Of Silver and Secrets, set in the Victorian era, is a sparkling addition to Ms. Griep's amazing Time's Lost Treasure series. I loved Of Gold and Shadows, the first book in the series, and had high expectations for this one! Those expectations were met and exceeded. The intriguing, mysterious plot, with strategically placed twists and revelations, drew me in quickly and held me fast to the end. The characters are beautifully crafted and memorable. The unfolding of the second chance romance of estranged childhood friends Eva and Brahm is engaging and satisfying. I appreciate the encouraging faith thread which runs throughout the story. I totally enjoyed this heartwarming, entertaining read and highly recommended it and the series.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep is second in her Time’s Lost Treasure series. The book can be a standalone. Eva Inman is running her family’s crumbling estate, trying to make ends meet and take care of her blind sister. When she believes there is treasure on her land, she takes the found items to Cambridge and accidently sees her old childhood friend, Bram Webb. They did not part on good terms, but is something still there?

I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense novel set in Victorian England. Eva had my heart from the first page as I walked through life with her. She was an endearing character who learned to trust God, forgive herself, and grow into a wonderful woman. Bram was a dashing archaeologist who had a certain Indiana Jones mystique and it was a pleasure to watch his journey of growth. The story had many twists and turns and good prevails in the end.

Of Silver and Secrets is a wonderful, mysterious, adventurous journey that you will be so glad you signed up for! The author beautifully weaves in faith threads with engaging characters to bring deeper meaning to the story. I highly recommend!

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

This was my first time reading a book by Michelle Griep and it definitely won't be my last! I love the Victorian time period, the element of mystery and the archaeological adventure was the cherry on top! It was an interesting storyline and hooked me in from the beginning. The banter between main characters was done well, with sweet chemistry and likeable characters. It was clearly very well researched and written in such an engaging way. I highly recommend to anyone who love clean historical romance with faith and a bit of mystery!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I’ve enjoyed the few books by Michelle Griep that I have read and was really excited to pick up her new release, Of Silver and Secrets. While second in a series, I haven’t read the first book and thought it worked well as a standalone. I liked the pacing and movement of this story and felt like it held my attention well.
If you love,
*second chance romance
*a bit of mystery
*attractive professors
*spunky heroines
*faith threads
*history and really fascinating historical elements in historical fiction
Then you won’t want to miss this book. I recommend it.
This is a clean romance.
I received an early copy of this novel from Austenprose and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Eva Inman blames herself for her father’s untimely death, and she’ll do anything to honor his two dying wishes: take care of her younger, blind sister and keep Inman Manor in the family. Neither task a simple one for a single woman living in England in the late 1880s. When the tax collector drops by and gives notice of significantly increased taxes due in a few short months, Eva takes a chance and visits Cambridge with an ancient silver ring a workman found on her property.

Despite the local legend that the ground was cursed, Eva hopes the pottery sherds and jewelry will bring in enough money to pay the taxes and return the estate to a more livable condition.

She doesn’t expect Trinity College’s eminent expert on Roman artifacts to be her childhood friend—one who abandoned her in her time of most profound grief over a decade ago.

Bram Webb knows his brilliant uncle seems more forgetful lately. He will do anything to help his uncle keep his position at Trinity College, even if it means putting his own career as a professor in danger. Without his uncle’s intervention, Bram’s life would have followed a different, darker path.
The head of the history department, Professor Grimwinkle, wants nothing more than to see Bram and his uncle out on the streets. And now Bram has promised Grimwinkle that he and his uncle will find proof of an ancient Roman settlement, Caelum Academia, by the second week in December. A seemingly impossible task for a scatterbrained professor who can’t seem to remember the location of his notes about the settlement.
When all hope seems lost, his childhood friend, Eva Inman, shows up in Cambridge with ancient Roman artifacts that might lead them to the lost community.

What I Loved About This Book

Michelle Griep’s meticulous research makes reading her historical romances a delight. Readers who have suffered from the aftereffects of an abandonment will relate to Eva, while those who have a loved one who suffers from dementia will relate to Bram. I love how Griep’s relatable characters live decidedly middle-class lives—unlike many historical novels set in England, which feature the gentry or nobility.

If you love mystery, intrigue, romance, and well-developed characters, Of Silver and Secrets will provide a warm interlude.

