801. Sessenheim. In the quiet and idyllic parsonage in the Alsace, Anna has received an extraordinary education under the watchful eye of her grandfather, the village pastor. But a most shocking revelation turns her world upon its head: her father is none other than the legendary German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Sent away to the culturally vibrant city of Weimar to live with her father, Anna finds herself trapped in a gilded cage, paraded before suitors of good name and fortune. But Anna yearns for more than marriage. She longs to write, a secret she guards fiercely from her unsuspecting father. A chance encounter with Friedrich, a set carpenter at the Weimar Theater, ignites a friendship that fuels her hidden passion.

With the rumble of the invading French army and her heart refusing to yield to her father’s wishes, Anna plots her escape. But when she discovers her father has found and used her writing, she sets out to fight not only for her love of words but for the man who sees her true spirit.

This short book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. It was so captivating and compelling that I found it hard to put down—I kept wanting to know what would happen next! This was my first time reading this author’s work, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books.

I’m not familiar with the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, so I can’t speak to the historical accuracy of the story, but I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching the narrative unfold. Anna’s journey was especially engaging as she navigated her new life and family dynamics. I loved how supportive and encouraging her stepmother, Christine, was during Anna’s time living with her and her father.

While the romance was sweet, clean, and heartwarming (closed-door with no language or spice), I wish it had been more central to the story. It felt more like a subplot, and I would have loved to explore the relationship in greater depth.

I also found myself wishing the book were longer. With more pages, the author could have fully developed the characters, giving readers a deeper connection to them. I would have appreciated more vivid descriptions of the setting and time period as well—it felt a bit light for historical fiction, and I wanted to be more immersed in the world. Some scenes felt rushed or too brief, and there were noticeable gaps in the story. The ending, in particular, felt abrupt and left me wanting more closure.

Overall, despite its shortcomings, this was an enjoyable read that held my attention. I definitely recommend it!