The Lumber Baron's Wife

by Lynn Austin, Sarah Zimmerman (Narrator)

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873

After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy, a friend of her husband John, offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town—where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed—Hannah reluctantly agrees.

There, she meets Kate Abernathy, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite. As she begins confiding in Hannah, it becomes clear her marriage is not what it seems—and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present Day

Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum.

While volunteering with the restoration, Ashley stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

Standalone historical fiction about marriage, grief, and the power of female friendships from the author of All My Secrets and Long Way Home A richly layered Christian women’s fiction novel with elements of mystery, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly, Kristy Cambron, and Susan Meissner Includes discussion questions for book clubs PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Christian, Historical, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published April 1, 2026

About the author

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and loved some of Lynn Austin’s historical fiction backlist so I was thrilled to see that she has a new intriguing title coming out in 2026. Though I enjoyed the book overall, there are a couple of things that prevented this from being an exceptional reading experience for me.

Kate, the lumber baron’s wife, often reminded me of a modern teenager in terms of her vocabulary and behavior. To me, it just took me out of the historical time period far too often.

I appreciated the prevalent pro-life theme throughout the book, but have to say there was a point of concern when the youth minister and his wife are said to have tried IVF with no success. Christians need to be educating themselves more on the moral implications of IVF. Do we celebrate the lives that are a result of this practice? Yes, absolutely we do, but that doesn’t mean we should be promoting that which is not God’s design. If you’re unaware of all the concerning issues surrounding IVF, I encourage you to check out Katy Faust’s research through her organization Them Before Us. Thousands of babies are just sitting on ice likely never to be born. All that being said, I do still think the book has positive qualities.

What I liked:
* The Gospel is presented beautifully.
* pro-life message
* Dual timeline

Thank you, Tyndale House for a complimentary e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[🌻PrairieWildflower🌻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won the Lumber Baron's Wife by Lynn Austin in a Goodreads giveaway. Wow! This story blew me away, the ending gave me chills! Please look up trigger warnings if you'd like to read this as Hannah, Kate and Ashley all go through some pretty heavy things in their respective lives. The faith was a 10/10 and has convicted me so deeply with some of my own doubts and fears. Definitely 6 stars, this story will always stay with me.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story! This story mostly centers on the disappearance of the lumber baron’s wife. The mystery of what happened to her kept me very intrigued. There are some sad moments in this book. Also some situations that not everyone may be comfortable with (check content section for that). I felt bad for Hannah and John losing their children. Hannah had an extremely difficult time with that and reconnecting with God. She still tries to be a friend to the Lumber Baron’s Wife, Katie who is need of a friend and guidance. The present day storyline with David and Ashley was harder for me to read. (Again due to content found in the content section) I loved how the two timelines blended together and we do find out what happened to Katie. Good Christian content. Overall, I thought this story was very well done and I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Content:(contains spoilers)
Past timeline: parents dealing with grief and loss from their 3 children dying, other deaths, woman aborts her baby herself, abusive husband, injuries.
Present day timeline:couple contemplate aborting their baby(talk about if for several chapters)

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Lynn Austin's historical fiction books for many years. She does a wonderful job at weaving historical accuracy with dimensional characters and clear themes of faith.

I was drawn to this particular story because of the unique premise and the setting close to my own home. It's 1873 and Hannah and her doctor husband decide to leave the comfort of New York to settle among a newly established lumber town on the shores of Lake Michigan. Hoping to get a fresh start and heal from grief, Hannah and John soon find their new friends (an area Lumber Baron and his young wife) might get them entangled in more drama than they expected. When tragedy strikes & the wife mysteriously disappears, Hannah finds the deepest pain can be redeemed into the healing.
Jump forward to the present day Ashley and her husband are looking to settle in that same Michigan town 150 years later. As they work through marriage tensions, financial struggles, and an unexpected surprise, Ashley finds clues to the mystery of the Lumber Baron's that might finally lead to the truth.

