Duffy brings India to life in Every Word Unsaid. She also challenges readers, brings culture to life, and shows her love for a place near and dear to her heart. I think this is some of her best work yet.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Due to some health issues, I was unable to get this book read and reviewed in a timely manner. I apologize.

Augusta "Gussie" Travers is the most popular women's travel journalist, she escapes the expectations of convention to travel to India, where a whole new world is opened to her, and even the possibility of love.

Gussie is a headstrong and independent heroine used to knowing what she wants and flouting conventional expectations. She goes to India to write about her experiences as well as to escape, reuniting with dear friends, and seeing a side of life she never imagined. This book does and excellent job of bringing to life the culture and caste divisions, as well as the clashing and melding of culture during the British occupation.

I liked how Gussie was challenged to think about what she really wanted, and how adventure and sense of fulfillment can come in unexpected ways. I loved her friendships with Catherine, Gabe, Pandita and Bimala. Gabe is a wonderful man, so supportive of her throughout and understanding of what she was going through.

Overall, a wonderful book that does a terrific job of bringing to life the culture and realities of that time in India, as well as real life people like Pandita. And everyone needs an Uncle James in their life!


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

Every Word Unsaid it the final book in the Dreams of India series, set in the very late 19th century and involving pioneering or unconventional women travelling to India. I really enjoyed the last one, Tapestry of Light, which was about a mixed-race woman. Augusta is a young lady whose strict family want to keep her restricted in New York society, but she dreams of being a journalist and a travel writer like her idol, Cornelia Fox.

Every Word Unsaid had delicious and evocative descriptions of the landscapes, peoples, and cultures of India (like the last book) as well as a cast of compelling characters. I think you can always tell a great writer when even the minor characters are well written and compelling. Katherine, Dr Paul, Bimla and Ramabai (based on a real person) were all excellent.
I also like that this isn’t primarily a romance: there is romance in it, and some kissing, but that’s not always the main focus.

I am developing a preference for Historical Fiction instead of romances, and this story starts to become more about Augusta and Gabriel try to help their local community in a time of terrible suffering both for themselves, and the people of the region. During an outbreak of the Plague, no less. The story is beautifully detailed, with history woven in seamlessly so that I felt transported without being jerked out of the setting.

Also, Uncle James: everyone needs an Uncle James. Augusta is a young woman who has never felt good enough and rejected most of her life, but Uncle James is like a surrogate father, offering all the love, support, and wisdom her parents can. He’s like Gandalf in the guise of kindly Victorian uncle.
I think I read this book at the right time, when the message of acceptance and forgiving yourself really hit home. Needless to say, Augusta’s faith journey was well written and touching.

Highly recommended for all. As usual thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinions, all of which are my own.

This author is just a wonderfully talented author. Her way with words is nothing short of brilliant. Reading this I felt transported to India and a part of these characters' lives. 

My favorite aspect of these books was the characters. They were multidimensional and well-fleshed out. And the message of this story was uplifting and inspirational. 

I picked this one up for the cover and continued reading it because the story is so rich. 

Thank you for opportunity to read and review this book. My review will be live, at the given link, on 9/9/22.

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy takes readers to the heart of India in the late 1800s.

Gussie, an American white woman and daughter of a wealthy New York family is trapped by her own culture’s gender roles. She fights them by traveling and writing about her experiences until her until scandal forces her to chose to conform or leave the country. She chooses the later and escapes to India and the home of her childhood best friends, one of whom is a mission doctor in a poorer neighborhood.

We follow Gussie as she comes face-to-face with the differences between how she grew up, her personal struggles, and the plight of women, children, and widows in India. We see her struggle with the change this brings about in her versus the expectations laid upon her. Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, her story unfolds.

Every Word Unsaid kept me reading though there were times when the story was more descriptive than I prefer, but it was also filled with imagery and attempted to draw readers to another place entirely. The romance was subtle, but the hero wonderful. And while there were difficult scenes and themes, that is a big reason why I recommend reading it.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and 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.

After Gussie Travers family came into money, she never felt like her family approved of or understood her anymore. When the reveal of a huge secret brings shame upon her family, and threatens any hope she has of a future; she sets off to India to reunite with childhood friends, and finds the courage to live the life she's always dreamed of.

I enjoyed the story of Gussie and the other characters in the book, but I did think it was a bit long. I think I would have liked it more had it been 2 books, with a couple of different story lines being flushed out a bit more. It was very good though, and on a personal level a lot of the encouraging words that were spoken to Gussie were things I needed to hear myself at this time in my life.

