A beautiful narrative of how stories can help mend the broken parts of our past and provide a foundation for our future.

Contemporary heroine Clara Blackwell inherits the one hundred year old family Bookshop in Asheville, NC. There’s a question of ownership that sends Clara, her mother and cousin Robbie on a search for a missing deed, before her smarmy Uncle’s client can file a lawsuit against her.

Historical heroine Sadie Blackwell is the resident librarian for the Vanderbilt’s estate. She has a gift for bringing books alive and for choosing the exact one that a patron of the estate’s personal collection requires. A whirlwind romance, an adventure across the ocean and a tragedy from WW1 creates a trail of letters, hidden missives in books and locked away documents that will either prove or disprove the true identity of Blackwell’s Book Shop one hundred years later.

There are interesting characters and sweet romances that play through both the contemporary and historical time lines. Readers will cheer Clara on as she digs through the dusty boxes left untouched for decades. Readers will boo the villains of Clara’s and Sadie’s stories. Readers will admire characters who rise above the adversity, and the ways in which they do it.

Though the ending is somewhat predictable, the slow romance in the contemporary line and the thrill of discovery is a delight. And our hero from Sadie’s story, is the kind of hero readers will swoon over.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was bored and annoyed bythis book. Iafter a few chapters, I didn’t care what happened.to any of the characters. I am sure there will be readers who enjoy it. It is not intriguing impressive.

This book was fantastic! It is a split-time novel with a bookshop. That alone is awesome, but the relationships in this book are written so amazingly. I literally stopped to sigh a couple of times because it was just so sweet. There is so much more I want to type here, but I feel like it would be a spoiler, so read it and then let's talk! :)

What a lovely book! I enjoyed the dual timeline, the settings of Biltmore and England, and the characters. The book is well written, and I look forward to recommending it to our library patrons. Thanks for the opportunity to read this title!

What a wonderful, captivating book! I was hooked from the first line and totally engaged to the end! With her superlative storytelling skill and rich, expressive style; Ms. Basham has penned an unforgettable, heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching story. She executes the dual-timeline format brilliantly and seamlessly and ties everything together beautifully in the end. Historic Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of my favorite places to visit; and I was thrilled to see it as a setting. Being a booklover, I was also delighted with the awesome bookstore and library settings. Ms. Basham’s vivid, detailed descriptions made me feel like I was right there at the scene whether the setting was in America or England in the 1900s or modern day. The characters are endearing and extraordinarily well-crafted. The sweet romance in each century touched my heart. I also appreciated the spiritual truths woven throughout the story. A favorite quote: “…some of our greatest losses lead us to choices that God uses for bigger things than we could have ever imagined. Sometimes brokenness and heartache force us into self-seclusion and fear and sometimes they can propel us into something amazing, if we let them.” I just added this book to my Best Books Ever list, and my list of favorite fictional couples now includes Sadie and Oliver and Clara and Max! I not only read this book but also felt it, and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I am very much enjoying the trend for novels with parallel narratives in two time periods. The characters in both time periods were so likable and well crafted. The stories were bittersweet, but full of hope. The descriptions of the settings made me want to travel to both places. I haven't read much Christian fiction, so the frequent references to God kept surprising me.

Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

I'm not sure I could love this story more. You'd have to try very hard to not fall in love with the characters and the story lines. There is quite a bit of mystery in uncovering the story from the WWI era and it turns out to be a very emotional and heartwarming story.

I received a complimentary, advanced copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & NetGalley, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Sadie Blackwell is in charge of taking care of the vast library collection at the stunning Biltmore mansion during 1915 when an intriguing and wealthy young man named Oliver Camden falls in love with her. 100 years later, Clara Blackwell is trying to find the missing deed to her family’s bookshop. Beginning her quest with a simple message on a postcard, Clara is drawn into the mysteries surrounding her great-grandmother’s life. When Clara’s search leads her to an English manor house, will she find the answers she seeks? Find out in this spellbinding tale told in two different time periods, skillfully woven together by the author’s deft hand. This compelling tale would be a worthy addition to any historical fiction collection.

What a great read! I loved the setting so much and the character development was spot-on. Two of my favorite places are bookstores and England, so how could it be anything but fun? Main character Clara has her hands full taking care of her mom and an old family bookstore. Things turn ugly when a family member threatens her livelihood and she needs to find her deed ASAP. This takes her to beautiful England where she finds a touch of romance. Highly recommended.

