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The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House
It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she's never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions--and a couple of nephews intent on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2025
184 people are currently reading
10548 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Davidson Politano
8 books1,477 followersJoanna Davidson Politano spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
April 19, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Historical + Mystery + Steampunk elements
About this book:
“A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.
It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.
The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.”
Series: As of now, no. A stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, remembered, & quoted; Prayers; Talks about God, His creations; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Sydney was raised in Christian households, but when God didn’t answer her prayer about her mother returning, she grew bitter towards God and thinks of praying as one-way conversations; Sydney bristles at Andrè saying that she has been blessed by God with her intelligence and complains about why “everything [has to] be attributed to some unseen divinity—or a man?” and says that her intellect came from her own head; Sydney comments that she can’t understand God and is too “practical to stand on a ledge [she] cannot see”; Sydney and her aunt have a conversation about Sydney believing in God when she was little and Sydney says that she pleaded with God for her mother and is still waiting ten years later for that prayer to be answered; Sydney thinks that she cannot accept a perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful being like God because a perfect God could not have made a broken clock like her; *Spoilers*; A man says that he is willing to break the sixth commandment by murdering someone if he has to because he has no choice and will not delight in it; Mentions of God, His creations, & trusting Him; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of someone singing hymns & the Psalms (written out); Mentions of a painting of a shipwreck that shows a woman looking like an “avenging angel”; A few mentions of a ceiling having plastered angels; A few mentions of providence (which Sydney comments about and her aunt says she doesn’t believe in that); A few mentions of monks; A couple mentions of those from the Bible; A couple mentions of a theologian; A mention of a rectory; A mention of a man’s parish;
*Note: Religious phrases/exclamations are said: ‘heavens’, ‘heaven’s sake’, ‘by heavens’, and ‘who in God’s green earth are you’ are all said once, two ‘thank heavens’, three forms of ‘for all that was holy/for the love of all that’s holy’, and six forms of ‘what/why/how in heaven’s name’; Sydney wonders if she’s died after a trying event and thinks that where she must be in heaven (but is confused on why a pirate would be there); Inventions are described as “magic” but all have science-related reasons for their workings and are not actually magic; A side character has an alchemy shop and is known as a wizard (in his POV, he comments about having a tonic “like a potion” for everyone’s deepest need including remedies for abusive husbands and as a wizard wasn’t “subject to the laws of nature”, but his son found out he was “in some ways, a murderer” and hasn’t spoken to him since; Another person calls him a “killer for hire”); When some men try to scare her away from Blakely House, Sydney says doesn’t believe in ghosts; Sydney wonders if it’s possible to feel someone’s presence in his house after the man has passed away; Sydney thinks a couple women look like angels; Andrè thinks Sydney looks like a saint; Sydney thinks a man has the “look of the devil about him” (referring to Andrè); Mentions of ghosts & haunted places; A few mentions of a man having a “magical” effect on everything he touched and was viewed as a “magician” to others; A few mentions of evil & sin; A mention of wizards casting spells; A mention of Andromeda and Hercules (Greek mythology); A mention of a superstitious group of people.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blamed’, a ‘blazes’, a ‘confounded’, a ‘dash it all’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘stars’, and four ‘drat’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Being chased, shot at, & Pain (up to semi-detailed); Helping injured shipwreck victims & Seeing injuries and blood/bleeding (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Thinking someone is dead & grief (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple hints of a side character drinking (including in his POV); Sydney is very afraid of water & tries to avoid it (at one point, she feels tremendous panic over going near water); Many mentions of deaths (including of parents), grief, possible deaths (including drownings), & a possible murder and murderers; Many mentions of criminals, crimes, thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Many mentions of shipwrecks, people dying or being injured, wreckers, and others planning to get rid of the survivors to take control of the goods; Mentions of pain, injuries, blood/bleeding; Mentions of prisons & arrests; Mentions of a snuff shop & smoking; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deceit; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of rumors (including one about a man beating other men senseless and shooting anyone who comes near his house); Mentions of a mother leaving her child and husband (Sydney’s mother, who she is not in contact with); A few mentions of a man being hired to kill others & committing murders (see Spiritual Content Note section for more information); A few mentions of threats; A few mentions of pubs, implied alcohol, & drinking; A couple mentions of poisons; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of a woman who had six husbands (unsaid or it was due to deaths or divorce); A mention of a war; A mention of abusive husbands; A mention of blackmail; A mention of jealousy; A mention of throwing up;
*Note: *Spoiler, but mention of infant deaths/infertility* ; Sydney feels like a broken clock compared to everyone else; Sydney faces some comments about her gender that she bristles at (such as a customer only wanting to talk to a man, a man saying a place isn’t safe for women, being warned that a town is “rather unaccepting of forward thinking women”, feeling like a man is looking at her in a patronizing way, thinking a household is against her because of her gender, and receiving a speech from her aunt about “a woman can pave her own path. She can do anything—especially what men tell her she cannot do” which doesn’t always empower Sydney and instead makes her feel the opposite); A mention of a book (Alice through the Looking Glass).
Sexual Content- Two head/forehead kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Flutters, Tingles, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to be touched & kissed (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Sydney was born out of wedlock, but raised by her stepfather after her mother left them; Sydney used to think it was a punishment to not be able to woo men like other girls, but realizes it was to protect her from “being wooed, tried on for size, then discarded several times before finding that perfect fit”; Sydney thinks about waking up to a man’s affectionate smile every morning; A man teases another man about a woman writing to him about a “surprise” happening upon her that will look like him (pregnancy, implied they are not married); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & almost kisses; A couple mentions of a woman blackmailing her married lovers (affairs); A couple mentions of matchmaking; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a mother dying in childbirth.
-Sydney Forrester, age 23
-Andrè Montagne
P.O.V. switches between Sydney (1st person), Andrè (3rd person), and a few others (3rd person)
Set in 1901 (Final chapter in 1910)
400 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was one of my highly anticipated releases for this year and I have to say that it definitely measured up to my hopes. At first, the steampunk elements were a little strange to me because it felt so different from this author’s normal historical fiction style, but it quickly fascinated me the more I read. It definitely had a whimsical, quirky feeling, but almost a gothic springy one as well. I can't think of another book like it, but “A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure” by Angela Bell came to mind with some of my favorite elements. Not a similar plot-line at all with these two books, but perhaps a similar font? Whichever it is, I've truly enjoyed both books tremendously.
Unlike many of her other books, this new one from Joanna Davidson Politano doesn’t start with a chapter from the middle of the book. But as normal with this author’s books, at the beginning, I’m a bit lost and questioning my IQ, but as the book continues and more details are explained and revealed, things start to make more sense.
I flew through this book much faster than I anticipated, but the story grabbed me and I consumed it within a few hours. I really adored Sydney and her curious mind; she was awkward but sincere and I loved her mission to find out more about this mysterious Emmett. Andrè was a mysterious man as well and the romance was sweet overall. I’m never sure how to feel about the opposites attract trope, but these two were good together. Sydney was a homebody and as a homebody, I loved how that wasn’t just told to us, but shown as well through her thoughts and actions. I think I highlighted many parts about her loving books with adventures and being just fine to read about them rather to go on them herself.
I think there might have been one tiny plot hole towards the end, but perhaps I just didn’t pick up on the prior hints? (*Spoiler* ) Other than that, this book kept me in suspense to see what would happen next. If you’re one that enjoys listening to music while reading, I highly suggest some of the Nancy Drew game soundtracks available on YouTube.
The ending and everything that happened then was so good—but I’ll admit to wishing there was a bit more at the final chapter though! I needed more information on what had happened in the last ten years. It felt somewhat like a sudden jump and I was left out and wondering. It didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book, but I would have liked more even if it was wrapped up well enough because I wanted to see more of our main couple together. Because of this it wasn't quite a five-star book for me, but I did really enjoy it and I think many readers (especially historical mystery fans!) will truly enjoy it! No major content concerns either which was very refreshing, I would suggest ages 15/16+.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
About this book:
“A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.
It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.
The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.”
