The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals #1) by Tess Thompson

The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals #1) Reviews

• 
  ©hrissie ❁ [1st week on campus-somewhat run-down]

  4 twinkling-though-threatened stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
  A tale as dark as it is light. A man-made Western community – Emerson Pass – riddled with its “dark undercurrents” of bigotry; an America that is a “contradiction of ideals and actual practices”, and merely sheds hazy glimpses of its Dream. A woman, and a man, whose boldness of character knows no end; a prevailing sentiment of Merriness that defies convention and defeat, and humbly celebrates its triumph.
  
  ❄️❄️❄️
  
  QUOTE:
  "I was a young man when I first came to America. So young, in fact, that I hadn’t yet considered the consequences of my choices. I wanted only to have adventures. The idea of doing what was expected of me seemed like a death sentence. I’d read of the western frontier and the men and women who had braved rough terrain and wild animals to better their circumstances. This idea was so very American to me and stirred my blood. I gave up the inheritance and the title, leaving it all to my younger brother who was so much better suited for it all. I was free and that’s all I wanted. Now, all these years later, I understood what a romantic fantasy the wild west had been. In those tales of conquering heroes, there was no mention of the American government’s manipulation of white settlers or the atrocities done to tribal nations. The government had promised rich, fertile soil in Indian Territory to anyone willing to bet on a homestead. They’d lured them out west with outright lies for the sole purpose of expansion and destroyed Native American life.
  All this said, I had no regrets. I’d made the life for myself that I’d dream of as a boy. All on my own terms and in my own ways."
  - Alexander Barnes, on his journey to the west and the myth of the American dream.
  
  THE STORY:
  Alexander Barnes landed on Emerson Pass and made (fictional) history. He feels one with his land, and thrives on its prosperity. Following the tragic death of his mentally ill wife (think of Mr Rochester) three years prior to the narrative's incipit, Lord Barnes poured all his energies into sowing love and affection in the hearts of his five precious children, Fiona (3), Cymbeline (6), twins Theo and Flynn (9) and Josephine (13). His mission to provide a wholesome life to the residents of Emerson Pass urges him to set up a school 🏫 and appoint a schoolmistress 👩‍🏫, thereby providing free education to the young population. Yet on the momentous night of Miss Quinn Cooper's arrival, much goes amiss and actions that cannot be undone open up wounds and cracks deep-etched within the fabric of this community. Alexander's neighbour and village friend, Samuel Cole, gets shot to his death while Harley is escorting Miss Cooper to her accommodation; she falls off the sleigh 🛷 and loses consciousness, only to return to it in Lord Barnes' library, surrounded by angels...The rest, as they say, is history, and yet, much revolves around the dark mystery of Cole's death: a good, tough, and hard-working man who illegally brings home a black wife, Rachel, and lovingly sets up a family with her. Is she the reason he is dead❓
  
  COMMENTS:
  Much of the narration revolves around this troubling occurrence, and casts shadows over Miss Cooper's teaching appointment. Like Lord Barnes, she has no intention of excluding Rachel's children from her classroom, yet the air is tension-ridden, and she must brave dangers, and undergo many a test if she is to fight for what she believes in. The history of the land comes to the reader in snippets, such that the historical framework of this story constitutes more of a backdrop rather than its central focus and nucleus, that palpitates with emotion and romance. As per novel title, Miss Quinn's role as revolutionising schoolmistress and teacher is indeed put at the forefront, by way of underlining the reigning status of love, courage, and education over riches and roughness of heart. With her matter-of-fact practicality, courage, transparency and independence, Quinn's character is strikingly reminiscent of Jane Eyre, though curiously mingled with governess Maria from The Sound of Music, in the way she instructs, inspires and lovingly cares for the Barnes children, but also in the unconventional nature of her burgeoning love story with Lord Barnes.
  
  The narration is pleasantly eventful and fast-paced, with the exception of a few chapters towards the middle of the story that lacked freshness or interest. In this sense, narrative drive owes much to the children's naïve plea - blurted out early on in the story - that Miss Quinn ought to become their mother. Much like the Von Trapp children, they shrewdly conspire against their unloving nannies and run out of them faster than the effort it takes to appoint one, given the children's willful wildness and the land's unforgiving winters.
  