What an excellent book! This has been the best book I have read in quite a while. Sort of a mystery revolving around an old family bookstore opened over a hundred years ago by the great grandmother, whose life is very much a mystery to her granddaughter. She soon discovers from letters and searching that her grandmother met a man while she was a servant in a nearby home. She knew nothing of her grandfather, because her grandmother never talked about him. She takes a trip to England and discovers much more to the story, such as her grandmother's marriage to the young man she had met in America, who sadly, died in World War 1. All of this time, she is searching for the deed to the bookstore, which is being threatened to be taken away. This is a great, wonderful, interesting and clean story that at times becomes intense. It was hard to put down. At one point it actually made me cry, which I hardly ever do for a book. Excellent story I absolutely loved!

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham took my breath away. I loved the descriptions of the Biltmore Estate in the past and the present day. I loved the descriptions when the present day heroine, went to England and visited the Camden estates. I loved the book lover's personalities that came out on the pages of the story. It kindled a common interest in my heart. What is better than a good book! Probably a good mystery. Which is exactly what Basham did. She put together two different heroines and their love of a good story on a hunt for the truth and romance. I kept flipping pages, wanting to know what happened to Sadie. What was going to happen to Clara? While the past story and the present story was interesting. I find the romance between Clara and Max in the present a little out of place. They meet and fall head over heals in a matter of days. I didn't buy it. But the past romance, some reason rang a lot more realistic to me. Overall, Hope Between the Pages was a wonderful story to read. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and the beautiful settings.

I received a complimentary copy of Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham, but the opinions stated are my own.

I loved this book. I'm a big fan of historical fiction, and really enjoy stories that take place in two time periods. Any book that's about people who love books is going to be a hit with me! I loved all the references to other novels. The author did a good job of establishing the characters in each era and making me care deeply about both of them. The timeline worked well. The story and romances developed in a fluid fashion, side-by-side with each other, and the mystery went back and forth in time, giving us just what we needed to know, when we needed to know it.

My heart bleeds for Sadie and Oliver, whose time together was so short. I wish there had been more about what Oliver experienced in the war -- that was totally glossed over. He might not have admitted to what he was experiencing in his letters to Sadie, but it should have been mentioned. Another thing missing for me: I wish there had been scenes with Sadie as a grown woman, living her life and running the book shop, raising her son, etc. We only see Sadie as a young woman ... the rest is all conjecture on the part of Clara, who is researching her.

All in all, a lovely story. I'm still smiling as I think about Clara and Max and their sweet romance. The English Lake District is so vividly described; I've been there and I can't wait to go back. And now I want to visit Biltmore in North Carolina.

This is the first Christian novel I've ever read (I didn't realize it would have that aspect going in). There are many references to God and faith. I would have much preferred it if that element had been left out -- it became overbearing after a while -- but I still enjoyed the read. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity and for introducing me to a new author.

This was my first book by Pepper Basham, but it will not be my last. She has a special way of capturing your heart on the first few pages. How can you go wrong with a book that takes place in a beautiful book store and a fantastically huge library. Written in duel time-line and various settings, with such detail you can just picture the Biltmore mansion in Asheville, North Carolina. Also the grand Camden estate in Derbyshire, England. She captured and played with all of my scenes. One minute I was awed by the instant attraction between the two main characters, brought to tears by the love and lost suffered and mad enough to want to tear someones hair out. There are so many wonderful lines and quotes throughout this novel, but I think my favorite is Sadie's advice to little Vicky.

"Keep to your Bible and to your fairy tales, sweet girl. One is for your soul and the other is for your daydreams. Both will help you through this, and in both you'll find your story."

Hope Between the Pages is all about enjoying fairy-tales and still believing. Pepper Basham has written for us a beautiful modern day fairy-tale.

I thank Barbour Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"Any story that begins in a library is bound to be an excellent tale."
This is indeed an excellent tale told between two perspectives-- the first person viewpoint of a young woman in service at the fabulous Biltmore mansion in 1915, and her modern day descendent. A mystery to solve surrounding her ancestor and an urgent need to find a deed to her bookstore, begins a life-changing experience for Clara Blackwell.

"Stories held power and everyone told one..."
The author effectively uses the dual timeline to pull together the pieces of the past and the present to create a complete family history, bringing clues of the mystery to light up to the final revelation at the end. I enjoyed every minute of it! I loved the creative use of fairytales, old books and letters. Between the settings of the Biltmore and descriptions of the Lake District in England, it felt like a lovely armchair adventure. The romances are tender and surprising, breaching classes, cultures, and wounded spirits. I liked how Sadie and Clara's faith grew as they stepped out of their comfort zones, trusted God for the next step, and reached out to love despite the costs. They overcame a lot in the end. It made me think about the legacy we leave our children, and how we will be remembered.

