The premise of this book is interesting and I was very intrigued. It is very moving story about finding a valuable jewelry box from World War II in order to save their family’s house. It has a dual timeline between Henry and Tabitha in present day 2022 and Frances and Benoit in 1981. This book was beautifully written and the characters were brilliantly developed. It was fun to read about the mystery about the jewelry box but I felt like it had so much potential and had room to be developed more. I enjoyed the ending and I loved the last line of the book : “Things that felt truly lost, were really there all along, safely hidden, just waiting to be found.” This is a great historical love story with a mystery twist.

Thank you to Goodreads giveaways and to William Morrow Publishing for giving me an advance copy of the book for a honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings on this book. The story kept me interested and I felt invested in (some of) the characters but there was just a lot that I did not love. The book alternates between two time periods and I enjoyed the modern setting much more than the chapters set in the past. I understand the purpose of these chapters but the primary focus was a relationship between a 16 year old child and a 35 year old married man. It was written in a way that romanticized this relationship and for me that is just a big yuck. It isn't romantic, it is statutory. If the book consisted of only the modern setting and characters I would have rated this higher. I was much more invested in the lives of Harry and Tabitha. Their relationship felt so innocent and adorable. I don't think this book was poorly written, I would be happy to try another book by Michelle Adams, I just didn't fall in love with the story.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow and Custom House for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Think "The Woman in Gold," but if a priceless item stolen by the Nazis was in a hoarder's house in the Cotswolds and not an Austrian museum. Harry, one of the main characters, is tasked with finding a Klinkosch box that his mother had hidden for decades in her overcrowded home. He reunites with his former girlfriend Tabitha, an art historian, to find the box before the house gets repossessed.

The story alternates between two timelines--Frances (Harry's mother) and how she fell in love and came into possession of the Klinkosch, and Harry and Tabitha as they race against time.

I found this story to be a nice, quick read that had a few twists and good chapter cliffhangers that kept me reading. The story at time felt a little formulaic and predictable, but I always appreciate a good little art history mystery. I enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters in their two timelines, especially once they came together in the present. That, I believe is the strength of this book--how to create and maintain relationships between friends and family, and how to love one another.

I found this to be a delightful love/mystery story. I also enjoy stories where you have to look deeper to get another meaning. I highly recommend! #GoodreadsGiveaway