Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi
Genre: Romance
Pages: 286 (Ereader)
Source: Author
Description:
Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.
The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.
If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.
My Rating:
My Review:
I'm kind of speechless after finishing this book but I'll try to do the best that I can.
This is a tale of redemption. Birdie, a thief, has known no life but crime, lies, and betrayal. While searching for her family's lost treasure, she discovers the small town of Liberty. Here she meets Hugh, a reporter who has a past in which he is ashamed and the rest of the quirky citizens of Liberty. Is the story about Justice hiding jewels real or an illusion? Even more important, can people really change?
I loved loved this book. I was emotionally invested the entire span of the book. For those of you who stop reading after five pages, you'll want to stick with this one until Berdie gets to Liberty, which is where the magic begins. While there is a treasure, this is a big mystery. This story centers around all of the different characters in the town of Liberty and unveils their life behind closed doors. I LOVED all the characters in the book and found them to be realistic and endearing. I was so invested in their individual stories. Berdie is thirty-one but she doesn't read that way to me. Her actions, thoughts, and feelings really made me think of a younger character. This isn't a negative but I am curious to what others think about this.
I especially loved how Birdie had to make choices and face the consequences of all of her decisions. There are no cop outs. I feel like this review is jumbled than most because there are so many things I loved about this book but I can't really tell why because everything is so connected.
I recommend this to those who love stories centered around small towns and enjoy stories of redemption. Especially when multiple people need it. I truly fell in love with the story of Justice and the town of Liberty.
Has anyone read this book? Thoughts? I can't really shake the feeling that Berdie was secretly twenty-four/twenty-five years old instead of thirty-one. Anyone ever feel that way with a character in a book?