This story is an enjoyable
time-hop, and a great read for true book lovers. The MC in this story is co-owner
(with her sister) of a charming little book shop. You know—the old-fashioned
kind where there’s story-time. I loved picturing myself in this shop, browsing
through the used classics and listening to Callie talk about her love of them.
She and her sister log all the
odd things they find left behind in used books they acquire, hoping to reunite many
of the items with their rightful owners. Approaching her birthday, Callie
stumbles upon an old edition meant to be a surprise gift from her sister. The
real surprise is what she finds inside the book.
The 1930s edition of Bambi once
belonged to a young girl named Annika. The former shop owner/surrogate mother
of the sisters helps translate the notes she finds written to match the text of
the book. Callie is sucked into the mystery of the notes and the story of
Annika. She enlists the help of a college professor to learn the secrets hidden
in the messages.
The book moves back and forth
from present day to 1930s Austria, at the time Hitler’s troops have advanced
into Annika’s city. It details the changes that follow in the lives of the
teenage friends as the Jewish population is being shunned and forced out of
the only life they know.
You won’t get lost in this well-written
time-hop. The pace is wonderful, and the settings delicious! I thoroughly
enjoyed the suspense of Annika’s story—and of the present day characters. They
were all well-developed and quite likable.
This story has a strong religious
current, though not overpowering of the story itself. A clean and solid read, I
gave this book five stars. Hidden Among the Stars is the first book I’ve read
by this author, but it will not be my last.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from
Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
