Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Beyond Ivy Walls
Author: Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: August 14, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.
Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.
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My review of Beyond Ivy Walls
I adored Beyond Ivy Walls! It’s the first novel that I’ve read by Rachel Fordham, but I’m adding her other novels to my TBR. The setting for this novel is 1903 Iowa which is something different from the usual novels I read. I found this Beauty and the Beast retelling refreshing and captivating!
After her father is badly injured, Sadie West must leave her home on the farm to work in Monticello. She’s been working at the Hoag feather duster factory. Sadie sends almost all of her money to her family which is why she finds herself homeless when another tenant can pay more for her room. Sadie seeks refuge in an abandoned factory which is how she meets the newly returned Otis Taylor. I love their meet cute!
Otis Taylor’s father sent him away many years ago, ashamed of his son’s condition and appearance. I won’t tell you anything more about it since it would be too spoiler-ish. When Otis’s brother dies, Otis has to return to Monticello to settle his late family’s affairs. He wants it to be over and done with as quickly as possible, so he can return to his solitary life. However, that meet cute with Sadie just might change his mind.
I adored these characters…flaws and all. The other characters in the book are just as well written as Sadie and Otis are. Mildred and Leon are the two that we get to know the most. They’ve been the caretakers at the Taylor home for many years and are very close to Otis. I love how their personalities are so warm and caring as compared to how Otis’s father treated him. Otis is the character who undergoes the most growth throughout the novel, and it’s wonderful to “watch.” Sadie does some growing up too, realizing that romance is so much different than how she pictured it. I loved meeting Sadie’s family and neighbors. I’d love having a book for each of Sadie’s sisters.
Beyond Ivy Walls is such a wonderful picture of finding a person’s value in who they are, not what they look like. It touches on forgiving those who never asked for forgiveness. That is especially hard when the person who’s hurt you has died. It also deals with sacrificial love and putting others’ feelings and wants above your own. I highly recommend it for these reasons and so many more!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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About the Author
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive print copies of the author’s previous 6 novels: The Hope of Azure Springs, Your’s Truly, Thomas, A Life Once Dreamed, A Lady in Attendance, Where the Road Bends, and The Letter Tree!
(2) additional winners will receive one Rachel Fordham backlist print copy of their choice!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 7, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 14, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Sounds like an interesting read Thank you for the review. Deborah
Beautiful set