I appreciated the clear themes of Gospel forgiveness & redemption, true friendship, and the inherent value of life. I also was interested in the elements of historical home restoration and valuing & caring for nature.
But overall, I found the story to be a bit drawn out for my preferences. I was repeatedly frustrated by the relationship of Ashley and her husband and their inability to communicate through the tensions. I also was uncomfortable with how their "surprise" was handled, even though they came to a good decision at the end.

😇: Tyndale Publisher; strong themes of gospel forgiveness, bible study represented, positive portrayal of Christian community
💋: nothing explicit on-page; marriage intimacy alluded to; the characters investigate a supposed brothel
🤐: no language!
Content considerations: off-page death of children, physical abuse in marriage, assault referenced off-page, abortion discussed, drinking

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Lumber Baron's Wife was a good read that held my attention. I enjoyed the dual storylines and found it an interesting read. I wasn't expecting what had actually happened to the baron's wife and it was a surprising twist.

The characters were nice and unique...I think I preferred the ones in the past, though. I didn't love how certain characters handled some things, but nothing was too big of an issue for me.

All in all, The Lumber Baron's Wife was another good read from Lynn Austin. I think fans of historical romance will enjoy it. I look forward to more books from this author.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Austin never lets her readers down, and her newest release is another great read. Set in dual time periods, the historical is set in frontier Michigan near Lake Michigan during the 1870's at a time when lumbering was wiping out Michigan's beautiful forests. The second time period is current day when a young couple move to the same area as the husband is a conservationist.

The story revolves around three young married women: Hannah Wagner, Kate Abernathy, and Ashley Gilbert. Hannah and Kate are both total opposites, but become friends during the 1870's. Ashley Gilbert is overwhelmed by the historical homes in the area and gets very involved in restoration. How will all three women become connected through the past and present?

This new release was a great read from start to finish! Highly recommend!

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that, were more than five stars available, you'd want to use them!

I just finished this book but it’s late in the evening so I can’t write an adequate review. More to come later, however, I needed to say right away what an amazing book this is! I wish I had the paper version so I could underline (and underline, and underline!). Hard to underline in an audiobook. Sigh.

Several days later this story still deeply on my mind….

Two timelines: 1870s and present day

1870s, Michigan:
Henry Abernathy: The lumber baron
Kate: The lumber baron's new wife
Hannah and John Wagner: Doctor and wife new to this lumber town

Present day, same town, Michigan:
Ashley Gilbert: Studied history and museum science
David Gilbert: Conservationist newly arrived in Michigan
Many museum volunteers helping preserve and refurbish the 150 year old Abernathy Estate.

This story is about three very different women from two timelines.

The first timeline was after the Civil War and at the beginning of the Gilded era during a lumber boon in Michigan. Millionaires were made in this lumber district, and millionaires left after destroying the environment. One main characters was Kate, the new and very young wife of the Henry Abernathy, the lumber baron in the title. Kate had been an actress and burlesque dancer. Having been brought up in a brothel Kate was completely ignorant of social norms for women in society. It was not uncommon for Kate to wear revealing dresses in public and to be seen around the house in a négligée even in front of the servants.

Then there was Hannah, the wife of a physician who Henry brought to Michigan to serve as town doctor. Hannah was a proper lady, but had suffered a great loss and was still in a state of mourning when they moved to Michigan from New York City. Henry Abernathy relined on Hannah to train Kate to be a lady. It wasn’t easy.

In the modern narrative, Ashley Gilbert’s life takes a dramatic turn when her husband, David, accepts a conservationist position in the same town as Kate and Hannah 150 years before. For the couple, the move represented more than just a change of scenery; it was a step into a landscape haunted by the actions of long ago lumber barons.

Ashley‘s main interest was museums, but the town had no museum. The history of the Abernathy mansion and the disappearance of Henry's wife fascinated Ashley, which led to delving into the local history, and the Abernathy mystery.

With a split narrative, the author allows all three women to share their own accounts, making for a an immersive read I found riveting.

