Not By Sight + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Gripping Sophomore Novel from a Rising Historical Romance Talent

With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover.

Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country’s cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she’ll set off when she hands a feather to Jack. 

And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them–or the faith they’ll need to maintain hope.   

My Review:

published in 2015

My ‘re-read’ was courtesy of the audible edition expertly narrated by one of my fave narrators ever — Justine Eyre!

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This one has been hovering on the top of my TBR pile for a couple of weeks. As anxious as I was to read it since I loved Breslin’s debut novel, I was apprehensive too. Why? I dreaded reading that white feather scene. Anyone remember Walter Blythe in Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery? He’s Anne and Gilbert’s son — a gentle soul with a poet’s heart. He gets a white feather when he doesn’t enlist in the army as soon as war breaks out. My eleven-year-old heart took a beating over that scene and I still remember it to this day. So, yes, you might say that a former traumatic reading experience hindered my ability to pick up this book. (Now my book nerdiness is well and truly confirmed!)

I’m glad I overcame my trepidation though because Not By Sight is a soul-stirring read I wouldn’t want to miss. It’s definite Downton Abbeyambiance holds huge appeal while the gripping plot kept me spellbound. There are so many twists and turns and downright surprises! And the history revealed — aspects of the British home front in World War I that I wasn’t even aware of made this read all the richer.

I grew to love Grace (after the white feather incident!) She’s passionate about every cause she embraces, from the suffragette movement to supporting the war effort. And though she is from a privileged class, she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in order to help either cause. Her naivety at the beginning of the novel gradually falls away as she begins to grasp the fact that not everything can be measured in black and white. 

Her hero, Jack, is as brooding as Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. I loved their encounters. Witty dialogue highlights Grace’s gumption and humour. Jack is intrigued in spite of himself. But a different kind of intrigue is afoot as well. This is a spy story after all, and Breslin sets her characters (and readers) on a merry chase. 

Absolutely loved the scripture tie-in for the book — both in story and title. For we live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) It is intricately woven throughout the plot and affects a multitude of characters in various ways. Breathtaking and uplifting stuff.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and available to any reader anywhere in the world so — yay — International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Not By Sight, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 2, 2023

30 thoughts on “Not By Sight + Giveaway”

  2. Ladies of the Lake has a white feather scene that almost did me in. As much as I enjoyed that book, I wish the author had left that part out. At least the terrible consequences of it in one particular family. Please don’t enter me. Just wanted to add my 2¢ worth. Wonderful review BTW!!

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    1. Thanks, Diane. Interesting that there’s also a white feather scene in Ladies of the Lake. I like to think we’ve come far from that judgemental thinking but, somehow, I don’t think we have. 😦

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  3. I definitely want in on this one! I bought two of her books this year after having her recommended to me.

    Thanks,
    Tammy
    Obertam at Gmail dot com

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  4. Your sentence – “It’s definite Downton Abbey ambiance holds huge appeal while the gripping plot kept me spellbound. ” = alone makes this a book I would love to read. Then to find out about the thread of faith makes it a gotta read book.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book that is now on my TBR list!
    2clown at arkansas dot net

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  5. This is one of Kate’s that I’ve wanted to read but haven’t gotten around to yet so, yes, throw my name in the hat, please, Kav! 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  11. I didn’t get exclusively into Christian fiction until around 2017, so I missed Kate Breslin’s debut. I love debut novels! Please drop me into the drawing because I need to catch up!

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  12. This sounds amazing! I own her latest release but yet to read it. She sounds like I need to start catching up on all her books! sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  13. My word your review has me totally convinced to read this story. When I saw the white feather part at first, I too was hesitant but your review makes this a most read.

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