I so enjoyed this novel!  I couldn't put it down!  The characters, the stories---I was enthralled from the beginning.  Each of the ladies, who had chapters told from each POV, had real problems, real joys, and relatable flaws.  I loved the aspect that with Emily's character we traveled back to the mid-1800s, and that her history tied into the present---so neat! and awesome twists (though I guessed one of them right away).  ;D  The relationships are sweet and filled with loss, love, & hope.  Topics we dive into are unfortunately so real to today: domestic abuse, the reality of divorce, betrayal, etc.  Each character loses herself in some way, they learn they've put their trust in the wrong thing or person.  In the end, their journeys come to a point & a brand-new, hope-filled future.

While this is a Christian fiction novel, it wasn't an in-your-face kinda Bible-thumping story, though I'm sure that's a matter of opinion.  The characters each realize they placed their hopes & dreams on things & people that won't last, that will fail them, however intentional or unintentional.  Each seems to have a rock-bottom moment where they must surrender & realize to Whom they belong, and that their identity is not in what others think of them, or the lies they've listened to in the past.

A professor's library has a ten-foot-wide statue of Buddha, multiple crucifixes, and old copy of the Quran, incense, and other things from her geographical studies in various places of her house.

Along the way, supporting characters help point them to the faith they've forgotten or set aside. They're encouraged to pray for guidance & are given the space they need to listen.  I loved that!  This was a lovely story on identity.

As a women's therapist, Sophia deals with anything & everything, until she becomes one of the victims living in denial.  Her fiance dies in a car accident & she's left with her grief & the guilt of feeling relieved he's gone.  Throughout her journey, she has flashbacks of memories from his verbal & physical abuse.

None.

A cafe & bar serves wine.  A pub restaurant serves cask ale & lager.  One character is described as looking rather haggard & possibly having had one too many of an alcoholic beverage, though he doesn't act intoxicated---eyes are red from lack of sleep & the lot he chose in life.

Couples kiss & embrace tenderly (not sexually) multiple times.  The relationships are really sweet and it's obvious they care for each other.

A woman is found with a footman in a dark corridor, her skirts up in a most unbecoming way---no need to explain further.  When caught, she threatens & demands her secret be kept, going so far as to spread a rumor that it was another woman who was seen committing such an indiscretion.  It's sorted out, but the accused lady is never really trusted again by her employers and kept at arms length.

As I said before, I truly enjoyed this tale.  The characters' journeys of finding their identity & their purpose in life, not what others want for them, but what their dreams are, was so beautiful to read as it played out.  Not being a victim of abuse in any way, I was still touched by Sophia's (& even Ginny's) road to overcoming fear.  All three, Emily included, set high goals for themselves in pursuing their dreams, and actively set out to make it happen.  So very encouraging.  And I don't say that in regards to many books.  :]  Would definitely recommend!