These two books are obviously meant to go together and the more she reads the more she finds a love story full of betrayal, regrets, misunderstandings, greed, jealousy and family secrets. Nothing. I absolutely loved every part of this book. The Echo Of Old Books – Read, Reread, or Reconsider? After dedicating twelve years to the jewelry business, Barbara Davis said goodbye to the corporate world and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. The author’s ability to present two different, but related, heartbreaking stories inside her own novel and keep all the voices distinct is so impressive. The fascinating characters and the beauty of the writing pull the reader in…Highly recommended.” — Historical Novels Review

In Regretting Belle, Hemi questions if Belle truly loves him. Hemi says they should abandon everything - the story, the newspaper, and Teddy - and get married. Belle accepts. The authorial device of using two books to recount an old story didn’t feel clunky, and the modern day narrative wound itself around them well. While you could perceive the ending as somewhat predictable, or even contrived, I felt it was well and sensitively handled and added depth to the characters’ portrayal. In Regretting Belle, Hemi questions Belle about her mother. Belle confesses that her mother died in a psychiatric hospital. Hemi presses her about her father, causing Belle to ask if he is writing a story about her family.And their own searing, scarring pasts. The more we learn about both couples, the more we hope for HEAs all around – no matter how impossible that might seem. We become invested in both stories every bit as much as Ashlyn does Belle’s. Ashlyn had dinner with Ethan. He relayed that he reached out to Marian’s son, Zachary. Before she left, Ethan confessed his feelings for her. I wish the past story wasn’t told only in letter format and was told in its entirety because it is the strongest part. I wish someone had sat the author down and said, you have an intriguing story here but you aren’t telling it in an interesting way. So overall, I thought this was fine but fairly mediocre, and it annoyed me because I think it had the potential to be so much more.

If you enjoy a bookish angle in your stories, you are in for a treat here. Not only is part of the story set in a book store, but the main character is also a rare-book dealer who restores books and has a special bookish talent. On top of this, we have the two mystery bound volumes, and I do love a good historical mystery to mix things up. This is not all though… Because The Echo Of Old Books uses a very unusual plot structure. Not only do we have Ashlyn and Marian’s POVs, but the plot actually includes the full stories of both bound volumes as well. Yes, you read that right: you get three books for the price of one here! Being able to read the volumes yourself and in time with the developments in the present timeline really took this story to the next level for me. Language: Yes, there are a handful of words that I personally don't care to hear/read. But you know what? That's why it's so well done. Those words meant something in this book. They weren't thrown around like commas and Valley Girl "likes." They were well-placed and had punch because of it. This book was actually three books in one because you get to read the books from the no-named authors as well as Ashlyn's mystery. It was an intriguing read and it kept me interested to find out what had happened between the two authors. I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. Ashlyn was also an interesting character with her gift and her history. I also like Ethan, the author Ashlyn met while trying to solve her mystery.I only recently found author Barbara Davis a few years ago when I read her last novel, The Keeper Of Happy Endings. “Keeper” was the first Barbara Davis book I read, and that one was a keeper for me too! Going through a box of old books just received she finds a beautifully bound book entitled “Regretting Belle” no author, no publisher or any other identification except the inscription: “How, Belle? After everything…how could you do it?” The emotion this book is putting out is too strong to ignore and Ashlyn decides to read the book. Barbara Davis has written a powerful book here. It's deeply moving, heartwrenching, and a million other roiling emotions graffitied onto the carcasses of trees. And now my heart. Ashlyn obtained copies of news articles about Hemi’s editor, Goldie. Goldie had a relationship with journalist Steven Schwab, prompting Ashlyn to wonder if he was Hemi. The characters were wonderful. Both the contemporary ones and those that played a part in the historical sections. The story just unfolded so smoothly that I found it difficult to put the book down.