Series: As of now, no. A stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, remembered, & quoted; Prayers; Talks about God, His creations; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Sydney was raised in Christian households, but when God didn’t answer her prayer about her mother returning, she grew bitter towards God and thinks of praying as one-way conversations; Sydney bristles at Andrè saying that she has been blessed by God with her intelligence and complains about why “everything [has to] be attributed to some unseen divinity—or a man?” and says that her intellect came from her own head; Sydney comments that she can’t understand God and is too “practical to stand on a ledge [she] cannot see”; Sydney and her aunt have a conversation about Sydney believing in God when she was little and Sydney says that she pleaded with God for her mother and is still waiting ten years later for that prayer to be answered; Sydney thinks that she cannot accept a perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful being like God because a perfect God could not have made a broken clock like her; *Spoilers*; A man says that he is willing to break the sixth commandment by murdering someone if he has to because he has no choice and will not delight in it; Mentions of God, His creations, & trusting Him; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of someone singing hymns & the Psalms (written out); Mentions of a painting of a shipwreck that shows a woman looking like an “avenging angel”; A few mentions of a ceiling having plastered angels; A few mentions of providence (which Sydney comments about and her aunt says she doesn’t believe in that); A few mentions of monks; A couple mentions of those from the Bible; A couple mentions of a theologian; A mention of a rectory; A mention of a man’s parish;
*Note: Religious phrases/exclamations are said: ‘heavens’, ‘heaven’s sake’, ‘by heavens’, and ‘who in God’s green earth are you’ are all said once, two ‘thank heavens’, three forms of ‘for all that was holy/for the love of all that’s holy’, and six forms of ‘what/why/how in heaven’s name’; Sydney wonders if she’s died after a trying event and thinks that where she must be in heaven (but is confused on why a pirate would be there); Inventions are described as “magic” but all have science-related reasons for their workings and are not actually magic; A side character has an alchemy shop and is known as a wizard (in his POV, he comments about having a tonic “like a potion” for everyone’s deepest need including remedies for abusive husbands and as a wizard wasn’t “subject to the laws of nature”, but his son found out he was “in some ways, a murderer” and hasn’t spoken to him since; Another person calls him a “killer for hire”); When some men try to scare her away from Blakely House, Sydney says doesn’t believe in ghosts; Sydney wonders if it’s possible to feel someone’s presence in his house after the man has passed away; Sydney thinks a couple women look like angels; Andrè thinks Sydney looks like a saint; Sydney thinks a man has the “look of the devil about him” (referring to Andrè); Mentions of ghosts & haunted places; A few mentions of a man having a “magical” effect on everything he touched and was viewed as a “magician” to others; A few mentions of evil & sin; A mention of wizards casting spells; A mention of Andromeda and Hercules (Greek mythology); A mention of a superstitious group of people.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blamed’, a ‘blazes’, a ‘confounded’, a ‘dash it all’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘stars’, and four ‘drat’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Being chased, shot at, & Pain (up to semi-detailed); Helping injured shipwreck victims & Seeing injuries and blood/bleeding (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Thinking someone is dead & grief (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple hints of a side character drinking (including in his POV); Sydney is very afraid of water & tries to avoid it (at one point, she feels tremendous panic over going near water); Many mentions of deaths (including of parents), grief, possible deaths (including drownings), & a possible murder and murderers; Many mentions of criminals, crimes, thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Many mentions of shipwrecks, people dying or being injured, wreckers, and others planning to get rid of the survivors to take control of the goods; Mentions of pain, injuries, blood/bleeding; Mentions of prisons & arrests; Mentions of a snuff shop & smoking; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deceit; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of rumors (including one about a man beating other men senseless and shooting anyone who comes near his house); Mentions of a mother leaving her child and husband (Sydney’s mother, who she is not in contact with); A few mentions of a man being hired to kill others & committing murders (see Spiritual Content Note section for more information); A few mentions of threats; A few mentions of pubs, implied alcohol, & drinking; A couple mentions of poisons; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of a woman who had six husbands (unsaid or it was due to deaths or divorce); A mention of a war; A mention of abusive husbands; A mention of blackmail; A mention of jealousy; A mention of throwing up;
*Note: *Spoiler, but mention of infant deaths/infertility* ; Sydney feels like a broken clock compared to everyone else; Sydney faces some comments about her gender that she bristles at (such as a customer only wanting to talk to a man, a man saying a place isn’t safe for women, being warned that a town is “rather unaccepting of forward thinking women”, feeling like a man is looking at her in a patronizing way, thinking a household is against her because of her gender, and receiving a speech from her aunt about “a woman can pave her own path. She can do anything—especially what men tell her she cannot do” which doesn’t always empower Sydney and instead makes her feel the opposite); A mention of a book (Alice through the Looking Glass).
Sexual Content- Two head/forehead kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Flutters, Tingles, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to be touched & kissed (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Sydney was born out of wedlock, but raised by her stepfather after her mother left them; Sydney used to think it was a punishment to not be able to woo men like other girls, but realizes it was to protect her from “being wooed, tried on for size, then discarded several times before finding that perfect fit”; Sydney thinks about waking up to a man’s affectionate smile every morning; A man teases another man about a woman writing to him about a “surprise” happening upon her that will look like him (pregnancy, implied they are not married); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & almost kisses; A couple mentions of a woman blackmailing her married lovers (affairs); A couple mentions of matchmaking; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a mother dying in childbirth.
-Sydney Forrester, age 23
-Andrè Montagne
P.O.V. switches between Sydney (1st person), Andrè (3rd person), and a few others (3rd person)
Set in 1901 (Final chapter in 1910)
400 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was one of my highly anticipated releases for this year and I have to say that it definitely measured up to my hopes. At first, the steampunk elements were a little strange to me because it felt so different from this author’s normal historical fiction style, but it quickly fascinated me the more I read. It definitely had a whimsical, quirky feeling, but almost a gothic springy one as well. I can't think of another book like it, but “A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure” by Angela Bell came to mind with some of my favorite elements. Not a similar plot-line at all with these two books, but perhaps a similar font? Whichever it is, I've truly enjoyed both books tremendously.
Unlike many of her other books, this new one from Joanna Davidson Politano doesn’t start with a chapter from the middle of the book. But as normal with this author’s books, at the beginning, I’m a bit lost and questioning my IQ, but as the book continues and more details are explained and revealed, things start to make more sense.
I flew through this book much faster than I anticipated, but the story grabbed me and I consumed it within a few hours. I really adored Sydney and her curious mind; she was awkward but sincere and I loved her mission to find out more about this mysterious Emmett. Andrè was a mysterious man as well and the romance was sweet overall. I’m never sure how to feel about the opposites attract trope, but these two were good together. Sydney was a homebody and as a homebody, I loved how that wasn’t just told to us, but shown as well through her thoughts and actions. I think I highlighted many parts about her loving books with adventures and being just fine to read about them rather to go on them herself.
I think there might have been one tiny plot hole towards the end, but perhaps I just didn’t pick up on the prior hints? (*Spoiler* ) Other than that, this book kept me in suspense to see what would happen next. If you’re one that enjoys listening to music while reading, I highly suggest some of the Nancy Drew game soundtracks available on YouTube.
The ending and everything that happened then was so good—but I’ll admit to wishing there was a bit more at the final chapter though! I needed more information on what had happened in the last ten years. It felt somewhat like a sudden jump and I was left out and wondering. It didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book, but I would have liked more even if it was wrapped up well enough because I wanted to see more of our main couple together. Because of this it wasn't quite a five-star book for me, but I did really enjoy it and I think many readers (especially historical mystery fans!) will truly enjoy it! No major content concerns either which was very refreshing, I would suggest ages 15/16+.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
April 23, 2025
"𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈—𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕...𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅.”
A mixture of some of my favorite books—The Inheritance Games, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, and The Love Note—The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House embodied the enchanting, romantic puzzle of all my hopes and dreams! The poetic prose that filled the pages of this book was immediately intriguing and indisputably incredible. Politano did it again—writing another one of my favorite novels of all time!
The strong element of mystery is what first pulled me into this story, but soon Sydney took over my focus and adoration. Her character was one I instantly bonded to—with all of her unique quirks and her love for broken things. Sydney’s wild, book-loving imagination had me thoroughly amused numerous times! Watching her tinker about with gadgets and mechanisms was such a fun experience. I do love a strong female character—even one who turns out to be a bit chaotic and clumsy at times. One of the most important takeaways from this story was Sydney’s journey of learning to trust and rely on God—an experience that was truly beautiful to witness!