  I could hardly do the story justice without the mention of the formidable staff at Barnes estate: principally, the quintessentially British, upright butler, Jasper, who is eternally bent on preserving a level of formality and adhering to old-fashioned principles. There is something about the role of a butler that is to my mind irresistible; a feeling possibly immortalised by the place butler Stevens (from The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro) holds in my heart ❤️. Between Quinn's homesickness for her mother and sister Annabelle, Lizzie's lifelong devotion to the Barnes family and Lord Barnes' Jesus-like helping-hand within the community, a profound sense of family permeates the pages of this story and infuses heat and warmth into the otherwise snowy, freezing, and tempestuous landscape of winters in Emerson Pass.
  
  ❄️❄️❄️
  
  Describing The School Mistress, my first of Tess Thompson, as a cosy and heart-warming read is an understatement. Its overall effect is fizzy and cheerful, culminating in a triple wedding and happily-ever-after for all members of the extended Barnes family 💍🥂🍾. You see, Thompson summons a vast repertoire of feel-good elements in this one: one could say that she pulls out all the stops!
  A read to sneakily squeeze into one's bursting TBR list!
  
  FAVOURITE QUOTE 🌹:
  "The world was a hard place and courage our only map."
  
  
  ***Special thanks to Goodreads friend Mary-Lisa on whose profile I found this book! ♥️📘***
• 
  Mary-Lisa Russo

  All done reading! Review coming soon! 😊👩‍💻
  
  Updated with a review on September 25, 2021:
  
  I discovered author, Tess Thompson, in August, 2021, and after reading the first few chapters of "The School Mistress of Emerson Pass," I added her to my personal list of favorite authors. I recall I stumbled upon this book by chance, suggested by a fellow Goodreads reviewer on my "friends" list. I purchased this book for my Kindle reader on a gut feeling and reading another reviewer's opinion and I am glad I did.
  
  The book cover is absolutely lovely. Although the lady on the cover is facing away, her stance and the stunning blue dress is breathtakingly beautiful. Not being able to see her face ignites the reader's own imagination. I immediately gravitated to the book and stopped to read the review. One can never doubt the power of an enticing book cover to draw the reader in.
  
  Set in Colorado, 1920, "The School Mistress of Emerson Pass" is a historical, sweet romance that exudes a coziness that had me tucking fluffy blankets around me in bed as I read it late at night. It really set the mood and the reading mood is such an important part of me when I read. I adore cozy, sweet romances with slow burning attraction between the main characters and this delivered.
  
  Female, main character, Quinn Cooper, is instantly loveable, exuding a nurturing personality that connects with the reader. She takes on employment as a teacher in a frontier town away from her hometown of Boston in order to provide for her mother and younger sister. Needless to say, they are all struggling financially. Her journey as a lone woman was not an easy one and I won't give away some things that happened along the way that basically placed in her in the male, main character's arms once she arrived in town.
  
  Lord Alexander Barnes is the father of 5 children whom he adores. He is widowed (once again, I will not reveal particulars so as not to spoil the story). Alexander is a powerful man who is appreciated by his children and his household staff. He is a self-made man, having built the school in which Quinn teaches at and in fact, helped build this town with his finances and fortitude. He takes a protective stance towards Quinn and cannot help but fall for her caring nature and is keenly aware of her budding relationships with himself, his children and his household staff. The main characters develop a blossoming attraction for one another that builds throughout the storyline.
  
  The pace is relaxed and although it is deemed a sweet romance, there are some significant issues enveloped within the story such as difficult tensions with an inter-racial relationship, a murder, the fact that (during that time period) a woman must not deign to venture out on her own without male protection... the author weaves these perfectly into the storyline. There are prefect moments, then there are tense scenes like these that bring a realism to her story as we see much of this reflect in real life: the highs and the lows that balance our own lives. Yin and yang. Give and take. Nothing and no one is perfect but we find a way to carve our happiness and brightness against whatever obstacle is thrown our way. We keep marching forward, pulling out those weeds and life lives on.
  
