Page 3 of 5
There are currently 31 member reviews
for The House of Hidden Letters
-
Susan R. (Greensboro, NC)
Fantastic
This dual time novel take place in Greece during present times and during WWII. Both time lines are based on women finding happiness by starting over. The woman in each time line is stronger and more resilient than they know and both are looking for a way to survive bad situations and find happiness.
Skye is a teacher in London who finds herself in an abusive marriage. She wants to start over and when she sees a lottery for several cottages on an island in Greece for 1 euro, she puts her name in. She's thrilled when she finds out that she won a cottage but is pretty appalled when she sees the state of the cottage. These were cottages that hadn't been lived in since WWII and needed a lot of work to make them livable. Skye is thrilled to be hiding from her husband and with the help of the local handyman, she is determined to make her house livable and lovely. She soon makes friends with the other people who have won the lottery and for the first time in a long time, she is beginning to find happiness but soon finds out that it's impossible to hide. While the renovations are going on, she finds a packet of letters hidden in the chimney that make her view life differently.
In the 1940s, Katarina has fallen in love with a man who soon leaves to be part of the resistance. When German troops take over the island she is upset over the cruelty of the German soldiers and joins the local resistance movement despite the danger. She continues to long for the man she loves to return and has no idea if he is even alive. She is strong as she fights against the people who are trying to ruin her island and the people on it.
This is a debut novel by Izzy Broom. She did a fantastic job in her descriptions of the Greek island of Folegandros. Greece is on my short list of places that I want to visit and this book made me think about making travel plans now. Based on how well written this book is and how much I enjoyed it, I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.
-
Mary Jane D. (Arlington Heights, IL)
Enjoyable Read
The House of Hidden Letters is a wonderful story and one of the best books I've read in a while. It has a dual timeline of starting a new life and romance on a Greek Island and a tragic love story during WWII. There were smooth transitions between the two timelines and I enjoyed the story in both.
It is a:mysterious story of new beginnings, community, friendship, love, and loss. The characters are well developed and memorable. The setting was full of vivid descriptions of the Greek island, food , and landscape. It kept me wanting to read more.
It would be a feel good book for a Book Club with points for discussion and speculation and a positive ending.
-
JanineS
Enjoyable historical fiction and romance
A poignant historical fiction/romance read brimming with warmth, love and the bonds community can only bring. I so enjoyed reading this book. Skye MacKinnon has just won a house on a Greek Island for! It's one of six houses they were abandoned and have been a bit restored in anticipation of the winners. She meets Andreas, the local contractor (and very handsome one too), who helps her integrate as the others arrive. And what a great crew of newbies - they happily become Skye's friends. But we soon learn Skye has a secret that could affect her residency but more importantly a bundle of hidden letters are found in the old fireplace which could give some insight into lived in the house. The book moves between past (1940-1942) and present. The letters reveal valor, tragedy but deep love. I enjoyed the dual story line. What would seem to be a perfect beach read (and it probably is) is also a thought provoking one as well - the WWII story is grim but inspiring.
I liked Skye. I enjoyed seeing her come into her own. The band of newcomers added a warmth and charm to the story revealing that community is so important in one's life. I also enjoyed the writing and story itself. The story is well paced and the characters are a delight. Highly recommend!
I'd like to thank BookBrowse and Berkeley Publishing Group for allowing me to read this fine ARC.
#thehouseofhiddebletters
#izzybroom
#berkeleypublishinggroup
-
Rebecca M. (Gulfport, FL)
Dual Time Lines
An alternating time frame- 1940's & current. 2 story lines that come together.
Takes place on a small island in Greece, homes that were abandoned after WWII & have been sitting ever since the war ended. The town had a lottery, and the story follows the winners of the lottery who are settling on the island. Mostly the story is focused on Skye & her story & how she came to be on the island & why. The historical part is about a young woman-Katerina, who lives on the island & their lives being lived there during the war. It was an interesting piece of history that I did not know much about.
Of course in both the past & the current time frame there is romance, but in a good way.
-
Alison W. (Saint Marys, GA)
Island getaway
I enjoyed the book for numerous reasons. If you are a reader who loves an air of mystery with your history, or a bit of exotic destination with your love story, this is the book for you. The characters are easy to relate to and the author does an excellent job of providing depth to each one without complicating the enjoyment of their personalities. Great choice for book clubs!
-
Marcia K. (Willoughby, OH)
The House. Of Hidden Letters
A little bit mystery, a little bit love story set on the Greece Island of Folegrandos. There are two parallel stories of two women…Katerina and Skye set in World War II and current day. There are two author weaves a story of the town, these women and their loves with skill and is able to keep the reader interested and anxious to read further. There is a tale of new love and old love, female strength and ingenuity , and growth in unexpected places. One cannot help but become entranced with the story and help to figure out the mystery which will weave the two women together.
-
Catheryne Z. (Plano, TX)
Dual time line Greek adventure and new start
I enjoyed this dual time line set in Greece. Skye won a house on a Greek island in a lottery. It was a great opportunity for her to escape her life. She finds letters in the house wall while she is renovating the house. The letters and the other timeline tell the story of love and difficult times of survival during World War II on the same island. As the story unfolds, Skye is confronted by the past she is attempting to escape. The characters were engaging and interesting. The mysterious aspects kept the story flowing. Thank you Bookbrowse, Net Galley and the Berkley for this advanced copy of the book.
