I struggled with this book … but more because I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to absorb it all but also wanted to take in every single word. Sometimes rereading sections just for the joy of it. 
   I had no idea who Belle was when I picked up this book. I had no idea this courageous woman was a real life character. She seemed too good to be true. Too amazing. Too bold. Too, franky, badass. But she does exist and for that, thank you to the two wonderful authors that brought her into so many people’s homes. 

This book is extremely well written. It’s true to the time period. It has the perfect balance between dialogue and description. You are pulled along through conversations and also feel fully immersed into history surrounding these people. 
    I absolutely adored getting to know Belle. My heart strings were pulled at when I had to wrap my brain around the struggles she suffered. I loved that the authors didn’t present her as some hero on a pedestal (although, she certainly is) but a real person. For example, anyone might have feelings if their sisters took for granted an apartment, beautiful dresses that they did no earn. The moments Belle had to deal with her sisters and her mother enjoying the benefits of the money Belle shared made Belle a real person for me. The heart break over and over from Bernard was a cherry on top. 
    Gosh, I’m just overwhelmed of how much I want to hug Belle. Yet, I also want to stand way back as I feel I’m not worthy of her presence. Even writing this review, I feel more poetic then I normally would writing a review. I attribute that all to the two amazing women who strung these words together in such a magical way. 

Long story short, yes. Yes, I do recommend this book. I actually would say, this book is required for all readers.