Lacewood: A Novel of Time and Place by Jessica James

5*
Jessica James had me from page one with this book. I loved everything about this book the couple of ghost sightings, the genealogy, the shadows of the past, the mystery, the friendship, the healing ETC

The story is described so clearly you can see everything in your minds eye as if you are actually there. The book was not overly described with useless descriptions f people, places, and things that lend nothing to the story. I personally really appreciate that.

Reluctant New York socialite Katie McCain decides to take a detour on a return trip from Washington DC home to New York. Her Grandmother passed away several years ago when Katie was a teenager. Katie remembers spending time with hr Grandmother as the happiest time in her young life. While on the detour Katie runs across Lacewood Mansion in the middle of nowhere. The Mansion and grounds are abandoned and over grown, but something about the place beckons to Katie and impulsively she buys it.

Katie decides to restore the home and do as much as possible by herself. A she beings she starts finding clues from thee past of the family who lived there 150 years before. The more
she discovers about the family the more she feels at home in  Lacewood.

This is where we meet hometown hero Will Durham. Home from the war with a bit of PTSD and a lots of remorse after not being able to save his best friend. Will is sullen and hard to read for Katie but he decides to help her with restore the house if he can live in the caretakers cabin. Katie agrees. This is also where the love story begins.

The book is broken down into 3 parts. Part 1 is the build up to the love story. Part 2 is Annie's story. Annie is the past owner. Than Part 3 is the end of the book and the culmination of the first 2 parts and their love story.