The “wild pirate” of the island will appeal to any romance readers out there! The air of mystery which lingered over his person drove me mad with the desire to know his story and solve the captivating puzzle of André Montage, the pirate butler. His stoic persona clashed beautifully with Sydney’s wildly chaotic personality, creating a lovely fusion of riddles!
Blakely House was incredibly fascinating to me! The many gadgets and gizmos that brought the house to life made for such a compelling setting; it was the perfect house for Sydney and all of her peculiarities! Sir Fitzhugh, the automaton, was definitely my favorite of Blakely House’s many oddities.
Politano’s writing made the story come alive with her remarkably vivid and detailed descriptions! The spooky vibes of the island on which Blakely House was located were absolute perfection, making for a splendid meet-cute location!
A mixture of some of my favorite books—The Inheritance Games, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, and The Love Note—The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House embodied the enchanting, romantic puzzle of all my hopes and dreams! The poetic prose that filled the pages of this book was immediately intriguing and indisputably incredible. Politano did it again—writing another one of my favorite novels of all time!
The strong element of mystery is what first pulled me into this story, but soon Sydney took over my focus and adoration. Her character was one I instantly bonded to—with all of her unique quirks and her love for broken things. Sydney’s wild, book-loving imagination had me thoroughly amused numerous times! Watching her tinker about with gadgets and mechanisms was such a fun experience. I do love a strong female character—even one who turns out to be a bit chaotic and clumsy at times. One of the most important takeaways from this story was Sydney’s journey of learning to trust and rely on God—an experience that was truly beautiful to witness!
The “wild pirate” of the island will appeal to any romance readers out there! The air of mystery which lingered over his person drove me mad with the desire to know his story and solve the captivating puzzle of André Montage, the pirate butler. His stoic persona clashed beautifully with Sydney’s wildly chaotic personality, creating a lovely fusion of riddles!
Blakely House was incredibly fascinating to me! The many gadgets and gizmos that brought the house to life made for such a compelling setting; it was the perfect house for Sydney and all of her peculiarities! Sir Fitzhugh, the automaton, was definitely my favorite of Blakely House’s many oddities.
Politano’s writing made the story come alive with her remarkably vivid and detailed descriptions! The spooky vibes of the island on which Blakely House was located were absolute perfection, making for a splendid meet-cute location!
April 5, 2025
This gothic masterpiece is created with three intriguing threads: an unusual heiress, a contested will and a mysterious house.
Joanna Davidson Politano whisks readers back to the Victorian/Edwardian era and away to an island in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland in Northern England. It’s here that she introduces us Blakely House, an estate full of inventions and secrets. Her neurodivergent protagonist, an unusual heiress and a clockmaker, has inherited her late industrialist uncle’s cliff-top mansion. Sydney Forrester is definitely a “clock put together differently—a clock specially designed” and Politano peels back her layers to show us the extraordinary in the ordinary.
I loved the spotlight on how we react to unforeseen challenges, how we dig deep to find the courage to fight for what’s ours, and how we escape from things (perceived or real) that are holding us back.
I think you’ll agree that this should be optioned for the silver screen!
Twisty, perfectly paced and featuring a unique setting and protagonist, this story is not one to be overlooked.
Joanna Davidson Politano whisks readers back to the Victorian/Edwardian era and away to an island in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland in Northern England. It’s here that she introduces us Blakely House, an estate full of inventions and secrets. Her neurodivergent protagonist, an unusual heiress and a clockmaker, has inherited her late industrialist uncle’s cliff-top mansion. Sydney Forrester is definitely a “clock put together differently—a clock specially designed” and Politano peels back her layers to show us the extraordinary in the ordinary.
I loved the spotlight on how we react to unforeseen challenges, how we dig deep to find the courage to fight for what’s ours, and how we escape from things (perceived or real) that are holding us back.
I think you’ll agree that this should be optioned for the silver screen!
Twisty, perfectly paced and featuring a unique setting and protagonist, this story is not one to be overlooked.
March 30, 2025
I absolutely loved this story! It was so fun but also a little creepy at times. The house has a lot of mechanical things going on and things that move that shouldn’t as the main character says. It makes it spooky and fun. I really loved the concept of this story, the potential heirs competing for the house and the cousins thinking Sydney killed her uncle. I loved Sydney and Andre’s relationship. Andre the pirate butler haha, only has one hand and he is very loyal. I loved their transition of somewhat enemies to friends to lovers. It was really neat how mechanically inclined Sydney was and how she was able to finish a lot of the projects left by Emmett. I also loved Lottie. There is also great Christian content throughout the story! This is my new favorite book by this author that I’ve read so far! I most definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
April 5, 2025
I don’t know how to write this review—because I don’t have words big enough for what this story just did to me.
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House doesn’t read like a book. It feels like walking into another world that tilts time and space, where every shadow might be a clue and every invention might whisper something eternal.
I was captivated—by the fog-covered island, by the strange and clever clockwork, by the heroine who’s as brilliant as she is quietly wounded. Sydney Forrester doesn’t flinch at puzzles or gears, yet the deeper mysteries of belonging and purpose? Those take a different kind of courage. I’m still feeling that in my bones.
There’s a certain ache to reading something this imaginative and meaningful. You can’t fly through it. Every sentence begs to be savored. There were moments I just sat there, blinking, because the writing was so striking I didn’t want to breathe it away too fast. And then there were moments I had to keep turning pages because the mystery and the movement simply wouldn’t let me rest.
This story has the elegance of a musical box, the tension of a secret door creaking open, the heartbeat of a love that chooses you even when it shouldn’t. And in the middle of it all, a Gospel truth that unfolds slowly and subtly—never demanding attention, but impossible to ignore.
André was unexpected. Which is to say, perfect. Not because he’s flawless, but because he’s layered—scarred, patient, and unexpectedly kind. A pirate turned butler? Only in Blakely House. Only in the hands of an author like Joanna Davidson Politano … and in the hands of our Mighty God in real life.
But the one who truly stopped me in my tracks? Sophie. Her voice through those letters undid me. Wisdom, gentleness, and the kind of truth that doesn’t come from observation alone—it comes from having deep experiences.
Of the many quotes I could have chosen, the following are not just pretty words, they are kingdom truths disguised in Steampunk paper and tucked between romance and riddles.
“They call you odd, and perhaps you are. Or perhaps … perhaps the scope of normal is wider than any of us believed.” ~ Sophie’s letters to Emmit Grafton
“Your brilliant mind enriches the world, dear Emmett – but also keeps you from being part of it.” ~ Sophie’s letters to Emmit
“I knew from the moment I first met you that I wasn’t supposed to love you, but I rarely do what I’m supposed to.” ~ Emmet’s letters to Sophie
“Perhaps, dear one, instead of shaping yourself to fit the world, you should search for a little corner of it where your strengths flourish, like exotic wildflowers that would wither anywhere but the rainforest.”
~ Sophie’s letters to Emmett
I didn’t expect this story to feel like an allegory. And yet, as Blakely House revealed its secrets, I felt my own walls shift. There were mirrors in those pages. And mystery. And mercy. And grace.
And then came the Author’s Note—and just when I thought I’d finished the journey, it broke me wide open. Again.
I’ve never read anything like this. It’s part adventure, part allegory, part romance, part mystery, part deep yet simple faith. Somehow both whimsical and deeply grounded. Somehow gentle and wild. Somehow now mine.
I’ll be rereading this one. I’ll be listening, if there’s ever an audiobook. I’ll be thinking about these characters—for a long time.
I didn’t walk away from this story the same. I walked away steadier. Seen. Stirred. Changed.
This book didn’t just speak to me—it ministered to me. In places I didn’t know were waiting.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher, Revell, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the amazing writing and story’s excellent content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House doesn’t read like a book. It feels like walking into another world that tilts time and space, where every shadow might be a clue and every invention might whisper something eternal.
I was captivated—by the fog-covered island, by the strange and clever clockwork, by the heroine who’s as brilliant as she is quietly wounded. Sydney Forrester doesn’t flinch at puzzles or gears, yet the deeper mysteries of belonging and purpose? Those take a different kind of courage. I’m still feeling that in my bones.