  I got a wonderful sense of family in this book and its importance. To stand united against any negative threats. To nurture and protect one another. To fill a home with positivity and support. It is something we all strive for and so we can connect with what the author is so astutely delivering.
  
  I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is wholesome... like cookies and milk. Highly recommended.
• 
  ♡ Martina ♡

  4.25 ⭐
  Questo libro mi ha veramente sorpreso. Leggendo la trama mi aspettavo un libro molto simile ad altri romance storici ricchi di scene spicy e con una trama inesistente invece ho trovato altro. Troviamo una protagonista che per amore della sua famiglia, armata soltanto della sua intelligenza, si mette in viaggio per raggiungere il selvaggio West affrontando a testa alta le sue paure.
  Anche il protagonista maschile non delude di certo le aspettative: un uomo più grande con già cinque figli da allevare ma generoso, onesto e di buon cuore oltre che bellissimo.
  Mi sono affezionata a ogni singolo personaggio di pagina in pagina e, nonostante qualche piccola pecca, mi ha fatta emozionare moltissimo.
  Il libro offre moltissimi insegnamenti e vuole mostrare dei personaggi un po' fuori dal comune in base all'epoca in cui la storia è raccontata ma devo dire che un piccolo senso di realismo traspare lo stesso.
  Le descrizioni dei luoghi non erano prolisse e molto dettagliate ma riuscivano chiaramente a farti percepire e immaginare Emerson Pass e l'immensa tenuta dei Barnes.
  Lo stile è molto chiaro e lineare in cui si alternano momenti sofisticati e raffinati a momenti invece più casalinghi e familiari.
  I dialoghi in alcuni passaggi all'inizio sembravano un po' forzati ma andando avanti si ha un'evoluzione non indifferente.
  Sono rimasta colpita da questa storia bellissima ma allo stesso tempo semplice e quasi delicata che mi ha saputo ipnotizzare dalla prima fino all'ultima pagina.
• 
  Anne

  "A rich white man who cared about the plight of the less fortunate was most unusual."
  
  Please do some research and leave your modern views out of historical romances. First, let me say I am neither white nor male, but this statement is so a reflection of today's more liberal views and not of the time period the author is writing. I read historical romances in order to escape this reality, not be reminded of today's politics. Also, America's population during the early 1900s was predominantly white men and women and to just throw out that statement that rich white men did not care about the plight of the less fortunate just makes the author seem ignorant. Philanthropy was a thing during this time in America. Think Carnegie and Rockefeller, both white men. If you do a search on Wikipedia about philanthropy, you can read all about it. It's mind-boggling to read such a classist, sexist and racist statement in this book.
  
  The other problem I have with this book is Ms. Thompson's lack of research and understanding of noble English life. A lord is groomed from birth to understand his obligations to his people, his family, and his country. You do not cavalierly throw it all away. There is an understanding of obligation and responsibility bred into them and Lord Alexander Barnes was described as one who seemed to understand his responsibilities to his people near his small town near Denver and to his family... And yet not to his family, people, and country in England?!? This is not consistent with a man who would leave it all behind. He's not some scapegrace who takes responsibility lightly.
  
  Also, Americans during this time detested nobility due to having fought against the British, French, Spanish, etc. Those countries all had monarchs. Americans were very against that so why did a man who decided to forgo his lordly land and status retain the title of Lord Alexander Barnes?!?
  
  Ms. Thompson must think her readers are not that bright... Next time, just write a fantasy or modern genre novel unless you're willing to do the research and not be lazy.
  I'm glad I got this book for free because I would never have paid for it.
• 
  ♏ Gina Baratono☽

  I greatly enjoyed reading this book and came to care about the characters from the beginning to the end. This is the first in a series, and I cannot wait to read the rest.
  
  This first book revolves around Quinn, a strong, brave, and yet insecure woman who secures a position as a school teacher in remote Colorado as a way to make money to send back to her starving family on the East coast.
  
  Taking the long journey via train alone was a dangerous thing to do, but Quinn pulled back her shoulders and made the best of it, despite the unpleasantries she endured in the train.
  
