and Paul...it was so witty and clever while still being believable. I loved the quotes that preceded every chapter and I loved the repeated mention of Mary Wollstonecraft. The historical aspect of the book was so interesting and inspiring. I loved Lilia's personality and her drive for change. The penitentiary aspect was a particular favorite of mine.

A wonderful debut, a solid plot, and intriguing characters. A book i would advise to people who are looking for historical fiction with something more. A bit too sedate and emphatic at times but really good on a generale level.
It surely deserves five stars

It is hard to wrap your mind around the fact that barely over a 100 years ago, women were giving up their lives for the right to vote. Women were imprisoned for fighting for the right to vote. Women were ostracized for wanting the right to vote.

Impossible Saints reminds us of all these facts and more. I definitely recommend adding it to your to read lists.

Lilia Brooke is a protagonist you root for as she leaves a small town in England to fight for the right to vote. You see a relationship where she must choose doing what feels right for HER or fighting for ALL. You see her other relationships/friendships and how some want her to fit into what THEY think a woman should do. We all need to give thanks to the real women who fought for us!

This is one of those books you think please make a limited run series (hint HBO) because too much to cover in a 2 hour movie but soo much to learn and realize.

Impossible Saints by Clarissa Harwood is a one of a kind book. It will stay with me and become one of the books I read over and over again. It’s not because of the romance aspect but because of Lilia, the portrayal of the suffrage movement and Paul.

There were many times I found myself laughing, smiling and pressing a hand to my chest with sadness. Both Lilia and Paul struggle throughout. It wasn’t only the struggle for the right to vote but it was in them finding themselves.

Often times when reading fiction set during the suffrage movement, you see it romanticized. You don’t get to see how hard and how far women would go for this right. I feel like Harwood did her research and made sure the readers could feel the passion of the women, how far they would go and how the people in their lives dealt with how society saw that.

Paul, as a Canon in the church, struggles with accepting Lilia’s involvement in such militant group. But once he realizes Lilia was never meant for the restrictions society put on her and he recognized what his feelings toward her truly were, he’s supportive even if it isn’t considered respectable.

Lilia and Paul’s relationship at times made me crazy, but in the best way. They began as friends in their youth and reconnect. The development from friends, to the possibility of more and then to admitting their feelings, it was worth all the heartache and the journey they had to take.

Would I recommend this to others? Oh yes. I’m going to buy a physical copy to keep on my shelves as well.

This was a little too sedate for my tastes. It's very earnest and full of measured, rational arguments. At my library I would recommend this to older ladies looking for a sweet historical story

3.5 stars! This was a solid debut novel that fans of unique historical romance will enjoy. I wanted to read this book because it's set in the early 20th Century (my favorite!), and the author's great attention to historical detail really brought the story to life. Paul and Lilia made for an intriguing and fun-to-watch couple (an Anglican priest and a militant suffragette? yes, please!), even if their sparks and chemistry occasionally felt more melodramatic than passionate. They also started professing their undying love much too early in the story for my taste. The writing style was more omniscient than I prefer, so most of the time I felt just that -- that I was watching the story instead of experiencing it with the characters. The story was also told episodically, which was still enjoyable to read, but lacked some of the nail-biting tension that a cohesive, escalating plot with a dramatic conclusion could have provided.

Other than that, my major bone to pick with this book is the cover change: I may be in the minority, but I LOVED the old cover! The stained-glass suffragette was vibrant and distinct, and is actually what caught my eye and made me want to read this book in the first place. This generic redesign is dreary in comparison, and not only makes this book look like every other stinkin' historical on the shelves today, but really does a disservice to the unique characters contained within its pages.