Genre: Historical/Fantasy/Literary
Release Date: August 15th, 2023
Pages: 240
Publisher: Atria Books
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden, and books are considered evil. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?
Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.
As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter ? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?
Nathaniel Hawthorne “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.”
This is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.”
My Review:
After conceiving a child out of wedlock, Ivy Jacob escapes to a cult in Blackwell led by Joel Davis. Her daughter, Mia Jacob, lives oppressed by the confines and rules of the Community. Joel is cruel and controlling and, as typical, exempt from his harsh commandments of living. Women especially are punished harshly and publicly for failing to fall in line. Joel offers Ivy the acceptance that she wasn’t given by her family. It demonstrates how people fall into these types of situations when they feel that someone finally sees them, understands them, and “cares” for them. Mia finds solace in books as a way to escape her reality. She finds stories of other women that inspire her.
The writing is lyrical, flowy, immersive, and poignant. The story is powerful, magical, and emotional. The romance is so cute and swoon-worthy. I fell in love with the characters and I was completely swept-away into the tale. It’s the perfect blend of historical and magical. It’s an ode to the power of books, the imagination of readers, and the impact that stories have on everyone. It’s about taking control of your life and stepping into who you were meant to be. It discusses the freedom of choice for women’s lives and bodies, liberation in their careers and education. And it also touches on the bonds of family and love.
My only wish is that it was more of a full-length novel because it read more like a short story and there were parts I really wanted to be developed further. But I think that shows how much I loved the characters because I just wanted more of them. I really enjoyed my reading experience and, as it’s really a blend of genres, I’d recommend it to all readers.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you read this book? Planning to add it to your TBR?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I love a good book discussion. 🙂
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