Stars: four & three-quarter stars

Read: August 2024

Narrators: Em Eldridge, Jason Keller

This is my second book by Rachel Fordham and I enjoyed it very much, just as I did the previous one. Em Eldridge is a fabulous narrator. I am sorry to be blunt but the female voices by Jason Keller were really creepy and turned me off. Em Eldridge could have narrated the book in its entirety. She is a delight to listen to.

This is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I am not one for fairytales but this was well done. I grew very fond of Sadie, Otis, and the minor characters, too.

The characters illustrated that we all have scars of some sort. Not all of them are visible. There was so much raw honesty and it was beautiful. We all must see each other without judgment.

My favourite quote is: *The world needs both the timid and the bold.* I highly recommend this novel.

*You must think me a weak man.* *No. You are at the edge of your fear. That makes you strong, not weak.*

Sadie West is a courageous and caring daughter who leaves the country to take a job at a feather duster company in the city. Facing the adversity of a co-worker and making the best of her situation endeared me to her. She was a fierce and loyal friend and someone everyone would love to have in their lives.

Seeing Otis change from an embittered, wounded, and lonely man to realizing he is special and treasured was what I loved most about the story. The author wrote such a beautiful and poignant story that I was captivated with Sadie and Otis and their love story. This story really couldn*t have been any better.

I absolutely loved this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast that is set in the Midwest. It goes well beyond the fairy tale by Otis being brave enough to do something that was extremely scary for him and Sadie helping others to show they see him for who he is and not just his appearance.

Things to Love:

the mansion

Blue-Wolf

letter writing

Jane Eyre references

found family

humor

music

roller skating lessons

lovable staff

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views are only my opinion. I was not required to write a review.

This book....... WOW!!!! I mean, I was excited to read a historical novel inspired by Beauty and the Beast, but this book..... it was just wonderful!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!!!

First of all, this book totally sucked me in!!!! Once I started reading it, it was almost impossible for me to put it down! The characters, the premise, the story, the themes, they all kept me glued to the page.

Sadie and Otis were brilliantly written! They both had their own flaws they struggled with, and I loved seeing how they helped each other grow and solve each of the problems life threw at them.

I was especially interested by Otis' struggles with accepting his alopecia and other scars he'd received. It was inspiring seeing how he learned to accept his appearance and that he was still worthy of love, even if he might look a little different than others.

Of course, I LOVED that this book was a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling! Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites, and I LOVED how Rachel wove bits of the fairy tale into Sadie and Otis' story.

All that aside, my absolute FAVORITE thing about this book was its portrayal of family. While it did mention some... less than ideal family circumstances, I loved how it showed good families working together.

I LOVED the scenes where Sadie was interacting with her sisters!!!!! Especially when she talks about staying up late at night talking to her sisters; it was so relatable!!!!

I thought the portrayal of adoption in this book was just beautiful. I loved seeing how Rachel showed how it can be a difficult circumstance for everyone involved, but the most important thing is to make sure the child is in a good loving home.

I also adored how this book showed the main characters looking forward to having families of their own. The scenes where they were discussing how to be good parents ... *squeals* ... so sweet!!!!!!!

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I loved every last bit of it!!!!!!!!!! If you enjoy historical fiction that has wonderful characters and is super inspirational, get this book! You will love it!!!!!

I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

Beyond Ivy Walls is the first book I have read written by Rachel Fordham, and it will not be my last. Beyond Ivy Walls is an easy read, rich in vocabulary. It is a reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, and it did not disappoint. This is no Disney recreation but is a story rich in character and history. The perfect blend to make this recreation unique and worthy of a read.



The character development is powerful. I could not put the book down as I dove into the lives of Sadie and Otis. Peeling back each layer to learn even more from each character. The characters were truly multi-dimensional.

The storyline was great. It really was a great recreation. I really appreciated the setting. I could really visualize the characters. The factory that Sadie worked in, and the Taylor home was the perfect setting.

The relationship between Sadie and Otis is sweet. A slow moving first romance, it was the perfect balance and just like the classic fairytale romance we all love.

The historical element was great. I appreciated that the author used an actual place that existed.

Rachel Fordham did a good job intertwining faith in the book. Though a little on the light side, it did add to the story. I always appreciate when the author does a good job on intertwining faith.



*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Loved this clever, heartwarming twist on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale! Rachel Fordham delivers a new favorite historical romance in this touching story of a grumpy, scarred hero & sunny, endearing heroine. I loved being transported to early 1900*s Iowa when roller skating was all the rage. The lovely, sweet opposites attract romance kept me thoroughly enthralled as did the charming characters & inspirational story.

Sadie West left her family*s farm to work at the Hoag Duster Factory in Monticello, Iowa to help make ends meet after her father*s injury. To save money, she sleeps in an old abandoned building. Unusual circumstances in the form of a dog cause her to meet her wealthy, reclusive neighbor who offers her a position in exchange for her silence in regard to his return to Monticello.

Otis Taylor was forced to leave home at a young age & hasn*t returned since. When the death of his brother compels him to return, he*s reluctant to let the town know he*s back. When a young woman upends all his plans, he offers her a job in exchange for her silence. But, he soon finds her irresistible charm getting under his skin. As he shares his talents and deepest feelings with Sadie, she offers him the acceptance he*s always craved. But, his brother had a secret and Otis and Sadie must work to unravel the mystery.

I adored Beyond Ivy Walls! Otis was such a tender, sweet teddy bear of a guy whom you just want to hug. His unfortunate diagnosis at a young age and subsequent treatments were horrible and I mourned for his lost childhood & connection to his family. Sadie is such a ray of sunshine who completely changes his life and I loved her bubbly enthusiasm and desire to do the right thing. She*s faced with a difficult choice and I admired the way she handled everything. I loved the letters they exchanged and Sadie*s stories. I also enjoyed Mildred, Leon, & Sadie*s family.

I loved the themes of looking on the heart, acceptance, sacrifice, and the meaning of family & true friendship. I also appreciated the way the author brought the setting and time period to life. It was such a fantastic story and I found myself shedding a tear or two at the end.

Highly recommend this heartfelt, inspiring fairytale retelling! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.