I know that once I pick up a book by Joanna Davidson Politano I am going to lose sleep and be completely lost in the story and this one was no exception. If you've never read any of her books then you are definitely missing out. She writes with such depth and truth that it isn't hard to fall in love with her writing.

This book has it all!! All the genres you love in one book, I mean its part fairy tale, romance, adventure, illusions, history and God's truth! At times the book is lyrical and takes you on this journey that you don't ever want to leave. I didn't know what to expect from Lily Temple but you could tell that she was looking for something more out of life. She had seen glimpses of it but never truly acquired it. I loved Peter Driscoll and what he brought to the story and to Lily's life. The way that they worked through some of the cases was compelling to experience.

I know this review will probably not give you what you may be looking for. There aren't any spoilers or too many details because I would honestly ruin the story. But I will tell you this, the story is beautifully written. It has twists that I didn't expect or see coming. I can't express enough how talented Politano is. The way that she points you to God is impeccably done. I'll leave you with one of my favorite lines of the book (and there are many...)

"Every truth. Every make-believe tale. It is part of our natures, our every story, and he wishes it this way. Because he waits for us in the garden. Longs for us to see the petals, to understand...and to draw near. He has eternity written on our hearts, and in every story we tell."

I obviously loved this book and one that will stay with me for a while. Of course I one-thousand percent recommend it if you enjoy stories that are deep and take you on a journey then this author is the one for you and this book will be perfect you! I hope you love it as much as I do!!

I received a copy of this for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

A good read with the story of Lily and Peter. I liked seeing what it was like during the time period and the secrets that were unveiled. It was an interesting journey and I would recommend it. ( )

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano is an artfully written Edwardian-era romance. I was immediately taken in by the romantic and fairy-tale-like setting of St. Anne’s Well Gardens combined with the awe of the magical motion pictures of George Smith. And I loved the contrast between the storyteller, Lily, and the detective, Peter. So different in perspective and personality, but they fit beautifully together.
Truthfully, I loved everything in this story. The characters. The setting. The mystery. The stories! The story I loved most was of the faith-filled allegory of the Gardner, His fairy, and the looking glass. If only we could all see those petals!
Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to any Christian historical romance reader! Be prepared for a book hangover as the fairy tale lingers in your thoughts.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

I have read the majority of Joanna Davidson Politano's new releases. When I encountered a different style and plot in The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, I considered not finishing it, but I was intrigued after continuing a little further. The characters were unique and well-devised. This enchanting 1903 storyline held my attention while I tried to decipher the answers to the twists in the book. I highly recommend her book. It is my favorite of Politano's, now. I think you will find it fascinating.

I received a copy from Net Galley and Revell Publishers. I was not compensated for this review, and all thoughts are my own.
#TheElusiveTruthofLilyTemple #NetGalley. ( )

Inspirational historical fiction that will leave readers guessing all the way through. The story opens at the end, with Lily Temple appealing to jailers to let Peter Driscoll free. It's the turn of the twentieth century and Lily Temple has a story to weave and a man to save. The men scoff at her, but Lily is a good storyteller and soon she has their rapt attention. Peter is in prison for killing Lily Temple and stealing a blue sapphire. But she is Lily and she has the sapphire. That really gets their attention and she dives into what the truth is. With Lily there are lots of stories and not all are completely true. When Peter first meets her Lily was an actress with a man from Scotland Yard hot on her heels. But who is she really? She has lots of secrets and no one to trust, that is, until she meets Peter. Inspirational fiction with mystery and intrigue, a splash of romance, and fun twists and turns. Lily's story brings her closer to Peter and more importantly to God. ( )

Joanna Davidson Politano. This name on the cover of a book always suggests a must-read experience and this engaging book lives up to these expectations! The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is a captivating look at the magic of both books and movies, and I loved that it takes place during the time of silent films. Lily Temple is an expert in creating stories and she's also a talented actress who can easily act out the scenarios. Her fascinating character is equally matched by Peter Driscoll, who is the ultimate fictional hero! They share adventures and danger, but their greatest experience may be the discovery of each other and the Creator!

I loved the 1903 English setting, the excerpts from beloved fairy tales at the beginning of each chapter, and the strong spiritual truths woven into the story. Politano is a master at combining history, mystery, and romance, and no one is more adept at keeping readers enthralled! I recommend The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple to all who enjoy historical romantic fiction!

