This was such a fascinating historical fiction book set in the late 1890s. I have read other historical fiction books by this author and continue to be impressed with her characters and storylines.
As I got to know the main character Hazel throughout, I was intrigued by her story, how and why she became incarcerated, and her big transformation. Unfortunately there are people from her past who keep appearing in this story who don’t believe she’s changed after 5 years.
It was heartbreaking to read about her and her family’s trials and how one persons mistakes and having bad friends can change the future. Fortunately Hazel decided to turn her life around and I liked how she sought to make amends and to become independent with working and being an upstanding citizen. I liked reading about her interactions with the doctor and their patients. Dr. Gilbert was a great character and I loved how kind, non judgmental and forgiving he was.
I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read future books by this author. I don’t read alot of historical fiction because sometimes they can be a little boring, but NOT this one! I read it cover to cover within a day.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel’s real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts’s lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.
As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can’t help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?
Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose–to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving–and perhaps find love along the way.
About the Author
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs, Yours Truly, Thomas, and A Life Once Dreamed. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. –This text refers to the paperback edition.
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