A few times I wondered if this would turn out to be a Christian fiction book, but Lynn Austin never disappoints. Such a lovely faith arc. Such changed lives.

A phenomenal read that deserves more praise than I can offer here.

Loved it!

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

The Lumber Baron’s Wife is a split-time mystery in Michigan. We follow two main perspective characters: Hannah Wagner, the wife of a doctor hired to tend to a lumber town in 1873; and Ashley Gilbert, who relocates to the same area in the present day when her husband lands his dream job. These women are bound through sharing the same house over a century apart, as well as by the town’s biggest mystery: the vanishing of Kate Abernathy, the lumber baron’s wife.

As a historian, Ashley wants nothing more than to solve the historical mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance, whereas Hannah is simply concerned about her friend in the months leading up to her vanishing. While Hannah didn’t immediately warm to Kate upon their first meeting, the two end up becoming friends over the course of their time together. Kate serves as our tertiary perspective. We get her story through pieces of the diary she left behind. She has lived a tremendously hard life and has questions about what love really is, and whether God could possibly forgive her for her past.

Two of the three perspectives aren’t Christians, and the third is dealing with a lot of understandable bitterness and grief. The way this is handled, especially in the present day, allows Austin to weave in faith in a way that feels natural instead of preachy, even as she is essentially having secondary characters share Jesus with the primary characters. She also deals with a lot of hard questions and social issues, whether head-on or only glancingly. We see a host of marriages, with a spectrum of husbands ranging from wonderful to selfish to downright awful. Some of the issues Austin deals with include abuse, the loss of a child, sanctity of life, and learning to love again after devastation.

I have to confess that this was my first experience with Austin’s work, and I largely picked it up because I met the woman who inspired a large chunk of the story, after whom Austin named one of the main characters. I’m thankful for that meeting, not only because I made a friend but because, through that friendship, I found a wonderful, new-to-me author. Austin has a tremendous backlog that I am excited to investigate. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this story and can’t recommend it highly enough!

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Austin is an auto-read for me, and The Lumber Baron’s Wife reminded me why. I cared equally about both timelines, which is rare for split-time fiction.

In 1870s Michigan, Hannah Wagner’s grief and self-imposed isolation intersect with Kate Abernathy, a young woman with a troubled past who doesn’t fit in. In the present, Ashley Gilbert moves to Michigan for her husband David’s conservationist job and uncovers Kate’s mysterious disappearance while restoring a historic home. Each woman has a relatable struggle, whether it’s their ache for a stable home, need for acceptance, or the right words to share their faith. Hannah is the character who showed the most growth, and I admired her honest self-reflection toward the end of the book. David, though? His selfishness, like Henry Abernathy’s, grated on me, proving Austin’s skill for crafting flawed, believable characters.

The Christian threads are strong. The story promotes the sanctity of life, serving your neighbor, and witnessing to unbelievers. One of the most memorable scenes is when Ruth, the chaplain’s wife, explains salvation through a courtroom picture: Kate pleads guilty, but Jesus steps in, saying, “Father, I’ll take her guilt. Let me take her place,” and the judge declares, “Justice has been served. You’re free to go” (Romans 8:1, ESV). In doctrinal terms, the act itself illustrates substitutionary atonement—Christ taking the sinner’s penalty—while the verdict captures justification, God’s legal declaration that the sinner is free and righteous in Christ. ❤️

I also value how much I learned through the story. The narrative traces Michigan’s white pine era and the human costs of the lumber boom, the rhythms of Great Lakes life, and how national events like the Great Chicago Fire drove demand for lumber and reshaped communities.

I recommend this to readers of Christian historical fiction, to longtime Lynn Austin fans, and to book clubs. It would pair nicely with Jocelyn Green’s Veiled in Smoke, which mentions the Great Chicago Fire.

Content notes: emotional and physical abuse, drinking, prostitution, abortion.

Disclosure: I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The opinions are my own.

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a complimentary copy of this title. All opinions are my own.)

