Finding Us

Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Pictures of the Heart #2
Pages: 304
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

One candid photograph will change the lives of four people forever.

While taking photographs at an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps an image of a woman in widow's clothes with deep sorrow etched in her expression and a young infant in her arms.

Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington and soon becomes fast friends with botanist Bill Reed, but she can't stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. She is stunned to learn Bill recognizes the woman as the sister-in-law he believed lost in a shipwreck.

As Eleanor and Bill hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grief-stricken husband, they must stand together to face the danger that follows and learn to trust that God will direct their paths.   

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Reviewer: Marie Edwards

After reading Peterson’s first book in the series, Remember Me, I knew I had to read the remaining books in the series. As this is a continuation, readers will get the maximum benefit from reading the first book prior to this one. The main characters are not only established in that book, but one of the events referred to in this book was the major storyline in the first book.

There is a brief mention of one character from the first book I’d hoped not to see again. I’m not sure why it was necessary to include her, given what happened in the first book. As a note, the mention did nothing to continue the storyline from the first book or advance this one.

Peterson introduces the Reed brothers, Wallace and William "Bill", along with Wallace’s wife, Amelia. They are traveling aboard a ship to Seattle when tragedy strikes—a tragedy that perpetrates the sordid story of a missing woman and a dastardly revenge plot.

Two months later, at the expo, Eleanor runs into Bill, who saves her from falling into a bank of water. The two instantly connect. She then offers to help Bill restore his recovered but damaged manuscript. He sees God at work—what was once lost is now found. The manuscript is only the beginning, though.

A widow and her infant capture Eleanor's attention, and she takes a photo of them. Eleanor keeps a print for herself, which is displayed in the window of the store. Bill finds it on a visit and recognizes who the woman really is. Eleanor then helps him try to find the woman, which isn’t easy.

This fast-paced and exciting read drew me right in and kept my attention until the very end. Peterson keeps the tension up with all the near-misses and the diabolic actions of a deranged man.

As a note, the bad guy is established right away, so there is little mystery as to who it is. Though watching his madness escalate is somewhat disturbing and enthralling all at once.  

Fans of the author, especially those who’ve read the first book, won’t want to miss this. There are significant representations of faith in this book because its publisher is primarily Christian and one of the characters is a preacher.

I’m excited to read the third book, Knowing You, when it comes out in November.

Thank you to Bethany House (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

If you like love at first sight with plot twists immersed in the book, then this is it!

Let me just say first off that Wallace and Amelia Reed’s characters were written so well. You see a man of God who helped people at the beginning of the book and a woman who relied on her husband to deal with the loss of each other. We see how each one coped differently and how they each treated God in their difficult situation. I liked the plot that Tracie Peterson chose to go with for these characters. I liked seeing past characters like the Fishers and Issac and Addie Hanson. 

This book is about botanists. I liked that it had references, but I liked that it was mentioned sparsely. 

Eleanor and Bill have a cute meet, and it is love at first sight for them. They are so sure that they are meant to be together. 

Grady was a bad man. And very delusional. Tracie Peterson is one of the authors that I like when she writes bad characters.

The last few chapters were perfect. There was a plot twist that I didn't see coming. And the reunion was so cute. 

This is a clean book. There are only kisses. There is a murder, but it is not shown. It is just said that people are murdered.

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

This second book in the Pictures of the Heart series offers another visit to the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle and a chance to meet a new Camera Girl. Eleanor Bennett is thrilled to wear this title, but she doesn't realize just how valuable one of her pictures may prove to be. Will the photo of a mother and baby become the catalyst for uniting a family torn apart by a tragic accident?

Author Tracie Peterson gives readers two emotional stories in her newest book. One is a moving story of pain, grief, and loss of faith, and the other is a touching chronicle of love, hope, and steadfast belief. Finding Us has heartwarming romance, some intriguing twists, and one of the vilest characters ever! There's also a reunion with Addie, the Camera Girl from Remember Me. I recommend this book to all who enjoy historical Christian romance.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

20-year-old Eleanor Bennett is a camera girl at the Seattle Exposition in 1909. She loves taking pictures of people and botanical specimens. She meets Bill Reed, who is a presenter at the Alaskan exhibit and is a botanist writing a book about Alaska and its flora. A chance photo that Eleanor takes of a widow and her infant sets them on a search that turns dangerous.

This intriguing story is full of information about the Expo. It sets the tone for danger as Bill and Eleanor seek answers to a complicated story. Love blooms quickly, which brings its own set of problems when Eleanor’s parents arrive.

I like how Ms. Peterson crafted her characters and presented real-life problems, spiritual struggles, and godly solutions. Bill and Eleanor seemed well-grounded in scripture and leaned on God and prayer.

This is the second book in the Pictures of the Heart series. It will have you reading book one if you have not already, and looking forward to the completion of the series to come later.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Five stars for this well-written book! I loved every minute of it!

My favorite thing about this book was how Peterson made my heart drop in a certain scene, which made me hold my breath all at once. She's wonderful like that. Another thing I loved was fact mixed with fiction. I found myself looking up certain events that I was in awe of.

I just simply couldn't put this amazing adventure down! I finished it in a day. Amelia and Eleanor were very interesting people. I loved getting to know them, along with Wallace and Bill Reed. Even Grady, who got his fair share, was the perfect villain. I could picture my favorite actor for his part if this were made into a movie. 

My favorite and most important thing was God's presence throughout this book. He is forever showing us love, grace, and mercy. He will never leave or forsake us, no matter what. We only need to ask Him. This was a quote from Bill Reed. I kind of worded it wrong, but I think I still got the message across. I would NOT know what to do without him! I'd be lost!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

I loved revisiting the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle and reconnecting with the wonderful Camera Girls in this second awesome installment of the Pictures of the Heart series. 

This story held me captive from the stormy beginning to the satisfying ending. The plot moves at a fitting pace with several surprising twists and revelations. The well-crafted, compelling characters touched my heart, except for one who was one of the most deranged villains I have ever encountered in all my reading! 

The amazing historical detail and vividly detailed descriptions immersed me in the setting. They helped to visualize the events of the story. The double dose of romance is sweet and heartwarming. I greatly appreciate the strong faith thread that permeates the story. This is a top-notch Christian Historical Romance, and I highly recommend it and the series.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Tracie Peterson once again delivers an epic tale of love, loss and restoration in Finding Us.

Bill and Wallace Reed believe Wallace's wife, Amelia, has been lost in a shipwreck. With no hope, Wallace's faith and trust in God crumble. Meanwhile, Amelia believes her husband was lost in the wreck. Each is dealing with the grief of loss, never knowing how close they were living to each other.

When Eleanor Bennett snaps a picture of Amelia at the Seattle Exposition, it sets a chain of events in motion she could never have imagined.

It was nice to travel back to the Expo and see it through a different lens this time. And it was great to see Addie again from the first book, Remember Me. But, while I enjoyed Finding Us, knowing what would happen spoiled the book for me. There were no real surprises. Even the villain was introduced early, so you knew how this story would unfold. 

However, I enjoyed the courtship story of Bill and Eleanor and their deep-abiding faith. I especially loved how the author showed a pastor losing his faith when faced with unspeakable loss. I thought his remorse over his failure to pass the testing of his faith was genuine. 

If you enjoy historical fiction with faith elements, you will enjoy Finding Us.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.

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