There’s a certain ache to reading something this imaginative and meaningful. You can’t fly through it. Every sentence begs to be savored. There were moments I just sat there, blinking, because the writing was so striking I didn’t want to breathe it away too fast. And then there were moments I had to keep turning pages because the mystery and the movement simply wouldn’t let me rest.
This story has the elegance of a musical box, the tension of a secret door creaking open, the heartbeat of a love that chooses you even when it shouldn’t. And in the middle of it all, a Gospel truth that unfolds slowly and subtly—never demanding attention, but impossible to ignore.
André was unexpected. Which is to say, perfect. Not because he’s flawless, but because he’s layered—scarred, patient, and unexpectedly kind. A pirate turned butler? Only in Blakely House. Only in the hands of an author like Joanna Davidson Politano … and in the hands of our Mighty God in real life.
But the one who truly stopped me in my tracks? Sophie. Her voice through those letters undid me. Wisdom, gentleness, and the kind of truth that doesn’t come from observation alone—it comes from having deep experiences.
Of the many quotes I could have chosen, the following are not just pretty words, they are kingdom truths disguised in Steampunk paper and tucked between romance and riddles.
“They call you odd, and perhaps you are. Or perhaps … perhaps the scope of normal is wider than any of us believed.” ~ Sophie’s letters to Emmit Grafton
“Your brilliant mind enriches the world, dear Emmett – but also keeps you from being part of it.” ~ Sophie’s letters to Emmit
“I knew from the moment I first met you that I wasn’t supposed to love you, but I rarely do what I’m supposed to.” ~ Emmet’s letters to Sophie
“Perhaps, dear one, instead of shaping yourself to fit the world, you should search for a little corner of it where your strengths flourish, like exotic wildflowers that would wither anywhere but the rainforest.”
~ Sophie’s letters to Emmett
I didn’t expect this story to feel like an allegory. And yet, as Blakely House revealed its secrets, I felt my own walls shift. There were mirrors in those pages. And mystery. And mercy. And grace.
And then came the Author’s Note—and just when I thought I’d finished the journey, it broke me wide open. Again.
I’ve never read anything like this. It’s part adventure, part allegory, part romance, part mystery, part deep yet simple faith. Somehow both whimsical and deeply grounded. Somehow gentle and wild. Somehow now mine.
I’ll be rereading this one. I’ll be listening, if there’s ever an audiobook. I’ll be thinking about these characters—for a long time.
I didn’t walk away from this story the same. I walked away steadier. Seen. Stirred. Changed.
This book didn’t just speak to me—it ministered to me. In places I didn’t know were waiting.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher, Revell, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the amazing writing and story’s excellent content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
April 4, 2025
I absolutely loved The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House and I am not at all surprised! Joanna Davidson Politano is one of my top favorite authors and this book is just another example as to why she is such a favorite of mine. She has a way of writing stories that wrap around your heart and leave you with beautiful hope.
Every single one of her books has their own unique feeling and atmosphere and this one was no different.
It was so original and piqued my interest instantly! The characters came alive for me and I was walking the ground of Blakely House with them. One of the best feelings ever is when you’re reading a book and you forget you’re reading a book… and this book made me forget I was reading.
I adored the characters! Sydney was so relatable. There were so many times I felt like she and I were the same!
As for the hero, Joanna never fails to write a hero who jumps off the page. I LOVED André. When I found out he was not only a butler but also a pirate, I was so in! He was so compelling and lovable. He’s definitely up there with my favorites of her heroes!🥰
The romance was so beautifully written! Joanna writes some of the best romances I’ve ever read and this one was no exception. I loved it!
The faith was also such a highlight for me. It was so beautifully woven in. It felt so natural. I was left so inspired.
As I mentioned before, this book was so atmospheric and unique. I’ve never read a book quite like it. Blakely House was so mysterious and interesting.
In conclusion, I loved this book so much! It was one of those books I literally could not put down. When I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about the characters. There were plot twists at every turn and I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend this book is you love books with:
- bookish, engineer-minded heroine
- a pirate/adventurer hero
- “competing for the inheritance” plot
- mysterious old house
- inspiring faith content
- beautiful, lyrical writing
- a slow burn love story
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary e-copy! All opinions are my own.
Every single one of her books has their own unique feeling and atmosphere and this one was no different.
It was so original and piqued my interest instantly! The characters came alive for me and I was walking the ground of Blakely House with them. One of the best feelings ever is when you’re reading a book and you forget you’re reading a book… and this book made me forget I was reading.
I adored the characters! Sydney was so relatable. There were so many times I felt like she and I were the same!
As for the hero, Joanna never fails to write a hero who jumps off the page. I LOVED André. When I found out he was not only a butler but also a pirate, I was so in! He was so compelling and lovable. He’s definitely up there with my favorites of her heroes!🥰
The romance was so beautifully written! Joanna writes some of the best romances I’ve ever read and this one was no exception. I loved it!
The faith was also such a highlight for me. It was so beautifully woven in. It felt so natural. I was left so inspired.
As I mentioned before, this book was so atmospheric and unique. I’ve never read a book quite like it. Blakely House was so mysterious and interesting.
In conclusion, I loved this book so much! It was one of those books I literally could not put down. When I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about the characters. There were plot twists at every turn and I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend this book is you love books with:
- bookish, engineer-minded heroine
- a pirate/adventurer hero
- “competing for the inheritance” plot
- mysterious old house
- inspiring faith content
- beautiful, lyrical writing
- a slow burn love story
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary e-copy! All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2025
Well, I just devoured the last 1/3 of the book tonight. I couldn’t stop reading as the mystery was all unraveling and the spiritual background was lovely. This story has so many of my buzzwords- gothic, castle, nautical, man in black, pirate, mystery, automatons, broken people, oh my. I liked the riddles between the main characters and the inclusion of Bible verses. It was so whimsical and engaging as a read. I liked the development given to the characters, especially the castle. The last parts of the book I truly felt the worship for God and saw so much of his traits in Emmett’s character. I appreciate the author taking us through Sydney’s spiritual journey as it was also very touching. Overall,I really liked this book and I’m so glad I read it. Be sure to read the Author’s Note! Thank you, Joanna, for the quirky and socially awkward representation.
April 20, 2025
Book Review: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano
4.5 Stars
Wow, I really just need to read all of Joanna's books at this point - this was SO good!
Blog Post with Review Graphic: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Read if you enjoy:
🛠️✨Steampunk Elements
🛠️✨Christian Fiction
🛠️✨Gothic Settings
🛠️✨Invention and Mystery
🛠️✨Pirate Elements
🛠️✨Bookish Engineer FMC
🛠️✨Mysterious House
🛠️✨1901 Historical Fiction
🛠️✨Inheritance Plot
🛠️✨Light Romance Thread
🛠️✨Faith Elements
🛠️✨Hidden Family Secrets
🛠️✨Strong Female Protagonist
This was a very good blend of class mystery meets whimsical invention!
We follow Sydney Forrester in 1901 who is a clockmaker that inherits Blakely House, an estate of an estranged uncle she has never met. He left behind lots of inventions and many of his family members and workers on the estate do not want Sydney there. They are all convinced she had something to do with his death, turning this into a mystery of who killed him....Sydney finds an ally in the estate's butler, who is an ex-adventurer from the island. A mysterious man shows up and puts a "cog in the wheel" so to say.....Sydney has to prove so much in these high stakes moments.
I really enjoyed this atmospheric setting! Blakely House becomes its own character - creaky halls, strange contraptions, automatons, inventions, and haunting beauty in its own way. It's very gothic in nature.
Also loved Sydney, she was a very unique character. She's innovative, inventive, independent, sharp - a real refreshing thing to see. She had a faith thread I think we was really well done too. It was a natural point in the story, she was skeptical and finds the Lord through this journey.
The mystery was so interesting to me, we really got to follow her throughout the house and island and try to figure out what happened.
My favorite part is the ending - loved how it was wrapped up and everything was revealed. The only thing keeping it from full 5 stars was some of the steampunk elements were hard for me to understand, as I am not normally a steampunk girly, but I really enjoyed it overall.
