Cover Image: Dearest Josephine

Dearest Josephine

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Member Reviews

The writing was original and creative, the time crossed lovers trope is always good, and the love triangle was actually fun! It fell a little flat for me at points because of pacing issues and some unclear writing but overall I enjoyed it and think older high school readers and up would as well.

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"Dearest Josephine" by Caroline George is an enchanting novel that effortlessly blends elements of romance, time-travel, and historical fiction into an engaging narrative. It takes readers on a captivating journey through time, with two protagonists separated by centuries, but connected through letters that transcend the boundaries of time.

The story revolves around Jo Teale, a young museum curator in the modern-day, and Josephine Bonaparte, the spirited, strong-willed wife of Napoleon Bonaparte in 19th-century France. The novel's central plot device is the discovery of a hidden cache of letters that allows Jo to communicate with Josephine across time. This concept sets the stage for a unique and emotionally charged exploration of the intertwined destinies of these two women.

Caroline George's writing is both eloquent and evocative, beautifully capturing the essence of two distinct time periods. Her descriptions of both contemporary life and the historical backdrop of Josephine's world are vivid and transport the reader effortlessly between eras. The author masterfully navigates the complexities of time travel, creating a narrative that is easy to follow, even as it jumps between centuries.

The characters, particularly Jo and Josephine, are well-drawn and endearing. Jo's struggles and determination to find her own path in life are relatable, and her connection with Josephine transcends the boundaries of time, forging a deep emotional bond that keeps the reader engaged. Josephine is a vibrant historical figure, brought to life with a mix of historical accuracy and creative license, making her a captivating character.

While the novel excels in storytelling, it may leave some readers yearning for more historical context and detail, especially regarding Josephine's life during the Napoleonic era. Additionally, the pacing in some sections of the book can feel a bit slow, particularly in the modern-day segments, as the focus on the historical aspects of the narrative can overshadow the contemporary storyline.

"Dearest Josephine" offers a refreshing take on time travel, emphasizing the enduring power of written words and the profound impact of connections that transcend time and place. It's a love story not just between individuals but also between two different worlds and the stories they have to tell.

In conclusion, Caroline George's "Dearest Josephine" is a compelling and heartfelt novel that transports readers through time and captivates with its rich character development and imaginative narrative. It's a delightful blend of romance, history, and the timeless power of communication, making it a recommended read for those who enjoy stories that blur the lines of time and space while exploring themes of love, destiny, and the written word.

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The writing style on this book wasn't my cup of tea, and I can't pinpoint why. It just wound up not being a book for me.

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I was hesitant because this is not my usual genre and I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

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Dearest Josephine was a different read. I didn't expect it to be written in only letters, text, and novel form. I'm not usually a fan of that, so it was a little difficult to get completely into this story.

The similarities between Josephine and Josie were intriguing. I'm still a little confused as to what that was all about.

The ending was nice, although there is one thing I would have liked to seen go a different way. All in all, I liked the book, but didn't love it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

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Due to a personal difference in beliefs (WITH THE PUBLISHER) I will not be reviewing this book outside of Netgalley nor do I plan to support Thomas Nelson in the future due to their decisions of late and the lack of fiction with good Biblical values.

This does not mean I do or do not like the book, it just means I will not be reviewing books for this publisher anymore as I do not care to support them when I do not agree with the way they have left their former standards.

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Dearest Josephine is a great book! I really enjoyed the differing points of view told through the letters. Josephine really grew as a character, and while the ending was not what I expected I think it served her well. Highly recommend!

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It doesn't get much more romantic than a story through time written in letters. A beautiful and original book!

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I had a hard time with this novel. It was in epistolary format which made it hard for me to understand. I also could not connect to he characters. The plot itself was very weird. Thus, this book was not for me.

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#Dearest Josephine by # Caroline George is so wonderful!! A story that is well written and has two timelines. For those that enjoy romance, gothic English manor's, and humor this is for you!!💜🐾🐾
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, #Caroline George, and # Thomas Nelson

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While I adored the concept of this book, I’m afraid I have never been keen on the epistolary form of novels, (with a minor few exceptions; Dracula, Daisy Jones & The Six). I believe those who enjoy the epistolary format will really enjoy this, but I found myself getting confused with all of the bouncing back and forth. I found Josie and Elias’ relationship very sweet though and laughed out loud at Elias’ sass so many times!

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I could never get super into this book. I felt very disconnected from the characters and from the prose overall.

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I loved the creative storytelling... letters, emails, texts, manuscript. The characters were relatable. This was about how to love well, how to get oneself out of the rut you've gotten yourself into, how to fight to find love but also for your love once it is found.

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DNF - Did not finish. I decided not to keep reading this title because I did not connect with the writing or plot. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the early copy!

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𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 by Caroline George - Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. Also thanks to my library for having it as an audio (I highly enjoyed this version). ★★★★★ This book was SUCH A HIT for me. It was a beautiful story that partially took place in 1820 and partially in 2020. It was a contemporary fiction story with a romance storyline and I can't quite put my finger on why I loved it so much. The story was sweet, but not too simple. It was poetic and beautiful. It had real issues. The characters came to life in the story to me. I just kept finding myself wanting to read more and whenever I was reading it, I noticed myself smiling it and truly enjoying the ride. I was very confident with my star rating when I finished. And then I immediately recommended it to @spglovesbooks (and is there any higher praise than that?).

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Cleverly written. Interesting story line. Original. Endearing. A well crafted novel. Inviting cover art. Five stars.

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Plot: I loved how original this plot is! Sometimes I believe books with too many coincidences become boring and predictable but it didn't happen with Dearest Josephine, I was on my toes wanting to know what would happen with all the characters until the end. The fact that the story happened in different ages but on the same place was very interesting too and it made me think about how places can shape lives. The idea of having a novel within a novel was also brilliant.
Writing: Caroline George did a great job in adapting her language to the present and the past part of the book. I admit I was confused in the beginning because in all three aspects of the book (present, past, novel) the MCs had the same name, but eventually everything was sorted out. I read the book on my Kindle but I believe the physical book might make this confusion disappear completely.
Characters: All the characters got a proper background story and I loved it, I was rooting for all of them! The one thing I would have liked to see more is the romance between Josie and Oliver, but perhaps that calls for a sequel? I'd love to read more about their love story now that the whole Elias thing was sorted.

A perfect read for a winter on the country side over cups of teas and Taylor Swift songs on the background.

Thank you for this ebook in exchange of a honest review.

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I love the honest and raw love story. Reminded me a bit of the Lake House. Why doesnt anyone write love letters anymore?

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I was… unsure of what to rate this book, which is why I’m giving it a 3-star rating. I didn’t particularly LOVE any of the characters, though Oliver and Faith were fun side characters. Josie herself, while I loved that she was finding herself and working through her grief after her father’s death, was just a bit obnoxious. “I’m in love with Elias” was the biggest case of instantly falling in love with someone you know nothing about that I’ve ever seen. Also… Elias and Josephine weren’t THAT great of a love story to be obsessed with. The writing style was also a bit confusing, alternating between letters, the novel, texts, and emails. Overall, still an enjoyable book but one I wouldn’t really recommend as a favorite.

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