The Echo of Old Books: A Novel

This was a page-turner! Ashlyn works at a bookstore and comes across two books that intrigue her. She has the ability to feel the emotions of the author or the person who last held the book. These books written anonymously by two people that are referred to as Belle and Hemi. Each has blamed the other for their breakup and relate the story of their love affair. It is interesting to read the story from the two different perspectives. Ashlyn strongly suspects that these books are not works of fiction, but more like journals of people who once lived and she tries to ascertain their identities from the clues in the book, such as the various locations or people mentioned. She contacts the man who had donated the books, once part of his father's library, for his help.

At first I was a bit put off by her special psychic abilities, but later realized this is what spurs her to pursue the intriguing mystery, so I had to accept it as a literary device.

Beautiful story.. I felt so many emotions reading this book, and got really invested in their story. I normally don’t like love stories initiated by affairs, but this one made sense in terms of an arranged marriage that you never wanted to begin with. I loved Ashlyn’s journey, seeing Belle come to terms with the truth, and just how everything wrapped up in the end. Barbara has a new fan out me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You guys already know how I feel about a historical fiction. Either it bores me or breaks me. As I read this I was neither broken or bored, but I stayed engrossed in the story. I had to re-write this review a few times based on how the story went and how I was feeling. My emotions in this one and not even tears!

This was beautiful and sad. Reading about Ashlyns childhood was gut wrenching, her adult years also were heartbreaking. As the story went out I found the idea of a books echos fascinating. The stories written by Hemi and Belle kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt myself growing a soft spot for both parties and of Ashlyn as she read them. Belles history was just as sad as Ashlyns and I really was rooting for Belle to have a better future. I knew from the start that Hemi was going to hurt Belle but if felt as if he was extremely conflicted and I hoped for a different ending. As I continued to read the sadness and angry I felt y'all don't even know! I absolutely loved this book until everything unfolded.

Spoiler Below

With Ashlyn I was rooting so dang hard for her love life and was kicking my damn feet and smiling so hard. When Ethan first showed up I was like that's gonna be her man and boy was i waiting for this the entire book. Them finding each other may have been the redeeming .5 star for this book.

What Belle thought Hemi had did was rough but honestly I don't think what he did was unforgivable. Belle knew he was writing a story about her father and it shouldn't have been a surprise that the story would include her family history. They way she found out was rough but he didn't publish the story. He chose her love and feelings over his future. But what Belle did hiding their child isn't forgivable. Both of them were burned and hurt but geez I wanted them together so damn bad, until that revelation. I was so pissed at Belle and honestly I hated her for it. They both could have found each other at any time and had a conversation to fix everything but they waiting 40 years to do it. I wanted that happy ending and the timing and the miscommunication made me groan and this was a 5 star for me until what Belle did. I'm happy they found forgiveness but I just feel for Zachary and Hemi for what they lost.

Dual story line - neatly finished at the end to wrap everything in a bow

This book came highly recommended to me from patrons at the library at work at, and it sure didn’t disappoint! I DEVOURED the last quarter because this story just leaves you dying to know “how it all ends.” I really didn’t have a clue how it was going to end and was pleasantly surprised. A wonderful book if you love books about books, ill fated romance, and second chances. Overall this was a heart wrencher AND a heart warmer and I really really enjoyed it.