BEYOND IVY WALLS by author Rachel Fordham, is a tale inspired by the fairytale Beauty and the Beast. Set in 1903 Monticello, a town in Iowa, is home to the Hoag Feather duster factory. It is where Sadie West, our lead, is employed, living in town away from family where finances are tight and her wages important.
Monti, as the residents refer to their town, is also home to the well-to-do Taylor family. All the Taylor family has passed away except a son who was exiled a decade back. Otis Taylor, owing to his appearance due to medical conditions, was sent away from his family. He lived with the Crawfords, who helped him hone his piano playing and acted as his guardian. Away from his family, without hope or certainty of a return, Otis in heart harbored anger and resentment. The only good thing that came out of his exile was his music. He was good on the piano and composed well enough to sell his music for good money.
Now back in his childhood home to settle affairs as the last remaining Taylor or so he thought, the bitter memories too are back. He soon discovers Sadie, squatting on his property, and in an act which surprises himself too, he offers her employment and boarding too. Sadie West makes a space in his home and life making it better and bright for Otis.
What I enjoyed -
The characters of Otis and Sadie are adorable. Their chemistry, friendship, exchange of letters, little tiffs and big fights are a joy to witness.
The underlying emotion of most conversations between the characters especially that of Sadie and Otis is that beauty isn't just skin deep. Sometimes it's the heart and behaviour of a person that makes them beautiful. It was heartwarming to witness this emotion in action throughout the story.
Some scenes just stayed with me like Otis and Sadie's first meeting, the storytelling session at the West family house, Sadie teaching Otis how to skate and him building a private skating rink for her.
The little things Otis and Sadie do for each other are exciting, giddy with the emotions of an infatuation, first crush and love. The grand gestures are equally fierce and loyal and affirming.
I loved reading BEYOND IVY WALLS for its emotions, strong characters and the family and friendships that put so much heart into this love story.
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.
Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.
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