The Love Note is my second Joanna Davidson Politano book, and I was not disappointed. Once again, she’s crafted an engaging tale that keeps you turning pages.
Book Blurb
Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.
Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings–mostly negative ones–about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa’s search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.
Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.
My Thoughts
This book sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go. Politano has a way of tapping into a reader’s emotions and drawing them into the story. From the moment Willa finds the love note, I was hooked.
What follows is an engrossing mystery that kept me up late. Paired with the misunderstandings and compelling characters, I couldn’t help but find excuses to stick my nose back into this book until I finished it in the wee hours of the morning.
Willa’s strength translates well for modern-day readers. While imperfect and sometimes clueless, her goals are relatable. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance and watching her relationship with those in the manor develop. Politano managed to tap into emotions I didn’t realize were under the surface. Perhaps that’s why I had such a hard time letting go of this book. Even now, I’m tempted to reread it and see if it impacts me the same.
I think what stuck with me the most, though, was the spiritual thread. I love the emphasis on God’s love and the importance of a relationship with Him.
Overall, The Love Note is an engaging tale with romance and mystery that historical fans will love.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Further Information
You can click the book cover to order this novel from Bookshop, a website that supports independent bookstores. Or you can visit your favorite book retailer.
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