The Apple Diary by Gerri Hill

on

 

The details…

  • Title: The Apple Diary
  • Author: Gerri Hill
  • Publisher: Bella Books 
  • Publication date: December 19, 2023Available formats: ebook, paperback, audiobook 
  • Print length: 304 pages
  • Audiobook length: 9 hours and 2 minutes (Tantor Audio, Narrator Abby Craden)
  • Genre: romance 
  • Themes: women love women, romance, family history, family business, family loyalty, soul mates, love, apple farming, friendship
  • Tropes: friends to lovers, toaster oven, coming out 

The blurb from the publisher…

After the death of her grandmother, reluctant heiress Madilyn Marak agrees to stay with her grandfather at the estate for the summer. There, she finds an old diary hidden in an antique desk in the attic—The Apple Diary—written by her great-grandmother Isabel.

In there, she finds the love story of Isabel and Lorah, along with a photograph of the two young women from 1933. The diary, like the love affair, was short and brief, but rich and vivid enough for her to feel a true bond with the women despite the heartbreaking ending.

She is determined to get Isabel’s beloved apple orchard vibrant again. She hires the inexperienced Dylan Hayes, a woman soon to be homeless, to take on the chore of restoring the orchard to its original glory.

The normally quiet and reserved Madilyn finds a new joy in life as she becomes friends with the outgoing and energetic woman who has come to live on the property. As she is transformed from a stoic and passive heiress to a happy and spirited woman, she realizes the similarities of her journey and that of Isabel’s.

Like Isabel, is she destined to marry a man she doesn’t love? Or will she find the strength that eluded Isabel and follow her heart?

My thoughts…

Set in the rolling, lush landscape near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, The Apple Diaryintroduces readers to several intriguing characters: Madilyn, Dylan, Isabel, and Lorah. Though time and space separate some of these women, all are connected in the most interesting and intriguing ways. They come to life under Hill’s creative direction as she supplies each of them with their own unique personalities, dreams, and insecurities. These characters have flaws and struggles, and their story arcs initiate changes in them—some happy, some sad. Nonetheless, readers connect with them, making this a resonating read.

The character development is strong and well-crafted. Hill skillfully portrays the characters’ experiences, their relationships, and their personal journeys in a way that really reverberates within readers. What’s more, Hill places these unique and interesting characters inside an immersive story world—one that comes alive through vivid, rich descriptions. Her attention to detail enables readers to be transported into the heart of the story, easily demonstrating why readers enjoy her stories so much.

Intriguing characters are not the only thing that stands out in this book, though. Strong storytelling and engaging dialogue are also strengths. Readers will appreciate Hill’s ability to move the plot along smoothly through character dialogue and action, all while navigating two separate time periods. Because Hill understands the importance of pace in storytelling, The Apple Diary’s narrative comes alive with her skillful use. She knows exactly when to speed up the tempo and when to slow it down, allowing readers to appreciate the tension and emotion in the scenes. This, coupled with a solid structure, keeps each chapter flowing seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive and engaging story.

Finals remarks…

Hill has always been known for captivating storylines and well-developed characters, so it should surprise no one that The Apple Diary is an enchanting, heartwarming story that will leave one wanting more. Readers will appreciate her intriguing storyline and immersive story world. It explores a variety of themes that are both relatable and thought-provoking. Through the journeys of these characters, Hill reminds readers of how important the power of self-acceptance is. Even when faced with societal expectations and judgment, being true to oneself can be paramount to happiness.

Additional note…

I had the pleasure of experiencing this story via audiobook. Abby Craden does an exceptional job with this story. Her character work is top-notch. She has become the go-to narrator for many sapphic writers because her performance is impeccable, and this narration is no different. She makes a good story even better, and one can’t ask for more than that from a narrator. I highly recommend listening to ANY book she narrates.

Strengths…

  • Intriguing storyline 
  • Captivating characters
  • Thought provoking themes
  • Immerse story world 
  • Sound storytelling 

This book is available from…

A bit about the author…

Gerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado and she hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Since then she has produced nearly forty books, including the recent GCLS winners The Neighbor, Paradox Valley and The Midnight Moon. In addition, Devil’s Rock, Hell’s Highway and Snow Falls have all won Goldies, along with the 2009 GCLS winner Partners, the third book in the popular Hunter Series. At Seventeen, a story about first love and second chances, was a 2013 Lambda finalist as well.

Gerri lives in south-central Texas, only a few hours from the Gulf Coast, a place that has inspired many of her books. With her partner, Diane, they share their life with two Australian Shepherd’s—Casey and Cooper—and a couple of furry felines. Her love of nature and the great outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. To learn more about Gerri and her books, check out her website and social media.

Comments

Post a Comment