Spirited by Julie Cohen

From Goodreads

A moving and gripping story about three women who keep unspeakable truths, from the Richard & Judy recommended bestselling author Julie Cohen.

Viola has an impossible talent. Searching for meaning in her grief, she uses her photography to feel closer to her late father, taking solace from the skills he taught her - and to keep her distance from her husband. But her pictures seem to capture things invisible to the eye . . .

Henriette is a celebrated spirit medium, carrying nothing but her secrets with her as she travels the country. When she meets Viola, a powerful connection is sparked between them - but Victorian society is no place for reckless women.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, invisible threads join Viola and Henriette to another woman who lives in secrecy, hiding her dangerous act of rebellion in plain sight.

Faith. Courage. Love. What will they risk for freedom?

My thoughts

My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this 4 stars or 8/10.

I have read and enjoyed books in the past by Julie Cohen and when I saw that this one was available to read on NetGalley, I was 'spirited' away with happiness. See what I did there, to say I was excited that Julie Cohen had another book available was an understatement.

This was a joy to read, it takes you on a journey between the sexes and also between races and nationalities too.  In true Julie Cohen style the story features same sex relationships that are always handled well and enhance the story, without any sensationalism at all. None of us can help who we are attracted to or who we fall in love with. Life is and always should be full of diversity and stories should mirror this as well in my opinion. After all none of us are the same and we're all individuals.

This is a historical read set in the Victorian era that among other things deals with the bigotry of the time, it's sad that there is still bigotry in this day and age too. It tells the story of Henriette and Viola, how their chance meeting sparks a connection and friendship. Running alongside this story is another story on another continent about another young woman, the two stories are linked by threads in more ways than one.

Why not grab a copy and immerse yourself in this historical story that is not Julia Cohen's typical genre to write, but it's one that she has written well. I look forward to seeing what she writes next, as she may just have found a new feather to her quill.