The Truth of the Matter by Leigh Fleming

Meet Author Leigh Fleming:

"Leigh Fleming is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and has published contemporary romance. The Truth of the Matter is her first work of historical women's fiction.

Leigh lives in West Virginia with her husband and her deaf French bulldog. When not writing, she enjoys reading, travelling, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends." ~Amazon

Contact Leigh at leigh@leighfleming.com

Website: http://www.leighfleming.com

Follow her: http://www.facebook.com/leighhflemingauthor

http://www.twitter.com/leighhfleming1

http://www.instagram.com/lhfauthor

I had the privilege to read her newest book The Truth of the Matter:

"On a cold night in 1877, Laurel Whitman’s father flies into a rage and throws her into the street. His behavior isn’t unusual; he has ridiculed her for years, and Laurel doesn’t understand why. All she knows is that his vitriol has something to do with her grandmother, a woman shrouded in mystery. 

Laurel goes on a harrowing journey from her home in Philadelphia to Maryland only to discover that her grandmother is on death’s door. She is welcomed with open arms by her extended family but receives a chilly reception from her grandmother who seems suspicious of Laurel’s arrival. Over the next few weeks, her grandmother recovers and her distrust begins to thaw as she tells Laurel stories of her abusive first husband, the young immigrant whom she came to love, and the birth of her two illegitimate children. 

Laurel learns the secrets of her family’s fractured past, a story of resilience, deception, and forbidden passion that forces Laurel to confront the truths in her own heart. But will unearthing long-buried secrets heal the rift between Laurel and her father, or will the past haunt the present and the future forever?" ~Amazon

Goodreads

Reedsy Discovery

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A motivational story with moving characters. Laurel Whitman is a brave heroine to admire, and Cillian O'Brien is a sweet hero to adore.

Author Leigh Fleming keeps you engaged, startled, worried, and on the edge-of-your-seat from the beginning of this historical fiction novel. This first stand-alone story takes us to 1877 and the world of Laurel Whitman; an artist with dreams of using her art skills to earn money and provide a career in design. Her dreams are ridiculed by her father, a brute who tells her she's just like his whore of a mother, and Laurel is determined to find out the truth about her grandmother and the past.

We find Laurel working in the factories feeding the looms ten hours a day and attending art school at night three times a week. Her wages are shared with her mother and brothers, and she is determined to make her dreams come true. When her father all but throws her out of the house, Laurel knows that making it to her grandmother in Maryland might be the only chance to rectify the rift and figure out why he hates her so much.

On the way there and even after she arrives, things don't go quite as planned. Through her misjudged moments, her continual strength, and the support of her friend Cillian O'Brien, Laurel learns some life lessons about how our actions can hold us hostage.

Although her grandmother is displeased to see her at first - refusing to answer any questions, she eventually warms up to Laurel. Before long, Laurel is obtaining the stories of her grandmother's past and the people most involved in her life - including Laurel's father. This retelling consists of conversations between them and the grandmother's journal entries which take you right into the past.

Through the recital, we hear a vivid account of Laurel's grandmother's life, the rise of animosity in her children from her first marriage - including Laurel's father, the conflict, her grandmother's decisions and regret, and the death the ensuing actions created. It's a well-documented history and full of nuances, regrets, joys, and sadness. You learn a great deal and can relate to the characters at hand even more.

Before the end, we're given the understanding of the separation between Maggie Hayward, Laurel's grandmother, and her son. Inevitably, a new conflict emerges, and beyond this scene, new hopes arise. I support the mild explicit warning, but all in all, consider this an excellent story. Well-written with exceptional characters, I'd definitely say I "loved it."

Thanks to Author Leigh Fleming and Reedsy Discovery for providing an ARC copy for me to read and review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author