Hope Between the Pages is an enchanting split time story set in modern day Asheville, North Carolina and Fenwick, England pre World War 1. Clara Blackwell sought to unravel her great grandmother Sadie’s fairy tale life. As with any fairy tale, there is a villain or two, a wicked witch, a damsel or two in distress, a couple of fairy godmothers and a prince charming or two who came to the rescue. Since this is a split time story separated by one hundred years, most modern day characters have a counterpart in the previous century. I really enjoyed the similarities in generational traits and the discoveries confirmed those ties.

The author did not fix all of the evils that her characters faced which gave the book more of a true to life feeling. My only complaint would the last chapter ended too quickly for my liking!

My favorite quote was from Sadie Blackwell, “Courage wasn’t courage without fear, and as my heart trembled from the uncertainty of the great unknown, I held to God’s assurance. Whatever the future held, He was already there.”

I received an ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.

This book was honestly beautiful. So much so that I stayed up way later than I should have because I just had to finish!
As is the case with only the best of split time novels I had a hard time deciding if I loved the historical or contemporary more. They were both so beautifully done and intrinsically woven together.
Sadie and Oliver had the purest of relationships, like two halves finding their whole they were made to be together and it was obvious from the very first moment they were on the page together. I refuse to spoil anything but know they had me laughing, melting into a puddle, and crying and I absolutely loved them.
Clara and the contemporary storyline kept me guessing for a good bit as to just where her story was heading but I know better than to worry when it comes to a Basham tale and it hit its stride perfectly and I loved it. When she and Max met it was like all the boxes clicked into place and even though their romance happened in a short amount of time it felt like it was timeless and unfolded beautifully.
The book lover in me was obsessed with the way books were the very heart of these stories and the history nerd was soaking up every bit about the early days of Basham’s beloved Biltmore!
In short I loved this book and Barbour hit the jackpot with this series!

I loved this book! I was hooked as soon as I read the first sentence and my attention was fully engaged throughout the entire story.

In this book the author creates an exquisite fairy tale by using a dual timeline with one thread featuring Oliver and Sadie who met at The Biltmore House in 1915 and the other thread featuring Clara, Sadie’s direct descendant who owns a bookstore in present day Asheville, NC who meets her special someone in England. Every proper fairy tale needs a dragon that must be faced and fought and this story features two in the forms of Sadie’s mother-in-law and Clara’s dreadful uncle. The lives of these remarkable characters are intertwined and as their stories unfolded, my curiosity was piqued by the mystery that ran throughout the book and I was enthralled and, at times, moved to tears by their beautiful love stories.

This story is a keeper—one to read again and again. I loved it! Highly recommend! I was entrusted with a copy of this book by #NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

The second novel in the Doors to the Past series, Pepper Basham does an excellent job of bringing the Biltmore House to life. It’s a dual timeline novel, featuring a Library Fairy and a Book Goblin, which speaks right to a book lover’s heart. As their story unfolds, we see the travesty of social class, the cost of love, and the fulfillment of dreams. Their story influences the future generation, as Clara seeks to understand their relationship, and the mystery surrounding what hasn’t been told. With her own bookstore in jeopardy, she travels to Europe to uncover the truth and fill in the missing pieces, beginning an adventure she didn’t expect to find.

While the story began a little slowly for me, I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end! The intrigue of historical locations, the mystery unfolding through a dual timeline and characters with heart and passion, make this story worth the read!

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

The opening line of this book hooked me: Any story that begins with a library is bound to be an excellent tale. Hope Between the Pages not only begins with a library, but it also includes a book store, a perfect duet of reading enjoyment.

Sadie Blackwell is the keeper of the library at the Vanderbilt House in Asheville, North Carolina. She is dusting when someone (Oliver Camden) comes in and talks about the kinds of books he likes to read. She has hidden herself so that the owner of the voice won't see her. When he leaves, Sadie pulls some books and leaves them on a table in the library with a card with his name on it. He leaves the books on the table the next morning with a note for her, calling her "The Book Fairy," and signed "The Book Goblin," with requests for his next selections. Over the course of the days of his visit, The Book Goblin interacts with the Book Fairy and even though he was from an "upper crust" society family in England and she was a servant, they fall in love. He asks her to come to England to marry him and she agrees to come.

Generations later, Clara Blackwell has inherited the bookstore founded by her great-grandmother, Sadie, but the fly in the ointment is that the deed to the shop was never recorded in the county records. This puts Clara in the midst of a mystery with only a limited amount of time to solve it. In the midst of the searching, she ends up taking a trip to England to find search out the house where Oliver grew up. Clara finds out more of her own history, as well as the history of Oliver and Sadie.

Pepper Basham is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She understands the mind of a reader so well that she sprinkles her own brand of fairy dust throughout her books. I especially loved this line: Books without readers are like homes without people. Her characters are fully fleshed out and she uses biblical values without beating the reader over the head with them. I especially like how Clara reacted to Maxwell's burn scars. She made the point of seeing Maxwell, the man; and not Maxwell, the scars. Another line I loved says something about living life to the best we can, however long or short it is.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and Belle's library to sate any reader.

Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have not read any of peppers books before this but now she is on my must read list! Split time books are either a hit or a miss for me, bit I loved this book! A unique premise, unlike any other books I've read, with enough intrigue and romance to keep me happily turning the pages!

If you had told me I would fall completely in love with story about a Library Fairy and a Book Goblin, I would have laughed and said it was impossible. But guess what....I fell head over heels in love with a story about a Library Fairy and a Book Goblin and it may have just become my favorite book ever!

This was the first book I've ever read by Pepper Basham and she grabbed my attention before I even started page one! Two words sucked me in...Biltmore and Vanderbilt. I have been fascinated with the Biltmore estate and the Vanderbilts ever since I read "Maid to Match" by Deeanne Gist. The story is written in split time, the character from the past written in first person and the character from the present in the third person. Chapter One begins with, "Any story that beings with a library is bound to be an excellent tale", and I would have to wholeheartedly agree. What bookish person would not love characters who cherish books as much as they do? Her masterful writing never failed to pull me along, I was never bored and each page delighted and endeared her characters to me. Like Sade, this book "breathed to me". I could easily picture the scenery and hear the voices of the characters and this beautifully written love story brought me to tears on more than one occasion.

Pepper Basham writes of letting go of fear and having the courage to see the magic in every day life. To not lose sight of the beauty God gives us through His truths, the beauty of overcoming and persevering and trusting in times of trial. Sometimes there is greater beauty in something other than the "fairy tale ending", for it is in those times that a love so deep is revealed that transcends both time and space. "Love makes us brave".

If you enjoy historical or split- time fiction or enjoyed "Wonderland Creek" by Lynn Austin or any of the "Lost Castle" series by Kristy Cambron, then I think you would enjoy this book. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend!

Hope Between the Pages will be available for purchase from you local or online book retailer, April 1 ,2021. It is part of the Doors to the Past Series, but I did not read the previous book and obviously I loved this one! I will be reading it again and again!

Thank you, Pepper Basham, Barbour Books and Net Galley for the free DRC of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

An uplifting novel that expresses even with losses, our losses can be turned around to be a benefit. A very good story. I enjoyed. I hope to read more from this author.

A very wellness book. Good plot and character dynamics. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I LOVED this historical story! Absolutely enjoyed every minute of reading it.

This is a dual timeline book. In 1915 is Sadie - the library maid at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. And in present day is her great-great-granddaughter, Clara - who is managing the family's 100 year old bookstore. Until a missing deed sends her on the discovery of a lifetime!

Sadie's story is amazing. She comes from humble beginnings and is in charge of the library at the Biltmore. There she meets Oliver, and discovers their mutual love of books. She leaves books for him after overhearing his interests and he leaves her notes after reading her suggestions. Oh those notes - so sweet! In spite of their situations and lives, they fall in love. And when he returns to England, he sends letters - such lovely letters. - until Sadie joins him. Such a beautiful love they have!

Clara is completely unaware of this part of Sadie's story - until she's faced with trying to locate the deed to the family's bookstore. Armed with only a location and Oliver's name, she heads off to England in search of the origin of the deed. Once there, she finds out Sadie's story and so much more!

This is one of the best historical fiction books I've read in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

I am a huge fan of dual timeline stories and Pepper Basham's first venture into this genre is a resounding success! The very first line of Hope Between the Pages sums it all up nicely, "Any story that begins with a library is bound to be an excellent tale." And so it is!

Hope Between the Pages has everything I love in a good story, fascinating characters, fabulous descriptive settings, and captivating storylines complete with dual mysteries to solve that will leave readers on the edge of their seats! To have all that centered around the amazing library at Biltmore Manson and a bookshop too will make any bibliophile absolutely swoon!

This story is a feast of epic proportions when it comes to memorable quotes. I highlighted so many lines that spoke truth and touched my heart, I just wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all over again. That rarely happens! A few of my favorite lines to whet a readers appetite:

~"I'd never considered how some of our greatest losses lead us to choices that God uses for bigger things than we could ever have imagined."
~God allows us the gift of memories to tide us over to eternity."
~"Isn't it a wonder how God fashioned my desires into a greater story framed by a beautiful binding-like the two covers of a book."

And this beautiful passage for it's lyrical poetic quality:
~"The gentle, relaxed rhythm of this quiet, idyllic life suited Clara. The earth and the sky. Tea, books, and gardens. A vastness of rolling hills and lush countryside. Of birdsong and rain-scented air. How strange to feel a sense of belonging in a place she'd never been before."

It's all too wonderful for words! I thoroughly enjoyed Pepper Basham's exquisite writing and outstanding storytelling! Hope Between the Pages will be on my Favorite Books of the Year List and I highly recommend it! I appreciate Barbour Books making a copy, through NetGalley, available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

This is a completely exquisite and captivating time split story. I could not put it down! The plot was enthralling and kept me captive to the very end. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

"God allows us the gift of memories to tide us over to eternity."

