Bentonsport: A New Chapter

Bentonsport: A New Chapter is a charming blend of Christian romance and historical fiction. Sarah Peterson has traveled back in time 150 years for her love of Thomas Barton, and his for her. Here we see her adapting to her hometown as it was in its earlier days.

From figuring out how to earn income with her baking in an era where women generally were not expected to work to adapting her speech and mannerisms so as not to unduly raise eyebrows, Sarah – now Sara – has a great deal of adjustment to do in the 1870s. She has to adjust her baking techniques to make do with the tools available rather than her accustomed modern conveniences. She also learns that “mean girls” aren't exclusive to the modern era when Lucinda Carrington has other ideas about Thomas' future wife. But she leans on her faith in God, and on Thomas and Pastor and Mrs. Lockhardt, to strengthen and encourage her.

The characters in the book are all delightful. I don't know how they came to know Sarah's true story, but they roll with it. They have so much fun creating a character and backstory for her that will play well to the folks in Bentonsport. I should have such joie de vivre when I'm older!

Bella and Leo, the bakers Sarah befriends during her short stay in St. Louis, are positively charming. I would love to see this friendship develop further, and I hope there are other Bentonsport books planned that include these characters.

And I love love love love Sarah's relationship with Thomas' family! Sarah's parents died when she was young, and she hasn't really had a family in her modern life. Thomas' sisters take her in and make her one of their own, and she takes to it like a duck to water. It was a beautiful picture of how family relationships should be.

This book continues the story that began in Bentonsport: A Christmas Holiday, and I do recommend reading that book first. I was able to follow the story, but I felt like I was missing a good bit by not knowing how Thomas and Sarah first came to encounter each other and what experiences they had in Sarah's time.

If you enjoy a sweet, clean romance, a good time travel story, and characters who rely on their Christian faith to overcome challenges, Bentonsport: A New Chapter is for you!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours and the author. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't actually like.