Love on a Dime...Review

About the book:
Turn of the century novelist Lilly Westbrook learns that being faithful to her calling means more than just putting pen to paper.

It's the summer of 1899 in Newport, Rhode Island, and Lilly Westbrook is struggling to conceal her career from family and friends because of the stigma attached to dime novels. Lilly feels good about her secret-after all, she's enlightening working class girls with her books and honoring God by using her talents to His glory.


But her secret is threatened when Jackson Grail, a former suitor, becomes Lilly's new publisher. He's determined to revive his floundering publishing house by maximizing their most promising--and most secretive--author. His plan? Find "Fannie Cole" and convince her to go public.


When a gossip columnist discovers Lilly's true identity, she finds that being faithful to her calling involves more than just putting pen to paper. It requires that she stand up for her faith and for herself, no matter the consequences.


A charming, light summer read.  Lilly is a delightful young heroine who feels called by God to write stories.  For a young woman of her class and privilege, however, means that working at all, let alone writing dime store novels is unacceptable.  Lilly write anonymously, but when an unscrupulous gossip magazine threatens to reveal her identity, she's torn with what to do.

An interesting commentary of the time: it's the late nineteenth century, and high society is summering at the coast.  I have always found the rigid adherence to a strict code of conduct to be fascinating, especially when it is at the expense of people and friendship.  Lilly longs for something other than a life of looking pretty and visiting with women in order to gossip and discuss others.  Jack is a dashing, unlikely hero and, like Lilly, desires to do what God wants.

A fine debut novel.  Light, but not too fluffy.  An enjoyable diversion and easily recommended.  The first in a series, I look forward to the rest.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Cara Lynn James here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 6/10

* * *
3/5 Stars


Comments

  1. thanks for this review, i want to read this book and it was really helpful!!

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