  When she gets to her destination, she is met by a man sent by Lord Barnes, the gentleman she will be working for, who is tasked with bringing her to the Lord's home. The weather is terrible and they are progressing slowly when a stray gunshot spooks the horses and causes Quinn to go flying from the carriage and knocked unconscious.
  
  Upon awakening, she is horrified to find herself on the couch in the home of none other than the man she will be working for. What must he think? Her head aches and she cannot sit up without the room spinning. People are fussing over her, faces showing great worry for they have been waiting a long time for a teacher to come their way, including the children of the Lord himself.
  
  Although she was originally to stay in a boarding house, Lord Barnes realizes he cannot send this young woman to such a place that is filled with the likes of who knows what, and instead asks her to stay in his own mansion where she will be safer. Her threadbare coat and nearly soleless boots tell him this woman comes from a place where there wasn't enough funds to go around. He is very right. Her mother in Boston was left alone after her father died, and raising children alone in 1910 was a very hard thing to do.
  
  When she is well enough to meet the Lord's children, she notices the nanny is rather mean to her charges and that the children seem to fear her, which does not set well with Quinn. When the nanny quits, Quinn steps in to take her place as a thank you for allowing her to live in the beautiful home. She begins to fall in love with the children, who bloom under her care, their mother having died after years of mental illness when she walked out into a blizzard and perished in the snow.
  
  Added to this mix is the mystery surrounding the shooting death of a local man who had married a woman of color and had biracial children, which some townspeople were very vocal about - in the negative sense. They did not want those children to go to the new school with their children. Prejudice was rampant - so finding out who shot the children's father was a hard task.
  
  Then there's Louisa, a tiny little thing who shows up at the door of the school on the first day but is hesitant to come in. Louise tells Quinn that her daddy doesn't know she's there because he sleeps all day and if he found out she would be in huge trouble. Quinn realizes this child lives with a drunkard and decides to allow her to participate in class. When the truth comes out about Louisa's father and how she has lived, it's beyond heartbreaking.
  
  This book is a feel-good historical fiction story that somehow takes elements you may have read in other such books but puts a new spin on everything. It's well written, the characters are extremely well developed, and it left me wanting more.
• 
  Nicoletta Micillo

  4, 5 stelline
  Attratta dalla cover e dal particolare periodo storico di questo romanzo, l'ho iniziato e mi ha preso fin da subito. Una storia di amore molto dolce , quella tra Quinn e Alexander e non vedo l'ora di leggere i seguiti
• 
  Kremena Koleva

  Прочетох The school mistress с много и противоречиви емоции. Бях любопитна за темата. Но пък стилът на писане на Tess Thompson постоянно караше веждите ми да се издигат чак до международната космическа станция. Героите ми харесаха. Криминалната нишка ме доведе до края на книгата. Пресъздадена е деята за Джейн Еър, но осъвременена / 1910 година/ , излъскана и пренесена в Америка.
  През цялото време имах чувството, че някой до мен ми разказва историята на Лорд Барнс и на г - ца Купър в резюме. Задъхано и нетърпеливо. Ако бях на 13 години, щях да изгълтам страниците й с нетърпение. Но сега това ми се стори юношеско четиво и не изпитах тръпка. За всяка възраст си има книги.
• 
  Amarilli 73

  Non possiamo prevedere le gioie e i dolori che ci aspettano in questo viaggio attraverso la vita.
  Il coraggio è la nostra unica mappa.
  
  4,5 - Sono così in ritardo con le letture che, quando decido di prendermi qualche uscita in inglese, va a finire che esce prima la versione italiana e quindi leggo quella. Così è stato anche per questo inizio di serie, di cui mi aveva colpito molto la trama e la suggestiva cover "nevosa".
  
  Potremmo definirlo per certi versi un romance storico, ma anche un western romance, dato che la protagonista, una giovane maestra di Boston, accetta la sfida di andare a lavorare nel west, ovvero in un paesino abbarbicato tra le Montagne Rocciose del Colorado, poche anime indurite dal clima e dalla durezza della vita di frontiera, con un basso livello di alfabetismo anche tra gli adulti.
  