Highly recommend to fans of historical Christian fiction with mystery and romance.
5 stars

What a wonderful book! I could not have enjoyed it more. Pepper Basham’s writing is beautifully detailed and descriptive without being wordy. How could you not love characters as delightful and enchanting as Sadie and Oliver. I enjoy a well written dual time story. This one moves back and forth seamlessly. Loved the historical detail about the Vanderbilt family and Biltmore estate. I became so engaged with the characters I was moved to shed a few happy tears in the midst of this story, that is a rare occurrence for me. Truly beautiful story of love and family legacy.

As a reader, there are some characters that just grow so infinitely dear they could never be rooted out of your heart. This book holds those characters for me. I loved them as if they were my dearest friends, experiencing every heartbreak and joy-filled moment within the realm of their friendship.

As an emotional cheese puff, there was nothing more satisfying to me than the tender, gentle romances. Oliver is what book boyfriends are made of and Max is the book boyfriend I'll never quit. Sadie's strength is awe-inspiring and encouraging even now, weeks after I've finished the book. And Clara! With her vintage soul and book-loving heart, she's sure to capture the hearts of readers.

The split-time is so well done. The stories are beautiful. And I'll not likely recover from this book hangover any time soon. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this one, friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Okay this author can write in any genre!
Like, wow.
I always pick up a Pepper Basham when I want swoony romance and a fun read, but the depth that this book had really shows that this author can write more then that. This time split novel had me fully engrossed in both stories and....yeah. it's hard to talk about without giving something critical away. I just love how she crafts characters that are so lovable! You smile with them, root for them and sometimes cry for them.
I just really enjoyed how this author made me care deeply for two sets of characters and had me staying up late to finish the book.
I felt transported in both time periods, and truly felt each setting.
Bravo
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions are completely my own and honest.

What a beautiful book this was!

The alternation between two stories, one in the past and one in the present, is not usually my preferred type of narration. Here, however, it worked like a dream. On one side, we have Sadie, a library housemaid in America in 1915, who discreetly shares her love of book with the guests of the house in which she work and thereby captures the attention of Oliver, a young British gentleman. On the other side is Clara, Sadie's great-granddaughter, working to save the bookshop her ancestor opened a century ago and having to travel to England to do so.

Although the trope may seem unoriginal, it was still appealing, in particular for any self-respecting avid reader, who cannot pass the occasion to read about fellow book lovers! The alternance between the two parallel and intersecting stories was masterfully done: while I would usually prefer the historical side in such narration, here, I loved both equally (with perhaps a small preference for today's side, even!) and was always sad to leave Clara or Sadie at the end of each chapter. The fact that Sadie's side was written from her point of view, and Clara's from an external point of view made it easier not to get confused between the two sides. I particularly appreciated that in the very last chapter, Clara gets her own voice and narrates the last part of her story.

"Hope Between the Pages" was poetic, very well written, with many references about books and some quotes. The beautiful way in which it was written allowed us to travel through time and continents with the lovely characters and descriptions. Although not all characters got their happily ever after one would expect in a fairy tale, the life path they took made they grown and allowed us to gain some wise teachings about life, hope, perfection. Sometimes things don't work out the way we wish, but they work out in another way - God's way, for those who believe, like the characters in this book. For the small anecdote, it's funny, on the day I finished it, I received a postcard with the quote "Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together' and it fit this book so marvellously. It's also a good thing to remember in the challenging times we are facing today.

I would have had a hard time believing a book could rightfully get 4.93 stars on Goodreads before reading it, but I see why now, and will had my own 5 stars to it.
After such a fantastic book, it's hard to move on to the next one... But to live up to Oliver, Sadie and Clara's love of books and honour it, I will move on to my next read soon. Perhaps one of the classics quoted in "Hope Between the Pages"?...

'Some dreams required hard work. Others require miracles.'

Pepper Basham brings us a poignant and powerfully told dual time slip novel in Hope Between the Pages. Set in WWI Asheville, we are treated to the wonderful Biltmore estate as most of the setting where servant Sadie Blackwell tends the magnificent Biltmore library and inadvertently becomes a library fairy to a visiting Englishman, also a book lover just as Sadie is.

'In her beloved books, she knew the ending came with a happily-ever-after, for the most part. At least in the books she loved best.'

Present day finds Clara Blackwell owning a book shop passed down to her by her great grandmother Sadie. The discovery of a hundred year old letter has presented a great mystery. A mystery that involves Sadie greatly.

Any book lover, like myself, will adore this enchantingly rich story. Like a beautiful fairy tale, it weaves its magic into your heart and you find yourself weeping at the beautify of it. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is entirely my own.