I loved the premise of this book. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good Cinderella story? And the fact that the author threw in Canadian history piqued my interest even more.

But I just couldn't get into the story. I felt no connection to the characters, and it all felt quite stilted to me.

As much as I wanted to love it, I just didn't.

This sweet and heartwarming debut historical romance completely won me over! Set in 19th-century Canada, it was so refreshing to learn about a time and place not often explored in romance novels.⁣ 🇨🇦
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A widowed lawyer with a young daughter. A laundress with a hidden past. Throw in a marriage of convenience, adorable children (Evie and Henry totally steal the show!), and a journey from rags to riches, and you’ve got a story that feels both classic and unique.⁣
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Told in dual POV, Sara and James’s story is one of slow-burning, respectful intimacy—clean and wholesome but full of emotion and connection. There are some twists along the way, especially when Sara’s past comes to light (seriously, wow), and the family reconciliation aspect gave it even more depth.⁣
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If you love tender romances with strong characters, a dash of mystery, and an uplifting ending, this one’s for you. 💛
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❤️ Sara + James forever! ❤️

Christine Hill Suntz has given readers a well-written and interesting work of historical fiction. The story has a good plot, excellent character development, and just the right amount of intrigue. Sara is a laundress who is barely scraping by as she tries to provide for herself and Granny. She meets a young girl, Evie, and from that time on, Sara’s life feels so different from before. Henry is a stable boy who becomes friends with Sara and Evie, and his little personality makes me wish I could meet him. James, Evie’s father, is a hardworking lawyer who is single-handedly raising his young daughter with the help of his housekeeper, Mrs. Hobbes. Sara and James unexpectedly meet and James discovers that this laundress is not the usual servants he is accustomed to. James finds himself needing Sara’s help when Evie falls ill, and then life becomes a bit more complicated. Throw in some villainous and unscrupulous characters and the plot thickens. This is such a well-written story. The reader will be pulling for Sara and James and Evie as the trouble stacks up in this plot. I highly recommend this book, whether you enjoy historical fiction or you just need a good story to take you on a literary adventure. This is a new author name for me, and I will look forward to reading more from her.

This book was so beautiful. I’m honestly shocked that it’s a debut novel because the writing is so lyrical, so beautifully composed, so completely entrancing. I adored it.

James and Sara were wonderful protagonists, and having both of their povs as they faced theirs pasts, the turbulent social and political environment of the city, and their own increasing attraction brought the story to life in the most wonderful and romantic way.

And precious Evie and Henry—oh those adorable kids!! I loved their friendship, and their roles in the story added sweetness and humor to throughout the book. I truly just adored this book from start to finish, and I absolutely recommend it!

The Lawyer and the Laundress kept me engaged from start to finish. It's a story of history, love, loss, found family, and second chances. Showing that God moves in mysterious ways and always in his timing...

Oh my goodness I loved this book! Its set in Canada in the early 18oo's, which is a place and time period that I know nothing about, so I found every aspect of this book fascinating. The book showcases some of the rebel tensions and class differences that were happening in Canada in the 1830's. Sara is a laundress who has a past that she keeps close to her heart. James is a widow and a lawyer with a little girl. The two end up in close proximity when James' daughter becomes gravely ill. They end up in a marriage of convenience after a while, and that is when their love story really begins to take off. I really enjoyed the ending of the book where Sara is able to reconcile her past with her present.

Overall this is a fantastic book. I would consider the romance to be clean, kept to kisses only. I would give this to teenagers and older to read. Thank you to the publihser and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

The Lawyer and the Laundress is a beautifully written Christian historical marriage-of-convenience debut novel by Christine Hill Suntz. Filled with just the right mixture of love, faith, and adventure to keep readers totally interested from beginning to end.

I became totally enthralled in this fantastic story featuring a down on her luck laundress, Sara O’Connor, and single father, James Kinney, who was trying to raise his daughter, Evie, while performing barrister duties and dealing with the rebellion in 1837 Upper Canada.

Suntz is a great storyteller and her style of writing is so engagingly captivating that I immediately connected with the characters and could visualize everything throughout this awesome story. I am amazed that this is her first novel, and am looking forward to reading what she writes next.

If one enjoys reading sweet historical marriage-of-convenience stories, I highly recommend The Lawyer and the Laundress. You will not be disappointed!

