January 2025 Book Review: The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

Book by: Jennifer Moorman
Review by: Dr. Wendy Hooper-Meletes, Ed.D., owner of Litchfield Books

Moorman tells an uplifting story about love, loss, and time travel. When recently widowed Josephine Reynolds makes a wish that she had never been born, and inadvertently changes the course of history. Broken hearted, but determined to continue her dream Josephine passionately restores her great-grandmother Alma’s bungalow in disrepair. The house is a disaster and a money-loser, which rocks her confidence for years to come. But her sister Katherine suggests this fresh start will help her overcome her grief and depression.

Then, Josephine gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: she finds the home’s original door in a salvage yard. After the renovation she steps through the door to a 1927 historic Nashville speakeasy! In the Jazz Age, Josephine bonds with Grandmother Alma and finds a love interest who may be the ultimate antagonist named Danny.

However, she must correct the timeline by stopping a police raid on Alma’s speakeasy to ensure her future existence does not vanish. The focus is on Josephine’s romance with Danny in this light and engaging narrative, which wraps up predictably yet warmly. Moorman’s vivid portrayal of the 1920s era in this heartwarming tale is a question of who will flip, and who will flop, and will Josephine ever get her happily-ever-after. “Never love something that can’t love you back” is advice Alma gives her, but Josephine falls head-over-heels for a money pit of a house. She’s determined to make it work, but disaster after disaster occurs, and Josephine’s dream might cost her & Alma their lives.

A fun story with twists and turns that will appeal to romantics and roaring 1920’s fans alike. Make a reservation to meet author Jennifer Moorman at a Litchfield Books Exclusive Author Event on Tuesday, January 28th 2025 from 11-1pm at Caffe Piccolo.