I was so excited to read Lynn Austin’s upcoming release! Lynn Austin writes wonderful Christian fiction, and “The Lumber Baron’s Wife” will be one of the most exciting releases this coming spring.

This story is set in Michigan in the 1870’s and also in present day Michigan. There are three points of view in this story, and I found each one to be really enjoyable!

This story has very strong faith themes, rich history, and mystery. 🙌🏻

I prefer to leave content warnings off of my reviews to avoid potential spoilers, but I do keep track of them. This book does have some content that may be difficult for some to read. If you would like a list of content warnings, please feel free to let me know in the comments or send me a DM. Happy to help you. ❤️

Another great Christian historical fiction! Definitely recommend!

[Christine Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER



The author generates history into life again with this strong story, while rooting out the aching environmental regrets of Michigan’s dark past that I pray we learn from today. I personally did not like how the ‘happy ending’ for a prostitute’s daughter was to have her working at the insane asylum. Of course, money does not buy happiness, but she never leaves the degradation of social outcast in the end.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I have heard a lot of Lynn Austin's historical fiction and was thrilled to finally get to try one of her books, especially one about the Gilded Era and covering the lumber barons, something I knew little about. I was left with mixed feelings, however.

I really enjoyed the historical aspect, and the mystery of Kate's fate, as well as watching Ashely restore the Abernathy house into a museum and enjoy her own old home—two things I adore 😉 I struggled intensely, however, with the vocabulary. The 1870 portions constantly jerked me out of focus by such things as "yeah, sure," "poor little guy," and "do you have any kids?" Kate's diary entries reminded me of a Dear Canada/Dear America journal, which made it hard for me to take her seriously. Also, I really struggled with the constant tension between Ashley & David in the present day.

However, I appreciated the author tackling domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, prostitution & abortion in the 1800s, and several other topics that are hard but important to discuss. I also really appreciated the focus on the Gospel and Frieda's sweet character, as well as the messages on faith, love, life's value, and the Gospel. Overall, this wasn't for me, but I will definitely try this author again.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Karen R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar read by Lynn Austin! An engaging dual timeline story with an unsolved mystery, interesting history, and relationship issues at its core. Set in Michigan in a town built on the lumber industry, between 1873-4 and present day.

A well-written and perfectly paced story that managed to touch on deep issues relevant to today. The marriages in both time periods had serious difficulties that had me wanting to pray for the characters, they felt so real. The friendship between Hannah and Kate was especially touching and convicting at times. It made me think about what it means to truly be a good friend to someone who is different, addressing fears, and reaching out to others who are struggling with faith and hope. The house restoration project was an interesting way to bring out the history of the area and delve into the mystery. Loved how it brought people together and paralleled the personal restoration and faith journey of Hannah.

Highly recommend to readers who enjoy books with flawed characters, faith and hope. 5 stars!

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much intrigue that kept me glued to the story. I loved the character development in all three POV’s. There were many heavy topics and I loved how God’s grace healed their hearts. This is a story of ashes to beauty on so many levels.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lynn Austin does it again. She will be a contender for "If she writes it, I'll read it."

This is also a story where there is a dual timeline where I loved BOTH timelines. I don't think that has ever happened before.

Read this book if you love historical fiction!

[Megan Baertlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a historic fiction. And it was. A little. Like maybe 10%. The other 90% was very aggressively religious

[Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a little confused at what this book wanted to be. It’s mainly historical with a contemporary tie-in, yet the tone of the entire book is very contemporary. Even the way the characters speak does not sound true to the time period. This threw me off right from the start, but even so I did enjoy the historical timeline. The contemporary timeline, while necessary to the plot, was not my favourite, especially Ashley and David and their roller coaster of a marriage. Marriages can start off rocky and require a lot of work, but some of the problems would easily be solved if they would just sit down and talk about how they’re really feeling. And if I read about how sexy or sensuous Kate is one more time … 😬 I think the point was proven in the first few chapters; it didn’t need to be mentioned every other chapter.
This review is all over the place because I’m reviewing as soon as I finished, so I might polish it up a little after I’ve thought about it longer. Either way, it wasn’t my favourite book, although the history was quite interesting.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lumber Baron's Wife combines a captivating mystery, amazing history, and inspiring faith to create a heartfelt, entertaining read that touched my heart and stirred my emotions. I loved the story and especially enjoyed the brilliantly executed, easy to follow dual timeline. The storylines are set in the 1870s and modern-day Michigan, and both are engaging, anchored by compelling characters, then tied together beautifully in the end. I was totally immersed in the story from beginning to end. Well-researched history and vivid detailed setting descriptions enhance the narrative. Wonderfully created, realistic characters left a lasting impression on me. I could feel their pain, struggles, and triumphs. I appreciate the strong spiritual aspect of the story, with a powerful message of redemption and restoration, that feels both natural and uplifting, enhancing the story's emotional depth. Also, I appreciate the pro-life message and the way the author gracefully handles other difficult topics through the lens of faith. I am definitely adding this book to my Best Reads Ever list, and it has my highest recommendation.
I read an early copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Chris Jager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Lynn Austin hits it out of the park. She is a go to author for me. I love her historical stories because they bring to light little known times and people. The Lumber Barons devastated Michigan in their greed to have more. Austin points this out and how important it is to think of nature while using it.

3 women's stories are intertwined with each other. 2 in the 1800's as they each try to find their way. Heather who is grieving the loss of her 3 young children and Kate who is a young wife to one of the Lumber Baron's who past did not prepare her for life on a millionaire. The 3rd who is trying to figure out what she wants out of life. After moving to Michigan with her husband, Ashley is at loose ends as to what to do to support not only her husband, but to also help their family.

Beautifully written, this story kept my attention the whole entire book. Maybe partly because it is set in my home state, but mostly because it is an interesting story that shows we can learn and support each other even when we are separated by time.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I have always been so impressed by Lynn Austin’s ability to write – and write well – books that vary vastly from one another in theme, in style, in historical era. As an example, my two very favorite books by her are as different as night and day. One is set in the hustle and bustle of Chicago in 1893 during the World Expo and has some delightfully quirky characters. The other is set in the Appalachian part of Kentucky during the Great Depression and focuses on the packhorse librarians. She’s also got some wonderful books set during Old Testament times, in Victorian Egypt, during the Civil War, World War 1, the Roaring 20s, World War 2, the 1980s, and modern day (and probably a few eras I forgot). And now she’s written a compelling dual timeline novel set in the 1870s & present day Michigan, and I could not put down The Lumber Baron’s Wife until I’d uncovered all the story’s secrets.

The book begins with this intriguing bit of first person narrative from the 1870s protagonist, doctor’s wife Hannah Wagner – “It’s long past midnight but I cannot sleep, consumed with worry for my friend. She disappeared without a trace two weeks ago, and I fear she has come to harm.” Oh hello, compelling plot hook. I’m firmly engaged already and I’m not yet three sentences in. And the more I learned about Hannah and her unlikely friendship with the unrefined lumber baron’s wife, Kate, the more invested I became in solving the mystery of what happened to the latter. Especially as we join Ashley Gilbert and her husband in the present day timeline and learn – as Ashley becomes connected to both Hannah’s former home and Kate’s – that they still don’t know what happened. I was literally leaning forward as though I could climb into my Kindle and look over Ashley’s shoulder as she helps unearth the Abernathy house from decades of other uses and eras of decor. I held my breath each time they found another boarded up fireplace or piece of original furniture … Is this when we learn Kate’s fate? I love it when an old house connects two timelines and a mystery besides, so I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in these houses no matter which timeline we were in.

