Beyond Ivy Walls

This delightful vintage-style story really captured the essence of small-town life in early 1900s Iowa. Social spheres are much more casual than in swanky coastal towns and well-educated women might easily find themselves having to work in a local factory for a spell after a bad season of crops. Sadie is one of these, the eldest girl leaving home to work and keep up the mortgage payments in order for her family to not lose their farm after her father's tragic accident.

I loved the interesting characters (except for Alta!) and definitely wanted to see Sadie and Otis get a happy ending. It was a delight to watch him slowly let down his guard and learn to let others show love for him.

The style and setting reminded me of a good Bess Streeter Aldrich or Willa Cather prairie novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.