ARC from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Tansy is a "bookwoman" in the Eastern Kentucky hills. This book focuses more on Tansy and a few other families, the slick city writer who comes to town and Tansy's childhood friend, Caleb, who wants to be more than a friend. The school shut down when the teacher left, so the families love Tansy delivering the books, and she looks in on the hill-folk and makes sure they are getting the neighborly services that they need, such as having a full woodpile for the winter and enough food to eat. Aunt Pertie, who is an old maid living alone until she accidently burns down her cabin after giving an unwed pregnant girl shelter is funny in her crochety old way. I liked the ending. ( )

I really should have read this one sooner, it was so good. I love the stories about the packhorse librarians in Kentucky and this was another great read about that piece of history. The author did a great job with the dialect and you can tell she did her research to write this novel. It is amazing the endurance these women had and I always learn something new when I read these books. ( )

A pleasant read well suited for fans of Catherine Marshall's "Christy," or the 90's TV show based on the book. And isn't that cover just gorgeous?
Tansy Calhoun is a pack horse librarian in Owsley County, Kentucky, in the 1930's. She takes books on horseback on a route from one cabin to another, helping her neighbors in rural Kentucky get just a little slice of the outside world that most of them might never experience. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Caleb has just returned from years of working with the CCC. Everyone thought he used to be sweet on Tansy's sister... but everyone was wrong.
Although Tansy is drawn to Caleb, when a New York writer named Damien Felding shows up needing someone to guide him around the mountains, her head is turned. This love triangle wasn't terribly convincing, as Felding obviously never intends more than a flirtation.
Two other romances unfold amongst Tansy's family and friends, leading the plot to a harmonious and happy ending.
I thought it was a nice enough story but was only mildly invested in Tansy's story, as there was really only the one viable option. Being "the book woman" almost seemed incidental to the story and didn't play as big a role as I thought it would in her views and plans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for this digital review copy. ( )

I truly loved this book. The characters were all so well developed. The idea of people so isolated finally getting a new book to read is a genuine wonder to me. I think the writing was honest and heartfelt. Tancy took a little getting used to, but in the end I loved her too.

This book appealed to me because it is about pack horse librarians. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. The Kentucky setting also drew me in. I have read other historical books about the pack horse librarians and this one was a great addition to my collection. The role of these courageous individuals cannot be overlooked in their attention to the literacy needs of people in hard to reach locations. This literacy need still exists today.