The Tea Chest

Another great timeslip novel from Heidi. This one takes place in present day with Haley and a former boyfriend and first love named Ethan. And it also takes place during the revolutionary war and Boston tea party time frame with Emma and Noah. I like how the present day character discovers a tea chest, researches the history behind it, and makes the connection to Emma and Noah in the historical timeframe. I felt the author did a great job with her historical research and bringing that time, the war, the conflicts and the characters to life. I really felt for the losses that Emma sustained. It really helped me to picture what a hard life it was during that time in our United States history. I also really felt for Haley and her internal struggles with her family of origin, unforgiveness, hardships in her life and where she was looking for value and worth. I like how the author not only wove these two stories together but also connected faith in a very real way for each of these women and their stories in their times with their struggles. I like that the end of the story wrapped up many loose ends but it wasn’t fairytale neat and tidy. I would say this wasn’t a predictable novel, and it did keep me on the edge of my seat wondering what exactly would happen next and how this would turn out in the end. A really good book that I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a bit of romance, historical novel, present day novel, strong female characters, and a clean story with a deep storyline.

I’m a new reader of Heidi Chiavaroli’s novels. After reading THE TEA CHEST, I have become a fan! THE TEA CHEST is a time slip novel, detailing the lives of Emma Malcom in 1773 and her role in the Boston Tea Party and the present day life of Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth who is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. Both of these women are strong, but due to circumstances that face, they become stronger than they ever thought possible. Chiavaroli created characters that are believable and the time slip story she weaves is one that will stay with you long after you’ve read the last word of this novel. Her writing is engaging and you will quickly find yourself deep into this novel with a “Do Not Disturb” flag posted around you! This novel will make you think about what choices you might have made if you found yourself in either one of these women’s situations as they fought for love and freedom. Also, I hope readers won’t miss the characters discovering a heritage of courage and faith. I highly recommend this book! It has become on of my Bright Stars of 2020!