I have truly enjoyed Olivia Newport's Tree of Life series, but his third book is by far my favorite. While it would work well as a stand-alone read, the reader will enjoy it more having familiarity with the main characters built by reading the first two books. In each book there is a contemporary story set in Canyon Mines, Colorado and a back story being researched by genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy, frequently assisted by her father, Nolan. The back story includes a mystery of sorts, one for which a genealogist is well suited.

Newport is a master of building relationships and community within her stories. Her main characters demonstrate care and selflessness, and bring out the best in others. I recommend this book, series, and author,and am grateful to have received a copy of When I Meet You from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and receive no monetary compensation.

Another wonderful book from Olivia Newport

I have enjoyed reading Olivia Newport's books for several years, starting with her "Hiding in Plain Sight", and her writing keeps getting better. Her current "Tree of Life" series is excellent, charming but complex characters in twisty time-split plots. I find the incorporation of genealogical research in solving historical mysteries very interesting and diverting.

"When I Meet You" is book three of this series, but in my opinion, could be read as a stand-alone, or read first, then back=track to the other books in the series. Definitely a good book for these times, something that won't keep you up (unless, like me, you lack discipline...)

Thank you to the publisher who furnished a time-constrained e-arc through Netgalley. I have no obligation to review this book and this review is my honest opinion.

When I Meet You by Olivia Newport
3.5 - 4 stars
This is a phenomenal book but I do feel like I am missing a great deal of the back story. I wish I read the first two in the series, I may have to go do that now. The book is still quite readable even with the missing pieces.
I really enjoyed the mash of the early 1900s and present day time and how genealogy plays a role in this mystery. The author deftly writes a compelling story filled with regular people you wish were your friends in everyday life.

I don't understand the bizarre relationship with Jillian and her father. It seemed so odd until about halfway through when I realized Jillian’s mom died when she was very young. Also, something about Drew and his odd changing behavior regarding his Aunt Min is really bizarre. However, this is a good book and I do recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

I had zero expectations going into this book, having been unfamiliar with both the series and the author, and while I was a little slow to get into it, once I did I was completely engaged. Following the genealogical history mystery and finding out how the stories and characters intersected are two points in history was fascinating. There’s even a tiny touch of romance that could have fun potential in the next book. I’m hooked.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In “When I Meet You” by Olivia Newport, a father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees, as they try to unravel the mystery hidden in a century-old abandoned trunk. Olivia Newport charmingly draws readers into the story and keeps them glued to the fascinating storyline. It is very well-written, with likeable characters. It holds our rapt attention from start to finish. Olivia brings the characters to life in the carefully-crafted pages of this fascinating book. It’s a wonderful read! I highly recommend it to all avid readers of Olivia Newport’s beautiful books.

Once again Olivia Newport has woven a great history which was well developed and kept me guessing! With the discovery of a lost trunk there were plenty of clues as to where the owner had gone and the family trail to discover. I truly enjoyed this selection and am ready for the next discovery, Thank You NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a story about a professional genealogist who is also solving the mystery of a trunk abandoned at Union Station in Denver in 1909. What happened to the owner? Why didn’t she claim her trunk? Was her identity stolen? Meanwhile, her attorney father has agreed to cook for 200 people at a celebration in their small mountain community in Colorado. This is somewhat interesting but to make it more interesting, recipes at the back of the book would have been nice. Otherwise this part of the story made it kind of slow going and less appealing. The historical and genealogical aspects were extremely interesting to me since I am also a genealogist.

I would recommend this book to a limited number of my friends with similar interests.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago leads Jillian and Nolan to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.

This is the third book in The Tree of Life Series. It's not necessary to read the first two books to read this book. In this book Jillian is still hard at work with her genealogy work. Her dad is contacted by a museum about an old truck that was left at the railroad station years ago. Inside is paper work hinting that a Pinkerton investigation is involved. Jillian jumps right in and starts tracking down leads to see if she can find out who the trunk belongs to. This book kept me reading to discover the mystery.

I was given this book by Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I was pleasantly surprised and fascinated at how the author used genealogy research to uncover a grand mystery about a trunk abandoned at the Denver’s Union Station a century ago. Even though this is book three in the tree of life series I didn’t feel lost but instantly connected with the main characters and their situation. I felt engaged in the story, but I wish I had read book one first because then I would know the history of the main characters. The author hints to Jillian’s back story with a trunk, but I never did find out the whole deal. It makes me want to read book one to find out the secret.

Jillian is passionate about genealogy and obsessed with finding out why a trunk was left behind. She loves searching out clues and information that will help find the owner of the trunk. She is hoping to locate living relatives that would know more. Jillian thinks there was foul play involved.