Highly recommend!! Thank you to Revell for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
Wow, I really just need to read all of Joanna's books at this point - this was SO good!
Blog Post with Review Graphic: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Read if you enjoy:
🛠️✨Steampunk Elements
🛠️✨Christian Fiction
🛠️✨Gothic Settings
🛠️✨Invention and Mystery
🛠️✨Pirate Elements
🛠️✨Bookish Engineer FMC
🛠️✨Mysterious House
🛠️✨1901 Historical Fiction
🛠️✨Inheritance Plot
🛠️✨Light Romance Thread
🛠️✨Faith Elements
🛠️✨Hidden Family Secrets
🛠️✨Strong Female Protagonist
This was a very good blend of class mystery meets whimsical invention!
We follow Sydney Forrester in 1901 who is a clockmaker that inherits Blakely House, an estate of an estranged uncle she has never met. He left behind lots of inventions and many of his family members and workers on the estate do not want Sydney there. They are all convinced she had something to do with his death, turning this into a mystery of who killed him....Sydney finds an ally in the estate's butler, who is an ex-adventurer from the island. A mysterious man shows up and puts a "cog in the wheel" so to say.....Sydney has to prove so much in these high stakes moments.
I really enjoyed this atmospheric setting! Blakely House becomes its own character - creaky halls, strange contraptions, automatons, inventions, and haunting beauty in its own way. It's very gothic in nature.
Also loved Sydney, she was a very unique character. She's innovative, inventive, independent, sharp - a real refreshing thing to see. She had a faith thread I think we was really well done too. It was a natural point in the story, she was skeptical and finds the Lord through this journey.
The mystery was so interesting to me, we really got to follow her throughout the house and island and try to figure out what happened.
My favorite part is the ending - loved how it was wrapped up and everything was revealed. The only thing keeping it from full 5 stars was some of the steampunk elements were hard for me to understand, as I am not normally a steampunk girly, but I really enjoyed it overall.
Highly recommend!! Thank you to Revell for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2025
More than 5 stars!! This book is captivating! It's full of suspense, intrigue, and mysteries! I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what would happen next.
The characters are written brilliantly! Sydney is AMAZING! She's strong, brilliant, compassionate, and caring. Andre the pirate 😍! He's mysterious, a protector, and loyal. Aunt Lottie is my favorite! She's caring and loving. She poured her love and support into Sydney, nurturing her into a beautiful woman.
I absolutely love how the author tucked God and faith in God throughout the book! It was inspiring how Sydney grew in her faith despite being skeptical at first. The author's note is worth reading. It actually brought tears to my eyes. (Good ones!) I have read other books by Joanna Davidson Politano, and I look forward to reading more!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are written brilliantly! Sydney is AMAZING! She's strong, brilliant, compassionate, and caring. Andre the pirate 😍! He's mysterious, a protector, and loyal. Aunt Lottie is my favorite! She's caring and loving. She poured her love and support into Sydney, nurturing her into a beautiful woman.
I absolutely love how the author tucked God and faith in God throughout the book! It was inspiring how Sydney grew in her faith despite being skeptical at first. The author's note is worth reading. It actually brought tears to my eyes. (Good ones!) I have read other books by Joanna Davidson Politano, and I look forward to reading more!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the author/publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 29, 2025
"It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when a woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop."
With a first line like that, you know to expect the unexpected! And Joanna Davison Politano is no stranger to unexpected stories.
I absolutely loved this atmospheric, gothic historical story. It's Alice in Wonderland meets Beauty and the Beast, but imagine pirates and inventions in place of beasts and talking furniture. I don't even think there's a name for the category Joanna's books fall under, simply because of how unique they are. While there are many moving pieces to this story and at times, it's hard to grasp what exactly is going on. Yet her writing is incredibly gripping and once I started BLAKELY HOUSE, I couldn't put it down.
This book starts off with darker tones yet ends with the reader feeling uplifted and encouraged. Joanna takes us on a faith-filled journey with Sydney where we see her find the courage to embrace the differences we find in ourselves and others.
One thing to note, Sydney's perspective is written in first-person while other supporting characters pop up now and then in third person. It didn't bother me at all and I found it fairly easy to switch over between voices.
If you love Jaime Jo Wright for her spooky mysteries and Amanda Dykes for her poetic prose, you'll find familiar voices in Blakely House. I highly recommend this one, especially if you love atmospheric mysteries and mysterious + charming pirates ;)
Some favourite quotes I had to share --
"I wanted more puzzle pieces, more letters, more love story. I sat on a little chair, running my hands over the box. I couldn't help myself. Scientific minds had a tendency towards nosiness. As well as minds saturated in fiction."
"There is no greater beauty than the one who recognizes it in others, and takes the time to draw it out."
*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a copy of this novel via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
With a first line like that, you know to expect the unexpected! And Joanna Davison Politano is no stranger to unexpected stories.
I absolutely loved this atmospheric, gothic historical story. It's Alice in Wonderland meets Beauty and the Beast, but imagine pirates and inventions in place of beasts and talking furniture. I don't even think there's a name for the category Joanna's books fall under, simply because of how unique they are. While there are many moving pieces to this story and at times, it's hard to grasp what exactly is going on. Yet her writing is incredibly gripping and once I started BLAKELY HOUSE, I couldn't put it down.
This book starts off with darker tones yet ends with the reader feeling uplifted and encouraged. Joanna takes us on a faith-filled journey with Sydney where we see her find the courage to embrace the differences we find in ourselves and others.
One thing to note, Sydney's perspective is written in first-person while other supporting characters pop up now and then in third person. It didn't bother me at all and I found it fairly easy to switch over between voices.
If you love Jaime Jo Wright for her spooky mysteries and Amanda Dykes for her poetic prose, you'll find familiar voices in Blakely House. I highly recommend this one, especially if you love atmospheric mysteries and mysterious + charming pirates ;)
Some favourite quotes I had to share --
"I wanted more puzzle pieces, more letters, more love story. I sat on a little chair, running my hands over the box. I couldn't help myself. Scientific minds had a tendency towards nosiness. As well as minds saturated in fiction."
"There is no greater beauty than the one who recognizes it in others, and takes the time to draw it out."
*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a copy of this novel via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read
April 8, 20251901 England
Brilliant! What a fascinating tale created by the author.
Mechanically inclined Sydney Forrester was abandoned by her mother and lovingly taken in by her aunt. Sydney thrives in the world of watch repair, however, she is driven to seek out a possible inheritance to help her aunt financially.
At Blakely House Sydney discovers that her role as misfit in normal society has her fitting right in among all the industry left behind by the deceased owner of the mysterious home.
Sydney loves adventure...in books, but has no desire for adventure outside of them. She no longer trusts God after he didn't bring her mother back. When Sidney finds one of her biggest allies at Blakely House is a "pirate", she contemplates making a real life adventure.
The faith message about trusting God is strong and beautifully shared in the pages. A creatively crafted tale that has a dash of romance between two very strong main characters and some lovely secondary characters as well.
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Brilliant! What a fascinating tale created by the author.
Mechanically inclined Sydney Forrester was abandoned by her mother and lovingly taken in by her aunt. Sydney thrives in the world of watch repair, however, she is driven to seek out a possible inheritance to help her aunt financially.
At Blakely House Sydney discovers that her role as misfit in normal society has her fitting right in among all the industry left behind by the deceased owner of the mysterious home.
Sydney loves adventure...in books, but has no desire for adventure outside of them. She no longer trusts God after he didn't bring her mother back. When Sidney finds one of her biggest allies at Blakely House is a "pirate", she contemplates making a real life adventure.
The faith message about trusting God is strong and beautifully shared in the pages. A creatively crafted tale that has a dash of romance between two very strong main characters and some lovely secondary characters as well.
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
April 14, 2025
You know those books that just wrap you up in the setting, the emotions, the feelings so much that when you raise your head you have to reacquaint yourself with your life? This is one of those books.
You've got mystery, intrigue, adventure, and the perfect amount of romance. The way Joanna Davidson Politano weaves her words is like watching a master at work.
But that's all I have. There aren't enough words to adequately portray the loveliness that is this story-nay, this masterpiece.
