I've been looking forward to this book for a while. Read my review below...
The Tea ChestChristian Time-Slip Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 464 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Tyndale House Publishers
Summary
Boston, 1773
Emma Malcolm’s father is staunchly loyal to the crown, but Emma’s heart belongs to Noah Winslow, a lowly printer’s assistant and Patriot. But her father has promised her hand to Samuel Clarke, a rapacious and sadistic man. As his fiancée, she would have to give up Noah and the friends who have become like family to her—as well as the beliefs she has come to embrace.
After Emma is drawn into the treasonous Boston Tea Party, Samuel blackmails her with evidence that condemns each participant, including Noah. Emma realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means giving up the life she desires and becoming Samuel’s wife.
Present Day
Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. But before her dream can be realized, she must return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within, she wonders if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized.
Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom. . . and discover a heritage of courage and faith.
My Review
THE TEA CHEST is an emotional story about two women who live centuries apart from each other, but who relate in similar ways. They're connected by a tea chest, allowing for the woman who comes later to find strength in the woman who came before her. A story about family, loyalty, freedom, perseverance, faith and love.
I immediately got into Hayley's story. She was facing the extreme challenge of BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL. I loved her determination and her heart. I also felt like her character was complex as she had quite a bit of baggage to work through and a future she was trying to grasp. I really wanted a bit more development between her and Ethan as I felt there was a lot there to dive into and didn't feel like her faith and the romance with Ethan was as developed as much as it could have been. It took me a bit to fully get into Emma's story. She wasn't a character I loved at first, so she had to grow on me. Her character felt a bit more one-dimensional compared to Hayley's, but I know readers connect with characters differently. Her story was very emotional towards the end and brought me to tears in a few places. The setting being around the Revolutionary War and the Boston Tea Party made it unique and intriguing. I love history, so I enjoyed this aspect of the story quite a bit. The ending was bittersweet and perfect.
My only complaint was that there were times I wanted the story to switch sooner or later. It wasn't always consistent. This was also much more of an historical novel than contemporary as the contemporary part had fewer pages in comparison. It's a bit of a difficult thing to write in this genre without it feeling jarring switching time periods, without disrupting the reader's interest, and creating love for both storylines. I felt like the author did a fairly good job in that.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I very much enjoyed reading this! Both storylines are interesting with likable characters, emotional plots, and sweet romance. Recommended to Christian romance and time-slip fans.
Content: Some violence and references to drugs, drinking and abuse, and some references to marital relations (not detailed in any way).
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Heidi Chiavaroli began writing thirteen years ago, just after Jesus grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys' nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn't stopped writing since!Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. The Tea Chest is her third novel with Tyndale House Publishers.
Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves hiking, baking, and dates with her high school sweetheart and husband of sixteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.
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