In a note to readers the author asks the question, “..What do you have around your house that tells your family’s story…My hope with a story like When I Meet You is that you will value those items, ask the questions of people who know the answers while you still can, and add to the flow of the narrative with your own items and the reasons they are meaningful for the next generation.”

The author then goes on to talk about all the cooking Nolan does in the book (which I enjoyed very much) she mentioned that eating together helps make memories, and creates shared experiences. I liked Duffy’s Blessings at the end “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 fee you with the light of joy along the way.”

I could not put this book down. This was nourishment for my mind and soul as I hung out with characters, I enjoyed learning about. It would make for a great summer read. But I would recommend reading book one first. You’ll get more out of the story. It’s a great escape from these crazy times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Being an amateur genealogist myself, When I Meet You by Olivia Newport was right down my alley. While it took a little getting used to jumping back and forth from the present time to the past it was worth the effort. Jillian, a genealogist and her father Nolan, a lawyer, are given a trunk that hadn't been opened in over a hundred years and are asked to find out what they can about the story behind it...and the adventure begins.

This is the 3rd book in the Tree of Life series and the first one I have read. I plan on reading the previous two soon!
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Clearly I am finishing up "the third book" in a number of series lately! For this latest installment in Olivia Newport's Tree of Life series, I must say I have enjoyed each book more than the last. "When I Meet You" definitely did not disappoint.

We return to the small town of Canyon Mines in Colorado. Lawyer Nolan is contacted by a museum curator to investigate if the steamer trunk recently discovered in their basement has any legal ramifications.....and although it is perfectly preserved, some of the contents have given them pause. Nolan knows research is needed, but also realizes that a 100+ year old archived piece of history has dropped into Jillian's lap too, and she won't be able to sleep until she solves the mystery.

The author reveals the complete story in a fun way - bouncing back and forth between what happened in 1909 combined with letters from Pinkerton detectives with present day findings, including a possible connection to Jillian's own family history. Throw into the mix possible romance, a big town event, and Nolan's latest cooking escapades (will he ever settle on a menu? And can he actually pull it off?) creates an excellent recipe (yes I know what I did there) for a wonderful story.

One of the things I have grown to appreciate about this author is that the characters are multi-dimensional. This book's mystery has a delightful resolution, and the preview of the next book made me slightly impatient! I can easily recommend this entire series (and yes.....this is definitely one where you should start at the beginning!)

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this third book in the series by Olivia Newport. The continuation of characters is always enjoyable. It was great to see Jillian show some interest in Drew, but this could have developed a bit more. Hopefully in book 4! There was a lot of food descriptions in this one that really didn't interest me that I was able to just skim. Overall it was a good book.

Another excellent dual timeline from Olivia Newport's Tree of Life series. This is the 3rd book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. The common denominator in all of the books of this series are legal mediator, Nolan Duffy and his Geneologist-extraordinaire daughter Jillian. This father-daughter duo find themselves in the midst of another mystery that requires both of their expertise.

In this story, Nolan is contacted by a small museum curator who has found a steamer trunk in his basement that had never been claimed from the Denver train station in 1909. He's wondering at the legal ramifications and asks Nolan to take a look. Jillian's passion for solving the mysteries of the past through geneology hooks her in to the mystery of the trunk as well and she almost loses herself in this case as it reminds her of her own history mystery. This one digs a bit deeper into the characters themselves. I enjoyed the timeline swaps from present day to 1909 where we see the trunk making its voyage to Denver and finally learn the mystery of its abandonment. This was a fun tale of mystery, intrigue and (unlike its predecessors), a touch of romance. I'll be interested in seeing how that plays out in the 4th book, which is slated to release later this year. The faith thread in this one hovers in the background. It's not a deep part of the story, but I appreciated how Lynelle in 1909 and Jillian in modern day both found comfort in the Scriptures.

If you enjoy inspirational dual timeline women's fiction with just a sprinkling of romance, I would strongly recommend this one and the others in this series. Special thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to post a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I enjoyed this third book in the series about the Colorado town of Canyon Mines and The inn at Hidden Run.
This one dealt with a mystery and Pinkerton detectives around 100 years ago. I liked the story told in 1909 as well as the current day one. Jillian is a genealogist and her father Nolan an attorney and chef.who seem always up for new things to happen! A new character, Drew, turns up due to Jillian’s research into an abandoned trunk. Could a romance be in her future?
There is to be another title in this series and I look forward to reading it.
I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge Genealogy buff and am hooked on this series! This book really intrigued me and I was rewarded with an amazing experience! I loved the way Olivia Newport brought her characters both past and present to life in a way that you became completely caught up in both stories. I cannot wait for the next book… What You Said To Me due out in November 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Previously read and reviewed the first two books of the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport, The Inn at Hidden Run and In the Cradle Lies, involves genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, attorney Nolan Duffy. Living in the same Victorian home in Canyon Mines, Colorado, the Duffy’s are close friends with business owners in the area.


