Book Review – At Her Fingertips by Kellyn Roth

Apologies for the accidental hiatus! I forgot to mention that I will only be posting once a week from now on (unless I change my mind or something XD) and the times where it can’t be helped that I post twice a week, the following Monday will not have a post.

Now that that’s cleared up, onto today’s post!! (Psst, there’s also a giveaway, so keep an eye out for that! 😉 )

Releases July 17th, 2021

About the Book

She’s willing to do anything to follow her plan.

Debutante Alice Knight is ready for her first social season in London. She’s determined to impress society and her mother with an affluent match, at last escaping her past and embracing a future of her own making.

Peter Strauss, an American reporter visiting England, isn’t exactly what Alice had in mind. However, his friendship proves invaluable as Alice faces the challenges of her debut. Almost immediately, she attracts the attention of a well-born gentleman—perfect save for the simple fact that he’s not a Christian.

The life she longs for is finally at her fingertips, but between her own heart and the convictions of her faith, she isn’t sure she ought to grasp it.

Basic Information

Title: At Her Fingertips

Series: The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, Book #3

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction

Era: Late Victorian (1880)

Release Date: July 17th, 2021

Links

Amazon

Goodreads

My Review

Miss Roth has done it again. She’s written a wonderful story that entranced my heart and soul. Not only do we have the delightful Knights and Nettie to return to, but we also have a certain Peter Strauss to captivate me us.

Honestly, as much as I love Alice, Nettie, Ivy, the little ones, and all the other characters (excluding certain rogues who will not be mentioned lest my ire be raised.) by the end of the book I was just here for Peter. XP Seriously, if you want a fictional man who has the semblance of an Austen hero but with something more read this book. I mean it! I love Peter more than Darcy, Knightley, and all the others put together.

Speaking of Jane Austen, I don’t believe in reincarnation but if I did, I’d wonder if Kellyn Roth was previously Jane Austen come back to write more delicious novels set in a different time period. XD If my gushing isn’t enough, let’s move on to a semblance of an actual review, though you should totally count gushing as a legit review. *nods seriously*

While I lean more towards Ivy in personality and don’t always understand what goes on in Alice’s head, Kell expertly draws the reader into caring about Alice and why her Season as a debutante is so important to her; why security is more important than love to her. Alice is very practical and a lot like Austen’s Emma, so even if I never quite understood her actions and motives, I did enjoy my time with her (and Peter, don’t forget Peter) and loved watching her grow through her journey.

I loved watching Alice’s family come and go throughout her time in London, her parents, of course, stayed with her, but sometimes Nettie, her children, and the young Knights would come and I really enjoyed all the family scenes, especially the ones involving Peter. (Have you caught onto the fact that I’m a Peter fangirl? XD)

The plot was wonderful and well paced, I never felt like it dragged or sped past leaving me wondering what’s going on and where am I at. There were a few, small, time jumps but those were done very well and I didn’t feel like I missed pieces of the story that I’d have rather “watched” unfold instead of having it summed up.

Now for Peter. *grins* I’m not sure I’ve ever loved a fictional hero like I do Peter. And no, this is not a fictional crush. This is more of “I love this character, where can I get my own real life version?”
…
…
Okay, that does sound like a crush now that I’ve said it out loud… XD But come on, he’s such a great guy. He has faults (of which have completely flown my mind as soon as I tried to think of them, but he does have a few) one of which is he can be a bit cowardly and he also tries to avoid conflict by not telling someone they’re doing something wrong, (But that’s something I deal with too, so hey, I’m not judging. ;p) but his virtues far exceed the faults. For one thing, his relationship with God is the most important thing to him and any advice he gives (of which there is a lot given) it’s always from a Biblical perspective and “have you prayed about it?” and “God will guide you.” which was so wonderful. Honestly, he and Nettie would get along wonderfully. *smile smile* Peter is also a writer which was a big win in my book, (pun unintended) and he’s all the time quoting and making references to books. He’s also awkwardly adorable and is always fumbling over himself or being a bit scatterbrained. But what makes him so wonderful is how grounded in his faith he is.

Wow. Did I just make half the review about Peter? *blinks* Oookay, if that doesn’t show how much I love this book and Peter, I’m not sure what will.

I also loved how much history Kell gave us in this book. It felt as if I really were in the Victorian Era alongside the Knights and Peter, especially the scenes with Queen Victoria, the Epsom Derby, and the Royal Academy of Arts. All of it was, in my opinion, expertly done and I was immersed in the history without loosing the feel of the story or feeling like I was suddenly being given a history lesson info dump. I am in awe over how Kell interwove history and the story together so seamlessly. #writergoals (Yes, I know this is historical fiction, but I’ve read fiction that reads like a history textbook with dialogue before…)

And no review of a book in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy is complete without bringing up Nettie who was, yet again, spectacular and I just couldn’t get enough of her. I would fork over money for a novella of just her and Peter spending time together. Nettie is such an inspiring role-model. She always seems to know just what to say and do to help those around her to see things how God sees them and encourages them to seek God’s will. I’d say she’s not perfect, but I’ve yet to see a flaw in her and I’m okay with that. *smile smile* Oh, wait, there’s actually one small thing that could be a flaw, but it’s kind of spoiler territory and honestly, Nettie is just doing the best she can in the situation. *zips lips before divulging spoiler* I love Nettie so much! ^_^

I believe I should conclude this review lest I gush further and more incoherently about Peter and Nettie, and everyone else. 😉

Content Warning

References to alcohol, a few instances of “social” drinking, a character is shown drunk once or twice, I believe wine was served at parties. Vague references to a man abusing his wife, a discussion about two women having children out of wedlock and a mention that one of them had no choice. An instance of someone “uttering a curse” but the actual word wasn’t used. And a brief moment of violence where a man struck a woman, knocking her to the ground.

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

About the Author

Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.

Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.

When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries. She also likes to talk about Keira Knightley and her own books way too much.

Connect with her on:

Website
Blog
Newsletter
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
MeWe
Goodreads

Blog Tour Giveaway

Kellyn Roth is giving away a special prize bundle. Click the link below to enter!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cbb544c918/?

And don’t forget to check out the previous posts and follow along on the tour!

Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, July 14th

Introduction Post // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Review // Hannah E.M. @ Precious Book Stacks

Thursday, July 15th

Introducing Alice // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Interview with Gibson Ashfield // SawyerMarie @ SundropGirls

Review // Kristina Hall, Author

Friday, July 16th

Introducing … Love Interests!? // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Interview with Ivy Knight // Grace A. Johnson @ Gabbing with Grace

Review // Jenavieve Rose @ Living Outside the Lines (You are here)

Saturday, July 17th

Launch Day // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Review // Loretta Marchize @ Just Writing

Interview // Vanessa Hall

Sunday, July 18th

Themes // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Interview with Alice Knight // Katja L. @ Little Blossoms for Jesus

Monday, July 19th

Siblings // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Guest Post // Andrea Cox @ Writing To Inspire

Review // Tara Savanna @ Tower in the Plains

Interview with Nettie Jameson // Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner

Tuesday, July 20th

Mothers // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Character Spotlight with Peter Strauss // Abigail Kay Harris @ Read Review Rejoice

Wednesday, July 21st

Wrapup Post // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

Review // Michaela Bush @ Tangled Up in Writing

Saturday, July 24th

Giveaway Wrapup // Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

I received a complimentary e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and fangirling are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

Have you read any Victorian Era novels? Are you a fan of Jane Austen? Which is your favorite Austen book? Or favorite Austen couple? Have you read any of the books in this series? Are you going to read this one?

Let’s Chat! 😀

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