This is book 3, The Juliet Code, of the Freddie and Grace mystery series by Pepper Basham. I’ve read the other two (and see my earlier post why I don’t recommend The Mistletoe Countess).

I was really torn on the review because there are some things I liked and some things that just went backwards. First, let’s talk about what worked.

Ratings: The Juliet Code

Story: 4/5
Worldview: 3/5

The story itself is interesting with mystery about who is stealing The Juliets for their own. I couldn’t follow the clues but it was a nice twist! Fred and Grace continue to grow and trust God, which is nice to see as well. I do think it’s funny how it’s the second book where the male side character falls in love with one of the women who was suspect. I give the story a 4 because it’s somewhat confusing for being a mystery. As a reader, I like being able to figure it out or feel like I’m ahead of the characters.

It would get a moderate+ rating from the Book Cave Rating system, I think. There’s a lot of talk about what the couple are going to do later when they’re alone, to the point where it’s in every conversation they have.

Worldview is 3/5 because I felt that the faith themes were shoehorned in at the end. I know the characters talk about God throughout, but they aren’t challenged until we’re almost finished with the novel. I would have like to see them be tested earlier, especially when there was the space for it.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, 3.5. I don’t think I’ll pick up another one in this series. It’s a shame because I loved Hope Between the Pages.

If you’re looking for a mystery/romance novel with solid Christian themes, you can check out The Lost Manuscript here!