REVIEW: "The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple" by Joanna Davidson Politano

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About the Book:

✦ Title: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

✦ Author: Joanna Davidson Politano


✦ Genre: Christian Historical Romance


✦ Series: No, a standalone novel


✦ Recommend for: 15/16 +

My Personal Rating

⭐⭐⭐

📖Synopsis

It is 1903, and Lily Temple is a beautiful silent-film actress who spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera. But beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit, a murky past, and a tantalizing secret. 

Underground investigator to the wealthy, Peter Driscoll has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire that has been missing for years--and which Lily happens to be wearing beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and unravel the mystery, Peter employs the enchanting actress's help on a case. 

But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it becomes that he needs her even more than she needs him.

💭My Thoughts 

This was interesting and very different. I don’t think it was fully my cup of tea, or perhaps I just read it when I was not in the right mood for it. I will say that I didn’t really follow along the best and at multiple points I was confused, probably because it’s written in such a different style- the first chapter’s events actually took place towards the end of the book, and Lily’s POV is written in 1st person while Peter’s is in 3rd person. I’m not saying that was necessarily a negative, however, just that it took some getting used to, and it certainly could have just been me being tired when reading it 😅

This book once again is that plot line of the main girl being mad at God for some reason or another, while the main guy has a very strong faith, but at least in this story the faith content was uniquely done, and I have to mention that I really loved the symbolism of the Gardener. Lily wasn’t my favorite, mostly because I did not relate to her at all, but I did really like Peter as a character overall and the romance was sweet.

The fairytale elements were lost on me, but I did think the quotes from classic tales at the beginning of each chapter were a charming bonus. The elements about historical cinematography were fascinating, and the plot was really unique, but for some reason towards the middle of the book I found myself bored with the story. But once again, that may have just been my problem.

I don’t really have any more thoughts on this one. I liked it, and I think that if the premise sounds at all interesting to you, you could definitely try it out! It was very well written and as I keep saying, quite unique. I believe I enjoyed Politano’s other book I read a bit more, but this wasn’t a terrible read.

⚠️ Some broad content notes

Minor language such as “what in blazes”, “who the dickens”, “care a fig”, “dratted”, “a deuce of a time” & “heaven sakes”; a fortune teller; implied pregnancy out of wedlock; a soldier is shown at a hospital with severe injuries and there are details of his condition; attraction, noticing, wanting to kiss & touch, & a couple semi-descriptive kisses.

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Bookishly yours, 


Lottie M.

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