A complimentary copy was provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

All the stars for this book! I cannot believe this is a debut novel. Christine Hill Suntz weaves a fantastic story that kept me captivated throughout. The Lawyer and the Laundress deftly combines intriguing historical detail, political tensions of the time period, a lovely forbidden/marriage of convenience romance, endearing characters, & a plot line that kept me eagerly turning the pages to see what happened next.

Twenty-nine year old Sara O’Connor’s such a strong, sympathetic character. After a series of heart aching events, she finds herself working as a laundress to provide for her deceased husband’s sick grandmother living in Irish Town. When she meets young Evie Kinney, the daughter of a lawyer who’s taking lessons at the inn where she works, her heart aches for the child who’s mistreated by the governess. But, standing up for Evie only lands her in trouble. Though her father, James Kinney, has growing admiration for Sara, he decides it’s best Evie stay away, until she contracts scarletina.

Widower James Kinney has his hands full with his precocious 10 year old daughter, a demanding law practice, & rising political tensions. He hopes Evie will enjoy classes with the local children, but her growing friendship with the laundress is troubling despite Sara’s mysterious knowledge & obvious intelligence. When Evie’s life hangs in the balance & she calls for Sara, James puts aside all his reservations & asks her for help. Seeing the rapport Sara has with Evie, he offers her a governess position, but can he prevent his growing attraction to her.

I absolutely loved this story! I’m always a sucker for a good governess story & this was fantastic! I loved learning more about the political turmoil in Upper Canada in 1837, & Irish town. James’ friend & former brother-in-law Andrew’s caught up in the rebellion & I was on pins & needles as James carefully walks a tightrope between societal expectations & keeping Andrew safe. There’s also a despicable villain who knows Sara’s true identity & poses a threat to her & James.

I adored Sara’s & James’ forbidden romance. There’s such a delicious undercurrent of romantic tension between them that was palpable throughout. I enjoyed seeing that sizzling attraction grow to more.

Evie & her friend Henry were so delightful & clever. They definitely enhanced the story. I also appreciated the thread of faith woven throughout. Sara feels abandoned by God because of all that’s happened to her. I loved Granny’s & James’ gentle faith that helped bolster hers.

Highly recommend this amazing story! Can’t wait for more by this author. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

A heartfelt thank you to @christinehillsuntz @tyndalehouse @crazy4fiction and @austenprose for the #gifted book.

This debut novel is an absolute gem that’s hard to put down! As a devoted fan of historical fiction, I can confidently say this book exceeds all expectations. The captivating story propels you forward with richly developed characters and exquisite writing that keeps you eagerly turning the pages to uncover what happens next. The romance, the intrigue, and the historical setting are simply extraordinary.

Sara is an exceptional character—fierce, independent, and deeply compassionate. Despite her losses, she remains open to love, particularly with Evie, James’ daughter. James, having lost his wife, recognizes the warmth and kindness Sara brings to their lives. The romance between Sara and James unfolds beautifully, showcasing how seamlessly Sara integrates into their family dynamic. It’s heartwarming to see James guiding Sara back to her faith, adding depth to their connection. While I adored the resolution, I found myself yearning for more moments with Sara and James.

Exploring this captivating time in Canada’s history was a delight. The author skillfully immerses us in the tumultuous era of 1837, filled with Tories and rebels, which added a fascinating layer to the narrative. The polished and engaging writing allows us to forge a strong connection with the characters.

If you cherish an enchanting blend of romance, mystery, and intriguing historical insights, this book is a must-read. It’s available now, and I encourage everyone to support this talented new author—you won’t regret it!

I was immersed in this story from the beginning as I pictured the scenes, smelled the woodsmoke and felt sadness. I got teary several times due to the treatment of those considered "less than." I loved the characters and was invested in their lives and well-being. There was true darkness of heart but also true forgiveness and love. I love historical novels where people are willing to put human decency above status and what others think. The romance is wonderful. I enjoyed this story immensely and would love to re-read soon in audiobook format.

Set in Canada 1837, this story follows a laundress hiding from her past. As Sara struggles in the workforce, she finds herself in the household of a widowed lawyer, working to help his daughter's education.

Brief thoughts- the book is advertised as an MOC and it's really not because of where it is placed in the story. Should have happened way sooner to get the MOC romance feel.

This was a delightful read full of interesting historical elements and a forbidden romance. Excited to see what this author comes up with next!

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the history in this book, since I didn't know much about the rebellion before picking up the story. I did find Sara to be a little wishy washy when it came to making decisions, which was annoying. I thought it was interesting that the story is in the marriage of convenience genre and yet they didn't get married until towards the end, so it was different than I was expecting. It was still an interesting story, exploring some of the social problems that led to the rebellion and how hard it would have been to travel between classes back then.

