One of my favourite authors wrote about one of my favourite cities 🖤.
Since I can’t go there in person now, I thoroughly enjoyed following Sylvie in her journey!.
It’s a tale about family and the sacrifices you do for those you love. And I highly recommend it!

With a to-die for hero, a 43 year old heroine and an intelligent treatise on forged family, Green breaks many inspirational romance tropes and traditions to whirl us through a missing person's mystery set against the lush, beautifully researched White City of Chicago's exhibition. Pitch perfect historical details met with the author's considerable knowledge of the 19th Century windy city combine to provide a fast-paced whirl as loveable characters race against time to find a young woman and bring her own.


Frosted with musical knowledge and a deep look at the immigrant experience in the mosaic of the city, Green is at home writing strong conversations, musical interludes and the type of romance so real it subverts a fairytale.

Readers should know that this is inspirational romance and does contain a lot of spirituality and religion---perhaps moreso than in Green's previous books where spiritual truths were veiled more in theme than exposition.


An absolutely lovely hero and an absolutely WONDERFUL heroine

what great joy I got from this experience!!!


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This story is absolutely phenomenal! This is my new favorite of all of Jocelyn Green’s novels.
In this story, Ms. Green branches out a bit from her normal style and writes a mystery into this lovely historical story.
The main characters are Sylvie and Rose. (If you've read the first book, you will be glad to get to know Sylvie a bit better) Sylvie, an old maid, became Rose's guardian when Rose was quite a young girl. Rose always had a feeling of not belonging, and of wanting to know who and where she came from.
When Rose disappears, Sylvie is heartbroken and lost. This is where the story gets interesting. Sylvie gets mixed messages...she thinks Rose has been kidnapped, then she thinks, perhaps....she ran away... nothing quite makes sense, and things just don't add up.
Their boarder, Kristof willingly offers his assistance, and he and Sylvie do all they can to figure out what happened to Rose.
This lovely story is set in Chicago, in the time frame of the World's Fair. I've always been so fascinated and intrigued by this setting, and I absolutely loved getting to know more about it.
Ms. Green included so many details, lots of information about the booths and exhibitions at the Fair that I could almost see it. (And I found it ever-so-fascinating to read the part in the epilogue where she states that Frank Baum took his inspiration for his wonderful Emerald City of Oz from the World's Fair).
This is a story about family. And how needing a sense of belonging is such a huge part of us. Family is about more than blood. Both Sylvie and Kristof, in addition to Rose, have much to learn, and I appreciated the way the author gently leads them through all of the hard things they have to face.
Yes, I just loved seeing these characters grow and change as this story progressed.
This story has some completely unexpected turns of events. Just when I thought I had it figured out...well, then things would change again!
I think I said this at the very beginning, but this book is just fabulous and it is my new favorite of Ms. Green's. I'm fairly certain it will be a favorite of mine for this year.
I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading historical fiction!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I’ve never been to a World’s Fair, but after reading Jocelyn Green’s Shadows of the White City, I felt like I had. Ms. Green vividly describes the setting so well. I can almost see the massive buildings, feel the pressing of the huge crowds, hear the violin and orchestra music and smell the food aromas of the many countries represented on the Midway. Green tells us the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the original 1893 World’s Fair buildings, so I can only imagine what the whole fair settlement must have been like, teeming with crowds.
Into this surreal setting Green inserts Sylvie Townsend, single, middle-aged Mimi to 17-year-old Rose. While Rose is longing to spread her wings and is searching for her biological family, Sylvie is holding on to her daughter tightly enough to suffocate her. As Sylvie struggles to sort out her relationship with Rose, she leans heavily on her neighbor, concertmaster Kristof. Kristof, in turn, struggles with his talented but slothful brother. We also see Meg, Sylvie’s sister, who is more prominent in the first book.
Sylvie has a lot of re-evaluating of her life attitudes to do. Will she emerge bitter at God, Jozefa, and Rose, or will she be better? Kristof is a bit of a stuffed shirt, albeit with a tender heart. He makes a journey of self-discovery as he helps Sylvie and tries to deal with Gregor. He is a romantic, fluid character to cheer on he begins to view life through different eyes.
Green’s poetic description of the orchestra music is entrancing. She obviously understands music well. Her research is impeccable, shown in her incredibly detailed descriptions.
Twists are subtle. In several places, I felt like I knew what would happen, but a bit of a change causes the story to flow differently than expected.
This book can stand on its own, but you will get so much more out of it if you read book one first.
Notable Quotables:

“It wasn’t Father’s timepiece I wanted. It was his time.”