~I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
You've got mystery, intrigue, adventure, and the perfect amount of romance. The way Joanna Davidson Politano weaves her words is like watching a master at work.
But that's all I have. There aren't enough words to adequately portray the loveliness that is this story-nay, this masterpiece.
~I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
May 30, 2025
I didn't think it was possible to love a book with pirates as much as I did with this one.
April 17, 2025
OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
Whew…Joanna knows how to WRITE! I’m beyond impressed with her ability to tell a story. Not just tell a story, but make you see and feel the story in your very heart and soul. Gorgeous, stunning, riveting and intriguing from start to finish. This is one of those books that is simply begging to be made into a movie.
“Clocks made sense. People seldom did. Perhaps if I could pry off the back of them – people, that is – and peer into their gears, everything would become clear.”
England 1901 - Sydney Forrester understands the inner workings and mechanics of clocks and other gadgets better than she does humans. When she’s approached with the information that she’s to inherit Blakely House from an uncle she’s never once met, she’s unsure of what to make of the situation. She travels to the estate and what she finds and the people she encounters is more than she could have ever imagined. A “fun house” of sorts, full of inventions that pique her interest and make her feel connected to this unknown uncle of hers in a way she would have never expected. Sydney is incredibly skilled at her craft and while Blakely House is seemingly haunted and peculiar to most – for her, it’s more a dream come true. Her uncle’s nephews have something to say about the matter however and aren’t so willing to allow Sydney to stake her claim. With the help of the ruggedly handsome and sometimes misunderstood butler of the house, Sydney works toward proving her worth and may just stumble into a romance along the way.
The overall atmosphere of this entire story was incredibly entertaining. The odd, peculiar and gothic vibes completely whisk you away into another world. So much mystery and adventure that keeps you on your toes guessing what’s what. I just loved every minute of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
Whew…Joanna knows how to WRITE! I’m beyond impressed with her ability to tell a story. Not just tell a story, but make you see and feel the story in your very heart and soul. Gorgeous, stunning, riveting and intriguing from start to finish. This is one of those books that is simply begging to be made into a movie.
“Clocks made sense. People seldom did. Perhaps if I could pry off the back of them – people, that is – and peer into their gears, everything would become clear.”
England 1901 - Sydney Forrester understands the inner workings and mechanics of clocks and other gadgets better than she does humans. When she’s approached with the information that she’s to inherit Blakely House from an uncle she’s never once met, she’s unsure of what to make of the situation. She travels to the estate and what she finds and the people she encounters is more than she could have ever imagined. A “fun house” of sorts, full of inventions that pique her interest and make her feel connected to this unknown uncle of hers in a way she would have never expected. Sydney is incredibly skilled at her craft and while Blakely House is seemingly haunted and peculiar to most – for her, it’s more a dream come true. Her uncle’s nephews have something to say about the matter however and aren’t so willing to allow Sydney to stake her claim. With the help of the ruggedly handsome and sometimes misunderstood butler of the house, Sydney works toward proving her worth and may just stumble into a romance along the way.
The overall atmosphere of this entire story was incredibly entertaining. The odd, peculiar and gothic vibes completely whisk you away into another world. So much mystery and adventure that keeps you on your toes guessing what’s what. I just loved every minute of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
April 22, 2025
Set at the turn of the 21st century in the hauntingly beautiful Northumberland, this story invites us into Blakely House—a home full of secrets, gadgetry, and wonder around every corner. It’s the kind of place that “has a way of holding on to a person,” and just like that, the story held on to me. I didn’t want to put it down—and at times, I simply couldn’t.
Told through layers of pain and healing, loss and love, mystery and adventure, this story—though brimming with intrigue and history—is ultimately a love story—three in fact. One that spans decades, told through tender quotes pulled from letters of a great love affair. One that gently unfolds in the present, full of wit, brilliance, and the slow mending of hearts. And at its core, the greatest love story of all—the Creator’s love for His creation. For the yous and mes who walk through valleys and hike to mountaintops, who endure deep sorrow and experience great love, who are a little bit broken but a whole lot healed by the blood of the Lamb.
It’s a story that reminds us of the beautiful truth: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” and that “He who started a good work in you will carry it to completion.”
My words fall short of doing this story justice. The depth of the writing, the emotions it stirs, the tender and timeless romance—it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. And though I’m not usually one to reread books, Blakely House is not a place you visit just once. And Sydney and her pirate? They’re not people you say goodbye to—but rather, see you later.
Thank you, Joanna, for this story, for these unforgettable characters, and for the reminder that God’s plans for us are good—and that sometimes He answers our prayers in the most unexpected ways, but always in His perfect timing. And that if we take the time to truly see—not just look—we’ll glimpse the beauty that surrounds us, the craftsmanship of our Creator.
Thank you, @revellfiction, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Told through layers of pain and healing, loss and love, mystery and adventure, this story—though brimming with intrigue and history—is ultimately a love story—three in fact. One that spans decades, told through tender quotes pulled from letters of a great love affair. One that gently unfolds in the present, full of wit, brilliance, and the slow mending of hearts. And at its core, the greatest love story of all—the Creator’s love for His creation. For the yous and mes who walk through valleys and hike to mountaintops, who endure deep sorrow and experience great love, who are a little bit broken but a whole lot healed by the blood of the Lamb.
It’s a story that reminds us of the beautiful truth: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” and that “He who started a good work in you will carry it to completion.”
My words fall short of doing this story justice. The depth of the writing, the emotions it stirs, the tender and timeless romance—it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. And though I’m not usually one to reread books, Blakely House is not a place you visit just once. And Sydney and her pirate? They’re not people you say goodbye to—but rather, see you later.
Thank you, Joanna, for this story, for these unforgettable characters, and for the reminder that God’s plans for us are good—and that sometimes He answers our prayers in the most unexpected ways, but always in His perfect timing. And that if we take the time to truly see—not just look—we’ll glimpse the beauty that surrounds us, the craftsmanship of our Creator.
Thank you, @revellfiction, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2025
"For it wasn't about how, and it never had been. It was always who."
Joanna Davidson Politano only creates wonderfully unique masterpieces and this newest is no exception. I loved the setting of England during its industrial era and the brilliant inventions inhabiting the Blakely House. The mysterious and slightly eerie lore surrounding Farneham Heald island and Blakely House lent a Gothic tone, which merged superbly with the intrigue surrounding the death of the great inventor and owner of the said island and home. The race amongst the cousins to uncover the true heir to all that the inventor left showcased the height of grace and mercy and depth of human depravity. I loved Sydney's raw, honest, brilliant, and oftentimes scatter-brained first person voice. Multiple characters had third person voices in the storyline, including Dane and Tom the cousins, Andre the butler, and Angel the cook. The numerous third person voices threw me off at the beginning but I realized that multiple sets of eyes and voices were needed to pull off this complex plot with plenty of delicious twists and turns. The adventures Sydney and Andre had were pretty incredible, as were their romance and faith journeys.
If you enjoy Gothic historical intrigue, you will absolutely love this book. One of my favorite reads this year! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via LibraryThing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Joanna Davidson Politano only creates wonderfully unique masterpieces and this newest is no exception. I loved the setting of England during its industrial era and the brilliant inventions inhabiting the Blakely House. The mysterious and slightly eerie lore surrounding Farneham Heald island and Blakely House lent a Gothic tone, which merged superbly with the intrigue surrounding the death of the great inventor and owner of the said island and home. The race amongst the cousins to uncover the true heir to all that the inventor left showcased the height of grace and mercy and depth of human depravity. I loved Sydney's raw, honest, brilliant, and oftentimes scatter-brained first person voice. Multiple characters had third person voices in the storyline, including Dane and Tom the cousins, Andre the butler, and Angel the cook. The numerous third person voices threw me off at the beginning but I realized that multiple sets of eyes and voices were needed to pull off this complex plot with plenty of delicious twists and turns. The adventures Sydney and Andre had were pretty incredible, as were their romance and faith journeys.
If you enjoy Gothic historical intrigue, you will absolutely love this book. One of my favorite reads this year! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via LibraryThing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2025
Another amazing book from Politano!
I finished this book and I wished I could relive this story for the first time over again.
I don't know how Politano always delivers an ending you don't quite expect but still gives one that is satisfying.
