Sadly this book just was not for me. This sat on my kindle for quite some time - twice I have attempted to read and twice I did not finish.

Thankyou for the opportunity but I will not be providing feedback on any commercial sites for this book.

🔹 I hate that it took me so long to read this book, because I quite enjoyed it.

🔹 I have been studying and researching my own genealogy since I was about 10 years old. I was given a school assignment to create a family tree to at least 5 generations back and I was hooked ever since. I now have over 66,000 names in my family tree, backed up with census records, military records, birth and death certificates, deeds, wills, newspaper articles and more. I love genealogy! And that is why this book was easy for me to love, too!

🔹 Genealogy is much more than just names and dates. It is about family, roots, experiences, and a sense of belonging. This story gives us a glimpse at how understanding our backgrounds and relationships within our families can help us to not only feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves, but to also recognize our own uniqueness and to follow our own paths.

🔹 I enjoyed the dual timelines (present day in Colorado vs. 1878 in Memphis). The peek into the past, which was during the Yellow Fever epidemic, was particularly compelling. How the timelines connected was really great!

🔹 I appreciated the Christian elements in the story.

🔹 This was an enjoyable and inspiring story that had me hooked. It is the first book in the Tree of Life series by this author. There are a total of five books in the series now and I’m looking forward to reading them all.

Thank you @NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! The writer is well-able to create memorable scenes and characters, and this is an easy and fun read. Perfect for reading by the beach or the pool, and all of us can relate to not performing as the family may want you to. How does Meri navigate the challenges of coming from a family of doctors and flunking out of med school? You'll have to read it!

I was so quickly hooked on this first book in a very excellent series. This book is about the past, and the present. Faith and the future and genealogy and history are all included. It's warm and moving. It's deeply rooted in faith and family, without a huge romance plot. Epidemics of old, Memphis and yellow fever are only a few of the things in this book. The characters are all strong and make you anticipate more from them in days to come.

I so appreciate the opportunity to read this first book in this series Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher.

I had been looking forward to reading this because of the genealogist aspect. I enjoyed seeing how it was used as a profession but other than that the story fell flat for me. I found the characters very one-dimensional. Possibly a book prior to this would give more definition to the town and its ongoing characters. I felt thrown into a place where I didn't know anyone and there was certainly no fun or warm fuzzies in the hunt for ancestors. Jillian seemed to be the only one enjoying herself.

I'm the librarian for my church and always on the lookout for new christian fiction. This was an enjoyable read that switches from the present to the past.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me read and review this book.

I enjoyed reading this story about a professional genealogist because I enjoy genealogy. The characters were well written and enjoyable. It was a little off-putting, though, about how nosy (and almost stalker-ish) some of the people were in the book. It's one thing to research people who ask you to do research about their family. It's another thing to just do it on someone you know. That was the only thing I didn't care for in the book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Edited review on 10/23/20

When I first read this book, I thought it was okay. I did not completely follow the characters or the storyline. Then I was asked to read the second book, and I knew that I would definitely not keep up without at least skimming book one again. And I liked it so much better the second time. I was able to keep up with the plot. And I came to appreciate even more the importance of family in this plot. I am not sure that I have ever updated a review before, but I felt like this one deserved to be bumped up since my opinions definitely changed. I have now read four books in the series, and I am quite glad that I continued to give the series a chance. As the books progress, the plots have continued to become more cohesive and interesting.

Updated rating: 4.2 stars


This is my original review from 6/19/19.

This is a time slip book. At first, I did not really connect to the historic story. But by the end, the stories went together. I wish that there would have been more of a spiritual element. There was definitely a strong family element to the book. While I do think that the past affects the present, I do not know that I am convinced that there the generational influence is as strong as the author portrays. I would possibly be willing to read another book in the series. I did like the father-daughter duo.

(I forgot to include that I did read this book through NetGalley. All opinions were my own.)

I started reading this novel and then found that it just wasn't the right timing for me. I enjoyed the overall premise and the characters, it just didn't capture my attention. Thank you for my copy. I hope to read it again soon.

The Inn at Hidden Run was such a great book with two heartwarming stories that entwined together. Olivia Newport is a wonderful story teller, I'm looking forward to more of this series!

Giving an interesting, unique twist to the types of mysteries I typically read, The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport focuses heavily on genealogy to reveal the truth.

Failing to meet her family’s expectations, Meri Davies flees to the Inn at Hidden Run B&B in Canyon Mines, Colorado. Here, she encounters genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, lawyer Nolan Duffy. The pair determines to dig into Meri’s family history, as a second layer of the story—a peek into the 1870s yellow fever epidemic—complements their work in an intriguing way.

Throughout The Inn at Hidden Run, the past speaks to the present, and it fascinated me. While the character interactions didn’t always feel believable to me, I did enjoy seeing their overall story unfold and look forward to reading more of this series.

One book that will have you reading till the end. I was unsure if I would like this book but took at chance because I have read other books by this author. I will say that I am looking forward to reading the next book.