  E quando Quinn scende dal treno e affronta un ultimo viaggio in slitta tra neve alta è facile, per lei, perdersi d'animo. Soprattutto se qualcuno spara nel buio e la nuova avventura inizia con un incidente...
  Però la ragazza non può permettersi di fallire, i suoi cari hanno bisogno di questo stipendio e quindi è pronta ad accettare qualsiasi opportunità le venga offerta.
  
  Emerson Pass è un posto strano e isolato, popolato da gente arrivata da luoghi diversi e con diverse esperienze, in genere ostili alle novità.
  L'unico collante è appunto lord Barnes, un nobile inglese, vedovo e padre di cinque pargoletti, che ha voltato le spalle al suo rango per rifarsi una nuova esistenza negli States e costruire una realtà sociale con dei preziosi valori.
  Affascinata dal sogno del suo datore di lavoro, Quinn si appassiona a poco a poco agli stessi ideali, impegnandosi con tutte le forze, lottando insieme contro il razzismo, le violenze familiari, la diffidenza dettata dalla povertà e dall'ignoranza.
  
  Sapevo già, vista la sterminata quantità di rating positivi della serie, che questa lettura mi avrebbe regalato belle emozioni, e infatti mi sono subito ritrovata in sintonia con stile e ambientazione.
  Mi sono piaciuti tutti, da Quinn ad Alexander, e poi i bimbi, gli scolari e tutti i personaggi minori che compaiono nel libro, ciascuno con una piccola storia da raccontare.
  Si tratta di un microcosmo originale di inizio novecento che piace e conquista soprattutto per la sua coralità, perché accanto alla storia principale si sviluppano altre vicende e i semi dei filoni relativi alle generazioni future.
  Quindi ve lo consiglio di cuore e spero di ritornare presto a Emerson Pass per rivederne gli abitanti.
• 
  Alessandra

  Questo libro è la dimostrazione che per scrivere un rosa storico non bisogna per forza infarcirlo di sesso, se la storia vale, se trasmette emozioni, non serve nessun artificio. Ho amato i protagonisti, ho amato i personaggi secondari, ho amato l'ambientazione.
  Consiglio vivamente.
• 
  Yukino

  SERIE EMERSON PASS HISTORICAL vol. 1
  
  Noleggiato con Prime Reading.
  
  Preso perchè la trama mi ricordava il musical che tanto amo "tutti insieme appassionatamente".
  Quinn Cooper, sua madre e sua sorella, hanno bisogno di soldi. Da quando suo padre è morto, non hanno di che mangiare. Lascia così Boston per avventurarsi nel Colorado per fare la maestra nella città di Emerson Pass, in pieno Far west.
  Il suo datore di lavoro è Lord Alexander Barns. Ha lasciato l'Inghilterra e il suo futuro ormai stabilito, per costruirsi un futuro suo. Ha ricostruito la città dopo un brutto incendio, e adesso cerca una maestra per aprire la prima scuola. Vedovo con 5 figli.
  
  Molto dolce, mieloso con un pizzico di crime. Muore un abitante del villaggio e indagano, ma è di poco conto. Divertenti i personaggi di contorno.
  
  Per lo più è un mondo magico e fatato. Sembra di leggere una favola. Una bella favola, dove amore e coraggio vincono su tutto.
  E poi non ci si può non innamorare dei bambini. Uno più tenero dell'altro.
  La storia d'amore, è una storia d'amore delicata, solo baci appassionati che fanno venire le farfalle allo stomaco.
  A me è proprio piaciuta. Avevo bisogno di una super dose di amore e speranza da farmi cariare i denti ^^
  
  Attendo con ansia che Amazon metta in noleggio gratuito anche gli altri volumi della serie, ognuno dedicato ai figli di Alexander.
  Per le super romantiche. Consiglio di leggerlo sotto Natale per maggiore impatto emotivo.
• 
  Melissa

  I had such high hopes. If you like Hallmark's When Calls the Heart you will like this. I like my books and shows to be a little more realistic. Everyone doesn't have to fall in love and get married at the end. The mystery doesn't have to be solved so easily and the bad guy dispatched. It started out promising and turned into an overdone Hallmark cliché.
  This is a clean romance but it has weird moments where after the second kiss he talks about taking her to bed.... There is a couple of swear words to and some child abuse. There is talk of religion in praying and being good people. Overall just an odd mix of a book.
• 
  Simoloverosa