I received a copy of this book through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review. ( )

4.5 Stars

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano is, in a way, a love letter for lovers of story. A beautifully written love letter at that. Politano’s books include mystery, treasure, shipwrecks, movies, and a strong thread of faith.

At the beginning of this book, there are so many stories being told that the lines of truth and fiction are fuzzy. But as Peter and Lily spend time together, sharing about their lives and getting to know each other, those lines become clearer. Lily seemed flighty at first, but as we know that story is what feeds her soul through the hard times of her life, she becomes more and more likable. Peter is straightforward, wanting to do the right thing, but something about Lily draws him.

Add in the author’s beautiful prose and some history of film and England and a mostly satisfying ending, and The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is a book you do not want to miss.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. ( )

I truly appreciate Politano's mastery of storytelling, her skill in the artistry of using words to build ethereal mental images, and the way she uses language to create a melody. I admire the way she uses fiction to explain truth, the most important of truths. In The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple she has woven a sense of fairy tale into a work of historical fiction set in the silent film era. The story also includes a mystery involving a missing gem. While all I have said about Politano's writing is true, I must admit that I wasn't in the right headspace to truly appreciate the whimsical nature of this story at this time, although I still feel comfortable recommending this book because I can imagine myself having been enthralled with it at another time. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Elusive? I’ll say. My mind has been roaming through this story trying to decipher this elusive truth of Lily Temple. Joanna Davidson Politano brilliantly gives us her thoughts in first person while the rest of the story is in third person. An amazing perspective combination that a lot of authors could not achieve.

I have to say that I love this story! The character of Lily Temple is built on the very definition of elusive for around 10 chapters while placing the reader on the edge of magical realism, wrapped in an ethereal fairytale and, then, whisked up in the throws of several mysteries. I actually gasped at a twist I didn’t see coming! Brilliant! I must also add that Peter Driscoll is an endearing hero that you just want to hug throughout the book.

Beyond the exceptional writing and skillful storylines, I can always count on Politano’s books being grounded in faith. This one explores the love of the Father…the true Gardner of our lives.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. ( )

Wow, this novel is stunning! A master at storytelling, this author once again pens a novel that is lyrical in its prose and pure gold in its wonderfully rich words. I felt myself drawn into the story immediately and enthralled by the weaving of secrets among the references to classical literature and film. The depth of the development of the characters coupled with their story of redemption and integration of realistic faith creates a novel that is captivating and very difficult to put down. I loved the history and the setting that is so well described that it transported me back to 1903 England. The plot is intricately written that speaks to the true talent of this author. I loved, loved, loved this novel and highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )

“I accept your challenge, my dear flower. Change your story, your clothing, your name . . . but you’re still you, and I’ll find you.” Whimsical, enchanting, romantic, mysterious, inspiring! I adored figuring out the mystery of Lily Temple. Actress, storyteller, thief? This beautiful homage to fairytales and great storytelling captivated my imagination and didn’t let go. It’s a lyrical, gorgeously written story of redemption, seeking faith, finding love, and facing the realities of life. I loved the story within the story and the way these utterly endearing characters drew me in. I found myself missing them and can’t wait to reread the story knowing the full truth.

Lily Temple’s an enigma as she weaves her spell over audiences in the silent films she stars in and the stories she tells. When she’s accused of stealing a valuable sapphire known as the Briarwood Teardrop, Peter Driscoll, the man sent to retrieve it, finds himself enchanted not only by the beautiful supposed thief, but with the stories she tells. As he involves her in his investigations, he vows to discover who she really is.

I loved the journey this story took me on and the allusions to some of my absolute favorite stories of Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, A Tale of Two Cities, and fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson. I loved the way Lily is both Wendy and Peter Pan, the gifted storyteller who doesn’t want to grow up. I loved the lovely romance between Lily and Peter. Peter while firmly rooted in reality is besotted with Lily who’s his complete opposite. His desire to find the truth about her not only mends his broken heart, but helps her finally reconcile her past and find her connection back to the Master Gardener.

The setting is magical and I was thrilled to find that the gardens, legends, locations, and some of the people mentioned were real. The mystery definitely kept me guessing. I loved the way all the pieces came together leading to a stunning conclusion.