A newcomer to town, a young woman, alone and with no job. She is hired at the local B&B as the receptionist with room and board included. She is friendly enough as long as you don't ask about her past and family. The B&B owner, her husband, her best friend and her best friend's father recognize a person running away from something. They set out to find her secrets and help her find her way. The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport intertwines a story from the past, an actual real life story, with her kind, caring characters and using the information explains this young lady, her family, where their story began and where it is now. The use of genealogy to find the families past proves how the past explains and even years, centuries later the past influences the present. Enjoy!

Meri has run away and is trying to keep her secrets hidden but the nosy people of the town won't let her. Nia and Jillian are friends and they can't seem to leave Meri and her secrets alone so they go behind her back and dig to figure out what she is hiding. I really liked the back and forth between the two time frames and it was very interesting.

I had received this book as an e-ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. this book consists of two main storylines. One being the present-day in the fictional town of Canyon Mines, Colorado and another storyline revolving around the yellow fever epidemic in the late-1800s in Memphis. I found the yellow fever epidemic storyline more interesting. I didn't find myself drawn to any of the characters in either storyline. I think the interest in the yellow fever epidemic was due to the current situation, the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, I'd give this book 2.75 stars on Goodreads. I ended up listening to this book on Hoopla; I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed learning about the yellow fever epidemic

Initially I was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover. Thankfully the beauty of this book was enhanced by the beauty of the story inside. This book is structured with two things I especially enjoy-dual timelines and a fresh start at life trope. If you enjoy those aspects, coupled with an inspirational lean, you won't want to miss The Inn at Hidden Run!

Thanks go to NetGalley and Barbour Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Always happy to share my wisdom that the work will always be there later, but the moment is only here now."

The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in The Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. This novel takes place in a split time frame - present day Canyon Mines, Colorado and 1878 Memphis. Both storylines were engaging and it was interesting to see how the two came together.

A father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees.
Nolan Duffy, family law attorney and legal mediator, and Jillian Parisi-Duffy, his daughter, live in an old Victorian home in a picturesque small mountain town.
When Meri Davies arrives in town and starts working at The Inn at Hidden Run Bed-and-Breakfast, owned by Nia and Leo Dunston, she seems very nervous and distracted. It isn't long before Jillian and her father try to "take her under their wings" and befriend her. What is Meri hiding? Why does she seem like she might run away?
Some of the historical scenes are based on true happenings. The historical part of the story takes place in Memphis during the Yellow Fever epidemic of the late nineteenth century. I was very interested in the story of Eliza Davies and admired the loving way she unselfishly devoted herself to helping the Sisters care for the poor, sick and dying people and orphans.
"Officially the city was still under quarantine. Surely the Board of Health had some sort of plan for handling the cases that had erupted so far. The papers were vague about opinions of members of the Board of Health. Memphis physicians did not seem to be of uniform mind about the threat of yellow fever, nor appropriate treatment, but surely someone in charge would know how to dispatch help."
The main characters in both timelines were well developed with strong personalities. I like the easy give-and-take relationship between Jillian and her father.
I want to return to the friendly little Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines to explore and celebrate more unforgettable family stories.

"May you always find nourishment for your body at the table. May sustenance for your spirit rise and fill you with each dawn. And may life always feed you with the light of joy along the way." - Irish blessing

***Thanks to author Olivia Newport, Shiloh Run Press, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Inn at Hidden Run #1 in the series Tree of Life in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

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The Inn at Hidden Run is a great beginning to Olivia Newport's latest series. I already read the second and third books and even though I felt they could stand-alone, I wanted to see how it all started. Both story-lines held my attention--something that doesn't always happen for me. I loved that Olivia brought real history to light in this book. I learned about the "yellow jack" epidemic that erupted in 1878 in Memphis and how the people back then were affected. This made for interesting reading seeing how we're in the middle of Covid-19 right now. I also enjoyed the contemporary setting where Meri comes to Jillian's town and she and her dad (and neighborhood friends) become immersed in Meri's life and her genealogical story.

I highly recommend this clean, Christian book. It touched me and I hope you'll feel the same way!

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

So these first three books of my list are part of "The Tree of Life" series by Olivia Newport. I found these through Netgalley...I read the description for the third one "When I Meet You" (publish date of May 1, 2020) and it seemed right up my alley, so I requested it. Then I realized it was number three in a series so I requested the first two and started reading. All three of them have wonderful storylines and I love the genealogical search that happens in all of them and the history that plays along with the modern day storyline. I fell in love with all the characters from the small town of Canyon Mines, CO and I felt like I was right there with them. I'd have to say I did not enjoy the first book as much as the other two. It took me quite awhile to get into the first book...it seemed very wordy and choppy feeling to me, but I was hooked and wanted to see how it all played out so I stuck it out. Then I moved right on to the next two books and enjoyed those a lot more. The writing seemed more fluid and I got drawn in quicker in them than I did the first one. I believe there is a fourth one planned for sometime in the future and I am looking forward to that one!

Ebooks – I received free copies of these book from NetGalley for the purpose of honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And waits. It’s only a matter of time.

What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.

But none of that changes the fact that Meri’s family is closing in to haul her back to her “real” life. When their arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan and Jillian may be out of time.

This book was slow in spots. But then it would pick up and I didn't want to put it down. Jillian is really driven to find peoples roots. She can't seem to help but get involved when people are searching for their family. I do recommend this book as a light read.

I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.