Book three of this series, When I Meet You by Olivia Newport, brings a century-long sealed trunk into the lives of Nolan and Jillian by a museum curator in Denver. The Duffy’s have permission to take the trunk home to investigate. Nolan wants to be sure the financial documents are legally sound and secured in rightful hands. Jillian wants to uncover this century-old mystery of who Lynnelle Benduere from Ohio is and why she never picked up her trunk from the Denver Union Station.

Jillian suspects somethings happened to this Lynnelle, but after searching through online resources and even going to a library in Denver to learn about documents of a trial involving the Pinkerton’s National Defense Agency and the fraud of many businesses of the time. Things go awry when Jillian finds herself being ordered to leave a private ranch property she feels is involved in this Lynnelle case, but the original owners are of a different name.

In conjunction, the story takes the reader through a few interactions with other riders on the trains Lynnelle is traveling on from Ohio to Colorado. One is found ruffling through her cabin while another seems to steal a telegraph Lynnelle just out down. While Lynnelle is courteous to all, she begins to wonder who she should trust.

Did something happen to Lynnelle? Or was there a name change to protect the innocent? A witness protection of sorts, possibly? Jillian has some of these answers after she learns that the handsome cowboy who invited her to his little red house in the ranch has done one of those DNA, spit in a tube, tests that left his wondering why his ancestry goes back to Ohio.

When I Meet You by Olivia Newtown is the third book of the Tree of Life series. It promises a book 4 as well! I give this book, and the series thus far, five out of five tiaras because as with the previous in the series, the writing keeps my attention and is so engaging that I feel like I’m in the Canyon Mines community and the characters are all my friends!

This is a time-slip novel where past and present are woven together to tell the story. Jillian’s occupation as a genealogist is a perfect back drop to the plot and the mystery that weaves her life with that of Lynelle a single woman traveling to Denver on her own in 1909.

Each time I came to the time sequence in 1909, I was captivated. I longed to know what was happening in Lynelle’s father’s business to place a woman traveling by herself for such a long distance. I enjoyed meeting the characters on the train. I enjoyed reading the correspondence from Pinkerton’s Investigation. Toward the end when we realize not everyone is who they say they are, I couldn’t put the book down.

The present time frame of the story dragged and while I enjoyed the beautiful father-daughter relationship, I found this part of the story did not keep me engaged. Most of this story-line revolves around Nolan preparing a dinner for 200 people but did not advance the story forward. I kept reading because I thought we’d see Jillian’s investigation unfold with her.

When she travels to the property and meets Drew, he becomes more involved in helping her father cook rather than helping her solve the mystery of his family. This happens quite a way into the story. Drew seems to take a backseat in the investigation into why his Great Aunt Min is so guarded. I would not say a romance develops between Jillian and Drew but rather an attraction. Mostly, because Drew is so much like Nolan, Jillian’s father who she adores.

Ms. Newport’s writing is fresh and enjoyable, her characters are kind and good people. While this is a third book in a series, it can stand alone. This is the first time I’ve read a book by Olivia Newport and I’d like to read one of her other stories. As I do love a good time slip novel.

I received an advanced reader copy from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for an honest review.

A genealogist is given a trunk, she then tries to find out what happened to the original owner. This book had two stories, both interesting. I didn’t realize it’s part of a series because it seemed to stand alone. I enjoyed the story and now will be patiently waiting for the next book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I have enjoyed the novels in this series. They are pleasant to read. The main characters are just nice people, people you'd like to have as neighbors. The community events are the kind you'd imagine for a small town. The relationships between the people involved are the kind that make you want to be a part of them.

There's no suspense but there is a mystery to be solved. It's a genealogical one. As in previous novels in the series, Jillian is out to solve the mystery. In this case it is a trunk left at a railroad depot over a hundred years ago. Who was the trunk's owner and what happened to her?

There are some interesting issues that arise in the novel. Do we sometimes hide from what we are afraid to find about our ancestors? Is it even important or worthwhile to find out about those who came before us? And from Jillian's father, when should we stop being obsessed with our investigation?

I recommend this nice, pleasant novel. You'll enjoy the family and community relationships and maybe just a hint of romance for Jillian. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This is the first time that have read this author. I really enjoyed this book. The story was as interesting basicall entwining 2 stories together to find the ending. Jillian was a geneologist and loved to trace history through old trunks and her dad Nolan was a lawyer. If you enjoy this subject you must definitely read this book. A GOOD READ.