Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham is a wonderful dual timeline story that combines The Biltmore, a bookstore, and two against the odds love stories between two Englishmen and two American ladies into a delightfully clean romance. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story that brought Sadie Blackwell and Oliver Camden together in the early 1900’s. Pepper weaves together such a beautiful story that you don’t want it to end.

3.5 stars.

As a whole I enjoyed this book and have recommended it to friends I think will love it.

I enjoyed both the past and present stories, but liked the male love interests more than the females. It got to the point that I was eye rolling some of Sadie and Clara’s behavior. I also felt I needed a bit more from both timelines that couldn’t be offered because of the dual timeline nature of the book.

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

I had a little bit of a slow start in reading this one because it did not immediately grab my attention; however, once I got going. I enjoyed the tale. The description of the mansion really draws you in. The two timelines were woven together nicely. I think what I enjoyed most was the romance.

This will be one of those reviews where I'll first start with "don't shoot the messenger," but also, "please read to the end." :)

I have not particularly enjoyed Pepper Basham's writing up to this point. Yes, it's good, but I have not been "sucked in" to a story. The first one I read I DNFed (and that was after going back a second time to see if I could make it through - I really tried, y'all!), and the second book was just ok. I couldn't figure out what I was missing. Why do all my reviewer friends love her books and I don't?!

Well, I guess I just needed to wait until I read Hope Between the Pages. Lord, have mercy... what a breathtaking story! I savored every second of it, rooting for both couples in each era. And the fact that there was a tie-in to the Biltmore estate, that was the cherry on top of a very delicious sundae! I visited Biltmore over 20 years ago, and so many rooms are still fresh in my mind's eye and helped my enjoyment of this story all the more.

Not only was this a dual timeline story, but there was a bit of a mystery woven through, too. It was all just a feast for anyone that's a lover of books, romance, and even a glorious mansion such as Biltmore. You might even shed a tear or two...I almost did.

I promise that now I won't be so quick to judge anything else from this author now that I have found such a story as moving as this one was. ♥

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review (but I couldn't help it.) ;)

Due to reviews showing a lack of faith content I will not be reading Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham ONLY because I am tired of books that are supposed to have a Christian view point lacking said views.

Such an incredible dual timeline/dual love story!  Talk about capturing the heart and the imagination! Wow! This is hands down one of my favorite Pepper Basham reads to date!

The dual timelines added so much depth, with the present timeline having a You’ve Got Mail vibe, with Clara owning a small private-owned bookstore that is hurting due to the opening of Duncan’s, a big-box store, and the past timelines tie to books only being the fact that Sadie is a bookworm.  Still, it is obvious that Clara and Sadie are sister soulmates, their connection defying space and time.

The romances in both timelines made my heart swoon, but Sadie and Oliver’s love story was one that came straight from my dreams.  Who wouldn’t love to find someone that shares your love of reading?  I will admit that I was more smitten with the past timeline (Sadie’s story) than I was with the present (Clara’s story), but not by much.  I think what really took the past over the top was the whole scene in the guest room at Biltmore House after Sadie saved Victoria. The gratitude that was ushered forth for Sadie’s heroism brought a smile to my face.

Hope Between the Pages was an absolutely enchanting read that I hated to see end!  The writing is perfection, the overall flow is flawless, and the story itself is absolutely captivating.  I cannot rave about this novel enough!

I tried to read this one and made it about halfway through. It didn't really hold my interest even though the premise sounded interesting. I think it was just a case of wrong book, wrong time.

A romance spanning the divide of class, fanned by a shared love literature.

Generations later a woman delving into her family's shrouded history in hopes of saving her family's beloved bookshop.

A beautiful novel that made my book-loving heart so happy, about a woman in the present as she learns about her ancestors who fell in love through their mutual love of books. I loved the rich history and how the author brought the worlds the life, from the present day to the idyllic Biltmore Estate, and across the pond to the UK.

A captivating read, Clara is easy to relate to and cheer for, and I couldn't help but swoon over Oliver and Sadie's novel meeting and romance. A beautifully written timeslip novel that knows its audience of booklovers well. I loved how the modern day story added dashes of mystery and suspense to the sweet romance. Strong themes of faith shine through in both storylines. A gem of a read, with characters who captured my heart.


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

I received this book from Netgalley a while back and forgot to review it. *gasp* I do remember loving the book, though. I also remember it took a while for the spark of romance to show up. So if you're like me and always looking for that connection to happen, keep reading! It was so worth the wait!
As always, my opinions are my own.

I love books that are centered around books, bookstores, or libraries. And this one did all three. Plus it’s a dual timeline book which is one of my favorites. This delightful story took place at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. And having visited there many times, I envisioned the rooms at the estate as well as the stores along the streets in town. The characters were well developed and I fell in love with all of them … except Uncle Julian and Oliver’s mother. While a love story, there is so much more to discover “between the pages”…a sense of loving, belonging, faith, strength of character, dedication, and hope. You will cheer, you will be angry, you will cry. But the tears you shed are worth it for every moment you spend with Sadie and Oliver and Clara and Max.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Fiction for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Hope Between the Pages is a beautifully written split time story that is set in a place I used to call home, Asheville NC. The author takes readers on a journey to the past to the grand Biltmore Estate where they will meet and fall in love with Sadie, the historical heroine, who takes care of the library at the Biltmore. In the present day, we meet Clara who is Sadie's great great grandaughter and trying to save her family's bookshop. It says a lot for me to get totally sucked into any historical book because that is not my go to genre, but I was definitely drawn into this one. This story is complete with two beautiful love stories, a marvelous setting, plenty of books, and a bit of a mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I may have started this series at the 2nd book, but I think each book in the series is a standalone. So I'm OK. This book has a lot of what Pepper Basham does well, which is quirky & socially awkward heroes/heroines and characters who bond over books, or literature, or a mutual love of theatre. Or all of the above.