💛 The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

🧺 About This Book:
- Christian Historical Romance
- Canada, 1837
- Marriage of Convenience
- Single Dad
- Found Family
-Published in 2025
-Parents Guide: kisses only, and mild violence

⚖️ My Thoughts:
When I saw this beautiful book cover and title I was immediately drawn to it. Marriage of Convenience also just happens to be one of my favorite book tropes. This was such a good read! If you are in the mood for a slow burn romance, a doting father and a happily ever after you should pick up this book!

This story takes place in 1837 in Canada during a time of political unrest. It reminded me of our own Revolution.
Sara and James have both lost their spouses and James has a 10 year old daughter Evie.
Sara has a troubled past, is estranged from her family and has fallen on hard times. Circumstances bring James and Sara together through Evie, a sweet, precocious and mischievous girl.
I liked watching the romance blossom between James and Sara. They were both strong personalities and had a solid faith among other great qualities.
This was a polished debut novel which showed that the author researched her subjects well.
I enjoyed learning more about Canadian history and look forward to another book by this author.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Set in the 1800s in Upper Canada, this is a book about the divide of the social classes, love and faith. I was very interested in this title but found it lacking and had a hard time getting half way with it. DNF for me. Not bad writing or plot, just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc.

“Was it God who’d led her to the love of a little girl and helped her feet find bedrock again?”

I hadn’t read too many sentences before I knew I was in the capable hands of a great storyteller, and so I allowed this new-to-me author to whisk me away to 1837 Toronto, Canada.

I had difficulty setting this book down.

I was wrapped up in a fantastic story featuring a 29-year-old laundress who was down on her luck and a single father who was trying to raise a young lady, while performing his barrister duties and dealing with the rebellion in Upper Canada.

My heart filled with empathy for Sara O’Connor as she tried to make the best of the bad situation. In choosing love, she lost family and finances, and things quickly spiralled downwards. When she comes to the aid of Evangeline Kinney, her life takes a turn for the better. I had equal amounts of empathy for James Kinney as he struggled to find a balance between home and work. The author reminds us that by placing importance on helping others, we not only reveal who we are but also demonstrate our humanity. I loved the thought that we can hold up each other until we are ready to stand on our own.

I’ve taught this period and events in Canadian history for many years, so I appreciated the effort Suntz went to in portraying the tensions of our country’s growing pains. The irony of the current events is not lost on me! I enjoyed going down the Google rabbit hole to learn more about Irish Town and scarletina. Have your tissues ready.

I’ve now added this debut author to my auto-read list!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

4.5 stars

“You figure God abandoned you, but you know deep down that’s not true. He was there all along, holding you up until you were ready to stand again.“

I love it when I start reading an author’s debut novel and am instantly charmed by the characters and the writing voice. Such was the case with The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz. Besides the characters-who-became-friends and the winsome writing… and the swoony marriage-of-convenience element to the latter part of the plot (more on that in a moment), it also exposed me to a part of North American history that I have never studied before – the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. It reminded me in many ways of the American Revolution but it had a mix of layers all its own so I am intrigued to learn more about it (and therefore excited that the author is currently writing another story set during this time too).

Sara O’Connor may be hiding in plain sight, her secrets tucked away in her wounded heart, but as far as James Kinney is concerned there is nothing plain about her. I loved how – by being true to who she really is (her genuine kindness and warmth and quiet dignity), qualities that transcend social class – Sara captures his curiosity and then his interest. Oh, he tries to brush it off as mere concern for his daughter’s well-being and education but… this IS a romance, James, so you didn’t fool me any more than Sara could keep her own past hidden. And once he starts acting on his real feelings for Sara….WHEW. The longing! The sparks! The kisses! I’m still fanning over here and not complaining at all. The marriage of convenience James offers doesn’t come into play until nearly the end of the book (still plenty of time for plenty of swoons though, don’t worry), but their chemistry can be felt almost right away and especially after a pivotal plot point involving James’ daughter Evie.

Speaking of Evie… she is such a delightfully precocious and sweet character (even if she does give her dad a few gray hairs with her almost fearless determination). And her newfound friend Henry is equally so. These two children from opposite walks of life made me smile every time they were on the page, and even more so if they shared the scene. They’re about as unlikely a pairing as James and Sara seem to be from all outward appearances, but once you observe their endearing friendship it will clearly feel meant to be. Henry… this young scamp totally stole my heart and took it through a range of emotions. And I would be lying if I said I didn’t get misty-eyed over his pure-hearted earnestness in this story.

