Reviews

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

jennahass1's review against another edition

The story just wasn’t doing it for me, but I really wanted to like this book😅

gigglesreads's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

jesforeverlostinbooks's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

"Books were like people. Each carried its own unique energy, like a signature or fingerprint, and sometimes that energy rubbed off."

I love books about books & this one also has two books within the book plus it’s a dual timeline which I love. It’s 1984 & Ashlyn Greer owns a rare bookstore. Ashlyn has a unique gift she can feel the echoes of books… she can feel the emotions from previous owners like an emotional fingerprint. When she discovers two beautifully bound unpublished books she is quickly drawn into the mystery of who wrote these books & where did they come from. Each book is inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance. Ashlyn is caught up in a decades old literary mystery & she quickly becomes obsessed as she tries to discover the truth. I loved the way this story is told through each book… it’s mysterious, intriguing plus it’s full of lost love, betrayal, overcoming your past & finally healing. I became lost in these stories & couldn’t put it down. 

kalynlarva's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

callywog's review against another edition

4.25

I took a chance on this for my book club after my friend told me she really liked it. It took a few chapters but then I couldn’t get enough of this story. I had to keep reading/listening to get to the bottom of their stories! It’s both a love story and a mystery. 

I thought it was so funny when Ethan said “one day the Patriots are going to get the right guy and win so many superbowls that the whole world will hate them” 

I guessed some of the plot twists (ahem, Zachery) but that didn’t take away from the story to me. 

Marion’s grudge seemed extreme especially knowing what she had done to him. 

When Hemi finds out about Zachery and then blames himself!? And forgives her!? I mean, I’m glad it ended the way it did but I just don’t think I could forgive someone for that. 

Good narrators. 

estefanacci's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hanblu's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rissaroo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.75

belle2022's review against another edition

5.0

I honestly expected nothing when going into this book and knew nothing other than what the summary told me. I’m so glad I took the chance!! Gosh I became so enthralled and so engaged in these characters and the history between Belle & Hemi.

The way that this was formatted was excellent. Told in the 1980s from Ashlynn’s POV who now has access to the two books that she’s found from an unknown author. The books “Forgetting Belle” “Forever and Other Lies” told from the perspective of both Hemi & Belle…what a confusing conundrum. I didn’t know who to root for and who was the telling the truth or even what the truth was!!

I think the writing was great, and it did have a bit of a slow start and by the time we got to around 80% it felt like the book was done. But that last 20% was hands down my favourite part. Especially the reveal at the end had me gasping. So much time lost…so sad.

Ashlynn herself was really great and I found myself relating to her. She had a tough start in life and also has this gift where she can feel the emotions of a book when she touches them. Which is what drew her to FB & FAOL.

This is a tale of love, hatred, longing, family and betrayal. It also explores the anti-semitism going on at the time. It also features a many strong women who did not conform to what society expected of them. That was great to read as well.

I would recommend this, while I don’t think it’s for all it was definitely a hit for me. Maybe give it a go and see how you feel about it.

kstep1805's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It took a bit to get into but once I did, I was hooked. I love when a book pulls me into a time and place. The characters were all a bit predictable which is why I gave it a four instead of a five. But the narrative was beautiful and sweet.