In the meantime, I also drank in their moving stories – Hannah’s, Ashley’s, and yes, Kate’s too. All three women are navigating complex emotions, and all three women have life-changing choices to make. The author captured these layers honestly, not shying away from the messier aspects but always pointing clearly to the Gospel and the sanctity of life. I saw something of myself in each of these women and their relatable struggles, and I appreciated how Austin used them to speak to so many of the hurts, insecurities, uncertainty, and even the heart-deep desires that women face in life. While Hannah probably most closely resembles the majority of us in our friendships with unbelievers, Freida (in the present day timeline) is who I want to be. I loved her natural interactions with Ashley and how she let Jesus use her story in Ashley’s life, but I was also encouraged to see how He uses Hannah’s more reluctant witnessing attempts in Kate’s life too. A good reminder that we don’t need to be perfect at sharing the good news of grace, just obedient!

Bottom Line: Fascinating history. Compelling characters. A riveting mystery. Lynn Austin has woven all three elements, plus touching redemption themes, into The Lumber Baron’s Wife, and I gobbled it all up quite happily. I found myself embracing every broken woman on these pages – the prostitutes, the self-righteous, the abused, the grieving, the lonely, the doubting, the confused, and the pressured – and rejoicing over each one that finds healing in the heart of Jesus. Hannah, Kate, and Ashley and their respective stories will stick with me for a while, as much for the authenticity in their struggles as for the way their individual paths intersected. A great next read for fans of Melanie Dobson, Michelle Shocklee, women’s fiction, historical mysteries, and stories about old houses with secrets!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1873 New York, Hannah Wagner is suffering from an unimaginable loss. All three of her children died after their father, a doctor, took two of them to visit a sick child he was treating, not knowing the child had diphtheria. Frozen in grief, Hannah cannot see a way forward. When her husband is offered the position of doctor in a Michigan lumber town, she goes reluctantly, not wanting to leave her children’s graves. Then she slowly becomes friends with reckless and impulsive Kate Abernathy, the lumber baron’s wife. Kate has problems of her own—a scandalous past and an abusive husband. Hannah and Kate build a friendship, but then one day Kate simply vanishes.

In the present time, Ashley Gilbert is also moving to Michigan for her husband’s job. She does not want to give up her career as a Philadelphia historian but agrees to help David follow his dreams. Then, while house hunting, Ashley falls in love with a unique home built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife. Then she discovers the nearby Abernathy mansion and finds a career, and a mystery, of her own.

This is a story of strong women facing heartbreaking situations. There are themes of grief, loss, God’s comfort, and starting over. The environmental damage inflicted by the 19th-century lumber barons in Michigan is brought to light, and the serious subject of spousal abuse is portrayed through Kate and her husband. The 19th-century timeline is the strongest and most compelling, but the present-day timeline is effective for drawing some parallels and making discoveries. The relationship between Hannah and Kate shows how friends can help heal us, and the way Kate’s mystery is solved is compelling.

I would recommend this book to all fans of Christian historical fiction

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hannah and her husband move to Michigan in the 19th century. Her husband becomes a doctor in a lumber town owned by Henry Abernathy and his young wife, Kate. Kate and Hannah become friends, despite Kate’s uncouth manners and suspicious past. In the present day, Ashley and her husband also move to Michigan, and Ashley takes on a renovation project that uncovers details of Kate and Hannah’s past.

I enjoyed this, although not as much as other Lynn Austin books I have read. Some of the POVs felt slow and the writing was a little formulaic or anachronistic. I enjoyed the historical and museum emphasis.

Content: while pro life, there is a lot of discussion about abortion. One Christian mentions having tried IVF. Talk of prostitution and brothels.

[BookMarkedbyNicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lumber Baron's Wife by Lynn Austin is a beautifully written story of faith, compassion, redemption & healing.

This dual timeline book follows the lives of Kate Abernathy, the young, "wild" wife of a wealthy lumber baron,
Hannah Wagner, the doctor's wife who is dealing with the loss of her 3 children and having to leave her home where they are buried. Once she arrived in Michigan she is asked to groom Kate in the late 1800's.