“...you can stop striving to earn a place you’ve already been given. You’re already a beloved child of God. You can’t perform your way into or out of His family. “

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own, unsolicited.

Shadows of the White City is the second book in Jocelyn Green‘s The Windy City Saga. When Sylvie Townsend’s adopted daughter goes missing during the Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, she accepts the help of her daughter’s violin teacher to find her.

Kristof Bartok is concertmaster of the Colombian Exposition Orchestra and Sylvie Townsend’s tenant. He’s had feelings for the independent business owner, but kept them under wraps since she’s made it clear she has no need for a man. But he can’t let her go through searching for her daughter alone. Especially if he could be part of the reason she’s missing.

After reading Veiled in Smoke, I looked forward to reading Shadows of the White City. Though I knew the Colombian Exposition was several years after the Great Fire, Sylvie’s age took me aback. I still saw her as the young woman in book one. Because of the gap between the two books, I don’t believe you need to read book one to understand book two, but doing so does offer more depth and understanding to the story.

The search for Sylvie’s daughter held many threads and kept me turning the pages. I loved how the author brought the Exposition to life. Both the good and the dark. Many historical figures received cameos, too. As a Chicagoland native, my many visits to modern day Chicago added a fourth dimension to the vivid pictures the author paints.

If you like second chance romance and real life settings, try Shadows of the White City. Kristof’s musical side and Sylvie’s literature side blend together in a symphony of words that bring the story to life.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Shadows of the White City is a fascinating story of belonging, grace, and chosen family.


The unique almost-generational look this connected series affords is giving readers a glimpse into the life of Sylvie years after she has matured beyond her behavior and trials in Veiled in Smoke. I appreciate her perspective and how events in both books show the impact progress and choices make on generations. Fans of the first book will be happy to see glimpses of Meg’s family!

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair serves as a brilliant character of its own. Green’s meticulous research combines with her wordsmithing to paint an immersive setting. I felt like I was experiencing the opulence of world cultures and accents blended in a spectacle of progress and education.

Through Sylvie and Rose’s relationship, Shadows of the White City explores the meaning of family, home, grace, and the tough choices that come with adoption. Themes of faith, acceptance, and belonging are woven throughout, with Sylvie examining her own motivations and growing through the story. Kristof’s character and some of his challenges echo this same exploration in his relationship with his trying younger brother, Gregor.


Sylvie and Rose’s relationship, and their need to fully understand and reconcile their respective roles, are at the forefront of the story, keeping a quick pace through exciting sequences and many possibilities as to who is involved. (What a great cast!) The tentative romance between Sylvie and Kristof, though, is my personal favorite aspect of the story – especially their dynamic friendship! I appreciate their natural and respectful relationship and their understanding of the seriousness of commitment at this point in their lives. They are a slightly older-than-average pairing, and I am here for more of this in Christfic thankyouverymuch!

Another favorite part of this novel is the way music and literature play into the situations and moments between the characters. The timeless concepts and characterization found in classic literature are referenced and discussed by Rose, Sylvie, and Meg. Kristof relates music as a metaphor for different aspects of life. I LOVE how Green consciously uses books and music as a lens through which Kristof and Sylvie process and see the world.

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

Shadows of the White City proves to be Jocelyn Green's best novel yet. Or at least, the best novel I've read by her so far.

With her descriptive settings and deft characterization, Green pulls you into the story. The World’s Fair provides a great backdrop for Sylvie’s quest to find her adopted daughter. And what a journey it is.

First, though, let me say that if you have not read Veiled in Smoke, the first book of this series, then I highly recommend you do. You’ll meet Sylvie and come to understand her and her qualms about love. But Shadows of the White City can be read as a standalone.

That being said, I was ecstatic to discover Sylvie’s story was next. Green did a great job setting the stage for the story. From the beginning, you come to appreciate the life Sylvie has built for herself, even if you know something’s missing. But you can tell she loves Rose. So when Rose disappeared, I felt the sting, too. Green does a great job of building suspense as you wonder where Rose has gone and if she’s coming back.

