Knowing You

Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Pictures of the Heart #3
Pages: 320
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth--and love?

Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother's heritage--which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl--but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.

After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

This is the last book in the Pictures of the Heart series.

This was such a sad read. Tracie Peterson really pulls you in, and you fall in love and can relate to the characters.

May is half Japanese and half white. She was bullied her whole life because she was part Japanese. Lee, who knew her as a child, protected her, but even his parents did not like her. Which really got me. Years later, they meet up and resume their friendship again. But his parents are still against it. But now it isn’t just friendship. It is something more that has blossomed between them. Need I say more? Oh, wait… and Lee is a detective. This was like the best series finale.

Tracie Peterson grips your attention from the beginning. You are guaranteed a good mystery, as with the other books in the series, and a good romance. This was a clean read.

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

Knowing You is the third book in the Pictures of the Heart series, and it's a great way to end this series. I've learned so much from reading these books, and this one, which takes place in 1909 during the final days of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, especially enlightened me.

May Parker has experienced prejudice all of her life, but her life is now endangered. Will her recent reunion with a childhood friend offer her protection from the bigotry that targets her Japanese/American heritage?

Racism is a prevalent theme in this intriguing story, but author Tracie Peterson buffers it with a strong message of love and forgiveness. She also offers readers romance, suspense, and a touching reunion with the camera girls from the first two books. They've all experienced trials, but their friendship with each other has helped them endure.

Knowing You is an engaging series conclusion, but it can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone novel. I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

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

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

Knowing You, set during the final days of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle, is a wonderfully satisfying conclusion to the Pictures of the Heart series.

It is a perfect blend of history, romance, drama, and faith. Strong, compelling characters kept me firmly invested in the outcome of the story. I love how the sweet romantic relationship between May and Lee progresses despite racial prejudice, especially from Lee’s own family. I also appreciate how the subject of interracial marriage is handled with biblical insight and thoughtfulness. I love this book and the series, and I give them my highest recommendation.

NOTE:  Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but for a richer reading experience, I recommend reading the series in order. 

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

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Knowing You by Tracie Peterson is the third book in the Pictures of the Heart series and is an engaging read from the first to the last page.

We meet new characters and once again catch up with old ones. I was particularly interested in Esther's story, as I couldn't remember it! I have read all the books so far, and I'm stumped as to her backstory. I wish more had been added to this final book about her so that I could understand what she had done to one of the other characters.

Other than that one little mind-blip for me, I really enjoyed this book. May Parker and her parents, who have endured so much hatred for their looks, were the perfect example of Christ's love and forgiveness in action. I greatly appreciated how the author dealt with racism and how May reacted to those who treated her badly because of her looks.

The love story between May and Lee is sweet, and I was pleased to see how they both supported one another despite the hatred of those around them and Lee's family members. I loved how the author presented the gospel message and how God was definitely glorified in this book.

The heist of the Samurai armour was very interesting and added to the excitement in this book. A definite 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House and NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

The third installment in this series is an interesting one, to be sure! May is my favorite character. She is charismatic and charming. I love her heart and the way she wants to help people.

Racism is very strong in this book. Peterson handled this subject very well. I was sad for Lee's parents, as they couldn't see past the end of their noses. I don't like people like that.

I had fun at the World's Expo, seeing all the different things that people invented. Henceforth, our world today. I devoured this book in one day. It was so very good! I do have a favorite scene, but I really don't want to give it away except to say that it involves a trolley.

The author shows us that God does have a way of putting people in our lives once again when different circumstances take us away from friends or those we love and admire. This is a fast-paced novel, as all of Tracy's novels are, and the historical World's Epo setting was my favorite part of the book. I love fairs. This book was able to let me see and feel what it was like to be there. 5 stars for a wonderful adventure.

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

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

What an amazing book! Tracie Peterson once again crafts a story so engaging that I could hardly put it down! There's mystery, intrigue, and a love story. There is also a difficult subject addressed: racism. I absolutely loved how Tracie incorporated scripture and grace into the topic of racism.

The characters are relatable and genuine. I loved the continuation of Pearl and Otis' stories. I also enjoyed reading about the rest of the Camera Girls' lives. May absolutely blew me away! She is full of grace and beauty. She loves fully, and she believes in the true goodness of people. Lee is a godly man. He's strong, loving, and committed to his job and his family.

The theme of forgiveness is prevalent throughout the book. May's mother struggles with this, and so do Lee's parents. Lee and May gently guide their parents towards God and say that they should give their troubles to Him.

This is a definite read! I would start with the rest of the series, "Remember Me" and "Finding Us," so that you can get to know the characters better.

I was provided a copy of the book from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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