I finished this book and I wished I could relive this story for the first time over again.
I don't know how Politano always delivers an ending you don't quite expect but still gives one that is satisfying.
June 25, 2025
I really loved this one, especially as an audiobook. I felt like the narrator did an amazing job.
A pirate, an inheritor, a mysterious house, and a will.
Along with nefarious, selfish nephews, and a love story almost forgotten. Machines, inventions, and secrets. This is one not to be missed.
The mystery and intrigue of the house kept me wanting to listen more. I finished this 13 hour book in less than 24 hours, it was so good!
It reminded me of the movie A House with a Clock in its Walls, which I watched a long time ago and was creepy to me, but coincidentally is also a book. I’ve not read the book. But anyways, the mysterious house in this book gave off similar vibes as the house in that movie, just less creepy.
I also loved the Christian messages throughout. Joanna is a mastermind!
Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: Kisses only
Violence/gore: Mild-violence and peril
Substance Use: none that I remember
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Christian themes throughout
Other: Death (past), Disability rep.
Series: Standalone
Genre: Historical Romance-Steampunk Mystery
Romance Level: Kisses only
Narrator: Amy Scanlon
Audiobook Length: 12 hours
A pirate, an inheritor, a mysterious house, and a will.
Along with nefarious, selfish nephews, and a love story almost forgotten. Machines, inventions, and secrets. This is one not to be missed.
The mystery and intrigue of the house kept me wanting to listen more. I finished this 13 hour book in less than 24 hours, it was so good!
It reminded me of the movie A House with a Clock in its Walls, which I watched a long time ago and was creepy to me, but coincidentally is also a book. I’ve not read the book. But anyways, the mysterious house in this book gave off similar vibes as the house in that movie, just less creepy.
I also loved the Christian messages throughout. Joanna is a mastermind!
Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: Kisses only
Violence/gore: Mild-violence and peril
Substance Use: none that I remember
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Christian themes throughout
Other: Death (past), Disability rep.
Series: Standalone
Genre: Historical Romance-Steampunk Mystery
Romance Level: Kisses only
Narrator: Amy Scanlon
Audiobook Length: 12 hours
June 1, 2025
This was another five-star read from one of my favorite authors! I love how multi-layered her stories are, that they often contain a spiritual allegory, and that they make you think and encourage you in your faith. This book contained all of that and more! There is also a pirate-butler, a Gothic/steampunk feel, and mysteries and secrets. It reminded me a bit of the “Inheritance Games,” but in the Victorian era. I absolutely loved our main character, Sydney, and that she has ADHD. She comes to a mysterious house and gets to know more about her uncle, who was very much like her. She starts to learn about God and his creation and how much of a masterpiece she is. There are also two beautiful romances. It was very whimsical and enjoyable to see all her uncle’s creations. And finally, I loved the spiritual allegory!
I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content: someone had lovers; mention of ghosts; a child is born out of wedlock.
TW: abandonment by a parent; mention of madness; orphan; someone has a panic attack; possible miscarriage or infant loss.
I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content: someone had lovers; mention of ghosts; a child is born out of wedlock.
TW: abandonment by a parent; mention of madness; orphan; someone has a panic attack; possible miscarriage or infant loss.
May 27, 2025
A fun book that I mostly enjoyed. I skipped past the religious fodder and will likely pass on other books by the author, given the note at the end speaking to the pervasiveness of her God throughout her novels. I felt the religious aspect an unnecessary crutch for her strong and otherwise intelligent lead.
May 5, 2025
This is such a masterpiece. I could not, for the life of me, figure out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, and then finally started to see the picture taking shape, only to realize I had completely missed the real point! But then there it was, and it was a beautiful and breathtaking spiritual reminder. Once again, Politano has delivered a favorite.
April 20, 2025
Ooh this was a fun read for me! I loved the uniqueness of the plot and Sydney’s struggles were real and natural. I was a big fan of the pirate/butler and all of the mysterious elements of Everett and Sophie. I pretty much devoured this read and that is saying something because Joanna’s stories are not short reads but this one absolutely flew for me. A truly delightful read and quite possibly my favorite of all her books so far!
Read
June 9, 2025Wow!!! The faith content in this book was incredible. It brought me to tears. I love how Politano shows the beauty and trust that comes from developing one's faith. She also addresses that questioning God at times is part of the journey. I think this part of the story could really speak to a non-Christian person.
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the Gothic nature of this book. It was spooky at times, and the Blakely House setting added creepiness to the story. The mystery hooked me, and I found myself questioning what was really going on in the story. As a mystery reader, I quite enjoyed this part.
I did find moments in the story to be a bit confusing, and I don't think the historical setting (steampunk era) was my cup of tea. I know others who have LOVED this story, so I think it's more of a personal thing. That being said, I would recommend this story to readers who enjoy steampunk stories.
All in all, I enjoyed the faith content and the mystery in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House!
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the Gothic nature of this book. It was spooky at times, and the Blakely House setting added creepiness to the story. The mystery hooked me, and I found myself questioning what was really going on in the story. As a mystery reader, I quite enjoyed this part.
I did find moments in the story to be a bit confusing, and I don't think the historical setting (steampunk era) was my cup of tea. I know others who have LOVED this story, so I think it's more of a personal thing. That being said, I would recommend this story to readers who enjoy steampunk stories.
All in all, I enjoyed the faith content and the mystery in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House!
June 3, 2025
This was my first book by Politano, and I really enjoyed it. I love a story taking place in the Victorian era, especially when it includes weird machinery and science. As a plus, this book also had a romance subplot!
The main character, Sydney, has always seen herself as other. When she’s given the opportunity to travel to Blakely House as the one supposedly inheriting the place, she starts to see her uniqueness in others, especially the deceased Emmett.
Her story and journey to her found family was exciting and full of a different brand of adventure. As someone who loves a good mystery, I can also not recommend it enough.
The main character, Sydney, has always seen herself as other. When she’s given the opportunity to travel to Blakely House as the one supposedly inheriting the place, she starts to see her uniqueness in others, especially the deceased Emmett.
Her story and journey to her found family was exciting and full of a different brand of adventure. As someone who loves a good mystery, I can also not recommend it enough.
April 19, 2025
4.5 stars
“Blakely House has taught me one thing – that nothing is truly broken. It’s just … not finished.”
Come with me, dear readers, and enter a house of curiosities and misfits. Where the servants are pirates, lights switch on and off on their own, gadgets and gizmos whir to life at every turn, and a distant voice crackles on at various intervals about things like propulsion and velocity and gravity. This inventor’s paradise gives the story an almost magical feel (without any magic), as though you’ve stepped right into the pages of a steampunk fairy tale come to life, and I loved everything about it! I adore stories with seemingly-sentient houses – even if there’s a perfectly logical explanation – and this unique island estate is now among my favorites. (And did you see what I said about pirates?!? More on a particularly swoony one in a moment!)
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House introduces us to Sydney Forrester, a quasi-orphaned clockmaker and tinker (and book lover) who has long felt as though she’s a bit of a misfit herself. Even her beloved cat Micah is a bit ‘misfitted’ too, so you would think the pair will fit right in at Blakely House when she arrives to claim her surprise inheritance. Except that’s not exactly how it goes… and that inheritance isn’t exactly hers yet. I had such fun getting to know Sydney – she’s super easy to love and to cheer for, and her bookish/story-loving side is so endearing and, of course, very relatable! This quote from the first time Sydney sees that swoony pirate I was talking about earlier left me chuckling in solidarity –
“The first time I saw him, it was clear that I, Sydney Forrester, a logical and practical human being, had ruined my brain with literature.”
Don’t worry, she doesn’t really mean it. Literature is her safety zone, much like it is for many of us, and she’s heretofore been content to leave the adventures to the characters she reads about. That may not be what God has in store for her anymore, though, and it both touched & delighted me to watch her come into a greater understanding of who God is as she steps out of that comfort zone of books to ‘grab on’ to the real-life opportunities for courage in front of her. I also found it very moving as Sydney spends much of her time at Blakely House getting to know Emmett Sinclair (the recently-deceased relative who named her in his will) and, more importantly, seeing his true heart on a level that perhaps only one other person ever has. In doing so, she also comes to know herself better and God’s kind of love more fully – with the help of that swoony pirate again whom I also adored.