In present time Ashley Gilbert, gives up her career dreams and moves to Michigan so her husband can take a dream job as a conservationist. She falls in love with a historic home built during the lumber boom owned by John & Hannah Wagner in a western Lake Michigan town She convinces her husband to purchase it and starts to dig into it's history as well as the history and restoration of the home nearby that belonged to Lumber Baron, Henry Abernathy and the mystery that surrounds it.

The book portrays the lumber industry, social expectations and the hard decisions each of the women have to make.

What makes this book stand out is its quiet yet powerful message: redemption is possible even in the most broken circumstances.

Overall, The Lumber Baron's Wife is a moving and thoughtful novel for those who enjoy historical fiction with strong faith themes, meaningful character, and a deeply hopeful message. It is a reminder that God can work through even the most painful situations to bring about healing and new beginnings.

Lynn tackles some difficult topics such as abortion, abuse, death & mental illness but as always does it with such grace. The book is truly amazing and the end justifies the means.

Favorite lines in the book:
"The Choices we make are very important. Regret can be a very heavy weight to get out from under."
"Birth and death, sorrow and joy, suffering and peace came tangled together in this precarious dance of life."

Thank you Lynn Austin for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this beautiful story in exchange for an honest review.

[Melinda | bookswithmelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was THE book that finally got me out of a reading slump! The cover matches the story perfectly in that it’s darker/heavier but so so beautiful!

Setting it as a split time mystery, Lynn Austin wrote her all of her main characters already married which gave the book a different feel than most other Christian fiction out there — I loved that aspect! The reader gets pulled into the marriages right away and gets to experience how each work through various trials.

I’m left with the message of how we can truly touch and bring light into other peoples lives by sharing our faith and pouring out Gods love onto them, no matter who they are.
The Lumber Barons Wife is now rivaling for the top spot as my favorite Lynn Austin novel. Definitely read this one!

** Trigger warnings: marital abuse, child loss, parent loss, infertility, brief mention of attempted rape (non descriptive), conversations regarding abortion and IVF, brothels and prostitution (non descriptive)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS My first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more! Perfect blending of the timelines and story with great lessons in faith!

[Wendy | Wendy’s Inspired Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad to be rating this a little lower. It was just okay for me, not my favorite historical time period.

[Dawn Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book about something I knew very little about, the lumber barons of Michigan! I loved that it was a time slip novel with a modern storyline too about restoring a mansion, and I thought the resolutions of each story made sense and were well done. Thanks to Lynn Austin and Tyndale House Publishers for the advanced copy of this book as part of Lynn’s launch team. I love being on Lynn’s launch team, and I highly recommend this book.

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time fan of Lynn Austin’s books, I’ve been eagerly anticipating this story. Not only have I enjoyed many of her books in the past (and reread some of my favorites), but this book also featured my home state, and the story of a lumber business I knew very little of until I went to a historical lumber village recently.

I was also excited when I dove in and realized that this is a dual-timeline story. I love stories written that way, and I enjoy trying to figure out what event will bring the two together. This actually ended up being a story about three different women, and I loved the perspectives each one brought to the plot. That was well done! Plus, getting both “ends” of the story—when the town was first being built, and modern-day, when restoration works were in progress—was a fascinating way to tell the story.

Unfortunately, I struggled with the book as a whole. I don’t know what it is, and I find it frustrating, because I came away with a similar reaction to several of Austin’s other recent releases, especially since I know I love her earlier works. One thing that I struggled with in this book was the first-person, present-tense part of the story. Thankfully, the whole book wasn’t written that way, but certain perspectives were, and I found that difficult. At other times, it felt like the characters were pushed into decisions (or made them more quickly than seemed realistic), which made me struggle with the believability factor to some extent.

On the other hand, The Lumber Baron’s Wife is easy to read, and I was able to relate to Hannah, especially in her wanting to work through grief but not being willing to face the pain of working through it. Having experienced some loss myself, I appreciated the delicacy and compassion Austin showed in telling her story. Kate, too…oh, the poor dear! I loved the perspectives she gained as the story moved along. A sweet, uplifting story about a fascinating time in Michigan history.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.