An heiress in need of funds, an archeology professor needing to prove his uncle’s theory, a delicious romance, a fascinating archeological dig, & an intriguing mystery. Of Silver and Secrets completely pulled me in & didn’t let go. I’ve always been fascinated by archeological digs & the treasures of the past just waiting to be discovered. Michelle Griep captures that wonder & excitement along with complex, endearing characters, & a lovely childhood friends to enemies to more romance. Told with achingly beautiful prose & an inspiring faith thread, this book is a must read!

Eva Inman’s struggling to keep the estate she’s inherited afloat & care for her blind, younger sister. When an ancient Roman artifact is discovered on the property, she believes it might be the answer she’s been hoping for. But, the Cambridge professor she seeks out for confirmation is her childhood friend who left without saying goodbye. As Professor Bram Webb & his crew arrive at her estate to dig for more relics, she’s in danger of her old childhood crush turning into something more.

With both his & his uncle’s university jobs hanging in the balance, Bram Webb’s hoping Eva’s property provides the proof of his uncle’s claims of the existence of an ancient Christian Roman civilization. Bram’s also trying to hide the fact that his uncle’s losing his memory. On top of everything, his renewed friendship & attraction to Eva proves a distraction he wasn’t anticipating.

I adored this book! The slow burn romance between Bram & Eva kept me eagerly turning the pages to see if all the misunderstandings between them could be overcome. I loved their banter & how they worked together. I especially enjoyed their balloon ride, sheltering from the snow storm, & their first real kiss.

I also enjoyed Eva’s sister Penny. She wants so badly to be independent & I enjoyed her feisty spirit. I also liked Bram’s uncle who’s often the voice of wisdom. The faith thread woven throughout was beautifully done. The messages of learning to forgive oneself & coping with the nature of living in a fallen world were inspiring. The ending was a bit of a surprise with not only a centuries old mystery revealed, but also a plot involving Penny.

I listened to the audiobook version & thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. She brilliantly brought all these characters to life. It was easily to listen to & I found myself having a hard time putting it down.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher, but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

When Eva Inman finds an ancient silver ring on her property, she realizes a great many of her troubles might be over. Her financial worries might be eased if there are Roman ruins ripe for excavation right in her own backyard. Things haven't been easy since her father's death. Their estate needs repairs, the taxes must be paid, and her blind sister wishes to go to school. Eva ventures to Cambridge to speak to the history department -- and comes face to face with the last man she expected to see.

Bram Webb is on the hunt for a discovery. His eccentric uncle, who is also a Cambridge professor, has his job on the line unless he can prove the existence of a settlement of Roman Christians in Britain. When his childhood friend shows up at his door with the perfect opportunity, Bram is quick to accept.

The story unfolds with twists and turns, secrets and adventures. I missed the slight but delicious spookiness that I've come to expect from Michelle Griep's books, but also loved the more UK-centric elements, like a full-blown Guy Fawkes Night party with various competitions and celebrations.

I would recommend this book to all fans of historical romance.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Very nice read! Michelle Griep has put together a bit of romance mixed with a bit of mystery that makes for a sweet story! One you won't want to miss! Check out Of Silver and Secrets!

I enjoyed this story of Eva and her sister and Bram and his uncle. They are relatable and likeable. I felt for Eva and the weight she carried trying to keep Penny safe and her home afloat. Bram is heroic and wise. I liked how he interacted with Penny. He was pretty selfless as he cared for his uncle and others around him.

This story had some despicable villains. One came with a shocking revelation that I didn't see coming. It's always satisfying seeing the details come together and things being made right.

I enjoyed the story but it felt slow to me. It didn't have the same grip on me that I've come to expect from Griep novels.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This story is filled with so much mystery and adventure! For those that love to read historical romance with lots of historical relevance, this is one for you! Eva Inman is in charge of her family estate after her father recently passed and left everything to her. But she's struggling to keep the estate running financially.

But when a surprise find in one of her far fields, "the curses acres", turns out to potentially hold ancient relics that could fix all of her financial problems, she looks to Trinity University's history department for guidance on how much the finds might be worth.

However, there she finds her childhood crush and heartbreaking memories in a Mr. Bram Webb. They have to face their hidden history to unravel the other hidden history in her own backyard.

I really enjoyed the Roman history element of this story. They end up opening a dig sit on Eva's property to unearth an ancient Christian community that was in hiding from Roman persecution. All in the honor of history for history's sake, but also because Bram and his Uncle's academic reputations depend on unearthing this information.