Honestly, though, my favorite part was seeing Sylvie grow closer to Kristof. Especially the little game they had where Sylvie would mess with something and Kristof would fix it.

There’s also a great spiritual arc about trusting God and accepting that you, and life, are not perfect.

Overall, Shadows of the White City is a beautiful tale historical romance fans will love.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Jocelyn Green writes captivating books that transport me to another time and place. They are not easy reads, exactly, but ones that make me consider how I might react in certain situations or with different people, examining my own heart. This book falls squarely in that category, pulling emotions from deep within and subjecting them to the light of truth.

There is a lot of wisdom in these pages, and I absolutely love that it comes from flawed characters who do their best in difficult circumstances, not always getting it right, but wanting to do the best thing. There’s lots of love here, and it leads to problems that cannot be fixed with a simple solution or an apology. There’s work involved, and this novel shows that, sometimes in a painfully realistic manner.

These characters come across as breathing, with both good and bad facets. I rooted for them all, but at times I wanted to shake each of them, frustrated with their choices and the unfair positions the others experienced because of them. In many ways, it left me raw, perhaps because of recent family losses of my own.

And then, tying it all together, is Green’s beautiful prose. She doesn’t overdo it; I never felt thrown out of the story by unnecessarily complex language, but the author definitely paints a picture in words, placing us in the time and place of the novel, within the character’s thoughts and emotions, in a way that makes the experience rich and textured.

While this book can be read as a standalone, the reader will certainly get more enjoyment and lots of backstory in the previous book in the Windy City Saga, so I heartily recommend reading them in order, especially for those who enjoy novels that deeply explore family relationships and following characters through time. These books are well worth the time spent, giving a look at often-difficult family dynamics in a changing city landscape where the setting definitely plays a role of its own.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

An enlightening immersion in 1890s Chicago and the World’s Fair. Sylvie takes in Rose as a young child when her Polish father is unable to provide proper care for her. Sylvia takes on the role of mother, but as Rose gets older, she becomes more interested in her past and her heritage. Despite Sylvie’s best attempts to protect Rose, heartache finds them and both women have a lot of growing to experience. Kristof is an excellent supporting character who has his own troubles, but through it all, his heart is steadfast for Sylvie. While this was a slower pace than I prefer, I enjoyed the rich details and descriptions provided. There are a few throwbacks to her sister met in the first book, but this can be read and appreciated as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

I am Jocelyn fan so whenever she comes out with a new book I am on it. This is the second book in this series. However, you can easily read this one and not feel lost if you haven’t read the first one.

I really enjoyed this story. The main characters were around my age but single, so that was interesting, especially for this time period. There was a lot of mystery and suspense in this book. There was one point before the end, but close, where I felt like things were getting wrapped up a bit to quickly and neatly and I felt disappointed. But I kept reading and what do you know, there was, literally, more the story.

If you enjoy historical romance with with some mystery involved you will enjoy this read.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Life in Chicago after the great fire finally settles down for Sylvie Townsend. Taking care of her father and running the rebuilt family bookshop fulfills her need for companionship and control. But she longs to experience motherhood and sees no prospect of ever finding an honest man to woo her heart.

On impulse, she offers to raise the young daughter of a Polish immigrant who feels he must surrender his daughter Rose to an orphanage. Unable to care for her, but not wanting to subject her to the stark care of an institute, Mr. Dabrowski agrees to Sylvie’s proposal.

Years later, as Chicago bustle with the glamour and intrigue of the World Columbian Expedition, Rose starts to rail against the rules and strictures of her adopted mother. And then she mysteriously disappears.

Sylvie, distraught with regret and worry, enlists her boarder, Kristof Bartok, to help her search for her missing daughter. For years, she has considered Kristof as a close friend, but his sacrificial willingness to enter into her pain makes her wonder if he could have deeper feelings for her.

Why I Loved This Book

The second book in the Windy City Saga, Shadows of the White City follows the other Townsend sister’s life. Readers can enjoy this stand-alone novel, or start with older sister Meg’s story in Veiled in Smoke.