Oliver and Sadie just became two of my newest literary favorites! Their story is grand and beautifully sad at the same time. My heart wept from the poignancy of a love that lived on beyond the physical.

"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."

Max and Clara are brought together as Clara seeks answers about her bookshop, and in the seeking discovers love. Upon first encounter with Max, his damaged soul burrowed deep and I knew I loved him. Together, they bring hope–and healing–between the pages.

"I've given up enough of my life to fear. I don't want to lose anymore."
Almost exactly what her mom had said to her. She and Max were more alike that she'd realized. Perhaps that was why they understood each other so well.
"And...when you're with someone who sees beyond the scars, then the scars don't seem as large anymore."
Neither does the fear.

Basham has dipped her proverbial ink pen into dual-time fiction and I must say, not a drop is wasted. Anyone who has read her individual historical and contemporary works knows that passion flows liberally and not just the romantic kind. There is so much I could say about this book but I’ll just say this —Hope Between the Pages is a truly beautiful dual love story that fans will want to put on their keeper shelf!

I received an electronic copy of the book for review purposes. No review was required. No compensation received.

First time I read this author and I loved her writing style and storytelling.

This is a dual timeline, two stories: Clara in the present, and Sadie in the past. I also loved the settings of Biltmore and its library, the bookshop, and England. Such lovely, lovely settings.

Clara is looking for the deed to the bookshop her family has owned for over one hundred years. If she can't find the paper, she may lose the bookshop. She's also looking to uncover a mystery regarding a name she found in a letter, which sets her on a trip to England.

Sadie, who's Clara's great-great-grandmother, works at Biltmore as the librarian maid. She loves the job and is very good at recommending books to the guests staying at the estate. One of those guests is Oliver and, despite their class differences, they form a friendship and fall in love.

There was nothing I didn't like about this story. I especially loved the gentleness of the main characters and the sweet ending.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Charming story, with a mystery that kept me reading. There were some parts that I wanted to skip but generally the library and bookstore settings appealed to my librarian's heart!

The main characters are very likeable, and one of the male protagonists has a facial scar which I also like because they don't all have to be tall, dark and handsome! The time split is not confusing and progressed and concluded well. I did find myself liking Sadie's story more though.

The spiritual elements are very light though it hardly matters to me because I don't read fiction for inspiration or spiritual lessons. I'm sure if you thought about it, there would be many spiritual lessons to be learned here. However, I was a bit concerned about the mention of wizards as though they were good ..are not wizards part of the occult?

I am a big fan of historical fiction and romance and this book offers both. A dual timeline book, Hope Between the Pages tells the story of Clara, who is the owner of Blackwell Books in the present day in the town of Asheville, North Carolina, and at the same time tells the story of her great-grandmother, Sadie, who founded the bookshop. No spoilers - but both women find love in their lives. I enjoyed the book although IMHO it became a little preachy at the end. I had a hard time reading this on my Kindle because of formatting issues so I ended up reading it on Adobe Digital, which had no such formatting problems. Because this book switches back and forth between time periods, when it is published, it would be helpful to the reader if the person's name (Clara or Sadie) and year were to appear at the beginning of each chapter.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had things to do today but thus far, none of them have been done because I couldn't put this book down no matter how hard I tried! I enjoyed the two aspects of the story - That of the past and the present. The author intertwined them both beautifully.

The book had great characters and I definitely loved the heroes and heroines - the scenery was also beautifully described. I enjoyed the mystery element and the author did a great job of putting it all together while making it all make sense.

I got this in exchange for a honest review but I would definitely buy it after having read it and will be recommending it to others/purchasing it for my library. I read that this is to be part of a new series, in which case sign me up! I loved this book!

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham is an excellent dual timeline historical fiction novel that has it all: history, wonderful characters and message, mystery, suspense, and romance. I loved this book!

It is the second book in a collective series: Doors to the Past, with each book focussing on a real landmark. This book revolves around The Vanderbilts and The Biltmore Estate.

I loved how the author was able to seamlessly weave a tale between 1915 with Ms. Sadie Blackwell, a maid living in the estate and working for Mrs. Vanderbilt (a job mainly involving the in house library and the associated reading materials), and current day Clara whom is a direct descendant of Sadie.

The mysteries and obstacles that are placed within the narrative really add a wonderful complexity to the story. The dual timeline was pulled off with perfection and I loved both periods and the character casts equally. I also loved the addition of the romantic aspect as well. Tastefully done.

I really loved this book and I highly recommend it for anyone that loves an excellent historical fiction novel.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Barbour Publishing for this excellent ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

This was such a fantastic book in the Doors to the Past series.

This was a novel written in time slip. In the past, there is the story of a young maid who meets an upper class young man named Oliver. They share a love for books that draws them close together.

In the present day is the great grand-daughter of Sadie, Clara, who is the owner of Blackwell Bookshop.

The things I loved:
-the characters love for books and how they came escape their current circumstances.
-I loved how the characters were woven together so seamlessly.
-the ability of the characters to persevere when their circumstances were extremely difficult.
-my favorite Bible verse was highlighted Isaiah 43:1-3

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.