All the stars for this book! It’s easily one of my favorites by this author and I highly recommend it to inspirational, historical romance, fairytale, and classic literature fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. ( )

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano is the first book of hers that I have read, and I am hooked.
The way Politano is able to weave a story about finding one’s faith again with a touch of romance and a multi-layered mystery, combined with a whimsical bent and some historical nods, is breathtaking.

I was instantly hooked with the beginning chapter, which is actually happening towards the end of the story, so we get to spend the rest of the book going full circle to see how the story finally ends. I enjoyed having that small bit of information and thinking about how the various bits and clues might tie into it.
The descriptions of the garden, how the picture shows were made, the clothes, and the architecture added wonderful layers to this already well written story.

I often give my fiction books away after I finish them so others may enjoy, but this is one that I will be keeping to re-read it on a warm day outside so I can enjoy the magic of the story once again, while feeling the presence of Him all around. ( )

Lily Temple is the little girl in all of us. Raised on fairy tales and the wonder of the big wide world, Lily gets herself involved in the theft of a jewel, murder and the telling of her own fairy tale. A silent film actress, Lily gets to live out these fairy tale stories daily in filming but when an investigator works his way into her life, she gets tangled up in her own stories. Trying to sift the truth from fiction, Peter also finds that Lily is more than just a story teller and while using her acting to his benefit, the two work to uncover the truth on another of his cases, meanwhile they are both trying to figure the other out. But this may just be one of Peter's hardest cases yet and he is used to succeeding but getting too close to Lily just may cost him everything. She may also be the only one who knows the true story, but can she get past all of the fairy tales she has wound herself in to find someone who will believe her? I really enjoyed the fairy tales that were wound within this story line and the lines at the beginning of each chapter. I enjoyed Lily's character of innocence and wanting to remain that little girl with her fairy tale stories. Thank you to the publisher and author for the complementary novel, and for allowing me to be a part of the launch team. This review is of my own opinion and accord. ( )

I love Joanna Davidson Politano’s writing. She’s very talented and creative and weaves such beautiful stories that whisk the reader away to other lands and times. The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is set in Edwardian England in 1903 and features Lily Temple, actress and spinner of fairy tales, and Peter Driscoll, an investigator who is tasked with finding the Briarwood Teardrop, currently in Lily’s possession.

This story is a cross between a fairy tale and a realistic story, and at times I couldn’t tell which was which. The characters were engaging and entertaining. I loved the way Peter interacted with Lily and came to understand her. I always enjoy Politano’s deep thoughts and meaning that she embeds in her stories. I recommend this author to those who enjoy creative historical fiction with hidden depths.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ( )

“Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale.” Hans Christian Anderson
Charming tale about Lily Temple, fairy like but human, whose identity changes as often as the roles she plays in silent films. Her past is shadowed in mystery and is connected to a blue sapphire gem that its owner wants found and returned. She tells her story as a parallel to my favorite Dickens: A Tale Of Two Cities. And her story is so like ours and the search for the Creator and Master Gardener, God. Profoundly stirring and full of allegory- the story of ultimate life changing truth. “There is a great deal of truth in fiction and more than anything, who the rescuer of our souls was.” “ God has placed eternity in the hearts of mam.”
Mysterious and intriguing with an admirable hero in Peter Driscoll as well as notable supporting characters. It was remarkable to find the setting and legend of St. Anne’s Well Gardens and some of the characters were real.
Exquisitely told story of love, loss, redemption and setting things right. This is easily beyond 5 stars for me.
* I received a complimentary copy of the book from Revell on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required ( )

Some books take you on a roller-coaster; this book takes you to an entire fairground. Poetic and lyrical, Joanna Davidson Politano weaves readers into a story that extends beyond the page. The twists and turns leave you guessing as to what's next until the tapestry is turned over and the picture is finally revealed. Though it is a multi-faceted trek to get there, the way everything comes together is wholly satisfying. The style of writing is definitely more whimsical, fantastical, and fairy tale-like, which adds an air of mystery to the events taking place. For those whose gateway into reading is through prose, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple nicely fits the bill.

In reading this story, I was struck by how well Lily Temple, elusive and enigmatic, represents the ways we try to find Eden outside of God. Over time, it's delightful to see all of the parallels between the Gospel and what restoration truly looks like. The faith element is what brings this book home for me. Without God, Lily's story would be purposeless and incomplete. Although I was confused by Gypsy Lee's character in a Christian book, the way the story points toward creation and its Creator is a much more overarching theme. Readers who enjoy literary references, especially Dickens, will adore the epigraphs and the allegories sprinkled throughout. This book is certainly a celebration of the power of storytelling by pointing to the greatest Author of all. ( )

“We’re all of us a combination of romance novels, humorous tales, and tragedies, depending on what angle we show the world.”

