From the Archives of Lady C ~
After reading two of my new favorites, Among the Willows and Burn the Breeze, I have become a HUGE June Lark fan and needed to know if she had anything else at the ready while I wait to go back to Thornbrush Ranch. I discovered this book from looking at her website and finding that this was actually her debut novel.
I absolutely loved this book! It’s one of those stories that, the moment I finished, I had to call my sister, Lady V, just to debrief! She hasn’t read it yet, but of course I couldn’t help myself and told her everything about this gem.
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, I'll Come to You is both a moving history lesson and an unforgettable story that gripped my heart from beginning to end. Ella’s journey is one of immense strength and growth. She endures so much, yet remains loyal and steadfast through it all. My heart broke for her time and again, especially as she navigated her relationships with Robert, John, and Brett. PS - I LOATHE Ethan!!!
Ella’s promise to Robert, to look after Katie, was such a powerful ask, but she honored it beautifully, and Katie truly flourished under her care. I found myself rooting for John from the moment he appeared; there was just something about him that felt right. Still, I adored Brett too, right from the instant he opened his eyes to see his “angel.” I would have been happy if things had worked out for Ella and Brett, because it’s clear she loved him in her own way and could have found happiness with him.
As the story unfolded, I kept wondering what would happen if John returned during Ella and Brett’s time together, and when the inevitable happened, my heart absolutely broke. I also loved John’s family and the way they embraced Ella and Katie. It gave such a warm sense of found family and belonging.
If I could ask for one more thing, it would be a glimpse of Ella and John’s life later on, once they’ve finally settled in Dakota, just to see how their dreams unfolded. The time lapses in the story, woven so carefully around the events of the war, felt incredibly realistic. So much of Ella and John’s love story was carried through their letters, with their words holding them together across miles and years. Even after they’re reunited, they wait another three years before finally building a life together in Dakota, their letters filled with hope, loss, longing, and planning for their future.
An absolutely beautiful read full of heart, history, and enduring love.