Beauty from ashes. 1870. Gussie is from a privileged family. Her family is rough on her because she doesn't want to conform to what they want. They call her worthless. She only has 2 friends, who had moved away when they were kids. So, she runs away on adventures. She has a Kodak camera, and a job with a magazine where she is successful, but she's writing secretly. Her Uncle, who loves her, was a former Pinkerton and tracks her down each time and brings her back. Women didn't travel alone at that time, and their reputations were fragile. Things get worse with her family, so she's glad her boss sends her to India where she finds her two childhood friends and, gradually, herself. She learns that even though she is from a privileged background, she has something in common with a new friend in India, a widow who has been badly abused. Not the same physical things, but mentally. Her personal growth expands as things happen wherever she goes. Deeply told, with wonderful characters you can plainly see and feel their thoughts and feelings. This is a time and place of plague and horrible treatment of the people in India. Gussie's trials deepen, reforming her life. Excellent read, wish the story continued longer.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#EveryWordUnsaid #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #fivestarbooks

I had the absolute pleasure to read an early manuscript of this book last year, and I can just say, it is everything a book should be. It is no surprise to say that Kimberly Duffy is a writing genius. She has the superpower to transport you to any setting she puts her mind to, and this time, she exceded herself. SO SO good.
I highly recommed it if you love travel books and relatable and sweet heroines.

I thought Kimberly Duffy’s first two novels (A Mosaic of Wings and A Tapestry of Light) were excellent. Every Word Unsaid is outstanding.

Augusta Constance Travers, better known as Gussie, is the odd one out in her upwardly mobile family. Her family want her to return to New York and become a respectable member of society. But Gussie revels in her secret role as writer and photographer Miss Adventuress, the most popular columnist for the Lady’s Weekly. Yes, she’s the leading travel blogger of 1896, living the “perfect life”.

But her identity is exposed, so her parents plan to send her to her aunt in Chicago until the fuss blows over. Instead, her editor sends her to India for six months a country she’s always wanted to visit. It’s also the home of her childhood friends, twins Catherine and Gabriel MacLean. The story truly takes off once Gussie reaches India. She stays with her childhood friends in Poona, where she sees a different side of India – the wealth and the poverty, the beauty and the ugliness.

One of the signs of outstanding historical fiction is when the author manages to make the plot and characters compelling in their own timeline at the same time as making the plot relevant to readers in the present. Kimberly Duffy has done this brilliantly, particularly in terms of Gussie’s spiritual journey. There are also more than a few nods to lockdowns and quarantine in the plague scenes. While Every Word Unsaid is definitely the story of Gussie’s personal and spiritual journey, there is also a lovely romance (and a few kissing scenes).

Kimberly Duffy has done a huge amount of research, and it’s woven beautifully throughout the story in both the language and the description. It leaves me wanting to visit India. I hope to see more books set in India, as it’s obvious Duffy has a passion for the country and the people.

The novel is entirely written from Gussie’s point of view—something I didn’t realise until I’d finished reading. While she’s a little annoying (and possibly immature, even at the age of twenty-five), her voice was compelling and it kept me turning the pages. That’s largely because of the writing, which was excellent. There were wonderful descriptions, unique turns of phrase, intertwined with deep spiritual truths that show our modern problems are actually age-old problems.

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy is an outstanding novel, with brilliant writing, and an encouraging Christian message. I highly recommend Every Word Unsaid, especially for the wonderful locations, and the encouraging Christian message.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

A rebellious, rich, young socialite writes travel articles anonymously for a ladies magazine. One day she’s caught and as a means to repair her reputation she’s sent away on an assignment to India, where she runs into her old friends. They have adventures and trials and misadventures. She falls madly in love and finally finds her purpose. It’s an ok book. It’s honesty s but repetitive, kind of predictable and the main character is spoiled, so hard to like.

Duffy has done it again. She has written words on a page that transported me to India. While I didn’t fully love Gussie in the beginning, she was kind of a selfish brat, there was a shift in her that showed a level of maturity that I felt deep in my marrow. Experiences with people and cultures different than ours open our eyes and tend to change us.

I think this is my first book by this author. The cover is eye catching and I was intrigued by Gussie’s career and how she was trying to ditch her chaperone and uncle-even though I was totally lost on the first page (it took a minute to realize that Gussie was short for Augusta).

Gussie didn’t fit the mold for her time and usually that really endears a character to me. Her selfishness didn’t make her really likable though, so I was torn by wanting to see her live her dreams when she didn’t seem to think much about the other people in her life. Thankfully she evolves as the story goes on.

The relationship in the story had some repetitive issues, but I appreciated the happy ending.

This is one of these books that's hard to rate, partly because there are so many good things about it, but also so many things I wasn't a huge fan of.

First off—I really loved how Duffy crafted such an independent female character of the times without resorting to the traditional "I can do everything a man can do and better" "strong" female character I see way too much in fiction nowadays. Gussie has her flaws, but her ambitions were realistic considering her childhood and the strong influence of her parents. In other words, I really enjoyed how the author crafted a character whose past explains who she had become. It made her more sympathetic overall.

