Flames of Faith by Marguerite Martin Gray is a delightful historical romance set in Switzerland during the nineteenth century. In the quaint city of Thun, the budding romance between Lucas, the railroad developer, and Claire, the tourism enthusiast, ignited amidst their clashing visions of progress, embodying the enemies-to-lovers trope. I especially enjoyed how the characters’ interactions revealed their hidden weaknesses and biased perspectives.

With rich descriptions detailing everything from the picturesque landscape of Europe to the delectable dishes unique to the region and the history, Gray transports readers to another time and place. Those who love to travel will find themselves enjoying this book. Using French terms and English colloquialisms adds layers of authenticity to the narrative. It isn’t hard to imagine the European flair as the dialogue leaps off the page.

As an added layer, Scripture is delicately sprinkled throughout this charming story with its leisurely pace and interesting plot. The faith thread tells a redemption story that adds a little extra depth to every chapter. Though the main characters are adorable, plenty of side characters add perkiness to the story. In the soft, sweet ending, the satisfactory solution of each problem brings a smile to the heart. Those who appreciate historical romance novels featuring the allure of Europe’s ancient train systems will be eager to include this on their reading list.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own. Click on the book cover for purchase link.

Final Thoughts from Marguerite

I am a tourist at heart and always have been since I was a child growing up in England as a preteen. A castle, a map, a manor house, a museum, a mystery, a myth in any country or state. Flames of Faith was sparked by a recent train ride from Interlaken to Thun, Switzerland where an old turreted castle rose above the lake and village. A perfect setting for a novel. It spurred thoughts of who visited this area as well as how and when since the terrain made it dangerous and tricky to just visit on a whim on a Sunday afternoon.

Have you heard of Thomas Cook (1850s and onward) and his famous travels all over Europe with tourists by horse, carriage, boat, foot, and finally train? He paved the way for the middle-class citizen to see gorgeous venues like Switzerland and the Alps. What an adventure to have been on one of his early tours! A Slow Train to Switzerland by Diccon Bewes cemented what I wanted to express in this novel.

Meet Claire Pennington, my heroine, who encompasses the traits of tourist in all the good senses. She wants everyone to have the opportunity to travel the continent and world as she does. Her bold dream inspires others to possibly regard seeing new sites as a way to refresh and revitalize their own lives.

Hop on board and discover romance and faith in 1870 Switzerland. Be a tourist without leaving your home.