Throughout their adventure, there is plenty of mischief with interruptions an, accidents, and missing relics on the dig site. Clarly someone is ctrying to keep them frm being successful. Not only are Bram and Eva navigating their fond childhood memories of one another and the possibility of a future together, but Eva's estate and Bram's career hang in the line throughout all of this!

Eva's character was so strong and caring for others, I admired her tenacity and commitment to keeping her family estate running and also caring for her much younger blind sister. Penny, her sister, is an endearing force throughout this book. She is adventurous, smart and encourages her older sister to embrace things she might not have done otherwise.

Bram's character is also intriguing. He has so many secrets of his own, but as everything unwinds and he lets go of his own burdens, he certainly finds the support and love he's always wished for.

An exciting adventure and a depth of love I always enjoy from Michelle's work!

“The end of Eva’s world started with a window she never should have left open.”

Whew! What a gripping, suck-you-in-like-a-whirlpool opening sentence!Michelle Griep pens this Victorian romance with such beautiful, flowing artistry that I often had to stop and reread a sentence or a whole paragraph. Just for the beauty of the construction. So I’m in love with the writing style.

And the characters. A young lady, Eva Inman, who is convinced her mistake twelve years earlier caused her mother’s death, her sister’s blindness, and their now-fatherless estate to be in extreme need of funds. The corresponding male main character, Professor Bram Webb, who knew Eva in childhood,now returns to create an archaeological dig on her estate lands. ( Webb must prove an ancient Christian civilization, hiding from Roman tyranny, existed on Inman land.) Eva doesn’t know if she’s attracted to the man from her past or if she despises Bram, the man she considers “the first in a string of people to leave her.”

In some ways, there are elements that give the novel the feel of a certain well-known fictional archaeological character. Fun. Yet, Bram’s reason for joining his uncle Pendleton on the dig are very self-sacrificing. I cannot imagine the fortitude Bram shows as he supports his history prof. uncle. I would have been explaining myself by this point. Eva doesn't trust Bram becsuse of their childhood connection, but she fails to understand that Bram has undergone a transformation. Indeed, Bram has many enemies and people he would seem justified to hold a grudge against, but, instead of taking vengeance, he explains to Eva. “Perhaps his conscience is buried beneath layers of deceit and bitterness, yet it is not beyond redemption. Harsh words and flying fists will not change his heart. Only God can do that.” How he moves from ready-to-fight anger to a willingness to hand his enenmy over to God speaks so much for his character!

A great supporting character is Penny, Eva’s outgoing, curious, and unafraid blind sister. Penny is 13 going on 30. How will Eva ever keep her charge safe?

Twists! This novel has some truly great ones. My eyes widened as I read many times, surprised at how each successive obstacle worked out!

Stars and thunder!! I was unhappy when I finished the book! I loved Of Silver and Shadows so much, with its many themes, truth nuggets, amazing romance and twists. I just didn’t want it to end!! My definition of a perfect book!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“…though truth might be absolute, discerning the right course of action when living that truth was often anything but obvious.”

“It is easy to judge from the outside, but we can never truly understand the burdens others carry or the choices they feel forced to make. We are all fallen creatures.”

“Love is a gift, worth risking everything for… let nothing stand in your way.”

“The very first time you asked to be pardoned, you were. That is what grace is all about. “

“We are all tethered to something…When that tether snaps, as it is wont to do, this is when we realize the true extent of our faith.”

Captivating historical romance!!

Eva is in dire financial straits so when she discovers an ancient ring on her property, she takes it to the university to be appraised...only to run into Bram, the boy she has never forgotten who is now a Cambridge professor of Roman antiquities.

Bram begins an archeological dig on Eva's estate in hopes of solving her financial problems and to save the reputations and careers of both him and his uncle. As the dig is faced with challenges and a saboteur, old sparks between Bram and Eva are rekindled as they try to overcome the secrets and threats that threaten everything they hold dear.

What you'll love:
Victorian era
second chance romance
dual pov
archeological digs
secrets and betrayal
light faith thread
witty banter
family loyalty
swoony romance
light faith thread

Oh my word, Michelle Griep can do no wrong!! Reading her books is a full sensory experience and she has such a talent of making her stories come alive and this book was no exception! From the endearing, vivid characters to the friendships and loyalties to the fascinating history to the sweet, tension filled romance between Bram and Eva, I was here for all of it!

Bram was Eva's knight in shining armor disguised as a handsome, capable, and intelligent professor (we need more romances with professors who play the heroes!) and I was shipping them from the moment they met again! Eva was a fascinating character in her own right - determined, loyal, and compassionate. The personal journeys were intertwined so well with their sweet romance, the historical mysteries and the suspenseful moments with unexpected villains. I was completely swept up in the story and loved every minute of it!