Green has a knack for building tension and intrigue layer by layer, taking time to flesh out her characters and create a stunning setting. While Sylvie struggles with her feelings of inadequacy as a mother, Kristof struggles with his feelings of inadequacy as a brother. Together they must learn the importance of letting go of the past and treating themselves with kindness before they can find the truth about their feelings for each other.

Set in Chicago during the 1880's with the main focus on the World's Fair that took place there. Filled with suspense, great main and secondary characters and a touch of romance, this wonderful historical fiction novel brought the look, feel, sounds and character of the World's Fair to life. Because it is a world's fair, nationalities and languages from around the world abound.

Sylvie was such a lovable character as she tried hard to be a surrogate mother to Rozalia who was straining so hard to gain her independence at age 17. Kristof, one of Sylvie's renters was the epitome of a perfect gentleman that you would expect of a violin concertmaster; yet at the same time so caring of Sylvie and supportive of his younger brother. Both Sylvie and Kristof learned that their was a time to let go and that young adults needed to make their own choices and learn the hard lessons of life.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable look at this time period of history, and Green definitely brought it to life and gave a glimpse into this interesting time period.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

This is book 2 in the Windy City Saga and it continues the journey of the Townsend sisters in 1893 Chicago, some twenty-two years after the Great Fire and the first book. This book focuses on the elder sister, Sylvie, who is in her forties. She has never married and has accepted the fact that she will remain that way. Yet her heart years for her own family. Then a man who can no longer care for his five year old daughter, since her mother has died, gives her to Sylvie to raise as her own. Her life now centers around Rose and she is content.....Then Rose now a seventeen year old disappears with no trace. She was last seen at the fairgrounds. Sylvie begins a search among any and all people whom Rose might have talked to. The Chicago World's Fair Grounds are huge with many, many structures and considered dangerous for a young girl to be alone. To all it appears that Rose has been kidnapped. With the help of her renter/friend Kristof Bartok they begin searching and following every lead to find her. As they seek and question and search they discover their attraction for each other. There are many ins and outs to this wonderful book. Green has written a great story that deals with disappointments, misunderstandings and loss. Through it all she weaves in faith in God, praying and turning it all over to the One who sees it all and will give help in time of need.....This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley. This review is wholly my own.

For everyone who read Veiled in Smoke and wanted Sylvie Townsend to get her own story, Shadows of the White City is for you. And for those of you who have not read it, with two decades between the books, this story is for you too (but do yourself a favor and read that first book).

Jocelyn Green takes several story lines, saturates them with vivid setting and description of the Chicago World Fair, the plight of the lower classes, and the revitalization of the great city, and then adds a mystery on top of it all. Sylvie has spent years raising Rose, but the girl has grown into a young woman, and longs to discover more about her family and heritage. When Rose disappears, Sylvie embarks on a journey to ensure her daughter is safe.

Family plays a large role in this story (with both Sylvie and Kristof) and the romance added some sweet moments in the race to find Rose.

I love that Green gave us this book with a more mature hero and heroine than we read in most fiction today. Their experiences as well as their understanding of the world and people make Shadows of the White City one for the keeper shelf—right there next to that first book in the series.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

For me reading the first book in the series right before this one made it even better. The storyline on this book took lots of turns and twists that were unexpected but kept me interested. Without giving away the end… it was wow! I loved the side romance story and I loved all the descriptions of the World’s Fair. I highly recommend this series and look forward to reading more books by Jocelyn Green.

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

I have only visited Chicago once but it was nothing as exciting as the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893.
The descriptions were exciting and thorough and we as readers definitely benefit from the author's complete research.
The Ferris wheel , what a fascinating history.
I will think about that spinning wheel next time I get on it.
The story takes us from the seedier side of town in the bordellos to having a missing young woman's clothing turning up in thrift shops around town.
The young woman in question is none other than a young Polish immigrant who after being raised by her adoptive mother still feels incomplete and is searching for her birth family.
See how a crocheted sock and a shawl figure into this mystery and if the adoptive mother will be able to let her daughter go if she finds her and the daughter chooses her long lost family.
Wow! Excellent! Amazing! I really can't wait to read more by this author!

