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The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson Review

 Happy Wednesday Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you decided to stop by The Preppy Book Princess for another book review.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you'd probably already know that the multi author Doors to the Past series is one of my all time favorites.

I've reviewed many of the titles from this series on my blog, and you can check out those reviews using the links below:

The Lady in Residence

Hope Between the Pages

Bridge of Gold

Undercurrent of Secrets

Behind Love's Wall

High-Wire Heartbreak

Love's Fortress

A Promise Engraved

In Spotlight and Shadow


Otherwise, keep on reading down below for my review of the upcoming release in the series.


The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson:




Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Barbour

Publication Date: May 1st, 2023

Genre: Dual Timeline/Christian Fiction/Mystery

Series: Doors to the Past


Synopsis:


Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
 
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
 
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for NYC governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
 
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

(synopsis from goodreads)



My Review:

The Keys to Gramercy Park was my first experience with a novel by Candice Sue Patterson. Since I've enjoyed the majority of the titles within the multi author Doors to the Past series, and have even gone so far as to list it as a new favorite, I wasn't expecting this addition to be any different. This was another wonderful dual timeline story, set mainly in  New York, and I loved discovering so many historical components that I honestly had no clue about before picking up this gem of a story.

I'd always heard the expression "I've got the keys to Gramercy Park," but I truthfully had no idea that it was an actual place, or that the keys held any significance. It was quite a treat to discover a a title in this series that answered all these questions and many more, and I had a hard time putting this one down once I started it.

The mystery is sinister and never fails to hold the reader's attention. Both the present and the past provide original, well developed stories that I enjoyed losing myself in immensely, and the romance in the present was sweet and heartwarming, and showcases that no matter our social standing, in God's eyes we are all worthy of His calling.

I do however want to mention that this story is exceptionally dark. The villain is sinister and dastardly, and I was honestly horrified at how far he ended up going in certain instances to achieve what he wanted. I won't say any more as I don't want to spoil this incredible story for anyone else, but just be forewarned that it is not an easy read, and there is certain components that might trigger you if you choose to pick it up.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Overall, I genuinely ended up enjoying this one, and I think it's another solid addition to the Doors to the Past series. I hope there will be many more installments in this series, and I also hope to get to read more of this author's books in the very near future.

Thanks so much to Barbour for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review. 

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day, and God Bless!

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