This is a dual timeline story, and I liked the unfolding story of Sadie in the early 1900s. Clara, the protagonist’s family thought they knew all about Sadie, her great-grandmother but it turns out everything they thought they knew about her was wrong. Sadie's story is one of love, hope rejection and finding new hope. Clara learned about all this through uncovering her grandmother's story. An accidental search which began with her hunt for a title deed to her bookshop, and she ends up finding love along the way.

Hope Between the Pages is a fine historical novel with hints of romance about two women struggling with social & familial expectations and trying to make a difference in the world. Recommended.

I read a PDF of this title from the Publisher, Barbour via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review & all opinions expressed herein are my own.

“Fairy tales carry with them a unique ability to unfurl deep truths in a whimsical way. They also, this one especially, offer hope for those who feel magic is out of their reach.”

Magic. Five simple letters that perfectly describe one far-from-simple novel. Two stories intertwined, connected through family and faith and a small book store but separated by over one hundred years. Although not quite a fairy tale, this breath-taking tale is an ode to all things literary and most certainly unfurls deep truths in the most stunning of whimsical ways.

When I first picked this book up, I was in the middle of the most stressful exam season I’ve yet experienced. I was expecting your average sweet, light-hearted time slip novel that would allow me to relax in during my breaks but would not be too distracting. I was mistaken. What I got was a fully immersive read that held me captive, keeping me completely invested in the lives of all of the characters, past and present.

I was transported to a grand American estate, a cosy book shop, an aristocratic manor house, and finally to an enchanting bed and breakfast in South Yorkshire. Every location came alive in its own way, welcoming me into the scene and making me comfortable. Every main character was wonderful—fully developed, battling hope and pain and grief and courage in ways unique to their own lovely personalities. Every whimsical phrase, every stunning descriptor, every literary reference had its place, and in that place, it fit perfectly. Every moment of delight, of heartbreak, of courage, of peace, and of sacrifice flowed together seamlessly, forming an awe-inspiring tapestry of hope complete with emotional depths and Scriptural truths so real and beautiful.

This was far from the book I’d been expecting, but it proved to be exactly the book I’d needed to read. Did I spend too much time reading it while I was supposed to be studying? Maybe. Do I regret beginning Hope Between the Pages when I did? Absolutely not! It provided me a breath of relief from the stress, and some perspective at a time when I sorely needed it. And it gave me an outlet for all the stress-induced tears that had been waiting for release (but even without those tears begging to be shed, this book would have made me sob—do not attempt to read it without a box of tissues on hand)!

Hope Between the Pages is exactly as promised: portable hope held secure between beautiful prose and a special kind of magic.

Although this sounded like a good read, I was unable to get into it. I'm sure there are other readers who will enjoy this title.

This was a very moving story. It made me cry. The characters were well developed. I fell in love with them and their story.

Hope between the pages was an interesting story on a forgotten love letter. This is actually book 2 in the doors to the past series. It was interesting to see how the main character discovered who wrote the letter and who it was written to.

I absolutely loved this book! The settings were beautiful, the characters were lovable and the romance was lovely. This is well written that I felt as though I were sucked right in to the Biltmore in 1915. There are so many things done well that all combine for a throughly enjoyable story that was hard to put down! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

** Thank you to the author/publisher & NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I didn't finish the story, stopped reading around 30%. It didn't grab my attention because I felt like the writing style was a bit too complex for a non-native speaker.

I am not too much into romance, but this was a well-written story. The author did a good job with the characters, and I especially lived the library scenes!

I have been murdered by this book. I did not see that coming. It took me forever to get invested in this story, which is very unusual. Okay, that is only half true. I was very invested in the historical section. The modern section took me almost half the book to be interested in. I just didn't want to leave Sadie behind. I absolutely adore Pepper's books for mostly one reason: They make me feel like I'm in my mountains again, and I love that Blue Ridge feel. And she even added Biltmore to this book, which of course makes it all the better. We used to go to Biltmore a lot and so every room she was describing had some sort of picture in my head. Reading about places that you know really helps with the whole hallucination thing. <small jest> I'm just gonna say, y'all, I'd be down with marrying Oliver myself. Or Max, if it came down to it. Isn't it every girl's dream to find a man who's equally obsessed with books as she is? I will say that the conflict is more circumstance driven than villain driven, most of the time, and I kind of liked not having a bad guy in my face the whole time. And after I was fully invested in the story, I couldn't put it down. By the end, my emotions were wrapped in a little ball of OH MY GOODNESS. And can we take a minute and appreciate the WWI setting instead of WWII? I think I can really recommend this one, even with my initial disinterest. (Part of the problem is also that I've been reading a lot of fairytales recently, so I had to switch my mood back to real world fiction and I wasn't ready.)