Review: Amongst the Roses by Meghan M. Gorecki

Where, oh where to begin? Dear reader friends, I really did enjoy this one! Having read a novella of Ms. Gorecki's prior to this, I knew I was interested to read a full length novel of hers. And I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read this one! It's quite a journey she takes us on, let me tell you.

I tend to to be picky with the historical fiction I read, and can I just say that this is an author you should keep your eyes on! It was clear that Ms. Gorecki has done thorough research and, additionally, feels quite passionate about history. The real and raw emotions, the struggles of the time period and its people, and the harshness of the realities that sit themselves down and stare you straight in the eyes. It's not an easy read, to be sure! But I was quite impressed with the details that were mentioned and how nothing is left out.

The characters, who are always my favorite part, are where I struggled. Because they aren't always so likeable! Yet I appreciated the slow way they each began to grow on me. I'm still not certain how I feel about all of them yet, but I have faith that the next book will help grow my appreciation for them! And I was reminded that sometimes a harsh environment around a character can create responses from them that a quiet and gentle life would not. So! I am looking forward to growing further with Margaret and seeing where she might go from here.

I think one of my very favorite bits of the whole story is just how utterly swept up I was! Once I began, there was no way to put it down. Even as I struggled to like everything that happened (and, admittedly, skimmed through a few chapters that felt a little long to me), yet I somehow couldn't look away either! And that's a wonderful credit to Ms. Gorecki's storytelling. It gripped me! I had to know what was going to happen next. And so, of course, this means that I will certainly be planning to read book two! Because I'm determined to find out what happens. Because I want to know that my trust in where Ms. Gorecki is going to take us next is well placed. Because I am confident that I will be just as drawn in again! And isn't that a wonderful reason to read this one, friends? I think so too. :)

**I received a complimentary copy via the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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War has a way of distinguishing between the things that matter and the things that don't.