Published Feb 02,2021.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this well crafted and exciting novel. There was so much interesting history and fascinating information about the Chicago World's Fair. I also loved seeing characters from the first book in the series, Veiled in Smoke. There are also new characters and a really sweet older romance. The literary references were a lot of fun too. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, but you will want to start with the first book.

I received a copy of this book for free for the purpose of review from Netgalley and the publisher.

This is the second book in the Chicago series. The original we met Sylvie Townsend during the Chicago Fire and we continue with her during the World Fair. I do not have the flair for writing as Jocelyn does, she brings her characters to life and you feel as if you are now in the story with them. She has taught me so much about the happenings of years past in the best way, weaving me into the storyline. I'm not going to give away too many details but strongly urge you to read it and enjoy it. I received this book from Bethany House Publishers but the opinions are my own

Shadows of the White City is the second novel in The Windy City Saga by Jocelyn Green. It can be read as a standalone.

Sylvie Townsend has been bringing up Rozalia Dabrowski (Rose) for 13 years since her parents died. However, Rose, now 17, is anxious to look for any Polish relations she might have and feels Sylvie is too controlling.

In 1893, Sylvie is a tour guide at the Chicago World's fair, and her tenant, Kristof Bartok, is lead violin in the Exposition Orchestra. Kristof is also Rose's violin instructor. While Sylvie tries in vain to keep Rose as her daughter and part of her family, Kristof is dealing with his wild, selfish, and out of control brother, Gregor. Their problems are compounded when Rose disappears.

The descriptions of the Chicago World's Fair are fascinating and well researched. The underlying themes are letting go of the people you love, appreciating what you already have, and forgiving the hurtful actions of others. Different types of obsession are examined through many of the characters, particularly Ivan and Jozefa. Perfectionism, manipulation, and control are also shown through Kristof and Sylvie.

My favorite quote: "I hope you have since learned you can stop striving to earn a place you've already been given. You're already a child of God. You can't perform your way into or out of His family."

This is an interesting trip to the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 combined with family struggles and a sweet romance. The author's note at the provides more wonderful history of Chicago and the World's Fair.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My opinions are my own.

Jocelyn Green takes her readers back to Chicago with the middle title of her Windy City Saga, and it isn’t to be missed. The city has risen like a phoenix from the ashes after the Great Fire in 1871. Sisters Meg and Sylvie Townsend are now in their 40s and Meg has a growing family. The years since we first met them in the first book, Veiled in Smoke, have been a mix of joy and sadness. Their father Stephen has now passed, but Meg has a growing family of her own. Sylvie, meanwhile, has decided never to marry after a disastrous relationship. If you’ve not read Veiled in Smoke, I heartily recommend you do so, because the narrative of Shadows of the White City builds upon the events in that novel. I re-read it to remind myself of what happened to Sylvie in it.

Two things stood out to me when I read the description of this title. First: whenever I come across a plot involving a young woman missing at the World’s Fair, my mind turns to serial killer HH Holmes. Much has been written about him, so I won’t go into detail here, but he did prey on young women during the 1893 World’s Fair. Second: knowing how old Sylvie was in Veiled in Smoke meant being able to work out how old she’d be in this book. It’s unusual to have a female lead be in her 40s in romantic fiction. While there’s no mention of Holmes in Green’s novel, there are references to Sylvie’s age and spinsterhood.

This is a story about families, both biological and adopted. Rose, knowing that she was unofficially adopted, naturally wants to know more about her birth parents. The World’s Fair has brought visitors from all over the world, so it seems a logical time to search for answers. Kristof, meanwhile, grows increasingly frustrated with his biological brother and only remaining family member. Both he and Sylvie are reluctant to let go of Rose and Gregor, but when does care for them become over-protectiveness?

Jocelyn Green takes her readers on a multicultural tour of post-fire Chicago which is both entertaining and eye-opening. The magnificence of the World’s Fair is juxtaposed with one scene set in the city’s “red light district” and another involving elements of Irish organized crime. There are plot twists galore as Sylvie and Kristof attempt to discover what happened to Rose, although I thought part of the resolution a little ambiguous. I am a fast reader, so I did read Shadows of the White City in one day. Still, I did find it enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to reading the final installment of this Chicagoan family saga.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book through the publisher and the author, the words and opinions above are my own.