Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
“Eugenics is hogwash. The self-directed evolution in the quest of a ‘perfect human product’? Absolute rubbish. You were made in the image of God, and so was every other person. Once you start reducing people to measurements and heredities, you strip them of their dignity. We aren’t livestock. We have souls."
5 stars for this book!
First of all, I want to say I really appreciated the author's stance on the subject of eugenics in this book, and how the so-called science clashed with what God's word says about who we are- made in His perfect image, chosen, worthy and loved.
The cast of characters was excellent, the story intriguing, and the mystery woven in was the perfect finishing touch.
Also, kudos to the cover designer, this book cover is gorgeous!
Elsa was a character I loved, and could easily relate to. She was very interesting, and I loved her dedication to ornithology as well as her care and concern for others. She had a lot of grit despite her condition, and she tried her best not to let it get her down.
Luke was a great male lead, and just the sweetest guy. I can't say a whole lot about him because of potential spoilers, but he was a fine gentleman and had a neat redemptive backstory. He was compassionate and was a good friend to both Tom and Elsa.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"...I will always be your safe place to land.
I can’t give you wings, but I’ll be your solid ground.”
The Hudson Collection was a sweet and clean, slow burn, closed door romance that I loved and definitely recommend!
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary e-book I received to review through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are solely my own.
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