  4.5
  Emerson Pass è una città mineraria incastonata tra due montagne che in passato aveva accolto cercatori d' oro bisognosi di speranza e fortuna. Risorta dalle ceneri di un incendio grazie alla determinazione e alle scelte coraggiose di Lord Barnes che, spinto dal desiderio di avventura e libertà, ha lasciato l' Inghilterra rinunciando al suo titolo nobiliare e agli agi di una vita comoda, per stabilirsi in quella landa desolata nel lontano Colorado, tanto selvaggia quanto incantevole con quella meravigliosa tonalità azzurra del cielo. La città si era presto ripopolata di anime disperate provenienti da ogni parte dell' America attirate dalla conquista di un lavoro e dal sogno di trovare stabilità in un luogo che poteva offrire loro nuove opportunità. Ma la vita di frontiera era dura resa ancora più tortuosa da un clima rigido capace di intorpidire il corpo e gelare il cuore. Molti erano privi di sentimenti positivi utili al bene della comunità ma colmi invece di odio, violenza e dannosi pregiudizi che inquinavano gli animi minacciando la vita dei più deboli. Quegli uomini infatti erano rudi, solitari e violenti in più l' analfabetismo dilagava tenendo le loro menti relegate nell' oscurità dell' ignoranza e la città era pericolosa soprattutto per una giovane e bella donna come Quinn Cooper arrivata in quella parte del west per ricoprire il ruolo di insegnante. Crescere povera con genitori non istruiti l'aveva segnata ma al contempo fortificata portandola a scelte che le avrebbero permesso una vita dignitosa. L' autrice racconta un contesto storico buio in cui chi era povero o aveva il colore della pelle sbagliato attirava l' odio e il bigottismo della gente e, all' epoca, l' intolleranza era molto marcata. Quinn ha provato sulla propria pelle quanto poteva essere devastante l' ostracismo a causa della sua povertà e subito abbraccia e condivide gli stessi ideali di Lord Barnes combattendo con coraggio e tenacia le problematiche scaturite dal razzismo e l' analfabetismo che raggiungevano livelli estremi corrodendo e minando la pace e gli equilibri di Emerson Pass. Quinn è una donna intelligente e risoluta che con la sua grinta, i suoi principi, i suoi sogni e l' affetto che nutre per le anime perse e afflitte ha conquistato subito il cuore di Alexander e dei suoi 5 figli integrandosi con determinazione in una realtà tosta e difficile. Un libro che mi ha colpita soprattutto per la delicatezza con cui l'autrice narra uno spaccato di vita duro alternando momenti di intensa commozione con altri di svago e leggerezza legati al fanciullesco entusiasmo dei 5 ragazzi Barnes e alla storia d' amore che nasce e cresce in tenera armonia tra i due protagonisti. Ho apprezzato il personaggio di Alexander molto forte ma al contempo dotato di un animo generoso, altruista pronto a prodigarsi per gli altri nonostante lui stesso sia segnato da un dramma sconvolgente che ha colpito duramente la sua famiglia. Un romanzo storico corale che ho vissuto profondamente provando un' emozione forte e struggente che ha devastato il mio cuore davanti la brutale realtà della vita descritta.Ogni personaggio mi ha coinvolta emotivamente soprattutto le vicende della famiglia Barnes, unità, compatta, gioviale, che ritrova la sua serenità grazie ad una piccola maestra dotata di una grande forza d' animo prendendo a cuore ogni persona bisognosa di aiuto.
• 
  Carina

  Sound of Music but Make It Western!
  