Joanna Davidson Politano has such a unique, lyrical, and vibrant voice that it’s easy to fall into her books and happily live there. This newest book revolves around fairytales and the author’s voice is perfectly suited and mesmerizing. Set in 1903, Lily’s first person voice is captivating, impulsive, and quite mysterious. Her past will have you guessing until the very end and the truth of Lily Temple is indeed elusive. Peter’s third person voice is alluring, daring, and incredibly intelligent. His heart is loyal, steadfast, and genuine and he made for an excellent hero. There were tons of surprises in the plot and I loved their faith journey. Learning about different illusions in 1903 film making as well as introduction of color was quite fascinating.

If you enjoy unique historical fiction with fantastic writing, this is the book for you. It’s one of my favorite reads of 2024! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. ( )

I hate to leave a negative review for anyone because I think authors are brave for putting themselves out there for criticism. But this book just wasn't for me. I only finished it because I had received a free copy and needed to leave a review. I have read books by Joanna Davidson Politano before and they have been very good! This one just didn't float my boat.

I didn't connect with the characters and got lost a few times. Maybe other readers will have a different opinion. ( )

I always like it when a book introduces me to a time and subject I know little about. In this book, I learned about the early days of silent film and even how they painstakingly colorized them. While the story is much more, I did like that part. Lily and Peter are engaging characters and you are drawn into the story right away with a glimpse of a later scene at the beginning.
Thank you LibraryThing and Revell for this book in exchange for a fair review. ( )

Title: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Pages: 400
Year: 2024
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
What a unique and superb tale awaits those who dare open this book! Each page unfolds a tale with more twists and turns than I can count, yet not once did the author lose this reader. In fact, the way the story unfolds draws the reader further and further into the character’s elusive past, present, and future. The main character is known as Lily Temple, who is an actress whose love of stories has seen her through many a difficult day.
The truth about Ms. Lily Temple isn’t the only thing that can’t be found. There is also the search for a sapphire known as the Briarwood Teardrop. Peter Driscoll is hired to gain possession of the sapphire for a client, but he finds that getting the Briarwood Teardrop back will lead him on the ride of his life! What emerges in the chase is the only thing Peter never wanted…romance.
Behind all the ins and outs of the story is a brilliantly woven tale that will touch the heart of the reader until the very conclusion! I always look forward to Joanna’s novels. She writes one per year, and it is worth the wait. To learn she has been working on this book for longer than that shows her dedication to tell a story well, and this one is her best yet! I hope audiences will grab a copy as soon as it becomes available in April 2024.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

I have read many enjoyable books as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, but this novel might just be the best yet. It's set in Edwardian England, at the very beginning of the silent film era, aka "the flickers". This story has everything. An authentic historical backdrop, a multilayered mystery, fairy tales and romance. Ms. Politano's characters always have a depth to them that makes the reader share in their difficulties and become invested in their stories. And stories are the life blood of this tale, sustaining Lily and Peter in all the twists and turn they encounter. I can't recommend this highly enough.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Joanna Davidson Politano is a delightful and skillful storyteller! "The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple" steps back to a simpler time, weaving a beautiful and imaginative tapestry where two people find one another through unusual circumstances. Peter, the private investigator, knows that God has written eternity into the hearts of men, and that He graciously and lovingly seeks us. Lily, the cunning actress, searches for fulfilling stories in all of life, and still comes up empty. Will she find the truest and greatest love story of them all? Enjoy the journey alongside Lily and Peter as you discover the master storyteller yourself! — reviewed by CL
( )

As ephemeral as the flickers that enigmatic Lily Temple stars in, the sheer magic and poetry of this book will weave its spell around you until you become so much a part of this story that it's impossible to break away. I've never experienced a tale in quite this way before and I was truly captivated with the way the author wove various clues and breadcrumbs and flower petals and sparkling gems of truth and wisdom along the way to relate to your own life and to make you stop and reflect on the wonder and majesty of our all powerful Creator. This author was truly blessed with the gift of writing and it shines on every page of this delightful book.