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone (but oh my word, the first book is fabulous too!). Michelle is an auto-read, auto-buy, auto-eveyrthing author for me and this series is the perfect example of why! To read her books is to love them and you do not want to miss this captivating historical romance!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing the ARC of Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep. All views expressed are my own.

Of Silver and Secrets is the second book in the Time’s Lost Treasures series, but it can easily be enjoyed on its own. While characters from the first book (Of Gold and Shadows) make appearances, knowing their backstory is not necessary to appreciate this story.

This book centers around Eva, who is on the verge of losing everything unless she can find the funds to pay the taxes she owes. It also follows Bram, a figure from Eva’s past, who is working to save his uncle’s position as a college professor by uncovering the legendary Christian Roman settlement in England.

From the outset, I empathized with both main characters because they had faced so much and were still navigating through challenging situations. I appreciated how selflessly they approached their circumstances, putting the needs of others ahead of their own desires.

I also valued the gentle reminder of trusting in God that Bram helped Eva recall throughout the narrative. These characters were put to the test in numerous ways, but I loved how they held onto their faith.

The archaeological elements of this story were fascinating, and I gained some new insights. I also liked how Bram involved Eva’s little sister in the archaeological dig.

This was a good story! I liked reading from both Eva's and Bram's POV, and it was fun that they interacted beyond her house/property, so they had variety in their scenes. They were also both well-developed characters. I did think the "setbacks" at the dig site were a bit low-stakes, and I would have liked a bit more excitement with that, but overall there was plenty going on in the story. The side characters were good, too, and it was fun seeing Ami and Edmund from the first book! I also appreciated the note in the end, explaining the dig site was based on a real one. I hope the author writes another in this series!

Content: references to mild violence.

I enjoyed reading Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep. The story held my attention from the start as I rooted for Bram and Eva, who were underdogs in their own particular circumstances. Having that in common, as well as shared childhood experiences, these characters had a strong (albeit complicated) connection from the start. Their slow burn romance grew alongside their journeys to overcoming long-held false beliefs and dealing with the external challenges of life. It was a pleasure to see them start to walk in freedom together and how that freedom enabled them to love others well.

Of Silver and Secrets concludes the Time’s Lost Treasures duology by Michelle Griep. I loved book one (Of Gold and Shadows), so I recommend reading the series in order, but Of Silver and Secrets would be fine as a standalone. Recommended for fans of historical romance who enjoy relatable characters, a flowing plot, and a dose of mystery.

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.

Have you visited any archeological digs? I’ve been to a few museums that have digs going on and I find it fascinating. I also love museum displays that show things that were found when they dug through areas like the outhouse. I took an Intro to Archaeology class while in college and I loved it.

Eva Inman is in a pickle. After her father’s death, she discovers that their family finances are in dire straits. Her father’s last wish was that she keep their family estate. She also has the care of young, blind sisters, Penelope. She decides to plow up and plant in the “cursed fields” on her estate to make more money. Her employees find a strange silver specimen that appears to be Roman. She goes to Cambridge to have the piece evaluated and runs into her childhood crush, Bram Webb who is now a Cambridge professor. Bram is looking for a lost Roman Settlement with his history professor uncle, is this it? Will Eva be able to save her estate?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I loved all the characters, but especially Eva and Bram. They have both had hard times in their youth and are trying to move beyond it. Bram is trying to make his way as a professor while also helping his uncle who is starting to suffer from dementia. Eva suffers from guilt that she thinks she killed her parents and caused Penelope’s blindness. Guilt and forgiveness are major themes in this novel. Bram’s deep faith was wonderful to read about, and he shares this faith to Eva.

• The romance was sweet, and this was a clean read. There was second chance romance, slow burn, and forced proximity.

• I loved that the sister’s name was Penelope Rose. That’s my daughter’s name! Penny was a spunky character who wanted to explore and learn all that she could about the world, despite her blindness.

• The archaeology was very interesting, and I wanted to know more about the Romans in Great Britain.

• I also loved the mystery that was threaded throughout the novel.

• This is the second novel in the Time’s Lost Treasures series. I loved the first book too, but this can be read as a standalone novel.

• There is a great historical notes section at the end of the novel that gives background details of the historical elements of the story. There were also great discussion questions for a book club to use.