However, I still found her unsympathetic and selfish at times — that could be because I didn't understand her sense of adventure — and I feel like throughout the entire story, her arc is something we already know and have to wait and wait for her to figure it out. But maybe that's just me.

I'm also not sure I'd categorize this book as Christian fiction. While it certainly mentions God and the main character, Gussie, has awareness of God (a relationship is not mentioned), God was absent in the majority of the story. And that's something I don't quite understand, to be honest. There are multiple scenes where Gussie talks about God to her uncle, when she's caring for the sick or in turmoil about her future does she kneel and talk to Him, causing her to make the wrong decisions a lot, and to me at least, increase her unsympatheticness. :P

My favorite part of this book was the writing style. The author's word choice, and the way she strung them together into sentences was pure gold, and it flowed so well with the overall aesthetic of the story. From describing emotions to the surroundings of Africa, everything felt so vivid and colorful. So, if you decide to read this book for one reason only, read it for the writing style. It's that good, guys.

Overall, though, I'm not quite sure how to rate this book. I feel that there were major issues with it, but at the same time, the themes were beautiful and the author's heart behind them is clearly genuine. So, I suppose I won't rate this one at the moment. ;)

Would I recommend it? Perhaps, if you're looking for a clean read that takes place during some key times in India. Otherwise, I'm not sure. XD

You don’t have to read very far into Every Word Unsaid to realize that this is, in many ways, a love letter from the author to India. The richness of her descriptions elevates the country to another main character, a heroine in her own right, in this spellbinding story. We are not treated to simply the tourist highlights, but to the vibrant beauty of the less common pathways and the people from every walk of life. From abject poverty to affluent wealth, and everything in between, the faces of India are engraved on the reader’s heart even as they are on Gussie’s.

I liked Gussie right away, though other reviewers found her to be too self-centered. And, okay, I’ll give them that. But that doesn’t make her unlikable – rather, it makes her even more relatable. Most of us won’t have the privilege of traveling the world, going from one adventure to the other, but we’ve all struggled with being self-centered. Whether it was for a moment, a season, or something we battle every day, seeing the world through only our own lens is something we have all done. Fortunately, for most of us, there comes a moment of awareness where our view is expanded to include the people around us – and we are more often than not the better for it. It makes us human. And it’s this growing awareness in Gussie that makes Every Word Unsaid exquisite.

And while the romance between Gussie and “Specs” wasn’t the focus of this story, their friendship-to-more tension and swoonilicious kisses made my KissingBooks-reader heart happy. For his own part, Gabriel (Specs) is an intriguing character – a young doctor yearning to make a difference, a protective brother, a loyal friend. He has loved Gussie for years, and he longs for her to stop searching for the next adventure and finally see him. When he’s free to put some action to his feelings, watch out – much swooning and fanning will commence!

I know this review is getting long, but I can’t quit without mentioning Gussie’s Uncle James and how much I loved him as a character. He sees her as she is, perhaps better than anyone; he knows her flaws and her strengths, and he loves her no matter what. He also has the unenviable task of chasing down Gussie in her impulsive escapades and attempting to convince her to come back home where her parents would expect her to be a sedate, “good” daughter to avoid society’s disdain. Yet he also speaks great truth into her life, reminding her of her worth before the God who created her & that it’s what should define her, not the hurtful things her family have said to her for so long. He made me smile every time he showed up on the page.

Bottom Line: Every word in Every Word Unsaid is pitch perfect, evoking a wide range of emotions from readers and taking us on an unforgettable journey. The nineteenth century comes alive under the author’s masterful pen, from the familiar to the exotic and particularly Gussie’s adventures in India. The sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of that country are so vivid that I nearly forgot I wasn’t right there with her. And while Gussie may take a bit of warming up to for some, her external & internal quest to find where she belongs, to discover her worth apart from what others say, is one that many of us can understand. Another exquisite offering from Kimberly Duffy, with much that is timely & relevant to us in today’s world as well as the past.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I enjoyed the first book from Kimberly Duffy's Dreams of India series and was was happy to have the opportunity to read book two, Every Word Unsaid. I thought it was great. Four and a half stars.

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy (released Nov 2021)

“Don’t let what people say define you. Stop repeating their lies. You are called to a different sort of life, Augusta. That can be a hard thing for others to understand… God has big plans for you, my girl.”

A compelling story filled with a yearning for acceptance and adventure. Gussie is a woman ahead of her time in looking for something far more than the bounds of social expectations. As she searches for adventure as “Miss Adventure,” she is realizing more and more that she wants to write deeper, heartfelt stories. When she travels to India to escape gossip and see long-lost friends, her eyes are opened to the plights of many in India. I was pulled into her emotions, the scenery, and cultural struggles.

