The Echo of Old Books

A Novel

By: Barbara Davis

Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Steve West, Sarah Zimmerman

A novel about the magical lure of books and summoning the courage to rewrite our stories by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings and The Last of the Moon Girls.

Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners—an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance.

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story—and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.

©2023 Barbara Davis (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[The] dueling timelines, packed with twists and turns, should appeal to fans of Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.”—Booklist

“The author’s ability to present two different, but related, heartbreaking stories inside her own novel and keep all the voices distinct is so impressive. The fascinating characters and the beauty of the writing pull the reader in…Highly recommended.”—Historical Novels Review

“Delightful! …very satisfying. Barbara Davis endings usually are!”—Midwest Book Review

Good for Love Story

I'm usually not the love story type, but this book was pretty good. The two books that were being read and the mystery of their lives were pretty intriguing, honestly. And how these books brought new love together was a cute addition. The narrators did a good job as well. I would recommend this book.

Loved this book!

Fabulous! I loved this story. I did not want it to end. Narrated beautifully as well.

I love books about books

This was a great now and before book. I loved the way the two time frames were meshed.

Love it!

Loved all the characters and the narration was beautifully done! You have likely never read a story like this one.

Loved it.

Wasn’t sure at first but stayed up all night finishing this story. I hated for it to end.