• I am super excited that Michelle Griep’s next book available in the fall of 2026 is a Christmas Victorian novella. I love Christmas historical fiction and historical romance!

Great first paragraph, “The end of Eva’s world started with a window she never should have left open. A small neglect, yet twelve years later, one that had culminated in a leaky roof, a ledger that refused to balance, and a blind sister.”

Overall, Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep is a riveting Victorian historical romance and mystery.

Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep is an entertaining historical romance fuelled by more than one mystery.

Set in 1889 Victorian England, Eva Inman is desperately trying to make ends meet after the death of her father and care for her blind sister. When an ancient artifact is discovered on her property, she takes it to Cambridge Professor Bram Webb to verify its authenticity. For Bram, this find couldn’t come at a better time, as he must prove a Christian Roman settlement exists to save his job and that of his uncle.

When the dig site is set up at Eva’s farm, things go wrong almost right from the beginning. I enjoyed the research on how an archeological dig would run. However, I knew almost from the get-go who was sabotaging the dig and why, so that was somewhat of a letdown.

However, the romance between Eva and Bram, who grew up beside each other, was a sweet rekindling, and Bram’s faith added much needed wisdom to Eva’s situation.

If you like historical fiction with a bit of danger and a mystery involved, then you will probably enjoy Of Silver and Secrets.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep. All opinions are my own.

Of Silver and Secrets is book two in the Time’s Lost Treasures series, but it can be read as a standalone. Characters from book one (Of Gold and Shadows) make an appearance in this book, but you don’t need to know anything about their story in order to enjoy this book.

This book is about Eva who is on the brink of losing everything unless she can come up with the money to pay the taxes she owes. It also follows Bram, a man from Eva’s past that is trying to save his uncle’s job as a college professor by discovering the legendary Christian Roman settlement in England.

From the very beginning I felt for these two main characters because they had both been through so much and were continuing to deal with terrible situations. I liked that they both had selfless attitudes and were willing to put the needs of others before their own desires.

I also appreciated the subtle message of trusting in God that Bram helped Eva remember throughout the story. These characters were tested in such difficult ways, but I loved that they held fast to their faith.

The archeology aspects of this story were interesting, and I definitely learned a few things. I also enjoyed how Bram allowed Eva’s little sister to be included in the archeological dig.

At times I felt that this story was maybe a bit too slow-paced (especially the first half of the book). I did end up enjoying the story a lot though.

The romance in this book was sweet and had such a slow burn. I liked that Bram worked hard to prove to Eva that he wasn’t the careless boy from his childhood, and I appreciated that Eva realized that she couldn’t hold grudges against Bram when she didn’t know the full story about his departure during their childhood.

This book does contain some darker topics, so please be aware of that going into this story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Have you ever wondered if the Holy Grail is just a make believe story or could it actually be an artifact? Professor Bram Webb and his uncle have staked their careers upon finding this coveted object. When Bram’s childhood friend, Eva comes to him with a relic of early Roman origin she found on her property, Bram thinks this is likely the area where this could be found. If not, it will at least be a significant piece of history to unearth and bring to light a cultural site.

You are sure to love this story of forgiveness, healing, an archaeology dig, and old rivals that are throughout the book. There are some unexpected events that take place that I really enjoyed.

Bram is the kind of guy that makes you hope every young lady could have as a sweetheart like him. He is loyal, kind hearted, and would do anything for a person, including helping Eva with her burdens. Eva is a bit reticent to have Bram a part of her life again after their past experiences, but I think she was pleasantly surprised to realize he (and she) had changed.

Things to love:
forgetful uncle
sassy blind sister
second chances
childhood friends
archery competition
hot air balloon ride
suspicious accidents
faith elements
a rescue

This is the second book in the Time’s Lost Treasures but can be easily read as a standalone. I enjoyed the author’s notes, the character development of Eva and Bram, and the unique historical setting based upon an actual site. Readers of all ages will find this book to be one they will be happy to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, NetGalley, and AustenProse. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt?

This archaeological mystery (and romance) is a delightful page turner. Bram cares deeply for his uncle and has put himself in a precarious position in order to try to protect him from losing his place and his pension. Eva is already in a precarious position with taxes due and no money to pay them. They each embark on a journey of discovery, hoping for the grace to overcome their circumstances. What they find is far better than they would have imagined.

I enjoyed this novel immensely. It is the second in a series and while it could easily be read as a stand alone, the first book in the series, Of Gold and Shadows, is also excellent.