I recently completed a book that completely intrigued me – a historical thriller – that left me feeling like I needed a bath when I was done because it was so descriptive in the seedy, unhygienic, poverty-ridden world of late 1700s Sweden setting. Afterwards, I felt a craving for something decadently sweet to read to tilt my scales back to normal.

Marie Bostwick, bestselling author of uplifting historical and contemporary fiction, with a Macomber-esque flavour to her writing, is a new-to-me author. Her heartwarming novel, Hope on the Inside (a play on words), hit completely opposite on the feel-o-meter and left me all warm and fuzzy when I hit the final page. Sweet, sincere, redemptive, inspiring… I could go on-and-on, but this title hit all those boxes.

The synopsis of the story is that our heroine is facing some unexpected challenges in a mid-life crises type of situation. After supporting her husband’s career and subsequently raising her kids, she’s the mom all the neighbourhood kids loved and can tackle any craft like she’s Martha Stewart. Having to find a new employment position, she stumbles upon a chance connection and winds up with a new position teaching a home-ec/craft class at the local women’s prison. Issues, of course, arise, but positivity and perseverance save the day and at the conclusion, everyone is living happily-ever-after.

This was not deep, thought provoking fiction by any means. It was, however, charming and easy-to-read, dare I say even inspiring, despite its triteness. It’s a story that’s been told a million times before, but it had its own unique spin and was quite the enjoyable page-turner.

I was provided with an advance copy of this title via NetGalley with thanks to the publisher and/or author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: March 26, 2019