“You cannot expect to see his greatness if you give him no cause to demonstrate it. That requires leaving the safety of the shore a time or two. Or ten.”
Bottom Line: Mysteries and adventure abound in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano, and I was thoroughly entertained from the beginning to the end of this atmospheric story. The author’s rich use of vocabulary and imagination made the reading experience itself truly a pleasure, not to mention the captivating story and compellingly-layered characters. This is the kind of novel you really sink into, immersing yourself in the setting and the plot as well as the cadence of the writing, loath to come up for air until you’ve reached the very last word. I can’t wait for you to meet all the quirky personalities who grace these pages, including Sydney, Andre, Emmett, and … of course … Blakely House.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
“Blakely House has taught me one thing – that nothing is truly broken. It’s just … not finished.”
Come with me, dear readers, and enter a house of curiosities and misfits. Where the servants are pirates, lights switch on and off on their own, gadgets and gizmos whir to life at every turn, and a distant voice crackles on at various intervals about things like propulsion and velocity and gravity. This inventor’s paradise gives the story an almost magical feel (without any magic), as though you’ve stepped right into the pages of a steampunk fairy tale come to life, and I loved everything about it! I adore stories with seemingly-sentient houses – even if there’s a perfectly logical explanation – and this unique island estate is now among my favorites. (And did you see what I said about pirates?!? More on a particularly swoony one in a moment!)
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House introduces us to Sydney Forrester, a quasi-orphaned clockmaker and tinker (and book lover) who has long felt as though she’s a bit of a misfit herself. Even her beloved cat Micah is a bit ‘misfitted’ too, so you would think the pair will fit right in at Blakely House when she arrives to claim her surprise inheritance. Except that’s not exactly how it goes… and that inheritance isn’t exactly hers yet. I had such fun getting to know Sydney – she’s super easy to love and to cheer for, and her bookish/story-loving side is so endearing and, of course, very relatable! This quote from the first time Sydney sees that swoony pirate I was talking about earlier left me chuckling in solidarity –
“The first time I saw him, it was clear that I, Sydney Forrester, a logical and practical human being, had ruined my brain with literature.”
Don’t worry, she doesn’t really mean it. Literature is her safety zone, much like it is for many of us, and she’s heretofore been content to leave the adventures to the characters she reads about. That may not be what God has in store for her anymore, though, and it both touched & delighted me to watch her come into a greater understanding of who God is as she steps out of that comfort zone of books to ‘grab on’ to the real-life opportunities for courage in front of her. I also found it very moving as Sydney spends much of her time at Blakely House getting to know Emmett Sinclair (the recently-deceased relative who named her in his will) and, more importantly, seeing his true heart on a level that perhaps only one other person ever has. In doing so, she also comes to know herself better and God’s kind of love more fully – with the help of that swoony pirate again whom I also adored.
“You cannot expect to see his greatness if you give him no cause to demonstrate it. That requires leaving the safety of the shore a time or two. Or ten.”
Bottom Line: Mysteries and adventure abound in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano, and I was thoroughly entertained from the beginning to the end of this atmospheric story. The author’s rich use of vocabulary and imagination made the reading experience itself truly a pleasure, not to mention the captivating story and compellingly-layered characters. This is the kind of novel you really sink into, immersing yourself in the setting and the plot as well as the cadence of the writing, loath to come up for air until you’ve reached the very last word. I can’t wait for you to meet all the quirky personalities who grace these pages, including Sydney, Andre, Emmett, and … of course … Blakely House.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 1, 2025
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House was an unexpected adventure into a perfect blend of steampunk meets the early 1900s, pirates, competitive relatives, a peculiar late uncle, faith, and melt-your-socks-off romance.
Sydney Forrester was a heroine I rooted for from the very first page. Her smarts and quirks drew me in immediately while her struggle with God was relatable.
The multi-POV gave a deeper look into the intricacies of the plot and underlying plotting of Sydney's scheming family.
Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, I was wrong. I loved how the mystery unfurled as we learned more about the house that almost seemed like another character and not an inanimate object.
In her signature writing style Joanna Davidson Politano seamlessly weaves a variety of what others would assume to be a motley crew of parts and turned into a page turner you can't put down!
RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✝️✝️✝️
💋
Sydney Forrester was a heroine I rooted for from the very first page. Her smarts and quirks drew me in immediately while her struggle with God was relatable.
The multi-POV gave a deeper look into the intricacies of the plot and underlying plotting of Sydney's scheming family.
Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, I was wrong. I loved how the mystery unfurled as we learned more about the house that almost seemed like another character and not an inanimate object.
In her signature writing style Joanna Davidson Politano seamlessly weaves a variety of what others would assume to be a motley crew of parts and turned into a page turner you can't put down!
RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✝️✝️✝️
💋
May 30, 2025
This book is an exploration of legacy, identity, and adventure wrapped up in a tasteful gothic mystery novel. There are some great lines and themes in the story & I love the parallels between Peter walking on water and the main character venturing out onto her own tumultuous sea, trusting enough to have faith that God will keep her afloat. Politano’s lyrical prose makes each line hit hard and sing loud.
Favorite quote: “Blakely House has taught me one thing—that nothing is truly broken. It’s just…not finished.”
Favorite quote: “Blakely House has taught me one thing—that nothing is truly broken. It’s just…not finished.”
March 28, 2025
Such a BEAUTIFUL story!!! Oh my gosh, where do I begin? The author brilliantly weaves a mysterious, creative, and captivating story with a gentle and beautiful faith thread. I absolutely savored every page!
Emmett Sinclair had left behind a house full of his ingenious gadgetry. Miss Sydney Forrester is mysteriously invited to Blakley House as an heir, only to discover two other heirs already there. A pirate, hostile relatives, a shipwreck, and amazing inventions are some of what Sydney encounters upon arrival.
Some quotes that stood out to me:
"He invited all of you to know him, to learn from his genius, even after he was gone."
"You belong here, Sydney Forrester, Aunt Lottie had spoken those impassioned words so very long ago, I shall be your home."
"There is something sacred and rather delicate, I think, in a deep authentic connection. Something irreplaceable."
"The name of the island is Farneham Heald. It means a home for the weary traveler."
"For it wasn't about how, it never had been. It was always about who."
Stepping out in trust, different isn't bad, sacrificial love, easing the burdens of those around you, and leaving the world a better place are just some of the powerful themes in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.
Loved the author notes at the end, what Blakely House was based on, more about gadgetry, and the spiritual arc of the story.
Fans of Amanda Dykes will love this creative story!
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early ecopy. All opinions are my own.
Emmett Sinclair had left behind a house full of his ingenious gadgetry. Miss Sydney Forrester is mysteriously invited to Blakley House as an heir, only to discover two other heirs already there. A pirate, hostile relatives, a shipwreck, and amazing inventions are some of what Sydney encounters upon arrival.
Some quotes that stood out to me:
"He invited all of you to know him, to learn from his genius, even after he was gone."
"You belong here, Sydney Forrester, Aunt Lottie had spoken those impassioned words so very long ago, I shall be your home."
"There is something sacred and rather delicate, I think, in a deep authentic connection. Something irreplaceable."
"The name of the island is Farneham Heald. It means a home for the weary traveler."
"For it wasn't about how, it never had been. It was always about who."
Stepping out in trust, different isn't bad, sacrificial love, easing the burdens of those around you, and leaving the world a better place are just some of the powerful themes in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House.
Loved the author notes at the end, what Blakely House was based on, more about gadgetry, and the spiritual arc of the story.
Fans of Amanda Dykes will love this creative story!
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early ecopy. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2025
Joanna is one of those authors I reach for when I want/need a bit of a deeper read. There's always this moment while reading her books that I feel God give a little elbow nudge, like He's saying "Do you see me?" and it always has an impact. In this one, that nudge was a bit more of a "I see you" nudge from Him. I don't know how she does it... but I am here for it. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Her books are the kind you hug to your chest because of how they make you feel. There's no rushing through her books either... you have to take the journey and admire the sites (those words!) along the way or you miss so much of it. And yet somehow the only thing I know to say is I loved this book! You should read it.
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