Review: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck

The Writing Desk

by Rachel Hauck

Publisher: Zondervan

Pages: 352

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Tenley Roth’s first book was a literary and commercial success. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who merely found a bit of luck?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Yet her life is not her own. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams of her own. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has literally destroyed her dreams, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds. Yet when Tenley discovers Birdie’s manuscript, their lives intersect. Birdie’s words help Tenley find a way home. Tenley brings Birdie’s writing to the world.

Can two women separated by time help fulfill each other’s destiny? 

Kritters Thoughts:  Two storylines one the present and one in the past, but both take place in the same home I loved the obvious similarities between the two storylines.  There are writers in each storyline and one is having a hard time getting the second book written while the other is having a hard time getting her first published.  As most readers can agree on, we love a book about books!

I love a dual narrative and I loved how obvious the stories were intersecting.  Tenley Roth was great as she went back to reunite with her estranged mom and while nursing her back to health tried to repair the relationship.  And Birdie Shehorn was fierce!  She was trying to do things that at the time were not allowed for women and trying to push the envelope as to what was expected for her by her parents.  I always love a dual narrative, but I absolutely love it when I don't prefer one story to the other, it is nice to love them both so much.  So there was pure love for the plot, but below I divulge something that made this book go down a few notches for me.

As maybe not all of you know, Rachel Hauck is a christian fiction author and some of hers I have loved and some I haven't as much and I know going into each read that her books may have a christian element and most time they work well into the story.  BUT this one for me I was enjoying until the last end and parts of how it ended I didn't love.  I was fine with the character stating that he was refraining from sex due to his beliefs but the things he said after just felt preachy to me and went beyond what I think should happen in some christian fiction stories, totally personal thoughts here.  

All in all, I will read Rachel Hauck because she does a good plot, but I will continue to keep in mind her christian fiction slant and will hope that she can get them to easily weave into the story.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.