  I called it quits at 14%, a record at this point for adding to my DNF shelf. The third line in the first paragraph ("The path to our true places, our Northern lights, are circuitous") had me messaging book friends because surely it's a me thing that the language is so flowery. No, actually, it gets worse. This is historical fantasy, and if you ever read part of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book, you know that a responsible frontier person wouldn't let their passenger fall asleep in the sled in the middle of a blizzard, and anyone who's read Sherlock Holmes knows the eldest son of a peer can't just disappear off to America without a fight unless he's been disowned. We may find out that this was the case, but it's hard to care when the female protagonist's first thought upon seeing him after she's regained consciousness from being knocked out is "How unfortunate he was handsome. I mustn't let my romantic mind get the better of me". Also, one woman for every 80 men? And he's only not letting her stay at the boardinghouse because she's young and cute? But if she was old with silver hair and a long nose with a wart at the end (actual line), he was fine with it? Really! My dear author!
• 
  Vivi220414

  Appena ho letto il titolo e la trama sapevo che avrei amato molto questo romance storico.
  Ho trovato la storia di Quinn e Alexander molto dolce e romantica, mi ha divertita e commossa; hanno tutti fatto breccia nel mio cuore, soprattutto i piccoli Theo e Louisa, i bambini non dovrebbero mai soffrire 😔, ho visto che un libro sarà su di loro, non vedo l'ora che arrivi da noi...
• 
  Christine Nolfi

  The wonderful first installment of Tess Thompson’s new historical series, The School Mistress of Emerson Pass will have you rooting for Quinn Cooper as she forges a new life in Colorado at the turn of the 20th century. Highly recommended.
• 
  Fátima Linhares

  Um romance fofinho, algo que já não lia há muito tempo.
• 
  Jessica Alcazar

  There is so much to love about what is between these pages that I don’t even know where to begin!
  
  Emerson Pass ... I’d like to call you home *happy sigh*
  Quinn and Alexander … be still my fluttering heart!
  The children … my cup runneth over; you own my heart!
  The secondary characters ... every single one enhanced the story!
  A slow-going romance full of heart and happiness and smiles.
  A story full of kindness and compassion and support.
  
  
  
  These are my bullet points when I read this book and I just can’t find a better way to review.
  Enjoy!
  
  
  
  
• 
  Karen McQuestion

  Full disclosure--I know the author, but I still wouldn't endorse the book if I didn't love it. I was looking for a story to sink into, one with characters to root for, and a happy ending and this one fit the bill. I fully enjoyed it.
• 
  Cindy

  Will let this one have 3 stars, so many people loved it. I enjoyed it for an easy book to read in bed.
• 
  Nellab1984

  4,5
• 
  Bambi Rathman

  There I am, sitting with a new Tess Thompson novel in my hands, feeling great excitement to begin a new series set in my home state of Colorado. I love the Cliffside Bay series and how Ms. Thompson takes me on a virtual visit each and every time. I just know that this will be the same or even better, especially since she introduced the setting of the story, Emerson Pass, in a previous book "Healed: Stone and Pepper. This new book is historical fiction and taking a step back in time to the early settling of a mountain town is just perfect for me. It's a reminiscence that drew me in to the places I grew up knowing. Ms. Thompson's artful writing skills perfectly placed me in the story with Quinn and Alexander.
  
  From the beginning scenes I was on the train trip through the mountains with Quinn from Denver to Emerson Pass. The harrowing trip to a new life in a place she had no idea of what to expect. "We cannot predict the joys and sorrows that await us on this journey through life." As she steps off the train, her life adventure begins to take place at a whirlwind speed. The story opens up and I meet a whole cast of wonderful characters I quickly become attached to. The book is written from Quinn's and Alexander's POV. I love that. I also enjoyed that there was a "spark" between the two of them from the beginning. Ms. Thompson "tended" that small flame with a smoldering pace that kept building between Quinn and Alexander.
  
  I love the children in this story. A whole schoolhouse full of individual and unique students. Each one with personalities and traits that set them apart from each other but they all "look out for" and accept each other. They captured my heart as much as they did Quinn's. The five Barnes children are so sweet and loving. They are honest with their words but they are so caring for others. Children who need a new mother after the tragic death of their own mother. They are immediately attracted to Quinn. Ahhh!!
  