If you love to travel, this is a poignant story revealing the hardships in historical travel for women. Duffy deals with the cultural struggles of women in historical America and India that was both poignant and frustrating. The romance and friendships really speak to being true to yourself and the future God has for you. It is a slow start, but speaks to the struggles Gussie and I believe many women have felt in not being heard. I loved learning about India as it is greatly underrepresented in fiction.

“All of life is an adventure if you’re spending it with the right people.”

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

Every Word Unsaid

by Kimberly Duffy

Dreams of India collection

Bethany House

Rated: 4

Back of the Book: “Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family's constant disappointment. As the nation's most fearless--and reviled--columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.
Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel's sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she's long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.”

Impressions: This was an interesting book. When I started reading, it felt familiar, as if I were to know the characters and I just needed to remember. I didn’t recall the characters being in the previous books of this collection, however. Ultimately, I decided that there was just a lot of information given at the beginning for a fuller development of the characters and story. Towards the middle, everything started to make more sense. I loved the spunk and grit of all the characters. Gussie’s growth in this book was so descriptive and accurate in her growth to mature. Her internal pull with wanting things her way and the eye-opening experience of seeing life beyond herself was powerful. I really enjoyed reading this book and all the lessons learned along the way.

Quotes: “‘When I’m with you, the anxiety that follows me around like a great, hulking dog is muzzled. Maybe it’s because I can’t hear it due to your endless prattling, or maybe it’s because you are so fearless that I don’t wish to seem timid in comparison.” - I just liked this quote. Do you have someone who is a comfort to you by just being present?

“God could have set me in any place, any era, and I would have had the opportunity to minister to the oppressed. But he set me here. Now. I will not waste it.” - What an inspiring attitude and reminder that God put us here with a purpose.

“’ But nothing I do ever feels like enough.’ ‘Who does it need to be enough for?’”

“‘Perfect love casteth out fear.’ Stop running from the things God has called you to because you’re afraid of what others will think.’” -This relates to the previous quote. Who am I living for? Who am I trying to impress?

“‘All of life is an adventure if you’re spending it with the right people.’”

“‘Don’t let what people say define you. Stop repeating their lies. You are called to a different sort of life, Augusta. That can be a hard thing for others to understand.”

“‘Growing up is not an easy process. You could have chosen to continue on in your ignorance, but you’re doing the hard work of becoming the woman God has always planned for you to become.’”

“‘...nothing anyone else says or believes of me can diminish my value. That my worth is found in Christ.’”

“‘No matter where you are in your journey or where your travels take you- near or far or somewhere in between- appreciate those little, seemingly insignificant things that fill your everyday. In the chasing of something significant, you might very well miss the fact that you already are.’”

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review shared here.

"Every Word Unsaid brims with fantastic depictions of India in the late 1890s. The sights, sounds, and smells of the country were vividly described along with the tastes of the amazing foods.

I enjoyed Gussie's travels and could relate well to her desire to photograph everything she saw. I can imagine she would have so loved being able to shoot digitally and have hundreds of pictures instead of carefully hoarding her film!

I wasn't really a fan of hers at first. She appeared to care more about having her adventures than for those around her. However, as I came to know and understand her, I began to appreciate her more.

Portions of the story focused on the relationship of Gussie with her family. Their lack of compassion towards her and dedicated focus on making the right impression to the right people was heartbreaking! This being the catalyst for her journey to India. However...

Another part of the story introduced me to Pandita Ramabai, a remarkable Indian woman, and her ministry to the outcast women and girls. As she fought oppression towards women, she also provided a safe, caring place for them.

Yet another section pertained to the bubonic plague, which ravaged Pune. The methods of treatment and attempts at preventing the spread were wretched!

I felt the guilt, fear, grief, and pain overwhelmed the other parts of the story. It wasn't that they shouldn't have had been there - they just consumed everything else. I would have enjoyed it more if these elements were less prominent than they were.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction of a more somber nature will want to read Every Word Unsaid.


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own."

#BookReview: EVERY WORD UNSAID by Kimberly Duffy

I'd say the first few chapters in America were not my favorites in the story. I'd love to see Gussie's photographs though. I know they are beautiful. But I think her newfound purpose in India and the new kind of pictures she took were more interesting to me.

I enjoyed Gussie in India better. It was sad, fascinating and educational. I am unhappy about the bubonic plague so I did more research about it. Specs was a great doctor. Specs and Gussie went through a lot individually. Their inner pain and struggles made them unsuited for me. I didn’t feel their chemistry. But the events in Poona and how it affected everyone were heartbreaking. I liked those parts. It made me more thankful for every small blessings.

4 stars

Thank you Bethany House for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.