As seen on my blog: 
 4.5 STARS 
 I am in awe, and completely humbled, by the wealth of knowledge that people are able to accumulate in a lifetime, in not even HALF a lifetime. I love that personal experience gives us the most perfect material for fiction, that fiction is made even BETTER because of it. My heart seems to be 5 sizes too big as I write this, it may have something to do with a full stomach as well, but I'm in a good place, and a lot of that can be credited to Tara Conklin, and her spectacular novel, 
 The House Girl. 
 This book was a winner, in the many ways that the written word could win. It had heart, an endless stream of emotion, it had moments that stopped your breath, and more times than not, gripped your heart so tight, you feared you would never recover. Set in alternating chapters of the 1800's, and present day, 
 The House Girl 
 wove a tale surrounding an injustice, a mystery, a loss, and eventually, the realization of many truths. Josephine Bell, and Carolina Sparrow were beautifully dynamic characters. Both of them were immersed in a world that held true to their standards, their "laws". It was through both of these characters that Tara Conklin really shone. Her knowledge of history, and her career as a lawyer provided us with a hauntingly realistic view of both worlds. I've read countless books filled with law practices and lingo, as well as books that touched on the horrid realities of slavery, though none that blended the two so seamlessly, so tightly together. I gained so much knowledge, all while being given the privilege of a fantastic story. 
 You all know by now how important descriptive scenery is for me, I need to be able to feel like I'm standing behind a character, always. I need to smell what they smell, see exactly what they see, every single colour. Tara Conklin allowed me to do that, and allowed it with every scene. Her words were intoxicating, and effortless to follow-I was 75% through The House Girl without even realizing it. THAT'S what narratives are supposed to read like, a book is meant to get lost in, and my GOD did I become all kinds of lost in this book. 
 Read this book for the knowledge it will lend you, read this book for the raw emotions I guarantee will be coursing through your being, but most of all, read 
 The House Girl 
 because it is one INCREDIBLE piece of literature. 
 Recommended for Fans of: Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Women's Fiction, Romance, controversial content.