  I had an amazing adventure in the pages of this book. There's the wild west feeling of a mountain town being settled in the elements of weather, a mysterious murder, a drunken father, and unaccepting citizens who make life difficult for some of the people. These are subjects that Ms. Thompson writes through with a careful approach. There is also the other end of life in the early development of Emerson Pass. The breathtaking beauty of freshly fallen snow in the pines and the contrast against the remarkable blue sky. The unity of the family and how they love and care for each other makes them endearing and lovable. The desire of Alexander Barnes to build a town for all citizens to happily belong to. There is courage and strength that is attained by the struggles and hardships but so worth the rewards in the end.
  
  I am so grateful for the honor of "stepping off the train" with Quinn and experiencing this book. It's a story that, for me, felt like it had uniquely blended aspects....a Downton Abbey/Sound of Music/Little House/and The Walton's all so specially mixed to make this a wonderfully delightful read. Thank you, Ms. Thompson, for taking me "back in time" to start this new series with characters and a setting (you know I'm a Colorado mountain girl in heart) that I'm so excited to go along on. I can't wait for the next novel in this series! It's a huge Rocky Mountain High five stars for me. Thank you! All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.
• 
  Dana Loo

  Quasi 4 stelline
  Non aspettatevi un capolavoro ma un historical romance pulito, gradevole, a tratti commovente dove prevalgono i buoni sentimenti sulla cattiveria e la malvagità degli uomini sempre in agguato nel selvaggio West ancora lungi dall'essere civilizzato. Anche la storia d'amore che coinvolge i due protagonisti è semplice, lineare, quasi naive. Una lettura per nulla impegnativa che tutto sommato fa bene al cuore...
• 
  Kristi

  Not a bad book, it just wasn't something I connected with. I did skim some. I appreciated that it was a closed-door romance and that the characters waited until they were married for anything more than kissing.
  
  I liked Quinn and Alexander's characters. They did come across as real and honest.
  
  Rating: PG -some mild language, mention of child abuse, gun violence
  Language: some mild language, nothing over the top
  Recommend: yes
• 
  Manuela

  Carino, narrato con delicatezza, buona ambientazione, ma forse l'innamoramento troppo istantaneo ha reso la storia fin troppo mielosa.
• 
  Mandygirl

  4,5 ⭐️
• 
  Michelle Bonnar

  I really liked this story. Takes place in the early 1900's out west in a small town. I felt like I was really living in this little town, and the characters all seemed real. I will read more of her.
• 
  Jackie

  This book took me to a place where time stood still. I felt apart of this book and loved the every one of the characters! As a huge fan of historical books this was everything that I love! A feel good historical read! I can’t wait to read more books in this series and see where Ms. Thompson takes me!! I highly recommend this book to anyone!! I received a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are mine and mine alone.
• 
  Rebecca

  In order to help support her widowed mother and younger sister, Quinn makes the courageous decision to move from Boston to the mountains of Colorado to become a teacher. There, she meets Lord Alexander Barnes, a widower, and his adorable children, Josephine, Theo, Flynn, Cymbeline, and Fiona... and the biggest adventure of her life begins!
  
  "We cannot predict the joys and sorrows that await us on this journey through life. Courage is our only map."
  
  The first in a new series that will alternate between historical fiction (this one was set in 1910) and contemporary fiction, this story was truly a balm for my soul during the current COVID-19 health crisis. After finding it difficult to focus on anything for any length of time, the writing style drew me in from the very first pages, allowing me a much-needed respite. I found it reminiscent of both Little House on the Prairie and The Sound of Music, and I couldn't help but smile while reading. Infused with romance, sweetness, and kindness, it was truly what I needed to soothe my wounded heart. The end brought tears to my eyes and now I am left craving the next installment...
  
  "Do you think our descendants will be as happy here as we are?" I will have to wait to find out, but I sure hope so!
  
  Lastly, I was amazed that so much of this story was applicable to our current situation, especially since it was written months before the pandemic began. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
  
  "There are only three rules that matter most [in the classroom and in life]... BE CURIOUS. BE KIND. PROTECT ONE ANOTHER."
  
  "Courage is truly the only map to a satisfying life. We must not shy away from that which frightens us."
  
  "Do you know how happy I am now that all of the people I love will be under one roof?"
  
  "Because people who read a lot have more to think about."
  
  Location: 1910 Emerson Pass, Colorado (fictional mountain town)
  
  I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.