Bottom Line: The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz is a charming, thoughtful, and – yes – swoony debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Suntz’s writing voice and the characters are delightfully engaging, and I could have easily spent a couple hundred more pages immersed in this story without complaint. The mid-1800s Toronto setting with its stirrings of unrest piqued my interest in learning more, and the tender exploration of what it looks like to trust God again after being deeply disappointed in His answers – or perceived lack thereof – encouraged my own bruised heart. James, Sara, Evie, Henry… these new fictional friends of mine were a pleasure to meet on the pages of this novel, and I hope it’s not the last we see of them. There’s also a supporting character that I’d love to see in his own novel. If you love books by Laura Frantz and Julie Klassen, or Jody Hedlund’s Bride Ships series, you need to read The Lawyer and the Laundress too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

When I finished reading The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz, I found myself wishing that Sara, James, and Evie were real people. These characters came alive amid the turmoil of the 1837 Canada Rebellion, a historical event I was unfamiliar with. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautiful story of finding (and refinding) love and family.

My favorite theme in The Lawyer and the Laundress was how God is with us in the hard times, even when he chooses not to rescue from pain and suffering. Sara’s past experiences reflected this and in her present circumstances God felt absent. One quote by Granny stayed with me: “God isn’t only a God of blessings. He’s the Man of Sorrows, too, ye ken. He knows how it feels.” I’m thankful that’s true.

The Lawyer and the Laundress included several other elements I enjoyed. The romance between James and Sara held swoony moments, tension as the relationship evolved, and a bit of mystery due to Sara’s hidden identity. The secondary characters truly enhanced the story and kept the plot moving along. The social structures of the day added adversity for Sara and James to overcome.

I recommend The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz to readers who enjoy historical fiction with tension, secrets, and romance. Five Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

The lawyer and the Laundress is a slow-burn romance that explores the divide between social classes in the 1800s.

The book is set against the backdrop of the 1837 rebellion in Upper Canada over frustrations with colonial rule and the lack of political reform. These tensions come to a head with the book’s climax, but the best bits are the interactions.

James is — by all accounts — a good lawyer and a loving father. But he struggles to keep all the balls in the air. Enter Sara, a laundress that is clearly hiding her past. The interplay between the two of them is strong and is even more enjoyable when children Evie and Henry are in the mix.

The Lawyer and the Laundress is published by Tyndale Fiction, a Christian publisher, and does feature some religious under tones. That said, it’s not heavy handed, making the book accessible for readers who come to it looking for a chaste historical romance.

4.5 Stars

The Lawyer and the Laundress is a compelling read that features a widower seeking help with his daughter, a servant hiding from her past, a court trial, and a marriage of convenience.

Widower James Kinney has a precocious young daughter who has been spending time with Sara O’Connor, a kind servant. At first, James forbids the relationship, but as he becomes more frustrated with the task of raising his daughter, he realizes how helpful Sara has been and proposes a marriage of convenience. In 1837, as political tensions rise in Canada, Sara makes decisions that could save her husband’s life.

A marriage of convenience is one of my favorite romance tropes. This one is complicated on three fronts: James’ daughter needs an education and suffers a health crisis; Sara has a secret past; and amid rising political tension, James faces criminal charges. Through it all, a slow-burn romance brews. Sara must face her past in order to save her husband.

If you are looking for a page-turner, The Lawyer and the Laundress doesn’t disappoint. The compelling and multi-layered plot includes Canadian politics and social conditions in 1837, Sara hiding from her past and then taking risks to protect her husband, a widowed father struggling to meet the needs of his daughter, and growing romantic feelings. It’s unputdownable.

Sara is a remarkable and admirable character. In an effort to distance herself from her wealthy family, she strikes out on her own and works as a servant. Sara befriends many in the community and makes sacrifices to help them. She expertly nurses the sick with homemade remedies and uses her intelligence to help save her husband. Sara is a devoted friend, kind stepmother, and a brave spouse.

Content Consideration: serious illness

If you love 1800s histfic set in Canada, a strong female character, a marriage of convenience, slow-burn (closed-door) romance, and a compelling story sprinkled with a measure of faith, you will want to add The Lawyer and the Laundress to your TBR.

Thanks #NetGalley @TyndaleHouse @AustenProse for a complimentary eARC of #TheLawyerAndTheLaundress upon my request. All opinions are my own