I've easily read this book 4 or 5 times. It's a comfort book for me. I think this was probably my first friends to enemies to lovers book. :) The spicy tension between Daniel and Clara is just *chef's kiss*. ( )

What a sweet love story! This is such a great look at what happens when one is faithful always to share God's word with those we love the most.

A childhood friendship that spans oceans and years is reunited when the two cross paths again. Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain were from opposite social classes and yet the common love of music was the basis for a friendship that would impact them for their entire lives. When Daniel's father is killed at the mines and he loses any chance of ever going to school life changes. That summer Clara's father sends her to London where she will spend the next decade.

During this time both grow up and change drastically. Clara is sent from London after causing a stir by an article that she wrote. Soon these two friends are thrown back together - this time both in equal social classes. Though the flame of love is stirred things are drastically different for each of them.

This is truly a story of how God's word spoken to those loved brings freedom. I had to admire Clara when she purposed that unless Daniel became a believer she could never marry him nor have him raise her children. This resolve leads to her constant speaking of the truth of God's word.

This resolve also serves as a stronghold when she is kidnapped. Through this story we see one remarkable woman - founded in her faith - that changes those around her by simply living what she believes so strongly in.

Thank you Bethany House for this review copy. ( )

The prologue, set in 1867, is dramatic and very well-written. It introduces Daniel Tremain, a sixteen-year-old working boy in the United States who suffers a terrible tragedy; it also introduces his best friend, Clara, who shares his passion for classical music although her background is much higher class than his.

The rest of the story takes place twelve years later. The historical settings felt real, and the dialogue came across as authentic. I liked Clara, and found Daniel believable if rather hard-headed and materialistic. I was less convinced by the other, more minor characters.

However my biggest problem with the book was the sudden development of a completely different sub-plot, part way through. It involves some opium dealers, and a particularly unpleasant and amoral teenage boy known as Bane. When the two storylines combine, the book descends into melodrama… oddly mixed with evangelism.

The resolution of the story’s climax feels bizarre, and that's writing from the perspective as a Christian who has no doubt that God can do anything. For those without faith, approaching this as a historical fiction book, the ending would seem unrealistic and contrived in a ‘deus ex machina’ style.

So I can’t give this any more than three stars, despite it being very well-written and with a great sense of the historical context. I'd say it's worth reading, and very interesting in places, but I’d have liked it better (and believed in it more) if the story involving Bane had not been there at all. ( )

The cover was beautiful, that's about all I can say. I read the first 10 or so chapters and as soon as the villain makes his appearance, I thought, you have to be kidding me. So cheesy. And the relationship between Clara and Daniel is completely unbelieveable. They immediately pick up where they left off and clear all the misunderstandings between them in ONE conversation. It didn't give me anything to invest in. So I skimmed the rest of the way through, reading paragraphs or pages at a time, and finished thinking, I am so glad I did not waste my time reading every word. Kind of ridiculous. ( )

good summer read~

"The Lady of Bolton Hill", Elizabeth Camden's debut novel,
with it's quite unique and unexpected action
for those of you who enjoy some mystery
added to your romances...
has a fascinating storyline. Good description and vocabulary.
I felt Clara could have learnt more from her judgemental and over-zealousness in trying to reform Daniel. She seemed much younger in attitude than her stated age.
I did like the reality of their physical attraction - well written.

Thanks, Elizabeth, for keeping me reading this weekend! ( )