A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky

A Token of Love
by Carrie Turansky

ISBN-13: 9780764241062
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: September 3, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.


My Review:
A Token of Love is a romance with two connected stories, one set in 1885 London and the other in present day. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. The romantic pairs worked well together. Historical details were woven into the story. My only complaint is that the men in the 1885 story were all disrespectful toward women, even the hero. Lillian's a wealthy widow who had been handling her own affairs for years. Matthew's a stranger from a poor background. He thought about how he's so far beneath her that no relationship could occur. But then he started acting like her husband or relative, ordering her staff around and guiding her actions.

For example, in one scene early on, Lillian and Matthew were in a closed carriage together, he suggested they have the coachman leave them alone, and she agreed. He told the coachman to leave, and he did. Wait, Lillian's the one who paid him. The coachman ought to make sure she's okay and wanted to be left alone with a man. Yet he never questioned the orders of a stranger. In another scene, Lillian walked down a street while dressed plainly but respectably when two constables arrest her as a prostitute. They'd be able to tell by her dress, education, and the fact she's not a known prostitute that she's a respectable lady. Instead, they refuse to listen to her....until Matthew vouches for her.

Lillian didn't mind Matthew taking over, and they shared a passion to help poor women and children, so they made a good pair. It's just that I doubt most men were that disrespectful toward respectable women. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this historical-focused story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.